S-1

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 3, 2006

File No. 333-            

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware				6770				20-3881465
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)				(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)				(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
(610) 293-2512
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Don K. Rice, Chief Executive Officer
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
(610) 293-2512
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

David Alan Miller, Esq. Graubard Miller The Chrysler Building 405 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10174 (212) 818-8800 (212) 818-8881 – Facsimile				Paul D. Broude, Esq. Foley & Lardner LLP 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02199 (617) 342-4000 (617) 342-4001 – Facsimile

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box.   

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.   

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of each Class of Security being registered				Amount being Registered					Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Security(1)				Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)			Amount of Registration Fee
Units, each consisting of one share of Common Stock, $.0001 par value, and two Warrants (2)				4,025,000 Units				$	6.00			$	24,150,000			$	2,584.05
Shares of Common Stock included as part of the Units(2)				4,025,000 Shares					—				—				—	(3)
Warrants included as part of the Units(2)				8,050,000 Warrants					—				—				—	(3)
Shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants included in the Units(4)				8,050,000 Shares				$	5.00			$	40,250,000			$	4,306.75
Units issued to insiders (‘‘Insider Units’’), each consisting of one share of Common Stock, $.0001 par value, and two Warrants				208,334 Units				$	6.00			$	1,250,004			$	133.75
Shares of Common Stock included as part of the Insider Units				208,334 Shares					—				—				—	(3)
Warrants included as part of the Insider Units				416,668 Warrants					—				—				—	(3)
Shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants included in the Insider Units to the extent such Warrants are subsequently transferred prior to exercise(4)				416,668 Shares				$	5.00			$	2,083,340			$	222.92
Shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants included in the Insider Units to the extent such Warrants are subsequently exercised by the Insiders(4)				416,668 Shares					—				—				—	(5)
Representative’s Unit Purchase Option				1				$	100			$	100				—	(3)
Units underlying the Representative's Unit Purchase Option (‘‘Underwriter's Units’’)(4)				350,000 Units				$	6.60			$	2,310,000			$	247.17
Shares of Common Stock included as part of the Underwriter’s Units(4)				350,000 Shares					—				—				—	(3)
Warrants included as part of the Representative’s Units(4)				700,000 Warrants					—				—				—	(3)
Shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants included in the Representative’s Units(4)				700,000 Shares				$	5.00			$	3,500,000			$	374.50
Total												$	73,543,444			$	7,869.14

(1)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(2)	Includes 525,000 Units and 525,000 shares of Common Stock and 1,050,000 Warrants underlying such Units which may be issued on exercise of a 45-day option granted to the Underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.

(3)	No fee pursuant to Rule 457(g).

(4)	Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also being registered such indeterminable additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions as a result of the anti-dilution provisions contained in the Warrants.

(5)	The filing fee is included in the $222.92 filing fee for the shares of common stock underlying the Warrants included in the Insider Units above.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Preliminary Prospectus
Subject to Completion, February 3, 2006

PROSPECTUS

$21,000,000

ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

3,500,000 units

Ascend Acquisition Corp. is a newly formed blank check company organized for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with an operating business. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry, although we intend to focus our efforts on acquiring an operating business in the manufacturing, service or distribution industries. We do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf) contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction.

This is an initial public offering of our securities. Each unit that we are offering has a price of $6.00 and consists of:

•	one share of our common stock; and

•	two warrants.

Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of our common stock at a price of $5.00. Each warrant will become exercisable on the later of our completion of a business combination and       , 2007 [one year from the date of this prospectus], and will expire on        , 2010 [four years from the date of this prospectus], or earlier upon redemption.

We have granted EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., the underwriter for this offering, a 45-day option to purchase up to 525,000 units (over and above the 3,500,000 units referred to above) solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The over-allotment will be used only to cover the net syndicate short position resulting from the initial distribution. We have also agreed to sell to the underwriter, for $100, as additional compensation, an option to purchase up to a total of 350,000 units at $6.60 per unit. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus. The purchase option and its underlying securities have been registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer, has committed to purchase 208,334 units at $6.00 per unit (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,004) from us. This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from this purchase will be placed in the trust fund described below. The units to be purchased by Mr. Rice will be identical to the units being offered by this prospectus; however, Mr. Rice has waived his right to receive distributions upon our liquidation prior to a business combination with respect to the securities underlying these units. The units to be sold to Mr. Rice have been registered for resale under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, but Mr. Rice has agreed that the units and underlying securities will not be sold or transferred by him until after we have completed a business combination.

There is presently no public market for our units, common stock or warrants. The units will be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol      on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the common stock and warrants will be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbols      and    , respectively. We cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See ‘‘Risk Factors’’ beginning on page 9 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

				Public offering price				Underwriting discount and commissions(1)				Proceeds, before expenses, to us
Per unit				$6.00				$0.54				$5.46
Total				$21,000,000				$1,890,000				$19,110,000

(1)	Includes a non-accountable expense allowance in the amount of 1% of the gross proceeds, or $0.06 per unit ($210,000 in total), payable to the underwriter. The non-accountable expense allowance is not payable with respect to the units sold upon exercise of the over-allotment option.

$18,110,000 of the net proceeds of this offering, plus the additional $1,250,004 we will receive from the purchase of our units being made by Mr. Rice simultaneously with the consummation of this offering, for an aggregate of $19,360,004 (or approximately $5.53 per unit sold to the public in this offering), will be deposited into a trust account at Lehman Brothers Inc., maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee.

We are offering the units for sale on a firm-commitment basis. EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. expects to deliver our securities to investors in the offering on or about          , 2006.

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

          , 2006

Table Of Contents

				Page
Prospectus Summary					1
Summary Financial Data					8
Risk Factors					9
Use of Proceeds					19
Dilution					21
Capitalization					23
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations					24
Proposed Business					26
Management					36
Principal Stockholders					42
Certain Transactions					43
Description of Securities					45
Underwriting					49
Legal Matters					52
Experts					52
Where You Can Find Additional Information					53
Index to Financial Statements					F-1

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Prospectus Summary

This summary highlights certain information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. For a more complete understanding of this offering, you should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the risk factors and the financial statements. Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus:

	•	references to ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’ or ‘‘our company’’ refer to Ascend Acquisition Corp.;

	•	‘‘initial shares’’ refers to the 875,000 shares of common stock that our initial stockholders originally purchased from us for $25,000 in December 2005;

	•	‘‘insider units’’ refers to the 208,334 units we are selling privately to Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer, upon consummation of this offering;

	•	the term ‘‘public stockholders’’ means the holders of the shares of common stock which are being sold as part of the units in this public offering, including any of our existing stockholders to the extent that they purchase such shares;

	•	the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriter will not exercise its over-allotment option.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

We are a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 5, 2005. We were formed with the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with an operating business. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry, although we intend to focus our efforts on seeking a business combination with an operating company in the manufacturing, service or distribution industries. We intend to initially focus our search on businesses in the United States, but will also explore opportunities in international markets that are attractive to us. To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities.

We do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf) contacted any prospective target business or had any discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. We have not (nor have any of our agents or affiliates) been approached by any candidates (or representative of any candidates) with respect to a possible acquisition transaction with our company. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate any such acquisition candidate.

Our initial business combination must be with a target business whose fair market value is at least equal to 80% of our net assets (all of our assets, including the funds held in the trust account, less our liabilities) at the time of such acquisition, although this may entail simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses. If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple acquisitions, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent integration of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business.

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The target business that we acquire may have a fair market value substantially in excess of 80% of our net assets. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such business and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such fund raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so.

Our principal executive offices are located at 435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 and our telephone number is (610) 293-2512.

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The Offering

Securities offered		3,500,000 units, at $6.00 per unit, each unit consisting of:

		•	one share of common stock; and

		•	two warrants.

		The units will begin trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. Each of the common stock and warrants may trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus unless EarlyBirdCapital determines that an earlier date is acceptable (based upon its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular). In no event will EarlyBirdCapital allow separate trading of the common stock and warrants until we file an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including an audited balance sheet, upon the consummation of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days from the date the units commence trading. The audited balance sheet will reflect our receipt of the proceeds from the exercise of the over-allotment option if the over-allotment option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K. If the over-allotment option is exercised after our initial filing of a Form 8-K, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in this Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if EarlyBirdCapital has allowed separate trading of the common stock and warrants prior to the 90th day after the date of this prospectus.

Securities sold to insider		208,334 units at $6.00 per unit (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,004) will be sold to Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer. This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. The insider units will be identical to the units being offered by this prospectus; however, Mr. Rice has waived his right to receive distributions upon our liquidation prior to a business combination with respect to the securities underlying the insider units. Additionally, he has agreed that the insider units and underlying securities will not be sold or transferred by him until after we have completed a business combination.

		In the event we call the warrants for redemption as described below, we have agreed that any warrants included within the insider units will be exercisable by Mr. Rice on a cashless basis.

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Common stock:     Number outstanding before this     offering		1,083,334 shares (including the 208,334 shares included in the insider units)

Number to be outstanding after this     offering		4,583,334 shares

Warrants:     Number outstanding before this     offering		416,668 warrants (representing the 416,668 warrants included in the insider units)

Number to be outstanding after this     offering		7,416,668 warrants

Exercisability		Each warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock.

Exercise price		$5.00

Exercise period		The warrants will become exercisable on the later of:

		•	the completion of a business combination with a target business, and

		•	[     ], 2007 [one year from the date of this prospectus].

		The warrants will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [     ], 2010 [four years from the date of this prospectus] or earlier upon redemption.

Redemption		We may redeem the outstanding warrants (including any outstanding warrants issued upon exercise of the unit purchase option issued to EarlyBirdCapital), except as set forth below:

		•	in whole and not in part,

		•	at a price of $.01 per warrant at any time after the warrants become exercisable,

		•	upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, and

		•	if, and only if, the last sales price of our common stock equals or exceeds $8.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption.

		The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrantholders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient degree of liquidity to cushion the market reaction to our redemption call.

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Proposed OTC Bulletin Board symbols for our:     Units		[    ]

Common stock		[    ]

Warrants		[    ]

Offering proceeds to be held in trust		$18,110,000 of the proceeds of this offering plus the $1,250,004 we will receive from the sale of the insider units (for an aggregate of $19,360,004 or $5.53 per unit sold to the public in this offering) will be placed in a trust account at Lehman Brothers, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus. These proceeds will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our liquidation. Therefore, unless and until a business combination is consummated, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be available for our use for any expenses related to this offering or expenses which we may incur related to the investigation and selection of a target business and the negotiation of an agreement to acquire a target business. These expenses may be paid prior to a business combination only from the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account (initially, approximately $600,000).

		None of the warrants may be exercised until after the consummation of a business combination and, thus, after the proceeds of the trust account have been disbursed. Accordingly, the warrant exercise price will be paid directly to us and not placed in the trust account.

Limited payments to insiders		There will be no fees or other cash payments paid to our existing stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination other than:

		•	repayment of a $80,000 non-interest bearing loan made by Don K. Rice;

		•	payment of $7,500 per month to 400 Building LLC for office space and related services; and

		•	reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations.

Stockholders must approve business combination		We will seek stockholder approval before we effect any business combination, even if the nature of the acquisition

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		would not ordinarily require stockholder approval under applicable state law. In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our existing stockholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote the shares of common stock owned by them immediately before this offering as well as those included in the insider units in accordance with the majority of the shares of common stock voted by the public stockholders. We will proceed with a business combination only if (i) a majority of the shares of common stock voted by the public stockholders are voted in favor of the business combination and (ii) public stockholders owning less than 20% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their conversion rights described below.

Conversion rights for stockholders voting to reject a business combination		Public stockholders voting against a business combination will be entitled to convert their stock into a pro rata share of the trust account, including any interest earned on their portion of the trust account, if the business combination is approved and completed. Our existing stockholders will not have such conversion rights with respect to any shares of common stock owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial shares, included in the insider units or purchased by them in this offering or in the aftermarket. Public stockholders who convert their stock into their share of the trust fund will continue to have the right to exercise any warrants they may hold.

		Investors in this offering who do not sell, or who receive less than an aggregate of $0.47 of net sales proceeds for, the warrants included in the units, and persons who purchase common stock in the aftermarket at a price in excess of $5.53 per share, may have a disincentive to exercise their conversion rights because the amount they would receive upon conversion could be less than their original or adjusted purchase price.

Liquidation if no business combination		We will dissolve and promptly distribute only to our public stockholders the amount in our trust account (including any accrued interest) plus any remaining net assets if we do not effect a business combination within 18 months after consummation of this offering (or within 24 months from the consummation of this offering if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed within 18 months after consummation of this offering and the business combination has not yet been consummated within such 18 month period). Our existing stockholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their initial shares and their shares included in the insider units. We will pay

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		the costs of liquidation and dissolution from our remaining assets outside of the trust account.

Escrow of existing stockholders’ shares		On the date of this prospectus, all of our existing stockholders, including all of our officers and directors, will place their initial shares (but not any shares included in the insider units) into an escrow account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as escrow agent. Subject to certain limited exceptions, (such as transfers to relatives and trusts for estate planning purposes, while remaining in escrow), these shares will not be transferable during the escrow period and will not be released from escrow until [     ], 2009 [three years from the date of this prospectus] or earlier if, following a business combination, we engage in a subsequent transaction resulting in our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash or other securities. Although the shares included in the insider units will not be placed in escrow, Mr. Rice has agreed that the units and underlying securities will not be sold or transferred by him until after we have completed a business combination.

Risks

In making your decision on whether to invest in our securities, you should take into account not only the backgrounds of our management team, but also the special risks we face as a blank check company. In addition, this offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and, therefore, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. Additionally, our initial security holders’ initial equity investment is below that which is required under the guidelines of the North American Securities Administrators’ Association, Inc. and we do not satisfy such association’s policy regarding unsound financial condition. You should carefully consider these and the other risks set forth in the section entitled ‘‘Risk Factors’’ beginning on page 9 of this prospectus.

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Summary Financial Data

The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, so only balance sheet data are presented.

				December 31, 2005
				Actual				As Adjusted(1)
Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital (deficiency)				$	(1,131	)		$	19,983,873
Total assets				$	105,061			$	19,983,873
Total liabilities				$	81,192			$	—
Value of common stock which may be converted to cash ($5.53 per share)				$	—			$	3,870,065
Stockholders’ equity				$	23,869			$	16,113,808

	(1) Includes the $1,250,004 we will receive from the sale of the insider units.

The ‘‘as adjusted’’ information gives effect to the sale of the units we are offering, including the application of the related gross proceeds and the payment of the estimated remaining costs from such sale and the repayment of the accrued and other liabilities required to be repaid.

The working capital deficiency excludes $25,000 of costs related to this offering which were paid prior to December 31, 2005. These deferred offering costs have been recorded as a long-term asset and are reclassified against stockholders’ equity in the ‘‘as adjusted’’ information.

The working capital and total assets amounts include the $19,360,004 to be held in the trust account, which will be available to us only upon the consummation of a business combination within the time period described in this prospectus. If a business combination is not so consummated, the trust account will be distributed solely to our public stockholders.

We will not proceed with a business combination if public stockholders owning 20% or more of the shares sold in this offering vote against the business combination and exercise their conversion rights. Accordingly, we may effect a business combination if public stockholders owning up to approximately 19.99% of the shares sold in this offering exercise their conversion rights. If this occurred, we would be required to convert to cash up to approximately 19.99% of the 3,500,000 shares sold in this offering, or 699,650 shares of common stock, at an initial per-share conversion price of $5.53, without taking into account interest earned on the trust account. The actual per-share conversion price will be equal to:

	•	the amount in the trust account, including all accrued interest, as of two business days prior to the proposed consummation of the business combination,

	•	divided by the number of shares of common stock sold in the offering.

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Risk Factors

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully all of the material risks described below, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units.

Risks associated with our business

We are a development stage company with no operating history and, accordingly, you will not have any basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.

We are a recently incorporated development stage company with no operating results to date. Therefore, our ability to commence operations is dependent upon obtaining financing through the public offering of our securities. Since we do not have an operating history, you will have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective, which is to acquire an operating business. We have not conducted any discussions and we have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective acquisition candidates. We will not generate any revenues until, at the earliest, after the consummation of a business combination.

If we are forced to liquidate before a business combination and distribute the trust account, our public stockholders will receive less than $6.00 per share and our warrants will expire worthless.

If we are unable to complete a business combination within the prescribed time frames and are forced to liquidate our assets, the per-share liquidation distribution will be less than $6.00 because of the expenses of this offering, our general and administrative expenses and the anticipated costs of seeking a business combination. Furthermore, there will be no distribution with respect to our outstanding warrants which will expire worthless if we liquidate before the completion of a business combination.

If the net proceeds of this offering not being placed in trust are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, we may be unable to complete a business combination.

We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time. However, we cannot assure you that our estimates will be accurate. We could use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust as a down payment or to fund a ‘‘no-shop’’ provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from ‘‘shopping’’ around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business and were subsequently required to forfeit such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise), we might not have sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conduct due diligence with respect to, a target business.

You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of blank check companies.

Since the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete a business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a ‘‘blank check’’ company under the United States securities laws. However, since we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the successful consummation of this offering and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors of blank check companies such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules. Because we are not subject to Rule 419, our units will be immediately tradable and we have a longer period of time to complete a business combination in certain circumstances than we would if we were subject to such rule.

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Because there are numerous companies with a business plan similar to ours seeking to effectuate a business combination, it may be more difficult for us to do so.

Since August 2003, based upon publicly available information, approximately   similarly structured blank check companies have completed initial public offerings in the United States. Of these companies, only   companies have consummated a business combination, while     other companies have announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination, but have not consummated such business combination. Accordingly, there are approximately   blank check companies with more than $   billion in trust that are seeking to carry out a business plan similar to our business plan. Furthermore, there are a number of additional offerings for blank check companies that are still in the registration process but have not completed initial public offerings and there are likely to be more blank check companies filing registration statements for initial public offerings after the date of this prospectus and prior to our completion of a business combination. While some of those companies must complete a business combination in specific industries, a number of them may consummate a business combination in any industry they choose. Therefore, we may be subject to competition from these and other companies seeking to consummate a business plan similar to ours. Because of this competition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to effectuate a business combination within the required time periods.

If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in trust could be reduced and the per-share liquidation price received by stockholders will be less than $5.53 per share.

Our placing of funds in trust may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors and service providers we engage and prospective target businesses we negotiate with, execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account. Accordingly, the proceeds held in trust could be subject to claims which could take priority over those of our public stockholders. We cannot assure you that the per-share distribution from the trust fund, if we liquidate, will not be less than $5.53, plus interest, due to such claims. If we liquidate before the completion of a business combination and distribute the proceeds held in trust to our public stockholders, Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer, has agreed that he will be personally liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us. However, we cannot assure you that he will be able to satisfy those obligations. Furthermore, even after our liquidation (including the distribution of the funds held in the trust account), under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that third parties will not seek to recover from our stockholders amounts owed to them by us.

Since we have not yet selected a particular industry or target business with which to complete a business combination, we are unable to currently ascertain the merits or risks of the industry or business in which we may ultimately operate.

We may consummate a business combination with a company in any industry we choose and are not limited to any particular industry or type of business. Accordingly, there is no current basis for you to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the particular industry in which we may ultimately operate or the target business which we may ultimately acquire. To the extent we complete a business combination with a financially unstable company or an entity in its development stage, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations of those entities. If we complete a business combination with an entity in an industry characterized by a high level of risk, we may be affected by the currently unascertainable risks of that industry. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular industry or target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a target business.

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We may issue shares of our capital stock or debt securities to complete a business combination, which would reduce the equity interest of our stockholders and likely cause a change in control of our ownership.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 15,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share. Immediately after this offering and the purchase of the insider units (assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option), there will be 1,949,998 authorized but unissued shares of our common stock available for issuance (after appropriate reservation for the issuance of the shares upon full exercise of our outstanding warrants and the unit purchase option granted to the underwriter) and all of the 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock available for issuance. Although we have no commitment as of the date of this offering, we are likely to issue a substantial number of additional shares of our common or preferred stock, or a combination of common and preferred stock, to complete a business combination. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock or any number of shares of our preferred stock:

•	may significantly reduce the equity interest of investors in this offering;

•	may subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if we issue preferred stock with rights senior to those afforded to our common stock;

•	will likely cause a change in control if a substantial number of our shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and

•	may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.

Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:

•	default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;

•	acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

•	our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and

•	our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding.

Our ability to successfully effect a business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following a business combination.

Our ability to successfully effect a business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. The role of our key personnel in the target business, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel such as Don K. Rice may remain with the target business in senior management or advisory positions following a business combination, it is likely that some or all of the management of the target business will remain in place. Moreover, our key personnel will be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, the ability of such individuals to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential

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business combination. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a public company which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.

Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate a business combination.

Our officers and directors are not required to commit their full time to our affairs, which could create a conflict of interest when allocating their time between our operations and their other commitments. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination. All of our executive officers are engaged in several other business endeavors and are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our affairs. If our officers’ and directors’ other business affairs require them to devote more substantial amounts of time to such affairs, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs and could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate a business combination. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

One of our executive officers and our special advisor are now, and our other officers and directors and their affiliates may in the future, become affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us and accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

Each of Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer, and Arthur Spector, our special advisor, has pre-existing contractual and fiduciary obligations to other entities, including blank check companies, with business plans similar to ours. Accordingly, to the extent such individuals identify business opportunities that may be suitable for those other entities, they must honor their pre-existing obligations to such entities and offer those opportunities to them prior to offering them to us. Additionally, our other directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other ‘‘blank check’’ companies, engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us. Additionally, our officers and directors may become aware of business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us and the other entities to which they owe fiduciary duties. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

All of our officers and directors own shares of our common stock and Don K. Rice will own warrants which will not participate in liquidation distributions and therefore they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for a business combination.

All of our officers and directors own shares of our common stock that were issued prior to this offering and Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer, is purchasing insider units upon consummation of this offering. Such individuals have waived their right to receive distributions with respect to those shares upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate a business combination. The shares acquired prior to this offering and included in the insider units, as well as any warrants included in the insider units, and any warrants purchased by our officers or directors in this offering or in the aftermarket will be worthless if we do not consummate a business combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors’ and officers’ discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our stockholders’ best interest.

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If our common stock becomes subject to the SEC’s penny stock rules, broker-dealers may experience difficulty in completing customer transactions and trading activity in our securities may be adversely affected.

If at any time we have net tangible assets of $5,000,000 or less and our common stock has a market price per share of less than $5.00, transactions in our common stock may be subject to the ‘‘penny stock’’ rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under these rules, broker-dealers who recommend such securities to persons other than institutional accredited investors must:

•	make a special written suitability determination for the purchaser;

•	receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction prior to sale;

•	provide the purchaser with risk disclosure documents which identify certain risks associated with investing in ‘‘penny stocks’’ and which describe the market for these ‘‘penny stocks’’ as well as a purchaser’s legal remedies; and

•	obtain a signed and dated acknowledgment from the purchaser demonstrating that the purchaser has actually received the required risk disclosure document before a transaction in a ‘‘penny stock’’ can be completed.

If our common stock becomes subject to these rules, broker-dealers may find it difficult to effectuate customer transactions and trading activity in our securities may be adversely affected. As a result, the market price of our securities may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell our securities.

After our business combination, we will be solely dependent on a single business and a limited number of products or services.

Our business combination must be with a business with a fair market value of at least 80% of our net assets at the time of such acquisition, although this may entail the simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses at the same time. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:

•	solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, or

•	dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.

Alternatively, if our business combination entails the simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses at the same time from different sellers, we would face additional risks, including difficulties and expenses incurred in connection with the subsequent integration of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies into a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.

The ability of our stockholders to exercise their conversion rights may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.

When we seek stockholder approval of any business combination, we will offer each public stockholder (but not our existing stockholders) the right to have his, her or its shares of common stock converted to cash if the stockholder votes against the business combination and the business combination is approved and completed. Such holder must both vote against such business combination and then exercise his, her or its conversion rights to receive a pro rata portion of the trust account. Accordingly, if our business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, because we will not know how many stockholders may exercise such

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conversion rights, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment upon such conversion, or we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination in case a larger percentage of stockholders exercise their conversion rights than we expect. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing. Therefore, we may not be able to consummate a business combination that requires us to use all of the funds held in the trust account as part of the purchase price, or we may end up having a leverage ratio that is not optimal for our business combination. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.

Because of our limited resources and structure, we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.

We expect to encounter intense competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe that there are numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, the obligation we have to seek stockholder approval of a business combination may delay the consummation of a transaction. Additionally, our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of these obligations may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Because only    of the    blank check companies that have gone public in the United States since August 2003 have either consummated a business combination or entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination, it may indicate that there are fewer attractive target businesses available to such entities like our company or that many privately held target businesses are not inclined to enter into these types of transactions with publicly held blank check companies like ours. If we are unable to consummate a business combination with a target business within the prescribed time periods, we will be forced to liquidate.

We may be unable to obtain additional financing, if required, to complete a business combination or to fund the operations and growth of the target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.

Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering will be sufficient to allow us to consummate a business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business, we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of this offering prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of the business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, or the obligation to convert into cash a significant number of shares from dissenting stockholders, we will be required to seek additional financing. We cannot assure you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate a particular business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. In addition, if we consummate a business combination, we may require additional financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or stockholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after a business combination.

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Our existing stockholders, including our officers and directors, control a substantial interest in us and thus may influence certain actions requiring a stockholder vote.

Upon consummation of our offering, our existing stockholders (including all of our officers and directors) will collectively own 23.6% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock (assuming they purchase the insider units but do not purchase any units in this offering). Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. It is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of a business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. If there is an annual meeting, as a consequence of our ‘‘staggered’’ board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will be considered for election and our existing stockholders, because of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome. Accordingly, our existing stockholders will continue to exert control at least until the consummation of a business combination.

Our existing stockholders paid an aggregate of $25,000, or approximately $0.029 per share, for their initial shares and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our common stock.

The difference between the public offering price per share and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering constitutes the dilution to the investors in this offering. Our existing stockholders acquired their initial shares of common stock at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Assuming the offering is completed, you and the other new investors will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 30.8% or $1.85 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share of $4.15, and the initial offering price of $6.00 per unit).

Our outstanding warrants and option may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock and make it more difficult to effect a business combination.

We will be issuing warrants to purchase 7,000,000 shares of common stock as part of the units offered by this prospectus and warrants to purchase 416,668 shares of common stock as part of the insider units. We will also issue an option to purchase 350,000 units to the underwriter which, if exercised, will result in the issuance of an additional 700,000 warrants. To the extent we issue shares of common stock to effect a business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares upon exercise of these warrants and option could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle in the eyes of a target business. Such securities, when exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock and reduce the value of the shares issued to complete the business combination. Accordingly, our warrants and option may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business. Additionally, the sale, or even the possibility of sale, of the shares underlying the warrants and option could have an adverse effect on the market price for our securities or on our ability to obtain future financing. If and to the extent these warrants and option are exercised, you may experience dilution to your holdings.

If our existing stockholders exercise their registration rights with respect to their initial shares, it may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock and the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effect a business combination.

Our existing stockholders are entitled to make a demand that we register the resale of their initial shares at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which their shares are released from escrow. If our existing stockholders exercise their registration rights with respect to all of their initial shares, then there will be an additional 875,000 shares of common stock eligible for trading in the public market. The presence of these additional shares of common stock trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business, as the stockholders of the target business may be discouraged from

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entering into a business combination with us or will request a higher price for their securities because of the potential effect the exercise of such rights may have on the trading market for our common stock.

Investors in this offering may engage in resale transactions only in those states that we have registered this offering and a limited number of other jurisdictions where an applicable exemption from registration exists.

We have applied to register our securities, or have obtained or will seek to obtain an exemption from registration, in Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, New York and Rhode Island. If you are not an ‘‘institutional investor,’’ you must be a resident of these jurisdictions to purchase our securities in the offering. Institutional investors in every state except Idaho may purchase units in this offering pursuant to exemptions provided to such entities under the Blue Sky laws of various states. The definition of an ‘‘institutional investor’’ varies from state to state but generally includes financial institutions, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and other qualified entities. Under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, the resale of the units and, once they become separately transferable, the common stock and warrants comprising the units are exempt from state registration requirements. However, each state retains jurisdiction to investigate and bring enforcement actions with respect to fraud or deceit, or unlawful conduct by a broker or dealer, in connection with the sale of securities. Although we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict resales of securities issued by blank check companies generally, certain state securities commissioners view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the resale of securities of blank check companies in their state.

If we are deemed to be an investment company, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete a business combination.

If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, we may be subject to certain restrictions that may make it more difficult for us to complete a business combination, including:

•	restrictions on the nature of our investments; and

•	restrictions on the issuance of securities.

In addition, we may have imposed upon us certain burdensome requirements, including:

•	registration as an investment company;

•	adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and

•	reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy, compliance policies and procedures and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.

We do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act of 1940. To this end, the proceeds held in trust may be invested by the trust agent only in United States ‘‘government securities’’ within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days or less. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments, we intend to meet the requirements for the exemption provided in Rule 3a-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. If we were deemed to be subject to that act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expense for which we have not allotted.

Our directors may not be considered ‘‘independent’’ under the policies of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.

No salary or other compensation will be paid to our directors for services rendered by them on our behalf prior to or in connection with a business combination. Accordingly, we believe our non-executive directors would be considered ‘‘independent’’ as that term is commonly used. However,

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under the policies of the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc., an international organization devoted to investor protection, because each of our directors own shares of our securities and may receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf (such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations), state securities administrators could argue that all of such individuals are not ‘‘independent.’’ If this were the case, they would take the position that we would not have the benefit of any independent directors examining the propriety of expenses incurred on our behalf and subject to reimbursement. Additionally, there is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses that could be incurred and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors, which would include persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. Although we believe that all actions taken by our directors on our behalf will be in our best interests, whether or not they are deemed to be ‘‘independent,’’ we cannot assure you that this will actually be the case. If actions are taken, or expenses are incurred that are actually not in our best interests, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations, and a material adverse effect on the prices of our securities held by public stockholders.

Because our initial stockholders’ initial equity investment for their initial shares was only $25,000, our offering may be disallowed by state administrators that follow the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. Statement of Policy on development stage companies.

Pursuant to the Statement of Policy Regarding Promoter’s Equity Investment promulgated by The North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc., any state administrator may disallow an offering of a development stage company if the initial equity investment by a company’s promoters does not equal a certain percentage of the aggregate public offering price. Our promoters’ initial investment of $25,000 for their initial shares is less than the required $635,000 minimum amount pursuant to this policy. Accordingly, a state administrator would have the discretion to disallow our offering if it wanted to. We cannot assure you that our offering would not be disallowed pursuant to this policy. If the offering were disallowed, it would further restrict your ability to engage in resale transactions with respect to our securities. Additionally, if we are unable to complete a business combination, our promoters’ loss will be limited to their initial investment. Conversely, if we are able to complete a business combination, the shares of common stock acquired prior to this offering will be worth significantly more than $25,000.

If we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.

We may effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States. If we did, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in the target business’ home jurisdiction, including any of the following:

•	rules and regulations or currency conversion or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;

•	tariffs and trade barriers;

•	regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

•	longer payment cycles;

•	tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;

•	currency fluctuations;

•	challenges in collecting accounts receivable;

•	cultural and language differences; and

•	employment regulations.

We cannot assure you that we would be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer.

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If we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws applicable to such company will likely govern all of our material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.

If we effect a business combination with a company located outside of the United States, the laws of the country in which such company operates will govern almost all of the material agreements relating to its operations. We cannot assure you that the target business will be able to enforce any of its material agreements or that remedies will be available in this new jurisdiction. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital. Additionally, if we acquire a company located outside of the United States, it is likely that substantially all of our assets would be located outside of the United States and some of our officers and directors might reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under Federal securities laws.

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Use of Proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, not including the funds we will receive from the sale of the insider units (all of which will be deposited into the trust fund), will be as set forth in the following table:

				Without Over- Allotment Option				Over-Allotment Option Exercised
Gross proceeds				$	21,000,000.00			$	24,150,000.00
Offering expenses(1),
Underwriting discount (8% of gross proceeds)					1,680,000.00				1,932,000.00
Underwriting non-accountable expense allowance (1% of gross proceeds)					210,000.00				210,000.00
Legal fees and expenses (including blue sky services and expenses)					260,000.00				291,500.00
Miscellaneous expenses					24,276.52				17,776.52
Printing and engraving expenses					65,000.00				65,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses					35,000.00				35,000.00
SEC registration fee					7,869.14				7,869.14
NASD filing fee					7,854.34				7,854.34
Net proceeds
Held in trust					18,110,000.00				20,913,000.00
Not held in trust					600,000.00				670,000.00
Total net proceeds				$	18,710,000.00			$	21,583,000.00

Use of net proceeds not held in trust

Payment of administrative fee to 400 Building LLC ($7,500 per month for two years)				$	180,000			(30.0%)				$	180,000			(26.9%)
Legal, accounting and other expenses attendant to the due diligence investigation, structuring and negotiation of a business combination					120,000			(20.0%)					120,000			(17.9%)
Legal and accounting fees relating to SEC reporting obligations					80,000			(13.3%)					80,000			(11.9%)
Due diligence of prospective target businesses					75,000			(12.5%)					75,000			(11.2%)
Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses, D&O insurance and reserves					145,000			(24.2%)					215,000			(32.1%)
Total				$	600,000			(100.0%)				$	670,000			(100.00%)

(1)	Approximately $98,000 of the offering expenses, including the SEC registration fee, the NASD filing fee and a portion of the non-accountable expense allowance and legal and audit fees, have been paid from the funds we received from Don K. Rice described below. These funds will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering not being placed in trust upon consummation of this offering.

In addition to the offering of units by this prospectus, Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer, has committed to purchase the insider units (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,004) from us. This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. We will not pay any discounts or commissions with respect to the purchase of the insider units. All of the proceeds we receive from this purchase will be placed in the trust fund described below.

$18,110,000, or $20,913,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, of net proceeds of this offering, plus the $1,250,004 we will receive from the sale of the insider units, will be placed in a trust account at Lehman Brothers, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York,

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New York, as trustee. The funds held in trust will be invested only in United States ‘‘government securities’’ within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days or less so that we are not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. The proceeds will not be released from the trust account until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or our liquidation. The proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we complete a business combination.

The payment to 400 Building LLC, an affiliate of Arthur Spector, our special advisor, of a monthly fee of $7,500 is for general and administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial support. This arrangement is being agreed to by 400 Building LLC for our benefit and is not intended to provide Mr. Spector compensation in lieu of a salary. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, that the fee charged by 400 Building LLC is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. This arrangement will terminate upon completion of a business combination or the distribution of the trust account to our public stockholders. Other than the $7,500 per month administrative fee, no compensation of any kind (including finder’s, consulting or other similar fees) will be paid to any of our existing officers, directors, stockholders, or any of their affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of the business combination. However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. Reimbursement for such expenses will be paid by us out of the funds not held in trust and currently allocated to ‘‘Legal, accounting and other expenses attendant to the due diligence investigations, structuring and negotiation of a business combination,’’ ‘‘Due diligence of prospective target businesses’’ and ‘‘Working capital to cover miscellaneous expenses, D&O insurance, taxes and reserves.’’ Since the role of present management after a business combination is uncertain, we have no ability to determine what remuneration, if any, will be paid to those persons after a business combination.

We intend to use the excess working capital (approximately $145,000) for director and officer liability insurance premiums (approximately $80,000), with the balance of $65,000 being held in reserve for tax payments and in the event due diligence, legal, accounting and other expenses of structuring and negotiating business combinations exceed our estimates, as well as for reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by our existing stockholders in connection with activities on our behalf as described above. We believe that the excess working capital will be sufficient to cover the foregoing expenses and reimbursement costs. We could use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust to pay fees to consultants to assist us with our search for a target business. We could also use a portion of the funds not being placed in trust as a down payment or to fund a ‘‘no-shop’’ provision (a provision in letters of intent designed to keep target businesses from ‘‘shopping’’ around for transactions with other companies on terms more favorable to such target businesses) with respect to a particular proposed business combination, although we do not have any current intention to do so. If we entered into a letter of intent where we paid for the right to receive exclusivity from a target business, the amount that would be used as a down payment or to fund a ‘‘no-shop’’ provision would be determined based on the terms of the specific business combination and the amount of our available funds at the time. Our forfeiture of such funds (whether as a result of our breach or otherwise) could result in our not having sufficient funds to continue searching for, or conducting due diligence with respect to, potential target businesses.

The net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account and not immediately required for the purposes set forth above will be held as cash or cash equivalents or will be invested only in United States ‘‘government securities’’ so that we are not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. The income derived from investment of these net proceeds during this period will be used to defray our general and administrative expenses, as well as costs relating to compliance with securities laws and regulations, including associated professional fees, until a business combination is completed.

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To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect a business combination, the proceeds held in the trust account which are not used to consummate a business combination will be disbursed to the combined company and will, along with any other net proceeds not expended, be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business.

Don K. Rice has advanced to us a total of $80,000 which was used to pay a portion of the expenses of this offering referenced in the line items above for SEC registration fee, NASD filing fee and legal and audit fees and expenses. The loan will be payable without interest on the earlier of December 20, 2006 or the consummation of this offering. The loan will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering not being placed in trust.

We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, we will have sufficient available funds to operate for at least the next 24 months, assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time.

A public stockholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account (including interest earned on his, her or its portion of the trust account) only in the event of our liquidation or if that public stockholder converts such shares into cash in connection with a business combination which the public stockholder voted against and which we consummate. In no other circumstances will a public stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.

Dilution

The difference between the public offering price per share of common stock, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units we are offering by this prospectus or included in the insider units, and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of common stock which may be converted into cash), by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock.

At December 31, 2005, our net tangible book value was a deficiency of $1,131, or approximately $0.00 per share of common stock. After giving effect to the sale of 3,500,000 shares of common stock included in the units we are offering by this prospectus and the 208,334 shares of common stock included in the insider units, and the deduction of underwriting discounts and estimated expenses of this offering, our pro forma net tangible book value at December 31, 2005 would have been $16,113,808 or $4.15 per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $4.15 per share to the existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $1.85 per share or 30.8% to new investors not exercising their conversion rights. For purposes of presentation, our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering is approximately $3,870,065 less than it otherwise would have been because if we effect a business combination, the conversion rights to the public stockholders (but not our existing stockholders) may result in the conversion into cash of up to approximately 19.99% of the aggregate number of the shares sold in this offering at a per-share conversion price equal to the amount in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination, inclusive of any interest, divided by the number of shares sold in this offering.

The following table illustrates the dilution to the new investors on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the warrants included in the units:

Public offering price								$	6.00
Net tangible book value before this offering				$	0.00
Increase attributable to new investors					4.15
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering									4.15
Dilution to new investors								$	1.85

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The following table sets forth information with respect to our existing stockholders and the new investors:

				Shares Purchased								Total Consideration								Average Price Per Share
				Number				Percentage				Amount				Percentage
Existing stockholders					875,000				19.1	%		$	25,000				0.112	%		$	0.029
New investors					3,500,000				76.3	%		$	21,000,000				94.276	%		$	6.00
Insider investors					208,334				4.5	%		$	1,250,004				5.612	%		$	6.00
					4,583,334				100.0	%		$	22,275,004				100.0	%

The pro forma net tangible book value after the offering is calculated as follows:

Numerator:
Net tangible book value before this offering				$	(1,131	)
Proceeds from this offering					18,710,000
Proceeds from sale of insider units					1,250,004
Offering costs paid in advance and excluded from net tangible book value before this offering					25,000
Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to conversion to cash ($19,360,004 x 19.99%)					(3,870,065	)
				$	16,113,808
Denominator:
Shares of common stock outstanding prior to this offering					875,000
Shares of common stock included in the units offered					3,500,000
Shares of common stock included in insider units					208,334
Less: Shares subject to conversion (3,500,000 x 19.99%)					(699,650	)
					3,883,684

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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our capitalization at December 31, 2005 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of our units and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of our units:

				December 31, 2005
				Actual				As Adjusted(1)
Note payable to stockholder				$	80,000			$	—
Total debt				$	80,000			$	—
Common stock, $.0001 par value, -0- and 699,650 shares which are subject to possible conversion, shares at conversion value				$	—			$	3,870,065
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding					—				—
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized; 875,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 3,883,684(2) shares issued and outstanding (excluding 699,650 shares subject to possible conversion), as adjusted					88				388
Additional paid-in capital					24,912				16,114,551
Deficit accumulated during the development stage					(1,131	)			(1,131	)
Total stockholders’ equity:					23,869				16,113,808
Total capitalization				$	103,869			$	19,983,873

(1)	Includes the $1,250,004 we will receive from the sale of the insider units.

(2)	Includes shares of common stock included in the insider units.

If we consummate a business combination, the conversion rights afforded to our public stockholders (but not our existing stockholders) may result in the conversion into cash of up to approximately 19.99% of the aggregate number of shares sold in this offering at a per-share conversion price equal to the amount in the trust account, inclusive of any interest thereon, as of two business days prior to the proposed consummation of a business combination divided by the number of shares sold in this offering.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

We were formed on December 5, 2005 to serve as a vehicle to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with an operating business. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, capital stock and debt, in effecting a business combination. The issuance of additional shares of our capital stock:

•	may significantly reduce the equity interest of our stockholders;

•	may subordinate the rights of holders of common stock if we issue preferred stock with rights senior to those afforded to our common stock;

•	will likely cause a change in control if a substantial number of our shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and most likely will also result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and

•	may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.

Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:

•	default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to pay our debt obligations;

•	acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we have made all principal and interest payments when due if the debt security contains covenants that required the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and we breach any such covenant without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;

•	our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and

•	our inability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing while such security is outstanding.

We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our entire activity since inception has been to prepare for our proposed fundraising through an offering of our equity securities.

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the units, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $610,000, or $635,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, including $210,000 representing the non-accountable expense allowance of 1% of the gross proceeds, and underwriting discounts of approximately $1,680,000, or $1,932,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, will be approximately $18,710,000, or $21,583,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of this amount, $18,110,000, or $20,913,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, of the net proceeds of this offering will be held in trust and the remaining $600,000, or $670,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, will not be held in trust. An additional $1,250,004 will also be deposited into trust upon consummation of this offering from the sale of the insider units described below. We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering, including the funds held in the trust account, to acquire a target business. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect a business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account as well as any other net proceeds not expended will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business.

We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, the funds available to us outside of the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing business due

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diligence on prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to acquire and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination. We anticipate that we will incur approximately $180,000 for the administrative fee payable to 400 Building LLC ($7,500 per month for two years), $120,000 of expenses for legal, accounting and other expenses attendant to the due diligence investigations, structuring and negotiating of a business combination, $80,000 of expenses in legal and accounting fees relating to our SEC reporting obligations, $75,000 of expenses for the due diligence and investigation of a target business, and $145,000 for general working capital that will be used for miscellaneous expenses and reserves, including approximately $80,000 for director and officer liability insurance premiums. We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, we may need to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities if such funds are required to consummate a business combination that is presented to us, although we have not entered into any such arrangement and have no current intention of doing so.

We are obligated, commencing on the date of this prospectus, to pay to 400 Building LLC, an affiliate of Arthur Spector, our special advisor, a monthly fee of $7,500 for general and administrative services.

On December 20, 2005, Don K. Rice advanced an aggregate of $80,000 to us for payment of offering expenses on our behalf. The loan will be payable without interest on the earlier of December 20, 2006 or the consummation of this offering. The loan will be repaid out of the proceeds of this offering not being placed in trust.

Don K. Rice has also committed to purchase 208,334 units at $6.00 per unit (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,004) from us. This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering.

We have agreed to issue to the underwriter, for $100, an option to purchase up to a total of 350,000 units. We estimate that the fair value of this option is approximately $910,000 ($2.60 per Unit underlying such option) using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the option granted to the underwriter is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 46.56%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 4.31% and (3) expected life of 5 years.

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Proposed Business

Introduction

We are a recently organized Delaware blank check company incorporated on December 5, 2005 in order to serve as a vehicle for the acquisition of an operating business. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry, although we intend to focus on the manufacturing, service or distribution industries.

Effecting a business combination

General

We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any substantive commercial business for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these in effecting a business combination. Although substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be applied generally toward effecting a business combination as described in this prospectus, the proceeds are not otherwise being designated for any more specific purposes. Accordingly, investors in this offering are investing without first having an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any one or more business combinations. A business combination may involve the acquisition of, or merger with, a company which does not need substantial additional capital but which desires to establish a public trading market for its shares, while avoiding what it may deem to be adverse consequences of undertaking a public offering itself. These include time delays, significant expense, loss of voting control and compliance with various Federal and state securities laws. In the alternative, we may seek to consummate a business combination with a company that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth. While we may seek to effect business combinations with more than one target business, we will probably have the ability, as a result of our limited resources, to effect only a single business combination.

We have not identified a target business or target industry

To date, we have not selected any target business or target industry on which to concentrate our search for a business combination. None of our officers, directors, promoters and other affiliates has engaged in discussions on our behalf with representatives of other companies regarding the possibility of a potential merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with us, nor have we, nor any of our agents or affiliates, been approached by any candidates (or representatives of any candidates) with respect to a possible acquisition transaction with us. Additionally, we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, taken any measure, directly or indirectly, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition candidate, nor have we engaged or retained any agent or other representative to identify or locate such an acquisition candidate. We have also not conducted any researchwith respect to identifying the number and characteristics of the potential acquisition candidates. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to locate a target business or that we will be able to engage in a business combination with a target business on favorable terms.

Subject to the limitations that a target business has a fair market value of at least 80% of our net assets at the time of the acquisition, as described below in more detail, we will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective acquisition candidate. We have not established any other specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses. Accordingly, there is no basis for investors in this offering to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete a business combination. To the extent we effect a business combination with a financially unstable company or an entity in its early stage of development or growth, including entities without established records of sales or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business and operations of financially unstable and early stage or potential emerging growth companies. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors.

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Sources of target businesses

While we have not yet identified any acquisition candidates, we believe based on our management’s business knowledge and past experience that there are numerous acquisition candidates in the manufacturing, service or distribution industries. We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses they think we may be interested in on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their affiliates, may also bring to our attention target business candidates that they become aware of through their business contacts as a result of formal or informal inquiries or discussions they may have, as well as attending trade shows or conventions. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage these firms or other individuals in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. In no event, however, will any of our existing officers, directors or stockholders, or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination.

Selection of a target business and structuring of a business combination

Subject to the requirement that our initial business combination must be with a target business with a fair market value that is at least 80% of our net assets at the time of such acquisition, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business. We have not established any other specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses. In evaluating a prospective target business, our management will consider, among other factors, the following:

•	financial condition and results of operation;

•	growth potential;

•	experience and skill of management and availability of additional personnel;

•	capital requirements;

•	competitive position;

•	barriers to entry;

•	stage of development of the products, processes or services;

•	degree of current or potential market acceptance of the products, processes or services;

•	proprietary features and degree of intellectual property or other protection of the products, processes or services;

•	regulatory environment of the industry; and

•	costs associated with effecting the business combination.

These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with our business objective. In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such

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third parties. We will also seek to have all prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account. If any prospective target business refused to execute such agreement, it is unlikely we would continue negotiations with such target business.

The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.

Fair market value of target business

The target business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of our net assets at the time of such acquisition, although we may acquire a target business whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of our net assets. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such businesses and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such fund raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so. The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as actual and potential sales, earnings and cash flow and book value. If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. Since any opinion, if obtained, would merely state that fair market value meets the 80% of net assets threshold, it is not anticipated that copies of such opinion would be distributed to our stockholders, although copies will be provided to stockholders who request it. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market value if our board of directors independently determines that the target business complies with the 80% threshold.

Lack of business diversification

Our business combination must be with a target business or businesses which satisfies the minimum valuation standard at the time of such acquisition, as discussed above, although this process may entail the simultaneous acquisitions of several operating businesses at the same time. Therefore, at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business. Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:

•	subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to a business combination, and

•	result in our dependency upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.

If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple acquisitions, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business.

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Limited ability to evaluate the target business’ management

Although we intend to scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of the target business’ management will prove to be correct. In addition, we cannot assure you that the future management will have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business following a business combination cannot presently be stated with any certainty. While it is possible that Don K. Rice will remain in a senior management or advisory position with us following a business combination, it is unlikely that he will devote his full time efforts to our affairs subsequent to a business combination. Moreover, he would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination if he is able to negotiate an employment or consulting agreement in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for him to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services he would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial interests of Mr. Rice may influence his motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, his ability to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. Additionally, we cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.

Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.

Opportunity for stockholder approval of business combination

Prior to the completion of a business combination, we will submit the transaction to our stockholders for approval, even if the nature of the acquisition is such as would not ordinarily require stockholder approval under applicable state law. In connection with seeking stockholder approval of a business combination, we will furnish our stockholders with proxy solicitation materials prepared in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which, among other matters, will include a description of the operations of the target business and audited historical financial statements of the business.

In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our existing stockholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective initial shares and the shares included within the insider units in accordance with the majority of the shares of common stock voted by the public stockholders. This voting arrangement shall not apply to shares included in units purchased in this offering or purchased following this offering in the open market by any of our existing stockholders, officers and directors. Accordingly, they may vote these shares on a proposed business combination any way they choose. We will proceed with the business combination only if a majority of the shares of common stock voted by the public stockholders are voted in favor of the business combination and public stockholders owning less than 20% of the shares sold in this offering both exercise their conversion rights and vote against the business combination.

Conversion rights

At the time we seek stockholder approval of any business combination, we will offer each public stockholder the right to have such stockholder’s shares of common stock converted to cash if the stockholder votes against the business combination and the business combination is approved and completed. Our existing stockholders will not have such conversion rights with respect to any shares of common stock owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether included in their initial shares, included in their insider units or purchased by them in this offering or in the aftermarket. The actual per-share conversion price will be equal to the amount in the trust account, inclusive of any interest

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(calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination), divided by the number of shares sold in this offering. Without taking into any account interest earned on the trust account, the initial per-share conversion price would be $5.53 or $0.47 less than the per-unit offering price of $6.00. An eligible stockholder may request conversion at any time after the mailing to our stockholders of the proxy statement and prior to the vote taken with respect to a proposed business combination at a meeting held for that purpose, but the request will not be granted unless the stockholder votes against the business combination and the business combination is approved and completed. Any request for conversion, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the date of the meeting. It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to stockholders entitled to convert their shares who elect conversion will be distributed promptly after completion of a business combination. Public stockholders who convert their stock into their share of the trust account still have the right to exercise any warrants they still hold.

We will not complete any business combination if public stockholders, owning 20% or more of the shares sold in this offering, both exercise their conversion rights and vote against the business combination.

Investors in this offering who do not sell, or who receive less than an aggregate of $0.47 of net sales proceeds for, the warrants included in the units, or persons who purchase common stock in the aftermarket at a price in excess of $5.53 per share, may have a disincentive to exercise their conversion rights because the amount they would receive upon conversion could be less than their original or adjusted purchase price.

Liquidation if no business combination

If we do not complete a business combination within 18 months after the consummation of this offering, or within 24 months after the consummation of this offering if the extension criteria described below have been satisfied, we will be dissolved. Upon dissolution, we will distribute to all of our public stockholders, in proportion to their respective equity interests, an aggregate sum equal to the amount in the trust account, inclusive of any interest, plus any remaining net assets. Our existing stockholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their initial shares and their shares included within the insider units. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants which will expire worthless. We will pay the costs of liquidation and dissolution from our remaining assets outside of the trust fund.

If we were to expend all of the net proceeds of this offering, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the initial per-share liquidation price would be $5.53, or $0.47 less than the per-unit offering price of $6.00. The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which could have higher priority than the claims of our public stockholders. We cannot assure you that the actual per-share liquidation price will not be less than $5.53, plus interest, due to claims of creditors. Don K. Rice has personally agreed, pursuant to an agreement with us and the underwriter that, if we liquidate prior to the consummation of a business combination, he will be personally liable to pay debts and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us in excess of the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account. We cannot assure you, however, that he would be able to satisfy those obligations.

If we enter into either a letter of intent, an agreement in principle or a definitive agreement to complete a business combination prior to the expiration of 18 months after the consummation of this offering, but are unable to complete the business combination within the 18-month period, then we will have an additional six months in which to complete the business combination contemplated by the letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement. If we are unable to consummate a transaction within 24 months following the consummation of this offering, we will then liquidate. Upon notice from us, the trustee of the trust account will liquidate the investments constituting the trust account and will turn over the proceeds to our transfer agent for distribution to our public stockholders. We anticipate that our instruction to the trustee would be given promptly after the expiration of the applicable 18-month or 24-month period.

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Our public stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of our liquidation or if they seek to convert their respective shares into cash upon a business combination which the stockholder voted against and which is completed by us. In no other circumstances will a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.

Competition

In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. There are approximately    blank check companies that have completed initial public offerings in the United States with more than $    billion in trust that are seeking to carry out a business plan similar to our business plan. Furthermore, there are a number of additional offerings for blank check companies that are still in the registration process but have not completed initial public offerings and there are likely to be more blank check companies filing registration statements for initial public offerings after the date of this prospectus and prior to our completion of a business combination. Additionally, we may be subject to competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including venture capital firms, leverage buyout firms and operating businesses looking to expand their operations through the acquisition of a target business.Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there may be numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of a target business. Further, the following may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses:

•	our obligation to seek stockholder approval of a business combination may delay the completion of a transaction;

•	our obligation to convert into cash shares of common stock held by our public stockholders to such holders that both vote against the business combination and exercise their conversion rights may reduce the resources available to us for a business combination; and

•	our outstanding warrants and option, and the potential future dilution they represent.

Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Our management believes, however, that our status as a public entity and potential access to the United States public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately-held entities having a similar business objective as ours in acquiring a target business with significant growth potential on favorable terms.

If we succeed in effecting a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business. We cannot assure you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.

Facilities

We maintain our principal executive offices at 435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400, Wayne, Pennsylvania. The cost for this space is included in the $7,500 per-month fee 400 Building LLC will charge us for general and administrative services commencing on the effective date of this prospectus pursuant to a letter agreement between us and 400 Building LLC. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, that the fee charged by 400 Building LLC is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. We consider our current office space, combined with the other office space otherwise available to our executive officers, adequate for our current operations.

Employees

We have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote only as much time as he deems necessary to our affairs.

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The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for the business combination and the stage of the business combination process the company is in. Accordingly, once management locates a suitable target business to acquire, they will spend more time investigating such target business and negotiating and processing the business combination (and consequently spend more time to our affairs) than they would prior to locating a suitable target business. We presently expect Mr. Rice to devote an average of approximately 10 hours per week to our business. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.

Periodic Reporting and Audited Financial Statements

We have registered our units, common stock and warrants under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.

We will not acquire a target business if audited financial statements based on United States generally accepted accounting principles cannot be obtained for the target business. Additionally, we will provide stockholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of the proxy solicitation materials sent to stockholders to assist them in assessing the target business. In all likelihood, these financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles or that the potential target business will be able to prepare its financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. To the extent that this requirement cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business. While this may limit the pool of potential acquisition candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.

Comparison to offerings of blank check companies

The following table compares and contrasts the terms of our offering and the terms of an offering of blank check companies under Rule 419 promulgated by the SEC assuming that the gross proceeds, underwriting discounts and underwriting expenses for the Rule 419 offering are the same as this offering and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the terms of a Rule 419 offering will apply to this offering.

				Terms of Our Offering				Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
Escrow of offering proceeds				$18,110,000 of the net offering proceeds plus the $1,250,004 we will receive from the sale of the insider units will be deposited into a trust account at Lehman Brothers, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee.				$17,199,000 of the offering proceeds would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker-dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account.

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				Terms of Our Offering				Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
Investment of net proceeds				The $18,110,000 of net offering proceeds plus the $1,250,004 we will receive from the sale of the insider units held in trust will only be invested in United States ‘‘government securities’’ within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 with a maturity of 180 days or less.				Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States.
Limitation on Fair Value or Net Assets of Target Business				The initial target business that we acquire must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of our net assets at the time of such acquisition.				We would be restricted from acquiring a target business unless the fair value of such business or net assets to be acquired represented at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds.
Trading of securities issued				The units may commence trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The common stock and warrants comprising the units will begin to trade separately on the 90th day after the date of this prospectus unless EarlyBirdCapital informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading (based upon its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general, and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular), provided we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the proceeds of this offering, including any proceeds we receive from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if such option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K. We will also include in this Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if EarlyBirdCapital has allowed separate trading of the common stock and warrants prior to the 90th day after the date of this prospectus.				No trading of the units or the underlying common stock and warrants would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account.

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				Terms of Our Offering				Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
Exercise of the warrants				The warrants cannot be exercised until the later of the completion of a business combination and one year from the date of this prospectus and, accordingly, will be exercised only after the trust fund has been terminated and distributed.				The warrants could be exercised prior to the completion of a business combination, but securities received and cash paid in connection with the exercise would be deposited in the escrow or trust account.
Election to remain an investor				We will give our stockholders the opportunity to vote on the business combination. In connection with seeking stockholder approval, we will send each stockholder a proxy statement containing information required by the SEC. A stockholder following the procedures described in this prospectus is given the right to convert his or her shares into his or her pro rata share of the trust account. However, a stockholder who does not follow these procedures or a stockholder who does not take any action would not be entitled to the return of any funds.				A prospectus containing information required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company, in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of the post-effective amendment, to decide whether he or she elects to remain a stockholder of the company or require the return of his or her investment. If the company has not received the notification by the end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account would automatically be returned to the stockholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all of the deposited funds in the escrow account must be returned to all investors and none of the securities will be issued.
Business combination deadline				A business combination must occur within 18 months after the consummation of this offering or within 24 months after the consummation of this offering if a letter of intent or definitive agreement relating to a prospective business combination was entered into prior to the end of the 18-month period.				If an acquisition has not been consummated within 18 months after the effective date of the initial registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account would be returned to investors.

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				Terms of Our Offering				Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering
Release of funds				The proceeds held in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our liquidation upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.				The proceeds held in the escrow account would not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time.

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Management

Directors and Executive Officers

Our current directors and executive officers are as follows:

Name				Age				Position
Don K. Rice					57			Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Treasurer
Stephen L. Brown					67			Secretary and Director
Russell C. Ball III					39			Director

Don K. Rice has been our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer since our inception. Mr. Rice was a co-founder and has been a managing partner of RSTW Partners since 1989. RSTW Partners is a privately held firm that, through limited partnerships, invests primarily in the subordinated debt of middle market companies located throughout the United States. Prior to forming RSTW Partners, from 1986 to December 1988, Mr. Rice was affiliated with First Texas Merchant Banking Group, a firm which specialized in providing subordinated debt financing, and was its vice president from 1986 to 1988 and president and chief executive officer from May 1988 to December 1988. He was also vice president of PruCapital, Inc., an investment subsidiary of The Prudential Insurance Company of America, from March 1984 to April 1986. Mr. Rice has served as a member of the board of directors of NationsHealth, Inc. since its inception in August 2003. NationsHealth is a Nasdaq listed company that, through its wholly owned subsidiary, NationsHealth L.L.C., provides medical products and pharmacy benefits to Medicare participants and other senior citizens. NationsHealth, Inc. was originally known as Millstream Acquisition Corporation, a blank check company with an objective to acquire an operating business with significant growth potential. Mr. Rice has also served as a member of the board of directors of Millstream II Acquisition Corporation, an OTC Bulletin Board listed blank check company formed to serve as a vehicle for the acquisition of an operating business, since its inception in September 2004. Mr. Rice received a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Texas.

Stephen L. Brown has been our secretary and a member of our board of directors since our inception. Since October 2004, Mr. Brown has served as chairman of the board of Brimco LLC, a private investment firm. From October 1986 to October 2004, Mr. Brown served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of The Franklin Capital Corp. (now Patient Safety Technologies, Inc.), an American Stock Exchange listed investment company. From January 1983 to June 1997, Mr. Brown was also the founder and chairman of the board of S.L. Brown & Company, Inc., a private equity firm. Mr. Brown is a member of the board of directors of U.S. Energy Systems, Inc., a Nasdaq Capital Markets listed provider of thermal and electrical energy and energy outsourcing, and of Copley Financial Services Corp., a mutual fund specializing in the energy sector. In addition, Mr. Brown is an active board member and trustee of The Peddie School. Mr. Brown received a B.A. from Brown University and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law.

Russell C. Ball III has been a member of our board of directors since our inception. Mr. Ball has served since May 1993 as the chief executive officer of Wind River Holdings, L.P. (formerly the AMC Group, L.P.), a privately owned company which provides management services to interests of the Ball family trust. These interests currently include several operating companies, including: Philadelphia Mixing Solutions (agitators for the water treatment and chemical industries); Philadelphia Gear Corporation (high performance gears and gear drives); Samson Rope Technologies, Inc. (high performance cordage); Goddard Systems, Inc. (franchised child care centers); and AMC Delancey Group, Inc. (real estate). Mr. Ball currently sits on the Board of Governors of Merion Golf Club and serves on its Membership Committee. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of The Haverford School, where he heads the Development Committee and serves on the Trusteeship Committee. Mr. Ball received a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Pennsylvania State University.

Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving a three-year term. The term of office of the first class of directors,

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consisting of Russell C. Ball III, will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of the second class of directors, consisting of Stephen L. Brown, will expire at the second annual meeting. The term of the third class of directors, consisting of Don K. Rice, will expire at the third annual meeting.

These individuals will play a key role in identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, selecting the target business, and structuring, negotiating and consummating its acquisition. We believe that the skills and expertise of these individuals, their collective access to acquisition opportunities and ideas, their contacts, and their transactional expertise should enable them to successfully identify and effect an acquisition.

Special advisor

Arthur Spector has served as our special advisor since our inception. Mr. Spector has served as chairman of the board of NationsHealth, Inc. since its inception in August 2003 and served as its chief executive officer and president from August 2003 until August 2004. Since September 2004, Mr. Spector has also been the chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of Millstream II Acquisition Corporation. From March 1995 to October 2002, Mr. Spector served as chairman of the board of Neoware Systems, Inc. (‘‘Neoware Systems’’), a manufacturer of sophisticated computer appliances and related software, and he also served as its president and chief executive officer from May 1996 until June 1997. Neoware Systems was originally known as Information Systems Acquisition Corp., a blank check company with an objective to acquire an operating business in the information systems industry. Information Systems Acquisition Corp. was formed in 1992 and from its inception until it merged with Human Designed Systems, Inc. in March 1995, Mr. Spector was its chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. In this role, Mr. Spector directed the completion of a public offering that raised gross proceeds of approximately $13.8 million. Mr. Spector has served as a director of Docucorp International, Inc., a public document automation company, since May 1997. Mr. Spector has also been a director of Metallurg Holdings, Inc. and Metallurg, Inc. since July 1998 and has been executive vice president of Metallurg Holdings, Inc. since July 1998 and treasurer since August 2000. He was elected vice chairman of the board of Metallurg Holdings, Inc. and Metallurg, Inc. in November 2002. Metallurg Holdings, Inc. is the holding company for Metallurg, Inc., a company that produces and sells specialty metals, alloys and chemicals. From 1998 to 2002, Mr. Spector served as a director of USDATA Corporation, a global supplier of component-based production software. Mr. Spector received a B.S. from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from The University of Pennsylvania Law School.

In addition to Mr. Spector’s experience described above, he has had significant experience in mergers and acquisitions and managing private equity funds. Since January 1997, he has served as managing director of the general partner and of the management company of Safeguard International Fund, L.P., a private equity fund investing primarily in controlling positions in industrial companies in North America and Europe. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Spector served as director of acquisitions of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a public company that owns controlling interests in and operates numerous private companies. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Spector served as a managing director of TL Ventures LLC, whose present successor is TL Ventures L.P., a fund management company organized to manage the day-to-day operations of several of the TL Ventures funds which invest in companies in the internet, software, information technology, communications and life sciences industries.

Prior Involvement of Principals in Blank Check Companies

Each of Don K. Rice and Arthur Spector has been a principal of another company that has completed an offering similar to this offering and executed a business plan similar to our business plan.

Mr. Spector directed the completion of a public offering of Millstream II Acquisition Corporation, a blank check company with an objective to acquire an operating business, on December 17, 2004, which raised gross proceeds of approximately $24.9 million at an offering price of $6.00 per unit. Since

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its inception, Mr. Spector has been the chairman, chief executive officer and president of Millstream II Acquisition Corporation. Mr. Rice has also served as member of its board of directors since its inception. As of the date of this prospectus, Millstream II Acquisition Corporation has not consummated a business combination with a target business. Neither Mr. Spector nor Mr. Rice receives any salary for their services to Millstream II Acquisition Corporation. However, 400 Building LLC, an affiliate of Mr. Spector’s, receives a $7,500 per month fee from Millstream II Acquisition Corporation for general and administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial support. Prior to Millstream II Acquisition Corporation’s initial public offering, Mr. Spector had purchased 397,142 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $24,947.25, a family limited partnership of Mr. Spector’s had purchased an additional 397,142 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $34.75 and Mr. Rice had purchased 68,572 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.00.

Mr. Spector also directed the completion of a public offering of Millstream Acquisition Corporation, a blank check company with an objective to acquire an operating business with significant growth potential, on September 25, 2003, which raised gross proceeds of approximately $24.2 million at an offering price of $6.00 per unit. From its inception until it merged with NationsHealth, Mr. Spector was Millstream Acquisition Corporation's chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer and Mr. Spector has continued to serve as chairman of the board of the combined entity. Until it merged with NationsHealth, Mr. Spector did not receive any salary for his services to Millstream Acquisition Corporation. However, 400 Building LLC, an affiliate of Mr. Spector's, received a $7,500 per month fee from Millstream Acquisition Corporation for use of office space and administrative services from the effective date of Millstream Acquisition Corporation's initial public offering through the date of the merger with NationsHealth. Following the merger, Mr. Spector began receiving an annual salary of $250,000, paid bi-monthly, plus bonus (which was $50,000 for 2004) for his serving as chairman of the board of NationsHealth. Additionally, Mr. Spector received options to purchase 65,375 shares of common stock of NationsHealth exercisable at $6.87 per share for his service as a director of NationsHealth in 2004. Pursuant to the merger agreement with NationsHealth, all of the outstanding shares of NationsHealth were converted into the right to receive a total of 21,375,000 shares of Millstream Acquisition Corporation's common stock and $3,000,000 in cash. Millstream Acquisition Corporation's remaining cash, by way of merger, became working capital of NationsHealth. At the time of the merger, Mr. Spector held 360,000 shares of Millstream Acquisition Corporation common stock which he purchased for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $24,963, all of which are held in escrow until August 25, 2006.

Mr. Rice has served as a member of the board of directors of Millstream Acquisition Corporation (and subsequently NationsHealth) since its inception. Until it merged with NationsHealth, Mr. Rice had not received any salary for his services to Millstream Acquisition Corporation. Following the merger, Mr. Rice has received customary board of director fees for his service as a director to NationsHealth. Additionally, Mr. Rice received options to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock of NationsHealth exercisable at $6.87 per share for his service as a director of NationsHealth in 2004. At the time of the merger, Mr. Rice held 20,000 shares of Millstream Acquisition Corporation common stock which he purchased for an aggregate purchase price of $2.00, which are held in escrow until August 25, 2006. Mr. Rice also holds warrants to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of Millstream Acquisition Corporation common stock, which warrants became exercisable upon consummation of the merger with NationsHealth.

Mr. Spector also directed the completion of a public offering of Information Systems Acquisition Corp., a blank check company with an objective to acquire an operating business in the information systems industry, on March 25, 1993, which raised gross proceeds of $13.8 million at an offering price of $6.00 per unit. From its inception until it merged with Human Designed Systems, Inc. (the predecessor of Neoware Systems, Inc.) on March 2, 1995, Mr. Spector was Information Systems' chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. During this period, Mr. Spector did not receive any salary for his services to Information Systems. However, Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., an affiliate of Mr. Spector's, received a $5,000 per month fee from Information Systems for use of office space and administrative services. Pursuant to the merger agreement with Human Designed Systems,

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all of the outstanding shares of Human Designed were converted into the right to receive a total of 2,810,000 shares of Information Systems Acquisition Corp.'s common stock, 618,200 redeemable common stock purchase warrants and $5,500,000 in cash. Information System Acquisition Corp's remaining cash, by way of merger, became working capital of Neoware Systems. At the time of the acquisition, Mr. Spector held 90,000 shares of Neoware Systems. Neoware Systems is a manufacturer of sophisticated computer appliances and related software and is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol NWRE.

Mr. Spector remained as chairman of the board of Neoware Systems until December 2002, at which time he determined not to stand for re-election as a director at Neoware System's annual shareholders' meeting. Mr. Spector also acted as chief executive officer and president from May 1996 (after the then chief executive officer died) until June 1997. During the period following the consummation of Information Systems' initial public offering until the expiration of his term in December 2002, Mr. Spector received options to purchase an aggregate of 97,500 shares of Neoware common stock, all of which had exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Additionally, from May 1996 until June 1997, Mr. Spector received a salary of approximately $60,000 per annum in connection with his acting as chief executive officer and president. Mr. Spector has sold all of the securities of Information Systems Acquisition Corp. he owned for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $3,561,000 and taxable profits of approximately $1,675,000.

Executive Compensation

No executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Commencing on the date of this prospectus through the acquisition of a target business, we will pay 400 Building LLC, an affiliate of Arthur Spector, a fee of $7,500 per month for providing us with office space and certain office and secretarial services. However, this arrangement is solely for our benefit and is not intended to provide Mr. Spector compensation in lieu of a salary. Other than the $7,500 per month administrative fee, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, including our directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination. However, such individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. Because of the foregoing, we will generally not have the benefit of independent directors examining the propriety of expenses incurred on our behalf and subject to reimbursement.

Conflicts of Interest

Potential investors should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:

•	None of our officers and directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities.

•	In the course of their other business activities, our officers and directors may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to our company as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.

•	Our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies, engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by our company.

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•

The initial shares owned by our directors will be released from escrow only if a business combination is successfully completed, and may own warrants which will expire worthless if a business combination is not consummated. Additionally, our directors will not receive liquidation distributions with respect to any of their initial shares or shares included in the insider units which also might cause them to have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate. Furthermore, while the insider units have been registered for resale under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the purchaser has agreed that the units and underlying securities will not be sold or transferred by him until after we have completed a business combination. For the foregoing reasons, our board may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate to effect a business combination with.

•

Our officers and directors may enter into consulting or employment agreements with the company as part of a business combination pursuant to which they may be entitled to compensation for their services to be rendered to the company after the consummation of a business combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, timely completing a business combination and securing the release of their stock from escrow.

•	Our directors and officers may purchase shares of common stock as part of this offering or in the open market. If they did, they would be entitled to vote such shares as they choose on a proposal to approve a business combination.

In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:

•	the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;

•	the opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and

•	it would not be fair to the corporation and its stockholders for the opportunity not to be brought to the attention of the corporation.

Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, our officers and directors may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise when our board evaluates a particular business opportunity with respect to the above-listed criteria. We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor.

In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple corporate affiliations, each of our officers has agreed, until the earliest of a business combination, our liquidation or such time as he or she ceases to be an officer, to present to our company for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any business opportunity which may reasonably be required to be presented to us under Delaware law, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations he might have.

Each of Don K. Rice and Arthur Spector has pre-existing contractual and fiduciary obligations to other entities that are engaged in activities similar to our activities as follows:

•

Mr. Rice has pre-existing fiduciary obligations to RSTW Partners as he is a managing partner of this entity. RSTW Partners does not presently have funds available for new loans and does not presently intend to consummate a fundraising or to establish successor limited partnerships during the next eighteen months. Nevertheless, it may do so in the future. However, RSTW Partners primarily makes minority ownership investments in subordinated debt of middle market companies, which is different from our plan to acquire a target business. Accordingly, although Mr. Rice has pre-existing fiduciary obligations to RSTW Partners, the potential for conflicts of interest due to this pre-existing obligation is minimal.

•	Messrs. Rice and Spector have pre-existing contractual and fiduciary obligations to Millstream II Acquisition Corporation. Millstream II Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company seeking to acquire an unidentified operating business. As of the date of this prospectus,

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Millstream II Acquisition Corporation has not consummated a business combination with a target business. To the extent that Messrs. Rice and Spector identify business opportunities that may be suitable for Millstream II Acquisition Corporation, they will honor their pre-existing contractual and fiduciary obligations to this entity. Accordingly, they may not present opportunities to us that otherwise may be attractive to Millstream II Acquisition Corporation unless such entity has declined to accept such opportunities.

•

Mr. Spector also has pre-existing fiduciary obligations to Safeguard International Fund L.P., as he is a managing director of the general partner and of the management company of the fund. To the extent that he identifies business opportunities that may be suitable for Safeguard International Fund, he will honor his pre-existing fiduciary obligations to Safeguard International Fund and any of its successors. Accordingly, he may not present opportunities to us that otherwise may be attractive to us unless Safeguard International Fund or any of its successors has declined to accept such opportunities.

In addition to the foregoing, Russell C. Ball III is the chief executive officer of Wind River Holdings, L.P., which provides management services to certain trusts, which own several operating companies, various real estate interests and a securities portfolio. Mr. Ball is also a trustee and a beneficiary of these trusts. A core activity of Wind River Holdings, on behalf of these trusts, is to source and evaluate appropriate businesses for acquisition by these trusts. We have agreed that Mr. Ball will not be restricted, by the corporate opportunity doctrine or otherwise, from pursuing acquisitions for these trusts, rather than presenting them to us, provided that Mr. Ball did not become aware of the opportunity by virtue of our resources. The foregoing shall apply irrespective of whether Mr. Ball has a fiduciary or contractual obligation to Wind River Holdings, L.P. or these trusts.

In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our existing stockholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective shares of common stock which were owned prior to this offering as well as those included in the insider units in accordance with the vote of the public stockholders owning a majority of the shares of our common stock sold in this offering. In addition, they have agreed to waive their respective rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their initial shares and any shares of common stock included in the insider units. Any common stock acquired by existing stockholders in the offering or aftermarket will be considered part of the holdings of the public stockholders. Except with respect to the conversion rights afforded to public stockholders, these existing stockholders will have the same rights as other public stockholders with respect to such shares, including voting rights in connection with a potential business combination. Accordingly, they may vote such shares on a proposed business combination any way they choose.

To further minimize potential conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate a business combination with an entity which is affiliated with any of our existing stockholders unless we obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated stockholders from a financial point of view.

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Principal Stockholders

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of February 3, 2006 and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our common stock included in the units offered by this prospectus (assuming the purchase of the insider units occurring simultaneously with this offering but no purchases of units offered by this prospectus), by:

•	each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;

•	each of our officers and directors; and

•	all our officers and directors as a group.

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them.

				Prior to Offering and Insider Purchases								After Offering and Insider Purchases
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)				Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership				Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock				Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership				Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock
Don K. Rice					695,000				79.4	%			903,334	(2)		19.7%
Russell C. Ball III(3)					60,000				6.9	%			60,000			1.3%
Stephen L. Brown(4)					60,000				6.9	%			60,000			1.3%
Arthur Spector					60,000				6.9	%			60,000			1.3%
All directors and executive officers as a group (three individuals)					815,000				93.2	%			1,023,334	(2)		22.3%

(1)	Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is 435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087.

(2)	Does not include 416,668 warrants to be held by Mr. Rice that will be included in the insider units, which warrants are not exercisable and will not become exercisable within 60 days.

(3)	Mr. Ball’s business address is Wind River Holdings, L.P., 555 Croton Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406.

(4)	Mr. Brown's business address is Brimco LLC, 450 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

Immediately after this offering, our existing stockholders, which include all of our officers and directors, collectively, will beneficially own 23.6% of the then issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (assuming the purchase of the insider units but none of them purchase any additional units offered by this prospectus). None of our existing stockholders, officers and directors has indicated to us that he intends to purchase our securities in the offering. Because of the ownership block held by our existing stockholders, such individuals may be able to effectively exercise control over all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions other than approval of a business combination.

All of the initial shares outstanding prior to the date of this prospectus will be placed in escrow with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent, until the earliest of:

•	three years following the date of this prospectus; and

•	the consummation of a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to our consummating a business combination with a target business.

During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except to their spouses and children or trusts established for their benefit, but will retain all

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other rights as our stockholders, including, without limitation, the right to vote their shares of common stock and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If dividends are declared and payable in shares of common stock, such dividends will also be placed in escrow. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate, none of our existing stockholders will receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to their initial shares.

Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer, has committed to purchase the insider units (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,004) from us. This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. The insider units will be identical to the units being offered by this prospectus; however, Mr. Rice has waived his right to receive distributions upon our liquidation prior to a business combination with respect to the securities underlying the insider units. Additionally, he has agreed that the insider units and underlying securities will not be sold or transferred by him until after we have completed a business combination.

Mr. Rice is our ‘‘promoter’’ as that term is defined under the Federal securities laws.

Certain Transactions

In December 2005, we issued 875,000 shares of our common stock to the individuals set forth below for $25,000 in cash, at a purchase price of approximately $0.029 share, as follows:

Name				Number of Shares				Relationship to Us
Don K. Rice					695,000			Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Treasurer
Stephen L. Brown					60,000			Secretary and Director
Russell C. Ball III					60,000			Director
Arthur Spector					60,000			Special Advisor

If the underwriter determines the size of the offering should be increased or decreased, a stock dividend or a contribution back to capital, as applicable, would be effectuated in order to maintain our existing stockholders’ ownership at a percentage of the number of shares to be sold in this offering.

The holders of the majority of these shares will be entitled to make up to two demands that we register these shares pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the date of this prospectus. The holders of the majority of these shares may elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares of common stock are released from escrow. In addition, these stockholders have certain ‘‘piggy-back’’ registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the date on which these shares of common stock are released from escrow. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Don K. Rice, our chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and treasurer, has committed to purchase the insider units (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,004) from us. This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from this purchase will be placed in the trust fund upon consummation of this offering. The insider units will be identical to the units being offered by this prospectus; however, Mr. Rice has waived his right to receive distributions upon our liquidation prior to a business combination with respect to the securities underlying the insider units. Additionally, he has agreed that the insider units and underlying securities will not be sold or transferred by him until after we have completed a business combination.

400 Building LLC, an affiliate of Arthur Spector, has agreed that, commencing on the effective date of this prospectus through the acquisition of a target business, it will make available to us a small amount of office space and certain office and secretarial services, as we may require from time to time. We have agreed to pay 400 Building LLC $7,500 per month for these services. Mr. Spector is the sole member and sole manager of 400 Building LLC and, as a result, will benefit from the transaction

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to the extent of his interest in 400 Building LLC. However, this arrangement is solely for our benefit and is not intended to provide Mr. Spector compensation in lieu of a salary. We believe, based on rents and fees for similar services in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, that the fee charged by 400 Building LLC is at least as favorable as we could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. However, as our directors may not be deemed ‘‘independent,’’ we did not have the benefit of disinterested directors approving this transaction.

As of the date of this prospectus, Don K. Rice has advanced to us an aggregate of $80,000 to cover expenses related to this offering. The loan will be payable without interest on the earlier of December 20, 2006 or the consummation of this offering. We intend to repay this loan from the proceeds of this offering not being placed in trust.

We will reimburse our officers, directors and special advisor for any reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf such as identifying and investigating possible target businesses and business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us, which will be reviewed only by our board or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged.

Other than the $7,500 per-month administrative fee and reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses payable to our officers and directors, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees or other similar compensation, will be paid to any of our existing stockholders, officers or directors who owned our common stock prior to this offering, or to any of their respective affiliates, prior to or with respect to the business combination.

All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates, including loans by our officers and directors, will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions or loans, including any forgiveness of loans, will require prior approval by a majority of our uninterested ‘‘independent’’ directors (to the extent we have any) or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our disinterested ‘‘independent’’ directors (or, if there are no ‘‘independent’’ directors, our disinterested directors) determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.

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Description of Securities

General

We are authorized to issue 15,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.0001, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.0001. As of the date of this prospectus, 875,000 shares of common stock are outstanding, held by four stockholders of record. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.

Units

Each unit consists of one share of common stock and two warrants. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock. The common stock and warrants will begin to trade separately on the 90^th day after the date of this prospectus unless EarlyBirdCapital informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading (based upon its assessment of the relative strengths of the securities markets and small capitalization companies in general and the trading pattern of, and demand for, our securities in particular), provided that in no event may the common stock and warrants be traded separately until we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering. We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes this audited balance sheet upon the consummation of this offering. The audited balance sheet will reflect proceeds we receive from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if the over-allotment option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K. If the over-allotment option is exercised after our initial filing of a Form 8-K, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in this Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K information indicating if EarlyBirdCapital has allowed separate trading of the common stock and warrants prior to the 90^th day after the date of this prospectus.

Common stock

Our stockholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our existing stockholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective shares of common stock owned by them immediately prior to this offering in accordance with the majority of the shares of our common stock voted by our public stockholders. This voting arrangement shall not apply to shares included in units purchased in this offering or purchased following this offering in the open market by any of our existing stockholders, officers and directors. Additionally, our existing stockholders, officers and directors will vote all of their shares in any manner they determine, in their sole discretion, with respect to any other items that come before a vote of our stockholders.

We will proceed with the business combination only if a majority of the shares of common stock voted by the public stockholders are voted in favor of the business combination and public stockholders owning less than 20% of the shares sold in this offering both exercise their conversion rights discussed below and vote against the business combination.

Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares eligible to vote for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.

If we are forced to liquidate prior to a business combination, our public stockholders are entitled to share ratably in the trust fund, including any interest, and any net assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities. Our existing stockholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their initial shares and their shares included within the insider units.

Our stockholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the common stock, except that public

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stockholders have the right to have their shares of common stock converted to cash equal to their pro rata share of the trust account if they vote against the business combination and the business combination is approved and completed. Public stockholders who convert their stock into their share of the trust account still have the right to exercise the warrants that they received as part of the units.

Preferred stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our board of directors. No shares of preferred stock are being issued or registered in this offering. Accordingly, our board of directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. However, the underwriting agreement prohibits us, prior to a business combination, from issuing preferred stock which participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which votes as a class with the common stock on a business combination. We may issue some or all of the preferred stock to effect a business combination. In addition, the preferred stock could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Although we do not currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.

Warrants

No warrants are currently outstanding. Each warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of our common stock at a price of $5.00 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of:

	•	the completion of a business combination; and

	•	one year from the date of this prospectus.

The warrants will expire four years from the date of this prospectus at 5:00 p.m., New York City time.

We may call the warrants for redemption (including any warrants issued upon exercise of our unit purchase option),

	•	in whole and not in part,

	•	at a price of $.01 per warrant at any time after the warrants become exercisable,

	•	upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder, and

	•	if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $8.50 per share, for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders.

The redemption criteria for our warrants have been established at a price which is intended to provide warrant holders a reasonable premium to the initial exercise price and provide a sufficient degree of liquidity to cushion the market reaction to our redemption call.

We have agreed that in the case of redemption, any warrants underlying the insider units held by Don K. Rice at that time will be exercisable by him on a cashless basis.

The warrants will be issued in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. You should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the warrants.

The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of common stock at a price below their respective exercise prices.

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The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.

No warrants will be exercisable unless at the time of exercise a prospectus relating to common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current and the common stock has been registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. Under the terms of the warrant agreement, we have agreed to meet these conditions and use our best efforts to maintain a current prospectus relating to common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. The warrants may be deprived of any value and the market for the warrants may be limited if the prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants is not current or if the common stock is not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside.

No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the warrants. If, upon exercise of the warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round up to the nearest whole number the number of shares of common stock to be issued to the warrant holder.

Purchase Option

We have agreed to sell to the underwriter an option to purchase up to a total of 350,000 units at $6.60 per unit. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of a business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our then board of directors. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.

Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent

The transfer agent for our securities and warrant agent for our warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 17 Battery Place, New York, New York 10004.

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

Immediately after this offering, we will have 4,583,334 shares of common stock outstanding, or 5,108,334 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of these shares, the 3,500,000 shares sold in this offering, or 4,025,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised, will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining shares are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering. None of those shares will be eligible for sale under Rule 144 prior to December 5, 2006. Notwithstanding this restriction, all of the 875,000 initial shares have

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been placed in escrow and will not be transferable for a period of three years from the date of this prospectus and will be released prior to that date only upon a subsequent transaction resulting in our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash or other securities. The insider units have been registered for resale under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. However, Mr. Rice has agreed that the units and underlying securities will not be sold or transferred by him until after we have completed a business combination.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock for at least one year would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

	•	1% of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, which will equal 45,833 shares immediately after this offering (or 51,083 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full); and

	•	if the common stock is listed on a national securities exchange or on The Nasdaq Stock Market, the average weekly trading volume of the common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 144(k)

Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of or at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the restricted shares proposed to be sold for at least two years, including the holding period of any prior owner other than an affiliate, is entitled to sell their shares without complying with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144.

SEC Position on Rule 144 Sales

The Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position that promoters or affiliates of a blank check company and their transferees, both before and after a business combination act as ‘‘underwriters’’ under the Securities Act when reselling the securities of a blank check company acquired prior to the consummation of its initial public offering. Accordingly, the Securities and Exchange Commission believes that those securities can be resold only through a registered offering and that Rule 144 would not be available for those resale transactions despite technical compliance with the requirements of Rule 144. However, this position would not be applicable to the insider units being purchased simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. Accordingly, Rule 144 would be available to Mr. Rice with respect to the resale of the insider units following a business combination.

Registration Rights

The holders of our initial shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of the majority of these shares are entitled to make up to two demands that we register these shares. The holders of the majority of these shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these shares of common stock are to be released from escrow. In addition, these stockholders have certain ‘‘piggy-back’’ registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the date on which these shares of common stock are released from escrow. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

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Underwriting

In accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to EarlyBirdCapital, and EarlyBirdCapital has agreed to purchase, 3,500,000 units. A copy of the underwriting agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

State Blue Sky Information

We will offer and sell the units to retail customers only in Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, New York and Rhode Island. In New York and Hawaii, we have relied on exemptions from the state registration requirements. In the other states, we have applied to have the units registered for sale and will not sell the units to retail customers in these states unless and until such registration is effective (including in Colorado, pursuant to 11-51-302(6) of the Colorado Revised Statutes).

If you are not an institutional investor, you may purchase our securities in this offering only in the jurisdictions described directly above. Institutional investors in every state except in Idaho may purchase the units in this offering pursuant to exemptions under the Blue Sky laws of various states. The definition of an ‘‘institutional investor’’ varies from state to state but generally includes financial institutions, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies and other qualified entities.

We will file periodic and annual reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Therefore, under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, the resale of the units, from and after the effective date, and the common stock and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, are exempt from state registration requirements. However, states are permitted to require notice filings and collect fees with regard to these transactions, and a state may suspend the offer and sale of securities within such state if any such required filing is not made or fee is not paid. As of the date of this prospectus, the following states either do not presently require any notice filings or fee payments or have not yet issued rules or regulations indicating whether notice filings or fee payments will be required:

	•	Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, the Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Additionally, the following states currently permit the resale of the units, and the common stock and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, if the proper notice filings have been submitted and the required fees have been paid:

	•	The District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont.

As of the date of this prospectus, we have not determined in which, if any, of these states we will submit the required filings or pay the required fee. Additionally, if any of these states that has not yet adopted a statute relating to the National Securities Markets Improvement Act adopts such a statute in the future requiring a filing or fee or if any state amends its existing statutes with respect to its requirements, we would need to comply with those new requirements in order for the securities to continue to be eligible for resale in those jurisdictions.

Under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act, the states retain the jurisdiction to investigate and bring enforcement actions with respect to fraud or deceit, or unlawful conduct by a broker or dealer, in connection with the sale of securities. Although we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict resales of securities issued by blank check companies generally, certain state securities commissioners view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the resale of securities of blank check companies in their states.

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Aside from the exemption from registration provided by the National Securities Markets Improvement Act, we believe that the units, from and after the effective date, and the common stock and warrants comprising the units, once they become separately transferable, may be eligible for sale on a secondary market basis in various states based on the availability of another applicable exemption from state registration requirements, in certain instances subject to waiting periods, notice filings or fee payments.

Pricing of Securities

We have been advised that the underwriter proposes to offer the units to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriter may allow some dealers concessions not in excess of $   per unit and the dealers may reallow a concession not in excess of $   per unit to other dealers.

Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units and the terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the underwriter. Factors considered in determining the prices and terms of the units, including the common stock and warrants underlying the units, include:

	•	the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;

	•	prior offerings of those companies;

	•	our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values;

	•	our capital structure;

	•	an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies;

	•	general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering; and

	•	other factors as were deemed relevant.

However, although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities for an operating company in a particular industry since the underwriters are unable to compare our financial results and prospects with those of public companies operating in the same industry.

Over-Allotment Option

We have granted to the underwriter an option, exercisable during the 45-day period commencing on the date of this prospectus, to purchase from us at the offering price, less underwriting discounts, up to an aggregate of 525,000 additional units for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments, if any. The over-allotment option will only be used to cover the net syndicate short position resulting from the initial distribution. The underwriter may exercise the over-allotment option if it sells more units than the total number set forth above.

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Commissions and Discounts

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount to be paid by us to the underwriter and the proceeds, before expenses, to us. This information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriter of its over-allotment option.

				Per unit				Without option				With option
Public offering price				$	6.00			$21,000,000				$24,150,000
Discount				$	0.48			$1,680,000				$1,932,000
Non-accountable Expense Allowance(1)				$	0.06			$210,000				$210,000
Proceeds before expenses(2)				$	5.46			$19,110,000				$22,008,000

(1)	The non-accountable expense allowance is not payable with respect to the units sold upon exercise of the over-allotment option.

(2)	The offering expenses are estimated at $400,000, or $425,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full.

No discounts or commissions will be paid on the sale of the insider units.

Purchase Option

We have agreed to sell to the underwriter, for $100, an option to purchase up to a total of 350,000 units. The units issuable upon exercise of this option are identical to those offered by this prospectus. This option is exercisable at $6.60 per unit, and may be exercised on a cashless basis, commencing on the later of the consummation of a business combination and one year from the date of this prospectus and expiring five years from the date of this prospectus. The option and the 350,000 units, the 350,000 shares of common stock and the 700,000 warrants underlying such units, and the 700,000 shares of common stock underlying such warrants, have been deemed compensation by the NASD and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 2710(g)(1) of the NASD Conduct Rules. Additionally, the option may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a one-year period (including the foregoing 180-day period) following the date of this prospectus except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the offering and their bona fide officers or partners. Although the purchase option and its underlying securities have been registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the option grants to holders demand and ‘‘piggy back’’ rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the date of this prospectus with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the securities directly and indirectly issuable upon exercise of the option. We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities, other than underwriting commissions which will be paid for by the holders themselves. The exercise price and number of units issuable upon exercise of the option may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the option will not be adjusted for issuances of common stock at a price below its exercise price.

Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of Securities

Rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the underwriter to bid for or purchase our units before the distribution of the units is completed. However, the underwriter may engage in the following activities in accordance with the rules:

	•	Stabilizing Transactions. The underwriter may make bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the price of our units, as long as stabilizing bids do not exceed the offering price of $6.00.

51

	•	Over-Allotments and Syndicate Coverage Transactions. The underwriter may create a short position in our units by selling more of our units than are set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. If the underwriter creates a short position during the offering, the underwriter may engage in syndicate covering transactions by purchasing our units in the open market. The underwriter may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the over-allotment option.

	•	Penalty Bids. The underwriter may reclaim a selling concession from a selected dealer when the units originally sold by the selected dealer is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover short positions.

Stabilization and covering transactions may cause the price of our securities to be higher than they would be in the absence of these transactions. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the prices of our securities if it discourages resales of our securities.

Neither we nor the underwriter makes any representation or prediction as to the effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our securities. These transactions may occur on the OTC Bulletin Board, in the over-the-counter market or on any trading market. If any of these transactions are commenced, they may be discontinued without notice at any time.

Other Terms

Although we are not under any contractual obligation to engage the underwriter to provide any services for us after this offering, and have no present intent to do so, the underwriter may, among other things, introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital, as needs may arise in the future. If the underwriter provides services to us after this offering, we may pay the underwriter fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arm's length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with the underwriter and no fees for such services will be paid to the underwriter prior to the date which is 90 days after the date of this prospectus, unless the National Association of Securities Dealers determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriter’s compensation in connection with this offering.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against some liabilities, including civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in this respect.

Legal Matters

The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus is being passed upon for us by Graubard Miller, New York, New York. We have paid Graubard Miller a retainer of $25,000 for such services. Graubard Miller has agreed that the balance of the legal fees that we will owe to it for these services will be paid by us only upon the successful consummation of this offering. Foley & Lardner LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, is acting as counsel for the underwriter in this offering.

Experts

The financial statements included in this prospectus and in the registration statement have been audited by Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, to the extent and for the period set forth in their report appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and in the registration statement. The financial statements and the report of Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP are included in reliance upon their report given upon the authority of Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP as experts in auditing and accounting.

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Where You Can Find Additional Information

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, which includes exhibits, schedules and amendments, under the Securities Act, with respect to this offering of our securities. Although this prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, contains all material information included in the registration statement, parts of the registration statement have been omitted as permitted by rules and regulations of the SEC. We refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits for further information about us, our securities and this offering. The registration statement and its exhibits, as well as our other reports filed with the SEC, can be inspected and copied at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information about the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov which contains the Form S-1 and other reports, proxy and information statements and information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

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Ascend Acquisition Corp.
(a corporation in the development stage)

Index to Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm				F-2
Financial statements
Balance Sheet				F-3
Statement of Operations				F-4
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity				F-5
Statement of Cash Flows				F-6
Notes to Financial Statements				F-7 – F-9

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors
Ascend Acquisition Corp.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Ascend Acquisition Corp. (a corporation in the development stage) as of December 31, 2005, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from December 5, 2005 (inception) to December 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ascend Acquisition Corp. as of December 31, 2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from December 5, 2005 (inception) to December 31, 2005 in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP

GOLDSTEIN GOLUB KESSLER LLP
New York, New York

January 22, 2006

F-2

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
(a corporation in the development stage)
Balance Sheet

				December 31, 2005
ASSETS
Current asset – Cash				$	80,061
Deferred offering costs associated with initial public offering					25,000
Total assets				$	105,061
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses				$	1,192
Note payable to stockholder					80,000
Total liabilities					81,192
Commitments
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value
Authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued					—
Common stock, $.0001 par value
Authorized 15,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding 875,000 shares					88
Additional paid-in capital					24,912
Deficit accumulated during the development stage					(1,131	)
Total stockholders’ equity					23,869
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity				$	105,061

See notes to Financial Statements.

F-3

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
(a corporation in the development stage)
Statement of Operations

For the period December 5, 2005 (inception) to December 31, 2005
Formation costs				$	1,192
Operating loss					(1,192	)
Other income:
Interest income					61
Net loss				$	(1,131	)
Weighted average shares outstanding					875,000
Basic and diluted net loss per share				$	(.00	)

See notes to Financial Statements.

F-4

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
(a corporation in the development stage)
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

For the period December 5, 2005 (inception) to December 31, 2005

				Common Stock								Addition paid-in capital				Deficit Accumulated During the Development Stage				Stockholders' Equity
				Shares				Amount
Common shares issued December 5, 2005 at $0.02857 per share					875,000			$	88			$	24,912				—			$	25,000
Net Loss					—				—				—			$	(1,131	)			(1,131	)
Balance at December 31, 2005					875,000			$	88			$	24,912			$	(1,131	)		$	23,869

See notes to Financial Statements

F-5

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
(a corporation in the development stage)
Statement of Cash Flows

For the period December 5, 2005 (inception) to December 31, 2005
Cash flow from operating activities
Net loss				$	(1,131	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accrued expenses					1,192
Net cash provided by operating activities					61
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from sale of shares of common stock to founding stockholders					25,000
Proceeds from note payable to stockholder					80,000
Payment of deferred costs associated with initial public offering					(25,000	)
Net cash provided by financing activities					80,000
Net increase in cash					80,061
Cash at beginning of period					—
Cash at end of period				$	80,061

See notes to Financial Statements

F-6

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
(a corporation in the development stage)

Notes to Financial Statements

1.    Organization and Business Operations

Ascend Acquisition Corp. (the ‘‘Company’’) was incorporated in Delaware on December 5, 2005 as a blank check company whose objective is to acquire an operating business.

At December 31, 2005, the Company had not yet commenced any operations. All activity through December 31, 2005 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed public offering described below. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year-end.

The Company’s ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public offering of up to 3,500,000 units (‘‘Units’’) which is discussed in Note 2 (‘‘Proposed Offering’’). The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of this Proposed Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of this Proposed Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a business combination with an operating business (‘‘Business Combination’’). Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination. Upon the closing of the Proposed Offering, management has agreed that at least $5.53 per Unit sold in the Proposed Offering will be held in a trust account (‘‘Trust Account’’) and invested in United States ‘‘government securities’’ within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days or less until the earlier of (i) the consummation of its first Business Combination and (ii) liquidation of the Company. The placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors, prospective target businesses or other entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer has agreed that he will be personally liable under certain circumstances to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by the Company for services rendered contracted for or products sold to the Company. However, there can be no assurance that he will be able to satisfy those obligations. The remaining net proceeds (not held in the Trust Account) may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses. The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a target business, is required to submit such transaction for stockholder approval. In the event that stockholders owning 20% or more of the shares sold in the Proposed Offering vote against the Business Combination and exercise their conversion rights described below, the Business Combination will not be consummated. All of the Company’s stockholders prior to the Proposed Offering, including all of the officers and directors of the Company (‘‘Initial Stockholders’’), have agreed to vote their 875,000 founding shares of common stock in accordance with the vote of the majority in interest of all other stockholders of the Company (‘‘Public Stockholders’’) with respect to any Business Combination. After consummation of a Business Combination, these voting safeguards will no longer be applicable.

With respect to a Business Combination which is approved and consummated, any Public Stockholder who voted against the Business Combination may demand that the Company convert his or her shares. The per share conversion price will equal the amount in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the proposed Business Combination, divided by the number of shares of common stock held by Public Stockholders at the consummation of the Proposed Offering. Accordingly, Public Stockholders holding 19.99% of the aggregate number of shares owned by all Public Stockholders may seek conversion of their shares in the event of a Business Combination. Such Public Stockholders are entitled to receive their per share interest in the Trust Account computed without regard to the shares held by Initial Stockholders.

F-7

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides for mandatory liquidation of the Company in the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination within 18 months from the date of the consummation of the Proposed Offering, or 24 months from the consummation of the Proposed Offering if certain extension criteria have been satisfied. In the event of liquidation, it is likely that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including Trust Fund assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per share in the Proposed Offering (assuming no value is attributed to the Warrants contained in the Units to be offered in the Proposed Offering discussed in Note 2).

Deferred income taxes are provided for the differences between bases of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

The Company recorded a deferred income tax asset for the tax effect of net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences, aggregating approximately $385. In recognition of the uncertainty regarding the ultimate amount of income tax benefits to be derived, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance at December 31, 2005.

The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 34% due to the increase in the valuation allowance.

Loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.

2.    Proposed Public Offering

The Proposed Offering calls for the Company to offer for public sale up to 3,500,000 Units at a proposed offering price of $6.00 per Unit (plus up to an additional 525,000 units solely to cover over-allotments, if any). Each Unit consists of one share of the Company’s common stock and two Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrants (‘‘Warrants’’). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 commencing the later of the completion of a Business Combination and one year from the effective date of the Proposed Offering and expiring four years from the effective date of the Proposed Offering. The Company may redeem the Warrants, at a price of $.01 per Warrant upon 30 days’ notice after the Warrants become exercisable, only in the event that the last sale price of the common stock is at least $8.50 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. The Company will pay the underwriter in the Proposed Offering an underwriting discount of 8% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Offering and a non-accountable expense allowance of 1% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Offering. The Company will also issue a unit purchase option, for $100, to the underwriter to purchase 350,000 Units at an exercise price of $6.60 per Unit. The Company intends to account for the fair value of the unit purchase option, inclusive of the receipt of the $100 cash payment, as an expense of the Proposed Offering resulting in a charge directly to stockholders’ equity. The Company estimates that the fair value of this unit purchase option is approximately $910,000 ($2.60 per Unit) using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the unit purchase option granted to the underwriter is estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 46.56%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 4.31% and (3) expected life of 5 years. The unit purchase option may be exercised for cash or on a ‘‘cashless’’ basis, at the holder’s option, such that the holder may use the appreciated value of the unit purchase option (the difference between the exercise prices of the unit purchase option and the underlying Warrants and the market price of the Units and underlying securities) to exercise the unit purchase option without the payment of any cash.

F-8

3.    Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs consist principally of legal and underwriting fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Offering and that will be charged to stockholders’ equity upon the receipt of the capital raised. Should the Proposed Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs as well as additional expenses to be incurred will be charged to operations.

4.    Note Payable, Stockholder

The Company issued an $80,000 unsecured promissory note to an Initial Stockholder, who is also an officer, on December 20, 2005. The note is non-interest bearing and is payable on the earlier of December 20, 2006 or the consummation of the Proposed Offering. Due to the short-term nature of the note, the fair value of the note approximates its carrying amount.

5.    Commitments

The Company presently occupies office space provided by an affiliate of the Company’s special advisor. Such affiliate has agreed that, until the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will make such office space, as well as certain office and secretarial services, available to the Company, as may be required by the Company from time to time. The Company has agreed to pay such affiliate $7,500 per month for such services commencing on the effective date of the Proposed Offering.

Pursuant to letter agreements dated January 13, 2006 with the Company and the underwriter, the Initial Stockholders have waived their right to receive distributions with respect to their founding shares upon the Company’s liquidation.

One of the Initial Stockholders has committed to purchase 208,334 Units at $6.00 per unit (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,004) privately from the Company. These purchases will take place simultaneously with the consummation of the Proposed Offering. All of the proceeds received from this purchase will be placed in the Trust Account. The Units to be purchased by such individual will be identical to the Units being offered in the Proposed Offering. However, such individual has waived his right to receive distributions upon the Company’s liquidation prior to a Business Combination with respect to the securities underlying these Units. Additionally, this individual has agreed that the Units and underlying securities will not be sold or transferred by him until after the Company has completed a Business Combination and has agreed to vote the shares of common stock underlying these Units in accordance with the vote of the majority in interest of the Public Stockholders with respect to any Business Combination.

The Initial Stockholders will be entitled to registration rights with respect to their founding shares pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the Proposed Offering. The holders of the majority of these shares are entitled to make up to two demands that the Company register these shares at any time commencing three months prior to the third anniversary of the effective date of the Proposed Offering. In addition, the Initial Stockholders have certain ‘‘piggy-back’’ registration rights on registration statements filed subsequent to the third anniversary of the effective date of the Proposed Offering.

The Company has also agreed to pay the fees and issue the securities to the underwriter in the Proposed Offering as described in Note 2 above.

6.    Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

The agreement with the underwriters prohibits the Company, prior to a Business Combination, from issuing preferred stock which participates in the proceeds of the Trust Account or which votes as a class with the Common Stock on a Business Combination.

F-9

Until          , 2006, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

No dealer, salesperson or any other person is authorized to give any information or make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, the information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security other than the securities offered by this prospectus, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities by anyone in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or is unlawful.

$21,000,000

Ascend Acquisition Corp.

3,500,000 Units

PROSPECTUS

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

        , 2006

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the offering described in this registration statement (other than the underwriting discount and commissions and the underwriter’s non-accountable expense allowance) will be as follows:

Initial Trustees’ fee				$	1,000.00	(1)
SEC Registration Fee					7,869.14
NASD filing fee					7,854.34
Accounting fees and expenses					35,000.00
Printing and engraving expenses					65,000.00
Directors & Officers liability insurance premiums					80,000.00	(2)
Legal fees and expenses					210,000.00
Blue sky services and expenses					50,000.00
Miscellaneous					23,276.52	(3)
Total				$	480,000.00

(1)

In addition to the initial acceptance fee that is charged by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee, the registrant will be required to pay to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company annual fees of $3,000 for acting as trustee, $4,800 for acting as transfer agent of the registrant’s common stock, $2,400 for acting as warrant agent for the registrant’s warrants and$1,800 for acting as escrow agent.

(2)	This amount represents the approximate amount of director and officer liability insurance premiums the registrant anticipates paying following the consummation of its initial public offering and until it consummates a business combination.

(3)	This amount represents additional expenses that may be incurred by the Company in connection with the offering over and above those specifically listed above, including distribution and mailing costs.

Item 14.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that all directors, officers, employees and agents of the registrant shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.

‘‘Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.

(a)    A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to

II-1

believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

(b)    A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

(c)    To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

(d)    Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

(e)    Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

(f)    The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

(g)    A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person

II-2

and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.

(h)    For purposes of this section, references to ‘‘the corporation’’ shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(i)    For purposes of this section, references to ‘‘other enterprises’’ shall include employee benefit plans; references to ‘‘fines’’ shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to ‘‘serving at the request of the corporation’’ shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner ‘‘not opposed to the best interests of the corporation’’ as referred to in this section.

(j)    The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(k)    The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).’’

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Paragraph B of Article Eighth of our certificate of incorporation provides:

‘‘The Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the GCL, as amended from time to time, shall indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may be entitled to indemnification hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized hereby.’’

II-3

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement, we have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters and the Underwriters have agreed to indemnify us against certain civil liabilities that may be incurred in connection with this offering, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

Item 15.    Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

(a)    During the past three years, we sold the following shares of common stock without registration under the Securities Act:

Stockholders				Number of Shares
Don K. Rice					695,000
Russell C. Ball III					60,000
Stephen L. Brown					60,000
Arthur Spector					60,000

Such shares were issued on December 5, 2005 in connection with our organization pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as they were sold to sophisticated, accredited, wealthy individuals and entities. The shares issued to the individuals and entities above were sold for an aggregate offering price of $25,000 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.029 per share. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to such sales.

Item 16.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)    The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:

Exhibit No.				Description
1.1				Form of Underwriting Agreement.
1.2				Form of Selected Dealers Agreement.
3.1				Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2				By-laws.
4.1				Specimen Unit Certificate.
4.2				Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
4.3				Specimen Warrant Certificate.
4.4				Form of Unit Purchase Option to be granted to Underwriter.
4.5				Form of Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.
5.1				Opinion of Graubard Miller.
10.1				Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Don K. Rice.
10.2				Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Russell C. Ball III.
10.3				Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Stephen L. Brown.
10.4				Letter Agreement among the Registrant, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Arthur Spector.

II-4

Exhibit No.				Description
10.5				Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Registrant.
10.6				Form of Stock Escrow Agreement between the Registrant, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Initial Stockholders.
10.7				Form of Letter Agreement between 400 Building LLC and Registrant regarding administrative support.
10.8				Promissory Note, dated as of December 20, 2005, issued to Don K. Rice.
10.9				Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant and the Initial Stockholders.
10.10				Subscription Agreement among the Registrant, Don K. Rice and Graubard Miller.
23.1				Consent of Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP.
23.2				Consent of Graubard Miller (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24				Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement).

Item 17.    Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

i. To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

ii. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the ‘‘Calculation of Registration Fee’’ table in the effective registration statement.

iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) The undersigned hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and

II-5

Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-6

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wayne, State of Pennsylvania, on the 3rd day of February, 2006.

ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

By:  /s/ Don K. Rice
       Don K. Rice
       Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Oficer,
       President and Treasurer
       (Principal Executive Officer)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Don K. Rice his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments including post-effective amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute, each acting alone, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name		Position		Date
/s/ Don K. Rice		Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Treasurer (Principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer)		February 3, 2006
Don K. Rice
/s/ Stephen L. Brown		Secretary and Director		February 3, 2006
Stephen L. Brown
/s/ Russell C. Ball III		Director		February 3, 2006
Russell C. Ball III

II-7

EX-1.1

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

                                       AND

                             EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC.

                             DATED: __________, 2006



                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                              New York, New York
                                                                  ________, 2006

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
275 Madison Avenue, Suite 1203
New York, New York 10016

Dear Sirs:

          The undersigned, Ascend Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
("Company"), hereby confirms its agreement with EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (being
referred to herein variously as "you," "EBC" or the "Underwriter") as follows:

1. Purchase and Sale of Securities.

     1.1 Firm Securities.

          1.1.1 Purchase of Firm Units. On the basis of the representations and
warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set
forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriter, and the
Underwriter agrees to purchase from the Company, 3,500,000 units ("Firm Units")
at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $5.52 per Firm Unit.
The Firm Units are to be offered initially to the public ("Offering") at the
offering price of $6.00 per Firm Unit. Each Firm Unit consists of one share of
the Company's common stock, par value $.0001 per share ("Common Stock"), and two
warrants ("Warrant(s)"). The shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in
the Firm Units will not be separately transferable until 90 days after the
effective date ("Effective Date") of the Registration Statement (as defined in
Section 2.1.1 hereof) unless EBC informs the Company of its decision to allow
earlier separate trading, but in no event will EBC allow separate trading until
the preparation of an audited balance sheet of the Company reflecting receipt by
the Company of the proceeds of the Offering and the filing of a Form 8-K by the
Company which includes such balance sheet. Each Warrant entitles its holder to
exercise it to purchase one share of Common Stock for $5.00 during the period
commencing on the later of the consummation by the Company of its "Business
Combination" or one year from the Effective Date and terminating on the
four-year anniversary of the Effective Date. "Business Combination" shall mean
any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business
combination consummated by the Company with an operating business (as described
more fully in the Registration Statement).

          1.1.2 Payment and Delivery. Delivery and payment for the Firm Units
shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on the fourth business day following
the effective date or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the
Underwriter and the Company at the offices of the Underwriter or at such other
place as shall be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Company. The hour and
date of delivery and payment for the Firm Units are called "Closing Date."
Payment for the Firm Units shall be made on the Closing Date at the
Underwriter's election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by
certified or bank cashier's check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, payable
as follows: $18,110,000 of the proceeds received by the Company for the Firm
Units shall be deposited in the trust fund established by the Company


                                       1



for the benefit of the public stockholders as described in the Registration
Statement ("Trust Fund") pursuant to the terms of an Investment Management Trust
Agreement ("Trust Agreement") and the remaining proceeds shall be paid (subject
to Section 3.13 hereof) to the order of the Company upon delivery to you of
certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters)
representing the Firm Units (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust
Company ("DTC")) for the account of the Underwriter. The Firm Units shall be
registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the
Underwriter may request in writing at least two full business days prior to the
Closing Date. The Company will permit the Underwriter to examine and package the
Firm Units for delivery, at least one full business day prior to the Closing
Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Units
except upon tender of payment by the Underwriter for all the Firm Units.

     1.2 Over-Allotment Option.

          1.2.1 Option Units. For the purposes of covering any over-allotments
in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriter
is hereby granted an option to purchase up to an additional 525,000 units from
the Company ("Over-allotment Option"). Such additional 525,000 units are
hereinafter referred to as "Option Units." The Firm Units and the Option Units
are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Units," and the Units, the
shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Units and the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are hereinafter referred to
collectively as the "Public Securities." The purchase price to be paid for the
Option Units will be the same price per Option Unit as the price per Firm Unit
set forth in Section 1.1.1 hereof.

          1.2.2 Exercise of Option. The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant
to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Underwriter as to all (at any
time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Units within 45 days after
the Effective Date. The Underwriter will not be under any obligation to purchase
any Option Units prior to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The
Over-allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral
notice to the Company by the Underwriter, which must be confirmed in writing by
overnight mail or facsimile transmission setting forth the number of Option
Units to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the
Option Units (the "Option Closing Date"), which will not be later than five full
business days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed
upon by the Company and the Underwriter, at the offices of the Underwriter or at
such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriter.
Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to
convey to the Underwriter, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, the Underwriter will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option
Units specified in such notice.

          1.2.3 Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Option Units shall be made
on the Option Closing Date at the Underwriter's election by wire transfer in
Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier's check(s) in New York
Clearing House funds, payable as follows: approximately $5.339 per Option Unit
shall be deposited in the Trust Fund pursuant to the Trust Agreement and the
remaining proceeds shall be paid (subject to Section 3.13 hereof) to the order
of the Company upon delivery to you of certificates (in form and substance
satisfactory to the Underwriter) representing the Option Units (or through the
facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriter. The certificates
representing the Option Units to be delivered will be in such denominations and
registered in such names as the Underwriter requests not less than two full
business days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case
may be, and will be made available to the Underwriter for inspection, checking
and packaging at the aforesaid office of the Company's transfer agent or
correspondent not less than one full business day prior to such Closing Date.


                                       2



     1.3 Underwriter's Purchase Option.

          1.3.1 Purchase Option. The Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to
the Underwriter (and/or its designees) on the Effective Date an option
("Underwriter's Purchase Option") for the purchase of an aggregate of ____ units
("Underwriter's Units") for an aggregate purchase price of $100. Each of the
Underwriter's Units is identical to the Firm Units. The Underwriter's Purchase
Option shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on the later of the
consummation of a Business Combination and one year from the Effective Date and
expiring on the five-year anniversary of the Effective Date at an initial
exercise price per Underwriter's Unit of $___ (___% of the initial public
offering price of a Unit). The Underwriter's Purchase Option, the Underwriter's
Units, the Warrants included in the Underwriter's Units ("Underwriter's
Warrants") and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Underwriter's Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Underwriter's Securities." The Public Securities and the Underwriter's
Securities are hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Securities." The
Underwriter understands and agrees that there are significant restrictions
against transferring the Underwriter's Purchase Option during the first year
after the Effective Date, as set forth in Section 3 of the Underwriter's
Purchase Option.

          1.3.2 Payment and Delivery. Delivery and payment for the Underwriter's
Purchase Option shall be made on the Closing Date. The Company shall deliver to
the Underwriter, upon payment therefor, certificates for the Underwriter's
Purchase Option in the name or names and in such authorized denominations as the
Underwriter may request.

2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and
warrants to the Underwriter as follows:

     2.1 Filing of Registration Statement.

          2.1.1 Pursuant to the Act. The Company has filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("Commission") a registration statement and an amendment
or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (File No. 333-_____), including any related
preliminary prospectus ("Preliminary Prospectus"), for the registration of the
Public Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Act"), which
registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the
Company in conformity with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and
regulations ("Regulations") of the Commission under the Act. Except as the
context may otherwise require, such registration statement, as amended, on file
with the Commission at the time the registration statement becomes effective
(including the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all
other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all
information deemed to be a part thereof as of such time pursuant to paragraph
(b) of Rule 430A of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the "Registration
Statement," and the form of the final prospectus dated the Effective Date
included in the Registration Statement (or, if applicable, the form of final
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Regulations),
is hereinafter called the "Prospectus." The Registration Statement has been
declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof.

          2.1.2 Pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company has filed with the
Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 000-______) providing for the registration
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), of the
Units, the Common Stock and the Warrants. The registration of the Units, Common
Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act has been declared effective by the
Commission on the date hereof.

     2.2 No Stop Orders, Etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the best of the
Company's knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order or
threatened to issue any order preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus or has instituted or, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an
order.


                                       3



     2.3 Disclosures in Registration Statement.

          2.3.1 10b-5 Representation. At the time the Registration Statement
became effective and at all times subsequent thereto up to the Closing Date and
the Option Closing Date, if any, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
does and will contain all material statements that are required to be stated
therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and will in all material
respects conform to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations; neither the
Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement
thereto, on such dates, does or will 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. When any Preliminary Prospectus was first
filed with the Commission (whether filed as part of the Registration Statement
for the registration of the Securities or any amendment thereto or pursuant to
Rule 424(a) of the Regulations) and when any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto was first filed with the Commission, such Preliminary Prospectus and any
amendments thereof and supplements thereto complied or will comply in all
material respects with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Regulations
and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. The representation and warranty made in this Section
2.3.1 does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect
to the Underwriter by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto.

          2.3.2 Disclosure of Agreements. The agreements and documents described
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform to the descriptions
thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents
required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to
be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that
have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however
characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which its
property or business is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to
in the Prospectus, or (ii) is material to the Company's business, has been duly
and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect and is
enforceable against the Company and, to the Company's knowledge, the other
parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any
indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and
state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and
injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable
defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor
may be brought, and none of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by
the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, any other party is in breach or default thereunder and, to the best
of the Company's knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time
or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a breach or default
thereunder. To the best of the Company's knowledge, performance by the Company
of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in
a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or
decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses, including,
without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.

          2.3.3 Prior Securities Transactions. No securities of the Company have
been sold by the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any
person or persons controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the
Company since the Company's formation, except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement.

          2.3.4 Regulations. The disclosures in the Registration Statement
concerning the effects of Federal, State and local regulation on the Company's
business as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects and do
not omit to state a material fact.


                                       4



     2.4 Changes After Dates in Registration Statement.

          2.4.1 No Material Adverse Change. Since the respective dates as of
which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
except as otherwise specifically stated therein, (i) there has been no material
adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or business prospects
of the Company, (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by
the Company, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement, and (iii) no
member of the Company's management has resigned from any position with the
Company.

          2.4.2 Recent Securities Transactions, Etc. Subsequent to the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated
herein or therein, the Company has not (i) issued any securities or incurred any
liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii)
declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to
its equity securities.

     2.5 Independent Accountants. Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP ("GGK"), whose
report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement, are
independent accountants as required by the Act and the Regulations. GGK has not,
during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the
Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used
in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.

     2.6 Financial Statements. The financial statements, including the notes
thereto and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus fairly present the financial position, the results of operations and
the cash flows of the Company at the dates and for the periods to which they
apply; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied throughout the
periods involved; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration
Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein. The
summary financial data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
present fairly the information shown thereon and have been compiled on a basis
consistent with the audited financial statements presented therein. No other
financial statements or schedules are required to be included in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus. The Registration Statement discloses
all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations
(including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with
unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or
future effect on the Company's financial condition, changes in financial
condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital
resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses.

     2.7 Authorized Capital; Options; Etc. The Company had at the date or dates
indicated in the Prospectus duly authorized, issued and outstanding
capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted stock
capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by,
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date and on the
Closing Date, there will be no options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or
otherwise acquire any authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock of the
Company or any security convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company,
or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell shares of Common Stock or any
such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.

     2.8 Valid Issuance of Securities; Etc.

          2.8.1 Outstanding Securities. All issued and outstanding securities of
the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect
thereto, and are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such
holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive
rights of any holders of any


                                       5



security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company.
The authorized Common Stock conforms to all statements relating thereto
contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The offers and sales
of the outstanding Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered
under the Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in
part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such shares of
Common Stock, exempt from such registration requirements.

          2.8.2 Securities Sold Pursuant to this Agreement. The Securities have
been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be
subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the Securities
are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any
security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company;
and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance
and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly taken. The Securities
conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto
contained in the Registration Statement. When issued, the Underwriter's Purchase
Option, the Underwriter's Warrants and the Warrants will constitute valid and
binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and
payment of the respective exercise prices therefor, the number and type of
securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with the terms
thereof and such Underwriter's Purchase Option, the Underwriter's Warrants and
the Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (iii)
that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of
equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

          2.8.3 Insider Units. Don K. Rice (the "Unit Purchaser"), one of the
Company's stockholders immediately prior to the Offering (all of which
stockholders are referred to as the "Initial Stockholders"), has committed to
purchase an aggregate of 208,334 Units ("Insider Units") at $6.00 per Unit (for
an aggregate purchase price of $1,250,004) from the Company upon consummation of
the Offering. The Insider Units have been duly authorized and, when issued and
paid for in accordance with the subscription agreement ("Subscription
Agreement") entered into by the Unit Purchaser to purchase such Insider Units,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are
not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such
holders; the Insider Units are not and will not be subject to the preemptive
rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual
rights granted by the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for
the authorization, issuance and sale of the Insider Units has been duly and
validly taken.

     2.9 Registration Rights of Third Parties. Except as set forth in the
Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any rights
exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company
have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the
Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration
statement to be filed by the Company.

     2.10 Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements. This Agreement, the Warrant
Agreement (as defined in Section 2.21 hereof), the Trust Agreement, the Services
Agreement (as defined in Section 3.7.2 hereof), the Subscription Agreement and
the Escrow Agreement (as defined in Section 2.22.2 hereof) have been duly and
validly authorized by the Company and constitute, and the Underwriter's Purchase
Option, has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when executed
and delivered, will constitute, the valid and binding agreements of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms,
except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, (ii) as
enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited
under the federal and state securities laws, and (iii) that the remedy of
specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be
subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before
which any proceeding therefor may be brought.


                                       6



     2.11 No Conflicts, Etc. The execution, delivery, and performance by the
Company of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Underwriter's Purchase
Option, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement
and the Escrow Agreement, the consummation by the Company of the transactions
herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms
hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or
the lapse of time or both (i) result in a breach of, or conflict with any of the
terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the
creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of
any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party except pursuant to
the Trust Agreement referred to in Section 2.24 hereof; (ii) result in any
violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of
the Company; or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation,
judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or
foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or
business.

     2.12 No Defaults; Violations. No material default exists in the due
performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material
license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit
agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for
borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the
Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the
properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not in violation
of any term or provision of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or in
violation of any material franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule,
regulation, judgment or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or
foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or
businesses.

     2.13 Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.

          2.13.1 Conduct of Business. The Company has all requisite corporate
power and authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders,
licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory
officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business
purpose as described in the Prospectus. The disclosures in the Registration
Statement concerning the effects of federal, state and local regulation on this
offering and the Company's business purpose as currently contemplated are
correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

          2.13.2 Transactions Contemplated Herein. The Company has all corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions
and conditions hereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders
required in connection therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization
or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency or other body is
required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery, of the Securities and the
consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement,
the Warrant Agreement, the Underwriter's Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement
and the Escrow Agreement and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with
respect to applicable federal and state securities laws.

     2.14 D&O Questionnaires. To the best of the Company's knowledge, all
information contained in the questionnaires ("Questionnaires") completed by each
of the Initial Stockholders and provided to the Underwriter as an exhibit to his
or her Insider Letter (as defined in Section 2.22.1) is true and correct and the
Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the
information disclosed in the questionnaires completed by each Initial
Stockholder to become inaccurate and incorrect.

     2.15 Litigation; Governmental Proceedings. There is no action, suit,
proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental
proceeding pending or, to the best of the Company's


                                       7



knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the
Company's knowledge, any Initial Stockholder, which has not been disclosed in
the Registration Statement or the Questionnaires.

     2.16 Good Standing. The Company has been duly organized and is validly
existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of its state of
incorporation, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a
foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of
property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where
the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the assets,
business or operations of the Company.

     2.17 Stop Orders. The Commission has not issued any order preventing or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus or any part
thereof and has not threatened to issue any such order.

     2.18 Transactions Affecting Disclosure to NASD.

          2.18.1 Finder's Fees. Except as described in the Prospectus, there are
no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the
payment of a finder's, consulting or origination fee by the Company or any
Initial Stockholder with respect to the sale of the Securities hereunder or any
other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the best
of the Company's knowledge, any Initial Stockholder that may affect the
Underwriter's compensation, as determined by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").

          2.18.2 Payments Within Twelve Months. Other than payments to EBC, the
Company has not within the twelve months prior to the Effective Date made any
direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) (i) to any
person, as a finder's fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such
person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who
raised or provided capital to the Company, (ii) to any NASD member or (iii) to
any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association
with any NASD member.

          2.18.3 Use of Proceeds. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will
be paid by the Company to any participating NASD member or its affiliates,
except as specifically authorized herein and except as may be paid in connection
with a Business Combination as contemplated by the Prospectus.

          2.18.4 Insiders' NASD Affiliation. Based on questionnaires distributed
to such persons, except as set forth on Schedule 2.18.4, no officer, director or
any beneficial owner of the Company's unregistered securities has any direct or
indirect affiliation or association with any NASD member. The Company will
advise the Underwriter and its counsel if it learns that any officer, director
or owner of at least 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock is or becomes
an affiliate or associated person of an NASD member participating in the
offering.

     2.19 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor any of the
Initial Stockholders or any other person acting on behalf of the Company has,
directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar
benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course
of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or
supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality
of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for
office (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office
(domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to
help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any
actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject the Company to any damage
or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding, (ii)
if not given in the past, might have had a material adverse effect on the
assets, business or operations of the Company as reflected in any of the
financial statements contained in the Prospectus or (iii) if not continued in
the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects
of the Company. The Company's internal accounting controls and


                                       8



procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply with the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

     2.20. Officers' Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized
officer of the Company and delivered to you or to your counsel shall be deemed a
representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriter as to the matters
covered thereby.

     2.21 Warrant Agreement. The Company has entered into a warrant agreement
with respect to the Warrants, the Warrants underlying the Insider Units (the
"Insider Warrants" and together with the Insider Units and the Common Stock
underlying such Insider Units, the "Insider Securities") and the Underwriter's
Warrants with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company substantially in the
form annexed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement ("Warrant Agreement").

     2.22 Agreements With Initial Stockholders.

          2.22.1 Insider Letters. The Company has caused to be duly executed
legally binding and enforceable agreements (except (i) as such enforceability
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of any
indemnification, contribution or noncompete provision may be limited under the
federal and state securities laws, and (iii) that the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought) annexed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and
10.4 to the Registration Statement ("Insider Letters"), pursuant to which each
of the Initial Stockholders of the Company agrees to certain matters, including
but not limited to, certain matters described as being agreed to by them under
the "Proposed Business" section of the Prospectus.

          2.22.2 Escrow Agreement. The Company has caused the Initial
Stockholders to enter into an escrow agreement ("Escrow Agreement") with
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company ("Escrow Agent") substantially in the
form annexed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement, whereby the Common
Stock owned by the Initial Stockholders will be held in escrow by the Escrow
Agent, until the third anniversary of the Effective Date. During such escrow
period, the Initial Stockholders shall be prohibited from selling or otherwise
transferring such shares (except to spouses and children of Initial Stockholders
and trusts established for their benefit and as otherwise set forth in the
Escrow Agreement) but will retain the right to vote such shares. To the
Company's knowledge, the Escrow Agreement is enforceable against each of the
Initial Stockholders and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the
lapse of time or both, result in a breach of, or conflict with any of the terms
and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to
which any of the Initial Stockholders is a party. The Escrow Agreement shall not
be amended, modified or otherwise changed without the prior written consent of
EBC.

          2.22.3 Subscription Agreement. The Company has entered into the
Subscription Agreement substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 10.10 to the
Registration Statement with the Unit Purchaser to purchase the Insider Units.
Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, the Unit Purchaser shall place the
purchase price for the Insider Units in escrow prior to the consummation of the
Offering. Simultaneously with the consummation of the Offering, such purchase
price shall be deposited into the Trust Fund pursuant to the Trust Agreement.

     2.23 Intentionally Omitted.

     2.24 Investment Management Trust Agreement. The Company has entered into
the Trust Agreement with respect to certain proceeds of the Offering
substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement.


                                       9



     2.25 Covenants Not to Compete. No Initial Stockholder, employee, officer or
director of the Company is subject to any noncompetition agreement or
non-solicitation agreement with any employer or prior employer which could
materially affect his ability to be an Initial Stockholder, employee, officer
and/or director of the Company.

     2.26 Investment Company Act; Investments. The Company has been advised
concerning the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment
Company Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder and has in the past
conducted, and intends in the future to conduct, its affairs in such a manner as
to ensure that it will not become an "investment company" or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act and such rules and regulations. The Company is not, nor will the
Company become upon the sale of the Units and the application of the proceeds
therefore as described in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds", an
"investment company" or a person controlled by an "investment company" within
the meaning of the Investment Company Act. No more than 45% of the "value" (as
defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the Investment Company Act) of the Company's
total assets (exclusive of cash items and "Government Securities" (as defined in
Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act) consist of, and no more than 45%
of the Company's net income after taxes is derived from, securities other than
the Government Securities.

     2.27 Subsidiaries. The Company does not own an interest in any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business
entity.

     2.28 Related Party Transactions. There are no business relationships or
related party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to
be described in the Prospectus that have not been described as required. There
are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses
in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company
to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors or Initial
Stockholders of the Company or any of the members of the families of any of
them, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

     2.29 No Distribution of Offering Material. The Company has not distributed
and will not distribute prior to the Closing Date any offering material in
connection with the offering and sale of the Units other than any Preliminary
Prospectuses, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement and other materials, if
any, permitted by the Act.

     2.30 Title to Assets. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus, the Company has good and marketable title to all properties and
assets described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus as owned by it,
free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrances, claim or
equitable interest, other than such as would not have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition, earnings, operations, business or business prospects
of the Company.

     2.31 Taxes. The Company has timely filed all necessary federal, state and
foreign income and franchise tax returns and has paid all taxes shown thereon as
due, and there is no tax deficiency that has been or, to the best of the
Company's knowledge, might be asserted against the Company that might have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition, earnings, operations,
business or business prospects of the Company, and all material tax liabilities
are adequately provided for on the books of the Company.

3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:

     3.1 Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company will deliver to the
Underwriter, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and not
file any such amendment or supplement to which the Underwriter shall reasonably
object in writing.


                                       10



     3.2 Federal Securities Laws.

          3.2.1 Compliance. During the time when a Prospectus is required to be
delivered under the Act, the Company will use its best efforts to comply with
all requirements imposed upon it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange
Act and by the regulations under the Exchange Act, as from time to time in
force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in
the Public Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the
Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Public Securities
is required to be delivered under the Act, any event shall have occurred as a
result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the
Underwriter, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits 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, or if it is necessary
at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will
notify the Underwriter promptly and prepare and file with the Commission,
subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement in
accordance with Section 10 of the Act.

          3.2.2 Filing of Final Prospectus. The Company will file the Prospectus
(in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter) with the Commission
pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424 of the Regulations.

          3.2.3 Exchange Act Registration. The Company will use its best efforts
to maintain the registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the
provisions of the Exchange Act for a period of five years from the Effective
Date, or until the Company is required to be liquidated, if earlier or, in the
case of the Warrants, until the Warrants expire and are no longer exercisable.
The Company will not deregister the Units under the Exchange Act without the
prior written consent of EBC.

          3.2.4 Ineligible Issuer. At the time of filing the Registration
Statement and at the date hereof, the Company was and is an "ineligible issuer,"
as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. The Company has not made and
will not make any offer relating to the Public Securities that would constitute
an "issuer free writing prospectus," as defined in Rule 433, or that would
otherwise constitute a "free writing prospectus," as defined in Rule 405.

     3.3 Blue Sky Filings. The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation
with the Underwriter, at or prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective, to qualify the Public Securities for offering and sale under the
securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriter may reasonably
designate, provided that no such qualification shall be required in any
jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Company would be subject to service
of general process or to taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in
such jurisdiction. In each jurisdiction where such qualification shall be
effected, the Company will, unless the Underwriter agrees that such action is
not at the time necessary or advisable, use its best efforts to file and make
such statements or reports at such times as are or may be required by the laws
of such jurisdiction.

     3.4 Delivery to Underwriter of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to
the Underwriter, without charge, from time to time during the period when the
Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act, such
number of copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus as the
Underwriter may reasonably request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or
any amendment or supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to you two
original executed Registration Statements, including exhibits, and all
post-effective amendments thereto and copies of all exhibits filed therewith or
incorporated therein by reference and all original executed consents of
certified experts.

     3.5 Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Underwriter. The
Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain
effective and will notify the Underwriter immediately and confirm the notice in
writing (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment
thereto, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the
initiation, or the threatening, of any


                                       11



proceeding for that purpose, (iii) of the issuance by any state securities
commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the
Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation,
or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose, (iv) of the mailing and
delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement or Prospectus, (v) of the receipt of any comments or
request for any additional information from the Commission, and (vi) of the
happening of any event during the period described in Section 3.4 hereof that,
in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making
of any changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall
enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will
use commercially reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.

     3.6 Review of Financial Statements. Until the earlier of five years from
the Effective Date, or until such earlier time upon which the Company is
required to be liquidated, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its
regularly engaged independent certified public accountants to review (but not
audit) the Company's financial statements for each of the first three fiscal
quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly financial information, the
filing of the Company's Form 10-Q quarterly report and the mailing of quarterly
financial information to stockholders.

     3.7 Affiliated Transactions.

          3.7.1 Business Combinations. The Company will not consummate a
Business Combination with any entity which is affiliated with any Initial
Stockholder unless the Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment
banking firm that the Business Combination is fair to the Company's stockholders
from a financial perspective.

          3.7.2 Administrative Services. The Company has entered into an
agreement ("Services Agreement") with 400 Building LLC ("Affiliate")
substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Registration Statement
pursuant to which the Affiliate will make available to the Company general and
administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial
support for the Company's use for $7,500 per month.

          3.7.3 Compensation. Except as set forth above in this Section 3.7, the
Company shall not pay any Initial Stockholder or any of their affiliates any
fees or compensation from the Company, for services rendered to the Company
prior to, or in connection with, the consummation of a Business Combination;
provided that the Initial Stockholders shall be entitled to reimbursement from
the Company for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection
with seeking and consummating a Business Combination.

     3.8 Secondary Market Trading and Standard & Poor's. The Company will apply
to be included in Standard & Poor's Daily News and Corporation Records Corporate
Descriptions for a period of five years from the consummation of a Business
Combination. Promptly after the consummation of the Offering, the Company shall
take such steps as may be necessary to obtain a secondary market trading
exemption for the Company's securities in the State of California. The Company
shall also take such other action as may be reasonably requested by the
Underwriter to obtain a secondary market trading exemption in such other states
as may be requested by the Underwriter.

     3.9 Intentionally Omitted.

     3.10 Financial Public Relations Firm. Promptly after the execution of a
definitive agreement for a Business Combination, the Company shall retain a
financial public relations firm.


                                       12



     3.11 Reports to the Underwriter.

          3.11.1 Periodic Reports, Etc. For a period of five years from the
Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to
be liquidated, the Company will furnish to the Underwriter (Attn: Steven Levine,
President and Managing Director of Investment Banking) and its counsel copies of
such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company
from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities,
and promptly furnish to the Underwriter (i) a copy of each periodic report the
Company shall be required to file with the Commission, (ii) a copy of every
press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company or its
affairs which was released by the Company, (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K or
Schedules 13D, 13G, 14D-1 or 13E-4 received or prepared by the Company, (iv)
five copies of each registration statement filed by the Company with the
Commission under the Securities Act, (v) a copy of monthly statements, if any,
setting forth such information regarding the Company's results of operations and
financial position (including balance sheet, profit and loss statements and data
regarding outstanding purchase orders) as is regularly prepared by management of
the Company and (vi) such additional documents and information with respect to
the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as the
Underwriter may from time to time reasonably request.

          3.11.2 Intentionally Omitted.

          3.11.3 Secondary Market Trading Survey. Until such time as the Public
Securities are listed or quoted, as the case may be, on the New York Stock
Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market,
or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated,
the Company shall engage Graubard Miller ("GM"), for a one-time fee of $5,000
payable on the Closing Date, to deliver and update to the Underwriter on a
timely basis, but in any event on the Effective Date and at the beginning of
each fiscal quarter, a written report detailing those states in which the Public
Securities may be traded in non-issuer transactions under the Blue Sky laws of
the fifty States ("Secondary Market Trading Survey").

          3.11.4 Intentionally Omitted.

     3.12 Disqualification of Form S-1. Until the earlier of seven years from
the date hereof or until the Warrants have expired and are no longer
exercisable, the Company will not take any action or actions which may prevent
or disqualify the Company's use of Form S-1 (or other appropriate form) for the
registration of the Warrants and the Underwriter's Warrants under the Act.

     3.13 Payment of Expenses.

          3.13.1 General Expenses Related to the Offering. The Company hereby
agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any,
to the extent not paid at Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance
of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including but not
limited to (i) the preparation, printing, filing and mailing (including the
payment of postage with respect to such mailing) of the Registration Statement,
the Preliminary and Final Prospectuses and the printing and mailing of this
Agreement and related documents, including the cost of all copies thereof and
any amendments thereof or supplements thereto supplied to the Underwriter in
quantities as may be required by the Underwriter, (ii) the printing, engraving,
issuance and delivery of the Units, the shares of Common Stock and the Warrants
included in the Units and the Underwriter's Purchase Option, including any
transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the qualification of the Public
Securities under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws, including the
costs of printing and mailing the "Preliminary Blue Sky Memorandum," and all
amendments and supplements thereto, fees and disbursements of GM (such fees
shall be $35,000 in the aggregate (of which $15,000 has previously been paid)),
and a one-time fee of $5,000 payable to GM for the preparation of the Secondary
Market Trading Survey, (iv) filing fees, costs and expenses (including
disbursements for the Underwriter's counsel) incurred in registering the
Offering with the NASD, (v) fees and disbursements of the


                                       13



transfer and warrant agent, (vi) the Company's expenses associated with "due
diligence" meetings arranged by the Underwriter, (vii) the preparation, binding
and delivery of transaction "bibles," in form and style reasonably satisfactory
to the Underwriter and transaction lucite cubes or similar commemorative items
in a style and quantity as reasonably requested by the Underwriter and (viii)
all other costs and expenses customarily borne by an issuer incident to the
performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically
provided for in this Section 3.13.1. The Company also agrees that, if requested
by the Underwriter, it will engage and pay for an investigative search firm of
the Underwriter's choice to conduct an investigation of the principals of the
Company as shall be mutually selected by the Underwriter and the Company. If the
Offering is successfully consummated, any such amounts paid by the Company
pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be credited against the
Underwriter's nonaccountable expense allowance (described below in Section
3.13.2). The Underwriter may deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering
payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, if any,
the expenses set forth in this Agreement to be paid by the Company to the
Underwriter and others. If the Offering contemplated by this Agreement is not
consummated for any reason whatsoever then the Company shall reimburse the
Underwriter in full for its out of pocket expenses, including, without
limitation, its legal fees (up to a maximum of $50,000) and disbursements and
"road show" and due diligence expenses. The Underwriter shall retain such part
of the nonaccountable expense allowance previously paid as shall equal its
actual out-of-pocket expenses and refund the balance. If the amount previously
paid is insufficient to cover such actual out-of-pocket expenses, the Company
shall remain liable for and promptly pay any other actual out-of-pocket
expenses.

          3.13.2 Nonaccountable Expenses. The Company further agrees that, in
addition to the expenses payable pursuant to Section 3.13.1, on the Closing
Date, it will pay to the Underwriter a nonaccountable expense allowance equal to
one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of
the Firm Units (of which $25,000 has previously been paid), by deduction from
the proceeds of the Offering contemplated herein.

          3.13.3 Intentionally Omitted.

     3.14 Application of Net Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds
from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application
described under the caption "Use Of Proceeds" in the Prospectus.

     3.15 Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company will
make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not
later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the
Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by
independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required
by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule
158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of at least twelve
consecutive months beginning after the Effective Date.

     3.16 Notice to NASD. In the event any person or entity (regardless of any
NASD affiliation or association) is engaged to assist the Company in its search
for a merger candidate or to provide any other merger and acquisition services,
the Company will provide the following to the NASD and EBC prior to the
consummation of the Business Combination: (i) complete details of all services
and copies of agreements governing such services; and (ii) justification as to
why the person or entity providing the merger and acquisition services should
not be considered an "underwriter and related person" with respect to the
Company's initial public offering, as such term is defined in Rule 2710 of the
NASD's Conduct Rules. The Company also agrees that proper disclosure of such
arrangement or potential arrangement will be made in the proxy statement which
the Company will file for purposes of soliciting stockholder approval for the
Business Combination.

     3.17 Stabilization. Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its
employees, directors or stockholders (without the consent of EBC) has taken or
will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to


                                       14



or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result
in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the
price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the
Units.

     3.18 Internal Controls. The Company will maintain a system of internal
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.

     3.19 Accountants. Until the earlier of five years from the Effective Date
or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated,
the Company shall retain GGK or another independent public accountant.

     3.20 Form 8-K. The Company shall, on the date hereof, retain its
independent public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company
as of the Closing Date ("Audited Financial Statements") reflecting the receipt
by the Company of the proceeds of the initial public offering. As soon as the
Audited Financial Statements become available, the Company shall immediately
file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission, which Report shall
contain the Company's Audited Financial Statements.

     3.21 NASD. The Company shall advise the NASD if it is aware that any 5% or
greater stockholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of
an NASD member participating in the distribution of the Company's Public
Securities.

     3.22 Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal
matters necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall have been done to the reasonable
satisfaction to counsel for the Underwriter.

     3.23 Investment Company. The Company shall cause a portion of the proceeds
of the Offering to be held in the Trust Fund to be invested only as set forth in
the Trust Agreement and as more fully described in the Prospectus. The Company
will otherwise conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become
subject to the Investment Company Act. Furthermore, once the Company consummates
a Business Combination, it will be engaged in a business other than that of
investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading securities.

     3.24 Business Combination Announcement. Within five business days following
the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the Company shall
cause an announcement ("Business Combination Announcement") to be placed, at its
cost, in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and a third publication to
be selected by the Underwriter announcing the consummation of the Business
Combination and indicating that EBC was the managing underwriter in the
Offering. The Company shall supply the Underwriter with a draft of the Business
Combination Announcement and provide the Underwriter with a reasonable
opportunity to comment thereon. The Company will not place the Business
Combination Announcement without the final approval of the Underwriter, which
such approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

     3.25 Colorado Trust Filing. In the event the Securities are registered in
the State of Colorado, the Company will cause a Colorado Form ES to be filed
with the Commissioner of the State of Colorado no less than 10 days prior to the
distribution of the Trust Fund in connection with a Business Combination and
will do all things necessary to comply with Section 11-51-302 and Rule 51-3.4 of
the Colorado Securities Act.


                                       15



     3.26 Insider Warrants. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in
the event the Company calls the Warrants for redemption pursuant to the Warrant
Agreement, all Insider Warrants then held by the Unit Purchaser shall be
exercisable by him by surrendering the Insider Warrants for that number of
shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the
product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants,
multiplied by the difference between the Warrant Price and the "Fair Market
Value" (defined below) by (y) the Fair Market Value. The "Fair Market Value"
shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Common Stock for the 10
trading days ending on the third business day prior to the date on which the
notice of redemption is sent to holders of Warrants.

4 Conditions of Underwriter's Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriter to
purchase and pay for the Units, as provided herein, shall be subject to the
continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of
the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date,
if any, to the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made
pursuant to the provisions hereof and to the performance by the Company of its
obligations hereunder and to the following conditions:

     4.1 Regulatory Matters.

          4.1.1 Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration
Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:00 P.M., New York time,
on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented
to in writing by you, and, at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
shall have been issued and no proceedings for the purpose shall have been
instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request
on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been
complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of Foley & Lardner LLP, counsel to
the Underwriter ("Foley").

          4.1.2 NASD Clearance. By the Effective Date, the Underwriter shall
have received clearance from the NASD as to the amount of compensation allowable
or payable to the Underwriter as described in the Registration Statement.

          4.1.3 No Blue Sky Stop Orders. No order suspending the sale of the
Units in any jurisdiction designated by you pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof shall
have been issued on either on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, and
no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be
contemplated.

     4.2 Company Counsel Matters.

          4.2.1 Effective Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Effective Date, the
Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of GM, counsel to the
Company, dated the Effective Date, addressed to the Underwriter and in form and
substance satisfactory to Foley to the effect that:

               (i) The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing
as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of its state of
incorporation. The Company is duly qualified and licensed and in good standing
as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or leasing
of any properties or the character of its operations requires such qualification
or licensing, except where the failure to qualify would not have a material
adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company. To such
counsel's knowledge, the Company is not in violation of any term or provision of
its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.

               (ii) All issued and outstanding securities of the Company have
been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;
the holders thereof are not subject to personal liability by reason of being
such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the
preemptive rights of any stockholder of the Company arising by operation of law
or under the Certificate of


                                       16



Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company. The offers and sales of the outstanding
Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under the Act or
exempt from such registration requirements. The authorized and, to such
counsel's knowledge, outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in
the Prospectus.

               (iii) The Securities and Insider Securities have been duly
authorized and, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal
liability by reason of being such holders. The Securities and Insider Securities
are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any
security of the Company arising by operation of law or under the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company. When issued, the Underwriter's Purchase
Option, the Underwriter's Warrants, the Insider Warrants and the Warrants will
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon
exercise thereof and payment therefor, the number and type of securities of the
Company called for thereby and such Warrants, the Insider Warrants, the
Underwriter's Purchase Option, and the Underwriter's Warrants, when issued, in
each case, are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
respective terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally, (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (c)
that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of
equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. The
certificates representing the Securities are in due and proper form.

               (iv) This Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Services
Agreement, the Trust Agreement and the Escrow Agreement have each been duly and
validly authorized and, when executed and delivered by the Company, constitute,
and the Underwriter's Purchase Option has been duly and validly authorized by
the Company and, when executed and delivered, will constitute, the valid and
binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their respective terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally, (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or
contribution provisions may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws, and (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other
forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

               (v) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement,
the Warrant Agreement, the Underwriter's Purchase Option, the Escrow Agreement,
the Trust Agreement and the Services Agreement and compliance by the Company
with the terms and provisions thereof and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby, and the issuance and sale of the Securities, do not and
will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both,
(a) to such counsel's knowledge, conflict with, or result in a breach of, any of
the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the
creation or modification of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance
upon any of the properties or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of,
any mortgage, deed of trust, note, indenture, loan, contract, commitment or
other agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement,
(b) result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company, or (c) to such counsel's knowledge,
violate any United States statute or any judgment, order or decree, rule or
regulation applicable to the Company of any court, United States federal, state
or other regulatory authority or other governmental body having jurisdiction
over the Company, its properties or assets.

               (vi) The Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and
the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments or supplements thereto (other
than the financial statements included therein, as to which no opinion need be
rendered) each as of their respective dates appeared on their face to comply as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and
Regulations. The Securities and all other securities issued or issuable by the
Company conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The descriptions in the
Registration Statement and in the Prospectus, insofar as such statements
constitute a summary of statutes, legal matters,


                                       17



contracts, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present in all
material respects the information required to be shown with respect to such
statutes, legal matters, contracts, documents and proceedings, and such counsel
does not know of any statutes or legal or governmental proceedings required to
be described in the Prospectus that are not described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or included as exhibits to the Registration
Statement that are not described or included as required.

               (vii) The Registration Statement is effective under the Act. To
such counsel's knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have
been instituted or are pending or threatened under the Act or applicable state
securities laws.

               (viii) To such counsel's knowledge, there is no action, suit or
proceeding before or by any court of governmental agency or body, domestic or
foreign, now pending, or threatened against the Company that is required to be
described in the Registration Statement.

The opinion of counsel shall further include a statement to the effect that such
counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives
of the Company, the Underwriter and the independent public accountants of the
Company, at which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus contained therein and related matters were discussed and, although
such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein (except as otherwise
set forth in the foregoing opinion), solely on the basis of the foregoing
without independent check and verification, no facts have come to the attention
of such counsel which lead them to believe that the Registration Statement or
any amendment thereto, at the time the Registration Statement or amendment
became effective, contained an 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 not misleading or the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto, at the time they were filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or at
the date of such counsel's opinion, contained an untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statement therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading (except that such counsel need express no
opinion with respect to the financial information and statistical data and
information included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus).

          4.2.2 Closing Date and Option Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Underwriter shall
have received the favorable opinion of GM, dated the Closing Date or the Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, addressed to the Underwriter and in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Foley, confirming as of the Closing Date
and, if applicable, the Option Closing Date, the statements made by GM in its
opinion delivered on the Effective Date.

          4.2.3 Reliance. In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (i)
as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the
United States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such
counsel deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all,
upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Foley) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to Foley, familiar with the
applicable laws, and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper,
on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and
officers of departments of various jurisdictions having custody of documents
respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided
that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to the
Underwriter's counsel if requested. The opinion of counsel for the Company and
any opinion relied upon by such counsel for the Company shall include a
statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for the
Underwriter in its opinion delivered to the Underwriters.

     4.3 Cold Comfort Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed, and at
each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, you shall have
received a letter, addressed to the Underwriter and in form


                                       18



and substance satisfactory in all respects (including the non-material nature of
the changes or decreases, if any, referred to in clause (iii) below) to you and
to Foley from GGK dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and as
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any:

          (i) Confirming that they are an independent registered public
accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and
the applicable Regulations and that they have not, during the periods covered by
the financial statements included in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any
non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act;

          (ii) Stating that in their opinion the financial statements of the
Company included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus comply as to form
in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act
and the published Regulations thereunder;

          (iii) Stating that, on the basis of a reading of the latest available
unaudited interim financial statements of the Company (with an indication of the
date of the latest available unaudited interim financial statements), a reading
of the latest available minutes of the stockholders and board of directors and
the various committees of the board of directors, consultations with officers
and other employees of the Company responsible for financial and accounting
matters and other specified procedures and inquiries, they have been advised by
the Company officials that (a) the unaudited financial statements of the Company
included in the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
Regulations or are fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of
the audited financial statements of the Company included in the Registration
Statement and (b) at a date not later than five days prior to the Effective
Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was no
change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company, or any decrease in
the stockholders' equity of the Company as compared with amounts shown in the
December 31, 2005 balance sheet included in the Registration Statement, other
than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, or, if there
was any decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease;

          (iv) Stating that they have compared specific dollar amounts, numbers
of shares, percentages of revenues and earnings, statements and other financial
information pertaining to the Company set forth in the Prospectus in each case
to the extent that such amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and
information may be derived from the general accounting records, including work
sheets, of the Company and excluding any questions requiring an interpretation
by legal counsel, with the results obtained from the application of specified
readings, inquiries and other appropriate procedures (which procedures do not
constitute an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards) set forth in the letter and found them to be in agreement;

          (v) Stating that they have not provided the Company's management with
any written communication in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 60 "Communication of Internal Control Structure Related Matters Noted in an
Audit;" and


                                       19



          (vi) Statements as to such other matters incident to the transaction
contemplated hereby as you may reasonably request.

     4.4 Officers' Certificates.

          4.4.1 Officers' Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the
Option Closing Date, if any, the Underwriter shall have received a certificate
of the Company signed by the Chairman of the Board or the President and the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the
Option Closing Date, as the case may be, respectively, to the effect that the
Company has performed all covenants and complied with all conditions required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to and as
of the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and that
the conditions set forth in Section 4.5 hereof have been satisfied as of such
date and that, as of Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case may
be, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2
hereof are true and correct. In addition, the Underwriter will have received
such other and further certificates of officers of the Company as the
Underwriter may reasonably request.

          4.4.2 Secretary's Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the
Option Closing Date, if any, the Underwriter shall have received a certificate
of the Company signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company,
dated the Closing Date or the Option Date, as the case may be, respectively,
certifying (i) that the Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
are true and complete, have not been modified and are in full force and effect,
(ii) that the resolutions relating to the public offering contemplated by this
Agreement are in full force and effect and have not been modified, (iii) all
correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission, and (iv)
as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to
in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.

     4.5 No Material Changes. Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and the
Option Closing Date, if any, (i) there shall have been no material adverse
change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the
condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of
the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law
or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or any
Initial Stockholder before or by any court or federal or state commission, board
or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or
finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or
financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, (iii) no stop order shall have been
issued under the Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or
threatened by the Commission, and (iv) the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material
statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act
and the Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the
requirements of the Act and the Regulations, and neither the Registration
Statement nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits 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.

     4.6 Delivery of Agreements.

          4.6.1 Effective Date Deliveries. On the Effective Date, the Company
shall have delivered to the Underwriter executed copies of the Escrow Agreement,
the Trust Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Services Agreement and all of
the Insider Letters.

          4.6.2 Closing Date Deliveries. On the Closing Date, the Company shall
have delivered to the Underwriter executed copies of the Underwriter's Purchase
Option.


                                       20



     4.7 Opinion of Counsel for the Underwriter. All proceedings taken in
connection with the authorization, issuance or sale of the Securities as herein
contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to you and
to Foley and you shall have received from such counsel a favorable opinion,
dated the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, with respect to such
of these proceedings as you may reasonably require. On or prior to the Effective
Date, the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, counsel
for the Underwriter shall have been furnished such documents, certificates and
opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to
review or pass upon the matters referred to in this Section 4.7, or in order to
evidence the accuracy, completeness or satisfaction of any of the
representations, warranties or conditions herein contained.

     4.8 Secondary Market Trading Survey. On the Closing Date, the Underwriter
shall have received the Secondary Market Trading Survey from GM.

     4.9 Insider Units. On the Closing Date, the Unit Purchaser shall have
purchased the Insider Units and the purchase price for such Insider Units shall
be deposited into the Trust Fund.

5 Indemnification.

     5.1 Indemnification of Underwriter.

          5.1.1 General. Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter, and each dealer selected
by you that participates in the offer and sale of the Securities (each a
"Selected Dealer") and each of their respective directors, officers and
employees and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter
("controlling person") within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section
20(a) of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage
and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against
any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether
arising out of any action between the Underwriter and the Company or between the
Underwriter and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may
become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common
law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in (i) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) in
any post-effective amendment or amendments or any new registration statement and
prospectus in which is included securities of the Company issued or issuable
upon exercise of the Underwriter's Purchase Option; or (iii) any application or
other document or written communication (in this Section 5 collectively called
"application") executed by the Company or based upon written information
furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Securities
under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state
securities commission or agency, Nasdaq or any securities exchange; or the
omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement
or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company with respect to an Underwriter by or on behalf of such
Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or in any
application, as the case may be. With respect to any untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary
Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall not inure
to the benefit of any Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim,
damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the
Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss,
liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of
the Securities to such person as required by the Act and the Regulations, and if
the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless
such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the
Company with its obligations under Section 3.4 hereof. The Company agrees
promptly to notify the Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against the Company or any of its


                                       21



officers, directors or controlling persons in connection with the issue and sale
of the Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement or
Prospectus.

          5.1.2 Procedure. If any action is brought against the Underwriter, a
Selected Dealer or a controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be
sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter or
Selected Dealer shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution
of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action,
including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval
of such Underwriter or Selected Dealer, as the case may be) and payment of
actual expenses. Such Underwriter, Selected Dealer or controlling person shall
have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter,
Selected Dealer or controlling person unless (i) the employment of such counsel
at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the
Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall
not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii)
such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may
be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to
those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the
right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or
parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more
than one additional firm of attorneys selected by the Underwriter, Selected
Dealer and/or controlling person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Underwriter, Selected Dealer
or controlling person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above,
the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such
action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. This Indemnification
provided for in this Section 5.1 shall not be available to any party who shall
fail to give notice as provided in this Section 5.1.2 if the Company was unaware
of the proceeding to which such notice would have related and was actually
prejudiced by the failure to give such notice; provided, however, that
indemnification shall only be limited to the extent of such prejudice; provided,
further, that, the omission so to notify the Company will not relieve it from
any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under
this Section 5.1. The Company shall not without the prior written consent of the
indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding
in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been sought hereunder
by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional
release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such proceedings.

     5.2 Indemnification of the Company. The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who
control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the Underwriter, as
incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged
untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or
in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written
information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on
behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or
in any such application. In case any action shall be brought against the Company
or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or
any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the
Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the
Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the
rights and duties given to the Underwriter by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.

     5.3 Contribution.

          5.3.1 Contribution Rights. In order to provide for just and equitable
contribution under the Act in any case in which (i) any person entitled to
indemnification under this Section 5 makes claim for indemnification pursuant
hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or
decree by a


                                       22



court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the
denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be
enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for
indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange
Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances
for which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and in each
such case, the Company and the Underwriter shall contribute to the aggregate
losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by
said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriter, as
incurred, in such proportions that the Underwriter and the Company are
responsible for; provided, that, no person guilty of a fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and
employee of an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if
any, who controls an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as
the Underwriter or the Company, as applicable.

          5.3.2 Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen days after receipt by any
party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of
any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in
respect thereof is to be made against another party ("contributing party"),
notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the omission to
so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it
may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any
such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party
notifies a contributing party or its representative of the commencement thereof
within the aforesaid fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to
participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party
similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party
seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or
proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution on account of any
settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking
contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The
contribution provisions contained in this Section are intended to supersede, to
the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Act, the
Exchange Act or otherwise available. The Underwriter's obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 5.3 are several and not joint.

6 Default by an Underwriter.

     6.1 Default Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units. If the
Underwriter shall default in its obligations to purchase the Firm Units or the
Option Units, if the over-allotment option is exercised, hereunder, and if the
number of the Firm Units or Option Units with respect to which such default
relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the number of Firm Units or
Option Units that the Underwriter has agreed to purchase hereunder, then such
Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates shall be purchased by
the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion to their respective commitments
hereunder.

     6.2 Default Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units. In the event that
the default addressed in Section 6.1 above relates to more than 10% of the Firm
Units or Option Units, you may in your discretion arrange for yourself or for
another party or parties to purchase such Firm Units or Option Units to which
such default relates on the terms contained herein. If within one business day
after such default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units
you do not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Units or Option Units, then the
Company shall be entitled to a further period of one business day within which
to procure another party or parties satisfactory to you to purchase said Firm
Units or Option Units on such terms. In the event that neither you nor the
Company arrange for the purchase of the Firm Units or Option Units to which a
default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement will be terminated
by you or the Company without liability on the part of the Company (except as
provided in Sections 3.13 and 5 hereof) or the several Underwriters (except as
provided in Section 5 hereof); provided, however, that if such default occurs
with respect to the Option Units, this Agreement will not terminate as to the
Firm Units; and provided further that


                                       23



nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any,
to the other several Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned by
its default hereunder.

     6.3 Postponement of Closing Date. In the event that the Firm Units or
Option Units to which the default relates are to be purchased by the
non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another party or parties
as aforesaid, you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing
Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but not in any event
exceeding five business days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be
made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any other
documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any
amendment to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that in the opinion of
counsel for the Underwriters may thereby be made necessary. The term
"Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted
under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally been a party to
this Agreement with respect to such Securities.

7 Intentionally Omitted.

8 Additional Covenants.

     8.1 Intentionally Omitted.

     8.2 Additional Shares or Options. The Company hereby agrees that until the
consummation of a Business Combination, it shall not issue any shares of Common
Stock or any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock, or any
shares of Preferred Stock which participate in any manner in the Trust Fund or
which vote as a class with the Common Stock on a Business Combination.

     8.3 Trust Fund Waiver Acknowledgment. The Company hereby agrees that it
will not commence its due diligence investigation of any operating business
which the Company seeks to acquire ("Target Business") or obtain the services of
any vendor unless and until such Target Business or vendor acknowledges in
writing, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or
other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the same in any definitive
document replacing any of the foregoing), that (a) it has read the Prospectus
and understands that the Company has established the Trust Fund, initially in an
amount of $19,360,004 for the benefit of the public stockholders and that the
Company may disburse monies from the Trust Fund only (i) to the public
stockholders in the event they elect to convert their IPO Shares (as defined
below in Section 8.8), (ii) to the public stockholders upon the liquidation of
the Company if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination or (iii)
to the Company after, or concurrently with, the consummation of a Business
Combination and (b) for and in consideration of the Company (1) agreeing to
evaluate such Target Business for purposes of consummating a Business
Combination with it or (2) agreeing to engage the services of the vendor, as the
case may be, such Target Business or vendor agrees that it does not have any
right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust
Fund ("Claim") and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or
arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and
will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.

     8.4 Insider Letters. The Company shall not take any action or omit to take
any action which would cause a breach of any of the Insider Letters executed
between each Initial Stockholder and EBC and will not allow any amendments to,
or waivers of, such Insider Letters without the prior written consent of EBC.

     8.5 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Company shall not take any
action or omit to take any action that would cause the Company to be in breach
or violation of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws. Prior to the
consummation of a Business Combination, the Company will not amend its
Certificate of Incorporation without the prior written consent of EBC.

     8.6 Blue Sky Requirements. The Company shall provide counsel to the
Underwriter with ten copies of all proxy information and all related material
filed with the Commission in connection with a


                                       24



Business Combination concurrently with such filing with the Commission. In
addition, the Company shall furnish any other state in which its initial public
offering was registered, such information as may be requested by such state.

     8.7 Intentionally Omitted.

     8.8 Acquisition/Liquidation Procedure. The Company agrees: (i) that, prior
to the consummation of any Business Combination, it will submit such transaction
to the Company's stockholders for their approval ("Business Combination Vote")
even if the nature of the acquisition is such as would not ordinarily require
stockholder approval under applicable state law; and (ii) that, in the event
that the Company does not effect a Business Combination within 18 months from
the consummation of this Offering (subject to extension for an additional
six-month period, as described in the Prospectus), the Company will be
liquidated and will distribute to all holders of IPO Shares (defined below) an
aggregate sum equal to the Company's "Liquidation Value." The Company's
"Liquidation Value" shall mean the Company's book value, as determined by the
Company and approved by GGK. In no event, however, will the Company's
Liquidation Value be less than the Trust Fund, inclusive of any net interest
income thereon. Only holders of IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive
liquidating distributions and the Company shall pay no liquidating distributions
with respect to any other shares of capital stock of the Company. With respect
to the Business Combination Vote, the Company shall cause all of the Initial
Stockholders to vote the shares of Common Stock owned by them immediately prior
to this Offering in accordance with the vote of the holders of a majority of the
IPO Shares present, in person or by proxy, at a meeting of the Company's
stockholders called for such purpose. At the time the Company seeks approval of
any potential Business Combination, the Company will offer each holder of Common
Stock issued in this Offering ("IPO Shares") the right to convert their IPO
Shares at a per share price ("Conversion Price") equal to the amount in the
Trust Fund (inclusive of any interest income therein) calculated as of two
business days prior to the consummation of the proposed Business Combination
divided by the total number of IPO Shares. If holders of less than 20% in
interest of the Company's IPO Shares elect to convert their IPO Shares, the
Company may, but will not be required to, proceed with such Business
Combination. If the Company elects to so proceed, it will convert shares, based
upon the Conversion Price, from those holders of IPO Shares who affirmatively
requested such conversion and who voted against the Business Combination. If
holders of 20% or more in interest of the IPO Shares, who vote against approval
of any potential Business Combination, elect to convert their IPO Shares, the
Company will not proceed with such Business Combination and will not convert
such shares.

     8.9 Rule 419. The Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to
prevent the Company from becoming subject to Rule 419 under the Act prior to the
consummation of any Business Combination, including but not limited to using its
best efforts to prevent any of the Company's outstanding securities from being
deemed to be a "penny stock" as defined in Rule 3a-51-1 under the Exchange Act
during such period.

     8.10 Affiliated Transactions. The Company shall cause each of the Initial
Stockholders to agree that, in order to minimize potential conflicts of interest
which may arise from multiple affiliations, the Initial Stockholders will
present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other
person or company, any suitable opportunity to acquire an operating business,
until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination,
the liquidation of the Company or until such time as the Initial Stockholders
cease to be an officer or director of the Company, subject to any pre-existing
fiduciary or contractual obligations the Initial Stockholders might have.

     8.11 Target Net Assets. The Company agrees that the initial Target Business
that it acquires must have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the
Company's net assets (all of the Company's assets, including the funds held in
the Trust Fund, less the Company's liabilities) at the time of such acquisition.
The fair market value of such business must be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company based upon standards generally accepted by the
financial community, such as actual and potential sales, earnings and cash flow
and book value. If the Board of Directors of the Company is not able to
independently determine that the


                                       25



target business has a fair market value of at least 80% of the Company's net
assets at the time of such acquisition, the Company will obtain an opinion from
an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm which is a member of the
NASD with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. The Company is not
required to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair
market value if the Company's Board of Directors independently determines that
the Target Business does have sufficient fair market value.

9 Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. Except as the context
otherwise requires, all representations, warranties and agreements contained in
this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations, warranties and agreements
at the Closing Date or Option Closing Date and such representations, warranties
and agreements of the Underwriters and Company, including the indemnity
agreements contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain operative and in full
force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any
Underwriter, the Company or any controlling person, and shall survive
termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the Securities to
the several Underwriters until the earlier of the expiration of any applicable
statute of limitations and the seventh anniversary of the later of the Closing
Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, at which time the representations,
warranties and agreements shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.

10 Effective Date of This Agreement and Termination Thereof.

     10.1 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective
Date at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the
Commission.

     10.2 Termination. You shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at
any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event
or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in your opinion will in the
immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United
States; or (ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange, the Boston Stock Exchange or on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or
successor trading market) shall have been suspended, or minimum or maximum
prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for
securities shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities
shall have been required on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board or by order of the
Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction, or (iii) if
the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in
major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New
York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange
trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States
securities market, or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss
by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other
calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been
insured, will, in your opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery
of the Units, or (vii) if any of the Company's representations, warranties or
covenants hereunder are breached, or (viii) if the Underwriter shall have become
aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions
or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in general market
conditions, including without limitation as a result of terrorist activities
after the date hereof, as in the Underwriter's judgment would make it
impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Units or
to enforce contracts made by the Underwriter for the sale of the Securities.

     10.3 Expenses. In the event that this Agreement shall not be carried out
for any reason whatsoever, within the time specified herein or any extensions
thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the obligations of the Company to pay the
out of pocket expenses related to the transactions contemplated herein shall be
governed by Section 3.13 hereof.


                                       26



     10.4 Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in
this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and
whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of
Section 5 shall not be in any way effected by, such election or termination or
failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.

11 Miscellaneous.

     11.1 Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise
specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed, delivered or
telecopied and confirmed and shall be deemed given when so delivered or
telecopied and confirmed or if mailed, two days after such mailing

If to the Underwriter:

          EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
          275 Madison Avenue, Suite 1203
          New York, New York 10016
          Attn: David M. Nussbaum, Chairman

Copy to:

          Foley & Lardner LLP
          111 Huntington Avenue
          Boston, Massachusetts 02199
          Attn: Paul D. Broude, Esq.

If to the Company:

          Ascend Acquisition Corp.
          435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
          Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
          Attn: Don K. Rice

Copy to:

          Graubard Miller
          The Chrysler Building
          405 Lexington Avenue
          New York, New York 10174
          Attn: David Alan Miller, Esq.

     11.2 Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of
convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning
or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

     11.3 Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument
executed by each of the parties hereto.

     11.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements
and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement)
constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject
matter hereof.


                                       27



     11.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of
and shall be binding upon the Underwriter, the Company and the controlling
persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their
respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person
shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein
contained.

     11.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of
the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The Company hereby agrees that any
action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to
this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New
York of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and
irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive.
The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that
such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be
served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 11 hereof. Such mailing
shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company
in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing
party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other
party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses relating to such
action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation
therefor.

     11.7 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one
or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered
to each of the other parties hereto.

     11.8 Waiver, Etc. The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time
enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed
to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of
this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto
to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of
any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed
by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is
sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment
shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment.


                                       28



          If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the
Underwriters and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for
that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between
us.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Don K. Rice
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer


Accepted on the date first
above written.

EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC.


By:
    ---------------------------------
    Name: Steven Levine
    Title: Managing Director

EX-1.2

                             EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC.
                               275 MADISON AVENUE
                                   SUITE 1203
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10016

                                   ----------

                           SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENT

                                   ----------

Dear Sirs:

          1. Registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Act"),
of the 3,500,000 Units* of Ascend Acquisition Corp. ("Company"), as more fully
described in the Preliminary Prospectus, dated _________, 2006, and in the final
prospectus ("Prospectus") which will be forwarded to you, will become effective
in the near future. We, as the Underwriters, are offering certain of the Units
for purchase by a selected group of dealers ("Selected Dealers") on the terms
and conditions stated herein.

Authorized Public Offering Price:   $6.00 per Unit.

Dealers' Selling Concession:        Not to exceed $0.__ per Unit payable upon
                                    termination of this Agreement, except as
                                    provided below. We reserve the right not to
                                    pay such concession on any of the Units
                                    purchased by any of the Selected Dealers
                                    from us and repurchased by us at or below
                                    the price stated above prior to such
                                    termination.

Reallowance:                        You may reallow not in excess of $0.__ per
                                    Unit as a selling concession to dealers who
                                    are members in good standing of the National
                                    Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
                                    ("NASD") or to foreign dealers who are not
                                    eligible for membership in the NASD and who
                                    have agreed (i) not to sell the Units within
                                    the United States of America, its
                                    territories or possessions or to persons who
                                    are citizens thereof or residents therein,
                                    and (ii) to abide by the applicable Conduct
                                    Rules of the NASD.

- ----------
* Plus the over-allotment option available to the Underwriters to purchase up to
an additional 525,000 Units.


                                        1



Delivery and Payment:               Delivery of the Units shall be made on or
                                    about ______, 2006 or such later date as we
                                    may advise on not less than one day's notice
                                    to you, at the office of EarlyBirdCapital,
                                    Inc., 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 1203, New
                                    York, New York 10016 or at such other place
                                    as we shall specify on not less than one
                                    day's notice to you. Payment for the Units
                                    is to be made, against delivery, at the
                                    authorized public offering price stated
                                    above, or, if we shall so advise you, at the
                                    authorized public offering price less the
                                    dealers' selling concession stated above, by
                                    wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or
                                    by certified or official bank check in New
                                    York Clearing House Funds payable to the
                                    order of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

Termination:                        This Agreement shall terminate at the close
                                    of business on the 45th day following the
                                    effective date of the Registration Statement
                                    (of which the enclosed Prospectus forms a
                                    part), unless extended at our discretion for
                                    a period or periods not to exceed in the
                                    aggregate 30 additional days. We may
                                    terminate this Agreement, whether or not
                                    extended, at any time without notice.

          2. Any of the Units purchased by you hereunder are to be offered by
you to the public at the public offering price, except as herein otherwise
provided and except that a reallowance from such public offering price not in
excess of the amount set forth on the first page of this Agreement may be
allowed as consideration for services rendered in distribution to dealers that
(a) are actually engaged in the investment banking or securities business; (b)
execute the written agreement prescribed by Rule 2740 of the NASD Conduct Rules;
and (c) are either members in good standing of the NASD or foreign banks,
dealers or institutions not eligible for membership in the NASD that represent
to you that they will promptly reoffer such Units at the public offering price
and will abide by the conditions with respect to foreign banks, dealers and
institutions set forth in paragraph 9 below.

          3. You, by becoming a member of the Selected Dealers, agree (a) upon
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and your receipt of the Prospectus,
to take up and pay for the number of Units allotted and confirmed to you, (b)
not to use any of the Units to reduce or cover any short position you may have
and (c) to make available a copy of the Prospectus to all persons who on your
behalf will solicit orders for the Units prior to the making of such
solicitations by such persons. You are not authorized to give any information or
to make any representations other than those contained in the Prospectus or any
supplements or amendments thereto.

          4. We may be authorized to over-allot in arranging sales to Selected
Dealers, to purchase and sell Units, and to stabilize or maintain the market
price of the Units. You agree to advise us at any time and from time to time
upon our request, prior to the termination of this Agreement, of the number of
Units purchased by you remaining unsold by you, and you will, upon our request
at any such time, sell to us, for our account or the account of one or more of
the Underwriters, such amount of such unsold Units as we may designate, at the
public offering price thereof less an amount to be determined by us not in
excess of the concession to dealers. In the event that prior to the later of (i)
the termination of this Agreement or (ii) the covering by us of any short
position created by us in connection with the offering of the Units, for our
account or the account of one or more Underwriters, we purchase or contract to
purchase for our account or the account of any of the Underwriters, in the open
market or otherwise, any Units theretofore delivered to you, we reserve the
right to withhold the above-mentioned concession to dealers on such Units if
sold to you at the public offering price, or if such concession has


                                        2



been allowed to you through your purchase at a net price, you agree to repay
such concession upon our demand, plus, in each case, any taxes on redelivery,
commissions, original issue discount, accrued interest and dividends paid in
connection with such purchase or contract to purchase.

          5. As contemplated by Rule 15c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, we agree to mail a copy of the Prospectus to any person making
a written request therefor during the period referred to in the rules and
regulations adopted under such Act, the mailing to be made to the address given
in the request. You confirm that you have delivered all preliminary prospectuses
and revised preliminary prospectuses, if any, required to be delivered under the
provisions of Rule 15c2-8 and agree to deliver all copies of the Prospectus
required to be delivered thereunder. We have heretofore delivered to you such
preliminary prospectuses as have been required by you, receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, and will deliver such further prospectuses as may be
requested by you. You agree to keep an accurate record of your distribution
(including dates, number of copies and persons to whom sent) of copies of the
Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any
thereof), and promptly upon request by us to bring all subsequent changes to the
attention of anyone to whom such material shall have been furnished. You agree
to furnish to persons who receive a confirmation of sale a copy of the
Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or Rule 424(c) under the Securities
Act.

          6. You agree that until termination of this Agreement you will not
make purchases or sales of the Units except (a) pursuant to this Agreement, (b)
pursuant to authorization received from us, or (c) in the ordinary course of
business as broker or agent for a customer pursuant to any unsolicited order.

          7. Additional copies of the Prospectus and any supplements or
amendments thereto shall be supplied in reasonable quantity upon request.

          8. The Units are offered by us for delivery when, as and if sold to,
and accepted by, us and subject to the terms herein and in the Prospectus or any
supplements or amendments thereto, to our right to vary the concessions and
terms of offering after their release for public sale, to approval of counsel as
to legal matters and to withdrawal, cancellation or modification of the offer
without notice.

          9. Upon written application to us, you shall be informed as to the
jurisdictions under the securities or blue sky laws of which we believe the
Units are eligible for sale, but we assume no responsibility as to such
eligibility or the right of any member of the Selected Dealers to sell any of
the Units in any jurisdiction. We acknowledge that you have advised us that
sales of the Company's securities cannot be made from the state of New Jersey.
You represent to us that all sales by you of the Company's securities will be
made by your offices outside the state of New Jersey. We have caused to be filed
a Further State Notice relating to such of the Units to be offered to the public
in New York in the form required by, and pursuant to, the provisions of Article
23A of the General Business Law of the State of New York. Upon the completion of
the public offering contemplated herein, each member of the Selected Dealers
agrees to promptly furnish to us, upon our request, territorial distribution
reports setting forth each jurisdiction in which sales of the Units were made by
such member, the number of Units sold in such jurisdiction, and any further
information as we may request, in order to permit us to file on a timely basis
any report that we as the Underwriters of the offering or manager of the
Selected Dealers may be required to file pursuant to the securities or blue sky
laws of any jurisdiction.

          10. You, by becoming a member of the Selected Dealers, represent that
you are actually engaged in the investment banking or securities business and
that you are (a) a member in good standing of the NASD and will comply with all
applicable rules of the NASD, including but not limited to NASD Conduct Rule
2740, or (b) a foreign dealer or institution that is not eligible for membership
in the NASD and that has agreed (i) not to sell Units within the United States
of America, its territories or


                                        3



possessions or to persons who are citizens thereof or residents therein; (ii)
that any and all sales shall be in compliance with Rule 2790 of the NASD's
Conduct Rules; (iii) to comply, as though it were a member of the NASD, with
Rules 2730, 2740 and 2750 of the NASD's Conduct Rules, and to comply with Rule
2420 thereof as that Rule applies to a non-member broker or dealer in a foreign
country. You represent that neither you nor any of your directors, officers,
partners, or persons associated with you (as defined in the By-Laws of the NASD)
nor, to your knowledge, any "related person" (as defined by the NASD in its
Interpretation Relating to Review of Corporate Financing, which term includes
counsel, financial consultants and advisors, finders, members of the selling or
distribution groups, and any other persons associated with or related to any of
the foregoing) or any other broker-dealer has had, within the last twelve
months, any dealings with the Company or any controlling shareholders thereof
(other than relating to this Agreement) as to which documents or information are
required to be filed with the NASD pursuant to its Interpretation Relating to
Review of Corporate Financing.

          11. You are not authorized to act as agent for any Underwriter or the
Company in offering the Units to the public otherwise. Neither we not any
Underwriter shall be under any obligation to you except as specifically set
forth herein. Nothing herein shall constitute any members of the Selected
Dealers partners with us or with each other, but you agree, notwithstanding any
prior settlement of accounts or termination of this Agreement, to bear your
proper proportion of any tax or other liability based upon the claim that the
Selected Dealers constitute a partnership, association, unincorporated business
or other separate entity and a like share of any expenses of resisting any such
claim.

          12. EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. shall be the Managing Underwriter of the
offering and manager of the Selected Dealers and shall have full authority to
take such action as we may deem advisable in respect of all matters pertaining
to the offering or the Selected Dealers or any members of them. Except as
expressly stated herein, or as may arise under the Act, we shall be under no
liability to any member of the Selected Dealers as such for, or in respect of
(i) the validity or value of the Units (ii) the form of, or the statements
contained in, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement of which the Prospectus
forms a part, any supplements or amendments to the Prospectus or such
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, any instruments executed by,
or obtained or any supplemental sales data or other letters from, the Company,
or others, (iii) the form or validity of the Underwriting Agreement or this
Agreement, (iv) the eligibility of any of the Units for sale under the laws of
any jurisdiction, (v) the delivery of the Units, (vi) the performance by the
Company, or others of any agreement on its or their part, or (vii) any matter in
connection with any of the foregoing, except our own want of good faith.

          13. If for federal income tax purposes the Selected Dealers, among
themselves or with the Underwriters, should be deemed to constitute a
partnership, then we elect to be excluded from the application of Subchapter K,
Chapter 1, Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and we
agree not to take any position inconsistent with such selection. We authorize
you, in your discretion, to execute and file on our behalf such evidence of such
election as may be required by the Internal Revenue Service.

          14. All communications from you shall be addressed to
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. at 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 1203, New York, New York
10016, Attention: Steven Levine, Managing Director. Any notice from us to you
shall be deemed to have been fully authorized by the Underwriters and to have
been duly given if mailed, telegraphed or sent by confirmed facsimile
transmittal to you at the address to which this letter is mailed. This Agreement
shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without
giving effect to conflict of laws. Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

          If you desire to become a member of the Selected Dealers, please
advise us to that effect immediately by facsimile transmission and sign and
return to us the enclosed counterpart of this letter.


                                        4



                                        Very truly yours,

                                        EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC.
                                        As representative of the Underwriters


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Steven Levine
                                            Managing Director

          We accept membership in the Selected Dealers on the terms specified
above.

Dated: ___________ __, 2006

     (Selected Dealer)

     --------------------------------


By:
    ---------------------------------
    Name:
    Title:


                                        5

EX-3.1

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

                                   ----------

                         PURSUANT TO SECTION 102 OF THE
                        DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

                                   ----------

     I, the undersigned, in order to form a corporation for the purposes
hereinafter stated, under and pursuant to the provisions of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "GCL"), do hereby certify as
follows:

     FIRST: The name of the corporation is Ascend Acquisition Corp. (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Corporation").

     SECOND: The registered office of the Corporation is to be located at 615 S.
DuPont Hwy., Kent County, Dover, Delaware. The name of its registered agent at
that address is National Corporate Research, Ltd.

     THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act
or activity for which corporations may be organized under the GCL.

     FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which
the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 16,000,000 of which 15,000,000
shares shall be Common Stock of the par value of $.0001 per share and 1,000,000
shares shall be Preferred Stock of the par value of $.0001 per share.

     A. Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is expressly granted authority
to issue shares of the Preferred Stock, in one or more series, and to fix for
each such series such voting powers, full or limited, and such designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be stated and
expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors
providing for the issue of such series (a "Preferred Stock Designation") and as
may be permitted by the GCL. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock
may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then
outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of all of the then outstanding shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class, without a separate vote of the holders of the
Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is
required


                                       1



pursuant to any Preferred Stock Designation.

     B. Common Stock. Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise
provided in any Preferred Stock Designation, the holders of the Common Stock
shall exclusively possess all voting power and each share of Common Stock shall
have one vote.

     FIFTH: The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator of the
Corporation are as follows:

Name                 Address
- ----                 -------
Jeffrey M. Gallant   Graubard Miller
                     The Chrysler Building
                     405 Lexington Avenue
                     New York, New York 10174

     SIXTH: The following provisions (A) through (E) shall apply during the
period commencing upon the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation and
terminating upon the consummation of any "Business Combination," and may not be
amended during the "Target Business Acquisition Period." A "Business
Combination" shall mean the acquisition by the Corporation, whether by merger,
capital stock exchange, asset or stock acquisition or other similar type of
transaction, of an operating business ("Target Business"). The "Target Business
Acquisition Period" shall mean the period from the effectiveness of the
registration statement filed in connection with the Corporation's initial public
offering ("IPO") up to and including the first to occur of (a) a Business
Combination or (b) the Termination Date (defined below).

     A. Prior to the consummation of any Business Combination, the Corporation
shall submit such Business Combination to its stockholders for approval
regardless of whether the Business Combination is of a type which normally would
require such stockholder approval under the GCL. In the event that a majority of
the IPO Shares (defined below) cast at the meeting to approve the Business
Combination are voted for the approval of such Business Combination, the
Corporation shall be authorized to consummate the Business Combination; provided
that the Corporation shall not consummate any Business Combination if the
holders of 20% or more of the IPO Shares exercise their conversion rights
described in paragraph B below.

     B. In the event that a Business Combination is approved in accordance with
the above paragraph (A) and is consummated by the Corporation, any stockholder
of the Corporation holding shares of Common Stock issued in the IPO ("IPO
Shares") who voted against the Business Combination may, contemporaneously with
such vote, demand that the Corporation convert his IPO Shares into cash. If so
demanded, the Corporation shall, promptly after consummation of the Business
Combination, convert such shares into cash at a per share conversion price equal
to the quotient determined by dividing (i) the amount in the Trust Fund


                                       2



(as defined below), inclusive of any interest thereon, calculated as of two
business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, by (ii) the
total number of IPO Shares. "Trust Fund" shall mean the trust account
established by the Corporation at the consummation of its IPO and into which a
certain amount of the net proceeds of the IPO is deposited.

     C. In the event that the Corporation does not consummate a Business
Combination by the later of (i) 18 months after the consummation of the IPO or
(ii) 24 months after the consummation of the IPO in the event that either a
letter of intent, an agreement in principle or a definitive agreement to
complete a Business Combination was executed but was not consummated within such
18 month period (such later date being referred to as the "Termination Date"),
the officers of the Corporation shall take all such action necessary to dissolve
and liquidate the Corporation as soon as reasonably practicable. In the event
that the Corporation is so dissolved and liquidated, only the holders of IPO
Shares shall be entitled to receive liquidating distributions and the
Corporation shall pay no liquidating distributions with respect to any other
shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

     D. A holder of IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive distributions from
the Trust Fund only in the event of a liquidation of the Corporation or in the
event he demands conversion of his shares in accordance with paragraph B, above.
In no other circumstances shall a holder of IPO Shares have any right or
interest of any kind in or to the Trust Fund.

     E. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes: Class A,
Class B and Class C. The number of directors in each class shall be as nearly
equal as possible. At the first election of directors by the incorporator, the
incorporator shall elect a Class C director for a term expiring at the
Corporation's third Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Class C director shall
then appoint additional Class A, Class B and Class C directors, as necessary.
The directors in Class A shall be elected for a term expiring at the first
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the directors in Class B shall be elected for a
term expiring at the second Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the directors in
Class C shall be elected for a term expiring at the third Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. Commencing at the first Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and at
each annual meeting thereafter, directors elected to succeed those directors
whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third
succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. Except as the
GCL may otherwise require, in the interim between annual meetings of
stockholders or special meetings of stockholders called for the election of
directors and/or the removal of one or more directors and the filling of any
vacancy in that connection, newly created directorships and any vacancies in the
Board of Directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of
directors for cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining
directors then in office, although less than a quorum (as defined in the
Corporation's Bylaws), or by the sole remaining director. All directors shall
hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until
their successors shall have been elected and qualified. A director elected to
fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director
shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death,


                                       3



resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his successor
shall have been elected and qualified.

     SEVENTH: The following provisions are inserted for the management of the
business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further
definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of
its directors and stockholders:

     A. Election of directors need not be by ballot unless the by-laws of the
Corporation so provide.

     B. The Board of Directors shall have the power, without the assent or vote
of the stockholders, to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the by-laws
of the Corporation as provided in the by-laws of the Corporation.

     C. The directors in their discretion may submit any contract or act for
approval or ratification at any annual meeting of the stockholders or at any
meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of considering any such act
or contract, and any contract or act that shall be approved or be ratified by
the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation which is
represented in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat
(provided that a lawful quorum of stockholders be there represented in person or
by proxy) shall be as valid and binding upon the Corporation and upon all the
stockholders as though it had been approved or ratified by every stockholder of
the Corporation, whether or not the contract or act would otherwise be open to
legal attack because of directors' interests, or for any other reason.

     D. In addition to the powers and authorities hereinbefore or by statute
expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise
all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by
the Corporation; subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the statutes of
Delaware, of this Certificate of Incorporation, and to any by-laws from time to
time made by the stockholders; provided, however, that no by-law so made shall
invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such
by-law had not been made.

     EIGHTH: A. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to
the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the
GCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the
personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the
Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by
the GCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this paragraph A by the
stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or
protection of a director of


                                       4



the Corporation with respect to events occurring prior to the time of such
repeal or modification.

          B. The Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the
GCL, as amended from time to time, shall indemnify all persons whom it may
indemnify pursuant thereto. Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an
officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or
investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer or director may
be entitled to indemnification hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Corporation as authorized hereby.

     NINTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this
Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this
Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable
jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary
way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the
application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under
Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in
dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under
Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or
class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this
Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court
directs. If a majority in number representing three fourths in value of the
creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of
stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or
arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as a consequence of
such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said
reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application
has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on
all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case
may be, and also on this Corporation.


                                       5



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Certificate of Incorporation
this 5th day of December, 2005.


                                        /s/ Jeffrey M. Gallant
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Jeffrey M. Gallant, Sole Incorporator


                                       6

EX-3.2

                                                  ADOPTED AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2005

                                     BY LAWS

                                       OF

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

                                    ARTICLE I
                                     OFFICES

     1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of Ascend Acquisition Corp.
(the "Corporation") in the State of Delaware shall be established and maintained
at 615 S. DuPont Highway, Kent County, Dover, Delaware and National Corporate
Research, Ltd. shall be the registered agent of the corporation in charge
thereof.

     1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other
places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors
of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors") may from time to time determine or
the business of the Corporation may require.

                                   ARTICLE II
                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

     2.1 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at
such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice
of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.

     2.2 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on
such date and at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated
in the notice of the meeting, for the purpose of electing directors and for the
transaction of only such other business as is properly brought before the
meeting in accordance with these Bylaws (the "Bylaws").

     Written notice of an annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of the
meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not
less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the annual
meeting.

     To be properly brought before the annual meeting, business must be either
(i) specified in the notice of annual meeting (or any supplement or amendment
thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise
brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by a
stockholder. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to
be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder
must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the
Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed
and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than
sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting; provided,
however, that in the event that less than


                                        1



seventy (70) days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual
meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by a stockholder, to be timely,
must be received no later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day
following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was
mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs. A
stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth (a) as to each matter the
stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description
of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons
for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and (ii) any material
interest of the stockholder in such business, and (b) as to the stockholder
giving the notice (i) the name and record address of the stockholder and (ii)
the class, series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which
are beneficially owned by the stockholder. Notwithstanding anything in these
Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at the annual meeting
except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section
2. The officer of the Corporation presiding at an annual meeting shall, if the
facts warrant, determine and declare to the annual meeting that business was not
properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of
this Article II, Section 2, and if such officer should so determine, such
officer shall so declare to the annual meeting and any such business not
properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

     2.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose
or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), may only
be called by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive
Officer or the Chairman, and shall be called by the Secretary at the request in
writing of stockholders owning a majority in amount of the entire capital stock
of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request
shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.

     Unless otherwise provided by law, written notice of a special meeting of
stockholders, stating the time, place and purpose or purposes thereof, shall be
given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten
(10) or more than sixty (60) days before the date fixed for the meeting.
Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to
the purposes stated in the notice.

     2.4 Quorum. The holders of a majority of the capital stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the
transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the
Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or
represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of the
votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present
in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from
time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a
quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a
quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which
might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the
adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting.


                                       2



     2.5 Organization. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall act as
chairman of meetings of the stockholders. The Board of Directors may designate
any other officer or director of the Corporation to act as chairman of any
meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Board
of Directors may further provide for determining who shall act as chairman of
any stockholders meeting in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors and such designee.

     The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of
the stockholders, but in the absence of the Secretary the presiding officer may
appoint any other person to act as secretary of any meeting.

     2.6 Voting. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, any question (other than the election of
directors) brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the
vote of the holders of a majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote
thereat. At all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, a
plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect. Each stockholder
represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for
each share of the capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such
stockholder, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation. Each
stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent
or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize any
person or persons to act for him by proxy. All proxies shall be executed in
writing and shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation not later than
the day on which exercised. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three
(3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The
Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation
presiding at a meeting of stockholders, in his discretion, may require that any
votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

     2.7 Action of Shareholders Without Meeting. Unless otherwise provided by
the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual
or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any
annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting,
without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth
the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having
not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize
or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon
were present and voted, and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to
its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business,
or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which
proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the
Corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate
action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given
to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

     2.8 Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the
corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting
of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder
and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list
shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to
the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10)
days prior to the election, either at a place


                                       3



within the city, town or village where the election is to be held, which place
shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not specified, at the
place where said meeting is to be held. The list shall be produced and kept at
the time and place of election during the whole time thereof, and may be
inspected by any stockholder of the Corporation who is present.

     2.9 Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only
evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger,
the list required by Section 8 of this Article II or the books of the
Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

     2.10 Adjournment. Any meeting of the stockholders, including one at which
directors are to be elected, may be adjourned for such periods as the presiding
officer of the meeting or the stockholders present in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote shall direct.

     2.11 Ratification. Any transaction questioned in any stockholders'
derivative suit, or any other suit to enforce alleged rights of the Corporation
or any of its stockholders, on the ground of lack of authority, defective or
irregular execution, adverse interest of any director, officer or stockholder,
nondisclosure, miscomputation or the application of improper principles or
practices of accounting may be approved, ratified and confirmed before or after
judgment by the Board of Directors or by the holders of Common Stock and, if so
approved, ratified or confirmed, shall have the same force and effect as if the
questioned transaction had been originally duly authorized, and said approval,
ratification or confirmation shall be binding upon the Corporation and all of
its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any
judgment in respect of such questioned transaction.

     2.12 Judges. All votes by ballot at any meeting of stockholders shall be
conducted by two judges appointed for the purpose either by the directors or by
the meeting. The judges shall decide upon the qualifications of voters, count
the votes and declare the result.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                    DIRECTORS

     3.1 Powers; Number; Qualifications. The business and affairs of the
Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by law or in the Certificate of
Incorporation. The number of directors which shall constitute the Board of
Directors shall be not less than one (1) nor more than nine (9). The exact
number of directors shall be fixed from time to time, within the limits
specified in this Article III Section 1 or in the Certificate of Incorporation,
by the Board of Directors. Directors need not be stockholders of the
Corporation. The Board may be divided into Classes as more fully described in
the Certificate of Incorporation.

     3.2 Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Each
director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders at
which his Class stands for election or until such director's earlier
resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Unless otherwise provided
in the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships
resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or from any
other cause may be filled by a


                                       4



majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining director and each director so chosen shall hold office until the
next annual meeting and until such director's successor shall be duly elected
and shall qualify, or until such director's earlier resignation, removal from
office, death or incapacity.

     3.3 Nominations. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors of the Corporation at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may
be made at such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, by any
committee or persons appointed by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder
of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting
who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article III, Section
3. Such nominations by any stockholder shall be made pursuant to timely notice
in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's
notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety
(90) days prior to the meeting; provided however, that in the event that less
than seventy (70) days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the
meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder, to be
timely, must be received no later than the close of business on the tenth (10th)
day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed
or such public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs. Such stockholder's
notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (a)
the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (b) the
principal occupation or employment of the person, (c) the class and number of
shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the
person, and (d) any other information relating to the person that is required to
be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to
the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under
Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) as to
the stockholder giving the notice (a) the name and record address of the
stockholder and (b) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder. The Corporation may
require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably
be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed
nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation. No person shall be eligible
for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance
with the procedures set forth herein. The officer of the Corporation presiding
at an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the
meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing
procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and
the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

     3.4 Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings,
both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. The
first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall be held immediately
after and at the same place as the meeting of the stockholders at which it is
elected and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected
directors in order to legally constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be
present. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice
at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of
Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chief
Executive Officer or a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Notice thereof
stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director
either by mail not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the
meeting, by telephone, facsimile,


                                       5



telegram or e-mail on twenty-four (24) hours notice, or on such shorter notice
as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate
in the circumstances.

     3.5 Quorum. Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board of
Directors or any committee thereof, a majority of the entire Board of Directors
or such committee, as the case may be, shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at
any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of
Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of
Directors or of any committee thereof, a majority of the directors present
thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

     3.6 Organization of Meetings. The Board of Directors shall elect one of its
members to be Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of
Directors shall lead the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities
as set forth in these By-Laws, including its responsibility to oversee the
performance of the Corporation, and shall determine the agenda and perform all
other duties and exercise all other powers which are or from time to time may be
delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors.

     Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence, by the Chief Executive
Officer, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the
Chief Executive Officer by such other person as the Board of Directors may
designate or the members present may select.

     3.7 Actions of Board of Directors Without Meeting. Unless otherwise
restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of
any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the
Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in
writing, and the writing or writings are filled with the minutes of proceedings
of the Board of Directors or committee.

     3.8 Removal of Directors by Stockholders. The entire Board of Directors or
any individual Director may be removed from office with or without cause by a
majority vote of the holders of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote at
an election of directors. In case the Board of Directors or any one or more
Directors be so removed, new Directors may be elected at the same time for the
unexpired portion of the full term of the Director or Directors so removed.

     3.9 Resignations. Any Director may resign at any time by submitting his
written resignation to the Board of Directors or Secretary of the Corporation.
Such resignation shall take effect at the time of its receipt by the Corporation
unless another time be fixed in the resignation, in which case it shall become
effective at the time so fixed. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be
required to make it effective.

     3.10 Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more
committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the
Corporation. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the
member or members thereof present at any meeting


                                       6



and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum,
may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the
meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such
committee, to the extent provided by law and in the resolution of the Board of
Directors establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the
powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business
and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to
be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have
the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of
Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to
the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the
Corporation's property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a
dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution or amending the
Bylaws of the Corporation; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no
such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to
authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership and
merger. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the
same to the Board of Directors when required.

     3.11 Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of
attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed
amount (in cash or other form of consideration) for attendance at each meeting
of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall
preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and
receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may
be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

     3.12 Interested Directors. No contract or transaction between the
Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the
Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other
organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or
officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for
this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or
participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which
authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are
counted for such purpose, if (i) the material facts as to his or their
relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or
are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors
or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the
affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the
disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to
his or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are
disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the
contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the
stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation
as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of
Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. Common or interested
directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of
the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or
transaction.

     3.13 Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of
Directors or any committee designed by the Board of Directors may participate in
a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee of the Board of Directors
by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and
participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence
in person at such meeting.


                                       7



                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    OFFICERS

     4.1 General. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board
of Directors and may consist of: a Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board of
Directors, in its discretion, may also elect one or more Vice Presidents
(including Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents), Assistant
Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, a Controller and such other officers as in
the judgment of the Board of Directors may be necessary or desirable. Any number
of offices may be held by the same person and more than one person may hold the
same office, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws. The officers of the Corporation need not be
stockholders of the Corporation, nor need such officers be directors of the
Corporation.

     4.2 Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each
annual meeting of stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation who
shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and
perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their
successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or
removal. Except as otherwise provided in this Article IV, any officer elected by
the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors. The salaries of all
officers who are directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors.

     4.3 Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney,
proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating
to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on
behalf of the Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President,
and any such officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, take all
such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy
at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation
may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any
and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and
which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed
if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer
like powers upon any other person or persons.

     4.4 Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of
the Board shall preside at meetings of the Stockholders and of the Board of
Directors and shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as
from time to time may be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors,
subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors
appoints a Vice Chairman of the Board, he shall, in the absence or disability of
the Chairman of the Board, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
Chairman of the Board and shall perform such other duties and possess such other
powers as may from time to time be vested in him or her by the Board of
Directors. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, the Chairman of the
Board and the Vice Chairman of the Board shall not be deemed officers of the
Corporation unless the Board of Directors specifically designates either or both
of them as officers.


                                        8



     4.5 Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws and
to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall
have ultimate authority for decisions relating to the general management and
control of the affairs and business of the Corporation and shall perform such
other duties and exercise such other powers which are or from time to time may
be delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, all in
accordance with basic policies as established by and subject to the oversight of
the Board of Directors.

     4.6 President. At the request of the Chief Executive Officer, or in the
absence of the Chief Executive Officer, or in the event of his or her inability
or refusal to act, the President shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive
Officer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all
the restrictions upon such office. The President shall perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors from time to time may
prescribe.

     4.7 Vice Presidents. At the request of the Chief Executive Officer or in
the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, or in the event of his or her
inability or refusal to act, the Vice President or the Vice Presidents if there
is more than one (in the order designated by the Board of Directors) shall
perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall
have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon such office.
Each Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers
as the Board of Directors from time to time may prescribe. If there be no Vice
President, the Board of Directors shall designate the officer of the Corporation
who, in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer or in the event of the
inability or refusal of such officer to act, shall perform the duties of such
office, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all
the restrictions upon such office.

     4.8 Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of
Directors and all meetings of stockholders and record all the proceedings
thereat in a book or books to be kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall also
perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary
shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and
special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer,
under whose supervision the Secretary shall be. If the Secretary shall be unable
or shall refuse to cause to be given notice of all meetings of the stockholders
and special meetings of the Board of Directors, then any Assistant Secretary
shall perform such actions. If there be no Assistant Secretary, then the Board
of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may choose another officer to cause
such notice to be given. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the
Corporation and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, if there be one, shall
have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so
affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary or by the
signature of any such Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give
general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and
to attest the affixing by his signature. The Secretary shall see that all books,
reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by
law to be kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.

     4.9 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have general supervision, direction and
control of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall perform such other
duties and exercise such other powers which are or from time to time may be
delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or


                                       9



these Bylaws, all in accordance with basic policies as established by and
subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have the
custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate
accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and
shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the
credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board
of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may
be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such
disbursements, and shall render to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of
Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires,
an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition
of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall
give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as
shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of
the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of
his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers,
vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under
his control belonging to the Corporation.

     4.10 Assistant Secretaries. Except as may be otherwise provided in these
Bylaws, Assistant Secretaries, if there be any, shall perform such duties and
have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board of
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, if there be one, or
the Secretary, and in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his
disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the Secretary, and
when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the
restrictions upon the Secretary.

     4.11 Assistant Treasurers. Assistant Treasurers, if there be any, shall
perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to
them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President,
if there be one, or the Treasurer, and in the absence of the Treasurer or in the
event of his disability or refusal to act, shall perform the duties of the
Treasurer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all the restrictions upon the Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors,
an Assistant Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with
such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for
the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to
the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from
office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever
kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.

     4.12 Controller. The Controller shall establish and maintain the accounting
records of the Corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles applied on a consistent basis, maintain proper internal control of
the assets of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as the Board
of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President of the
Corporation may prescribe.

     4.13 Other Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may
choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may
be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may
delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other
officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.


                                       10



     4.14 Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill any
vacancies in any office occurring from whatever reason.

     4.15 Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by submitting his
written resignation to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at
the time of its receipt by the Corporation, unless another time be fixed in the
resignation, in which case it shall become effective at the time so fixed. The
acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

     4.16 Removal. Subject to the provisions of any employment agreement
approved by the Board of Directors, any officer of the Corporation may be
removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                  CAPITAL STOCK

     5.1 Form of Certificates. Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be
entitled to have a certificate signed, in the name of the Corporation (i) by the
Chief Executive Officer or a Vice President and (ii) by the Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation.

     5.2 Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a
facsimile, including, but not limited to, signatures of officers of the
Corporation and countersignatures of a transfer agent or registrar. In case an
officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature
has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer,
transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued
by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer
agent or registrar at the date of issue.

     5.3 Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate
or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates
theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such
issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as
a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost,
stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the
same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the
Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim
that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged
to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

     5.4 Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner
prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the
books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate or by his
attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the
certificate therefor, which shall be canceled before a new certificate shall be
issued. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent of the
Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper
evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the
duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled
thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transactions upon its books,
unless the Corporation has a duty to


                                       11



inquire as to adverse claims with respect to such transfer which has not been
discharged. The Corporation shall have no duty to inquire into adverse claims
with respect to such transfer unless (a) the Corporation has received a written
notification of an adverse claim at a time and in a manner which affords the
Corporation a reasonable opportunity to act on it prior to the issuance of a
new, reissued or re-registered share certificate and the notification identifies
the claimant, the registered owner and the issue of which the share or shares is
a part and provides an address for communications directed to the claimant; or
(b) the Corporation has required and obtained, with respect to a fiduciary, a
copy of a will, trust, indenture, articles of co-partnership, Bylaws or other
controlling instruments, for a purpose other than to obtain appropriate evidence
of the appointment or incumbency of the fiduciary, and such documents indicate,
upon reasonable inspection, the existence of an adverse claim. The Corporation
may discharge any duty of inquiry by any reasonable means, including notifying
an adverse claimant by registered or certified mail at the address furnished by
him or, if there be no such address, at his residence or regular place of
business that the security has been presented for registration of transfer by a
named person, and that the transfer will be registered unless within thirty days
from the date of mailing the notification, either (a) an appropriate restraining
order, injunction or other process issues from a court of competent
jurisdiction; or (b) an indemnity bond, sufficient in the Corporation's judgment
to protect the Corporation and any transfer agent, registrar or other agent of
the Corporation involved from any loss which it or they may suffer by complying
with the adverse claim, is filed with the Corporation.

     5.5 Fixing Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to notice or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other
distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in
respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any
other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record
date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record is
adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than
sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more
than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record
date of action with a meeting is adopted by the Board of Directors, nor more
than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed:

          (a) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the
day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at
the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is
held.

          (b) The record date for determining stockholders entitled to express
consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action
by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the first date on which a
signed written consent is delivered to the Corporation.

          (c) The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose
shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors
adopts the resolution relating thereto.


                                       12



     A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote
at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.

     5.6 Registered Stockholders. Prior to due presentment for transfer of any
share or shares, the Corporation shall treat the registered owner thereof as the
person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notifications and to all other
benefits of ownership with respect to such share or shares, and shall not be
bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or
shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or
other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State
Delaware.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                     NOTICES

     6.1 Form of Notice. Notices to directors and stockholders other than
notices to directors of special meetings of the board of Directors which may be
given by any means stated in Article III, Section 4, shall be in writing and
delivered personally or mailed to the directors or stockholders at their
addresses appearing on the books of the corporation. Notice by mail shall be
deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be mailed. Notice to
directors may also be given by telegram.

     6.2 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the
provisions of law or the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws of the
Corporation, a written waiver, signed by the person or persons entitled to
notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for
the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any
regular, or special meeting of the stockholders, Directors, or members of a
committee of Directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless
so required by the Certificate of Incorporation.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     7.1 The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction, or upon


                                       13



a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

     7.2 The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of
Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine
upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper.

     7.3 To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1 or 2 of this Article, or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or
her in connection therewith.

     7.4 Any indemnification under sections 1 or 2 of this Article (unless
ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the
specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director,
officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in such section. Such determination
shall be made:

          (a) By the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding,
or

          (b) If such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a
quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
written opinion, or

          (c) By the stockholders.

     7.5 Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director
in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit
or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition
of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately
be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as
authorized in this Section.


                                       14



Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by other employees and agents
may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors
deems appropriate.

     7.6 The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to the other sections of this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of
expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity
and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

     7.7 The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him
and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under the provisions of this Article.

     7.8 For purposes of this Article, references to "the Corporation" shall
include, in addition to the resulting Corporation, any constituent Corporation
(including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that
any person who is or was a director, officer employee or agent of such
constituent Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under this Article with respect to the resulting or surviving
Corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent Corporation of its
separate existence had continued.

     7.9 For purposes of this Article, references to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise
taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and
references to "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall include any
service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or
agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or
beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not
opposed to the best interests of the Corporation" as referred to in this
Article.

     7.10 The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Article shall, unless otherwise provided when
authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such a person.

     7.11 No director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable
to the Corporation or to any stockholder of the Corporation for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, provided that this
provision shall not limit the liability of a director or officer (i) for any
breach of the director's or the officer's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or
its stockholders,


                                       15



(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director
or officer derived an improper personal benefit.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     8.1 Reliance on Books and Records. Each Director, each member of any
committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the
Corporation, shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully protected in
relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the
Corporation, including reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers,
by an independent certified public accountant, or by an appraiser selected with
reasonable care.

     8.2 Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation, if any, dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation may
be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting,
pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the
capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the
Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Directors from time
to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to
meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining
any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Directors
shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

     8.3 Annual Statement. The Board of Directors shall present at each annual
meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote
of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and condition of
the Corporation.

     8.4 Checks. All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation
shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other persons as the Board
of Directors may from time to time designate.

     8.5 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as determined
by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors shall fail to do so, the
Chief Executive Officer shall fix the fiscal year.

     8.6 Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the
Corporation, the year of its organization and the words "Corporate Seal,
Delaware". The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced.

     8.7 Amendments. The original or other Bylaws may be adopted, amended or
repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at any regular or special
meeting or, if the Certificate of Incorporation so provides, by the Board of
Directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the Board of
Directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power nor limit their power
to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws.


                                       16



     8.8 Interpretation of Bylaws. All words, terms and provisions of these
Bylaws shall be interpreted and defined by and in accordance with the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended, and as amended from time
to time hereafter.


                                       17


  

EX-4.1

    NUMBER                                                                 UNITS
U-__________

  SEE REVERSE FOR
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

                                                                    CUSIP ______

UNITS CONSISTING OF ONE SHARE OF COMMON STOCK AND TWO WARRANTS EACH TO PURCHASE
                            ONE SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

THIS CERTIFIES THAT ____________________________________________________________

is the owner of _________________________________________________________ Units.

Each Unit ("Unit") consists of one (1) share of common stock, par value $.0001
per share ("Common Stock"), of Ascend Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and two warrants (the "Warrants"). Each Warrant entitles the
holder to purchase one (1) share of Common Stock for $5.00 per share (subject to
adjustment). Each Warrant will become exercisable on the later of (i) the
Company's completion of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or
other similar business combination and (ii) ___________, 2007, and will expire
unless exercised before 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on ____________, 2010, or
earlier upon redemption (the "Expiration Date"). The Common Stock and Warrants
comprising the Units represented by this certificate are not transferable
separately prior to __________, 2006, subject to earlier separation in the
discretion of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. The terms of the Warrants are governed by a
Warrant Agreement, dated as of _______, 2006, between the Company and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, and are subject to
the terms and provisions contained therein, all of which terms and provisions
the holder of this certificate consents to by acceptance hereof. Copies of the
Warrant Agreement are on file at the office of the Warrant Agent at 17 Battery
Place, New York, New York 10004, and are available to any Warrant holder on
written request and without cost.

     This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent
     and Registrar of the Company.

     Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of
     its duly authorized officers.


By
   -----------------------------------------
                       Chairman of the Board

                                     [SEAL]


                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Secretary



                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

     The Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so
requests, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series
thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of
such preferences and/or rights.

     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common        UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - ____ Custodian ______
TEN ENT - as tenants by the                              (Cust)          (Minor)
          entireties                            under Uniform Gifts to Minors
JT TEN -  as joint tenants with                      Act ______________
          right of survivorship and                         (State)
          not as tenants in common

Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

     For value received, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and
transfer unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
- --------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------

________________________________________________________________________________
  (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________ Units

represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint

_______________________________________________________________________ Attorney
to transfer the said Units on the books of the within named Company will full
power of substitution in the premises.

Dated _______________

                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      NOTICE: The signature to this assignment
                                              must correspond with the name as
                                              written upon the face of the
                                              certificate in every particular,
                                              without alteration or enlargement
                                              or any change whatever.

Signature(s) Guaranteed:


- ---------------------------------------------
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN
ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS
AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN
APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION
PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).

EX-4.2

      NUMBER                                                              SHARES
______C

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

              INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                                  COMMON STOCK

                                                                 SEE REVERSE FOR
                                                             CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

                                                             CUSIP ________

THIS CERTIFIES THAT

IS THE OWNER OF

   FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE PAR VALUE OF $.0001 EACH OF THE
                                 COMMON STOCK OF

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized
attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.

     This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent
     and registered by the Registrar.
     Witness the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures
     of its duly authorized officers.

Dated:


- ---------------------------------------
CHAIRMAN

                                     [SEAL]


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            SECRETARY



     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common        UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - _____ Custodian ______
TEN ENT - as tenants by the                               (Cust)         (Minor)
          entireties                                      under Uniform Gifts to
                                                          Minors
JT TEN -  as joint tenants with                           Act ______________
          right of survivorship and                               (State)
           not as tenants in common

     Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

     The Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so
requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof of the
Corporation and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such
preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby
are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of
Directors providing for the issue of shares of Preferred Stock (copies of which
may be obtained from the secretary of the Corporation), to all of which the
holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.

     For value received, ___________________________ hereby sell, assign and
transfer unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

- --------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------

________________________________________________________________________________
  (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________ shares

of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation
will full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated _______________

                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      NOTICE: The signature to this assignment
                                              must correspond with the name as
                                              written upon the face of the
                                              certificate in every particular,
                                              without alteration or enlargement
                                              or any change whatever.

Signature(s) Guaranteed:


- ---------------------------------------------
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN
ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS
AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN
APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION
PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).

The holder of this certificate shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust
fund only in the event of the Company's liquidation upon failure to consummate a
business combination or if the holder seeks to convert his respective shares
into cash upon a business combination which he voted against and which is
actually completed by the Company. In no other circumstances shall the holder
have any right or interest of any kind in or to the trust fund.

EX-4.3

   NUMBER
________-

                          (SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR LEGEND)
               THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO
                 5:00 P.M. NEW YORK CITY TIME, __________, 2010

                                                                        WARRANTS

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

                                                              CUSIP ____________

                                     WARRANT

THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for value received

is the registered holder of a Warrant or Warrants expiring ________, 2010 (the
"Warrant") to purchase one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock,
par value $.0001 per share ("Shares"), of Ascend Acquisition Corp., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), for each Warrant evidenced by this Warrant
Certificate. The Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase from the
Company, commencing on the later of (i) the Company's completion of a merger,
capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination
and (ii) ______________, 2007, such number of Shares of the Company at the price
of $5.00 per share, upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of
the Warrant Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent, Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company (such payment to be made by check made payable to
the Warrant Agent), but only subject to the conditions set forth herein and in
the Warrant Agreement between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust
Company. The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain
events the Warrant Price and the number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder,
set forth on the face hereof, may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted.
The term Warrant Price as used in this Warrant Certificate refers to the price
per Share at which Shares may be purchased at the time the Warrant is exercised.

     No fraction of a Share will be issued upon any exercise of a Warrant. If
the holder of a Warrant would be entitled to receive a fraction of a Share upon
any exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall, upon such exercise, round up to
the nearest whole number the number of Shares to be issued to such holder.

     Upon any exercise of the Warrant for less than the total number of full
Shares provided for herein, there shall be issued to the registered holder
hereof or the registered holder's assignee a new Warrant Certificate covering
the number of Shares for which the Warrant has not been exercised.

     Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the office or agency of the
Warrant Agent by the registered holder hereof in person or by attorney duly
authorized in writing, may be exchanged in the manner and subject to the
limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any
service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like
tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.

     Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of the Warrant
Certificate at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent, a new Warrant
Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the
aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee in
exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in
the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any applicable tax or other
governmental charge.

     The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered holder
as the absolute owner of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation
of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any
exercise hereof, of any distribution to the registered holder, and for all other
purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any
notice to the contrary.

     This Warrant does not entitle the registered holder to any of the rights of
a stockholder of the Company.

     The Company reserves the right to call the Warrant at any time prior to its
exercise, with a notice of call in writing to the holders of record of the
Warrant, giving 30 days' notice of such call at any time after the Warrant
becomes exercisable if the last sale price of the Shares has been at least $8.50
per share on each of 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period ending on
the third business day prior to the date on which notice of such call is given.
The call price of the Warrants is to be $.01 per Warrant. Any Warrant either not
exercised or tendered back to the Company by the end of the date specified in
the notice of call shall be canceled on the books of the Company and have no
further value except for the $.01 call price.


By
     ------------------------------------    -----------------------------------
                                Secretary    Chairman of the Board



                                SUBSCRIPTION FORM
      To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Exercise Warrants

The undersigned Registered Holder irrevocably elects to exercise ______________
Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and to purchase the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants, and requests that
Certificates for such shares shall be issued in the name of

________________________________________________________________________________
                     (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                 (SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

and be delivered to ____________________________________________________________
                     (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)

________________________________________________________________________________
and, if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced by this
Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance of such
Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Registered Holder
at the address stated below:

Dated:
       ------------------                    -----------------------------------
                                             (SIGNATURE)

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             (ADDRESS)

                                             -----------------------------------

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             (TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                                   ASSIGNMENT
       To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Assign Warrants

For Value Received, _______________________ hereby sell, assign, and transfer
unto

________________________________________________________________________________
                     (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                 (SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

and be delivered to ____________________________________________________________
                     (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)

______________________ of the Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate,
and hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _________________________________
Attorney to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Company, with
full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:
       ------------------                    -----------------------------------
                                             (SIGNATURE)

THE SIGNATURE TO THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE SUBSCRIPTION FORM MUST CORRESPOND TO THE
NAME WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THIS WARRANT CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR,
WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER, AND MUST BE
GUARANTEED BY A COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST COMPANY OR A MEMBER FIRM OF THE
AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE, NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE OR
CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE.

EX-4.4

THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE OPTION BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES
THAT IT WILL NOT SELL, TRANSFER OR ASSIGN THIS PURCHASE OPTION EXCEPT AS HEREIN
PROVIDED AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE OPTION AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT SELL, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATE THIS PURCHASE OPTION FOR A
PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE (DEFINED BELOW) TO ANYONE OTHER
THAN (I) EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC. ("EBC") OR A SELECTED DEALER IN CONNECTION WITH
THE OFFERING, OR (II) A BONA FIDE OFFICER OR PARTNER OF EBC OR OF ANY SUCH
SELECTED DEALER.

THIS PURCHASE OPTION IS NOT EXERCISABLE PRIOR TO THE LATER OF THE CONSUMMATION
BY ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP. ("COMPANY") OF A MERGER, CAPITAL STOCK EXCHANGE,
ASSET ACQUISITION OR OTHER SIMILAR BUSINESS COMBINATION ("BUSINESS
COMBINATION")(AS DESCRIBED MORE FULLY IN THE COMPANY'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT
(DEFINED HEREIN)) OR _____________, 2007. VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M. NEW YORK CITY
LOCAL TIME, ___________, 2011.

                              UNIT PURCHASE OPTION

                               FOR THE PURCHASE OF

                                __________ UNITS

                                       OF

                            ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.

1.   PURCHASE OPTION.

     THIS CERTIFIES THAT, in consideration of $100.00 duly paid by or on behalf
of ____________ ("HOLDER"), as registered owner of this Purchase Option, to
Ascend Acquisition Corp. ("COMPANY"), Holder is entitled, at any time or from
time to time upon the later of the consummation of a Business Combination or
___________ __, 2007 ("COMMENCEMENT DATE"), and at or before 5:00 p.m., New York
City local time, ________ __, 2011 ("EXPIRATION DATE"), but not thereafter, to
subscribe for, purchase and receive, in whole or in part, up to __________
(________) units ("UNITS") of the Company, each Unit consisting of one share of
common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share ("COMMON STOCK"), and
two warrants ("WARRANT(S)") expiring four years from the effective date
("EFFECTIVE DATE") of the registration statement ("REGISTRATION STATEMENT")
pursuant to which Units are offered for sale to the public ("OFFERING"). Each
Warrant is the same as the warrants included in the Units being registered for
sale to the public by way of the Registration Statement ("PUBLIC WARRANTS"). If
the Expiration Date is a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law
to close, then this Purchase Option may be exercised on the next succeeding day
which is not such a day in accordance with the terms herein. During the period
ending on the Expiration Date, the Company agrees not to take any action that
would terminate the Purchase Option. This Purchase Option is initially
exercisable at $____ per Unit so purchased; provided, however, that upon the
occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 6 hereof, the rights
granted by this Purchase Option, including



the exercise price per Unit and the number of Units (and shares of Common Stock
and Warrants) to be received upon such exercise, shall be adjusted as therein
specified. The term "Exercise Price" shall mean the initial exercise price or
the adjusted exercise price, depending on the context.

2.   EXERCISE.

     2.1 Exercise Form. In order to exercise this Purchase Option, the exercise
form attached hereto must be duly executed and completed and delivered to the
Company, together with this Purchase Option and payment of the Exercise Price
for the Units being purchased payable in cash or by certified check or official
bank check. If the subscription rights represented hereby shall not be exercised
at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City local time, on the Expiration Date this
Purchase Option shall become and be void without further force or effect, and
all rights represented hereby shall cease and expire.

     2.2 Legend. Each certificate for the securities purchased under this
Purchase Option shall bear a legend as follows unless such securities have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("ACT"):

          "The securities represented by this certificate have not been
          registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Act") or
          applicable state law. The securities may not be offered for sale, sold
          or otherwise transferred except pursuant to an effective registration
          statement under the Act, or pursuant to an exemption from registration
          under the Act and applicable state law."

     2.3 Cashless Exercise.

          2.3.1 Determination of Amount. In lieu of the payment of the Exercise
Price multiplied by the number of Units for which this Purchase Option is
exercisable (and in lieu of being entitled to receive Common Stock and Warrants)
in the manner required by Section 2.1, the Holder shall have the right (but not
the obligation) to convert any exercisable but unexercised portion of this
Purchase Option into Units ("CASHLESS EXERCISE RIGHT") as follows: upon exercise
of the Cashless Exercise Right, the Company shall deliver to the Holder (without
payment by the Holder of any of the Exercise Price in cash) that number of Units
(or that number of shares of Common Stock and Warrants comprising that number of
Units) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the "Value" (as defined
below) of the portion of the Purchase Option being converted by (y) the Current
Market Value (as defined below). The "Value" of the portion of the Purchase
Option being converted shall equal the remainder derived from subtracting (a)
(i) the Exercise Price multiplied by (ii) the number of Units underlying the
portion of this Purchase Option being converted from (b) the Current Market
Value of a Unit multiplied by the number of Units underlying the portion of the
Purchase Option being converted. As used herein, the term "Current Market Value"
per Unit at any date means: (A) in the event that neither the Units nor Public
Warrants are still trading, the remainder derived from subtracting (x) the
exercise price of the Warrants multiplied by the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants underlying one Unit from (y) (i)
the Current Market Price of the Common Stock multiplied by (ii) the number of
shares of Common Stock underlying one Unit, which shall include the shares of
Common Stock underlying the Warrants included in such Unit; (B) in the


                                       2



event that the Units, Common Stock and Public Warrants are still trading, (i) if
the Units are listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market or NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor
exchange), the last sale price of the Units in the principal trading market for
the Units as reported by the exchange, Nasdaq or the NASD, as the case may be,
on the last trading day preceding the date in question; or (ii) if the Units are
not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market or the NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor
exchange), but is traded in the residual over-the-counter market, the closing
bid price for Units on the last trading day preceding the date in question for
which such quotations are reported by the Pink Sheets, LLC or similar publisher
of such quotations; and (C) in the event that the Units are not still trading
but the Common Stock and Public Warrants underlying the Units are still trading,
the Current Market Price of the Common Stock plus the product of (x) the Current
Market Price of the Public Warrants and (y) the number of shares of Common Stock
underlying the Warrants included in one Unit. The "Current Market Price" shall
mean (i) if the Common Stock (or Public Warrants, as the case may be) is listed
on a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market,
Nasdaq SmallCap Market or NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor exchange), the
last sale price of the Common Stock (or Public Warrants) in the principal
trading market for the Common Stock as reported by the exchange, Nasdaq or the
NASD, as the case may be, on the last trading day preceding the date in
question; (ii) if the Common Stock (or Public Warrants, as the case may be) is
not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market or the NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor
exchange), but is traded in the residual over-the-counter market, the closing
bid price for the Common Stock (or Public Warrants) on the last trading day
preceding the date in question for which such quotations are reported by the
Pink Sheets, LLC or similar publisher of such quotations; and (iii) if the fair
market value of the Common Stock cannot be determined pursuant to clause (i) or
(ii) above, such price as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine,
in good faith. In the event the Public Warrants have expired and are no longer
exercisable, no "Value" shall be attributed to the Warrants underlying this
Purchase Option. Additionally, in the event that this Purchase Option is
exercised pursuant to this Section 2.3 and the Public Warrants are still
trading, the "Value" shall be reduced by the difference between the Warrant
Exercise Price and the exercise price of the Public Warrants multiplied by the
number of Warrants underlying the Units included in the portion of this Purchase
Option being converted.

          2.3.1 Mechanics of Cashless Exercise. The Cashless Exercise Right may
be exercised by the Holder on any business day on or after the Commencement Date
and not later than the Expiration Date by delivering the Purchase Option with
the duly executed exercise form attached hereto with the cashless exercise
section completed to the Company, exercising the Cashless Exercise Right and
specifying the total number of Units the Holder will purchase pursuant to such
Cashless Exercise Right.

3.   TRANSFER.

     3.1 General Restrictions. The registered Holder of this Purchase Option, by
its acceptance hereof, agrees that it will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or
hypothecate this Purchase Option for a period of one year following the
Effective Date to anyone other than (i) EBC or a selected dealer in connection
with the Offering, or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of EBC or of any such
selected dealer. On and after the first anniversary of the Effective Date,


                                       3



transfers to others may be made subject to compliance with or exemptions from
applicable securities laws. In order to make any permitted assignment, the
Holder must deliver to the Company the assignment form attached hereto duly
executed and completed, together with the Purchase Option and payment of all
transfer taxes, if any, payable in connection therewith. The Company shall
within five business days transfer this Purchase Option on the books of the
Company and shall execute and deliver a new Purchase Option or Purchase Options
of like tenor to the appropriate assignee(s) expressly evidencing the right to
purchase the aggregate number of Units purchasable hereunder or such portion of
such number as shall be contemplated by any such assignment.

     3.2 Restrictions Imposed by the Act. The securities evidenced by this
Purchase Option shall not be transferred unless and until (i) the Company has
received the opinion of counsel for the Holder that the securities may be
transferred pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Act and
applicable state securities laws, the availability of which is established to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Company (the Company hereby agreeing that the
opinion of Graubard Miller shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the
availability of an exemption), or (ii) a registration statement or a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement relating to such
securities has been filed by the Company and declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") and compliance with
applicable state securities law has been established.

4.   NEW PURCHASE OPTIONS TO BE ISSUED.

     4.1 Partial Exercise or Transfer. Subject to the restrictions in Section 3
hereof, this Purchase Option may be exercised or assigned in whole or in part.
In the event of the exercise or assignment hereof in part only, upon surrender
of this Purchase Option for cancellation, together with the duly executed
exercise or assignment form and funds sufficient to pay any Exercise Price
and/or transfer tax, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Holder
without charge a new Purchase Option of like tenor to this Purchase Option in
the name of the Holder evidencing the right of the Holder to purchase the number
of Units purchasable hereunder as to which this Purchase Option has not been
exercised or assigned.

     4.2 Lost Certificate. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence satisfactory
to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Purchase Option and
of reasonably satisfactory indemnification or the posting of a bond, the Company
shall execute and deliver a new Purchase Option of like tenor and date. Any such
new Purchase Option executed and delivered as a result of such loss, theft,
mutilation or destruction shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation
on the part of the Company.

5.   REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

     5.1 Demand Registration.

          5.1.1 Grant of Right. The Company, upon written demand ("INITIAL
DEMAND NOTICE") of the Holder(s) of at least 51% of the Purchase Options and/or
the underlying Units and/or the underlying securities ("MAJORITY HOLDERS"),
agrees to register (the "DEMAND REGISTRATION") under the Act on one occasion,
all or any portion of the Purchase Options


                                       4



requested by the Majority Holders in the Initial Demand Notice and all of the
securities underlying such Purchase Options, including the Units, Common Stock,
the Warrants and the Common Stock underlying the Warrants (collectively, the
"REGISTRABLE SECURITIES"). On such occasion, the Company will file a
registration statement or a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement covering the Registrable Securities within sixty days after receipt of
the Initial Demand Notice and use its best efforts to have such registration
statement or post-effective amendment declared effective as soon as possible
thereafter. The demand for registration may be made at any time during a period
of five years beginning on the Effective Date. The Initial Demand Notice shall
specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and
the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The Company will notify all
holders of the Purchase Options and/or Registrable Securities of the demand
within ten days from the date of the receipt of any such Initial Demand Notice.
Each holder of Registrable Securities who wishes to include all or a portion of
such holder's Registrable Securities in the Demand Registration (each such
holder including shares of Registrable Securities in such registration, a
"DEMANDING HOLDER") shall so notify the Company within fifteen (15) days after
the receipt by the holder of the notice from the Company. Upon any such request,
the Demanding Holders shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities
included in the Demand Registration, subject to Section 5.1.4.

          5.1.2 Effective Registration. A registration will not count as a
Demand Registration until the registration statement filed with the Commission
with respect to such Demand Registration has been declared effective and the
Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with
respect thereto; provided, however, that if, after such registration statement
has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to
a Demand Registration is interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the
Commission or any other governmental agency or court, the registration statement
with respect to such Demand Registration will be deemed not to have been
declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is
removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of
the Demanding Holders thereafter elect to continue the offering.

          5.1.3 Underwritten Offering. If the Majority Holders so elect and such
holders so advise the Company as part of the Initial Demand Notice, the offering
of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in
the form of an underwritten offering. In such event, the right of any holder to
include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned
upon such holder's participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such
holder's Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided
herein. All Demanding Holders proposing to distribute their securities through
such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form
with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the
Majority Holders.

          5.1.4 Reduction of Offering. If the managing underwriter or
underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be an underwritten offering
advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount
or number of shares of Registrable Securities which the Demanding Holders desire
to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other
securities which the Company desires to sell and the shares of Common Stock, if
any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual
piggy-back registration rights held by other stockholders of the Company who
desire to sell, exceeds


                                       5



the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares that can be sold in such
offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing,
the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such
maximum dollar amount or maximum number of shares, as applicable, the "MAXIMUM
NUMBER OF SHARES"), then the Company shall include in such registration: (i)
first, the Registrable Securities as to which Demand Registration has been
requested by the Demanding Holders (pro rata in accordance with the number of
shares that each such Person has requested be included in such registration,
regardless of the number of shares held by each such Person (such proportion is
referred to herein as "PRO RATA")) that can be sold without exceeding the
Maximum Number of Shares; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of
Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common
Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold
without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (iii) third, to the extent that
the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses
(i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock or other securities registrable
pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement between the Company
and the initial investors in the Company, dated as of _____________ __, 2006
(the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" and such registrable securities, the
"INVESTOR SECURITIES") as to which "piggy-back" registration has been requested
by the holders thereof, Pro Rata, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum
Number of Shares; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of
Shares have not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii),
the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other persons
that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual
arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the
Maximum Number of Shares.

          5.1.5 Withdrawal. If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders
disapprove of the terms of any underwriting or are not entitled to include all
of their Registrable Securities in any offering, such majority-in-interest of
the Demanding Holders may elect to withdraw from such offering by giving written
notice to the Company and the underwriter or underwriters of their request to
withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement filed with the
Commission with respect to such Demand Registration. If the majority-in-interest
of the Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating to a Demand
Registration, then the Company does not have to continue its obligations under
Section 5.1 with respect to such proposed offering.

          5.1.6 Terms. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to
registering the Registrable Securities, including the expenses of any legal
counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of
the Registrable Securities, but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting
commissions. The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to qualify or
register the Registrable Securities in such states as are reasonably requested
by the Majority Holder(s); provided, however, that in no event shall the Company
be required to register the Registrable Securities in a state in which such
registration would cause (i) the Company to be obligated to qualify to do
business in such state, or would subject the Company to taxation as a foreign
corporation doing business in such jurisdiction or (ii) the principal
stockholders of the Company to be obligated to escrow their shares of capital
stock of the Company. The Company shall cause any registration statement or
post-effective amendment filed pursuant to the demand rights granted under
Section 5.1.1 to remain effective for a period of nine consecutive months from
the effective date of such registration statement or post-effective amendment.


                                       6



     5.2 Piggy-Back Registration.

          5.2.1 Piggy-Back Rights. If at any time during the seven year period
commencing on the Effective Date the Company proposes to file a registration
statement under the Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or
securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible
into, equity securities, by the Company for its own account or for stockholders
of the Company for their account (or by the Company and by stockholders of the
Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 5.1), 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 or (iv) for a dividend
reinvestment plan, then the Company shall (x) give written notice of such
proposed filing to the holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable
but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date,
which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in
such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the
proposed managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y)
offer to the holders of Registrable Securities in such notice the opportunity to
register the sale of such number of shares of Registrable Securities as such
holders may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such
notice (a "PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION"). The Company shall cause such Registrable
Securities to be included in such registration and shall use its best efforts to
cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten
offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a
Piggy-Back Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar
securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such
Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution
thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their
securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an underwriter or
underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with
the underwriter or underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration.

          5.2.2 Reduction of Offering. If the managing underwriter or
underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is to be an underwritten
offering advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities in
writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock which the
Company desires to sell, taken together with shares of Common Stock, if any, as
to which registration has been demanded pursuant to written contractual
arrangements with persons other than the holders of Registrable Securities
hereunder, the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been
requested under this Section 5.2, and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to
which registration has been requested pursuant to the written contractual
piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the
Maximum Number of Shares, then the Company shall include in any such
registration:

               (a) If the registration is undertaken for the Company's account:
(A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company
desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;
(B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached
under the foregoing clause (A), the shares of Common Stock or other securities,
if any, comprised of Registrable Securities and Investor Securities, as to which
registration has been requested pursuant to the applicable written contractual
piggy-back registration rights of such security holders, Pro Rata, that can be
sold


                                       7



without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (C) third, to the extent
that the Maximum Number of shares has not been reached under the foregoing
clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the
account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to
written contractual piggy-back registration rights with such persons and that
can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;

               (b) If the registration is a "demand" registration undertaken at
the demand of holders of Investor Securities, (A) first, the shares of Common
Stock or other securities for the account of the demanding persons, Pro Rata,
that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to
the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the
foregoing clause (A), the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the
Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of
Shares; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been
reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Registrable
Securities, Pro Rata, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to
the terms hereof, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of
Shares; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not
been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares of Common
Stock or other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is
obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such
persons, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and

               (c) If the registration is a "demand" registration undertaken at
the demand of persons other than either the holders of Registrable Securities or
of Investor Securities, (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other
securities for the account of the demanding persons that can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the
Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A),
the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell
that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (C) third, to
the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the
foregoing clauses (A) and (B), collectively the shares of Common Stock or other
securities comprised of Registrable Securities and Investor Securities, Pro
Rata, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to the terms hereof
and of the Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable, that can be sold
without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (D) fourth, to the extent
that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing
clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the
account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to
written contractual arrangements with such persons, that can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.

          5.2.3 Withdrawal. Any holder of Registrable Securities may elect to
withdraw such holder's request for inclusion of Registrable Securities in any
Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice to the Company of such request
to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement. The
Company (whether on its own determination or as the result of a withdrawal by
persons making a demand pursuant to written contractual obligations) may
withdraw a registration statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of the
registration statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall
pay all expenses incurred by the holders of Registrable Securities in connection
with such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 5.2.4.


                                       8



          5.2.4 Terms. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to
registering the Registrable Securities, including the expenses of any legal
counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of
the Registrable Securities but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting
commissions related to the Registrable Securities. In the event of such a
proposed registration, the Company shall furnish the then Holders of outstanding
Registrable Securities with not less than fifteen days written notice prior to
the proposed date of filing of such registration statement. Such notice to the
Holders shall continue to be given for each applicable registration statement
filed (during the period in which the Purchase Option is exercisable) by the
Company until such time as all of the Registrable Securities have been
registered and sold. The Holders of the Registrable Securities shall exercise
the "piggy-back" rights provided for herein by giving written notice, within ten
days of the receipt of the Company's notice of its intention to file a
registration statement. The Company shall cause any registration statement filed
pursuant to the above "piggyback" rights to remain effective for at least nine
months from the date that the Holders of the Registrable Securities are first
given the opportunity to sell all of such securities.

     5.3 Damages. Should the registration or the effectiveness thereof required
by Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof be delayed by the Company or the Company
otherwise fails to comply with such provisions, the Company shall, in addition
to any other equitable or other relief available to the Holder(s), be liable for
any and all incidental, special and consequential damages sustained by the
Holder(s), including, but not limited to, the loss of any profits that might
have been received by the holder upon the sale of shares of Common Stock or
Warrants (and shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants) underlying this
Purchase Option.

     5.4 General Terms.

          5.4.1 Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify the Holder(s) of
the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to any registration statement
hereunder and each person, if any, who controls such Holders within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended ("EXCHANGE ACT"), against all loss, claim, damage, expense or
liability (including all reasonable attorneys' fees and other expenses
reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against litigation,
commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever whether arising out of any
action between the underwriter and the Company or between the underwriter and
any third party or otherwise) to which any of them may become subject under the
Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from such registration statement but
only to the same extent and with the same effect as the provisions pursuant to
which the Company has agreed to indemnify the underwriters contained in Section
5 of the Underwriting Agreement between the Company, EBC and the other
underwriters named therein dated the Effective Date. The Holder(s) of the
Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to such registration statement, and
their successors and assigns, shall severally, and not jointly, indemnify the
Company, its officers and directors and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the
Exchange Act, against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including
all reasonable attorneys' fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which
they may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising
from information furnished by or on behalf of such Holders, or their successors
or assigns, in writing, for specific inclusion in such registration statement to
the same extent and


                                       9



with the same effect as the provisions contained in Section 5 of the
Underwriting Agreement pursuant to which the underwriters have agreed to
indemnify the Company.

          5.4.2 Exercise of Purchase Options. Nothing contained in this Purchase
Option shall be construed as requiring the Holder(s) to exercise their Purchase
Options or Warrants underlying such Purchase Options prior to or after the
initial filing of any registration statement or the effectiveness thereof.

          5.4.3 Documents Delivered to Holders. The Company shall furnish EBC,
as representative of the Holders participating in any of the foregoing
offerings, a signed counterpart, addressed to the participating Holders, of (i)
an opinion of counsel to the Company, dated the effective date of such
registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten
public offering, an opinion dated the date of the closing under any underwriting
agreement related thereto), and (ii) a "cold comfort" letter dated the effective
date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an
underwritten public offering, a letter dated the date of the closing under the
underwriting agreement) signed by the independent public accountants who have
issued a report on the Company's financial statements included in such
registration statement, in each case covering substantially the same matters
with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included
therein) and, in the case of such accountants' letter, with respect to events
subsequent to the date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered
in opinions of issuer's counsel and in accountants' letters delivered to
underwriters in underwritten public offerings of securities. The Company shall
also deliver promptly to EBC, as representative of the Holders participating in
the offering, the correspondence and memoranda described below and copies of all
correspondence between the Commission and the Company, its counsel or auditors
and all memoranda relating to discussions with the Commission or its staff with
respect to the registration statement and permit EBC, as representative of the
Holders, to do such investigation, upon reasonable advance notice, with respect
to information contained in or omitted from the registration statement as it
deems reasonably necessary to comply with applicable securities laws or rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). Such
investigation shall include access to books, records and properties and
opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers and
independent auditors, all to such reasonable extent and at such reasonable times
and as often as EBC, as representative of the Holders, shall reasonably request.
The Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential information or
other records to EBC, as representative of the Holders, or to any other person,
until and unless such persons shall have entered into reasonable confidentiality
agreements (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company), with
the Company with respect thereto.

          5.4.4 Underwriting Agreement. The Company shall enter into an
underwriting agreement with the managing underwriter(s), if any, selected by any
Holders whose Registrable Securities are being registered pursuant to this
Section 5, which managing underwriter shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company. Such agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
to the Company, each Holder and such managing underwriters, and shall contain
such representations, warranties and covenants by the Company and such other
terms as are customarily contained in agreements of that type used by the
managing underwriter. The Holders shall be parties to any underwriting agreement
relating to an underwritten sale of their Registrable Securities and may, at
their option, require that any or all the representations,


                                       10



warranties and covenants of the Company to or for the benefit of such
underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders. Such
Holders shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or
agreements with the Company or the underwriters except as they may relate to
such Holders and their intended methods of distribution. Such Holders, however,
shall agree to such covenants and indemnification and contribution obligations
for selling stockholders as are customarily contained in agreements of that type
used by the managing underwriter. Further, such Holders shall execute
appropriate custody agreements and otherwise cooperate fully in the preparation
of the registration statement and other documents relating to any offering in
which they include securities pursuant to this Section 5. Each Holder shall also
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities
as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of the Registrable
Securities.

          5.4.5 Rule 144 Sale. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Section 5 to the contrary, the Company shall have no obligation pursuant to
Sections 5.1 or 5.2 for the registration of Registrable Securities held by any
Holder (i) where such Holder would then be entitled to sell under Rule 144
within any three-month period (or such other period prescribed under Rule 144 as
may be provided by amendment thereof) all of the Registrable Securities then
held by such Holder, and (ii) where the number of Registrable Securities held by
such Holder is within the volume limitations under paragraph (e) of Rule 144
(calculated as if such Holder were an affiliate within the meaning of Rule 144).

          5.4.6 Supplemental Prospectus. Each Holder agrees, that upon receipt
of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event as a result of
which the prospectus included in the registration statement, as then in effect,
includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, such Holder will
immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the
registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Holder's
receipt of the copies of a supplemental or amended prospectus, and, if so
desired by the Company, such Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the expense
of the Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of such
destruction) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's
possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at
the time of receipt of such notice.

6. ADJUSTMENTS.

     6.1 Adjustments to Exercise Price and Number of Securities. The Exercise
Price and the number of Units underlying the Purchase Option shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as hereinafter set forth:

          6.1.1 Stock Dividends - Split-Ups. If after the date hereof, and
subject to the provisions of Section 6.4 below, the number of outstanding shares
of Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common
Stock or by a split-up of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then,
on the effective date thereof, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying
each of the Units purchasable hereunder shall be increased in proportion to such
increase in outstanding shares. In such case, the number of shares of Common
Stock, and


                                       11



the exercise price applicable thereto, underlying the Warrants underlying each
of the Units purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted in accordance with the
terms of the Warrants. For example, if the Company declares a two-for-one stock
dividend and at the time of such dividend this Purchase Option is for the
purchase of one Unit at $6.00 per whole Unit (each Warrant underlying the Units
is exercisable for $5.00 per share), upon effectiveness of the dividend, this
Purchase Option will be adjusted to allow for the purchase of one Unit at $6.00
per Unit, each Unit entitling the holder to receive two shares of Common Stock
and four Warrants (each Warrant exercisable for $2.50 per share).

          6.1.2 Aggregation of Shares. If after the date hereof, and subject to
the provisions of Section 6.4, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock
is decreased by a consolidation, combination or reclassification of shares of
Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date thereof, the
number of shares of Common Stock underlying each of the Units purchasable
hereunder shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding
shares. In such case, the number of shares of Common Stock, and the exercise
price applicable thereto, underlying the Warrants underlying each of the Units
purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted in accordance with the terms of the
Warrants.

          6.1.3 Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc. In case of
any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
other than a change covered by Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2 hereof or that solely
affects the par value of such shares of Common Stock, or in the case of any
merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other
than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or
conveyance to another corporation or entity of the property of the Company as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is
dissolved, the Holder of this Purchase Option shall have the right thereafter
(until the expiration of the right of exercise of this Purchase Option) to
receive upon the exercise hereof, for the same aggregate Exercise Price payable
hereunder immediately prior to such event, the kind and amount of shares of
stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such
reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution
following any such sale or transfer, by a Holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company obtainable upon exercise of this Purchase Option and
the underlying Warrants immediately prior to such event; and if any
reclassification also results in a change in shares of Common Stock covered by
Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections
6.1.1, 6.1.2 and this Section 6.1.3. The provisions of this Section 6.1.3 shall
similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or
consolidations, sales or other transfers.

          6.1.4 Changes in Form of Purchase Option. This form of Purchase Option
need not be changed because of any change pursuant to this Section, and Purchase
Options issued after such change may state the same Exercise Price and the same
number of Units as are stated in the Purchase Options initially issued pursuant
to this Agreement. The acceptance by any Holder of the issuance of new Purchase
Options reflecting a required or permissive change shall not be deemed to waive
any rights to an adjustment occurring after the Commencement Date or the
computation thereof.


                                       12



     6.2 [Intentionally Omitted]

     6.3 Substitute Purchase Option. In case of any consolidation of the Company
with, or merger of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, another
corporation (other than a consolidation or merger which does not result in any
reclassification or change of the outstanding Common Stock), the corporation
formed by such consolidation or merger shall execute and deliver to the Holder a
supplemental Purchase Option providing that the holder of each Purchase Option
then outstanding or to be outstanding shall have the right thereafter (until the
stated expiration of such Purchase Option) to receive, upon exercise of such
Purchase Option, the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and
property receivable upon such consolidation or merger, by a holder of the number
of shares of Common Stock of the Company for which such Purchase Option might
have been exercised immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or
transfer. Such supplemental Purchase Option shall provide for adjustments which
shall be identical to the adjustments provided in Section 6. The above provision
of this Section shall similarly apply to successive consolidations or mergers.

     6.4 Elimination of Fractional Interests. The Company shall not be required
to issue certificates representing fractions of shares of Common Stock or
Warrants upon the exercise of the Purchase Option, nor shall it be required to
issue scrip or pay cash in lieu of any fractional interests, it being the intent
of the parties that all fractional interests shall be eliminated by rounding any
fraction up to the nearest whole number of Warrants, shares of Common Stock or
other securities, properties or rights.

7. RESERVATION AND LISTING. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep
available out of its authorized shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose
of issuance upon exercise of the Purchase Options or the Warrants underlying the
Purchase Option, such number of shares of Common Stock or other securities,
properties or rights as shall be issuable upon the exercise thereof. The Company
covenants and agrees that, upon exercise of the Purchase Options and payment of
the Exercise Price therefor, all shares of Common Stock and other securities
issuable upon such exercise shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights of any stockholder. The
Company further covenants and agrees that upon exercise of the Warrants
underlying the Purchase Options and payment of the respective Warrant exercise
price therefor, all shares of Common Stock and other securities issuable upon
such exercise shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable
and not subject to preemptive rights of any stockholder. As long as the Purchase
Options shall be outstanding, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause
all (i) Units and shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Purchase
Options, (iii) Warrants issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Options and (iv)
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants included in the
Units issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Option to be listed (subject to
official notice of issuance) on all securities exchanges (or, if applicable on
the Nasdaq National Market, SmallCap Market, OTC Bulletin Board or any successor
trading market) on which the Units, the Common Stock or the Public Warrants
issued to the public in connection herewith may then be listed and/or quoted.


                                       13



8. CERTAIN NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.

     8.1 Holder's Right to Receive Notice. Nothing herein shall be construed as
conferring upon the Holders the right to vote or consent as a stockholder for
the election of directors or any other matter, or as having any rights
whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company. If, however, at any time prior to
the expiration of the Purchase Options and their exercise, any of the events
described in Section 8.2 shall occur, then, in one or more of said events, the
Company shall give written notice of such event at least fifteen days prior to
the date fixed as a record date or the date of closing the transfer books for
the determination of the stockholders entitled to such dividend, distribution,
conversion or exchange of securities or subscription rights, or entitled to vote
on such proposed dissolution, liquidation, winding up or sale. Such notice shall
specify such record date or the date of the closing of the transfer books, as
the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall deliver to
each Holder a copy of each notice given to the other stockholders of the Company
at the same time and in the same manner that such notice is given to the
stockholders.

     8.2 Events Requiring Notice. The Company shall be required to give the
notice described in this Section 8 upon one or more of the following events: (i)
if the Company shall take a record of the holders of its shares of Common Stock
for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or distribution payable
otherwise than in cash, or a cash dividend or distribution payable otherwise
than out of retained earnings, as indicated by the accounting treatment of such
dividend or distribution on the books of the Company, or (ii) the Company shall
offer to all the holders of its Common Stock any additional shares of capital
stock of the Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares
of capital stock of the Company, or any option, right or warrant to subscribe
therefor, or (iii) a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company
(other than in connection with a consolidation or merger) or a sale of all or
substantially all of its property, assets and business shall be proposed.

     8.3 Notice of Change in Exercise Price. The Company shall, promptly after
an event requiring a change in the Exercise Price pursuant to Section 6 hereof,
send notice to the Holders of such event and change ("PRICE NOTICE"). The Price
Notice shall describe the event causing the change and the method of calculating
same and shall be certified as being true and accurate by the Company's
President and Chief Financial Officer.

     8.4 Transmittal of Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other
communications under this Purchase Option shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly made when hand delivered, or mailed by express mail or
private courier service: (i) if to the registered Holder of the Purchase Option,
to the address of such Holder as shown on the books of the Company, or (ii) if
to the Company, to the following address or to such other address as the Company
may designate by notice to the Holders:

                    Ascend Acquisition Corp.
                    435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
                    Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
                    Attn: Chairman


                                       14



9. MISCELLANEOUS.

     9.1 Amendments. The Company and EBC may from time to time supplement or
amend this Purchase Option without the approval of any of the Holders in order
to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein
that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to
make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder
that the Company and EBC may deem necessary or desirable and that the Company
and EBC deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders. All other
modifications or amendments shall require the written consent of and be signed
by the party against whom enforcement of the modification or amendment is
sought.

     9.2 Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of
convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning
or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Purchase Option.

     9.3 Entire Agreement. This Purchase Option (together with the other
agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this
Purchase Option) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject
matter hereof.

     9.4 Binding Effect. This Purchase Option shall inure solely to the benefit
of and shall be binding upon, the Holder and the Company and their permitted
assignees, respective successors, legal representative and assigns, and no other
person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy
or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Purchase Option or any
provisions herein contained.

     9.5 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Purchase Option shall
be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws. The Company hereby
agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or
relating in any way to this Purchase Option shall be brought and enforced in the
courts of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the
Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction,
which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection
to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient
forum. Any process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by
transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section
8 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and
binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company and the
Holder agree that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled
to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection
with the preparation therefor.

     9.6 Waiver, Etc. The failure of the Company or the Holder to at any time
enforce any of the provisions of this Purchase Option shall not be deemed or
construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way affect the
validity of this Purchase Option or any provision hereof or the right of the
Company or any Holder to thereafter enforce each and every provision


                                       15



of this Purchase Option. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or
non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Purchase Option shall be
effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or
parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no
waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non- fulfillment shall be construed
or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach or non-compliance.

     9.7 Execution in Counterparts. This Purchase Option may be executed in one
or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become
effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties
hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto.

     9.8 Exchange Agreement. As a condition of the Holder's receipt and
acceptance of this Purchase Option, Holder agrees that, at any time prior to the
complete exercise of this Purchase Option by Holder, if the Company and EBC
enter into an agreement ("EXCHANGE AGREEMENT") pursuant to which they agree that
all outstanding Purchase Options will be exchanged for securities or cash or a
combination of both, then Holder shall agree to such exchange and become a party
to the Exchange Agreement.

     9.9 Intentionally Omitted.


                                       16



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Purchase Option to be
signed by its duly authorized officer as of the ____ day of _________, 2006.

                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Don K. Rice
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                       17



Form to be used to exercise Purchase Option:

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

Date:_________________, 200__

     The undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to exercise all or a portion of
the within Purchase Option and to purchase ____ Units of Ascend Acquisition
Corp. and hereby makes payment of $____________ (at the rate of $_________ per
Unit) in payment of the Exercise Price pursuant thereto. Please issue the Common
Stock and Warrants as to which this Purchase Option is exercised in accordance
with the instructions given below.

                                       or

     The undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to convert its right to purchase
_________ Units purchasable under the within Purchase Option by surrender of the
unexercised portion of the attached Purchase Option (with a "Value" based of
$_______ based on a "Market Price" of $_______). Please issue the securities
comprising the Units as to which this Purchase Option is exercised in accordance
with the instructions given below.

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        NOTICE: The signature to this assignment
                                        must correspond with the name as written
                                        upon the face of the purchase option in
                                        every particular, without alteration or
                                        enlargement or any change whatever.


Signature(s) Guaranteed:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
(BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO
S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).


                                       18



                   INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

Name
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            (Print in Block Letters)

Address
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       19



Form to be used to assign Purchase Option:

                                   ASSIGNMENT

     (To be executed by the registered Holder to effect a transfer of the within
Purchase Option):

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,______________________________________________ does
hereby sell, assign and transfer unto___________________________________________
the right to purchase __________ Units of Ascend Acquisition Corp. ("COMPANY")
evidenced by the within Purchase Option and does hereby authorize the Company to
transfer such right on the books of the Company.

Dated:________, 200_


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Signature

                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        NOTICE: The signature to this assignment
                                        must correspond with the name as written
                                        upon the face of the purchase option in
                                        every particular, without alteration or
                                        enlargement or any change whatever.

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
(BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO
S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).


                                       20

EX-4.5

                                WARRANT AGREEMENT

     Agreement made as of __________, 2006 between Ascend Acquisition Corp., a
Delaware corporation, with offices at 435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400, Wayne,
Pennsylvania 19087 ("Company"), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
a New York corporation, with offices at 17 Battery Place, New York, New York
10004 ("Warrant Agent").

     WHEREAS, the Company has received a binding commitment from Don K. Rice,
one of the Company's initial stockholders (the "Insider"), to purchase an
aggregate of 208,334 units ("Units"), pursuant to which 416,668 warrants
("Insider Warrants") will be issued; and

     WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in a public offering ("Public Offering") of
Units and, in connection therewith, has determined to issue and deliver up to
(i) 8,050,000 Warrants ("Public Warrants") to the public investors, and (ii)
700,000 Warrants to EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. ("EBC") or its designees
("Underwriter's Warrants" and, together with the Public Warrants and Insider
Warrants, the "Warrants"), each of such Warrants evidencing the right of the
holder thereof to purchase one share of the Company's common stock, par value
$.0001 per share ("Common Stock"), for $5.00, subject to adjustment as described
herein; and

     WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
a Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-________ ("Registration
Statement"), for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
("Act") of, among other securities, the Warrants and the Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of the Warrants; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the
Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the
issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the
Warrants; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the
Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the
respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the
Warrant Agent, and the holders of the Warrants; and

     WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are
necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and
countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent, as provided herein, the
valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the



execution and delivery of this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Appointment of Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent
to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants, and the Warrant Agent hereby
accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2. Warrants.

     2.1. Form of Warrant. Each Warrant shall be issued in registered form only,
shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, the provisions of which
are incorporated herein and shall be signed by, or bear the facsimile signature
of, the Chairman of the Board or President and Treasurer, Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Company and shall bear a facsimile of the Company's seal. In
the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant
shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the
Warrant before such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as
if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance.

     2.2. Effect of Countersignature. Unless and until countersigned by the
Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a Warrant shall be invalid and of no
effect and may not be exercised by the holder thereof.

     2.3. Registration.

          2.3.1. Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall maintain books
("Warrant Register"), for the registration of original issuance and the
registration of transfer of the Warrants. Upon the initial issuance of the
Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register the Warrants in the names
of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in
accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent by the Company.

          2.3.2. Registered Holder. Prior to due presentment for registration of
transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat
the person in whose name such Warrant shall be registered upon the Warrant
Register ("registered holder"), as the absolute owner of such Warrant and of
each Warrant represented thereby (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or
other writing on the


                                        2



Warrant Certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Warrant Agent),
for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither
the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the
contrary.

     2.4. Detachability of Warrants. The securities comprising the Units will
not be separately transferable until 90 days after the date hereof unless EBC
informs the Company of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, but in no
event will EBC allow separate trading of the securities comprising the Units
until the Company files a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited
balance sheet reflecting the receipt by the Company of the gross proceeds of the
Public Offering including the proceeds received by the Company from the exercise
of the Underwriter's over-allotment option, if the over-allotment option is
exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K.

     2.5 Warrant Attributes. The Insider Warrants and Representative's Warrants
shall have the same terms and be in the same form as the Public Warrants.

3. Terms and Exercise of Warrants

     3.1. Warrant Price. Each Warrant shall, when countersigned by the Warrant
Agent, entitle the registered holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such
Public Warrant and of this Warrant Agreement, to purchase from the Company the
number of shares of Common Stock stated therein, at the price of $5.00 per whole
share, subject to the adjustments provided in Section 4 hereof and in the last
sentence of this Section 3.1. The term "Warrant Price" as used in this Warrant
Agreement refers to the price per share at which Common Stock may be purchased
at the time a Warrant is exercised. The Company in its sole discretion may lower
the Warrant Price at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

     3.2. Duration of Warrants. A Warrant may be exercised only during the
period ("Exercise Period") commencing on the later of (i) the consummation by
the Company of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other
similar business combination ("Business Combination") (as described more fully
in the Company's Registration Statement) and (ii) ______, 2007, and terminating
at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the earlier to occur of (i) _________, 2010
or (ii) the date fixed for redemption of the Warrants as provided in Section 6
of this Agreement ("Expiration Date"). Except with respect to the right to
receive the Redemption Price (as set forth in Section 6 hereunder), each Warrant
not exercised on or before the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights
thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease at
the close of business on the Expiration Date. The Company in its sole discretion
may extend the duration of the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date.


                                        3



     3.3. Exercise of Warrants.

          3.3.1. Payment. Subject to the provisions of the Warrant and this
Warrant Agreement, a Warrant, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, may be
exercised by the registered holder thereof by surrendering it, at the office of
the Warrant Agent, or at the office of its successor as Warrant Agent, in the
Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, with the subscription form, as
set forth in the Warrant, duly executed, and by paying in full, in lawful money
of the United States, in cash, good certified check or good bank draft payable
to the order of the Company (or as otherwise agreed to by the Company), the
Warrant Price for each full share of Common Stock as to which the Warrant is
exercised and any and all applicable taxes due in connection with the exercise
of the Warrant, the exchange of the Warrant for the Common Stock, and the
issuance of the Common Stock; provided, however, that with respect to any
Insider Warrants purchased by the Insider, in the event of redemption pursuant
to Section 6 hereof, the Insider may pay the Warrant Price by surrendering his
Insider Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock
underlying the Warrant, multiplied by the difference between the Warrant Price
and the "Fair Market Value" (defined below) by (y) the Fair Market Value. The
"Fair Market Value" shall mean the average reported last sale price of the
Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the 3rd trading day prior to the
date on which the notice of redemption is sent to holders of Warrant pursuant to
Section 6 hereof.

          3.3.2. Issuance of Certificates. As soon as practicable after the
exercise of any Warrant and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Warrant
Price, the Company shall issue to the registered holder of such Warrant a
certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock to
which he is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by
him, her or it, and if such Warrant shall not have been exercised in full, a new
countersigned Warrant for the number of shares as to which such Warrant shall
not have been exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be
obligated to deliver any securities pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant unless
a registration statement under the Act with respect to the Common Stock is
effective. Warrants may not be exercised by, or securities issued to, any
registered holder in any state in which such exercise would be unlawful.

          3.3.3. Valid Issuance. All shares of Common Stock issued upon the
proper exercise of a Warrant in conformity with this Agreement shall be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

          3.3.4. Date of Issuance. Each person in whose name any such
certificate for shares of Common Stock is issued shall for all purposes be
deemed to have become the holder of record of such


                                        4



shares on the date on which the Warrant was surrendered and payment of the
Warrant Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such
certificate, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date
when the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be
deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of business on the
next succeeding date on which the stock transfer books are open.

          3.3.5. Intentionally Omitted.

4. Adjustments.

     4.1. Stock Dividends - Split-Ups. If after the date hereof, and subject to
the provisions of Section 4.6 below, the number of outstanding shares of Common
Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or by
a split-up of shares of Common Stock, or other similar event, then, on the
effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of
shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased
in proportion to such increase in outstanding shares of Common Stock.

     4.2. Aggregation of Shares. If after the date hereof, and subject to the
provisions of Section 4.6, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is
decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or
reclassification of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the
effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split,
reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in
outstanding shares of Common Stock.

     4.3 Adjustments in Exercise Price. Whenever the number of shares of Common
Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as provided in
Section 4.1 and 4.2 above, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest
cent) by multiplying such Warrant Price immediately prior to such adjustment by
a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common
Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such
adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of
Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.

     4.4. Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc. In case of any
reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(other than a change covered by Section 4.1 or 4.2 hereof or that solely affects
the par value of such shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any


                                        5



merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other
than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or
conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of
the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with
which the Company is dissolved, the Warrant holders shall thereafter have the
right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions
specified in the Warrants and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock of the
Company immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of
the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other
securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification,
reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any
such sale or transfer, that the Warrant holder would have received if such
Warrant holder had exercised his, her or its Warrant(s) immediately prior to
such event; and if any reclassification also results in a change in shares of
Common Stock covered by Section 4.1 or 4.2, then such adjustment shall be made
pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and this Section 4.4. The provisions of this
Section 4.4 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications,
reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers.

     4.5. Notices of Changes in Warrant. Upon every adjustment of the Warrant
Price or the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Warrant, the Company
shall give written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, which notice shall state
the Warrant Price resulting from such adjustment and the increase or decrease,
if any, in the number of shares purchasable at such price upon the exercise of a
Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the
facts upon which such calculation is based. Upon the occurrence of any event
specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, then, in any such event, the Company
shall give written notice to each Warrant holder, at the last address set forth
for such holder in the warrant register, of the record date or the effective
date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not
affect the legality or validity of such event.

     4.6. No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this
Warrant Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not issue fractional shares
upon exercise of Warrants. If, by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to this
Section 4, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of
such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall,
upon such exercise, round up or down to the nearest whole number the number of
the shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Warrant holder.

     4.7. Form of Warrant. The form of Warrant need not be changed because of
any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4, and Warrants issued after such
adjustment may state the same Warrant Price and


                                        6



the same number of shares as is stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant
to this Agreement. However, the Company may at any time in its sole discretion
make any change in the form of Warrant that the Company may deem appropriate and
that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant thereafter issued or
countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant or
otherwise, may be in the form as so changed.

5. Transfer and Exchange of Warrants.

     5.1. Registration of Transfer. The Warrant Agent shall register the
transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Warrant upon the Warrant
Register, upon surrender of such Warrant for transfer, properly endorsed with
signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by appropriate instructions for
transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant representing an equal aggregate
number of Warrants shall be issued and the old Warrant shall be cancelled by the
Warrant Agent. The Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered by the Warrant Agent
to the Company from time to time upon request.

     5.2. Procedure for Surrender of Warrants. Warrants may be surrendered to
the Warrant Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and
thereupon the Warrant Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new
Warrants as requested by the registered holder of the Warrants so surrendered,
representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants; provided, however, that in
the event that a Warrant surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend,
the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant and issue new Warrants in
exchange therefor until the Warrant Agent has received an opinion of counsel for
the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether the
new Warrants must also bear a restrictive legend.

     5.3. Fractional Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect
any registration of transfer or exchange which will result in the issuance of a
warrant certificate for a fraction of a warrant.

     5.4. Service Charges. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or
registration of transfer of Warrants.

     5.5. Warrant Execution and Countersignature. The Warrant Agent is hereby
authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, the Warrants required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 5, and the Company, whenever required by the Warrant Agent, will supply
the Warrant Agent with Warrants duly executed on behalf of the Company for such
purpose.


                                        7



6. Redemption.

     6.1. Redemption. Subject to Section 6.4 hereof, not less than all of the
outstanding Warrants may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, at any time
after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at the office of
the Warrant Agent, upon the notice referred to in Section 6.2, at the price of
$.01 per Warrant ("Redemption Price"), provided that the last sales price of the
Common Stock has been at least $8.50 per share, on each of twenty (20) trading
days within any thirty (30) trading day period ending on the third business day
prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given.

     6.2. Date Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption. In the event the Company
shall elect to redeem all of the Warrants, the Company shall fix a date for the
redemption. Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail, postage
prepaid, by the Company not less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption to the registered holders of the Warrants to be redeemed at their
last addresses as they shall appear on the registration books. Any notice mailed
in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly
given whether or not the registered holder received such notice.

     6.3. Exercise After Notice of Redemption. The Warrants may be exercised,
for cash (or on a "cashless basis" in accordance with Section 3.3.1 of this
Agreement) at any time after notice of redemption shall have been given by the
Company pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof and prior to the time and date fixed for
redemption. On and after the redemption date, the record holder of the Warrants
shall have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants,
the Redemption Price.

     6.4 Outstanding Warrants Only. The Company understands that the redemption
rights provided for by this Section 6 apply only to outstanding Warrants. To the
extent a person holds rights to purchase Warrants, such purchase rights shall
not be extinguished by redemption. However, once such purchase rights are
exercised, the Company may redeem the Warrants issued upon such exercise
provided that the criteria for redemption is met. The provisions of this Section
6.4 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior written consent of
EBC.


                                        8



7.   Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of Warrants.

     7.1. No Rights as Stockholder. A Warrant does not entitle the registered
holder thereof to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including,
without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions,
exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive notice as
stockholders in respect of the meetings of stockholders or the election of
directors of the Company or any other matter.

     7.2. Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Warrants. If any Warrant is
lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, the Company and the Warrant Agent may on
such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose
(which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender
thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination, tenor, and date as the
Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall
constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not
the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time
enforceable by anyone.

     7.3. Reservation of Common Stock. The Company shall at all times reserve
and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common
Stock that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding
Warrants issued pursuant to this Agreement.

     7.4. Registration of Common Stock. The Company agrees that prior to the
commencement of the Exercise Period, it shall file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, or
a new registration statement, for the registration, under the Act, of, and it
shall take such action as is necessary to qualify for sale, in those states in
which the Warrants were initially offered by the Company, the Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. In either case, the Company will use its
best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the
effectiveness of such registration statement until the expiration of the
Warrants in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of
this Section 7.4 may not be modified, amended or deleted without the prior
written consent of EBC.


                                        9



8.   Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters.

     8.1. Payment of Taxes. The Company will from time to time promptly pay all
taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Warrant Agent in
respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise
of Warrants, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in
respect of the Warrants or such shares.

     8.2. Resignation, Consolidation, or Merger of Warrant Agent.

          8.2.1. Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent, or
any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged
from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days'
notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes
vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall
appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If
the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after
it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant
Agent or by the holder of the Warrant (who shall, with such notice, submit his
Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Warrant may apply
to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the
appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the Company's cost. Any successor
Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, in
good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, City
and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authority. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with
all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations of its
predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant
Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it
becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute
and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such
successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such
predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant
Agent the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all
instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming
to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities,
duties, and obligations.

          8.2.2. Notice of Successor Warrant Agent. In the event a successor
Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the
predecessor Warrant Agent and the transfer agent for the Common Stock not later
than the effective date of any such appointment.


                                       10



          8.2.3. Merger or Consolidation of Warrant Agent. Any corporation into
which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or
any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant
Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement
without any further act.

     8.3. Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent.

          8.3.1. Remuneration. The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent
reasonable remuneration for its services as such Warrant Agent hereunder and
will reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the
Warrant Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties hereunder.

          8.3.2. Further Assurances. The Company agrees to perform, execute,
acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged, and
delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may
reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing
of the provisions of this Agreement.

     8.4. Liability of Warrant Agent.

          8.4.1. Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever in the performance of
its duties under this Warrant Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it
necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the
Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter
(unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may
be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the
President or Chairman of the Board of the Company and delivered to the Warrant
Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or
suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

          8.4.2. Indemnity. The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for
its own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to
indemnify the Warrant Agent and save it harmless against any and all
liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for
anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Agreement
except as a result of the Warrant Agent's negligence, willful misconduct, or bad
faith.


                                       11



          8.4.3. Exclusions. The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with
respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or
execution of any Warrant (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be
responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained
in this Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible to make any
adjustments required under the provisions of Section 4 hereof or responsible for
the manner, method, or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the
existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any
act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the
authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant
to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any shares of Common Stock
will when issued be valid and fully paid and nonassessable.

     8.5. Acceptance of Agency. The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency
established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and
conditions herein set forth and among other things, shall account promptly to
the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and concurrently account for, and
pay to the Company, all moneys received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of
shares of Common Stock through the exercise of Warrants.

9.   Miscellaneous Provisions.

     9.1. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or
for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the
benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

     9.2. Notices. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Warrant
Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of any
Warrant to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by
hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier
service within five days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid,
addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the
Warrant Agent), as follows:

               Ascend Acquisition Corp.
               435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
               Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
               Attn: Chief Executive Officer

Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made
by the holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent shall
be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if
sent by certified mail or private courier service within five days after deposit


                                       12



of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in
writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

               Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
               17 Battery Place
               New York, New York 10004
               Attn: Compliance Department

with a copy in each case to:

               Graubard Miller
               The Chrysler Building
               405 Lexington Avenue
               New York, New York 10174
               Attn: David Alan Miller, Esq.

and

               Foley & Lardner LLP
               111 Huntington Avenue
               Boston, Massachusetts 02199
               Attn: Paul D. Broude, Esq.

and

               EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
               275 Madison Avenue, Suite 1203
               New York, New York 10016
               Attn: David M. Nussbaum, Chairman

     9.3. Applicable law. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this
Agreement and of the Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of
the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that
would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.
The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it
arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and
enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such
jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives
any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an
inconvenience forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company
may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set
forth in Section 9.2 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and
shall be legal and binding upon the


                                       13



Company in any action, proceeding or claim.

     9.4. Persons Having Rights under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement
expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is
intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any person or
corporation other than the parties hereto and the registered holders of the
Warrants and, for the purposes of Sections 6.4, 7.4 and 9.2 hereof, EBC, any
right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Warrant Agreement or of any
covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. EBC shall be
deemed to be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement with respect to
Sections 6.4, 7.4 and 9.2 hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations,
promises, and agreements contained in this Warrant Agreement shall be for the
sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and EBC with respect to the
Sections 6.4, 7.4 and 9.2 hereof) and their successors and assigns and of the
registered holders of the Warrants.

     9.5. Examination of the Warrant Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall
be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Warrant Agent in the
Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for inspection by the
registered holder of any Warrant. The Warrant Agent may require any such holder
to submit his Warrant for inspection by it.

     9.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of original
or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes
be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute
but one and the same instrument.

     9.7. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience
only and are not part of this Warrant Agreement and shall not affect the
interpretation thereof.


                                       14



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties
hereto as of the day and year first above written.

                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Don K. Rice
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                        CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER
                                           & TRUST COMPANY


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                       15

EX-5.1

                                 GRAUBARD MILLER
                              THE CHRYSLER BUILDING
                              405 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10174

                                                               February 3, 2006

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

Dear Sirs:

     Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 ("Registration
Statement") filed by Ascend Acquisition Corp. ("Company"), a Delaware
corporation, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Act"), covering (i)
3,500,000 Units, with each Unit consisting of one share of the Company's common
stock, par value $.0001 per share (the "Common Stock"), and warrants to purchase
two shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Warrants") to EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc., the underwriter (the "Underwriter"), (ii) up to 525,000 Units (the
"Over-Allotment Units") which the Underwriter will have a right to purchase from
the Company to cover over-allotments, if any, (iii) up to 350,000 Units (the
"Purchase Option Units") which the Underwriter will have the right to purchase
("Purchase Option") for its own account or that of its designees, (iv) all
shares of Common Stock and all Warrants issued as part of the Units,
Over-Allotment Units and the Purchase Option Units and (v) all shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants included in the Units,
Over-Allotment Units and Purchase Option Units.

     We have examined such documents and considered such legal matters as we
have deemed necessary and relevant as the basis for the opinion set forth below.
With respect to such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as reproduced
or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of those latter
documents. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have, to the
extent deemed appropriate, relied upon certain representations of certain
officers and employees of the Company.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

     1. The Units, the Over-Allotment Units, the Purchase Option Units, the
Warrants and the Common Stock to be sold to the Underwriter, when issued and
sold in accordance with and in the manner described in the Registration
Statement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non
assessable.

     2. Each of the Purchase Option and Warrants constitutes legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to
the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable
remedies, and (iii) to the extent indemnification provisions contained such
documents, if any, may be limited by applicable federal or state law and
consideration of public policy.

     We are opining solely on all applicable statutory provisions of Delaware
corporate law, including the rules and regulations underlying those provisions,
all applicable provisions of the Delaware



Constitution and all applicable judicial and regulatory determinations. We
hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, to the use of our name as your counsel and to all references made to
us in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus forming a part thereof.
In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        /s/ Graubard Miller
                                        -------------------------------

EX-10.1

                                                                January 13, 2006

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
275 Madison Avenue
Suite 1203
New York, New York 10016

          Re: Initial Public Offering

Gentlemen:

          The undersigned stockholder, officer and director of Ascend
Acquisition Corp. ("Company"), in consideration of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
("EBC") entering into a letter of intent ("Letter of Intent") to underwrite an
initial public offering of the securities of the Company ("IPO") and embarking
on the IPO process, hereby agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used
herein are defined in paragraph 13 hereof):

          1. If the Company solicits approval of its stockholders of a Business
Combination, the undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by him in
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO Shares.

          2. In the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business
Combination within 18 months from the effective date ("Effective Date") of the
registration statement relating to the IPO (or 24 months under the circumstances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO), the undersigned will (i) cause
the Trust Fund (as defined in the Letter of Intent) to be liquidated and
distributed to the holders of IPO Shares and (ii) take all reasonable actions
within his power to cause the Company to liquidate as soon as reasonably
practicable. The undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or
claim of any kind in or to any distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining
net assets of the Company as a result of such liquidation with respect to his
Insider Shares ("Claim") and hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in
the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with
the Company and



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 2


will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever. In the
event of the liquidation of the Trust Fund, the undersigned agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Company against any and all loss, liability, claims,
damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
against any litigation, whether pending or threatened, or any claim whatsoever)
which the Company may become subject as a result of any claim by any vendor or
other person who is owed money by the Company for services rendered or products
sold or contracted for, or by any target business, but only to the extent
necessary to ensure that such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense does not
reduce the amount in the Trust Fund.

          3. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may
arise from multiple affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the
Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or
entity, any suitable opportunity to acquire an operating business, until the
earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the
liquidation of the Company or until such time as the undersigned ceases to be an
officer or director of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and
contractual obligations the undersigned might have.

          4. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not
consummate any Business Combination which involves a company which is affiliated
with any of the Insiders unless the Company obtains an opinion from an
independent investment banking firm reasonably acceptable to EBC that the
business combination is fair to the Company's stockholders from a financial
perspective.

          5. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the
undersigned, nor any affiliate ("Affiliate") of the undersigned will be entitled
to receive and will not accept any compensation for services rendered to the
Company prior to or in connection with the consummation of the Business
Combination; provided that the undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement
from the Company for his out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with
seeking and consummating a Business Combination.

          6. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the
undersigned, nor any Affiliate of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or
accept a finder's fee or any other compensation in the event the undersigned,
any member of the family of the undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned
originates a Business Combination.

          7. The undersigned will escrow his Insider Shares for the three year



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 3


period commencing on the Effective Date subject to the terms of a Stock Escrow
Agreement which the Company will enter into with the undersigned and an escrow
agent acceptable to the Company.

          8. The undersigned agrees to be the Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer, President and Treasurer of the Company until the earlier of
the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the liquidation of
the Company. The undersigned's biographical information furnished to the Company
and EBC and attached hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in all respects,
does not omit any material information with respect to the undersigned's
background and contains all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant
to Item 401 of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The
undersigned's Questionnaire furnished to the Company and EBC and annexed as
Exhibit B hereto is true and accurate in all respects. The undersigned
represents and warrants that:

     (a) he is not subject to, or a respondent in, any legal action for, any
injunction, cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain
from any act or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;

     (b) he has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i)
involving any fraud or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of
funds of another person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities
and he is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and

     (c) he has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any
securities or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or
commodities license or registration denied, suspended or revoked.

          9. The undersigned has full right and power, without violating any
agreement by which he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve
as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Treasurer of
the Company.

          10. The undersigned hereby waives his right to exercise conversion
rights with respect to any shares of the Company's common stock owned or to be
owned by the undersigned, directly or indirectly, and agrees that he will not
seek conversion with respect to such shares in connection with any vote to
approve a Business Combination.

          11. The undersigned authorizes any employer, financial institution, or
consumer credit reporting agency to release to EBC and its legal representatives
or agents



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 4


(including any investigative search firm retained by EBC) any information they
may have about the undersigned's background and finances ("Information").
Neither EBC nor its agents shall be violating the undersigned's right of privacy
in any manner in requesting and obtaining the Information and the undersigned
hereby releases them from liability for any damage whatsoever in that
connection.

          12. This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of
the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees
that any action, proceeding or claim against him arising out of or relating in
any way to this letter agreement (a "Proceeding") shall be brought and enforced
in the courts of the State of New York of the United States of America for the
Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction,
which jurisdiction shall be exclusive, (ii) waives any objection to such
exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum and
(iii) irrevocably agrees to appoint Graubard Miller as agent for the service of
process in the State of New York to receive, for the undersigned and on his
behalf, service of process in any Proceeding. If for any reason such agent is
unable to act as such, the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and EBC
and appoint a substitute agent acceptable to each of the Company and EBC within
30 days and nothing in this letter will affect the right of either party to
serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

          13. As used herein, (i) a "Business Combination" shall mean an
acquisition by merger, capital stock exchange, asset or stock acquisition,
reorganization or otherwise, of an operating business; (ii) "Insiders" shall
mean all officers, directors and stockholders of the Company immediately prior
to the IPO; (iii) "Insider Shares" shall mean all of the shares of Common Stock
of the Company owned by an Insider prior to the IPO; and (iv) "IPO Shares" shall
mean the shares of Common Stock issued in the Company's IPO.

                                        Don K. Rice
                                        Print Name of Insider


                                        /s/ Don K. Rice
                                        ---------------------------------
                                        Signature



EXHIBIT A

     DON K. RICE has been our chairman of the board, chief executive officer,
president and treasurer since our inception. Mr. Rice was a co-founder and has
been a managing partner of RSTW Partners since 1989. RSTW Partners is a
privately held firm that, through limited partnerships, invests primarily in the
subordinated debt of middle market companies located throughout the United
States. Prior to forming RSTW Partners, from 1986 to December 1988, Mr. Rice was
affiliated with First Texas Merchant Banking Group, a firm which specialized in
providing subordinated debt financing, and was its vice president from 1986 to
1988 and president and chief executive officer from May 1988 to December 1988.
He was also vice president of PruCapital, Inc., an investment subsidiary of The
Prudential Insurance Company of America, from March 1984 to April 1986. Mr. Rice
has served as a member of the board of directors of NationsHealth, Inc. since
its inception in August 2003. NationsHealth is a Nasdaq listed company that,
through its wholly owned subsidiary, NationsHealth L.L.C., provides medical
products and pharmacy benefits to Medicare participants and other senior
citizens. NationsHealth, Inc. was originally known as Millstream Acquisition
Corporation, a blank check company with an objective to acquire an operating
business with significant growth potential. Mr. Rice has also served as a member
of the board of directors of Millstream II Acquisition Corporation, an OTC
Bulletin Board listed blank check company formed to serve as a vehicle for the
acquisition of an operating business, since its inception in September 2004. Mr.
Rice received a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Texas.

EX-10.2

                                                                January 13, 2006

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
275 Madison Avenue
Suite 1203
New York, New York 10016

          Re: Initial Public Offering

Gentlemen:

          The undersigned stockholder and director of Ascend Acquisition Corp.
("Company"), in consideration of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. ("EBC") entering into a
letter of intent ("Letter of Intent") to underwrite an initial public offering
of the securities of the Company ("IPO") and embarking on the IPO process,
hereby agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in
paragraph 13 hereof):

          1. If the Company solicits approval of its stockholders of a Business
Combination, the undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by him in
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO Shares.

          2. In the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business
Combination within 18 months from the effective date ("Effective Date") of the
registration statement relating to the IPO (or 24 months under the circumstances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO), the undersigned will (i) cause
the Trust Fund (as defined in the Letter of Intent) to be liquidated and
distributed to the holders of IPO Shares and (ii) take all reasonable actions
within his power to cause the Company to liquidate as soon as reasonably
practicable. The undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or
claim of any kind in or to any distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining
net assets of the Company as a result of such liquidation with respect to his
Insider Shares ("Claim") and hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in
the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with
the Company and



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 2


will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.

          3. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not
consummate any Business Combination which involves a company which is affiliated
with any of the Insiders unless the Company obtains an opinion from an
independent investment banking firm reasonably acceptable to EBC that the
business combination is fair to the Company's stockholders from a financial
perspective.

          4. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the
undersigned, nor any affiliate ("Affiliate") of the undersigned will be entitled
to receive and will not accept any compensation for services rendered to the
Company prior to or in connection with the consummation of the Business
Combination; provided that the undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement
from the Company for his out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with
seeking and consummating a Business Combination.

          5. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the
undersigned, nor any Affiliate of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or
accept a finder's fee or any other compensation in the event the undersigned,
any member of the family of the undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned
originates a Business Combination.

          6. The undersigned will escrow his Insider Shares for the three year
period commencing on the Effective Date subject to the terms of a Stock Escrow
Agreement which the Company will enter into with the undersigned and an escrow
agent acceptable to the Company.

          7. The undersigned agrees to be a Director of the Company until the
earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the
liquidation of the Company. The undersigned's biographical information furnished
to the Company and EBC and attached hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in
all respects, does not omit any material information with respect to the
undersigned's background and



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 3


contains all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of
Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The undersigned's
Questionnaire furnished to the Company and EBC and annexed as Exhibit B hereto
is true and accurate in all respects. The undersigned represents and warrants
that:

     (a) he is not subject to, or a respondent in, any legal action for, any
injunction, cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain
from any act or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;

     (b) he has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i)
involving any fraud or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of
funds of another person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities
and he is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and

     (c) he has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any
securities or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or
commodities license or registration denied, suspended or revoked.

          8. The undersigned has full right and power, without violating any
agreement by which he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve
as a Director of the Company.

          9. The undersigned hereby waives his right to exercise conversion
rights with respect to any shares of the Company's common stock owned or to be
owned by the undersigned, directly or indirectly, and agrees that he will not
seek conversion with respect to such shares in connection with any vote to
approve a Business Combination.

         10. The Company acknowledges that the undersigned is the chief
executive officer of Wind River Holdings, L.P., which provides management
services to certain trusts and is also a trustee and a beneficiary of these
trusts, and that a core activity of Wind River Holdings, L.P., on behalf of
these trusts, is to source and evaluate appropriate businesses for acquisition
by these trusts. The Company agrees that Mr. Ball will not be restricted from
pursuing acquisitions for these trusts, rather than presenting them to the
Company, provided that Mr. Ball did not become aware of the opportunity by
virtue of the resources of the Company. The foregoing shall apply irrespective
of whether Mr. Ball has a fiduciary or contractual obligation to Wind River
Holdings, L.P. or these trusts.

          11. The undersigned authorizes any employer, financial institution, or
consumer credit reporting agency to release to EBC and its legal representatives
or agents (including any investigative search firm retained by EBC) any
information they may have about the undersigned's background and finances
("Information"). Neither EBC nor its agents shall be violating the undersigned's
right of privacy in any manner in requesting and obtaining the Information and
the undersigned hereby releases them from liability for any damage whatsoever in
that connection.

          12. This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of
the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees
that any action, proceeding or claim against him arising out of or relating in
any way to this letter agreement (a "Proceeding")



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 4


shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York of the
United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably
submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive and (ii)
waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts
represent an inconvenient forum. Nothing in this letter will affect the right of
either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

          13. As used herein, (i) a "Business Combination" shall mean an
acquisition by merger, capital stock exchange, asset or stock acquisition,
reorganization or otherwise, of an operating business; (ii) "Insiders" shall
mean all officers, directors and stockholders of the Company immediately prior
to the IPO; (iii) "Insider Shares" shall mean all of the shares of Common Stock
of the Company owned by an Insider prior to the IPO; and (iv) "IPO Shares" shall
mean the shares of Common Stock issued in the Company's IPO.

                                        Russell C. Ball III
                                        Print Name of Insider


                                        /s/ Russell C. Ball III
                                        -----------------------------
                                        Signature



EXHIBIT A

     RUSSELL C. BALL III has been a member of our board of directors since our
inception. Mr. Ball has served since May 1993 as the chief executive officer of
Wind River Holdings, L.P. (formerly the AMC Group, L.P.), a privately owned
company which provides management services to interests of the Ball family
trust. These interests currently include several operating companies, including:
Philadelphia Mixing Solutions (agitators for the water treatment and chemical
industries); Philadelphia Gear Corporation (high performance gears and gear
drives); Samson Rope Technologies, Inc. (high performance cordage); Goddard
Systems, Inc. (franchised child care centers); and AMC Delancey Group, Inc.
(real estate). Mr. Ball currently sits on the Board of Governors of Merion Golf
Club and serves on its Membership Committee. He is also a member of the Board of
Trustees of The Haverford School, where he heads the Development Committee and
serves on the Trusteeship Committee. Mr. Ball received a B.A. from Harvard
University and an M.B.A. from Pennsylvania State University.

EX-10.3

                                                                January 30, 2006

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
275 Madison Avenue
Suite 1203
New York, New York 10016

          Re: Initial Public Offering

Gentlemen:

          The undersigned stockholder, officer and director of Ascend
Acquisition Corp. ("Company"), in consideration of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
("EBC") entering into a letter of intent ("Letter of Intent") to underwrite an
initial public offering of the securities of the Company ("IPO") and embarking
on the IPO process, hereby agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used
herein are defined in paragraph 13 hereof):

          1. If the Company solicits approval of its stockholders of a Business
Combination, the undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by him in
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO Shares.

          2. In the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business
Combination within 18 months from the effective date ("Effective Date") of the
registration statement relating to the IPO (or 24 months under the circumstances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO), the undersigned will (i) cause
the Trust Fund (as defined in the Letter of Intent) to be liquidated and
distributed to the holders of IPO Shares and (ii) take all reasonable actions
within his power to cause the Company to liquidate as soon as reasonably
practicable. The undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or
claim of any kind in or to any distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining
net assets of the Company as a result of such liquidation with respect to his
Insider Shares ("Claim") and hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in
the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with
the Company and



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 30, 2006
Page 2


will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.

          3. In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may
arise from multiple affiliations, the undersigned agrees to present to the
Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or
entity, any suitable opportunity to acquire an operating business, until the
earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the
liquidation of the Company or until such time as the undersigned ceases to be an
officer or director of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary and
contractual obligations the undersigned might have.

          4. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not
consummate any Business Combination which involves a company which is affiliated
with any of the Insiders unless the Company obtains an opinion from an
independent investment banking firm reasonably acceptable to EBC that the
business combination is fair to the Company's stockholders from a financial
perspective.

          5. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the
undersigned, nor any affiliate ("Affiliate") of the undersigned will be entitled
to receive and will not accept any compensation for services rendered to the
Company prior to or in connection with the consummation of the Business
Combination; provided that the undersigned shall be entitled to reimbursement
from the Company for his out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with
seeking and consummating a Business Combination.

          6. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the
undersigned, nor any Affiliate of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or
accept a finder's fee or any other compensation in the event the undersigned,
any member of the family of the undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned
originates a Business Combination.

          7. The undersigned will escrow his Insider Shares for the three year
period commencing on the Effective Date subject to the terms of a Stock Escrow
Agreement which the Company will enter into with the undersigned and an escrow
agent acceptable to the Company.

          8. The undersigned agrees to be Secretary and a Director of the
Company until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business
Combination or the liquidation of the Company. The undersigned's biographical
information furnished to the Company and EBC and attached hereto as Exhibit A is
true and accurate in all respects, does not omit any material information with
respect to the



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 30, 2006
Page 3


undersigned's background and contains all of the information required to be
disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933. The undersigned's Questionnaire furnished to the Company
and EBC and annexed as Exhibit B hereto is true and accurate in all respects.
The undersigned represents and warrants that:

     (a) he is not subject to, or a respondent in, any legal action for, any
injunction, cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain
from any act or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;

     (b) he has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i)
involving any fraud or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of
funds of another person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities
and he is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and

     (c) he has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any
securities or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or
commodities license or registration denied, suspended or revoked.

          9. The undersigned has full right and power, without violating any
agreement by which he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve
as Secretary and a Director of the Company.

          10. The undersigned hereby waives his right to exercise conversion
rights with respect to any shares of the Company's common stock owned or to be
owned by the undersigned, directly or indirectly, and agrees that he will not
seek conversion with respect to such shares in connection with any vote to
approve a Business Combination.

          11. The undersigned authorizes any employer, financial institution, or
consumer credit reporting agency to release to EBC and its legal representatives
or agents (including any investigative search firm retained by EBC) any
information they may have about the undersigned's background and finances
("Information"). Neither EBC nor its agents shall be violating the undersigned's
right of privacy in any manner in requesting and obtaining the Information and
the undersigned hereby releases them from liability for any damage whatsoever in
that connection.

          12. This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of
the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees
that any action, proceeding or claim



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 30, 2006
Page 4


against him arising out of or relating in any way to this letter agreement (a
"Proceeding") shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New
York of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and
irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive,
(ii) waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts
represent an inconvenient forum and (iii) irrevocably agrees to appoint Graubard
Miller as agent for the service of process in the State of New York to receive,
for the undersigned and on his behalf, service of process in any Proceeding. If
for any reason such agent is unable to act as such, the undersigned will
promptly notify the Company and EBC and appoint a substitute agent acceptable to
each of the Company and EBC within 30 days and nothing in this letter will
affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted
by law.

          13. As used herein, (i) a "Business Combination" shall mean an
acquisition by merger, capital stock exchange, asset or stock acquisition,
reorganization or otherwise, of an operating business; (ii) "Insiders" shall
mean all officers, directors and stockholders of the Company immediately prior
to the IPO; (iii) "Insider Shares" shall mean all of the shares of Common Stock
of the Company owned by an Insider prior to the IPO; and (iv) "IPO Shares" shall
mean the shares of Common Stock issued in the Company's IPO.

                                        Stephen L. Brown
                                        Print Name of Insider


                                        /s/ Stephen L. Brown
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Signature



EXHIBIT A

     STEPHEN L. BROWN has been our secretary and a member of our board of
directors since our inception. Since October 2004, Mr. Brown has served as
chairman of the board of Brimco LLC, a private investment firm. From October
1986 to October 2004, Mr. Brown served as chairman of the board and chief
executive officer of The Franklin Capital Corp. (now Patient Safety
Technologies, Inc.), an American Stock Exchange listed investment company. From
January 1983 to June 1997, Mr. Brown was also the founder and chairman of the
board of S.L. Brown & Company, Inc., a private equity firm. Mr. Brown is a
member of the board of directors of U.S. Energy Systems, Inc., a Nasdaq Capital
Markets listed provider of thermal and electrical energy and energy outsourcing,
and of Copley Financial Services Corp., a mutual fund specializing in the energy
sector. In addition, Mr. Brown is an active board member and trustee of The
Peddie School. Mr. Brown received a B.A. from Brown University and a J.D. from
the New York University School of Law.

EX-10.4

                                                                January 13, 2006

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 4002
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
275 Madison Avenue
Suite 1203
New York, New York 10016

          Re: Initial Public Offering

Gentlemen:

          The undersigned stockholder and special advisor of Ascend Acquisition
Corp. ("Company"), in consideration of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. ("EBC") entering
into a letter of intent ("Letter of Intent") to underwrite an initial public
offering of the securities of the Company ("IPO") and embarking on the IPO
process, hereby agrees as follows (certain capitalized terms used herein are
defined in paragraph 12 hereof):

          1. If the Company solicits approval of its stockholders of a Business
Combination, the undersigned will vote all Insider Shares owned by him in
accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the holders of the IPO Shares.

          2. In the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business
Combination within 18 months from the effective date ("Effective Date") of the
registration statement relating to the IPO (or 24 months under the circumstances
described in the prospectus relating to the IPO), the undersigned will vote all
Insider Shares owned by him in favor of the Company's decision to liquidate. The
undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any
kind in or to any distribution of cash, property or other assets ("Fund") as a
result of such liquidation with respect to his Insider Shares ("Claim") and
hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in the future as a result of,
or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not
seek recourse against the Fund for any reason whatsoever.

          3. The undersigned will not submit to the Company for consideration,



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 2


or vote for the approval of, any Business Combination which involves a company
which is affiliated with any of the Insiders unless the Company obtains an
opinion from an independent investment banking firm reasonably acceptable to EBC
that the business combination is fair to the Company's stockholders from a
financial perspective.

          4. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the
undersigned, nor any affiliate ("Affiliate") of the undersigned will be entitled
to receive and will not accept any compensation for services rendered to the
Company prior to or in connection with the consummation of the Business
Combination; provided that commencing on the Effective Date, 400 Building LLC
("Related Party"), shall be allowed to charge the Company $7,500 per month,
representing an allocable share of Related Party's overhead, to compensate it
for the Company's use of Related Party's offices, utilities and personnel.
Related Party and the undersigned shall also be entitled to reimbursement from
the Company for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with seeking
and consummating a Business Combination.

          5. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the
undersigned, or any Affiliate of the undersigned will be entitled to receive or
accept a finder's fee or any other compensation in the event the undersigned,
any member of the family of the undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned
originates a Business Combination.

          6. The undersigned will escrow his Insider Shares for the three year
period commencing on the Effective Date subject to the terms of a Stock Escrow
Agreement which the Company will enter into with the undersigned and an escrow
agent acceptable to the Company.

          7. The undersigned agrees to be a Special Advisor of the Company until
the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the
liquidation of the Company. The undersigned's biographical information furnished
to the Company and EBC and attached hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in
all respects, does not omit any material information with respect to the
undersigned's background and contains all of the information required to be
disclosed pursuant to Item 401 of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933. The undersigned's Questionnaire furnished to the Company
and EBC and annexed as Exhibit B hereto is true and accurate in all respects.
The undersigned represents and warrants that:

     (a) is not subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any
injunction, cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain
from any act or practice relating to the offering of securities in any
jurisdiction;



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 3


     (b) has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i)
involving any fraud or (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of
funds of another person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities
and he is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding; and

     (c) has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities
or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities
license or registration denied, suspended or revoked.

          8. The undersigned has full right and power, without violating any
agreement by which he is bound, to enter into this letter agreement and to serve
as a Special Advisor to the Company.

          9. The undersigned hereby waives his right to exercise conversion
rights with respect to any shares of the Company's common stock owned or to be
owned by the undersigned, directly or indirectly, and agrees that he will not
seek conversion with respect to such shares in connection with any vote to
approve a Business Combination.

          10. The undersigned authorizes any employer, financial institution, or
consumer credit reporting agency to release to EBC and its legal representatives
or agents (including any investigative search firm retained by EBC) any
information they may have about his background and finances ("Information").
Neither EBC nor its agents shall be violating the undersigned's right of privacy
in any manner in requesting and obtaining the Information and the undersigned
hereby releases them from liability for any damage whatsoever in that
connection.

          11. This letter agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of
the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby (i) agrees
that any action, proceeding or claim against him arising out of or relating in
any way to this letter agreement (a "Proceeding") shall be brought and enforced
in the courts of the State of New York of the United States of America for the
Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction,
which jurisdiction shall be exclusive, (ii) waives any objection to such
exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum and
(iii) irrevocably agrees to appoint Graubard Miller as agent for the service of
process in the State of New York to receive, for the undersigned and on his
behalf, service of process in any Proceeding. If for any reason such agent is
unable to act as such, the undersigned will promptly notify the Company and EBC
and appoint a substitute agent acceptable to



Ascend Acquisition Corp.
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
January 13, 2006
Page 4


each of the Company and EBC within 30 days and nothing in this letter will
affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted
by law.

          12. As used herein, (i) a "Business Combination" shall mean an
acquisition by merger, capital stock exchange, asset or stock acquisition,
reorganization or otherwise, of an operating business selected by the Company;
(ii) "Insiders" shall mean all officers, directors and stockholders of the
Company immediately prior to the IPO; (iii) "Insider Shares" shall mean all of
the shares of Common Stock of the Company owned by an Insider prior to the IPO;
and (iv) "IPO Shares" shall mean the shares of Common Stock issued in the
Company's IPO.

                                        Arthur Spector
                                        Print Name of Insider


                                        /s/ Arthur Spector
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Signature



EXHIBIT A

     ARTHUR SPECTOR has served as our special advisor since our inception. Mr.
Spector has served as chairman of the board of NationsHealth, Inc. since its
inception in August 2003 and served as its chief executive officer and president
from August 2003 until August 2004. Since September 2004, Mr. Spector has also
been the chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of
Millstream II Acquisition Corporation. From March 1995 to October 2002, Mr.
Spector served as chairman of the board of Neoware Systems, Inc. ("Neoware
Systems"), a manufacturer of sophisticated computer appliances and related
software, and he also served as its president and chief executive officer from
May 1996 until June 1997. Neoware Systems was originally known as Information
Systems Acquisition Corp., a blank check company with an objective to acquire an
operating business in the information systems industry. Information Systems
Acquisition Corp. was formed in 1992 and from its inception until it merged with
Human Designed Systems, Inc. in March 1995, Mr. Spector was its chairman of the
board, president and chief executive officer. In this role, Mr. Spector directed
the completion of a public offering that raised gross proceeds of approximately
$13.8 million. Mr. Spector has served as a director of Docucorp International,
Inc., a public document automation company, since May 1997. Mr. Spector has also
been a director of Metallurg Holdings, Inc. and Metallurg, Inc. since July 1998
and has been executive vice president of Metallurg Holdings, Inc. since July
1998 and treasurer since August 2000. He was elected vice chairman of the board
of Metallurg Holdings, Inc. and Metallurg, Inc. in November 2002. Metallurg
Holdings, Inc. is the holding company for Metallurg, Inc., a company that
produces and sells specialty metals, alloys and chemicals. From 1998 to 2002,
Mr. Spector served as a director of USDATA Corporation, a global supplier of
component-based production software. Mr. Spector received a B.S. from the
Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from The
University of Pennsylvania Law School.

     In addition to Mr. Spector's experience described above, he has had
significant experience in mergers and acquisitions and managing private equity
funds. Since January 1997, he has served as managing director of the general
partner and of the management company of Safeguard International Fund, L.P., a
private equity fund investing primarily in controlling positions in industrial
companies in North America and Europe. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Spector served as
director of acquisitions of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a public company that
owns controlling interests in and operates numerous private companies. From 1997
to 1998, Mr. Spector served as a managing director of TL Ventures LLC, whose
present successor is TL Ventures L.P., a fund management company organized to
manage the day-to-day operations of several of the TL Ventures funds which
invest in companies in the internet, software, information technology,
communications and life sciences industries.

EX-10.5

                      INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT

          This Agreement is made as of _____________, 2006 by and between Ascend
Acquisition Corp. (the "Company") and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
("Trustee").

          WHEREAS, the Company's registration statement on Form S-1, No.
333-_______ ("Registration Statement"), for its initial public offering of
securities ("IPO") has been declared effective as of the date hereof ("Effective
Date") by the Securities and Exchange Commission (capitalized terms used herein
and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Registration
Statement); and

          WHEREAS, EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. ("EBC") is acting as the
representative of the underwriters in the IPO; and

          WHEREAS, as described in the Registration Statement, and in accordance
with the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, $19,360,004 of the gross
proceeds of the IPO and sale of the Insider Units (as defined in the
Registration Statement) ($22,163,004 if the underwriters over-allotment option
is exercised in full) will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held
in a trust account for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the
Company's common stock, par value $.0001 per share, issued in the IPO as
hereinafter provided and in the event the Units are registered in Colorado,
pursuant to Section 11-51-302(6) of the Colorado Revised Statutes. A copy of the
Colorado Statute is attached hereto and made a part hereof (the amount to be
delivered to the Trustee will be referred to herein as the "Property"; the
stockholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be
referred to as the "Public Stockholders," and the Public Stockholders and the
Company will be referred to together as the "Beneficiaries"); and

          WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this
Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee
shall hold the Property;

          IT IS AGREED:

1. Agreements and Covenants of Trustee. The Trustee hereby agrees and covenants
to:

          (a) Hold the Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, including the terms of Section 11-51-302(6) of
the Colorado Statute, in a segregated trust account ("Trust Account")
established by the Trustee;

          (b) Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein;

          (c) In a timely manner, upon the instruction of the Company, to invest
and reinvest the Property in United States "government securities" within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a
maturity of 180 days or less;

          (d) Collect and receive, when due, all principal and income arising
from the Property, which shall become part of the "Property," as such term is
used herein;



          (e) Notify the Company of all communications received by it with
respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;

          (f) Supply any necessary information or documents as may be requested
by the Company in connection with the Company's preparation of its returns;

          (g) Participate in any plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing
any right or interest arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by
the Company to do so;

          (h) Render to the Company and to EBC, and to such other person as the
Company may instruct, monthly written statements of the activities of and
amounts in the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the
Trust Account; and

          (i) Commence liquidation of the Trust Account only after and promptly
after receipt of, and only in accordance with, the terms of a letter
("Termination Letter"), in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto
as either Exhibit A or Exhibit B hereto, signed on behalf of the Company by its
President or Chairman of the Board and Secretary or Assistant Secretary and
affirmed by counsel for the Company, and complete the liquidation of the Trust
Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account only as directed in the
Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein; provided,
however, that in the event that a Termination Letter has not been received by
the Trustee by the 18-month anniversary of the closing ("Closing") of the IPO
("First Date"), or the 24-month anniversary of the Closing ("Last Date") in the
event that a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement
for a Business Combination has been executed on or prior to the First Date but
the Business Combination has not been consummated by the First Date, the Trust
Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B hereto to the stockholders of record on
the record date established by the Company for such purpose. The Company shall
set the record date to be within ten days of the Last Date, or as soon
thereafter as reasonably practicable and legally permissible. In all cases, the
Trustee shall provide EBC with a copy of any Termination Letters and/or any
other correspondence that it receives with respect to any proposed withdrawal
from the Trust Account promptly after it receives same.

2. Agreements and Covenants of the Company. The Company hereby agrees and
covenants to:

          (a) Give all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed
by the Company's Chairman of the Board or President. In addition, except with
respect to its duties under paragraph 1(i) above, the Trustee shall be entitled
to rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic
advice or instruction which it in good faith believes to be given by any one of
the persons authorized above to give written instructions, provided that the
Company shall promptly confirm such instructions in writing;

          (b) Hold the Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and
against, any and all expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and
disbursements, or loss suffered by the


                                       2



Trustee in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding brought against
the Trustee involving any claim, or in connection with any claim or demand which
in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the
Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any income earned from investment of the
Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of
notice of demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding,
pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification under this
paragraph, it shall notify the Company in writing of such claim (hereinafter
referred to as the "Indemnified Claim"). The Trustee shall have the right to
conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim, provided, that
the Trustee shall obtain the consent of the Company with respect to the
selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The
Trustee may not agree to settle any Indemnified Claim without the prior written
consent of the Company unless such settlement includes a full release of the
Company with respect to such Indemnified Claim. The Company may participate in
such action with its own counsel;

          (c) Pay the Trustee an initial acceptance fee of $1,000 and an annual
fee of $3,000 (it being expressly understood that the Property shall not be used
to pay such fee). The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee
and first year's fee at the consummation of the IPO and thereafter on the
anniversary of the Effective Date. The Trustee shall refund to the Company the
fee (on a pro rata basis) with respect to any period after the liquidation of
the Trust Fund. The Company shall not be responsible for any other fees or
charges of the Trustee except as may be provided in paragraph 2(b) hereof (it
being expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to make any
payments to the Trustee under such paragraph);

          (d) Provide to the Trustee any letter of intent, agreement in
principle or definitive agreement for a Business Combination that is executed on
or prior to the First Date; and

          (e) In connection with any vote of the Company's stockholders
regarding a Business Combination, provide to the Trustee an affidavit or
certificate of a firm regularly engaged in the business of soliciting proxies
and/or tabulating stockholder votes (which firm may be the Trustee) verifying
the vote of the Company's stockholders regarding such Business Combination.

3. Limitations of Liability. The Trustee shall have no responsibility or
liability to:

          (a) Take any action with respect to the Property, other than as
directed in paragraph 1 hereof and the Trustee shall have no liability to any
party except for liability arising out of its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct;

          (b) Institute any proceeding for the collection of any principal and
income arising from, or institute, appear in or defend any proceeding of any
kind with respect to, any of the Property unless and until it shall have
received instructions from the Company given as provided herein to do so and the
Company shall have advanced or guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any
expenses incident thereto;

          (c) Change the investment of any Property, other than in compliance
with


                                       3



paragraph 1(c);

          (d) Refund any depreciation in principal of any Property;

          (e) Assume that the authority of any person designated by the Company
to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise
in such designation, or unless the Company shall have delivered a written
revocation of such authority to the Trustee;

          (f) The other parties hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or
omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good
faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, except for its gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be
protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or
advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Trustee), statement,
instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution
and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth
and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is believed by the
Trustee, in good faith, to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the
proper person or persons. The Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or
demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement
or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a written instrument delivered
to the Trustee signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or
rights of the Trustee are affected, unless it shall give its prior written
consent thereto;

          (g) Verify the correctness of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement or to confirm or assure that any acquisition made by the
Company or any other action taken by it is as contemplated by the Registration
Statement; and

          (h) Pay any taxes on behalf of the Trust Account (it being expressly
understood that the Property shall not be used to pay any such taxes and that
such taxes, if any, shall be paid by the Company from funds not held in the
Trust Account).

4. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate as follows:

          (a) If the Trustee gives written notice to the Company that it desires
to resign under this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to
locate a successor trustee. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee
that a successor trustee has been appointed by the Company and has agreed to
become subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall transfer the
management of the Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not
limited to the transfer of copies of the reports and statements relating to the
Trust Account, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate; provided, however,
that, in the event that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within
ninety days of receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee
may submit an application to have the Property deposited with the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit, the
Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever; or

          (b) At such time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the
Trust Account in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1(i) hereof, and
distributed the Property in


                                       4



accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this Agreement shall
terminate except with respect to Paragraph 2(b).

5. Miscellaneous.

          (a) The Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the Trustee will
follow the security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred
from the Trust Account. Upon receipt of written instructions, the Trustee will
confirm such instructions with an Authorized Individual at an Authorized
Telephone Number listed on the attached Exhibit C. The Company and the Trustee
will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security
procedures to authorized persons. Each party must notify the other party
immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained
access to such information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In
executing funds transfers, the Trustee will rely upon account numbers or other
identifying numbers of a beneficiary, beneficiary's bank or intermediary bank,
rather than names. The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or
expense resulting from any error in an account number or other identifying
number, provided it has accurately transmitted the numbers provided.

          (b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the
substantive laws of another jurisdiction. It may be executed in several original
or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and
together shall constitute but one instrument.

          (c) This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or
any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified by a writing
signed by each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that no such change,
amendment or modification may be made without the prior written consent of EBC.
As to any claim, cross-claim or counterclaim in any way relating to this
Agreement, each party waives the right to trial by jury.

          (d) The parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any
state or federal court located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan,
for purposes of resolving any disputes hereunder.

          (e) Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any
of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail
(return receipt requested), by hand delivery or by facsimile transmission:

          if to the Trustee, to:


                                       5



               Continental Stock Transfer
                  & Trust Company
               17 Battery Place
               New York, New York 10004
               Attn: Steven G. Nelson
               Fax No.: (212) 509-5150

          if to the Company, to:

               Ascend Acquisition Corp.
               435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
               Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
               Attn: Don K. Rice, Chief Executive Officer
               Fax No.: (___) ___-____

          in either case with a copy to:

               EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
               275 Madison Avenue, Suite 1203
               New York, New York 10016
               Attn: David M. Nussbaum
               Fax No.: (212) 269-3796

          (f) This Agreement may not be assigned by the Trustee without the
prior consent of the Company.

          (g) Each of the Trustee and the Company hereby represents that it has
the full right and power and has been duly authorized to enter into this
Agreement and to perform its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder.
The Trustee acknowledges and agrees that it shall not make any claims or proceed
against the Trust Account, including by way of set-off, and shall not be
entitled to any funds in the Trust Account under any circumstance.

          (h) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby acknowledge that EBC is
a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.


                                       6



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Investment
Management Trust Agreement as of the date first written above.

                                        CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST
                                        COMPANY, as Trustee


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Don K. Rice
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                       7



                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                             [LETTERHEAD OF COMPANY]

                                  [INSERT DATE]

Continental Stock Transfer
   & Trust Company
17 Battery Place
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Steven Nelson

          Re: Trust Account No. 530- ___________ Termination Letter

Gentlemen:

          Pursuant to paragraph 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust
Agreement between Ascend Acquisition Corp. ("Company") and Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company ("Trustee"), dated as of __________, 2006 ("Trust
Agreement"), this is to advise you that the Company has entered into an
agreement ("Business Agreement") with __________________ ("Target Business") to
consummate a business combination with Target Business ("Business Combination")
on or about [INSERT DATE]. The Company shall notify you at least 48 hours in
advance of the actual date of the consummation of the Business Combination
("Consummation Date").

          In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby
authorize you to commence liquidation of the Trust Account to the effect that,
on the Consummation Date, all of funds held in the Trust Account will be
immediately available for transfer to the account or accounts that the Company
shall direct on the Consummation Date.

          On the Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to
you written notification that (a) the Business Combination has been consummated
and (b) the provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of the Colorado
Statute have been met, and (ii) the Company shall deliver to you (a) [an
affidavit] [a certificate] of __________________, which verifies the vote of the
Company's stockholders in connection with the Business Combination and (b)
written instructions with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust
Account ("Instruction Letter"). You are hereby directed and authorized to
transfer the funds held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of
the counsel's letter and the Instruction Letter, in accordance with the terms of
the Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust
Account may not be liquidated by the Consummation Date without penalty, you will
notify the Company of the same and the Company shall direct you as to whether
such funds should remain in the Trust Account and distributed after the
Consummation Date to the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds in the
Trust Account pursuant to the terms hereof, the Trust Agreement shall be
terminated.

          In the event that the Business Combination is not consummated on the
Consummation Date described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you
on or before the original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then the
funds held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in the Trust
Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set
forth in the notice.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                       8



                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Don K. Rice, Chairman of the Board


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Stephen L. Brown, Secretary

cc: EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.


                                       9



                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                             [LETTERHEAD OF COMPANY]

                                  [INSERT DATE]

Continental Stock Transfer
   & Trust Company
17 Battery Place
New York, New York 10004
Attn:

          Re: Trust Account No. 530- ___________ Termination Letter

Gentlemen:

          Pursuant to paragraph 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust
Agreement between Ascend Acquisition Corp. ("Company") and Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company ("Trustee"), dated as of ___________, 2006 ("Trust
Agreement"), this is to advise you that the Company has been unable to effect a
Business Combination with a Target Company within the time frame specified in
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as described in the Company's
prospectus relating to its IPO.

          In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby (a)
certify to you that the provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of
the Colorado Statute have been met and (b) authorize you, to commence
liquidation of the Trust Account. The Company will establish a record date for
the purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive their share of
liquidation proceeds. The record date shall be within ten (10) days of the date
of this letter or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable and legally
permissible. You will notify the Company in writing as to when all of the funds
in the Trust Account will be available for immediate transfer ("Transfer Date")
in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company. You shall commence distribution of such funds in
accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company and you shall oversee the distribution of the
funds. Upon the distribution of all the funds in the Trust Account, your
obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Don K. Rice, Chairman of the Board


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------


                                       10



                                            Stephen L. Brown, Secretary

cc: EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.


                                       11



                                                                       EXHIBIT C

AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUAL(S)                        AUTHORIZED
FOR TELEPHONE CALL BACK                         TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)

COMPANY:

Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
Attn: Don K. Rice, Chief Executive Officer      (610) 293-2512

TRUSTEE:

Continental Stock Transfer
   & Trust Company
17 Battery Place
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Steven G. Nelson, Chairman                (212) 845-3200


                                       12

EX-10.6

                             STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT

          STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of _____________, 2006 ("Agreement"),
by and among ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), DON
K. RICE, RUSSELL C. BALL III, STEPHEN L. BROWN and ARTHUR SPECTOR (collectively
"Initial Stockholders") and CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, a New
York corporation ("Escrow Agent").

          WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement, dated
__________, 2006 ("Underwriting Agreement"), with EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
("EBC"), pursuant to which, among other matters, EBC has agreed to purchase
3,500,000 units ("Units") of the Company. Each Unit consists of one share of the
Company's common stock, par value $.0001 per share ("Common Stock"), and two
Warrants, each Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock, all as more fully
described in the Company's final Prospectus, dated _________, 2006
("Prospectus") comprising part of the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (File No. 333-_______) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
("Registration Statement"), declared effective on ________, 2006 ("Effective
Date").

          WHEREAS, the Initial Stockholders have agreed as a condition of the
sale of the Units to deposit their shares of Common Stock of the Company, as set
forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively
"Escrow Shares"), in escrow as hereinafter provided.

          WHEREAS, the Company and the Initial Stockholders desire that the
Escrow Agent accept the Escrow Shares, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as
hereinafter provided.

          IT IS AGREED:

     1. Appointment of Escrow Agent. The Company and the Initial Stockholders
hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act in accordance with and subject to the
terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and
agrees to act in accordance with and subject to such terms.

     2. Deposit of Escrow Shares. On or before the Effective Date, each of the
Initial Stockholders shall deliver to the Escrow Agent certificates representing
his respective Escrow Shares, to be held and disbursed subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. Each Initial Stockholder acknowledges that the
certificate representing his Escrow Shares is legended to reflect the deposit of
such Escrow Shares under this Agreement.

     3. Disbursement of the Escrow Shares. The Escrow Agent shall hold the
Escrow Shares until the third anniversary of the Effective Date ("Escrow
Period"), on which date it shall, upon written instructions from each Initial
Stockholder, disburse each of the Initial Stockholder's Escrow Shares (and any
applicable stock power) to such Initial Stockholder; provided, however, that if
the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof that
the Company is being liquidated at any time during the Escrow Period, then the
Escrow Agent shall promptly destroy the certificates representing the Escrow
Shares; provided further, however, that if, after the Company consummates a
Business Combination (as such term is defined in the Registration Statement), it
(or the surviving entity) subsequently consummates a liquidation, merger, stock
exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the stockholders
of such entity having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for
cash, securities or other



property, then the Escrow Agent will, upon receipt of a certificate, executed by
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in form reasonably acceptable to the
Escrow Agent, that such transaction is then being consummated, release the
Escrow Shares to the Initial Stockholders upon consummation of the transaction
so that they can similarly participate. The Escrow Agent shall have no further
duties hereunder after the disbursement or destruction of the Escrow Shares in
accordance with this Section 3.

     4. Rights of Initial Stockholders in Escrow Shares.

          4.1 Voting Rights as a Stockholder. Subject to the terms of the
Insider Letter described in Section 4.4 hereof and except as herein provided,
the Initial Stockholders shall retain all of their rights as stockholders of the
Company during the Escrow Period, including, without limitation, the right to
vote such shares.

          4.2 Dividends and Other Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Shares.
During the Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to the
Escrow Shares shall be paid to the Initial Stockholders, but all dividends
payable in stock or other non-cash property ("Non-Cash Dividends") shall be
delivered to the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. As
used herein, the term "Escrow Shares" shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash
Dividends distributed thereon, if any.

          4.3 Restrictions on Transfer. During the Escrow Period, no sale,
transfer or other disposition may be made of any or all of the Escrow Shares
except (i) by gift to a member of Initial Stockholder's immediate family or to a
trust, the beneficiary of which is an Initial Stockholder or a member of an
Initial Stockholder's immediate family, (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent
and distribution upon death of any Initial Stockholder, or (iii) pursuant to a
qualified domestic relations order; provided, however, that such permissive
transfers may be implemented only upon the respective transferee's written
agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and of the
Insider Letter signed by the Initial Stockholder transferring the Escrow Shares.

          4.4 Insider Letters. Each of the Initial Stockholders has executed a
letter agreement with EBC and the Company, dated as indicated on Exhibit A
hereto, and which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement ("Insider
Letter"), respecting the rights and obligations of such Initial Stockholder in
certain events, including but not limited to the liquidation of the Company.

     5. Concerning the Escrow Agent.

          5.1 Good Faith Reliance. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any
action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in the exercise of its own best
judgment, and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any
order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including
counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent), statement, instrument, report or other
paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and
effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of
any information therein contained) which is believed by the Escrow Agent to be
genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The
Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver,
modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced by a
writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and,
if the duties or rights of the Escrow


                                        2



Agent are affected, unless it shall have given its prior written consent
thereto.

          5.2 Indemnification. The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Company from and against any expenses, including counsel fees
and disbursements, or loss suffered by the Escrow Agent in connection with any
action, suit or other proceeding involving any claim which in any way, directly
or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the
Escrow Agent hereunder, or the Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than
expenses or losses arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the Escrow Agent. Promptly after the receipt by the Escrow Agent of notice of
any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, the
Escrow Agent shall notify the other parties hereto in writing. In the event of
the receipt of such notice, the Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may
commence an action in the nature of interpleader in an appropriate court to
determine ownership or disposition of the Escrow Shares or it may deposit the
Escrow Shares with the clerk of any appropriate court or it may retain the
Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final, non-appealable order of a court having
jurisdiction over all of the parties hereto directing to whom and under what
circumstances the Escrow Shares are to be disbursed and delivered. The
provisions of this Section 5.2 shall survive in the event the Escrow Agent
resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5 or 5.6 below.

          5.3 Compensation. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable
compensation from the Company for all services rendered by it hereunder. The
Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for all
expenses paid or incurred by it in the administration of its duties hereunder
including, but not limited to, all counsel, advisors' and agents' fees and
disbursements and all taxes or other governmental charges.

          5.4 Further Assurances. From time to time on and after the date
hereof, the Company and the Initial Stockholders shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Escrow Agent such further documents and instruments and shall
do or cause to be done such further acts as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably
request to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this
Agreement, to evidence compliance herewith or to assure itself that it is
protected in acting hereunder.

          5.5 Resignation. The Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be
discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder by its giving the other
parties hereto written notice and such resignation shall become effective as
hereinafter provided. Such resignation shall become effective at such time that
the Escrow Agent shall turn over to a successor escrow agent appointed by the
Company, the Escrow Shares held hereunder. If no new escrow agent is so
appointed within the 60 day period following the giving of such notice of
resignation, the Escrow Agent may deposit the Escrow Shares with any court it
reasonably deems appropriate.

          5.6 Discharge of Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall resign and be
discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing
at any time by the other parties hereto, jointly, provided, however, that such
resignation shall become effective only upon acceptance of appointment by a
successor escrow agent as provided in Section 5.5.

          5.7 Liability. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
Escrow Agent shall not be relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross
negligence or its own willful misconduct.


                                        3



     6. Miscellaneous.

          6.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to
be made under and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result
in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction.

          6.2 Intentionally Omitted.

          6.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and, except as
expressly provided herein, may not be changed or modified except by an
instrument in writing signed by the party to the charged.

          6.4 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation thereof.

          6.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the respective parties hereto and their legal representatives,
successors and assigns.

          6.6 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may
be given hereunder shall be in writing and either be delivered personally or be
mailed, certified or registered mail, or by private national courier service,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so
delivered personally or, if mailed, two days after the date of mailing, as
follows:

          If to the Company, to:

               Ascend Acquisition Corp.
               435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
               Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
               Attn: Chairman

          If to a Stockholder, to his address set forth in Exhibit A.

          and if to the Escrow Agent, to:

               Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
               17 Battery Place
               New York, New York 10004
               Attn: Chairman

A copy of any notice sent hereunder shall be sent to:

               Foley & Lardner LLP
               111 Huntington Avenue
               Boston, Massachusetts 02199
               Attn: Paul D. Broude, Esq.


                                        4



          and:

               EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
               275 Madison Avenue, Suite 1203
               New York, New York 10016
               Attn: David M. Nussbaum, Chairman

          and:

               Graubard Miller
               The Chrysler Building
               405 Lexington Avenue
               New York, New York 10174
               Attn: David Alan Miller, Esq.

          The parties may change the persons and addresses to which the notices
or other communications are to be sent by giving written notice to any such
change in the manner provided herein for giving notice.

          6.7 Liquidation of the Company. The Company shall give the Escrow
Agent written notification of the liquidation and dissolution of the Company in
the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within the
time period(s) specified in the Prospectus.


                                        5



          WITNESS the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above
written.

                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Don K. Rice
                                            Chief Executive Officer

                                            INITIAL STOCKHOLDERS:


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Don K. Rice


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Russell C. Ball III


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Stephen L. Brown


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Arthur Spector


                                            CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER
                                               & TRUST COMPANY


                                            By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


                                        6



                                    EXHIBIT A



Name and Address of Initial             Number           Stock              Date of
Stockholder                           of Shares   Certificate Number    Insider Letter
- -----------------------------------   ---------   ------------------   ----------------

Don K. Rice                            695,000            1            January 13, 2006
Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

Russell C. Ball III                     60,000            2            January 13, 2006
AMC Group
555 Croton Road
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406

Stephen L. Brown                        60,000            3            January 30, 2006
Brimco LLC
450 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Arthur Spector                          60,000            4            January 13, 2006
Safeguard International
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

EX-10.7

                           ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.




                                               _____________ ___, 2006

400 Building LLC
435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

Gentlemen:

         This letter will confirm our agreement that, commencing on the
effective date ("Effective Date") of the registration statement for the initial
public offering ("IPO") of the securities of Ascend Acquisition Corp. ("AAC")
and continuing until the earlier of the consummation by AAC of a "Business
Combination" or AAC's liquidation (as described in AAC's IPO prospectus) (the
"Termination Date"), 400 Building LLC shall make available to AAC certain office
space, utilities and secretarial support as may be required by AAC from time to
time, situated at 435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087.
In exchange therefor, AAC shall pay 400 Building LLC the sum of $7,500 per month
on the Effective Date and continuing monthly thereafter until the Termination
Date.

                                       Very truly yours,


                                       ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.



                                       By:
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Don K. Rice
                                           Title: Chief Executive Officer

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:

400 BUILDING LLC


By:
    -------------------------------
    Name:
    Title:

EX-10.8

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$80,000                                                  As of December 20, 2005
                                                         Wayne, Pennsylvania

     Ascend Acquisition Corp. ("Maker") promises to pay to the order of Don K.
Rice ("Payee") the principal sum of Eighty Thousand Dollars and No Cents
($80,000) in lawful money of the United States of America, on the terms and
conditions described below.

     1. Principal. The principal balance of this Note shall be repayable on the
earlier of (i) December 20, 2006 or (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an
initial public offering of its securities.

     2. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of
this Note.

     3. Application of Payments. All payments shall be applied first to payment
in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note,
including (without limitation) reasonable attorneys' fees, then to the payment
in full of any late charges and finally to the reduction of the unpaid principal
balance of this Note.

     4. Events of Default. The following shall constitute Events of Default:

          (a) Failure to Make Required Payments. Failure by Maker to pay the
principal of this Note within five (5) business days following the date when
due.

          (b) Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The commencement by Maker of a
voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, as now constituted or
hereafter amended, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation or other similar law, or the consent
by it to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of Maker
or for any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of any
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure of Maker generally to
pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of corporate action by
Maker in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

          (c) Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The entry of a decree or order for
relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of maker in an
involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, as now or hereafter
constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of Maker or for any substantial part
of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and
the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period
of 60 consecutive days.

     5. Remedies.

          (a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section
4(a), Payee may, by written notice to Maker, declare this Note to be due and
payable, whereupon the principal amount of this Note, and all other amounts
payable thereunder, shall become



immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice
of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything contained herein
or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary notwithstanding.

          (b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Sections
4(b) and 4(c), the unpaid principal balance of, and all other sums payable with
regard to, this Note shall automatically and immediately become due and payable,
in all cases without any action on the part of Payee.

     6. Waivers. Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for,
this Note waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest,
and notice of protest with regard to the Note, all errors, defects and
imperfections in any proceedings instituted by Payee under the terms of this
Note, and all benefits that might accrue to Maker by virtue of any present or
future laws exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the
proceeds arising from any sale of any such property, from attachment, levy or
sale under execution, or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from
civil process, or extension of time for payment; and Maker agrees that any real
estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained by virtue hereof,
on any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole
or in part in any order desired by Payee.

     7. Unconditional Liability. Maker hereby waives all notices in connection
with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the
payment of this Note, and agrees that its liability shall be unconditional,
without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in
any manner by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver or modification
granted or consented to by Payee, and consents to any and all extensions of
time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by Payee with
respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note, and agree that
additional makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto
without notice to them or affecting their liability hereunder.

     8. Notices. Any notice called for hereunder shall be deemed properly given
if (i) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, (ii) personally
delivered, (iii) dispatched by any form of private or governmental express mail
or delivery service providing receipted delivery, (iv) sent by telefacsimile or
(v) sent by e-mail, to the following addresses or to such other address as
either party may designate by notice in accordance with this Section:

     If to Maker:

          Ascend Acquisition Corp.
          435 Devon Park Drive, Building 400
          Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
          Attn.: Chief Executive Officer


                                        2



     If to Payee:

          Don K. Rice

Notice shall be deemed given on the earlier of (i) actual receipt by the
receiving party, (ii) the date shown on a telefacsimile transmission
confirmation, (iii) the date on which an e-mail transmission was received by the
receiving party's on-line access provider (iv) the date reflected on a signed
delivery receipt, or (vi) two (2) Business Days following tender of delivery or
dispatch by express mail or delivery service.

     9. Construction. This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance
with the domestic, internal law, but not the law of conflict of laws, of the
State of Pennsylvania.

     10. Severability. Any provision contained in this Note which is prohibited
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker, intending to be legally bound hereby, has caused
this Note to be duly executed by its Chief Executive Officer the day and year
first above written.

                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By: /s/ Don K. Rice
                                            ----------------------------
                                            Name: Don K. Rice
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer


                                        3

EX-10.9

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

     THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is entered into as of
the __ day of ________, 2006, by and among Ascend Acquisition Corp., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY") and the undersigned parties listed under Investor on
the signature page hereto (each, an "INVESTOR" and collectively, the
"INVESTORS").

     WHEREAS, the Investors currently hold all of the issued and outstanding
securities of the Company;

     WHEREAS, the Investors and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement
to provide the Investors with certain rights relating to the registration of
shares of Common Stock held by them;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

     1. DEFINITIONS. The following capitalized terms used herein have the
following meanings:

     "AGREEMENT" means this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or
otherwise modified from time to time.

     "COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other
federal agency then administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

     "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the
Company.

     "COMPANY" is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

     "DEMAND REGISTRATION" is defined in Section 2.1.1.

     "DEMANDING HOLDER" is defined in Section 2.1.1.

     "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the
same shall be in effect at the time.

     "FORM S-3" is defined in Section 2.3.

     "INDEMNIFIED PARTY" is defined in Section 4.3.

     "INDEMNIFYING PARTY" is defined in Section 4.3.

     "INSIDER UNITS" mean the units, each consisting of one share of Common
Stock and two warrants each to purchase one share of Common Stock, being sold
privately to certain of the Company's initial stockholders upon consummation of
the Company's initial public offering.



     "INVESTOR" is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

     "INVESTOR INDEMNIFIED PARTY" is defined in Section 4.1.

     "MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES" is defined in Section 2.1.4.

     "NOTICES" is defined in Section 6.3.

     "PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION" is defined in Section 2.2.1.

     "REGISTER," "REGISTERED" and "REGISTRATION" mean a registration effected by
preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance
with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming
effective.

     "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" mean all of the shares of Common Stock owned or
held by Investors but not including any shares of Common Stock underlying the
Insider Units. Registrable Securities include any warrants, shares of capital
stock or other securities of the Company issued as a dividend or other
distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of such shares
of Common Stock. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities
shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (a) a Registration Statement with
respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the
Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed
of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (b) such
securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for them not
bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the
Company and subsequent public distribution of them shall not require
registration under the Securities Act; (c) such securities shall have ceased to
be outstanding, or (d) the Securities and Exchange Commission makes a definitive
determination to the Company that the Registrable Securities are saleable under
Rule 144(k).

     "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement filed by the
Company with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder for a public offering and sale of Common
Stock (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or their
successors, or any registration statement covering only securities proposed to
be issued in exchange for securities or assets of another entity).

     "RELEASE DATE" means the date on which shares of Common Stock are disbursed
from escrow pursuant to Section 3 of that certain Stock Escrow Agreement dated
as of ________, 2006 by and among the parties hereto and Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company.

     "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same
shall be in effect at the time.

     "UNDERWRITER" means a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable
Securities as principal in an underwritten offering and not as part of such
dealer's market-making activities.


                                        2



     2. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

     2.1 Demand Registration.

          2.1.1. Request for Registration. At any time and from time to time on
or after the date that is three months prior to the Release Date, the holders of
a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities held by the Investors or
the transferees of the Investors, may make a written demand for registration
under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities (a
"DEMAND REGISTRATION"). Any demand for a Demand Registration shall specify the
number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and the intended
method(s) of distribution thereof. The Company will notify all holders of
Registrable Securities of the demand, and each holder of Registrable Securities
who wishes to include all or a portion of such holder's Registrable Securities
in the Demand Registration (each such holder including shares of Registrable
Securities in such registration, a "DEMANDING HOLDER") shall so notify the
Company within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by the holder of the notice
from the Company. Upon any such request, the Demanding Holders shall be entitled
to have their Registrable Securities included in the Demand Registration,
subject to Section 2.1.4 and the provisos set forth in Section 3.1.1. The
Company shall not be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of two (2)
Demand Registrations under this Section 2.1.1 in respect of Registrable
Securities.

          2.1.2. Effective Registration. A registration will not count as a
Demand Registration until the Registration Statement filed with the Commission
with respect to such Demand Registration has been declared effective and the
Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with
respect thereto; provided, however, that if, after such Registration Statement
has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to
a Demand Registration is interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the
Commission or any other governmental agency or court, the Registration Statement
with respect to such Demand Registration will be deemed not to have been
declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is
removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of
the Demanding Holders thereafter elect to continue the offering; provided,
further, that the Company shall not be obligated to file a second Registration
Statement until a Registration Statement that has been filed is counted as a
Demand Registration or is terminated.

          2.1.3. Underwritten Offering. If a majority-in-interest of the
Demanding Holders so elect and such holders so advise the Company as part of
their written demand for a Demand Registration, the offering of such Registrable
Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an
underwritten offering. In such event, the right of any holder to include its
Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such
holder's participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such holder's
Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All
Demanding Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such
underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with
the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such underwriting by a
majority-in-interest of the holders initiating the Demand Registration.

          2.1.4. Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or
Underwriters for a Demand Registration that is to be an underwritten offering
advises the Company and the Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount
or number of shares of Registrable


                                        3



Securities which the Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with all
other shares of Common Stock or other securities which the Company desires to
sell and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which registration has been
requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by
other stockholders of the Company who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar
amount or maximum number of shares that can be sold in such offering without
adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution
method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar
amount or maximum number of shares, as applicable, the "MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
SHARES"), then the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the
Registrable Securities as to which Demand Registration has been requested by the
Demanding Holders (pro rata in accordance with the number of shares that each
such Person has requested be included in such registration, regardless of the
number of shares held by each such Person (such proportion is referred to herein
as "PRO RATA")) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares;
(ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been
reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock or other
securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding
the Maximum Number of Shares; (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number
of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the
shares of Common Stock or other securities registrable pursuant to the terms of
the Unit Purchase Option issued to EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. or its designees in
connection with the Company's initial public offering (the "UNIT PURCHASE
OPTION" and such registrable securities, the "OPTION SECURITIES") as to which
"piggy-back" registration has been requested by the holders thereof, Pro Rata,
that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (iv)
fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares have not been reached
under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), the shares of Common Stock or
other securities for the account of other persons that the Company is obligated
to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such persons and
that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares.

          2.1.5. Withdrawal. If a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders
disapprove of the terms of any underwriting or are not entitled to include all
of their Registrable Securities in any offering, such majority-in-interest of
the Demanding Holders may elect to withdraw from such offering by giving written
notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters of their request to
withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the
Commission with respect to such Demand Registration. If the majority-in-interest
of the Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating to a Demand
Registration, then such registration shall not count as a Demand Registration
provided for in Section 2.1.

     2.2 Piggy-Back Registration.

          2.2.1. Piggy-Back Rights. If at any time on or after the Release Date
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, by the Company for its own account or for stockholders of the
Company for their account (or by the Company and by stockholders of the Company
including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1), 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


                                        4



that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend
reinvestment plan, then the Company shall (x) give written notice of such
proposed filing to the holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable
but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date,
which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in
such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the
proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, of the offering, and (y)
offer to the holders of Registrable Securities in such notice the opportunity to
register the sale of such number of shares of Registrable Securities as such
holders may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such
notice (a "PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION"). The Company shall cause such Registrable
Securities to be included in such registration and shall use its best efforts to
cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed underwritten
offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a
Piggy-Back Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar
securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such
Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution
thereof. All holders of Registrable Securities proposing to distribute their
securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an Underwriter or
Underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with
the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back Registration.

          2.2.2. Reduction of Offering. If the managing Underwriter or
Underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is to be an underwritten
offering advises the Company and the holders of Registrable Securities in
writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock which the
Company desires to sell, taken together with shares of Common Stock, if any, as
to which registration has been demanded pursuant to written contractual
arrangements with persons other than the holders of Registrable Securities
hereunder, the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been
requested under this Section 2.2, and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to
which registration has been requested pursuant to the written contractual
piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the
Maximum Number of Shares, then the Company shall include in any such
registration:

                              a) If the registration is undertaken for the
               Company's account: (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other
               securities that the Company desires to sell that can be sold
               without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to
               the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached
               under the foregoing clause (A), the shares of Common Stock or
               other securities, if any, comprised of Registrable Securities and
               Option Securities, as to which registration has been requested
               pursuant to the applicable written contractual piggy-back
               registration rights of such security holders, Pro Rata, that can
               be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (C)
               third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of shares has not
               been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares
               of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other
               persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to
               written contractual piggy-back registration rights with such
               persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number
               of Shares;


                                        5



                              b) If the registration is a "demand" registration
               undertaken at the demand of holders of Option Securities, (A)
               first, the shares of Common Stock or other securities for the
               account of the demanding persons, Pro Rata, that can be sold
               without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (B) second, to
               the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached
               under the foregoing clause (A), the shares of Common Stock or
               other securities that the Company desires to sell that can be
               sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; (C) third,
               to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been
               reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of
               Registrable Securities, Pro Rata, as to which registration has
               been requested pursuant to the terms hereof, that can be sold
               without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (D) fourth,
               to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been
               reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares
               of Common Stock or other securities for the account of other
               persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to
               written contractual arrangements with such persons, that can be
               sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and

                              c) If the registration is a "demand" registration
               undertaken at the demand of persons other than either the holders
               of Registrable Securities or of Option Securities, (A) first, the
               shares of Common Stock or other securities for the account of the
               demanding persons that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum
               Number of Shares; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum
               Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause
               (A), the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the
               Company desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the
               Maximum Number of Shares; (C) third, to the extent that the
               Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing
               clauses (A) and (B), collectively the shares of Common Stock or
               other securities comprised of Registrable Securities and Option
               Securities, Pro Rata, as to which registration has been requested
               pursuant to the terms hereof and of the Unit Purchase Option, as
               applicable, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number
               of Shares; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number
               of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A),
               (B) and (C), the shares of Common Stock or other securities for
               the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to
               register pursuant to written contractual arrangements with such
               persons, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of
               Shares.

          2.2.3. Withdrawal. Any holder of Registrable Securities may elect to
withdraw such holder's request for inclusion of Registrable Securities in any
Piggy-Back Registration by giving written notice to the Company of such request
to withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. The
Company (whether on its own determination or as the result of a withdrawal by
persons making a demand pursuant to written contractual obligations) may
withdraw a registration statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of the
Registration


                                        6



Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall pay all
expenses incurred by the holders of Registrable Securities in connection with
such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 3.3.

     2.3 Registrations on Form S-3. The holders of Registrable Securities may at
any time and from time to time, request in writing that the Company register the
resale of any or all of such Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar
short-form registration which may be available at such time ("FORM S-3");
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such
request through an underwritten offering. Upon receipt of such written request,
the Company will promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to
all other holders of Registrable Securities, and, as soon as practicable
thereafter, effect the registration of all or such portion of such holder's or
holders' Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with
all or such portion of the Registrable Securities or other securities of the
Company, if any, of any other holder or holders joining in such request as are
specified in a written request given within fifteen (15) days after receipt of
such written notice from the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be obligated to effect any such registration pursuant to this Section 2.3:
(i) if Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) if the holders of
the Registrable Securities, together with the holders of any other securities of
the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell
Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at any aggregate price
to the public of less than $500,000. Registrations effected pursuant to this
Section 2.3 shall not be counted as Demand Registrations effected pursuant to
Section 2.1.

     3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.

     3.1 Filings; Information. Whenever the Company is required to effect the
registration of any Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2, the Company
shall use its best efforts to effect the registration and sale of such
Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution
thereof as expeditiously as practicable, and in connection with any such
request:

          3.1.1. Filing Registration Statement. The Company shall, as
expeditiously as possible and in any event within sixty (60) days after receipt
of a request for a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, prepare and file
with the Commission a Registration Statement on any form for which the Company
then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which
form shall be available for the sale of all Registrable Securities to be
registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution
thereof, and shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to
become and remain effective for the period required by Section 3.1.3; provided,
however, that the Company shall have the right to defer any Demand Registration
for up to thirty (30) days, and any Piggy-Back Registration for such period as
may be applicable to deferment of any demand registration to which such
Piggy-Back Registration relates, in each case if the Company shall furnish to
the holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Vice Chairman
of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment of the Board of
Directors of the Company, it would be materially detrimental to the Company and
its stockholders for such Registration Statement to be effected at such time;
provided further, however, that the Company shall not have the right to exercise
the right set


                                        7



forth in the immediately preceding proviso more than once in any 365-day period
in respect of a Demand Registration hereunder.

          3.1.2. Copies. The Company shall, prior to filing a Registration
Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without
charge to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration,
and such holders' legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as
proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration
Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents
incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such Registration
Statement (including each preliminary prospectus), and such other documents as
the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration or legal
counsel for any such holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition
of the Registrable Securities owned by such holders.

          3.1.3. Amendments and Supplements. The Company shall prepare and file
with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and
supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection
therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and
in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until all Registrable
Securities and other securities covered by such Registration Statement have been
disposed of in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution set forth
in such Registration Statement (which period shall not exceed the sum of one
hundred eighty (180) days plus any period during which any such disposition is
interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any
governmental agency or court) or such securities have been withdrawn.

          3.1.4. Notification. After the filing of a Registration Statement, the
Company shall promptly, and in no event more than two (2) business days after
such filing, notify the holders of Registrable Securities included in such
Registration Statement of such filing, and shall further notify such holders
promptly and confirm such advice in writing in all events within two (2)
business days of the occurrence of any of the following: (i) when such
Registration Statement becomes effective; (ii) when any post-effective amendment
to such Registration Statement becomes effective; (iii) the issuance or
threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order (and the Company shall
take all actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove
it if entered); and (iv) any request by the Commission for any amendment or
supplement to such Registration Statement or any prospectus relating thereto or
for additional information or of the occurrence of an event requiring the
preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as
thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such
Registration Statement, such prospectus will not contain an 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 not misleading, and promptly make
available to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration
Statement any such supplement or amendment; except that before filing with the
Commission a Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto, including documents incorporated by reference, the Company shall
furnish to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration
Statement and to the legal counsel for any such holders, copies of all such
documents proposed to be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to provide such
holders and legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review such documents
and comment thereon, and the Company shall not file any Registration


                                        8



Statement or prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, including documents
incorporated by reference, to which such holders or their legal counsel shall
object.

          3.1.5. State Securities Laws Compliance. The Company shall use its
best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by
the Registration Statement under such securities or "blue sky" laws of such
jurisdictions in the United States as the holders of Registrable Securities
included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of
distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such
Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered
with or approved by such other Governmental Authorities as may be necessary by
virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other
acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the holders of
Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the
disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do
business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify
but for this paragraph or subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction.

          3.1.6. Agreements for Disposition. The Company shall enter into
customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement in
customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably required in order
to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. The
representations, warranties and covenants of the Company in any underwriting
agreement which are made to or for the benefit of any Underwriters, to the
extent applicable, shall also be made to and for the benefit of the holders of
Registrable Securities included in such registration statement. No holder of
Registrable Securities included in such registration statement shall be required
to make any representations or warranties in the underwriting agreement except,
if applicable, with respect to such holder's organization, good standing,
authority, title to Registrable Securities, lack of conflict of such sale with
such holder's material agreements and organizational documents, and with respect
to written information relating to such holder that such holder has furnished in
writing expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement.

          3.1.7. Cooperation. The principal executive officer of the Company,
the principal financial officer of the Company, the principal accounting officer
of the Company and all other officers and members of the management of the
Company shall cooperate fully in any offering of Registrable Securities
hereunder, which cooperation shall include, without limitation, the preparation
of the Registration Statement with respect to such offering and all other
offering materials and related documents, and participation in meetings with
Underwriters, attorneys, accountants and potential investors.

          3.1.8. Records. The Company shall make available for inspection by the
holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, any
Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration
statement and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any
holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement or any
Underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
properties of the Company, as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise
their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company's officers, directors
and employees to supply all information requested by any of them in connection
with such Registration Statement.


                                        9



          3.1.9. Opinions and Comfort Letters. The Company shall furnish to each
holder of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement a signed
counterpart, addressed to such holder, of (i) any opinion of counsel to the
Company delivered to any Underwriter and (ii) any comfort letter from the
Company's independent public accountants delivered to any Underwriter. In the
event no legal opinion is delivered to any Underwriter, the Company shall
furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration
Statement, at any time that such holder elects to use a prospectus, an opinion
of counsel to the Company to the effect that the Registration Statement
containing such prospectus has been declared effective and that no stop order is
in effect.

          3.1.10. Earnings Statement. The Company shall comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the Securities Act, and
make available to its stockholders, as soon as practicable, an earnings
statement covering a period of twelve (12) months, beginning within three (3)
months after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings
statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act
and Rule 158 thereunder.

          3.1.11. Listing. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause all
Registrable Securities included in any registration to be listed on such
exchanges or otherwise designated for trading in the same manner as similar
securities issued by the Company are then listed or designated or, if no such
similar securities are then listed or designated, in a manner satisfactory to
the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such
registration.

     3.2 Obligation to Suspend Distribution. Upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section
3.1.4(iv), or, in the case of a resale registration on Form S-3 pursuant to
Section 2.3 hereof, upon any suspension by the Company, pursuant to a written
insider trading compliance program adopted by the Company's Board of Directors,
of the ability of all "insiders" covered by such program to transact in the
Company's securities because of the existence of material non-public
information, each holder of Registrable Securities included in any registration
shall immediately discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities
until such holder receives the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated
by Section 3.1.4(iv) or the restriction on the ability of "insiders" to transact
in the Company's securities is removed, as applicable, and, if so directed by
the Company, each such holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than
permanent file copies then in such holder's possession, of the most recent
prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such
notice.

     3.3 Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all costs and expenses
incurred in connection with any Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, any
Piggy-Back Registration pursuant to Section 2.2, and any registration on Form
S-3 effected pursuant to Section 2.3, and all expenses incurred in performing or
complying with its other obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the
Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all
registration and filing fees; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with
securities or "blue sky" laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel in
connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities); (iii)
printing expenses; (iv) the Company's internal expenses (including, without
limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees);


                                       10



(v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the
Registrable Securities as required by Section 3.1.11; (vi) National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. fees; (vii) fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Company and fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants
retained by the Company (including the expenses or costs associated with the
delivery of any opinions or comfort letters requested pursuant to Section
3.1.9); (viii) the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the
Company in connection with such registration and (ix) the fees and expenses of
one legal counsel selected by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the
Registrable Securities included in such registration. The Company shall have no
obligation to pay any underwriting discounts or selling commissions attributable
to the Registrable Securities being sold by the holders thereof, which
underwriting discounts or selling commissions shall be borne by such holders.
Additionally, in an underwritten offering, all selling stockholders and the
Company shall bear the expenses of the underwriter pro rata in proportion to the
respective amount of shares each is selling in such offering.

     3.4 Information. The holders of Registrable Securities shall provide such
information as may reasonably be requested by the Company, or the managing
Underwriter, if any, in connection with the preparation of any Registration
Statement, including amendments and supplements thereto, in order to effect the
registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to
Section 2 and in connection with the Company's obligation to comply with federal
and applicable state securities laws.

     4. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

     4.1 Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Investor and each other holder of Registrable Securities, and
each of their respective officers, employees, affiliates, directors, partners,
members, attorneys and agents, and each person, if any, who controls an Investor
and each other holder of Registrable Securities (within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) (each, an "INVESTOR
INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), from and against any expenses, losses, judgments, claims,
damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, arising out of or based upon
any untrue statement (or allegedly untrue statement) of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Registrable
Securities was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus,
final prospectus or summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement,
or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement, or arising out of
or based upon any omission (or alleged omission) to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any rule or
regulation promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to
action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such
registration; and the Company shall promptly reimburse the Investor Indemnified
Party for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred by such Investor
Indemnified Party in connection with investigating and defending any such
expense, loss, judgment, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however,
that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
expense, loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any
untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus,
or summary prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and
in conformity with information furnished to the Company, in writing, by such
selling holder expressly for use


                                       11



therein. The Company also shall indemnify any Underwriter of the Registrable
Securities, their officers, affiliates, directors, partners, members and agents
and each person who controls such Underwriter on substantially the same basis as
that of the indemnification provided above in this Section 4.1.

     4.2 Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities. Each selling
holder of Registrable Securities will, in the event that any registration is
being effected under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement of any
Registrable Securities held by such selling holder, indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, each of its directors and officers and each underwriter (if any),
and each other selling holder and each other person, if any, who controls
another selling holder or such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities
Act, against any losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities, whether
joint or several, insofar as such losses, claims, judgments, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement of a material fact contained in
any Registration Statement under which the sale of such Registrable Securities
was registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus, final
prospectus or summary prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any
amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, or arise out of or are
based upon any omission or the alleged omission to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not
misleading, if the statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such selling
holder expressly for use therein, and shall reimburse the Company, its directors
and officers, and each other selling holder or controlling person for any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with
investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action.
Each selling holder's indemnification obligations hereunder shall be several and
not joint and shall be limited to the amount of any net proceeds actually
received by such selling holder.

     4.3 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. Promptly after receipt by any
person of any notice of any loss, claim, damage or liability or any action in
respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2, such
person (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against any other person for indemnification hereunder, notify such other
person (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") in writing of the loss, claim, judgment,
damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the failure by the
Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party from any liability which the Indemnifying Party may have to
such Indemnified Party hereunder, except and solely to the extent the
Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure. If the Indemnified
Party is seeking indemnification with respect to any claim or action brought
against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to
participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly
with all other Indemnifying Parties, to assume control of the defense thereof
with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice from the
Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume control of
the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable
to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred
by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that in any action in
which both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party are named as
defendants, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate
counsel (but no more than one such separate counsel) to represent the
Indemnified Party and its controlling persons who may be


                                       12



subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may
be sought by the Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Party, with the fees
and expenses of such counsel to be paid by such Indemnifying Party if, based
upon the written opinion of counsel of such Indemnified Party, representation of
both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. No Indemnifying Party shall, without
the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of judgment
or effect any settlement of any claim or pending or threatened proceeding in
respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and
indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless
such judgment or settlement includes an unconditional release of such
Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or proceeding.

     4.4 Contribution.

          4.4.1. If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections
4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss,
claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then each such
Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result
of such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnified Parties and the
Indemnifying Parties in connection with the actions or omissions which resulted
in such loss, claim, damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of any Indemnified Party and any
Indemnifying Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by such Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.

          4.4.2. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro
rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding Section

          4.4.3. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result
of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.4, no holder of Registrable
Securities shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar
amount of the net proceeds (after payment of any underwriting fees, discounts,
commissions or taxes) actually received by such holder from the sale of
Registrable Securities which gave rise to such contribution obligation. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

     5. UNDERWRITING AND DISTRIBUTION.


                                       13



     5.1 Rule 144. The Company covenants that it shall file any reports required
to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take
such further action as the holders of Registrable Securities may reasonably
request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holders to
sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within
the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or any similar Rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.

     6. MISCELLANEOUS.

     6.1 Other Registration Rights. Except with respect to those securities
issued or issuable upon exercise of that certain Unit Purchase Option to be
issued to EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. or its designees in connection with the
Company's initial public offering in ________ 2006, the Company represents and
warrants that no person, other than a holder of the Registrable Securities, has
any right to require the Company to register any shares of the Company's capital
stock for sale or to include shares of the Company's capital stock in any
registration filed by the Company for the sale of shares of capital stock for
its own account or for the account of any other person.

     6.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the
rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or
delegated by the Company in whole or in part. This Agreement and the rights,
duties and obligations of the holders of Registrable Securities hereunder may be
freely assigned or delegated by such holder of Registrable Securities in
conjunction with and to the extent of any transfer of Registrable Securities by
any such holder. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties, to EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.
and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Investor or holder of
Registrable Securities or of any assignee of the Investor or holder of
Registrable Securities. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or
benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set
forth in Article 4 and this Section 6.2.

     6.3 Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other
communications (collectively, "NOTICES") required or permitted to be given
hereunder or which are given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be personally served, delivered by reputable air courier service with
charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, telex or facsimile,
addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall have
specified most recently by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the
date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by telegram,
telex or facsimile; provided, that if such service or transmission is not on a
business day or is after normal business hours, then such notice shall be deemed
given on the next business day. Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall
be deemed given on the next business day following timely delivery of such
notice to a reputable air courier service with an order for next-day delivery.

     To the Company:

     Ascend Acquisition Corp.
     435 Devon Park Drive


                                       14



     Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
     Attn: Chief Executive Officer

     with a copy to:

     Graubard Miller
     The Chrysler Building
     405 Lexington Avenue
     New York NY 10174
     Attn: David Alan Miller, Esq.

     To an Investor, to:

Don K. Rice
Ascend Acquisition Corp.
435 Devon Park Drive
Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

Russell C. Ball III
AMC Group
555 Croton Road
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406

Stephen L. Brown
Brimco LLC
450 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Arthur Spector
435 Devon Park Drive
Building 400
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

     6.4 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the
invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect
the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or
provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term
or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of


                                       15



this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable
provision as may be possible that is valid and enforceable.

     6.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

     6.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including all agreements entered into
pursuant hereto and all certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto
and thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements,
representations, understandings, negotiations and discussions between the
parties, whether oral or written.

     6.7 Modifications and Amendments. No amendment, modification or termination
of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party unless executed in writing by
such party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any and all parties must obtain the
written consent of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. to amend or modify this Agreement.

     6.8 Titles and Headings. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement
are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision
of this Agreement.

     6.9 Waivers and Extensions. Any party to this Agreement may waive any
right, breach or default which such party has the right to waive, provided that
such waiver will not be effective against the waiving party unless it is in
writing, is signed by such party, and specifically refers to this Agreement.
Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has arisen or the
breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver
of any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a
waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement
or provision herein contained. No waiver or extension of time for performance of
any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension of the time for
performance of any other obligations or acts.

     6.10 Remedies Cumulative. In the event that the Company fails to observe or
perform any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed under this
Agreement, the Investor or any other holder of Registrable Securities may
proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity or action at law,
whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for
an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of
any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable
right, or to take any one or more of such actions, without being required to
post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies conferred under this
Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy
shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether
conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by
statute or otherwise.

     6.11 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under,
and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed within the State of New York,
without giving effect to any


                                       16



choice-of-law provisions thereof that would compel the application of the
substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

     6.12 Waiver of Trial by Jury. Each party hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives the right to a trial by jury in any action, suit,
counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise)
arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement, the transactions
contemplated hereby, or the actions of the Investor in the negotiation,
administration, performance or enforcement hereof.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                       17



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives
as of the date first written above.

                                        ASCEND ACQUISITION CORP.


                                        By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Don K. Rice, Chief Executive Officer


                                        INITIAL STOCKHOLDERS:


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Don K. Rice


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Russell C. Ball III


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Stephen L. Brown


                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Arthur Spector


                                       18

EX-10.10

                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

                                                          As of January 13, 2006

To the Board of Directors of
Ascend Acquisition Corp.:

Gentlemen:

     The undersigned hereby subscribes for and agrees to purchase 208,334 units
("Insider Units"), each consisting of one share of common stock and two
warrants, each to purchase one share of common stock, of Ascend Acquisition
Corp. (the "Corporation"), at $6.00 per Insider Unit for an aggregate purchase
price of $1,250,004 ("Purchase Price"). The purchase and issuance of the Insider
Units shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the Corporation's
initial public offering of securities ("IPO"). The Insider Units will be sold to
the undersigned on a private placement basis and not part of the IPO.

     At least 24 hours prior to the effective date of the registration statement
filed in connection with the IPO ("Registration Statement"), the undersigned
shall deliver the Purchase Price to Graubard Miller to hold in a non-interest
bearing account until the Corporation consummates the IPO. Simultaneously with
the consummation of the IPO, Graubard Miller shall deposit the Purchase Price,
without interest or deduction, into the trust fund ("Trust Fund") established by
the Corporation for the benefit of the Corporation's public stockholders as
described in the Corporation's Registration Statement, pursuant to the terms of
an Investment Management Trust Agreement to be entered into between the
Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. In the event that
the IPO is not consummated, GM shall return the Purchase Price to the
undersigned, without interest or deduction.

     The undersigned represents and warrants that it has been advised that the
Insider Units have not been registered under the Securities Act; that it is
acquiring the Insider Units for its account for investment purposes only; that
it has no present intention of selling or otherwise disposing of the Insider
Units in violation of the securities laws of the United States; that it is an
"accredited investor" as defined by Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); and that it is
familiar with the proposed business, management, financial condition and affairs
of the Corporation.

     Moreover, the undersigned agrees that he shall not sell or transfer the
Insider Units or any underlying securities (collectively, "Insider Securities")
until after the Corporation consummates a merger, capital stock exchange, asset
acquisition or other similar business combination with an operating business
("Business Combination") and acknowledges that the certificates for such Insider
Units shall contain a legend indicating such restriction on transferability. If
the Company solicits approval of its stockholders of a Business Combination, the
undersigned will vote all shares of common stock included within the Insider
Securities owned by him in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by the
holders of the shares of common stock issued in the Company's IPO. Additionally,
the undersigned hereby waives, with respect to the Insider Securities, any and
all right, title, interest or claim of any kind ("Claim") in or to any
distribution of the Trust Fund and any remaining net assets of the Corporation
as a result of the liquidation of the Company and hereby waives any Claim the
undersigned may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any
contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the
Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.



     The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in the event the Company
calls the warrants for redemption pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement to
be entered into by the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in
connection with the Company's IPO, the Company shall allow the undersigned to
exercise any warrants included within the Insider Units by surrendering the
warrant for that number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained
by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying
the warrant, multiplied by the difference between the warrant exercise price and
the "Fair Market Value" (defined below) by (y) the Fair Market Value. The "Fair
Market Value" shall mean the average reported last sale price of the common
stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date
on which the notice of redemption is sent to holders of warrants.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        /s/ Don K. Rice
                                        ----------------------
                                        Don K. Rice

Agreed to:

Ascend Acquisition Corp.


By: /s/ Don K. Rice
    ------------------------------
    Name: Don K. Rice
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

Graubard Miller


By: /s/ David Alan Miller
    -------------------------------
    Name: David Alan Miller
    Title: Managing Partner

EX-23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



To the Board of Directors
Ascend Acquisition Corp.


We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of the
Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated January 22, 2006, on the
financial statements of Ascend Acquisition Corp. as of December 31, 2005 and for
the period from December 5, 2005 (date of inception) to December 31, 2005, which
appears in such Prospectus. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under
the caption "Experts" in such Prospectus.



/s/ GOLDSTEIN GOLUB KESSLER LLP

GOLDSTEIN GOLUB KESSLER LLP
New York, New York

February 3, 2006