As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2023
Registration No. 333-273895
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
7370 | ||||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (IRS Employer Identification Number) |
(
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Darren Marks
Chief Executive Officer
Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd., Suite #6
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
(561) 287-5776
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Please send copies of all communications to:
Joseph M. Lucosky, Esq. Soyoung Lee, Esq. Lucosky Brookman LLP |
Ross D. Carmel, Esq. Philip Magri, Esq. Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP 55 W 39th Street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10018 Tel: 212-658-0458 Fax: 646-838-1314 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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, 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 registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||
☒ | Smaller reporting company | |||||||
Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
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, as amended, 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 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 or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS | SUBJECT TO COMPLETION | DATED AUGUST 25, 2023 |
Up to 1,458,333 Units
Each Unit consisting of:
One share of Common Stock
One Series A Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
One Series B Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
Up to 1,458,333 Pre-Funded Units
Each Pre-Funded Unit consisting of:
One Pre-Funded Warrant purchase one share of Common Stock
One Series A Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
One Series B Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
Up to 2,916,666 Shares of Common Stock Underlying Series A Warrant and Series B Warrant and
Up to 1,458,333 Shares of Common Stock Underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants
We are offering in a firm commitment underwritten offering up to 1,458,333 units (the “Units”), each Unit consisting of: (i) one share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”); and (ii) One Series A Warrant, each Series A Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock (“Series A Warrant”); and (iii) One Series B Warrant, each Series B Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock, (“Series B Warrant,” together with Series A Warrant, the “Warrants”). Each Warrant is exercisable at an exercise price of $4.80 per share (100% of the assumed offering price per Unit). The Warrants will be immediately exercisable from the date of issuance and will expire five (5) years after the date of issuance. We are offering each Unit at an assumed public offering price of $4.80 per Unit, equal to 75% of the closing price of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market (after giving effect to our proposed reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-20).
We are also offering the opportunity to purchase, if the purchaser so chooses and in lieu of Units, up to 1,458,333 pre-funded units (the “Pre-Funded Units”) to purchasers whose purchase of Units in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding Common Stock immediately following the consummation of this offering. Each Pre-Funded Unit consists of: (i) one pre-funded warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”); (ii) one Series A Warrant; and (iii) one Series B Warrant. The purchase price of each Pre-Funded Unit is equal to the price per Unit being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.001, and the exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant included in the Pre-Funded Unit is $0.001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until all of the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full.
For each Pre-Funded Unit we sell, the number of Units we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. Because we will issue one Series A Warrant and one Series B Warrant as part of each Unit or Pre-Funded Unit, the number of Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants sold in this offering will not change as a result of a change in the mix of the Units and Pre-Funded Units sold.
We are also registering the Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants included in the Units and Pre-Funded Units offered hereby. See “Description of Securities” in this prospectus for more information.
Our Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market, or “Nasdaq,” under the symbol “GROM.” On August 24, 2023, the last reported sale price for our Common Stock on Nasdaq was $4.80 per share (after giving effect to our proposed reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-20).
The Units and the Pre-Funded Units have no stand-alone rights and will not be issued or certificated. The shares of Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrants, as the case may be, and the Warrants can only be purchased together in this offering but the securities contained in the Units or Pre-Funded Units will be issued separately. There is no established public trading market for the Units, Pre-Funded Units, Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants and we do not expect markets to develop. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of these securities will be limited. In addition, we do not intend to list these securities on Nasdaq, any other national securities exchange or any other trading system.
On June 23, 2023, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and shareholders approved the granting of authority to the Board to amend our articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock, by a ratio of no less than 1-for-2 and no more than 1-for-20, with the exact ratio to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, and with such reverse stock split to be effective at such time and date, if at all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. We intend for the Board to effect a 1-for-20 reverse stock split in connection with this offering and our continued listing of our common stock on Nasdaq. We intend to effect the reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock simultaneously on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the closing of this offering.
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.
Per Unit | Per Pre-Funded Unit | Total | ||||||||||
Public offering price | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Underwriter fees (1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Proceeds to us, before expenses (2) | $ | $ | $ |
____________________
(1) | We have agreed to reimburse EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, the representative of the underwriters in this offering (the “Representative”) for certain of its offering-related expenses. See “Underwriting” for additional information and a description of the compensation payable to the Underwriter. |
(2) | We estimate the total expenses of this offering payable by us, excluding the underwriter fee, will be approximately $245,000. |
We have granted a 45-day option to the underwriters to purchase up to 218,750 shares of Common Stock and/or Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase 218,750 shares of Common Stock and/or Warrants to purchase 218,750 shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
We anticipate that delivery of the securities against payment will be made on or about _____, 2023.
Sole book-runner
EF Hutton
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
The date of this prospectus is _______________, 2023.
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You should read this prospectus and the information and documents incorporated herein by reference carefully. Such documents contain important information you should consider when making your investment decision. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from, or in addition to, that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus is current only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates that are specified in those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. Please carefully read this prospectus together with the additional information described below under the section entitled “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” before buying any of the securities offered.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. and our following operating subsidiaries: Grom Social, Inc., TD Holdings Limited, Grom Educational Services, Inc., Grom Nutritional Services, Inc. and Curiosity Inc Media, LLC.
Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate is based on information from independent industry and research organizations, other third-party sources (including industry publications, surveys and forecasts), and management estimates. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information released by independent industry analysts and third-party sources, as well as data from our internal research, and are based on assumptions made by us upon reviewing such data and our knowledge of such industry and markets, which we believe to be reasonable. Although we believe the data from these third-party sources is reliable, we have not independently verified any third-party information. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of the future performance of the industry in which we operate and our future performance are necessarily subject to uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
When used in this prospectus, including the documents that we have incorporated by reference, in future filings with the SEC or in press releases or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). In particular, statements pertaining to our trends, liquidity and capital resources, among others, contain forward-looking statements. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the following:
· | our ability to continue as a going concern; | |
· | our prospects, including our future business, revenues, expenses, net income, earnings per share, gross margins, profitability, cash flows, cash position, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, our targeted growth rate and our goals for future revenues and earnings; | |
· | the potential impact of COVID-19 on our business and results of operations; | |
· | the effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations of current and future economic, business, market and regulatory conditions; | |
· | Our ability to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s $1.00 minimum bid requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), and to maintain our compliance with other Nasdaq continued listing requirements; | |
· | the effects of fluctuations in sales on our business, revenues, expenses, net income, earnings per share, margins, profitability, cash flows, capital expenditures, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations; | |
· | our products and services, including their quality and performance in absolute terms and as compared to competitive alternatives, and their ability to meet our customers’ requirements, and our ability to successfully develop and market new products, services, technologies and systems; | |
· | our markets, including our market position and our market share; | |
· | our ability to successfully develop, operate, grow and diversify our operations and businesses; | |
· | our business plans, strategies, goals and objectives, and our ability to successfully achieve them; | |
· | our ability to maintain, protect, and enhance our brand and intellectual property; | |
· | the sufficiency of our capital resources, including our cash and cash equivalents, funds generated from operations, availability of borrowings under our credit and financing arrangements and other capital resources, to meet our future working capital, capital expenditure, lease and debt service and business growth needs; | |
· | the value of our assets and businesses, including the revenues, profits and cash flows they are capable of delivering in the future; | |
· | the effects on our business operations, financial results, and prospects of business acquisitions, combinations, sales, alliances, ventures and other similar business transactions and relationships; | |
· | industry trends and customer preferences and the demand for our products and services; and | |
· | the nature and intensity of our competition, and our ability to successfully compete in our markets. |
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These statements are necessarily subjective, are based upon our current plans, intentions, objectives, goals, strategies, beliefs, projections and expectations, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times by which, our performance or results may be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and management’s belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause actual results, our performance or achievements, or industry results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus as well as other risks and factors identified from time to time in our SEC filings.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our Common Stock. We urge you to read this entire prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein carefully, including the financial statements and notes to those financial statements incorporated by reference herein and therein. Please read the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” for more information about important risks that you should consider before investing in our Common Stock. All share and per share information in this prospectus reflects the proposed reverse stock split of our outstanding Common Stock at a ratio of 1-for-20unless noted otherwise.
Overview
We were incorporated in the State of Florida on April 14, 2014 under the name “Illumination America, Inc.”
On August 17, 2017, we acquired Grom Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Grom Holdings”), pursuant to a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) entered into on May 15, 2017 (the “Share Exchange”). In connection with the Share Exchange, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Grom Holdings from Grom Holdings’ stockholders in exchange for an aggregate of 5,774 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company. As a result of the Share Exchange, the stockholders of Grom Holdings acquired approximately 92% of the Company’s then-issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Grom Holdings became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the Share Exchange, on August 17, 2017, we changed our name to Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
We are a media, technology and entertainment company that focuses on (i) delivering content to children under the age of 13 years in a safe secure platform that is compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) and can be monitored by parents or guardians, (ii) creating, acquiring, and developing the commercial potential of Kids & Family entertainment properties and associated business opportunities, (iii) providing world class animation services, and (iv) offering protective web filtering solutions to block unwanted or inappropriate content. We conduct our business through our following subsidiaries:
· | Grom Social, Inc. (“Grom Social”), incorporated in the State of Florida on March 5, 2012, operates our social media network designed for children under the age of 13 years. | |
· | TD Holdings Limited (“TD Holdings”), incorporated in Hong Kong on September 15, 2005, operates through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries: (i) Top Draw Animation Hong Kong Limited, a Hong Kong corporation (“Top Draw HK”), and (ii) Top Draw Animation, Inc., a Philippines corporation (“Top Draw Philippines”). The group’s principal activities are the production of animated films and television series. | |
· | Grom Educational Services, Inc. (“GES”), incorporated in the State of Florida on January 17, 2017, operates our web filtering services provided to schools and government agencies. | |
· | Grom Nutritional Services, Inc. (“GNS”), incorporated in the State of Florida on April 19, 2017, intends to market and distribute nutritional supplements to children. GNS has been nonoperational since its inception. | |
· | Curiosity Ink Media, LLC (“CIM”), organized in the State of Delaware on January 5, 2017, develops, acquires, builds, grows and maximizes the short, mid and long-term commercial potential of kids and family entertainment properties and associated business opportunities. |
We own 100% of each of Grom Social, TD Holdings, GES and GNS, and 80% of CIM.
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Recent Developments
PIPE Offering and Related Waiver
On January 25, 2023, we consummated a private placement (the “PIPE Offering”) pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 25, 2023 (the “2023 SPA”) that we entered into with institutional investors, in which we issued (i) 5,000 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 66,372 purchase warrants (the “Purchase Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 116,151 shares of Common Stock; and (iii) 61,372 pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 61,372 shares of Common Stock. The purchase price of each share of Common Stock and associated Purchase Warrant was $45.20. The purchase of each share of Common Stock and associated Pre-funded Warrant was $45.00. The aggregate gross proceeds of the PIPE Offering was approximately $3 million, before deducting fees to the placement agent and other expenses payable by us. EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, acted as the exclusive placement agent in connection with the PIPE Offering.
In connection with the PIPE Offering, we entered into a Waiver (the “Waiver”) with L1 Capital Global Opportunities Master Fund (“L1”) waiving certain provisions of the Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of September 14, 2021 (the “2021 SPA”), by and between us and L1. Pursuant to the terms of the Waiver, L1 waived certain provisions of the 2021 SPA and in consideration thereof, we (i) issued 7,500 purchase warrants substantially similar to the Purchase Warrants issued in connection with the 2023 SPA; and (ii) paid a cash fee of $50,000 to L1.
Pursuant to the 2023 SPA, we are obligated to hold a special stockholders’ meeting no later than 60 days following the date of the Purchase Agreement to solicit the approval of the issuance of the shares, Warrants and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants in compliance with the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (without regard to any limitations on exercise set forth in the Warrants or the Prefunded Warrants). On March 27, 2023 we held a special meeting of stockholders and the stockholders approved the PIPE Offering.
In connection with the PIPE Offering, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Purchasers, dated January 25, 2023 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). The Registration Rights Agreement provides that we shall file a registration statement covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with the SEC. The Registration Statement was filed and declared effective by the SEC on February 9, 2023.
Notice of Delisting of Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard
On April 10, 2023, we received a deficiency letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq Stock Market”) notifying us that, based upon the closing bid price of our Common Stock, for the last 30 consecutive business days, we are not currently in compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for continued listing on Nasdaq as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Requirement”).
The Notice has no immediate effect on the continued listing status of our Common Stock on Nasdaq, and, therefore, our listing remains fully effective.
We are provided a compliance period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Notice, or until October 9, 2023, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). If at any time before October 9, 2023, the closing bid price of our Common Stock closes at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, subject to Nasdaq’s discretion to extend this period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H), Nasdaq will provide written notification that we have achieved compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement, and the matter would be resolved.
If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement during the initial 180 calendar day compliance period, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, we would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for Nasdaq, with the exception of the Minimum Bid Requirement, and would need to provide written notice of our intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary.
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We intend to actively monitor the closing bid price of our Common Stock and will evaluate available options to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement. We informed Nasdaq that we intend to effect a 1-for-20 reverse split to cure the deficiency simultaneously on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the closing of this offering. However, there can be no assurance that we will regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement during the initial or additional 180 calendar day compliance period, secure the additional 180 calendar day compliance period, or maintain compliance with the other Nasdaq listing requirements. If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement within the allotted compliance periods, including any extensions that may be granted by Nasdaq, Nasdaq will provide notice that our Common Stock will be subject to delisting. We would then be entitled to appeal that determination to a Nasdaq hearings panel.
If our Common Stock ceases to be listed for trading on Nasdaq, we expect that the Common Stock would be traded on one of the three tiered marketplaces of the OTC Markets Group.
Reverse Stock Split
On June 23, 2023, our Board and shareholders approved the granting of authority to the Board to amend our articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock, by a ratio of no less than 1-for-2 and no more than 1-for-20, with the exact ratio to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, and with such reverse stock split to be effective at such time and date, if at all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
The reverse stock split would not have any impact on the number of authorized shares of Common Stock which remains at 500,000,000 shares. Unless otherwise noted, and other than in the financial statements and the notes thereto, the share and per share information in this prospectus reflects the proposed reverse stock split of our outstanding Common Stock at a ratio of 1-for-20.
Strategic Partnership
We continue to evaluate strategic acquisition opportunities to help accelerate our growth and complement our existing business. We recently entered into a strategic advisory partnership with an association of churches to achieve the highest possible social impact by utilizing all metrics available for values-based investors, including a biblically responsible investing (or “BRI”) score for us and our operations. Once we have established a rating, together we will create a program to increase our exposure and market our services to their member organizations and other affiliates.
Our Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 2060 NW Boca Raton, Suite #6, Boca Raton, Florida 33431. Our telephone number is (561) 287-5776. Our website address is www.gromsocial.com. Information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus.
Smaller Reporting Company
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and have elected to take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosure available for smaller reporting companies.
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The Offering
Units offered by us: | Up to 1,458,333 Units in a firm commitment underwritten offering. Each Unit consists of: (i) one share of Common Stock; (ii) one Series A Warrant; and (iii) one Series B Warrant. Each Warrant is exercisable for one share of Common Stock. | |
Pre-Funded Units offered by us: | We are also offering the opportunity to purchase, if the purchaser so chooses and in lieu of Units, up to 1,458,333 Pre-Funded Units to purchasers whose purchase of Units in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding Common Stock immediately following the consummation of this offering. Each Pre-Funded Unit consists of: (i) one Pre-Funded Warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock; (ii) one Series A Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock; and (iii) one Series B Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock. The purchase price of each Pre-Funded Unit is equal to the price at which the Units are being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.001, and the exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant included in each Pre-Funded Unit is $0.001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be exercisable immediately and may be exercised at any time until all of the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. For each Pre-Funded Unit we sell, the number of Units we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. Because we will issue one Series A Warrant and one Series B Warrant as part of each Unit or Pre-Funded Unit, the number of Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants sold in this offering will not change as a result of a change in the mix of the Units and Pre-Funded Units sold. This offering also relates to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any Pre-Funded Warrants sold in this offering. | |
Warrants offered by us: | Series A Warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 1,458,333 shares of our Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth therein. Each share of Common Stock and each Pre-Funded Warrant to purchase one Common Stock is being issued together with a Series A Warrant to purchase one share of our Common Stock. Each Series A Warrant will have an exercise price of $4.80 per share (representing 100% of the assumed offering price per Unit), will be immediately exercisable from the date of issuance and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the original issuance date. Each Series A Warrant is exercisable for one Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting our Common Stock. On or after the earlier of (i) the thirty (30) day anniversary of the date of issuance and (ii) the date on which the aggregate composite trading volume of our Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg beginning on the date of issuance exceeds 15 million shares, a holder of the Series A Warrant may also provide notice and elect an “alternative cashless exercise” on or after the earlier of the thirty day anniversary of the date of the initial exercise date. In such event, the aggregate number of warrant shares issuable in such alternative cashless exercise shall equal the product of (x) the aggregate number of Series A Warrant shares that would be issuable upon exercise of the Series A Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise and (y) 0.50.
Series B Warrant to purchase an aggregate of up to 1,458,333 shares of our Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth therein. Each Common Stock and each pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock is being issued together with a Series B Warrant to purchase for one share of our Common Stock. Each Series B Warrant will have an exercise price of $4.80 per share (representing 100% of the assumed offering price per Unit), will be immediately exercisable and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the original issuance date. Each Series B Warrant is exercisable for one share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting our Common Stock. Subject to certain exemptions outlined in the Warrants, if we sell, enter into an agreement to sell, or grant any option to purchase, or sell, enter into an agreement to sell, or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (as defined in the Warrant), at an effective price per share less than the exercise price of the Warrant then in effect, the exercise price of the Warrant shall be reduced to equal the effective price per share in such dilutive issuance; provided, however, in no event shall the exercise price of the Warrant be less than $2.65.
The Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants, and the accompanying Warrants, as the case may be, can only be purchased together in this offering but will be issued separately and will be immediately separable upon issuance. This prospectus also relates to the offering of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. |
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Common Stock outstanding prior to this offering: | 452,219 shares | |
Common Stock to be outstanding after the offering (1): | 1,910,552 shares (assuming no issuance of Pre-funded Units, and no Warrants issued in this offering are exercised and the Underwriters’ do not exercise the over-allotment). | |
Use of Proceeds: | We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $6.1 million, after deducting underwriting fees and expenses and other offering expenses (assuming the sale of all securities offered hereby, at the assumed public offering price of $4.80 per Unit ,no issuance of Pre-funded Units, and no Warrants issued in this offering are exercised and the Underwriters’ do not exercise the over-allotment). We intend to use all of the net proceeds we receive from this offering for the acquisition, research and development of original content and technology, strategic partnerships, and for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. | |
Risk Factors: | Investing in our securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section on page 9 before deciding to invest in our securities. | |
Trading Symbols: | Our Common Stock and registered warrants are currently quoted on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol “GROM” and “GROMW,” respectively. There is no established public trading market for the Units, Pre-Funded Units, Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to list the Units, Pre-Funded Units, Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants on Nasdaq, any other national securities exchange or any other trading market. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Warrants or the Pre-Funded Warrants will be extremely limited. | |
Reverse Stock Split: | On June 23, 2023 our Board and shareholders approved the granting of authority to the Board to amend our articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock, by a ratio of no less than 1-for-2 and no more than 1-for-20, with the exact ratio to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, and with such reverse stock split to be effective at such time and date, if at all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. We intend for the Board to effect a 1-for-20 reverse stock split in connection with this offering and our continued listing of our common stock on Nasdaq, however we cannot guarantee that such reverse stock split will occur based on the ratio stated above or that such reverse stock split will be necessary or will occur in connection with the continued listing of our common stock on Nasdaq. We intend to effect the reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock simultaneously on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the closing of this offering. Unless noted otherwise, the share and per share information in this prospectus gives effect to the 1-for-20 reverse stock split, with fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split being rounded up to the nearest whole number. |
(1) The shares of Common Stock outstanding and the shares of Common Stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 452,219 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023. The number gives effect to our proposed 1-for-20 reverse stock split and excludes an aggregate of up to approximately 20,017 shares of Common Stock based upon the following:
(i) | 469 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $3,213.03 per share; | |
(ii) | 8,712 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Common Stock purchase warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $2,146.17; | |
(iii) | 266 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion by convertible promissory note holders of all of the outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest due, totaling $592,773; | |
(iv) | 8,056 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 9,281,809 shares of Series C Stock; and | |
(v) | 2,514 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). |
Except as otherwise indicated herein, all information in this prospectus assumes no sale of pre-funded warrants, which, if sold, would reduce the number of shares of Common Stock that we are offering on a one-for-one basis, no exercise of the warrants issued in this offering, and no exercise of options issued under our Plan or of warrants described above.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before investing in our Common Stock and warrants, you should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes. In addition, we may face additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or which as of the date of this registration statement we might not consider significant, which may adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case the trading price of our Common Stock and warrants could decline due to any of these risks or uncertainties, and you may lose part or all of your investment.
Risks Related to This Offering, Ownership of Our Securities
Our independent auditors concurred with our management’s assessment that raises concern as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
On a consolidated basis, we have incurred significant operating losses since inception. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. As of June 30, 2023, we have an accumulated deficit of $88.2 million.
Because we do not expect that existing operational cash flow will be sufficient to fund presently anticipated operations, this raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Therefore, we will need to raise additional funds and are currently exploring alternative sources of financing. Historically, we have raised capital through private placements of our equity securities and convertible notes and through officer loans as an interim measure to finance working capital needs and may continue to raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or other securities and by obtaining short-term loans. We will be required to continue to do so until our consolidated operations become profitable.
These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to obtain sufficient funding, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected, and we may be unable to continue as a going concern.
If we are unable to maintain compliance with all applicable continued listing requirements and standards of Nasdaq, our Common Stock could be delisted from Nasdaq.
Our Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “GROM.” In order to maintain that listing, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price, and certain corporate governance requirements. There can be no assurances that we will be able to remain in compliance with Nasdaq’s listing standards or if we do later fail to comply and subsequently regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing standards, that we will be able to continue to comply with the applicable listing standards. If we are unable to maintain compliance with these Nasdaq requirements, our Common Stock will be delisted from Nasdaq.
On April 10, 2023, we received a deficiency letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq Stock Market”) notifying us that, based upon the closing bid price of our Common Stock, for the last 30 consecutive business days, we are not currently in compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”), as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Requirement”).
The Notice has no immediate effect on the continued listing status of our Common Stock on Nasdaq, and, therefore, our listing remains fully effective.
We are provided a compliance period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Notice, or until October 9, 2023, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). If at any time before October 9, 2023, the closing bid price of our Common Stock closes at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, subject to Nasdaq’s discretion to extend this period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H), Nasdaq will provide written notification that we have achieved compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement, and the matter would be resolved.
If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement during the initial 180 calendar day compliance period, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. To qualify, we would be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for Nasdaq, with the exception of the Minimum Bid Requirement, and would need to provide written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary.
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We intend to effect a 1-for-20 reverse split to cure the deficiency simultaneously on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the closing of this offering. However, there can be no assurance that we will regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement during the initial or additional 180 calendar day compliance period, secure the additional 180 calendar day compliance period, or maintain compliance with the other Nasdaq listing requirements. If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement within the allotted compliance periods, including any extensions that may be granted by Nasdaq, Nasdaq will provide notice that our Common Stock will be subject to delisting. We would then be entitled to appeal that determination to a Nasdaq hearings panel.
If our Common Stock ceases to be listed for trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market, we expect that the Common Stock would be traded on one of the three tiered marketplaces of the OTC Markets Group.
In the event that our Common Stock is delisted from Nasdaq due to our failure to continue to comply with any requirement for continued listing on Nasdaq, and is not eligible for quotation on another market or exchange, trading of our Common Stock could, again, be conducted in the over-the-counter market or on an electronic bulletin board established for unlisted securities such as the OTC Pink or the OTCQB tiers of the OTC marketplace. In such event, it could become more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate price quotations for, our Common Stock, and it would likely be more difficult to obtain coverage by securities analysts and the news media, which could cause the price of our Common Stock to decline further. Also, it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital if we are not listed on a national exchange.
Future capital raises may dilute our existing stockholders’ ownership and/or have other adverse effects on our operations.
If we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders’ percentage ownership may decrease, and these stockholders may experience substantial dilution. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt instruments, these debt instruments could impose significant restrictions on our operations, including liens on our assets. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some rights to our technologies or products, or to grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us or could diminish the rights of our stockholders.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future; therefore, capital appreciation, if any, of our Common Stock, will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our Common Stock. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, future loan arrangements, if any, may contain, terms prohibiting or limiting the amount of dividends that may be declared or paid on our Common Stock. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our Common Stock, will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
Our board of directors may authorize and issue shares of new classes of stock that could be superior to or adversely affect you as a holder of our Common Stock.
Our Board has the power to authorize and issue shares of classes of stock, including preferred stock that have voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations and special rights, including preferred distribution rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation rights without further shareholder approval which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our Common Stock. In addition, our board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our Common Stock or that is convertible into our Common Stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our Common Stock or result in dilution to our existing shareholders. Also, our Board has discretion to effect a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, by a ratio of no less than 1-for-2 and no more than 1-for-20, with the exact ratio to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, which may have a dilutive effect on shareholders’ holdings.
Any of these actions could significantly adversely affect the investment made by holders of our Common Stock. Holders of our Common Stock could potentially not receive dividends that they might otherwise have received. In addition, holders of our Common Stock could receive less proceeds in connection with any future sale of the Company, whether in liquidation or on any other basis.
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The voting and conversion rights of our issued and outstanding shares of Series C Stock will have the effect of diluting the voting power of existing common stockholders.
Our authorized capital stock includes 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 2,000,000 shares are designated as Series A Stock, 10,000,000 shares are designated as Series B Stock, and 10,000,000 shares are designated as Series C Stock. As of June 30, 2023, no shares of our Series A Stock or Series B Stock, and 9,281,809 shares of Series C Stock, are issued and outstanding. The holders of our outstanding shares of Series C Stock may at any time, after the 6-month anniversary of the issuance of their shares of Series C Stock on May 20, 2021, convert such shares into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $1,152.00. In addition, the Company may, at any time, require conversion of all or any of the Series C Stock then outstanding at a conversion price equal to $1,152.00. The conversion of shares of our Series C Stock will dilute your interests. If all of the shares of our Series C Stock were converted, we would have 8,056 additional shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, which, based on the 452,219 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023, would represent approximately 1.8% and 0.4% of our shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to and after the Offering, respectively, if all of the shares of our Series C Stock were converted.
In addition, the holders of shares of our Series C Stock vote together as a single class with the holders of shares of our Common Stock, with each share entitling the holder to 1.5625 votes per share. Therefore, as of June 30, 2023, the holders of our 9,281,809 shares of Series C Stock, have an aggregate of approximately 14,502,826 votes, representing approximately 61.7% of our voting power.
The effects of the voting and conversion rights tied to shares of our Series C Stock may affect the rights of our common stockholders by, among other things, restricting dividends on our Common Stock, diluting the voting power of our common stockholders, reducing the market price of our Common Stock, or impairing the liquidation rights of our Common Stock.
Our Board of Directors may issue and fix the terms of shares of our Preferred Stock without stockholder approval, which could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our Common Stock or any change in control of our Company.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of "blank check" preferred stock, with such designations rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our board of directors. Our board of directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue shares of preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. In the event of such issuances, the preferred stock could be used, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying, or preventing a change in control of our Company.
Our officers, directors and principal stockholders have significant voting power over our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.
Our directors, executive officers and significant stockholders will continue to have substantial control over us after this offering and could delay or prevent a change in corporate control. Our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 5% of our Common or Preferred Stock, together with their affiliates, currently beneficially own, in the aggregate, 2.3% of our outstanding Common Stock and 54.5% of our voting power beneficially and through proxies, and after this offering will beneficially own, in the aggregate, 0.5% of our outstanding Common Stock and 77.6% of our voting power beneficially and through proxies. As a result, these stockholders, acting together, would have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, these stockholders, acting together, would have the ability to control the management and affairs of our Company. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership might adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock by:
· | delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company; |
· | impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover, or other business combination involving us; or | |
· | discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company. |
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Substantial future sales of shares of our Common Stock could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline.
The market price of shares of our Common Stock could decline as a result of substantial sales of our Common Stock, particularly sales by our directors, executive officers and significant stockholders, or a large number of shares of our Common Stock becoming available for sale or the perception in the market that holders of a large number of shares intend to sell their shares. After the Offering, we will have 1,910,552 shares outstanding of our Common Stock, based on the 452,219 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023 (after giving effect to our proposed reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-20, and assuming the sale of all securities offered hereby and assuming no sale of any Pre-Funded Units, no exercise of the over-allotment option, and no exercise of the Warrants issued in connection with this offering). This includes the shares included in this offering, which may be resold in the public market immediately without restriction, unless purchased by our affiliates or existing stockholders.
In the event that our Common Stock is delisted from Nasdaq, U.S. broker-dealers may be discouraged from effecting transactions in shares of our Common Stock because they may be considered penny stocks and thus be subject to the penny stock rules.
The SEC has adopted a number of rules to regulate “penny stock” that restricts transactions involving stock which is deemed to be penny stock. These rules may have the effect of reducing the liquidity of penny stocks. “Penny stocks” generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 per share (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on Nasdaq if current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). Our shares of Common Stock constitute, “penny stock” within the meaning of the rules. The additional sales practice and disclosure requirements imposed upon U.S. broker-dealers may discourage such broker-dealers from effecting transactions in shares of our Common Stock, which could severely limit the market liquidity of such shares of Common Stock and impede their sale in the secondary market.
A U.S. broker-dealer selling penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or “accredited investor” (generally, an individual with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or an annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with his or her spouse) must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. In addition, the “penny stock” regulations require the U.S. broker-dealer to deliver, prior to any transaction involving a “penny stock,” a disclosure schedule prepared in accordance with SEC standards relating to the “penny stock” market, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. A U.S. broker-dealer is also required to disclose commissions payable to the U.S. broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, a U.S. broker-dealer is required to submit monthly statements disclosing recent price information with respect to the “penny stock” held in a customer’s account and information with respect to the limited market in “penny stocks.”
Stockholders should be aware that, according to the SEC, the market for “penny stocks” has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns include (i) control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; (ii) manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and misleading press releases; (iii) “boiler room” practices involving high-pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced sales persons; (iv) excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differentials and markups by selling broker-dealers; and (v) the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, resulting in investor losses. Our management is aware of the abuses that have occurred historically in the penny stock market. Although we do not expect to be in a position to dictate the behavior of the market or of broker-dealers who participate in the market, management will strive within the confines of practical limitations to prevent the described patterns from being established with respect to our securities.
The reverse stock split may decrease the liquidity of the shares of our Common Stock.
The liquidity of the shares of our Common Stock may be affected adversely by the reverse stock split given the reduced number of shares that will be outstanding following the reverse stock split, especially if the market price of our Common Stock does not increase as a result of the reverse stock split. In addition, the reverse stock split may increase the number of shareholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares) of our Common Stock, creating the potential for such shareholders to experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares of Common Stock and greater difficulty effecting such sales.
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Following the reverse stock split, the resulting market price of our Common Stock may not attract new investors, including institutional investors, and may not satisfy the investing requirements of those investors. Consequently, the trading liquidity of our Common Stock may not improve.
Although we believe that a higher market price of our Common Stock may help generate greater or broader investor interest, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split will result in a share price that will attract new investors, including institutional investors. In addition, there can be no assurance that the market price of our Common Stock will satisfy the investing requirements of those investors. As a result, the trading liquidity of our Common Stock may not necessarily improve.
There is no public market for the Units, Pre-Funded Units, Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants.
There is no public trading market for the Units, Pre-Funded Units, Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants offered by this prospectus, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the Units, Pre-Funded Units, Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system, including Nasdaq. Without an active market, the liquidity of the warrants will be limited.
The Warrants are speculative in nature.
The Warrants offered in this offering do not confer any rights of Common Stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of our Common Stock at a fixed price for a limited period of time. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the warrants may exercise their right to acquire the Common Stock and pay an exercise price of $4.80 per share (100% of the assumed offering price per unit), from time to time, until the 5th anniversary from the date of issuance, after which date any unexercised warrants will expire and have no further value. In addition, there is no established trading market for the Warrants.
Since the Warrants are executory contracts, they may have no value in a bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding.
In the event a bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding is commenced by or against us, a bankruptcy court may hold that any unexercised warrants or prefunded warrants are executory contracts that are subject to rejection by us with the approval of the bankruptcy court. As a result, holders of the warrants and prefunded warrants may, even if we have sufficient funds, not be entitled to receive any consideration for their warrants or prefunded warrants or may receive an amount less than they would be entitled to if they had exercised their warrants or prefunded prior to the commencement of any such bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding.
The Warrants 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 shares of Common Stock as part of this offering. To the extent we issue shares of Common Stock to effect a future business combination, the potential for the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares upon exercise of the warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition vehicle in the eyes of a target business. Such warrants, when exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and reduce the value of the shares issued to complete the business combination. Accordingly, the warrants may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring a target business. Additionally, the sale, or even the possibility of a sale, of the shares of Common Stock underlying the warrants 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 the warrants are exercised, you may experience dilution to your holdings.
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You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the Common Stock included in the Units and may experience additional dilution of your investment in the future.
The effective price per share of Common Stock included in the Units is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock outstanding prior to this offering. Assuming the sale of all 1,458,333 Units in this offering no sale of any Pre-Funded Units, and no exercise of the over-allotment option, if you purchase Units in this offering, you will suffer immediate and substantial dilution of $0.30 per share, with respect to the net tangible book value of the Common Stock as of June 30, 2023. Furthermore, if outstanding options, warrants or notes are exercised or converted, as applicable, or the Warrants issued in connection with this offering are exercised, you could experience further dilution. See the section titled “Dilution” below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase Units in this offering. Further, because we may need to raise additional capital to fund our anticipated level of operations, we may in the future sell substantial amounts of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock. These future issuances of equity or equity-linked securities, together with the exercise or conversion of outstanding options, warrants, notes and/or any additional shares issued in connection with acquisitions, if any, will likely result in further dilution to investors.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Common Stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Several analysts may cover our stock. If one or more of those analysts downgrade our stock or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
The market price for our Common Stock is particularly volatile given our status as a relatively unknown company with a small and thinly traded public float, and lack of profits, which could lead to wide fluctuations in our share price.
The market for our Common Stock is characterized by significant price volatility when compared to the shares of larger, more established companies that have large public floats, and we expect that our share price will continue to be more volatile than the shares of such larger, more established companies for the indefinite future. The volatility in our share price is attributable to a number of factors. First, as noted above, our Common Stock is, compared to the shares of such larger, more established companies, sporadically and thinly traded. The price for our Common Stock could, for example, decline precipitously in the event that a large number of our Common Stock is sold on the market without commensurate demand. Secondly, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our lack of profits to date. As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-adverse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their shares of Common Stock on the market more quickly and at greater discounts than would be the case with the stock of a larger, more established company that has a large public float. Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our Common Stock regardless of our operating performance.
If and when a larger trading market for our Common Stock develops, the market price of our Common Stock is still likely to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.
The market price of our Common Stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors that are beyond our control, including, but not limited to:
· | variations in our revenues and operating expenses; |
· | actual or anticipated changes in the estimates of our operating results or changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding our Common Stock, other comparable companies or our industry generally; |
· | market conditions in our industry, the industries of our customers and the economy as a whole; |
· | actual or expected changes in our growth rates or our competitors’ growth rates; |
· | developments in the financial markets and worldwide or regional economies; |
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· | announcements of innovations or new products or services by us or our competitors; |
· | announcements by the government relating to regulations that govern our industry; |
· | sales of our Common Stock or other securities by us or in the open market; |
· | changes in the market valuations of other comparable companies; and |
· | other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control, including those resulting from such events, or the prospect of such events, including war, terrorism and other international conflicts, public health issues including health epidemics or pandemics, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, and natural disasters such as fire, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados or other adverse weather and climate conditions, whether occurring in the United States or elsewhere, could disrupt our operations, disrupt the operations of our suppliers or result in political or economic instability. |
In addition, if the market for technology stocks or the stock market in general experiences loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition or operating results. The trading price of our Common Stock might also decline in reaction to events that affect other companies in our industry, even if these events do not directly affect us. Each of these factors, among others, could harm the value of your investment in our Common Stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $6.1 million (assuming the sale of all securities offered hereby, at the assumed public offering price of $4.80 per Unit, equal to the closing sale price of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq on August 24, 2023 (after giving effect to our proposed reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-20), and assuming no sale of any Pre-Funded Units, no exercise of the over-allotment option, and no exercise of the Warrants issued in connection with this offering) ($7.1 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
We intend to use all of the net proceeds we receive from this offering for the acquisition, research and development of original content and technology, strategic partnerships, and for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.
The use of the proceeds represents management’s estimates based on current business and economic conditions. We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds of this offering which may result in an allocation of net proceeds in differing amounts than those listed above, or in entirely new areas. The amount and timing of these proposed expenditures will depend on a number of factors, including the progress of our user acquisition efforts, and any unforeseen cash needs. As a result, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that the proceeds will be used in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to invest the proceeds in investment grade interest bearing instruments or will hold the proceeds in interest bearing or non-interest-bearing bank accounts.
Management believes that the proceeds from this offering will be sufficient to satisfy our cash needs for the next six months.
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DILUTION
If you purchase shares of Units in this offering, you will experience dilution to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock immediately after this offering. The net tangible book value of our Common Stock on June 30, 2023 was approximately $2,466,000, or approximately $5.45 per share. Net tangible book value per share is equal to the amount of our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, divided by the aggregate number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding.
After giving effect to the assumed sale by us of 1,458,333 shares underlying the Units (assuming the sale of all securities offered hereby, at the assumed public offering price of $4.80 per Unit, the closing sale price of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on August 24, 2023, and assuming no sale of any Pre-Funded Units, no exercise of the over-allotment option, no exercise of the Warrants issued in connection with this offering), after deducting the underwriter’s fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2023 would have been approximately $8,589,000, or approximately $4.50 per share. This represents an immediate decrease in net tangible book value of approximately $0.95 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of approximately $0.30 per share to new investors purchasing Units in this offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
Assumed Public offering price per Unit | $ | 4.80 | ||
Net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2023 | $ | 5.45 | ||
Decrease in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors in this offering | $ | (0.95 | ) | |
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2023, after giving effect to this offering | $ | 4.50 | ||
Dilution per share to investors participating in this offering | $ | 0.30 |
Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $4.80 per Unit would increase (decrease) our as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $1,327,093, or $0.70 per share, and the dilution per share to new investors by $0.30 per share, assuming that the number of Units offered by us, as set forth above, remains the same and after deducting the underwriters’ fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us and no Pre-funded Units are sold in this offering.
The foregoing discussion and table does not take into account further dilution to investors in this offering that could occur upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants having a per share exercise price less than the public offering price per share in this offering.
The shares of Common Stock outstanding and the shares of Common Stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 452,219 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023. The number gives effect to our proposed 1-for-20 reverse stock split and excludes an aggregate of up to approximately 20,017 shares of Common Stock based upon the following:
(i) | 469 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $3,213.03 per share; | |
(ii) | 8,712 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Common Stock purchase warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $2,146.17; | |
(iii) | 266 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion by convertible promissory note holders of all of the outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest due, totaling $592,773; | |
(iv) | 8,056 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 9,281,809 shares of Series C Stock; and | |
(v) | 2,514 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). |
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2023:
· | on an actual basis; and | |
· | on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the sale by us of 1,458,333 Units at the assumed public offering price of $4.80 per Unit (assuming the sale of all securities offered hereby, at the assumed public offering price of $4.80 per Unit, 75% of the closing sale price of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq on August 24, 2023 (after giving effect to our proposed reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-20), and assuming no sale of any Pre-Funded Units, no exercise of the over-allotment option, no exercise of the Warrants issued in connection with this offering), after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option). |
You should read this information together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, as well as the information set forth under the headings "Use of Proceeds" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.
June 30, 2023 | ||||||||
Actual | As Adjusted | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,211,658 | $ | 8,334,873 | ||||
Indebtedness due within one year | $ | 500,696 | $ | 500,696 | ||||
Total long-term debt, net of unamortized discounts - non-current portion | $ | – | $ | – | ||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 452,219 shares and 1,910,552 as adjusted shares outstanding | 452 | 1,910 | ||||||
Series C preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 9,281,809 shares outstanding | 9,282 | 9,282 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 104,660,735 | 110,782,492 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (88,202,102) | (88,202,102 | ) | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (168,267) | (168,267 | ) | |||||
Noncontrolling interests | 2,012,413 | 2,012,413 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 18,312,513 | 24,435,725 | ||||||
Total capitalization | $ | 18,813,209 | $ | 24,936,424 |
_________
The table and discussion above are based on 452,219 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2023 (after giving effect to our proposed 1-for-20 reverse stock split), and excludes, as of that date, the following:
(i) | 469 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $3,213.03 per share; | |
(ii) | 8,712 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Common Stock purchase warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $2,146,17; | |
(iii) | 266 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion by convertible promissory note holders of all of the outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest due, totaling $592,773; | |
(iv) | 8,056 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of 9,281,809 shares of Series C Stock; and | |
(v) | 2,514 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under our 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). |
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UNDERWRITING
EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC is acting as the representative of the underwriters in this offering (“EF Hutton” or the “Representative”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, the following respective number of Units and Pre-Funded Units set forth opposite the underwriter’s name below.
Underwriter | Units | Pre-Funded Units | |||
EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC | [_____] | [_____] | |||
Total | [_____] | [_____] |
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters must buy all of the securities if they buy any of them. However, the underwriters is not required to take or pay for the securities covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, as described below. Our securities are offered subject to a number of conditions, including:
· | receipt and acceptance of our securities by the underwriters; and |
· | the underwriters’ right to reject orders in whole or in part. |
Over-Allotment Option
We have granted the underwriters an option to buy up to an aggregate of 218,750 shares of Common Stock and/or Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase 218,750 shares of Common Stock, and/or Warrants to purchase 218,750 shares of Common Stock , less underwriting discounts and commissions, solely to cover over-allotments, if any and in each case, less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover of this prospectus in any combination thereof to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent that the Representative exercise this option, each of the underwriters will become obligated, subject to conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of these additional securities as the number of Units and Pre-funded Units to be purchased by it in the above table bears to the total number of Units and Pre-funded Units offered by this prospectus. If this option is exercised in full for Units, the total offering price to the public will be approximately $8 million and the total net proceeds, before expenses and after the credit to the underwriting commissions described below, to us will be approximately $7.1 million.
Underwriting Discount
The Units and Pre-Funded Units sold by the underwriters to the public will be offered at the offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. We will pay the underwriters a cash commission equal to eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds from the sale of Units and Pre-funded Units sold in this offering. Any securities sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $[__] per Unit from the public offering price of the Units or $[__] per Pre-Funded Unit from the public offering price of the Pre-Funded Units. The underwriters may offer the securities through one or more of their affiliates or selling agents. Upon execution of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase the securities at the prices and upon the terms stated therein.
The underwriting discount is equal to the public offering price per Unit, less the amount paid by the underwriter to us per Unit, or in the case of the Pre-Funded Units, equal to the public offering price per Pre-Funded Unit, less the amount paid by the underwriters to us per Pre-Funded Unit. The underwriting discount was determined through an arms’ length negotiation between us and the Representative. We have agreed to sell the Units to the underwriters at the assumed offering price of $4.80 per Unit , and in the case of the Pre-Funded Units, $4.80 per Pre-Funded Unit.
We have agreed to pay the underwriters’ out-of-pocket accountable expenses, including the underwriters’ legal fees and disbursements, up to a maximum amount of $95,000. If the offering is not consummated, we have agreed to pay the Representative a termination fee of $50,000. Any portion of any advance shall be returned back to us to the extent not actually incurred in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A).
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discount, will be approximately $240,000. Additionally, we have agreed to pay EF Hutton a non-accountable expense allowance of one percent (1.0%) of the gross proceeds of this offering.
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Tail Period
EF Hutton shall be entitled to a cash fee equal to eight percent (8.0%) of the gross proceeds received by us from the sale of any equity, debt and/or equity derivative instruments to any investor actually introduced by EF Hutton to us during the period from June 14, 2023 and the earlier to occur of (i) six (6) months from June 14, 2023, or December 14, 2023, (ii) the final closing of this offering and (iii) the termination of the Engagement Letter dated as of June 14, 2023 (the “Engagement Agreement”) issued by EF Hutton to us (the “Engagement Period”), in connection with any public or private financing or capital raise (each a “Tail Financing”), and such Tail Financing is consummated at any time during the Engagement Period or within the six (6) month period following the expiration or termination of the Engagement Period, provided that such Tail Financing is by a party actually introduced to us in an offering in which hawse have direct knowledge of such party’s participation.
Right of First Refusal
Until six (6) months from the closing date of this offering, EF Hutton will have an irrevocable right of first refusal, in its sole discretion, to act as sole investment banker, sole book-runner, and/or sole placement agent, at EF Hutton’s sole discretion, for all future public and private equity and debt offerings, including all equity-linked financings on terms and conditions customary to EF Hutton for such transactions. EF Hutton will have the sole right to determine whether or not any other broker-dealer will have the right to participate in any such offering and the economic terms of any such participation.
Lock-Up Agreements
We have agreed not to, subject to certain limited exceptions, until 90 days following the closing of this offering (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (ii) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (iii) complete any offering of debt securities of the Company, other than entering into a line of credit with a traditional bank, or (iv) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.
Additionally, our executive officers and directors and any holder of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock have agreed with the underwriters not to offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company, for a period of 90 days after the closing of this offering, subject to customary exceptions.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify EF Hutton against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. If we are unable to provide this indemnification, we have agreed to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
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Other Relationships
We are not under any contractual obligation to engage the Representative to provide any services for us after this offering and have no present intent to do so. However, pursuant to the Engagement Agreement, EF Hutton agreed to provide general financial advisory services to the Company such as introducing the Company to investors and assisting the Company in financings or other transactions (the “Advisory Services”).
If within six (6) months from the effective date of the termination or expiration of the Engagement Agreement either the Company or any party to whom the Company was directly introduced by EF Hutton, or who was contacted by EF Hutton on behalf of the Company in connection with its Advisory Services for the Company, proposes a financing (“Financing”) or any transaction with the Company, including, without limitation, a merger, acquisition or sale of stock or assets (in which the Company may be the acquiring or the acquired entity), joint venture, strategic alliance or other similar transaction (any such transaction, an “M&A Transaction”), then, if any such Financing or an M&A Transaction is consummated, the Company shall pay fees to EF Hutton. Under the Engagement Agreement, as consideration for the Advisory Services in connection with a private placement of equity securities, the Company has agreed to pay EF Hutton a cash fee of eight percent (8%) of the amount of capital raised, invested or committed. For debt placements, the Company has agreed to pay EF Hutton a cash fee of six percent (6.0%) of the amount of capital raised, invested or committed. In connection with an M&A Transaction, the Company has agreed to pay EF Hutton five percent (5%) of the total transaction consideration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, EF Hutton will not receive any fees in connection with a Financing or M&A Transaction unless FINRA determines that such payment would not be deemed underwriting compensation in connection with this offering.
Determination of Offering Price and Warrant Exercise Price
The actual offering price of the securities we are offering has been negotiated between us and the Representative based on the trading of our shares of Common Stock prior to this offering, among other things. Other factors considered in determining the public offering price of the securities we are offering include our history and prospects, the stage of development of our business, our business plans for the future and the extent to which they have been implemented, an assessment of our management, the general conditions of the securities markets at the time of this offering and such other factors as were deemed relevant.
Stock Exchange
Our shares of Common Stock and registered warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “GROM” and “GROMW,” respectively. There is no public market for the Pre-funded Warrants and Warrants sold in this offering and we are not under any obligation to apply to have the Pre-funded Warrants and Warrants listed on any securities exchange or quoted on an interdealer quotation system.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriters of this offering, or by its affiliates. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or an underwriter in its capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.
Regulation M
The underwriters may not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities and may not bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until it has completed this offering.
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Affiliations
The Representative and its respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The Representative and its affiliates may from time to time in the future engage with us and perform services for us or in the ordinary course of their business for which they will receive customary fees and expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the Representative and its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of us. The Representative and its affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of these securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in these securities and instruments.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our capital stock is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our articles of incorporation, as amended and bylaws, which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Authorized Capitalization
We have authorized capital stock consisting of 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 2,000,000 shares have been designated as Series A 10% Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Stock”), 10,000,000 shares have been designated as Series B 8% Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares have been designated as Series C 8% Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Stock”).
As of August 23, 2023, we had 452,219 shares of Common Stock and 9,281,809 shares of Series C Stock, issued and outstanding and no shares of Series A Stock or Series B Stock were issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets or funds legally available for the payment of dividends of such times and in such amounts as the board from time to time may determine. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. There is no cumulative voting of the election of directors then standing for election. The Common Stock is not entitled to pre-emptive rights and is not subject to conversion or redemption. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders are distributable ratably among the holders of the Common Stock after payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding payment of other claims of creditors and senior ranked securities.
Preferred Stock
Series A Stock
Voting. The holders of our Series A Stock have the right to vote together with the holders of our Common Stock on an as-converted basis, with five votes for each share of Series A Stock, except that so long as any shares of Series A Stock are outstanding, we may not take any actions that would amend the rights, preferences or privileges of our Series A Stock without the approval of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding Series A Stock, voting separately as a single class. Fractional votes by the holders of Series A Stock are not permitted and any fractional voting rights will be rounded to the nearest whole number, with one-half being rounded upward.
Maturity. The Series A Stock has no maturity and is not subject to any sinking fund or redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless and until converted by the holder or we redeem or otherwise repurchase the Series A Stock.
Ranking. The Series A Stock ranks, with respect to the payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, (i) senior to all classes or series of Common Stock, (ii) on parity with all equity securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank on parity with the Series A Stock; (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by us with terms specifically providing that those equity securities rank senior to the Series A Stock; and (iv) effectively junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including indebtedness convertible into our Common Stock or preferred stock) of the Company.
Dividends. Cumulative dividends accrue on each share of Series A Stock at the rate of 10% (the “Dividend Rate”) of the stated value of $1.00, commencing on the date of issuance.
Dividends are payable monthly in arrears, beginning on March 31, 2019 and thereafter on the last calendar day of each month, and, at our discretion, may be paid in cash or in stock (the “PIK Dividend”) with such shares being valued at $0.25 per share (as may be adjusted as a result of stock splits, reverse splits, combinations, or similar transactions from time to time). Any fractional shares of a PIK Dividend may, at our discretion, be paid in cash or rounded up to the nearest share. All shares of Common Stock issued in payment of a PIK Dividend will upon issuance thereof, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Dividends will accumulate whether or not we have earnings.
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Liquidation Preference. In the event of a merger, sale of substantially all assets or stock, voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of Series A Stock will be entitled to be paid out of the assets we have legally available for distribution to our shareholders, subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class or series of our capital stock we may issue ranking senior to the Series A Stock with respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, a liquidation preference equal to the (i) aggregate number of shares of Series A Stock outstanding multiplied by its stated value per share; and (ii) any accrued but unpaid dividends before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of our capital stock that we may issue that ranks junior to the Series A Stock as to liquidation rights. If our assets are not sufficient to pay in full the liquidation preference, then the holders of Series A Stock will share ratably in any distribution.
The liquidation preference shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of a stock split, stock combination or similar event so that the aggregate liquidation preference allocable to all outstanding shares of Series A Stock immediately prior to such event is the same immediately after giving effect to such event.
In the event of a sale of less than all or substantially all of the assets (by merger, asset sale, change of control, capital lease or long term license/lease spin off or otherwise of the Company or any subsidiary) with gross proceeds to the Company in excess of $1,500,000 whereby the assets sold exceeds the cost of assets acquired for GAAP purposes, then the holder of the Series A Stock will receive a “special dividend” from the Company equal to 25% of the value of such holder’s Series A Stock, payable in same form of consideration, as received by the Company.
Conversion. Each share of Series A Stock is convertible, at any time, into five shares of Common Stock.
If at any time, shares of Common Stock is changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or classes of stock, by recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, merger, exchange, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise (each a “Corporate Change”), (i) each holder of Series A Stock shall may convert such stock into the kind and amount of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such Corporate Change by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Series A Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such Corporate Change, or with respect to such other securities or property by the terms thereof and (ii) the PIK Dividend will be paid in shares of such kind and amount of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such Corporate Change as would have been received as such PIK Dividend immediately prior to such Corporate Change, or with respect to such other securities or property by the terms thereof.
In the event that any of the following occurs (a) a declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock, without consideration, in additional shares of Common Stock or other securities or rights convertible into, or entitling the holder thereof to receive, directly or indirectly, additional shares of Common Stock; (b) a subdivision (by stock split, reclassification or otherwise) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock; or (c) a combination or consolidation (by reverse stock split) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock (each, a “Common Stock Event”), the (i) aggregate number of shares of Common Stock into which the Series A Stock may be converted (the “Conversion Shares”) in effect immediately prior to such Common Stock Event, and (ii) the common stock PIK Dividend Rate shall, simultaneously with the occurrence of such Common Stock Event, be proportionately decreased or increased, as appropriate. The Conversion Shares shall be readjusted in the same manner upon the occurrence of each subsequent Common Stock Event.
Share Reservation. We are obligated to at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, a sufficient number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be available to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series A Stock.
Redemption. The Series A Stock is not redeemable.
Transfer. The sale, offer to sell, contract to sell, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other transfer of the Series A Stock or Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series A Stock is restricted as provided in a subscription agreement for the shares between the Company and the purchaser or its successors and assigns.
Protective Provisions. So long as any shares of Series A Stock are outstanding, we may not take any actions (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) without the approval of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding Series A Stock, voting separately as a single class, that would amend the rights, preferences or privileges of the Series A Stock.
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While we do not currently have any plans for the issuance of additional preferred stock, the issuance of such preferred stock could adversely affect the rights of the holders of Common Stock and, therefore, reduce the value of the Common Stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock on the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock; however, these effects may include:
· | Restricting dividends on the Common Stock | |
· | Diluting the voting power of the Common Stock; or | |
· | Impairing the liquidation rights of the Common Stock. |
As of the date of this prospectus, we have no shares of our Series A Stock issued and outstanding.
Series B Stock
Ranking. The Series B Stock ranks senior and prior to all other classes or series of our preferred stock and Common Stock.
Conversion. The holder may at any time after the 12-month anniversary of the issuance of the shares of Series B Stock convert such shares into Common Stock at a conversion price equal to the 30-day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of a share of Common Stock for each share of Series B Stock to be converted. In addition, we at any time may require conversion of all or any of the Series B Stock then outstanding at a 50% discount to the 30-day VWAP.
Voting. The holders of our Series B Stock vote together as a single class with the holders of shares of our Common Stock, with each share entitling the holder to 1.5625 votes per share. The consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series B Stock is required for the amendment to any of the terms of the Series B Stock, to create any additional class of stock unless the stock ranks junior to the Series B Stock, to make any distribution or dividend on any securities ranking junior to the Series B Stock, to merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets or acquire another business or effectuate any liquidation of the Company.
Dividends. Cumulative dividends accrue on each share of Series B Stock at the rate of 8% per annum of the stated value of $1.00 per share and are payable in Common Stock in arrears quarterly commencing 90 days from issuance.
Liquidation. Upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Series B Stock are entitled to $1.00 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. No distribution may be made to holders of shares of capital stock ranking junior to the Series B Stock upon a liquidation until Series B stockholders receive their liquidation preference. The holders of 66 2/3% of the then outstanding shares of Series B Stock, may elect to effect a merger, reorganization or consolidation of the Company into or with another corporation, not affiliated with said majority, or other similar transaction or series of related transactions in which more than 50% of the voting power of the Company is disposed of in exchange for property, rights or securities distributed to holders thereof by the acquiring person, firm or other entity, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have no shares of Series B Stock issued and outstanding.
Series C Stock
Designation and Amount. The number of shares constituting the Series C Preferred Stock shall be 10,000,000, with a stated value of $1.00 per share.
Ranking. The Series C Preferred Stock ranks senior and prior to all other classes or series of our preferred stock and Common Stock.
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Dividends. Cumulative dividends accrue on each share of Series C Preferred Stock at the rate of 8% per annum of the stated value of $1.00 per share and are payable in Common Stock in arrears quarterly commencing three months from the date of issuance.
Liquidation. Upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to $1.00 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. No distribution may be made to holders of shares of capital stock ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock upon a liquidation until the holders of Series C Preferred Stock receive their liquidation preference. The holders of 66 2/3% of the then outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, may elect to effect a merger, reorganization or consolidation of the Company, or other similar transaction or series of related transactions in which more than 50% of the voting power of the Company is disposed of in exchange for property, rights or securities distributed to holders thereof by the acquiring person, firm or other entity, or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, as a liquidation.
Voting. The holders of our Series C Preferred Stock vote together as a single class with the holders of our Common Stock, with each share entitling the holder to 1.5625 votes per share. The consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock is required for the amendment to any of the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock, to create any additional class of stock unless the stock ranks junior to the Series C Preferred Stock, to make any distribution or dividend on any securities ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Stock, or to merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets or acquire another business or effectuate any liquidation of the Company.
Conversion. The holder may, at any time after the 6-month anniversary of the issuance of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock, convert such shares into Common Stock at a conversion rate of $1,152.00 per share. In addition, we may, at any time after the issuance of the shares, convert any or all of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock at a conversion rate of $1,152.00 per share.
As of August 23, 2023, we had 9,281,809 shares of Series C Stock issued and outstanding.
Stock Options
As of August 23, 2023, an aggregate of 469 shares of Common Stock were issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, at a weighted-average exercise price of $3,213.03 per share.
Warrants
As of August 23, 2023, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 8,712 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of $2,146.17 are issued and outstanding and terms between 0.3 years and 4.4 years.
DESCRIPTION OF Securities Being Offered in This Offering
We are offering (A) up 1,458,333 Units, each Unit consisting of: (i) one share of our Common Stock; and (ii) one Series A Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock; and (iii) one Series B Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock, and (B) up to 1,458,333 Pre-Funded Units, each Pre-Funded Unit consisting of: (i) one Pre-Funded Warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock; (ii) one Series A Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock; and (iii) one Series B Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock. For each Pre-Funded Unit we sell, the number of Units we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. Because we will issue one Series A Warrant and one Series B Warrant as part of each Unit or Pre-Funded Unit, the number of Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants sold in this offering will not change as a result of a change in the mix of the Units and Pre-Funded Units sold. The Units and the Pre-Funded Units have no stand-alone rights and will not be issued or certificated. The shares of Common Stock and/or Pre-Funded Warrants, as the case may be, and the Warrants can only be purchased together in this offering but the securities contained in the Units or Pre-Funded Units will be issued separately. We are also registering the Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants included in the Units and Pre-Funded Units offered hereby.
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Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants Being Offered in This Offering
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the forms of Warrant and Pre-Funded Warrant, all of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions set forth in the forms of Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrant.
Exercisability. The Pre-Funded Warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance until they are exercised in full. The Warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance up to the date that is five years after their original issuance. Each of the Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of Common Stock subscribed for upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). If a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants under the Securities Act is not effective or available, the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of Common Stock determined according to the formula set forth in the Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants, as applicable.
No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a Warrant or Pre-Funded Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price.
Alternative Cashless Exercise for Series A Warrant. On or after the earlier of (i) the thirty (30) day anniversary of the date of issuance and (ii) the date on which the aggregate composite trading volume of our Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg beginning on the date of issuance exceeds 15 million shares, a holder of the Series A Warrant may also provide notice and elect an “alternative cashless exercise” on or after the earlier of the thirty day anniversary of the date of the initial exercise date. In such event, the aggregate number of warrant shares issuable in such alternative cashless exercise shall equal the product of (x) the aggregate number of Series A Warrant shares that would be issuable upon exercise of the Series A Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise and (y) 0.50.
Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, upon election by a holder prior to the issuance of any warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99%, upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us with respect to any increase in such percentage.
Exercise Price. The exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant included in each Pre-Funded Unit is $0.001 per share. The exercise price per whole share of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants is $4.80 per share (100% of the assumed offering price per Unit). The exercise price and number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise will adjust in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, dilutive issuances or similar events. In addition, with respect to Series B Warrant, subject to certain exemptions outlined in the Warrants, if we sell, enter into an agreement to sell, or grant any option to purchase, or sell, enter into an agreement to sell, or grant any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issue (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (as defined in the Warrant), at an effective price per share less than the exercise price of the Warrant then in effect, the exercise price of the Warrant shall be reduced to equal the effective price per share in such dilutive issuance, provided, however, in no event shall the exercise price of the Warrant be less than $2.65.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent.
Exchange Listing. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the Warrants or Pre-Funded Warrants offered in this offering on any stock exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Warrants and Pre-Funded Warrants will be limited.
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Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Warrants or the Pre-Funded Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of our shares of Common Stock, the holder of a Warrant or Pre-Funded Warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our shares of Common Stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the Warrant or Pre-Funded Warrant.
Fundamental Transaction. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrants, and generally including, with certain exceptions, any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our shares of Common Stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holders of the Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise thereof the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Additionally, as more fully described in the Warrant, in the event of certain fundamental transactions, the holders of the Warrants will be entitled to receive consideration in an amount equal to the Black Scholes value of the remaining unexercised portion of the Warrants on the date of consummation of such fundamental transaction.
Call Feature. The Warrants are callable by us in certain circumstances. If, after the closing date, (i) the volume weighted average price of the shares of Common Stock for each of 10 consecutive trading days (the “Measurement Period”), which Measurement Period shall not have commenced until after the Initial Exercise Date, is (a) with respect to the 60-day period following the Issuance Date, equal to or greater than [ ]% of the Initial Exercise Price and (b) with respect to all subsequent periods, equal to or greater than [ ]% of the Initial Exercise Price, (ii) the average daily trading volume for such Measurement Period exceeds $[ ] per trading day, and (iii) the Warrant holders are not in possession of any information that constitutes or might constitute, material non-public information which was provided by the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates, then we may, in our sole discretion, within one trading day of the end of such Measurement Period, upon notice (a “Call Notice”), call for cancellation of all, and only all, of the warrants for which a notice of exercise has not yet been delivered (a “Call”) for consideration equal to $0.001 per share of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Warrant. Any portion of a Warrant subject to such Call Notice for which a notice of exercise shall not have been received by the Call Date will be canceled at 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the thirtieth trading day after the date the Call Notice is received by the holder.
Governing Law. The Pre-Funded Warrants and the Warrants are governed by New York law.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for the shares our Common Stock and the shares of Common Stock issued in this offering is Equiniti Trust Company.
Registration Rights
None of the holders of shares of our Common Stock or their transferees, are entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of the offer and sale of those shares under the Securities Act. If the offer and sale of these shares is registered, the shares will be freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, and a large number of shares may be sold into the public market.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
As described above, our articles of incorporation provide that our Board may issue preferred stock with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board. Our preferred stock could be issued quickly and utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company or make removal of management more difficult.
Certain provisions of Florida law and our bylaws summarized below, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another person from acquiring control of us.
It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.
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These provisions expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our Board. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Florida Law
The Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”) contains a control-share acquisition statute that provides that a person who acquires shares in an “issuing public corporation,” as defined in the statute, in excess of certain specified thresholds generally will not have any voting rights with respect to such shares unless such voting rights are approved by the holders of a majority of the votes of each class of securities entitled to vote separately, excluding shares held or controlled by the acquiring person.
The FBCA also provides that an “affiliated transaction” between a Florida corporation with an “interested shareholder,” as those terms are defined in the statute, generally must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares, other than the shares beneficially owned by the interested shareholder. The FBCA defines an “interested shareholder” as any person who is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation.
These laws could delay or prevent an acquisition.
In addition, we are subject to Section 607.0902 of the FBCA, which prohibits the voting of shares in a publicly held Florida corporation that are acquired in a control share acquisition unless (i) our Board approved such acquisition prior to its consummation or (ii) after such acquisition, in lieu of prior approval by our Board, the holders of a majority of the corporation’s voting shares, exclusive of shares owned by officers of the corporation, employee directors or the acquiring party, approve the granting of voting rights as to the shares acquired in the control share acquisition. A control share acquisition is defined as an acquisition that immediately thereafter entitles the acquiring party to 20% or more of the total voting power in an election of directors.
Special Stockholder Meetings
Our bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by of our Board, our President and by a demand delivered to the Company of at least 10% of all the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed special meeting.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus has been passed upon for us by Lucosky Brookman LLP, Woodbridge, New Jersey. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus and in the registration statement for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 have been audited by Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
As disclosed our on Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2022, on February 17, 2022, the Board dismissed BF Borgers CPA PC as our independent registered public accounting firm, effective as of such date.
The audit reports of BF Borgers CPA PC on our consolidated financial statements for each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The audit reports for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 contained an explanatory paragraph disclosing the uncertainty regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.
During our two fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and during the subsequent interim period from January 1, 2021 through February 17, 2022, (i) there were no disagreements with BF Borgers CPA PC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures that, if not resolved to BF Borgers CPA PC’s satisfaction, would have caused BF Borgers CPA PC to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports and (ii) there were no “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
We provided BF Borgers CPA PC with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and a copy of BF Borgers CPA PC’s letter dated March 1, 2022 to the SEC, stating whether it agrees with the foregoing disclosure, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to our Form 8-K filed March 2, 2022.
On February 17, 2022, the Board engaged Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023.
During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and during the subsequent interim period from January 1, 2021 through February 17, 2022, neither we nor anyone on our behalf consulted Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to us that Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” or a “reportable event,” each as defined in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and 304(a)(1)(v), respectively.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC this registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of this registration statement, does not contain all of the information in this registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and the units, Common Stock and warrants offered by this prospectus, you should refer to this registration statement and the exhibits filed as part of that document. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to this registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including this registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at: Grom Social Enterprises, Inc., 2060 NW Boca Raton, Suite #6, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 or (561) 287-5776.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents and that the information in this prospectus is not complete and you should read the information incorporated by reference for more detail. We incorporate by reference in two ways. First, we list certain documents that we have already filed with the SEC. The information in these documents is considered part of this prospectus. Second, the information in documents that we file with the SEC in the future will update and supersede the current information in, and incorporated by reference in, this prospectus until we file a post-effective amendment that indicates the termination of the offering of the Common Stock made by this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than information furnished in Current Reports on Form 8-K filed under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of such form unless such form expressly provides to the contrary), including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement:
· | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on April 17, 2023; |
· | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 17, 2023 and August 18, 2023, respectively; |
· | our Current Reports on Forms 8-K filed with the SEC on January 31, 2023, March 29, 2023, April 14, 2023; and August 10, 2023; and |
· | our preliminary and definitive proxy statements on PRE 14A and DEF 14A, respectively, filed with the SEC on June 28, 2023, and July 10, 2023, respectively; and |
The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are also available on our corporate website at www.gromsocial.com. We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. You may request a copy of this information at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:
Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd., Suite #6
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
(561) 287-5776
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Except for the specific incorporated documents listed above, no information available on or through our website shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding the issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company, and can be accessed free of charge on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov.
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Up to 1,458,333 Units
Each Unit consisting of:
One share of Common Stock
One Series A Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
One Series B Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
Up to 1,458,333 Pre-Funded Units
Each Pre-Funded Unit consisting of:
One Pre-Funded Warrant purchase one share of Common Stock
One Series A Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
One Series B Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock
Up to 2,916,666 Shares of Common Stock Underlying Series A Warrant and Series B Warrant and
Up to 1,458,333 Shares of Common Stock Underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
PROSPECTUS
EF HUTTON,
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
_______________, 2023
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the expenses expected to be incurred by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby, all of which expenses, except for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registration fee, are estimates:
Item |
Amount to be paid |
|||
SEC registration fee | $ | 2,661 | ||
FINRA filing fee | 4,122 | |||
Legal fees and expenses | 200,000 | |||
Accounting fees and expenses | 35,000 | |||
Miscellaneous expenses | 5,000 | |||
Total | $ | 245,783 |
Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”) provides that a corporation may indemnify a director or officer against liability if the director or officer acted in good faith, the director or officer acted in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may not indemnify a director or an officer except for expenses and amounts paid in settlement not exceeding, in the judgment of the board of directors, the estimated expense of litigating the proceeding to conclusion, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such proceeding, including any appeal thereof, where such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation.
The FBCA provides that a corporation must indemnify a director or officer who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the individual was a party because he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation against expenses incurred by the individual in connection with the proceeding.
A corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding by a director or an officer if the director or officer delivers to the corporation a signed written undertaking of the director or officer to repay any funds advanced if such director or officer is not entitled to indemnification.
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the full extent permitted by FBCA, including in circumstances in which indemnification is otherwise discretionary under such law.
These indemnification provisions may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of our officers, directors and other corporate agents for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
We have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was one of our directors or officers, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other business against any liability asserted against the person or incurred by the person in any of these capacities, or arising out of the person’s fulfilling one of these capacities, and related expenses, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify the person against the claim under the provisions of the FBCA. We do not currently maintain director and officer liability insurance on behalf of our director and officers; however, we intend to so purchase and maintain such insurance when economically feasible.
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Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
The following list sets forth information as to all securities we have sold since August 23, 2020, which were not registered under the Securities Act. All share and per share price information reflect the proposed reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-20.
On August 18, 2020, we issued 6 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On August 18, 2020, we issued 52 shares of Common Stock to its counsel for legal services provided to us.
On August 18, 2020, we issued 26 shares of Common Stock to a consultant for investor relations services provided to us.
On September 2, 2020, we issued 5 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On October 2, 2020, we issued an aggregate of 80 shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of an aggregate of $56,049 of outstanding principal and accrued interest on one of its 10% unsecured convertible redeemable notes.
On October 14, 2020, we issued 80 shares of Common Stock to a noteholder upon the conversion of $52,861 in convertible note principal and $1,527 of accrued interest.
On November 30, 2020, we issued an aggregate of 316,000 shares of Series B Stock to two holders of our OID Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $200,000 as payment in full for such OID Notes.
On November 30, 2020, we sold an aggregate of 233,500 shares of Series B Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $233,500 to two accredited investors in a private offering.
On November 30, 2020, we issued EMA Financial, LLC, an accredited investor, a nine-month 8% convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $260,000 for a $234,000 investment in a private offering. As of December 17, 2020, the terms of the EMA financing were amended to (a) increase the principal to $265,200, (b) reduce the conversion rate of the convertible note to $768.00, and (c) add a three-year warrant to purchase up to 138 shares of our Common Stock, at an exercise price of $960.00 per share.
On December 1, 2020, we issued 15 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On December 17, 2020, we issued Quick Capital, LLC, an accredited investor, a nine-month convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $113,587 for a $100,000 investment, which included an original issuance discount of 8% and a $4,500 credit for transaction expenses. In connection with the note issuance, Quick Capital was also issued a three-year warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 62 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $960.00 per share.
On December 21, 2020, we issued 4 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On February 9, 2021, we issued Auctus Fund, LLC, an accredited investor, a twelve-month convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $500,000. In connection with the note issuance, Auctus Fund was also issued a five-year warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 326 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $1,152.00 per share.
On February 17, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 2,564,175 shares of Series B Stock to three holders of convertible notes in the aggregate amount of $1,700,905 as payment in full for such notes.
On February 17, 2021, we sold an aggregate of 300,000 shares of Series B Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $300,000 to two accredited investors in a private offering.
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On March 11, 2021, we issued FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC, an accredited investor, a twelve-month convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $300,000. In connection with the note issuance, FirstFire Global was also issued a five-year warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 195 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $1,152.00 per share.
On March 31, 2021, we sold an aggregate of 650,000 shares of Series B Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $650,000 to three accredited investors in a private offering.
On April 16, 2021, we issued Labrys Fund, LP, an accredited investor, a twelve-month convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $300,000. In connection with the note issuance, Labrys Fund was also issued a five-year warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 195 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $1,152.00 per share.
On May 20, 2021, we entered into exchange agreements with all of the holders of our Series B Stock, pursuant to which the holders agreed to exchange all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Series B Stock for shares of Series C Stock, on a one for one basis. The exchange will be effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida, which may be as of May 20, 2021, or a later date. Upon effectiveness of the exchange, all 9,215,059 issued and outstanding shares of our Series B Stock will be exchanged for an aggregate of 9,215,059 shares of our Series C Stock, and all of the exchanged shares of Series B Stock will be cancelled.
On June 4, 2021, we issued 3 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On June 11, 2021, we issued 26 shares of Common Stock to a consultant for investor relations services provided to us.
On June 28, 2021, we issued 4 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On July 6, 2021, we issued 5 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On July 13, 2021, we issued 4 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On July 16, 2021, we issued 2 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On July 19, 2021, we issued 2 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On August 2, 2021, we issued 263 shares of Common Stock to an officer as bonus compensation.
On August 6, 2021, we issued 6 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On August 6, 2021, we issued 3 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On August 10, 2021, we issued 3 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On August 19, 2021, pursuant to the terms of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement entered into on July 29, 2021, we acquired 80% of Curiosity Ink Media’s outstanding membership interests (the “Purchased Interests”) from the holders of all of Curiosity’s outstanding membership interests (the “Sellers”) in consideration for the issuance to the Sellers of an aggregate of 2,953 shares of our Common Stock, pro rata to their membership interests immediately prior to the closing of the acquisition. The shares were valued at $1,692.00 per share which represents to the 20-day volume-weighted average price of our Common Stock on August 19, 2021. Pursuant to the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, we also paid $400,000 and issued an 8% eighteen-month convertible promissory note in the principal amount $278,000 (the “Note”) to pay-down and refinance certain outstanding loans and advances previously made to CIM by two of the Sellers, Russell Hicks and Brett Watts. The Note is convertible into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of $1,968.00 per share, but may not be converted if, after giving effect to such conversion, the noteholder and its affiliates would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of our outstanding Common Stock.
On September 2, 2021, we issued 6 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
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On September 14, 2021, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with L1 Capital Global Opportunities Master Fund (“L1 Capital”), pursuant to which it sold L1 Capital (i) a 10% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Convertible Note in the principal amount of $4,400,000, due March 13, 2023 (the “Original Note”), and (ii) a five-year warrant to purchase 1,355 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $2,520.00 per share (the “Original Warrant”), for consideration of $3,960,000.
On September 17, 2021, we issued 41 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for advisory services provided to us.
On September 17, 2021, we issued 2 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On October 13, 2021, we issued 217 shares of Common Stock to a consultant for investor relations services provided to us.
On October 18, 2021, we issued 7 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On October 18, 2021, we issued 2 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On November 17, 2021, we issued 5 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for technology design services provided to us.
On November 24, 2021, we issued 2 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for public relations services provided to us.
On January 24, 2022, we issued 34 shares of Common Stock to a preferred stockholder upon the conversion of 39,500 shares of Series C Stock.
On March 3, 2022, we issued 87 shares of Common Stock to a related party for marketing and promotional services provided to us.
On March 3, 2022, we issued 38 shares of Common Stock to an investor and public relations firm for services provided to us.
On March 18, 2022, we issued 3,333 shares of Common Stock to a noteholder upon the conversion of $1,300,000 in convertible note principal.
On March 21, 2022, we issued 2,308 shares of Common Stock to a noteholder upon the conversion of $900,000 in convertible note principal.
On March 23, 2022, we issued 513 shares of Common Stock to a noteholder upon the conversion of $200,000 in convertible note principal.
On June 17, 2022, we issued 295 shares of Common Stock to the holders of its Series C Stock for PIK dividends.
On June 17, 2022, we issued 73 shares of Common Stock to a consultant for investor relations services provided to us.
On July 1, 2022, we issued 17 shares of Common Stock to a consultant for investor relations services provided to us.
On September 8, 2022, we issued 17 shares of Common Stock to a consultant for investor relations services provided to us.
On September 29, 2022, we issued 765 shares of Common Stock to the holders of its Series C Stock for PIK dividends.
On September 30, 2022, we issued 67 shares of Common Stock to a contractor for advisory services provided to us.
On January 25, 2023, we consummated a private placement (the “PIPE Offering”) pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 25, 2023 (the “2023 SPA”) that we entered into with institutional investors, in which we issued (i) 100,000 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 66,372warrants (the “Purchase Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 116,151 shares of Common Stock; and (iii) 61,372 pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 61,372 shares of Common Stock. The purchase price of each share of Common Stock and associated Purchase Warrant was $45.20. The purchase of each share of Common Stock and associated Pre-funded Warrant was $45.00. The aggregate gross proceeds of the PIPE Offering was approximately $3 million, before deducting fees to the placement agent and other expenses payable by us. EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC, acted as the exclusive placement agent in connection with the PIPE Offering.
II-4 |
In connection with the PIPE Offering, we entered into a Waiver (the “Waiver”) with L1 Capital Global Opportunities Master Fund (“L1”) waiving certain provisions of the Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of September 14, 2021 (the “2021 SPA”), by and between us and L1. Pursuant to the terms of the Waiver, L1 waived certain provisions of the 2021 SPA and in consideration thereof, we (i) issued 7,500 purchase warrants substantially similar to the Purchase Warrants issued in connection with the 2023 SPA; and (ii) paid a cash fee of $50,000 to L1.
On February 15, 2023, the Company issued 1,167 shares of Common Stock to an investor and public relations firm for services provided to the Company.
The above issuances did not involve any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering and we believe is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) or Section 4(a)(2) thereof and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
II-5 |
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) | Exhibits |
II-6 |
II-7 |
101.INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | ||||
101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||||
101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||||
101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||||
101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||||
101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in IXBRL, and included in exhibit 101). |
_________________
* Filed herewith
**Previously filed
+ To be filed by amendment
II-8 |
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(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) that, 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 the 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 SEC 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; and |
(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; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of 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 that remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
(i) | each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
(ii) | each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
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(5) | That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement 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. |
(i) | 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 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 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
II-10 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boca Raton, State of Florida, on this 25th day of August, 2023.
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Darren Marks | |
Darren Marks Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
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 | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Darren Marks | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | August 25, 2023 | ||
Darren Marks | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
* | Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer | August 25, 2023 | ||
Jason Williams | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||
* | Director | August 25, 2023 | ||
Dr. Thomas Rutherford | ||||
* | Director | August 25, 2023 | ||
Robert Stevens | ||||
* | Director | August 25, 2023 | ||
Norman Rosenthal |
* By: | /s/ Darren Marks | ||
Darren Marks | |||
Attorney-in-fact |
II-11 |
Exhibit 1.1
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
Dated [____________] [__], 2023
Between
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
(a Florida corporation)
And
EF HUTTON,
Division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
as Representative of the several Underwriters named on Schedule I attached hereto
1 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article I. DEFINITIONS | 3 |
Article II. PURCHASE AND SALE | 9 |
Article III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 12 |
Article IV. OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES | 24 |
Article V. DEFAULT BY UNDERWRITERS | 29 |
Article VI. INDEMNIFICATION | 29 |
Article VII. MISCELLANEOUS | 32 |
SCHEDULE I SCHEDULE OF UNDERWRITERS | 37 |
SCHEDULE II PRICING INFORMATION | 38 |
SCHEDULE III PERMITTED FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS | 39 |
SCHEDULE IV TESTING THE WATER COMMUNICATIONS | 40 |
SCHEDULE V LIST OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS EXECUTING LOCK-UP AGREEMENTS | 41 |
2 |
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
[____________] [__], 2023
EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
as Representative of the several Underwriters named on Schedule I
attached hereto
590 Madison Avenue, 39th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Grom Social Enterprises, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida (the “Company”), hereby confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with the several underwriters (such underwriters, including the Representative (as defined below), the “Underwriters” and each an “Underwriter”) named in Schedule I hereto for which EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC (“EF Hutton”), is acting as representative to the several Underwriters (in such capacity, the “Representative” and if there are no Underwriters other than the Representative, references to multiple Underwriters shall be disregarded and the term Representative as used herein shall have the same meaning as Underwriter) on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
It is understood that the several Underwriters are to make a public offering of the Firm Securities (as defined below) as soon as the Representative deems it advisable to do so. The Firm Securities are to be initially offered to the public at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus. The Representative may from time to time thereafter change the public offering price and other selling terms.
It is further understood that EF Hutton will act as the Representative for the Underwriters in the offering and sale of the Firm Securities (as defined below) and, if any, the Option Securities (as defined below) in accordance with this Agreement.
Article
I.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, for all purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.01.
“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(o).
“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the initial paragraph.
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“Applicable Time” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(g).
“Authorizations” mean all requisite power and authority, and all necessary consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations, qualifications, licenses, filings, and permits of, with and from all governmental, judicial, regulatory, or administrative agency, body, or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of their assets or business and all third parties, foreign and domestic.
“Benefit Arrangements” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(tt).
“BHCA” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(nn).
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or obligated to be closed due to a “shelter in place,” “non-essential employee,” or similar closure of physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority if such banks’ electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) are open for use by customers on such day.
“Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Firm Securities pursuant to Section 2.01(a).
“Closing Date” means the hour and the date on the Trading Day on which all conditions precedent to (i) the Underwriters’ obligations to pay the Closing Purchase Price and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Firm Securities, in each case, have been satisfied or waived, but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date hereof or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company.
“Closing Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.01(a), which aggregate purchase price shall be net of underwriting discounts and commissions.
“Code” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(mm).
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $0.001 par value per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant, or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Company” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the initial paragraph.
“Company Auditor” means Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman, P.A. with offices located in Somerset, NJ.
“Company IT Systems” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(uu).
“Company’s Counsel” means Lucosky Brookman LLP with offices located at 101 Wood Avenue South, 5th Floor, Woodbridge, NJ 08830.
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“EDGAR” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“EF Hutton” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the initial paragraph.
“Effective Date” means the date and time as of which the Registration Statement became effective in accordance with the rules and regulations under the Securities Act.
“Employee Plans” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(tt).
“Engagement Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(y).
“Engagement Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.18.
“Environmental Laws” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(r).
“ERISA” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(tt).
“ERISA Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(tt).
“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(x).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Execution Date” shall mean the date on which the parties execute and enter into this Agreement.
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
“Federal Reserve” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(nn).
“Final Prospectus” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
“Firm Pre-Funded Warrants” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a)(i)(A).
“Firm Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.01(a)(i)(A).
“Firm Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.01(a)(i)(A).
“Firm Warrants” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a)(i)(B).
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“GAAP” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(m).
“General Disclosure Package” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“Hazardous Materials” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(r).
“Indebtedness” means (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $100,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business); (b) all guaranties, endorsements, and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $100,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.
“Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(u).
“Lien” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.
“Lock-Up Agreements” mean the lock-up agreements in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that are delivered on the date hereof by each of the Company’s officers, directors, and any record holder of 5% or more of the Company’s shares of Common Stock listed in Schedule V hereto.
“Lock-Up Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.16.
“Marketing Materials” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(b).
“Material Permit” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(jj).
“Money Laundering Laws” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(oo).
“Offering” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.01(c).
“Option Closing Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(c).
“Option Closing Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(b), which aggregate purchase price shall be net of the underwriting discounts and commissions.
“Option Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(a)(iv).
“Option Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(a)(i).
“Option Pre-Funded Warrants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(a)(iv).
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“Option Series A Warrants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(a)(ii).
“Option Series B Warrants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(a)(iii).
“Option Warrants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(a)(iii).
“Over-Allotment Option” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.02(a).
“Permitted Free Writing Prospectus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(c).
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof), or other entity of any kind.
“Pre-Funded Unit” or “Pre-Funded Units” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a)(ii).
“Preliminary Prospectus” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“Pricing Prospectus” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation, or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Prospectus” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“Registration Statement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“Representative” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the initial paragraph.
“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(e).
“returns” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(gg).
“Reverse Stock Split” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(vv).
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
7 |
“Rule 462 Registration Statement” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(gg).
“Rules and Regulations” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(f).
“SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(m).
“Securities” means the Firm Securities, the Option Securities, and the Warrant Shares.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“taxes” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(gg).
“Testing-the-Waters Communication” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(i).
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the OTCQB Venture Market, the NYSE American, The Nasdaq Capital Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement and all exhibits and schedules hereto, the Warrants, the Warrant Agent Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements, and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Corporation and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Underwriter” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the initial paragraph.
“Underwriter’s Counsel” means Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP, with offices located at 55 W. 39th St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018.
“Underwriters’ Information” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6.01.
“Unit” or “Units” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“Unit Purchase Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
8 |
“Warrant Agent” means Equiniti Trust Corporation and any successor warrant agent of the Company.
“Warrant Agent Agreement” means the warrant agent agreement by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent, dated on or before the Closing Date, for the purpose of administering the Warrants, in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto.
“Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Firm Warrants, Firm Pre-Funded Warrants, Option Warrants and Option Pre-Funded Warrants.
“Warrants” means the (i) Firm Series A Warrants and the Option Series A Warrants and the Firm Series B Warrants and the Option Series B Warrants, each in the form of a Global Warrant Certificate, in the forms attached to the Warrant Agent Agreement as Exhibits [__] and [__], respectively, and (ii) Firm Pre-Funded Warrants and Option Pre-Funded Warrants, each in the form of a Warrant Certificate, in the form attached to the Warrant Agent Agreement as Exhibit A-1.
“Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01(i).
Article
II.
PURCHASE AND SALE
Section 2.01 Closing.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to sell in the aggregate (i) [________] units (the “Units”), with each Unit consisting of: (A) one share of Common Stock (the “Firm Shares”), (B) one Series A Warrant with the right to purchase one share of Common Stock (the “Firm Series A Warrants”) and is exercisable immediately and expiring five years after the date of issuance at an exercise price of $[__] per share of Common Stock, and (C) one Series B Warrant with the right to purchase one share of Common Stock (the “Firm Series B Warrants” and, together with the Series A Warrants, the “Firm Warrants”) and is exercisable immediately and expiring five years after the date of issuance at an exercise price of $[__] per share of Common Stock, and (ii) [________] pre-funded units (the “Pre-Funded Units” and together with the Units, the “Closing Units”), with each Pre-Funded Unit consisting of: (A) one pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share (the “Firm Pre-Funded Warrants” and, collectively with the Firm Shares and the Firm Warrants, the “Firm Securities”), and (B) one Series A Warrant, and (C) one Series B Warrant, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, and each Underwriter agrees to purchase, severally and not jointly, at the Closing, the number of Firm Shares and Firm Warrants set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I attached hereto and made a part hereof included in the Units at a purchase price of $[______] per Unit (the “Unit Purchase Price”) and the number of Firm Pre-Funded Units and Firm Warrants set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I attached hereto and made a part hereof included in the Pre-Funded Units at a purchase price of $[______] per Pre-Funded Unit (together with the Unit Purchase Price, the “Closing Purchase Price”). The Closing Units are to be offered initially to the public at each of its respective offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (as defined in Section 3.01(f) hereof). The purchase price for each Unit will be allocated as $[______] per Firm Share and $0.01 per Firm Series A Warrant and $0.01 per Firm Series B Warrant. The purchase price for each Pre-Funded Unit will be allocated as $[______] per Pre-Funded Warrant and $0.01 per Firm Series A Warrant and $0.01 per Firm Series B Warrant.
(b) On the Closing Date, each Underwriter shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, via wire transfer of immediately available funds equal to such Underwriter’s Closing Purchase Price and the Company shall deliver to, or as directed by, such Underwriter its respective Closing Units and the Company shall deliver the other items required pursuant to Section 2.03 deliverable at the Closing. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Section 2.03 and Section 2.04, the Closing shall occur at the offices of the Underwriter’s Counsel or such other location (including remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as the Company and the Representative shall mutually agree. The Closing Units are to be offered initially to the public at each of its respective offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (the “Offering”).
(c) The Closing Units have no stand-alone rights or obligations and will not be certificated or issued as stand-alone securities. The Firm Shares, the Firm Pre-Funded Warrants, and the Firm Warrants, as the case may be, comprising the Closing Units are immediately separable and will be issued separately at the Closing.
9 |
Section 2.02 Over-Allotment Option.
(a) For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Securities, the Underwriters are hereby granted an option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) to purchase up to (i) [________] shares of Common Stock (the “Option Shares”), (ii) [________] Series A Firm Warrants (the “Series A Option Warrants”), (iii) [________] Series B Firm Warrants (the “Series B Option Warrants” and, together with the Series A Option Warrants, the “Option Warrants”), and/or (iv) [________] Firm Pre-Funded Warrants (the “Option Pre-Funded Warrants” and, collectively with the Option Shares and Option Warrants, the “Option Securities”), which may be purchased at the applicable Closing Purchase Price.
(b) In connection with an exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the purchase price to be paid for any Option Security is equal to the product of the applicable Closing Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Option Securities to be purchased (the aggregate purchase price at an Option Closing Date, the “Option Closing Purchase Price”). On an Option Closing Date, the Option Closing Purchase Price shall be paid.
(c) The Over-Allotment Option granted pursuant to this Section 2.02 may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Securities within forty-five (45) days after the Execution Date. An Underwriter will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Securities prior to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option by the Representative. The Over-Allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or facsimile or other electronic transmission setting forth the number of Option Securities to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Securities (each, an “Option Closing Date”), which will not be later than the earlier of (i) forty-five (45) days after the Execution Date and (ii) two (2) full Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of the Underwriter’s Counsel or at such other place (including remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Securities does not occur on the Closing Date, each Option Closing Date will be as set forth in the notice. Upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Securities specified in such notice. The Representative may cancel the Over-Allotment Option at any time prior to the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option by written notice to the Company.
Section 2.03 Deliverables. The Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Underwriter (if applicable) the following:
(a) At the Closing Date, the Firm Shares included in the Units, and as to each Option Closing Date, if any, the Option Shares, which securities shall be delivered via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system for the accounts of the several Underwriters;
(b) At the Closing Date, the Firm Warrants included in the Units and the Firm Pre-Funded Warrants included in the Pre-Funded Units, and, as to each Option Closing Date, if any, the Option Warrants and the Option Pre-Funded Warrants, which warrants shall be delivered via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system for the accounts of the several Underwriters;
(c) At the Closing Date and at each Option Closing Date, if any, the duly executed and delivered legal opinion and negative assurance letter of Company’s Counsel addressed to the Underwriters, dated as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel to the Underwriters;
(d) Contemporaneously herewith, a comfort letter, addressed to the Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to the Representative from the Company Auditor dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and a bring-down letter dated as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any;
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(e) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, if any, the duly executed and delivered Officers’ Certificate, substantially in the form required by Exhibit B attached hereto;
(f) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, if any, the duly executed and delivered Secretary’s Certificate, substantially in the form required by Exhibit C attached hereto;
(g) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, if any, a duly executed and delivered Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate, substantially in the form required by Exhibit D attached hereto, addressed to the Underwriters;
(h) On or prior to the date hereof, the Lock-Up Agreements, which shall be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date; and
(i) Such other customary certificates or documents as the Underwriters and Underwriter’s Counsel may have reasonably requested.
Section 2.04 Closing Conditions. The respective obligations of each Underwriter hereunder in connection with the Closing and each Option Closing Date are subject to the following conditions being met:
(a) the accuracy in all material respects when made and on the date in question (other than representations and warranties of the Company already qualified by materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein);
(b) all obligations, covenants, and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the date in question shall have been performed or such performance shall have been waived by the Representative;
(c) the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.03 of this Agreement;
(d) the Registration Statement shall be effective on the date of this Agreement and at each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that 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 the Representative;
(e) by the Execution Date, if required by FINRA, the Underwriters shall have received a notice of no objections from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to and the terms and arrangements for acting as the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement;
(f) the shares of Common Stock are not delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market;
(g) the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the shares of Common Stock under the Exchange Act, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration; and
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(h) prior to and on each of the Closing Date and each 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, the General Disclosure Package, and Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or any Affiliate of the Company 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, the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order applicable to the Company shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; (iv) since the date of the latest balance sheet included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus, the Company has not incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, nor has it entered into any material transactions not in the ordinary course of business, other than pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions referred to herein or those liabilities, obligations, and transactions which are disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus; (v) the Company has not paid or declared any dividends or other distributions of any kind on any class of its capital stock; (vi) the Company has not altered its method of accounting; and (vii) the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, 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 Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and neither the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall 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.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 2.04 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, or if any of the certificates, opinions, written statements, or letters furnished to the Representative or to Representative’s counsel pursuant to this Section 2.04 shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and to Representative’s counsel, all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be cancelled by the Representative at, or at any time prior to, the consummation of the Closing. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or orally. Any such oral notice shall be confirmed promptly thereafter in writing.
Article
III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 3.01 Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as of the Execution Date, as of the Closing Date, and as of each Option Closing Date, if any, as follows:
(a) Subsidiaries. All of the Subsidiaries of the Company are set forth in the Prospectus. The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable, and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. If the Company has no subsidiaries, all other references to the Subsidiaries or any of them in the Transaction Documents shall be disregarded.
(b) Organization and Qualification. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity, or enforceability of any Transaction Document, a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii), or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting, or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit, or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
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(c) Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board, or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which the Company is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and 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) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law. When issued, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment of the exercise price therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with the terms thereof and the Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms; provided, however, that the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered a proceeding in equity or at law).
(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other organizational or charter documents, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt, or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree, or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Filings, Consents, and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization, or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local, or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filing with the Commission of the Prospectus, (ii) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws, and (iii) the rules and regulations of FINRA (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).
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(f) Registration Statement. The Company has filed with the Commission the Registration Statement, including any related Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectuses, for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, which Registration Statement has been prepared by the Company in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”). The registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act has been declared effective by the Commission since May 12, 2021. Copies of such Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto, if any, including the related Preliminary Prospectuses, heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission have been delivered to the Underwriters. The term “Registration Statement” means such registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-273895), as of the relevant Effective Date, including financial statements, all exhibits and any information deemed to be included or incorporated by reference therein, including any information deemed to be included pursuant to Rule 430A or Rule 430B of the Securities Act. If the Company files a registration statement to register a portion of the Securities and relies on Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act for such registration statement to become effective upon filing with the Commission (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference to the “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include the Rule 462 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time. The term “Preliminary Prospectus” as used herein means a preliminary prospectus as contemplated by Rule 430 or Rule 430A of the Securities Act as included at any time as part of, or deemed to be part of or included in, the Registration Statement. The Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Securities that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the pricing of the offering contemplated hereby is hereinafter called the “Pricing Prospectus.” The term “Final Prospectus” means the final prospectus in connection with the Offering as first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder or, if no such filing is required, the form of Pricing Prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Date, except that if any revised prospectus or prospectus supplement shall be provided to the Representative by the Company for use in connection with the Securities which differs from the Pricing Prospectus (whether or not such revised prospectus or prospectus supplement is required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b)), the term “Prospectus” shall also refer to such revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, as the case may be, from and after the time it is first provided to the Representative for such use. Any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment,” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, Pricing Prospectus, or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include: (i) the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the Effective Date, the date of such Pricing Prospectus or the date of the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, which is incorporated therein by reference, and (ii) any such document so filed. All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, a Preliminary Prospectus, Pricing Prospectus, and the Final Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, shall be deemed to include any copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”). The term “General Disclosure Package” means, collectively, the Permitted Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below) issued at or prior to the date hereof, the most recent preliminary prospectus related to the Offering, and the information included on Schedule IV hereto.
(g) No Material Misstatements or Omissions. At each time of effectiveness, at the date hereof, at the Closing Date, and at each Option Closing Date, if any, the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto complied or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not and does not, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The General Disclosure Package as of [ ] p.m. (Eastern time) (the “Applicable Time”) on the date hereof, at the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, if any, and the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date, at the time of filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, at the Closing Date and at each Option Closing Date, if any, and any individual Written Testing-the-Waters Communication (as defined below), when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, did not and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the two immediately preceding sentences shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or any Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written or oral information furnished to the Company by the Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof. The Registration Statement contains all exhibits and schedules required to be filed by the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. No order preventing or suspending the effectiveness or use of the Registration Statement, or any Prospectus is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission.
(h) Marketing Materials. The Company has not distributed any prospectus or other offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the General Disclosure Package, any Testing-the-Waters Communications, and the roadshow or investor presentations delivered to and approved by the Representatives for use in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities (the “Marketing Materials”).
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(i) Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company (i) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication in connection with the offering contemplated hereby other than Testing the Waters Communications with the consent of the Representative with entities that are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and (ii) has not authorized anyone other than the Representative to engage in any Testing-the-Waters Communication in connection with the offering contemplated hereby. The Company has not distributed any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act (“Written Testing-the-Waters Communications”) other than those previously provided to the Underwriters and listed on Schedule IV. “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act. Each Written Testing-the-Waters Communication did not, as of the Applicable Time, and at all times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities will not, include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
(j) Accurate Disclosure. The Company has provided a copy to the Underwriters of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) used in the sale of Securities. The Company has filed all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses required to be so filed with the Commission, and no order preventing or suspending the effectiveness or use of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission. When taken together with the rest of the General Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, no Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times though the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities, has, does, or will include (1) any untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (2) information that conflicted or conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus. The representations and warranties set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the General Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written or oral information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(k) Issuance of Common Stock. The Firm Shares, Option Shares, and Warrant Shares are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants. The Firm Shares, Option Shares, and Warrant Shares 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. All corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance, and sale of the Firm Shares, Option Shares, and Warrant Shares has been duly and validly taken. The Firm Shares, Option Shares, and Warrant Shares will conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus.
(l) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company as of the date hereof is as set forth in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package, and Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization.” Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package, and Prospectus, the Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans, and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act. No Person other than the Representative has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except such rights which have been waived prior to the date hereof. Except as set forth in the Prospectus or a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls, or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights, or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any shares of Common Stock or the capital stock of any Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or the capital stock of any Subsidiary. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Underwriters). Other than as disclosed in the Company’s SEC Reports, there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary that contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or such Subsidiary. Except as disclosed on the Registration Statement, the Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities and other laws or the applicable statute of limitations has expired, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. The authorized shares of the Company conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the Company’s securities were at all relevant times either registered under the Securities Act and the applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers, exempt from such registration requirements or the applicable statute of limitations has expired. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board, or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. Other than what is disclosed in the Prospectus, there are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements, or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.
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(m) SEC Reports; Financial Statements. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements, and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two (2) years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, together with the Prospectus, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, to the knowledge of the Company, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted 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. The Company has filed all reports and other materials required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable, during the preceding forty-eight (48) months. The financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, and the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, and the SEC Reports conform in all material aspects to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or the SEC Reports 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 or a Subsidiary is a party or by which it or such subsidiary is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, or the SEC Reports, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company or a Subsidiary, respectively, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company or such Subsidiary 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 therefore may be brought. Except as described in the Registration Statement, none of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company or Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, a Subsidiary or any other party is in default thereunder and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder. To the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company or the Subsidiary 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, a subsidiary, or any of their assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.
(n) Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Since the date of the latest unaudited financial statements included within the Registration Statement, except as specifically disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus, (i) there has been no event, occurrence, or development that has had or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased, redeemed, or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock, and (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director, or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans and the issuance of Common Stock Equivalents as disclosed in the Registration Statement. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement, no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence, or development has occurred or exists or is reasonably expected to occur or exist with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets, or financial condition that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least one (1) Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made. Unless otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, 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 capital stock.
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(o) Litigation. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package, and Prospectus, there has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company there is not pending or contemplated, any action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding, or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental, or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local, or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity, or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. To the knowledge of the Company, there has not been, and there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.
(p) Labor Relations. No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or the Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and the Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure, or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan, or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree, or order of any court, arbitrator, or other governmental authority, or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance, or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state, and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety, and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(r) Environmental Laws. The Company and the Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all federal, state, local, and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface, or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated, or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license, or approval where in each clause (i), (ii), and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
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(s) Authorizations. The Company has filed and received approval of all Authorizations issued by, and has made all declarations and filings with all federal, state, local, or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that are necessary for the ownership or lease of its properties or the conduct of its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus. To its knowledge, the Company is in compliance with and is not in violation of, or in default under, any such Authorization. To the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation, termination, or modification of any Authorization or result in any other material impairment of the rights of the holder of any Authorization and the Company does not have any reason to believe that any Authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course.
(t) Title to Assets. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus, the Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state, or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting, and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.
(u) Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package, and Prospectus, the Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses, and other intellectual property rights and similar rights it believes are necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). To the knowledge of the Company, the Company is not now infringing any valid claim of any issued patents, copyrights, or trademarks of others. The Company has not conducted a “freedom to operate” study. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated, or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement, except where such action would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or as disclosed in the Registration Statement. Other than as specifically described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, or the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Company’s products or planned products as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all of the Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and the Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality, and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(v) Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and, to their knowledge, customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged. The Company has in effect directors and officers liability insurance of at least $[________________]. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.
(w) Transactions With Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package, or Prospectus, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers, and directors), including any contract, agreement, or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from, any officer, director, or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member, or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, and (iii) other employee benefits, including, without limitation, stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.
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(x) Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports and the Registration Statement, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls are effective. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, the Company and the Subsidiaries are in material compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) 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 the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, Disclosure Package, and Prospectus, since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and the Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
(y) Certain Fees. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package, and Prospectus or in this Agreement, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company, any Subsidiary, or Affiliate of the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank, or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. There are no other arrangements, agreements, or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its stockholders that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA. Other than payments to the Underwriters for the Offering or as disclosed in the Registration Statement or in this Agreement, or may be made pursuant to the Engagement Agreement dated as of June 14, 2023, as amended (the “Engagement Agreement”), the Company has not made and has no agreements, arrangements, or understanding to make any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities, or otherwise) to: (i) 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) any FINRA member; or (iii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the one hundred eighty (180)-day period preceding the initial filing of the Registration Statement through the ninety (90)-day period after the Effective Date. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized herein.
(z) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(aa) Registration Rights. No Person has any right to cause the Company or any Subsidiary to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary, other than those rights that have been disclosed in the Registration Statement or have been waived or satisfied.
(bb) Compliance with Exchange Act and Nasdaq. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act since May 12, 2021 and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. Except as set forth in the Company’s SEC Reports, the Company has not, in the twelve (12) months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. The Common Stock is currently eligible for electronic transfer through The Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation and the Company is current in payment of the fees of The Depository Trust Company (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer. The Company has submitted any and all forms required by Nasdaq to be submitted in connection with the Offering, including, without limitation, the Nasdaq Listing of Additional Shares Notification Form. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Company is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such applicable listing and maintenance requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market.
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(cc) Application of Takeover Protections. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, the Company and the Board have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement), or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s articles of incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or could become applicable as a result of the Underwriters and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents.
(dd) Disclosure; 10b-5. The Registration Statement (and any further documents to be filed with the Commission in connection with the Offering) contains all exhibits and schedules as required by the Securities Act. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, if any, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and did not and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, each as of its respective date, comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, did not and will not contain as of the date thereof any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to the Underwriters’ Information. As of its date and the date hereof, the General Disclosure Package did not and does not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The SEC Reports, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of such documents, when they were filed with the Commission, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein (with respect to the SEC Reports incorporated by reference in the Prospectus), in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when such documents are filed with the Commission, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations, as applicable, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading. No post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement reflecting any facts or events arising after the date thereof which represent, individually or in the aggregate, a fundamental change in the information set forth therein is required to be filed with the Commission. There are no documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby that (x) have not been filed as required pursuant to the Securities Act or (y) will not be filed within the requisite time period. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or to be filed as exhibits or schedules to the Registration Statement, which have not been described or filed as required. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve (12) months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or 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 and when made, not misleading.
(ee) No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause the Offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.
(ff) Solvency. Based on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder,
(i) the fair saleable value of the Company’s assets exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the Company’s existing debts and other liabilities (including known contingent liabilities) as they mature,
(ii) the Company’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital needs taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business conducted by the Company, consolidated and projected capital requirements and capital availability thereof, through the last six (6) months of 2023, and
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(iii) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its liabilities when such amounts are required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). The Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one (1) year from the Closing Date. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.
(gg) Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state, and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports, and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports, and declarations, and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports, or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. The term “taxes” mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties, or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “returns” mean all returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.
(hh) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment, or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA. The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the FCPA.
(ii) Accountants. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, the Company Auditor (i) is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) either the Company Auditor or its replacement, shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
(jj) Regulatory. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations, and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local, or foreign regulatory authorities, or by any similar foreign, federal, state, or local governmental or regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by such authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (each, a “Material Permit”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit. The disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of federal, state, local, and all foreign regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects.
(kk) Stock Option Plans. As of the Execution Date, there are no outstanding stock options under the Company’s stock incentive plans other than what is disclosed in the Prospectus.
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(ll) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee, or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.
(mm) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Company shall so certify upon the Representative’s request.
(nn) Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”), and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.
(oo) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit, or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority, or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.
(pp) D&O Questionnaires. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers immediately prior to the Offering is true and correct in all respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in such questionnaires to become inaccurate and incorrect.
(qq) FINRA Affiliation. No officer, director or, to the Company’s knowledge, any beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the Company’s shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA) that is participating in the Offering. Except for securities purchased on the open market, no Company Affiliate is an owner of stock or other securities of any member of FINRA. No Company Affiliate has made a subordinated loan to any member of FINRA. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, no proceeds from the sale of the Securities (excluding underwriting compensation as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus) will be paid to any FINRA member, any persons associated with a FINRA member or an affiliate of a FINRA member. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company has not issued any warrants or other securities or granted any options, directly or indirectly, to the Representative or any of the Underwriters named on Schedule I hereto within the one hundred eighty (180)-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Prospectus. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and except for securities issued to the Representative as disclosed in the Prospectus and securities sold by the Representative on behalf of the Company, no person to whom securities of the Company have been privately issued within the one hundred eighty (180)-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Prospectus is a FINRA member, is a person associated with a FINRA member, or is an affiliate of a FINRA member. To the Company’s knowledge, no FINRA member participating in the Offering has a conflict of interest with the Company. For this purpose, a “conflict of interest” exists when a FINRA member, the parent, or affiliate of a FINRA member or any person associated with a FINRA member in the aggregate beneficially owns five percent (5%) or more of the Company’s outstanding subordinated debt or common equity, or five percent (5%) or more of the Company’s preferred equity. “FINRA member participating in the Offering” includes any associated person of a FINRA member that is participating in the Offering, any member of such associated person’s immediate family, and any affiliate of a FINRA member that is participating in the Offering. “Any person associated with a FINRA member” means (1) a natural person who is registered or has applied for registration under the rules of FINRA and (2) a sole proprietor, partner, officer, director, or branch manager of a FINRA member, or other natural person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, or a natural person engaged in the investment banking or securities business who is directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by a FINRA member. When used in this Section 3.01(qq), the term “affiliate of a FINRA member” or “affiliated with a FINRA member” means an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a FINRA member. The Company will advise the Representative and Underwriter’s Counsel if it learns that any officer, director, or owner of five percent (5%) or more of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member firm.
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(rr) Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to Underwriter’s Counsel on behalf of the Representative shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
(ss) Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Prospectus captioned “Management.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the Board comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and the rules of the Trading Market. At least one member of the Board qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and the rules of the Trading Market. In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board qualify as “independent” as defined under the rules of the Trading Market.
(tt) ERISA. The Company and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Company or its ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. These plans are referred to collectively herein as the “Employee Plans.” An “ERISA Affiliate” of any person or entity means any other person or entity which, together with that person or entity, could be treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code. Each Employee Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of applicable law. No Employee Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA. The Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, and the Prospectus identify each employment, severance, or other similar agreement, arrangement, or policy and each material plan or arrangement required to be disclosed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations providing for insurance coverage (including any self-insured arrangements), workers’ compensation, disability benefits, severance benefits, supplemental unemployment benefits, vacation benefits, or retirement benefits, or deferred compensation, profit-sharing, bonuses, stock options, stock appreciation rights, or other forms of incentive compensation, or post-retirement insurance, compensation, or benefits, which: (i) is not an Employee Plan; (ii) is entered into, maintained or contributed to, as the case may be, by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates; and (iii) covers any officer or director or former officer or director of the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates. These agreements, arrangements, policies, or plans are referred to collectively as “Benefit Arrangements.” Each Benefit Arrangement has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements of applicable law. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, and the Prospectus, there is no liability in respect of post-retirement health and medical benefits for retired employees of the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates, other than medical benefits required to be continued under applicable law. No “prohibited transaction” (as defined in either Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) has occurred with respect to any Employee Plan; and each Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could cause the loss of such qualification.
(uu) IT Systems. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company reasonably believes that (i) the Company and the Subsidiaries own or have a valid right to access and use all computer systems, networks, hardware, software, databases, websites, and equipment used to process, store, maintain, and operate data, information, and functions used in connection with the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries (the “Company IT Systems”), (ii) the Company IT Systems are adequate for, and operate and perform as required in connection with, the operation of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries as currently conducted, and (iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented reasonable backup, security, and disaster recovery technology consistent with applicable regulatory standards.
(vv) Reverse Stock Split. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority, and has obtained all requisite approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board, or others, in order to effect the reverse stock split of the Company’s shares of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”) as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board, or others is required in order to effect the Reverse Stock Split.
(ww) Ineligible Issuer Status. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and at the date hereof, the Company was and is an “ineligible issuer,” as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
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(xx) Industry Data; Forward-Looking Statements. The statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(yy) 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 Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus that have not been described as required by the Securities Act.
(zz) Lock-Up Agreements. Schedule V hereto contains a complete and accurate list of the Company’s officers, directors, and 5% or greater stockholders to deliver to the Representative an executed Lock-Up Agreement, in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A, prior to the execution of this Agreement.
(aaa) Loans to Directors or Officers. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business), or guarantees or indebtedness by the Company or its Subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus.
(bbb) Emerging Growth Company. From the time of the initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly in or through any Person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act.
Article
IV.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
Section 4.01 Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company has delivered, or will as promptly as practicable deliver, to the Underwriters complete conformed copies of the Registration Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts, as applicable, filed as a part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without exhibits), the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, and the General Disclosure Package in such quantities and at such places as an Underwriter reasonably requests. Neither the Company nor any of its directors and officers has distributed and none of them will distribute, prior to the Closing Date, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, and the Registration Statement. The Company shall not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably and timely object in writing.
Section 4.02 Federal Securities Laws.
(a) Compliance. During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act and 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 Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Representative, 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 Securities Act, the Company will notify the Underwriters promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 4.01 hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the Securities Act.
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(b) Exchange Act Registration. For a period of three (3) years from the Execution Date, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act; provided, that such provision shall not prevent a sale, merger, or similar transaction involving the Company. The Company will not deregister the Common Stock under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of the Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld and provided that such provision shall not prevent a sale, merger, or similar transaction involving the Company.
(c) Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, without the prior written consent of the Representative. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative is herein referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, and has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 of the Securities Act, including timely Commission filing where required, legending, and record keeping.
Section 4.03 Delivery to the Underwriters of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Prospectus as the Underwriters may reasonably request.
Section 4.04 Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Underwriters. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus until the later of nine (9) months from the Execution Date and the date on which the Warrants are no longer outstanding, and will notify the Underwriters 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 proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) the electronic filing with the Commission of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the 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 this Section 4.04 that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, 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 make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.
Section 4.05 Review of Financial Statements. For a period of three (3) years from the Execution Date, the Company shall file with the Commission all reports required to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent registered public accounting firm to review (but not audit except as required by law) the Company’s financial statements included in such reports, provided that such provision shall not prevent a sale, merger, or similar transaction involving the Company.
Section 4.06 Reports to the Underwriters; Expenses of the Offering.
(a) Periodic Reports, etc. For a period of three (3) years from the Execution Date, the Company will furnish or make available to the Underwriters 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 registered under the Exchange Act and also promptly furnish or make available to the Underwriters: (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 prepared and filed by the Company; (iv) a copy of each registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act; and (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the affairs of any future Subsidiaries of the Company as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Underwriters shall each sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Representative in connection with such Underwriter’s receipt of such information. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its EDGAR system shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Underwriters pursuant to this Section 4.06.
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(b) Transfer Sheets. For a period of three (3) years from the Execution Date, the Company shall retain the Transfer Agent or a transfer and registrar agent acceptable to the Representative and will furnish to the Underwriters at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as an Underwriter may reasonably request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer Agent and the DTC, provided, however, that such requests cannot be made more than once monthly; and provided that such provision shall not prevent a sale, merger, or similar transaction involving the Company.
(c) Trading Reports. For a period of one (1) year after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall provide to the Underwriters, at the Company’s expense, such reports published by the Trading Market relating to price and trading of such securities, as the Underwriters shall reasonably request; provided that such provision shall not prevent a sale, merger, or similar transaction involving the Company.
(d) General Expenses Related to the Offering. The Company, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, will pay or cause to be paid, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the Securities to be sold in the Offering with the Commission; (b) all FINRA Public Offering Filing System fees associated with the review of the Offering by FINRA; (c) all fees, expenses, and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of such Securities under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as Representative may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees); (d) the costs of all mailing and printing of the underwriting documents (including, without limitation, the Underwriting Agreement, and any “blue sky” surveys and, if appropriate, any agreement among Underwriters, any agreements with selected dealers, Underwriters’ questionnaire and power of attorney), Registration Statements, Prospectuses, and all amendments, supplements, and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final Prospectuses as the Representative may reasonably deem necessary; (e) the costs associated with bound volumes of the Offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000; (f) the costs of preparing, printing, and delivering the Securities; (g) fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent for the Securities (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company); (h) stock transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriters; (i) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (j) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel and other agents and representatives not to exceed $95,000 and, if the Offering is not consummated, not to exceed $50,000; (k) the Underwriters’ costs of mailing prospectuses to prospective investors; (l) up to $20,000 of EF Hutton’s actual accountable road show expenses for the Offering; and (m) $29,500 cost associated with EF Hutton’s use of Ipreo’s book building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the Offering. For any avoidance of doubt, the reimbursable accountable expenses are not to exceed $95,000. The Underwriters may also deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or each Option Closing Date, if any, the expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Underwriters. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amounts paid or payable under this Section 4.06(d) in no way limits or impairs the indemnification and contribution obligations set forth in Article 6 hereof and any advance received by the Representative will be reimbursed to the Company to the extent not actually incurred in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A).
(e) Non-Accountable Expenses. The Company further agrees that, in addition to the expenses payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d), on the Closing Date, it shall pay to the Representative, by deduction from the net proceeds of the Offering contemplated herein, a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Firm Securities (excluding the Option Securities).
(f) Warrant Agent. The Company hereby agrees to engage and maintain, at its expense, (i) a registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock and (ii) a registrar and transfer agent for the Warrants.
Section 4.07 Stabilization. Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors, or shareholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to 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 Securities.
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Section 4.08 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 GAAP 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.
Section 4.09 Accountants. For a period of three (3) years from the Effective Date, the Company shall continue to retain a nationally recognized, independent PCAOB registered public accounting firm. The Underwriters acknowledge that the Company Auditor is acceptable to the Underwriters.
Section 4.10 No Fiduciary Duties. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters’ responsibility to the Company is solely contractual and commercial in nature, based on arms-length negotiations, and that neither the Underwriters nor their affiliates or any selected dealer shall be deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company acknowledges that the Underwriters may have financial interests in the success of the Offering that are not limited to the difference between the price to the public and the purchase price paid to the Company by the Underwriters for the shares and the Underwriters have no obligation to disclose, or account to the Company for, any of such additional financial interests. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Underwriters.
Section 4.11 Warrant Shares. If all or any portion of a Warrant is exercised at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the issuance of the Warrant Shares, or if the Warrant is exercised via cashless exercise at a time when such Warrant Shares are eligible for resale under Rule 144 by a non-affiliate of the Company, Warrant Shares issued pursuant to any such exercise shall be issued free of all restrictive legends. If at any time following the date hereof the Registration Statement (or any subsequent registration statement registering the sale or resale of the Warrant Shares) is not effective or is not otherwise available for the sale of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall immediately notify the holders that have provided it an address of the Warrants in writing that such registration statement is not then effective and thereafter shall promptly notify such holders when the registration statement is effective again and available for the sale of the Warrant Shares (it being understood and agreed that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Company to issue, or any holder thereof to sell, any of the Warrant Shares in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws).
Section 4.12 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. At the request of the Representative, by 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof, the Company shall issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the Offering. The Company and the Representative shall consult with each other in issuing any press releases with respect to the Offering, and neither the Company nor any Underwriter shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. The Company will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Representative’s prior consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, for a period ending at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the first (1st) business day following the forty-fifth (45th) day following the Closing Date, other than normal and customary releases issued in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.
Section 4.13 Shareholder Rights Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that any Underwriter of the Securities is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement), or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that any Underwriter of Securities could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities.
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Section 4.14 Reservation of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, the Company has reserved and the Company shall continue to reserve and keep available at all times while any of the Warrants outstanding, free of preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to issue Option Shares pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option, shares pursuant to any exercise of the Firm Warrants, Firm Pre-Funded Warrants, Option Warrants and Option Pre-Funded Warrants.
Section 4.15 Listing of Common Stock. The Company agrees to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to maintain the trading of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market for at least three (3) years after the Closing Date; provided that such provision shall not prevent a sale, merger, or similar transaction involving the Company.
Section 4.16 Subsequent Equity Sales. The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, it will not, during the period ending ninety (90) days after the closing of the Offering (“Lock-Up Period”), (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option, or contract to purchase, purchase any option, or contract to sell, grant any option, right, or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (ii) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (iii) complete any offering of debt securities of the Company, other than entering into a line of credit with a traditional bank, or (iv) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The restrictions contained in the preceding sentence shall not apply to (1) the Securities to be sold hereunder, (2) the issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of options or warrants or the conversion of outstanding preferred stock or other outstanding convertible securities disclosed as outstanding in the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto), the General Disclosure Package, and the Final Prospectus, (3) the issuance of employee stock options not exercisable during the Lock-Up Period and the grant of restricted stock awards or restricted stock units or shares of Common Stock that do not vest during the Lock-Up Period pursuant to equity incentive plans described in the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto), the General Disclosure Package, and the Final Prospectus, (4) the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto, and (5) the issuance of unregistered securities in payment or settlement of trade payables, contractor fees, or legal proceedings.
Section 4.17 Capital Changes. Until ninety (90) days after the Execution Date and except for the reverse stock split as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Company shall not undertake a reverse or forward stock split or reclassification of the Common Stock without the prior written consent of EF Hutton.
Section 4.18 Post Offering Investments. Provided that the Firm Securities are sold in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in the event any individual or entity (including affiliates of such persons) that was actually introduced to the Company by EF Hutton during the engagement period which shall be the earlier of six (6) months from June 14, 2023 or (ii) the closing of the Offering (the “Engagement Period”), provides the Company capital via any transaction, and such transaction is consummated during the Engagement Period or within six (6) months thereafter, the Company shall be obligated to pay EF Hutton a cash fee of eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds of any such investments.
Section 4.19 Financial Public Relations Firm. As of the Execution Date, the Company has retained MZCHI, LLC as its financial public relations firm and shall retain such firm or another firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a period of not less than one (1) year after the Execution Date.
Section 4.20 Research Independence. The Company acknowledges that each Underwriter’s research analysts and research departments, if any, are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriter’s research analysts may hold and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the Offering that differ from the views of its investment bankers. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against such Underwriter with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by such Underwriter’s investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that each Representative is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short position in debt or equity securities of the Company.
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Section 4.21 Right of First Refusal. The Company hereby grants the Representative the right of first refusal for a period of six (6) months after the closing of this Offering to act as sole investment banker, sole book-runner and/or sole placement agent, at the Representative’s sole discretion, for any and all future private and public equity, or debt offerings, including all equity linked financings (each a “Subject Transaction”), undertaken by the Company or any successor to or current or future subsidiary of the Company, on terms and conditions customary to the Representative for such Subject Transactions. The Representative shall have the sole right to determine whether any other broker dealer shall have the right to participate in a Subject Transaction and the economic terms of such participation. The Company shall not retain, engage or solicit any additional investment banker, book-runner, financial advisor, underwriter and/or placement agent in a Subject Transaction without the prior written consent of the Representative.
Article
V.
DEFAULT BY UNDERWRITERS
If on the Closing Date or any Option Closing Date, if any, any Underwriter shall fail to purchase and pay for the portion of the Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which such Underwriter has agreed to purchase and pay for on such date (otherwise than by reason of any default on the part of the Company), the Representative, or if a Representative is the defaulting Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters, shall use their reasonable efforts to procure within thirty-six (36) hours thereafter one or more of the other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase from the Company such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms set forth herein, the Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase. If during such thirty-six (36) hours the Representative shall not have procured such other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase the Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, agreed to be purchased by the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then (a) if the aggregate number of Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, with respect to which such default shall occur does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, covered hereby, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in proportion to the respective numbers of the Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which they are obligated to purchase hereunder, to purchase the Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase, or (b) if the aggregate number of Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, with respect to which such default shall occur exceeds ten percent (10%) of the Firm Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, covered hereby, the Company or the Representative will have the right to terminate this Agreement without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters or of the Company except to the extent provided in Article VI hereof. In the event of a default by any Underwriter or Underwriters, as set forth in this Article V, the applicable Closing Date may be postponed for such period, not exceeding seven (7) days, as the Representative, or if a Representative is the defaulting Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters, may determine in order that the required changes in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. The term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter. Any action taken under this Article V shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.
Article
VI.
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.01 Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, the directors, officers, employees, and agents of such Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, expenses, and damages (including any and all investigative, legal, and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit, or proceeding between any of the indemnified parties and any indemnifying parties or between any indemnified party and any third party, or otherwise, or any claim asserted), to which they, or any of them, may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, liabilities, expenses, or damages arise out of or are based on (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the information deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness and at any subsequent time pursuant to Rules 430A and 430B of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the Offering of the Securities, including any roadshow or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (iv) in whole or in part any inaccuracy in any material respect in the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable (i) to the extent that such loss, claim, liability, expense, or damage is based on any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance on and in conformity with Underwriters’ Information; or (ii) with respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement, the indemnity agreements contained in this Section 6.01 shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter indemnified party to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense of such Underwriter indemnified party results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim, damage at or prior to written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such person as required by the Securities Act, and if the untrue statement or omission had been corrected in the Prospectus.
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Section 6.02 This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Company might otherwise have. For all purposes of this Agreement, the information set forth in the Prospectus in the “Regulation M,” and “Electronic Distribution” sections under the caption “Underwriting” constitutes the only information (the “Underwriters’ Information”) relating to the Underwriters furnished in writing to the Company by the Underwriters through the Representative specifically for inclusion in the preliminary prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus.
Section 6.03 Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its affiliates, the directors, officers, employees, and agents of the Company and each other person or entity, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any losses, liabilities, claims, damages, and expenses whatsoever, as incurred (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and any and all reasonable expenses whatsoever, incurred in investigating, preparing, or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or otherwise, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims, damages, or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness and at any subsequent time pursuant to Rules 430A and 430B of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement to any of them, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense (or action in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon the Underwriters’ Information; provided, however, that in no case shall any Underwriter be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount and commissions applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder.
Section 6.04 Indemnification Procedures. Any party that proposes to assert the right to be indemnified under this Article VI shall, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party or parties under this Article VI, notify each such indemnifying party of the commencement of such action, enclosing a copy of all papers served, but the omission so to notify such indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party under the foregoing provisions of this Article VI unless, and only to the extent that, such omission results in the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses by the indemnifying party. If any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of its commencement, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it elects by delivering written notice to the indemnified party promptly after receiving notice of the commencement of the action from the indemnified party, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense of the action, with counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense, the indemnifying party will not be liable to the indemnified party for any legal or other expenses except as provided below and except for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs of investigation subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense. The indemnified party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action, but the fees, expenses, and other charges of such counsel will be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the employment of counsel by the indemnified party has been authorized in writing by one of the indemnifying parties in connection with the defense of such action, (ii) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded that a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on advice of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party), (iv) the indemnifying party does not diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, or (v) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to assume the defense of such action within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the commencement of the action, in each of which cases the reasonable fees, disbursements, and other charges of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties. It is understood that the indemnifying party or parties shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees, disbursements, and other charges of more than one separate firm admitted to practice in such jurisdiction at any one time for all such indemnified party or parties. All such fees, disbursements, and other charges shall be reimbursed by the indemnifying party promptly as they are incurred. An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any action or claim effected without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of each indemnified party, settle, or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action, or proceeding relating to the matters contemplated by this Article VI (whether or not any indemnified party is a party thereto), unless (x) such settlement, compromise, or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising or that may arise out of such claim, action, or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability, or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party, and (y) the indemnifying party confirms in writing its indemnification obligations hereunder with respect to such settlement, compromise, or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by subsection (a) of this Section 6.03 effected without its written consent if (A) such settlement is entered into more than forty-five (45) days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (B) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least thirty (30) days prior to such settlement being entered into, and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
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Section 6.05 Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in the foregoing paragraphs of this Article VI is applicable in accordance with its terms but for any reason is held to be unavailable, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the total losses, claims, liabilities, expenses, and damages (including any investigative, legal, and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit, or proceeding or any claim asserted, but after deducting any contribution received by the Company from persons other than the Underwriters, such as persons who control the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, officers of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and directors of the Company, who may also be liable for contribution), to which the Company and the Underwriter may be subject in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the Offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Underwriters shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (x) the total proceeds from the Offering (net of underwriting discount and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company bears to (y) the underwriting discount and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table in Exhibit 107 of the Prospectus. If, but only if, the allocation provided by the foregoing sentence is not permitted by applicable law, the allocation of contribution shall be made in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in the foregoing sentence but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, liability, expense, or damage, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations with respect to such offering. Such relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 6.04 were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, liability, expense, or damage, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 6.04 shall be deemed to include, for purpose of this Section 6.04, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.04, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions received by it. No person found 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. For purposes of this Section 6.04, any person who controls a party to this Agreement within the meaning of the Securities Act will have the same rights to contribution as that party, and each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement will have the same rights to contribution as the Company, and each director, officer, employee, counsel, or agent of an Underwriter will have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, subject in each case to the provisions hereof. Any party entitled to contribution, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made under this Section 6.04, will notify any such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission so to notify will not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it or they may have under this Section 6.04. The obligations of the Underwriters to contribute pursuant to this Section 6.04 are several in proportion to the respective number of Securities to be purchased by each of the Underwriters hereunder and not joint. No party will be liable for contribution with respect to any action or claim settled without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld).
Section 6.06 Survival. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Article VI and the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling Person thereof, (ii) acceptance of any of the Securities and payment therefor, or (iii) any termination of this Agreement.
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Article
VII.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01 Termination.
(a) Termination Right. The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by notifying the Company at any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in their opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States, (ii) if trading on any Trading Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction, (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities, (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by New York State or a federal authority, (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets, (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 the Representative’s opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Securities, (vii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties, or covenants hereunder which have not been cured within ten (10) days after notification has been given to the Company by the Representative or which by its nature is uncurable, or (viii) if the Representative 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 as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the Offering, sale and/or delivery of the Securities, or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Securities.
(b) Expenses. In the event this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 7.01(a), within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the Company shall be obligated to pay to EF Hutton its actual and accountable out of pocket road show expenses up to $20,000 and fees for the Underwriter’s Counsel in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any advance received by the Representative will be reimbursed to the Company to the extent not actually incurred in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(4)(A).
(c) 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 Article VI 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.
Section 7.02 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, any Preliminary Prospectus, and the Prospectus, contain the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits, and schedules. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Engagement Agreement dated shall continue to be effective and the terms therein, shall continue to survive and be enforceable by EF Hutton in accordance with its terms, provided that, in the event of a conflict between the terms of the foregoing agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
Section 7.03 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or e-mail attachment at the email address set forth on the signature pages attached hereto at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or e-mail attachment at the e-mail address as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.
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Section 7.04 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented, or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and EF Hutton. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition, or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition, or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.
Section 7.05 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement, and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
Section 7.06 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns.
Section 7.07 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement, and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement, and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees, or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any action, suit or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action, or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action, or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provisions of the Transaction Documents, then, in addition to the obligations of the Company under Article VI, the prevailing party in such action, suit, or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation, and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
Section 7.08 Survival. The representations and warranties and the indemnification provisions contained herein shall survive the Closing and the Option Closing, if any, and the delivery of the Securities.
Section 7.09 Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page was an original thereof.
Section 7.10 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant, or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants, and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant, or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants, and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void, or unenforceable.
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Section 7.11 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Underwriters and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
Section 7.12 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
Section 7.13 Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.
Section 7.14 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVE FOREVER ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
Section 7.15 No Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure solely to the benefit of the parties hereto, are not intended to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto, and the Underwriters where so indicated any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations, or liabilities hereunder.
[Signature page follows]
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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 among the Company and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Darren Marks | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President |
Address for Notice:
Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
2060 NW Boca Raton, #6
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Attn: Darren Marks
T: (561) 287-5776
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Lucosky Brookman LLP
101 Wood Avenue South
Woodbridge, NJ 08830
Attn: Joseph Lucosky, Esq.
T: (732) 395-4400
Accepted by the Representative, acting for themselves and as Representative of the Underwriters named on Schedule I hereto, as of the date first above written:
EF HUTTON, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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Address for Notice:
EF Hutton,
division of Benchmark Investments, LLC
590 Madison Avenue, 39th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Sam Fleischman, Supervisory Principal
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Carmel, Milazzo & Feil LLP
55 W 39th Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Attention: Ross D. Carmel, Esq.
Telephone: 212-658-0458
Email: rcarmel@cmfllp.com
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Schedule I
Schedule of Underwriters
Underwriters | Firm Shares and Firm Warrants | Firm Pre-Funded Warrants and Firm Warrants |
Closing Purchase Price | |||||
EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC | $ | |||||||
Total | $ |
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Schedule II
Pricing Information
Number of Units: | ||
Number of Firm Shares: | ||
Number of Series A Firm Warrants underlying the Units: | ||
Number of Series B Firm Warrants underlying the Units: | ||
Number of Pre-Funded Units: | ||
Number of Firm Pre-Funded Warrants: | ||
Number of Series A Firm Warrants underlying the Pre-Fund Units | ||
Number of Series B Firm Warrants underlying the Pre-Fund Units | ||
Number of Option Shares: | ||
Number of Option Series A Warrants: | ||
Number of Option Series B Warrants: | ||
Number of Option Pre-Funded Warrants: | ||
Public Offering Price per Unit with Firm Shares: | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Firm Share: | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Firm Series A Warrant (underlying Firm Units or Firm Pre-Funded Units): | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Firm Series B Warrant (underlying Firm Units or Firm Pre-Funded Units): | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Pre-Funded Unit: | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Firm Pre-Funded Warrant: | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Option Share: | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Option Pre-Funded Warrant: | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Option Series A Warrant: | $ | |
Public Offering Price per Option Series B Warrant: | $ | |
Underwriting Discount per Unit with Firm Shares: | $ | |
Underwriting Discount per Pre-Funded Unit: | $ | |
Underwriting Discount per Option Share: | $ | |
Underwriting Discount per Option Pre-Funded Warrant: | $ | |
Underwriting Discount per Option Series A Warrant: | $ | |
Underwriting Discount per Option Series B Warrant: | $ | |
Proceeds to Company per Unit with Firm Shares (before expenses): | $ | |
Proceeds to Company per Pre-Funded Unit (before expenses): | $ | |
Proceeds to Company per Option Pre-Funded Warrant (before expenses): | $ | |
Proceeds to Company per Option Share (before expenses): | $ | |
Proceeds to Company per Option Series A Warrant (before expenses): | $ | |
Proceeds to Company per Option Series B Warrant (before expenses): | $ |
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Schedule III
Permitted Free Writing Prospectus
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Schedule IV
Testing the Water Communications
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Schedule V
List of officers, directors and shareholders executing lock-up agreements
1. | Darren Marks | |
2. | Melvin Leiner | |
3. | Jason Williams | |
4. | Robert Stevens | |
5. | Norman Rosenthal | |
6. | Dr. Thomas Rutherford | |
7. | Denis J. Kerasotes | |
8. | Condor Equities, LLC | |
9. | Section 3 Developments | |
10. | Eileen F. Kerasotes Family Trust |
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EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A – FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT B – FORM OF OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT C – FORM OF SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT D – FORM OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT E – FORM OF WARRANT AGENT AGEEMENT
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Exhibit 4.10
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE SERIES A WARRANT
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
Warrant Shares:_______________ | Initial Exercise Date: _____________, 2023 |
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE SERIES A WARRANT (“Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [_____]1 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to purchase from Grom Social Enterprises, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Alternate Consideration” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Attribution Parties” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(e).
“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(e).
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Black Scholes Value” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(d).
“Bloomberg” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in definition of “Bid Price.”
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home,” “shelter-in-place,” “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
_________________________
1 Insert the date that is the fifth year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date.
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“Buy-In” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(iv).
“Cashless Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(c).
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Company” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Distribution” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(c).
“DWAC” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(c).
“Exercise Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Fundamental Transaction” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Holder” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Initial Exercise Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Notice of Exercise” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(a).
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Purchase Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(b).
“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-273895).
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“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Standard Settlement Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Successor Entity” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Termination Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, The Nasdaq Capital Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 275 Madison Avenue 34th Floor, New York, NY 10016, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Warrant Register” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(c).
“Warrant Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Warrant Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Warrants” means this Warrant and other Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.
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Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $_____, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;
(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and
(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Holder may also effect an “alternative cashless exercise” during the period beginning on or after the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days from the effective date of the registration statement (the “Effective Date”) filed with the Commission with this Warrant until the Termination Date and (ii) the date on which the aggregate composite trading volume of the Common Stock as reported by Bloomberg beginning on the date of the Initial Exercise Date exceeds 15 million shares, (the “Cashless Period”), at the option of the Holder (and without regard to whether or not there is an effective registration statement registering, or a current prospectus available for, the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder) and in such event, in lieu of the formula, the aggregate number of Warrant Shares issuable in such cashless exercise pursuant to any given Notice of Exercise electing to effect a cashless exercise shall equal the product of (x) the aggregate number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise and (y) 0.50.
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.
ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
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iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto as Exhibit B duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to The Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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f) Call Provision. If (i) the VWAP for each of 10 consecutive Trading Days (the “Measurement Period,” which 10 consecutive Trading Day period shall not have commenced until after the Initial Exercise Date) is: (a) with respect to the 60-day period following the Issuance Date, equal to or greater than [ ]% of the Initial Exercise Price, or (b) with respect to all subsequent periods, equal to or greater than [ ]% of the Initial Exercise Price, (ii) the average daily dollar volume for such Measurement Period exceeds $[ ] per Trading Day and (iii) the Holder is not in possession of any information that constitutes, or might constitute, material non-public information which was provided by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their officers, directors, employees, agents or Affiliates, then the Company may in its sole discretion, within one (1) Trading Day of the end of such Measurement Period, call for cancellation of all, and only all, of the Warrants issued pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and/or the Registration Statement, including this Warrant, for which a Notice of Exercise has not yet been delivered (such right, a “Call”) for consideration equal to $0.001 per Warrant Share. To exercise this right, the Company must deliver to the Holder, concurrently with the other holders of Warrants, an irrevocable written notice (a “Call Notice”), indicating therein the unexercised portion of this Warrant to which such notice applies. If the conditions set forth below for such Call are satisfied from the period from the date of the Call Notice through and including the Call Date (as defined below), then any portion of this Warrant subject to such Call Notice for which a Notice of Exercise shall not have been received by the Call Date will be cancelled at 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the thirtieth day after the date the Call Notice is received by the Holder (such date and time, the “Call Date”). Any unexercised portion of this Warrant to which the Call Notice does not pertain will be unaffected by such Call Notice. In furtherance thereof, the Company covenants and agrees that it will honor all Notices of Exercise with respect to Warrant Shares subject to a Call Notice that are tendered through 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Call Date. The parties agree that any Notice of Exercise delivered following a Call Notice which calls less than all of the Warrants shall first reduce to zero the number of Warrant Shares subject to such Call Notice prior to reducing the remaining Warrant Shares available for purchase under this Warrant. For example, if (A) this Warrant then permits the Holder to acquire 100 Warrant Shares, (B) a Call Notice pertains to 75 Warrant Shares, and (C) prior to 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Call Date the Holder tenders a Notice of Exercise in respect of 50 Warrant Shares, then (x) on the Call Date the right under this Warrant to acquire 25 Warrant Shares will be automatically cancelled, (y) the Company, in the time and manner required under this Warrant, will have issued and delivered to the Holder 50 Warrant Shares in respect of the exercises following receipt of the Call Notice, and (z) the Holder may, until the Termination Date, exercise this Warrant for 25 Warrant Shares (subject to adjustment as herein provided and subject to subsequent Call Notices). Subject again to the provisions of this Section 2(f), the Company may deliver subsequent Call Notices for any portion of this Warrant for which the Holder shall not have delivered a Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Warrant, the Company may not deliver a Call Notice or require the cancellation of this Warrant (and any such Call Notice shall be void), unless, from the beginning of the Measurement Period through the Call Date, (1) the Company shall have honored in accordance with the terms of this Warrant all Notices of Exercise delivered by 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Call Date, and (2) a registration statement shall be effective as to all Warrant Shares and the prospectus thereunder available for use by the Company for the sale of all such Warrant Shares to the Holder, and (3) the Common Stock shall be listed or quoted for trading on the Trading Market, and (4) there is a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock for issuance of all Warrant Shares, and (5) the issuance of all Warrant Shares subject to a Call Notice shall not cause a breach of any provision of Section 2(e) herein.
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
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b) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
c) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one (1) share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within thirty (30) days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company’s control, including not approved by the Board of Directors, the Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the historical volatility function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the highest VWAP during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to this Section 3(d), (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within five (5) Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction).
The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.
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e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
f) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
g) Voluntary Adjustment by Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
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b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
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Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
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h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd. #6, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, Attention: Darren Marks, Chief Executive Officer, email address: darren@gromsocial.com, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder, on the other hand.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. | |||
By: |
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Name: | Darren Marks | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page to Common Stock Purchase Warrant
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EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[_] in lawful money of the United States; or
[_] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
_______________________________
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity: ________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name: |
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(Please Print) | ||
Address: | ||
(Please Print) | ||
Phone Number: _______________ |
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Email Address: ____________________________ | ||
Dated: _______________ __, ______ | ||
Holder’s Signature:_________________________ | ||
Holder’s Address:__________________________ |
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Exhibit 4.11
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE SERIES B WARRANT
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
Warrant Shares:_______________ | Initial Exercise Date: _____________, 2023 |
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE SERIES B WARRANT (“Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [_____]1 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to purchase from Grom Social Enterprises, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:
“Adjustment Right” means any right granted with respect to any securities issued in connection with, or with respect to, any issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale in accordance with Section 3) of shares of Common Stock (other than rights of the type described in Sections 3(c) - 3(e) hereof) that could result in a decrease in the net consideration received by the Company in connection with, or with respect to, such securities (including, without limitation, any cash settlement rights, cash adjustment or other similar rights).
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Alternate Consideration” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Attribution Parties” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(e).
“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(e).
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
_________________________
1 Insert the date that is the fifth year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date.
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“Black Scholes Value” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(e).
“Bloomberg” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in definition of “Bid Price.”
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home,” “shelter-in-place,” “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Buy-In” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(iv).
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Company” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Convertible Securities” means any stock or other security (other than Options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of Common Stock.
“Distribution” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(d).
“DWAC” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Effective Date” means the date the Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act.
“Exercise Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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“Excluded Securities” means (a) shares of Common Stock, options, restricted stock units or other equity-based awards to employees, officers or directors of the Company or its subsidiaries pursuant to any compensation plan duly adopted for such purpose, by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, (b) (i) securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any securities issued pursuant to the Registration Statement and/or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Effective Date and; (ii) dividends in the form of Common Stock that are required to be paid pursuant to agreements existing on the Effective Date, provided that such securities and agreements have not been amended since the Initial Exercise Date to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities, (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions (including, without limitation, joint venture, co-marketing, co-development or other collaboration agreements) and the payment of contractor invoices in the ordinary course of business, each approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act), and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.
“Fundamental Transaction” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Holder” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Initial Exercise Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Notice of Exercise” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(a).
“Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Purchase Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(c).
“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-273895).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Standard Settlement Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
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“Successor Entity” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Termination Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, The Nasdaq Capital Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 275 Madison Avenue 34th Floor, New York, NY 10016, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Warrant Register” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(c).
“Warrant Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Warrant Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Warrants” means this Warrant and other Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $_____, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;
(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and
(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto as Exhibit B duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to The Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
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vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
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f) Call Provision. If (i) the VWAP for each of 10 consecutive Trading Days (the “Measurement Period,” which 10 consecutive Trading Day period shall not have commenced until after the Initial Exercise Date) is: (a) with respect to the 60-day period following the Issuance Date, equal to or greater than [ ]% of the Initial Exercise Price, or (b) with respect to all subsequent periods, equal to or greater than [ ]% of the Initial Exercise Price, (ii) the average daily dollar volume for such Measurement Period exceeds $[ ] per Trading Day and (iii) the Holder is not in possession of any information that constitutes, or might constitute, material non-public information which was provided by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their officers, directors, employees, agents or Affiliates, then the Company may in its sole discretion, within one (1) Trading Day of the end of such Measurement Period, call for cancellation of all, and only all, of the Warrants issued pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and/or the Registration Statement, including this Warrant, for which a Notice of Exercise has not yet been delivered (such right, a “Call”) for consideration equal to $0.001 per Warrant Share. To exercise this right, the Company must deliver to the Holder, concurrently with the other holders of Warrants, an irrevocable written notice (a “Call Notice”), indicating therein the unexercised portion of this Warrant to which such notice applies. If the conditions set forth below for such Call are satisfied from the period from the date of the Call Notice through and including the Call Date (as defined below), then any portion of this Warrant subject to such Call Notice for which a Notice of Exercise shall not have been received by the Call Date will be cancelled at 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the thirtieth day after the date the Call Notice is received by the Holder (such date and time, the “Call Date”). Any unexercised portion of this Warrant to which the Call Notice does not pertain will be unaffected by such Call Notice. In furtherance thereof, the Company covenants and agrees that it will honor all Notices of Exercise with respect to Warrant Shares subject to a Call Notice that are tendered through 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Call Date. The parties agree that any Notice of Exercise delivered following a Call Notice which calls less than all of the Warrants shall first reduce to zero the number of Warrant Shares subject to such Call Notice prior to reducing the remaining Warrant Shares available for purchase under this Warrant. For example, if (A) this Warrant then permits the Holder to acquire 100 Warrant Shares, (B) a Call Notice pertains to 75 Warrant Shares, and (C) prior to 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Call Date the Holder tenders a Notice of Exercise in respect of 50 Warrant Shares, then (x) on the Call Date the right under this Warrant to acquire 25 Warrant Shares will be automatically cancelled, (y) the Company, in the time and manner required under this Warrant, will have issued and delivered to the Holder 50 Warrant Shares in respect of the exercises following receipt of the Call Notice, and (z) the Holder may, until the Termination Date, exercise this Warrant for 25 Warrant Shares (subject to adjustment as herein provided and subject to subsequent Call Notices). Subject again to the provisions of this Section 2(f), the Company may deliver subsequent Call Notices for any portion of this Warrant for which the Holder shall not have delivered a Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Warrant, the Company may not deliver a Call Notice or require the cancellation of this Warrant (and any such Call Notice shall be void), unless, from the beginning of the Measurement Period through the Call Date, (1) the Company shall have honored in accordance with the terms of this Warrant all Notices of Exercise delivered by 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Call Date, and (2) a registration statement shall be effective as to all Warrant Shares and the prospectus thereunder available for use by the Company for the sale of all such Warrant Shares to the Holder, and (3) the Common Stock shall be listed or quoted for trading on the Trading Market, and (4) there is a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock for issuance of all Warrant Shares, and (5) the issuance of all Warrant Shares subject to a Call Notice shall not cause a breach of any provision of Section 2(e) herein.
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
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(b) Adjustment Upon Issuance of Shares of Common Stock. If and whenever on or after the Initial Exercise Date, the Company grants, issues or sells (or enters into any agreement to grant, issue or sell), or in accordance with this Section 3 is deemed to have granted, issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock (including the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company, but excluding any Excluded Securities granted, issued or sold or deemed to have been granted, issued or sold) for a consideration per share (the “New Issuance Price”) less than a price equal to the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such granting, issuance or sale or deemed granting issuance or sale (such Exercise Price then in effect is referred to herein as the “Applicable Price”) (the foregoing a “Dilutive Issuance”), then immediately after such Dilutive Issuance, the Exercise Price then in effect shall be reduced to an amount equal to the New Issuance Price provided that the New Issuance Price shall not be less than $[ ]2 (subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, recapitalizations and similar transactions following the date of the Underwriting Agreement). For all purposes of the foregoing (including, without limitation, determining the adjusted Exercise Price and the New Issuance Price under this Section 3(b)), the following shall be applicable.
(i) Issuance of Options. If the Company in any manner grants, issues or sells (or enters into any agreement to grant, issue or sell) any Options and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the exercise of any such Option or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the granting or sale of such Option for such price per share. For purposes of this Section 3(b)(i), the “lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the exercise of any such Options or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof” shall be equal to (1) the lower of (x) the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to any one share of Common Stock upon the granting, issuance or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof and (y) the lowest exercise price set forth in such Option for which one share of Common Stock is issuable (or may become issuable assuming all possible market conditions) upon the exercise of any such Options or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof minus (2) the sum of all amounts paid or payable to the holder of such Option (or any other Person) upon the granting, issuance or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof plus the value of any other consideration received or receivable by, or benefit conferred on, the holder of such Option (or any other Person). Except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Exercise Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock or of such Convertible Securities upon the exercise of such Options or otherwise pursuant to the terms of or upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities.
(ii) Issuance of Convertible Securities. If the Company in any manner issues or sells (or enters into any agreement to issue or sell) any Convertible Securities and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange thereof or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the issuance or sale (or the time of execution of such agreement to issue or sell, as applicable) of such Convertible Securities for such price per share. For the purposes of this Section 3(b)(ii), the “lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange thereof or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof” shall be equal to (1) the lower of (x) the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to one share of Common Stock upon the issuance or sale (or pursuant to the agreement to issue or sell, as applicable) of the Convertible Security and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Security or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof and (y) the lowest conversion price set forth in such Convertible Security for which one share of Common Stock is issuable (or may become issuable assuming all possible market conditions) upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof minus (2) the sum of all amounts paid or payable to the holder of such Convertible Security (or any other Person) upon the issuance or sale (or the agreement to issue or sell, as applicable) of such Convertible Security plus the value of any other consideration received or receivable by, or benefit conferred on, the holder of such Convertible Security (or any other Person). Except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Exercise Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities or otherwise pursuant to the terms thereof, and if any such issuance or sale of such Convertible Securities is made upon exercise of any Options for which adjustment of this Warrant has been or is to be made pursuant to other provisions of this Section 2(b), except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Exercise Price shall be made by reason of such issuance or sale.
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2 Insert dollar amount equal to [50]% of the offering price of one share of Common Stock and two Warrants issued pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement plus the 2 warrants at $.0125 each total $.25.
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(iii) Change in Option Price or Rate of Conversion. If the purchase or exercise price provided for in any Options, the additional consideration, if any, payable upon the issue, conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities, or the rate at which any Convertible Securities are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock increases or decreases at any time (other than proportional changes in conversion or exercise prices, as applicable, in connection with an event referred to in Section 3(a)), the Exercise Price in effect at the time of such increase or decrease shall be adjusted to the Exercise Price which would have been in effect at such time had such Options or Convertible Securities provided for such increased or decreased purchase price, additional consideration or increased or decreased conversion rate, as the case may be, at the time initially granted, issued or sold. For purposes of this Section 3(b)(iii), if the terms of any Option or Convertible Security (including, without limitation, any Option or Convertible Security that was outstanding as of the Initial Exercise Date) are increased or decreased in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence, then such Option or Convertible Security and the shares of Common Stock deemed issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of such increase or decrease. No adjustment pursuant to this Section 2(b) shall be made if such adjustment would result in an increase of the Exercise Price then in effect.
(iv) Calculation of Consideration Received. If any Option and/or Convertible Security and/or Adjustment Right is issued in connection with the issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale of any other securities of the Company (as determined by the Holder, the “Primary Security”, and such Option and/or Convertible Security and/or Adjustment Right, the “Secondary Securities” and together with the Primary Security, each a “Unit”), together comprising one integrated transaction, the aggregate consideration per share of Common Stock with respect to such Primary Security shall be deemed to be the lower of (x) the purchase price of such Unit, (y) if such Primary Security is an Option and/or Convertible Security, the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is at any time issuable upon the exercise or conversion of the Primary Security in accordance with Sections 3(b)(i) or 3(b)(ii) above and (z) the lowest VWAP of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the five (5) Trading Day period (the “Adjustment Period”) immediately following the public announcement of such Dilutive Issuance (for the avoidance of doubt, if such public announcement is released prior to the opening of the principal Trading Market of the Common Stock on a Trading Day, such Trading Day shall be the first Trading Day in such five Trading Day period and if this Warrant is exercised, on any given Exercise Date during any such Adjustment Period, solely with respect to such portion of this Warrant converted on such applicable Exercise Date, such applicable Adjustment Period shall be deemed to have ended on, and included, the Trading Day immediately prior to such Exercise Date). If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold for cash, the consideration received therefor will be deemed to be the net amount of consideration received by the Company therefor. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold for a consideration other than cash, the amount of such consideration received by the Company will be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of publicly traded securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company for such securities will be the arithmetic average of the VWAPs of such security for each of the five (5) Trading Days immediately preceding the date of receipt. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued to the owners of the non-surviving entity in connection with any merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, the amount of consideration therefor will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving entity as is attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities (as the case may be). The fair value of any consideration other than cash or publicly traded securities will be determined jointly by the Company and the Holder. If such parties are unable to reach agreement within ten (10) days after the occurrence of an event requiring valuation (the “Valuation Event”), the fair value of such consideration will be determined within five (5) Trading Days after the tenth (10th) day following such Valuation Event by an independent, reputable appraiser jointly selected by the Company and the Holder. The determination of such appraiser shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error and the fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be borne by the Company.
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c) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
e) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one (1) share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within thirty (30) days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company’s control, including not approved by the Board of Directors, the Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the historical volatility function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the highest VWAP during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to this Section 3(d), (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within five (5) Business Days of the Holder’s election (or, if later, on the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction).
The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.
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f) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
h) Voluntary Adjustment by Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
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d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
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f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd. #6, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, Attention: Darren Marks, Chief Executive Officer, email address: darren@gromsocial.com, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder, on the other hand.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. | |||
By: |
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Name: | Darren Marks | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
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EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[_] in lawful money of the United States; or
[_] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
_______________________________
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity: ________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name: |
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(Please Print) | ||
Address: | ||
(Please Print) | ||
Phone Number: _______________ |
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Email Address: ____________________________ | ||
Dated: _______________ __, ______ | ||
Holder’s Signature:_________________________ | ||
Holder’s Address:__________________________ |
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Exhibit 4.12
PRE-FUNDED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
Warrant Shares:_______________ | Initial Exercise Date: _____________, 2023 |
THIS PRE-FUNDED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (“Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and until this Warrant is exercised in full (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Grom Social Enterprises, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Alternate Consideration” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Attribution Parties” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(e).
“Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(e).
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Bloomberg” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in definition of “Bid Price.”
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home,” “shelter-in-place,” “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Buy-In” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(iv).
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Company” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Distribution” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(c).
“DWAC” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Exercise Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(b).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Fundamental Transaction” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Holder” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Initial Exercise Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Notice of Exercise” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(a).
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Purchase Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(b).
“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-266183).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Standard Settlement Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Successor Entity” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.
“Termination Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, The Nasdaq Capital Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 275 Madison Avenue 34th Floor, New York, NY 10016, and an email address, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
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“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Warrant Register” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4(c).
“Warrant Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2(d)(i).
“Warrant Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.
“Warrants” means this Warrant and other Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b) Exercise Price. The aggregate exercise price of this Warrant, except for a nominal exercise price of $0.001 per Warrant Share, was pre-funded to the Company on or prior to the Initial Exercise Date and, consequently, no additional consideration (other than the nominal exercise price of $0.001 per Warrant Share) shall be required to be paid by the Holder to any Person to effect any exercise of this Warrant. The Holder shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price under any circumstance or for any reason whatsoever. The remaining unpaid exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.001, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
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c) Cashless Exercise. This Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) = | as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; |
(B) = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and |
(X) = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.
iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.
iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.
vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto as Exhibit B duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to The Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.
vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
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b) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
c) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
d) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one (1) share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction.
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The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.
e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
f) Notice to Holder.
i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.
ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
Section 5. Miscellaneous.
a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
9 |
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd. #6, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, Attention: Darren Marks, Chief Executive Officer, email address: darren@gromsocial.com, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
10 |
i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder, on the other hand.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
11 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. | |||
By: |
|||
Name: | Darren Marks | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page to Pre-Funded Common Stock Purchase Warrant
12 |
EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[ ] in lawful money of the United States; or
[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
_______________________________
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity: _______________________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________
Date: _______________________________________________________________________________________
A-1 |
EXHIBIT B
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name: |
||
(Please Print) | ||
Address: | ||
(Please Print) | ||
Phone Number: | ||
Email Address: | ||
Dated: _______________ __, ______ | ||
Holder’s Signature:__________________________ | ||
Holder’s Address:__________________________ |
B-1 |
Exhibit 5.1
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![]() |
August 25, 2023
Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.
2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd., #6
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Re: |
Registration Statement on Form S-1 File No. 333-273895 of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to you, Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”), a Florida corporation, in connection with the registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-273895) filed by the Company on August 10, 2023 (as amended to date, the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for a proposed public offering (the “Offering”) of:
(i) | Up to 1,458,333 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), $0.001 par value per share (the “Firm Shares”); |
(ii) | Up to 1,458,333 prefunded warrants (the “Prefunded Warrants”) and the shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder (the “Prefunded Warrant Shares”); |
(iii) | Up to 1,458,333 Series A warrants (the “Series A Warrants”) and the shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder (the “Series A Warrant Shares”); |
(iv) | Up to 1,458,333 Series B warrants (the “Series B Warrants” and together with the Prefunded Warrants and Series A Warrants, the “Firm Warrants”) and the shares of common stock issuable thereunder (the “Series B Warrant Shares” and together with the Prefunded Warrant Shares, Series A Warrant Shares and the Series B Warrant Shares, the “Firm Warrant Shares”) |
(v) | Up to 218,750 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of an option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) to be issued to the underwriters of the Offering (the “Underwriters”) to cover over allotments, if any (the “Over Allotment Shares”); |
(vi) | Up to 218,750 Prefunded Warrants issuable upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option by the Underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Over-Allotment Prefunded Warrants”) and the shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder (the “Over-Allotment Prefunded Warrant Shares”); |
(vii) | Up to 218,750 Series A Warrants issuable upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option by the Underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Over-Allotment Series A Warrants”) and the shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder (the “Over-Allotment Series A Warrant Shares”); |
(viii) | Up to 218,750 Series B Warrants issuable upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option by the Underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Over-Allotment Series B Warrants,” and together with the Over-Allotment Prefunded Warrants and the Over-Allotment Series A Warrants, the “Over-Allotment Warrants”) and the shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder (the “Over-Allotment Series B Warrant Shares,” and together with the Over-Allotment Prefunded Warrant Shares and Over-Allotment Series A Warrant Shares, the “Over-Allotment Warrant Shares” ); |
1 |
The Firm Shares and the Over-Allotment Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “Shares.” The Firm Warrants and Over-Allotment Warrants are collectively referred to herein as the “Warrants.” The Firm Warrant Shares and Over-Allotment Warrant Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “Warrant Shares.”
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the following: (a) the articles of incorporation of the Company, as amended to date; (b) the bylaws of the Company, as amended to date; and (c) the Registration Statement and all exhibits thereto. In addition to the foregoing, we also have relied as to matters of fact upon the representations made by the Company and its representatives and we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us certified or photostatic copies.
Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications, limitations, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
(i) |
The Shares, when issued against payment therefor as set forth in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; | |
(ii) | the Warrants, when issued as set forth in the Registration Statement, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms; and | |
(iii) | the Warrant Shares, when issued upon exercise of the Warrants against payment therefor as set forth in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable |
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the laws of the State of Florida, including the Constitution of the State of Florida, the laws of the State of New York with respect to the Warrants, all applicable provisions of the statutory provisions, and reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws. We are attorneys licensed to practice in the States of New York and New Jersey and our opinions herein assume the laws of the State of Florida as applied here are the same as in those jurisdictions. This opinion is limited to the laws in effect as of the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission and is provided exclusively in connection with the public offering contemplated by the Registration Statement.
This opinion letter is qualified to the extent that the enforceability of any applicable agreement, document, or instrument discussed herein may be limited by or subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and general equitable or public policy principles.
This opinion letter speaks only as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or supplement this opinion letter if any applicable laws change after the date of this opinion letter or if we become aware after the date of this opinion letter of any facts, whether existing before or arising after the date hereof, that might change the opinions expressed above.
This opinion letter is furnished in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and may not be relied upon for any other purpose without our prior written consent in each instance. Further, no portion of this letter may be quoted, circulated or referred to in any other document for any other purpose without our prior written consent.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name as it appears in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very Truly Yours, | |
/s/ Lucosky Brookman LLP | |
Lucosky Brookman LLP |
2 |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-1/A of our report dated April 17, 2023, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
/s/ Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman P.A.
Somerset, New Jersey
August 25, 2023
_U-
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Cover |
Aug. 25, 2023 |
---|---|
Cover [Abstract] | |
Document Type | S-1/A |
Amendment Flag | true |
Amendment Description | Amendment No. 1 |
Entity Registrant Name | GROM SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, INC. |
Entity Central Index Key | 0001662574 |
Entity Tax Identification Number | 46-5542401 |
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | FL |
Entity Address, Address Line One | 2060 NW Boca Raton Blvd. |
Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite #6 |
Entity Address, City or Town | Boca Raton |
Entity Address, State or Province | FL |
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 33431 |
City Area Code | 561 |
Local Phone Number | 287-5776 |
Entity Filer Category | Non-accelerated Filer |
Entity Small Business | true |
Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
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