UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Rule 14a-101

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant x

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:

x Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e) (2))

¨ Definitive Proxy Statement

¨ Definitive Additional Materials

¨ Soliciting Material Under §240.14a -12

 

IDEANOMICS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

N/A

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

x No fee required.

 

¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) (4) and 0-11.

 

  1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
  2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
  3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0- 11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
  4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
  5) Total fee paid:

 

¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

 

  1) Amount previously paid:
  2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
  3) Filing Party:
  4) Date Filed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

IDEANOMICS, INC.

 

September [___], 2020

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

You are invited to attend Ideanomics, Inc.’s (the “Company”) Annual Meeting of Shareholders on [__________], 2020, at [10:00 AM], local time (New York Time). In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, to support the health and well-being of our stockholders, employees and directors, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance, the Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via live webcast on the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the Special Meeting online by visiting [__________________], where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote. We encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting.

 

Details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting are included in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, your vote is important and you are encouraged to vote promptly. If you received a paper copy of the proxy card by mail, you may sign, date and return the proxy card in the enclosed envelope. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote at the virtual Annual Meeting.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Alfred Poor
  Alfred Poor
  Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

IDEANOMICS, INC.

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON , 2020

 

[___________}, 2020

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF IDEANOMICS, INC.:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ideanomics, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), to be held on [______________], 2020, at [10:00 AM], local time (New York Time). In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, to support the health and well-being of our stockholders, employees and directors, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance, the Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via live webcast on the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the Special Meeting online by visiting [__________________], where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote. We encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting.

 

1.         Elect the seven directors named in the attached Proxy Statement to serve for a one-year term to expire at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as follows: seven directors, including Bruno Wu, Alfred Poor, Shane McMahon, James Cassano, Jerry Fan, Chao Yang, and Harry Edelson to be elected by the holders of the Company’s common stock and Series A preferred stock, voting together as a single class;

 

2.         Ratify the appointment of BF Borgers CPA PC as the independent registered accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020;

 

3.        Approval of the amendment and restatement of our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, a copy of such amended and restated plan is included as Appendix A to this Information Statement (the “Plan”), to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan to 56,800,000 and so that the term of the Plan shall be until August 31, 2030;

 

4.         Approval of the issuance of shares of common stock to Yorkville Advisors pursuant to the terms of a standby equity distribution agreement in accordance with the stockholder approval requirements of NASDAQ listing rule 5635(d);

 

5.         Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

The Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders. To listen to the Annual Meeting or submit questions or vote during the Annual Meeting via live webcast, please visit [_______________]You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

 

This notice of meeting, Proxy Statement, proxy card and copy of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2019 are being distributed on or about [_______________], 2020. The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the attached Proxy Statement. Shareholders of record at the close of business on [_________], 2020, the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment thereof.

 

  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   
  /s/ Alfred Poor
  Alfred Poor
  Chief Executive Officer

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON [______________], 2020

The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report are available on the internet at:
www.proxyvote.com

 

 

 

 

IDEANOMICS, INC.

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Ideanomics, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“we,” “us,” the “Company” or “Ideanomics”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on [___________], 2020, at 10:00 AM, local time (New York Time). In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, to support the health and well-being of our stockholders, employees and directors, and taking into account recent federal, state and local guidance, the Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, via live webcast on the Internet, with no physical in-person meeting. You will be able to attend and participate in the Special Meeting online by visiting [__________________], where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote. We encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Annual Meeting. Our telephone number at our principal executive offices is (212) 206-1216.

 

INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING

 

Record Date and Share Ownership

 

Shareholders of record at the close of business on [_____________], 2020, which date is referred to herein as the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date: [_________] shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) were issued and outstanding and held of record by approximately [___] shareholders of record, with each of those shares being entitled to one (1) vote; 7,000,000 shares of our Series A preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”) were issued and outstanding and held of record by 1 shareholder of record, with the holders thereof being entitled to ten (10) votes for each share of Common Stock that is issuable upon conversion of a share of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

A list of these shareholders will be available for inspection during ordinary business hours at our offices located at 55 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10006, for at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting. The list will also be available for inspection during the Annual Meeting.

 

Voting, Solicitation and Revocability of Proxy

 

If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote online at the virtual Annual Meeting.

 

If you will not be attending the virtual Annual Meeting, you may vote by proxy. You may vote by proxy over the Internet, over the telephone or by mail. The procedures for voting by proxy are as follows:

 

  · To vote by proxy over the Internet go to the web address listed on the proxy card; or

 

  · To vote by proxy over the telephone, dial the toll-free phone number listed on proxy card under the heading “Vote by Phone” and following the recorded instructions; or

 

  · To vote by mail, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, follow the voting instructions on the form you receive from your bank, broker or other nominee.

 

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In order to ensure that your vote is counted, please submit your proxy card, properly signed, and the shares represented will be voted in accordance with your directions. You can specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes on the proxy card. If your proxy card is submitted without specifying choices, the shares will be voted in line with the Board’s recommendations for Proposals 1,2, 3 &4.

 

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by executing a later-voted proxy by mail, by voting by ballot at the Annual Meeting, or by providing written notice of the revocation to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

 

IMPORTANT: All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. To assure your representation at the Annual Meeting, you are urged to vote your shares by proxy in accordance with the instructions included on the proxy card. Any shareholder attending the virtual Annual Meeting may vote even if he or she submitted a proxy. However, if a shareholder’s shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and the shareholder wishes to vote at the Annual Meeting, the shareholder must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in his or her name.

 

Your vote is important. Accordingly, regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you are urged to vote by proxy in accordance with the instructions included on the proxy card.

 

Attendance at the Annual Meeting is generally limited to our shareholders and their authorized representatives. Any stockholder may listen to the Annual Meeting via live webcast at [ ]. The webcast will begin on [ ], 2020 10:00 AM, local time (New York Time). To enter the meeting, please have your 16-digit control number, which is available on your proxy card or voting instruction form. IIf you do not have your 16-digit control number please contact your bank, brokerage firm or follow the instructions on how to participate at [ ]. On the day of the Annual Meeting, if you encounter any difficulties accessing the live webcast of the Annual Meeting or during the Annual Meeting, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the log-in page for our virtual Annual Meeting for assistance.

 

If you do attend, you may vote by ballot at the Annual Meeting, thereby canceling any proxy previously given. However, attendance at the Annual Meeting will not revoke a proxy unless you actually vote at the virtual Annual Meeting.

 

In the event that any matter not described in this Proxy Statement properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders named in the accompanying proxy will vote the shares represented by the proxy in their discretion. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any other matter that might be presented at the Annual Meeting.

 

The presence at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy of the holders of the Common Stock and the Series A Preferred Stock entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at the Annual Meeting, the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

Assuming a quorum is present, under Nevada law, and our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (the “Bylaws”), with respect to Proposal 1, directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. This means that for Proposal 1, the seven (7) candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the issued and outstanding Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class on an as-converted basis at the Annual Meeting. Only shares that are voted in favor of a particular nominee will be counted toward that nominee’s achievement of a plurality. Shares present at the Annual Meeting that are not voted for a particular nominee or shares present by proxy where the shareholder properly withheld authority to vote for such nominee will not be counted toward that nominee’s achievement of a plurality. With respect to Proposals 2, 3 & 4, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to approve Proposals 2, 3 & 4.

 

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The inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting will determine the existence of a quorum and will tabulate the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, abstentions and broker “non-votes” (shares held by a bank, broker or other nominee that does not have the authority, either express or discretionary, to vote on a particular matter) will be counted by us as present at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes, however, do not technically constitute a “vote cast” (affirmatively or negatively) on any matter and thus will be disregarded in the calculation of votes cast and whether shareholder approval of the matter has been obtained. Therefore, an abstention or broker non-vote will not have the effect of a vote for or against the proposal and will not be counted in determining the number of votes required for approval, though they will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting in determining the presence of a quorum.

 

Under the NASDAQ rules regulating banks, brokers or other nominees and under applicable rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission, brokers, banks or other nominees that have not received voting instructions from a customer ten days prior to the meeting date may only vote the customer’s shares in discretion of the bank, broker or other nominee on proposals regarding “routine” matters, which in most cases includes the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm. However, without your specific instructions, your bank, broker, or other nominee may not vote your shares in the election of directors.

 

The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by us. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, we may utilize some of the officers and employees (who will receive no compensation in addition to their regular salaries), to solicit proxies personally and by telephone. Currently, we do not intend to retain a solicitation firm to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We may request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy materials to their principals and to request authority for the execution of proxies and will reimburse such persons for their expenses in so doing.

 

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MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT
THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1:

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

General

 

Our Board consists of one class of directors, which together currently include seven members: Bruno Wu, Alfred Poor, Shane McMahon, James Cassano, Jerry Fan, Chao Yang, and Harry Edelson. Effective upon the Annual Meeting, our board will consist of seven members. Each director serves from the date of his election until the end of his term and until his successor is elected and qualified.

 

Each of the directors listed above have been nominated as candidates for election as directors, as follows:

 

Proposal 1: Seven directors, including Bruno Wu, Alfred Poor, Shane McMahon, James Cassano, Jerry Fan, Chao Yang, Harry Edelson to be elected by the holders of the Company’s Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

If elected, the directors will hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their respective successor is elected and qualified. Unless authority is withheld, the proxies solicited by the board of directors will be voted “FOR” the election of the nominee. In case the nominee becomes unavailable for election to the board of directors, an event that is not anticipated, the persons named as proxies, or their substitutes, will have full discretion and authority to vote or refrain from voting for any other candidate in accordance with their judgment.

 

The following paragraphs set forth information regarding the current ages, positions, and business experience of the nominees.

 

Board Nominees

 

Bruno Wu

 

Director Since: January 2016 Age: 54

 

Dr. Wu has served as our Chairman since January 12, 2016. Dr. Wu is the founder, co-chairman and CEO of Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited, a private media and investment company in China, since 2007. Its predecessor is Sun Media Group Holdings Limited, which was established by Dr. Wu and his spouse in 1999. Dr. Wu served as chairman of Sun Media Group from 1999 to 2007 and was former director of Shanda Group, a private investment group, from 2006 to 2009 and as former co-chairman of Sina Corporation (NASDAQ: SINA), a Chinese media and Internet services company, from 2001 to 2002. Additionally, Dr. Wu served as the chief operating officer for ATV, a free-to-air television broadcaster in Hong Kong, from 1998 to 1999. Dr. Wu served as a director of Seven Star Works Co Ltd (KOSDAQ:121800) between 2015 to 2017, and served as a director of Semir Garment Co. Ltd (SHE:00256) between 2008 and 2012. Dr. Wu received a Ph.D. from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University in 2001 and prior to that received an M.A. in International Relations from Washington University, a B.A. in Business Management from Culver-Stockton College of Missouri and a diploma in Superior Studies in French Literature from the School of French Language and Literature at the University of Savoie in Chambery, France.

 

Alfred Poor

 

Director Since: December 2018 Age: 51

 

Mr. Poor has served as our Chief Executive Officer and President of the Connecticut Fintech Village since February 2019. Mr. Poor is a former Chief Operating Officer at Global Data Sentinel, a cybersecurity company that specializes in identity management, file access control, protected sharing, reporting and tracking, AI and thread response, and backup and recovery. He is the former President and Chief Operating Officer of Agendize Services Inc., a company with an integrated suite of applications that help businesses generate higher quality leads, improve business efficiency and customer engagement. Mr. Poor is a client-focused and profitability-driven management executive with a track record of success at both rapidly-growing technology companies and large, multi-national, organizations.

 

Shane McMahon*

 

Director Since: July 2010 Age: 49

 

Mr. McMahon was appointed Vice Chairman as of January 12, 2016 and was previously our Chairman from July 2010 to January 2016. Prior to joining us, from 2000 to December 31, 2009, Mr. McMahon served in various executive level positions with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE). Mr. McMahon also sits on the Boards of Directors of International Sports Management (USA) Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Global Power of Literacy, a New York not-for-profit corporation.

 

Mr. McMahon has significant marketing and promotion experience and has been instrumental in exploiting content programming on a global basis. In light of our business and structure, Mr. McMahon’s extensive executive and industry experience led us to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of our Company.

 

4

 

 

James S. Cassano*

 

Director Since: January 2008 Age: 74

 

Mr. Cassano was appointed as director of the Company effective as of January 11, 2008. Mr. Cassano is currently a Partner & Chief Financial Officer of CoActive Health Solutions, LLC, a worldwide contract research organization, supporting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Mr. Cassano has served as executive vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and director of Jaguar Acquisition Corporation a Delaware corporation (OTCBB: JGAC), a blank check company, since its formation in June 2005. Mr. Cassano has served as a managing director of Katalyst LLC, a company which provides certain administrative services to Jaguar Acquisition Corporation, since January 2005. In June 1998, Mr. Cassano founded New Forum Publishers, an electronic publisher of educational material for secondary schools, and served as its chairman of the Board and chief executive officer until it was sold to Apex Learning, Inc., a company controlled by Warburg Pincus, in August 2003. He remained with Apex until November 2003 in transition as vice president business development and served as a consultant to the company through February 2004. In June 1995, Mr. Cassano co-founded Advantix, Inc., a high volume electronic ticketing software and transaction services company which handled event related client and customer payments, that was renamed Tickets.com and went public through an IPO in 1999. From March 1987 to June 1995, Mr. Cassano served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of the Hill Group, Inc., a privately-held engineering and consulting organization, and from February 1986 to March 1987, Mr. Cassano served as vice president of investments and acquisitions for Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a public venture development company. From May 1973 to February 1986, Mr. Cassano served as partner and director of strategic management services (Europe) for the strategic management group of Hay Associates. Mr. Cassano received a B.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Wharton Graduate School at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Mr. Cassano has significant senior management experience, including service as chief executive officer, executive vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and director. In light of our business and structure, Mr. Cassano’s extensive executive experience and his educational background led us to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of our Company.

 

Jerry Fan*

 

Director Since: January 2016 Age: 53

 

Mr. Fan was appointed as director of the Company on January 12, 2016. Mr. Fan has served as Managing Director and Country Manager for the Greater China region at Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI), a global semiconductor company since November 2012. Prior to ADI, Mr. Fan worked for Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) for 15 years between 1997 and 2012 in a number of senior management roles, including Sales Managing Director for Cisco China, Sales Director for Cisco Australia and Senior Manager for Operations and Strategy for the Cisco Service Provider business based in Hong Kong. Mr. Fan started his career in 1998 working at Fudan University as a faculty member in both teaching and research roles. He graduated from Fudan University with a Computer Science bachelor's degree and an Executive MBA degree from CEIBS (China European International Business School) in 1999.

 

Mr. Fan has more than 20 years of experience in top management positions in China and the Asia Pacific region, working for several multinational technology companies. He also has served in senior management positions of several U.S. public companies. In light of our business and structure, Mr. Fan’s extensive industry and business experience and his educational background led us to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of our Company.

  

Harry Edelson*

 

Director Since: September 2019 Age: 87

 

Mr. Edelson was appointed as director of the Company effective as of September 15, 2019, CFA, CCP, CDP, is the Founder of Edelson Technology Partners, and President since 1980 of Edelson Technology, Inc., a company involved in consulting, fundraising, M&A, and investments. From 1984 until 2005 Mr. Edelson was an advisor and consultant for 10 multinational corporations (AT&T, Viacom, 3M, Ford Motor, Cincinnati Bell, Colgate-Palmolive, Reed Elsevier, Imation, Asea Brown Boveri and UPS). During this time he managed four technology-oriented strategic venture capital funds for the aforementioned 10 companies using corporate rather than pension money. He has served on over 150 boards of directors, 12 as chairman. At some time in the past five years, Mr. Edelson served as a director of four private companies, Airwire, PogoTec, eChinaCash, Pathway Genomics, and one public company, China Gerui. Executive positions in industry include Senior Systems Computer Engineer for Unisys, Transmission Engineer for AT&T (1962-1967), CTO for Cities Service (1967-1970) and Director of Marketing for a terminal manufacturer serving the nascent internet industry (1971-1973). His experience in technology led him to a 12 year career as a securities analyst on Wall Street covering telecommunications, computers, and office equipment for three leading investment banking firms in the 1970s and 1980s. Mr. Edelson obtained a BS in Physics from Brooklyn College in 1962, MBA from New York University Graduate School of Business in 1965, and completed a Graduate Program in Telecommunications Engineering at the Cornell Graduate School of Electrical Engineering in 1966. In 2007, Mr. Edelson served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for China Opportunity Acquisition Corp., a SPAC that raised $40 million and merged with China Gerui in 2009. Mr. Edelson was a Council member of The Julliard School of Music Dance & Drama, and is the founder and still Chairman of the China Investment Group; and the founder and current member of the Chinese Cultural Foundation. Mr. Edelson’s qualifications to serve as a director include decades of experience on Wall Street and various venture capital ventures. He has SPAC experience, vast board experience, and participated in numerous M&A transactions.

 

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Chao Yang*

 

Director Since: August 2018 Age: 68

 

Mr Yang was appointed as a director of the Company on August 7, 2018. Mr. Yang has been an Independent Non-Executive Director of Fosun International Limited since December 2014. Mr. Yang was the chairman of China Life Insurance Company Limited (listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with stock code: 02628) from July 2005 to June 2011, the president and secretary of party committee of China Life Insurance (Group) Company from May 2005 to May 2011 and an independent non-executive director of SRE Group Limited (listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with stock code: 01207) from November 2013 to December 2015. As at 31 December 2017, Mr. Yang has been a member of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and its Social and Legislative Committee. Mr. Yang, a Senior Economist, has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance and banking industries, and was awarded special allowance by the State Council. Mr. Yang graduated from Shanghai International Studies University and Middlesex University in the United Kingdom, majoring in English and business administration respectively, and received a master’s degree in business administration.

 

Mr. Yang has significant senior management experience, including service as chairman, president and director. In light of our business and structure, Mr. Yang’s extensive executive experience and his educational background led us to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of our Company.

 

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  * Independent Director

 

Except as noted above, the above persons do not hold any other directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Vote Required

 

The election of the nominees listed in Proposal 1 requires a plurality of the issued and outstanding Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock, entitled to vote and voting together as a single class on an as-converted basis at the Annual Meeting vote “FOR” the proposal.

 

Recommendation of Our Board

 

Our Board recommends that the Company’s shareholders vote FOR the election of the nominees listed in Proposal 1 (above)

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Director Independence

 

In considering and making decisions as to the independence of each of the directors of the Company, the Board considered transactions and relationships between the Company (and its subsidiaries) and each director (and each member of such director’s immediate family and any entity with which the director or family member has an affiliation such that the director or family member may have a material indirect interest in a transaction or relationship with such entity). The Board has determined that James Cassano, Jerry Fan, Chao Yang, Harry Edelson and[Shane McMahon] are independent as defined in applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules and regulations, and that each constitutes an “Independent Director” as defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605.

 

Board Leadership Structure and Corporate Governance

 

Our current corporate governance practices and policies are designed to promote shareholder value and we are committed to the highest standards of corporate ethics and diligent compliance with financial accounting and reporting rules. Our Board provides independent leadership in the exercise of its responsibilities. Our management oversees a system of internal controls and compliance with corporate policies and applicable laws and regulations, and our employees operate in a climate of responsibility, candor and integrity.

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

 

We and our Board are committed to high standards of corporate governance as an important component in building and maintaining shareholder value. To this end, we regularly review our corporate governance policies and practices to ensure that they are consistent with the high standards of other companies. We also closely monitor guidance issued or proposed by the SEC and the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as the emerging best practices of other companies. The current corporate governance guidelines are available on the Company’s website http://corporate.ideanomics.com. Printed copies of our corporate governance guidelines may be obtained, without charge, by contacting our Corporate Secretary at IR@ideanomics.com.

 

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The Board and Committees of the Board

 

The Company is governed by the Board that currently consists of seven members: Bruno Wu, Alfred Poor, Shane McMahon, James Cassano, Jerry Fan, Chao Yang and Harry Edelson. Effective upon the Annual Meeting, our Board will consist of seven members: Bruno Wu, Alfred Poor, Shane McMahon, James Cassano, Jerry Fan, Chao Yang and Harry Edelson. The Board has established three Committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee are comprised entirely of independent directors. From time to time, the Board may establish other committees. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of the Committees which are available on the Company’s website https://www.ideanomics.com.

 

Governance Structure

 

Our Board of Directors is responsible for corporate governance in compliance with reporting laws and for representing the interests of our shareholders. The Board is currently composed of seven members, five of whom are considered independent, non-executive directors. Details on Board membership, oversight and activity are reported below.

 

We encourage our shareholders to learn more about our Company’s governance practices at our website, https://www.ideanomics.com.

 

Audit Committee

 

Our Audit Committee currently consists of James Cassano, Harry Edelson, and Jerry Fan with Mr. Cassano acting as Chair. The Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. Mr. Cassano serves as our Audit Committee financial expert as that term is defined by the applicable SEC rules. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

  · selecting our independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by our independent auditors;

 

  · reviewing with our independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

  · reviewing and approving all proposed related-party transactions, as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

  · discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and our independent auditors;

 

  · reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of significant internal control deficiencies;

 

  · annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our Audit Committee charter;

 

  · overseeing the work of our independent auditor, including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting;

 

  · reporting regularly to and reviewing with the full Board any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the performance and independence of the independent auditors and any other matters that the Audit Committee deems appropriate or is requested to review for the benefit of the Board.

 

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The Audit Committee may engage independent counsel and such other advisors it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities and powers, and, if such counsel or other advisors are engaged, shall determine the compensation or fees payable to such counsel or other advisors. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more of its members as the Audit Committee deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities and exercise its powers.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Our Compensation Committee currently consists of Harry Edelson, Jerry Fan and James Cassano with Mr. Cassano acting as Chair. Our Compensation Committee assists the Board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure of our directors and executive officers, including all forms of compensation to be provided to our directors and executive officers. The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

  · reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer, evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer in light of those goals and objectives, and setting the compensation level of our chief executive officer based on this evaluation;

 

  · reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with regard to the compensation of other executive officers;

 

  · reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of our directors; and

 

  · reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding all incentive-based compensation plans and equity-based plans, including the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

 

The Compensation Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate any consulting firm or other outside advisor to assist the committee in the evaluation of director, chief executive officer or senior executive compensation and other compensation-related matters, including sole authority to approve the firms’ fees and other retention terms. The Compensation Committee may also form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members of the Compensation Committee.

 

Governance and Nominating Committee

 

Our Governance and Nominating Committee currently consists of James Cassano, Jerry Fan and Harry Edelson with Mr. Edelson acting as Chair. The Governance and Nominating Committee assists the Board of Directors in identifying individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the Board and its committees. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

  · identifying and recommending to the Board nominees for election or re-election to the Board, or for appointment to fill any vacancy;

 

  · selecting directors for appointment to committees of the Board; and

 

  · overseeing annual evaluation of the Board and its committees for the prior fiscal year.

 

The Governance and Nominating Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate retain and terminate any search firm that is to be used by the Company to assist in identifying director candidates, including sole authority to approve the firms’ fees and other retention terms. The Governance and Nominating Committee may also form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members of the Governance and Nominating Committee.

 

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Director Qualifications

 

Directors are responsible for overseeing the Company’s business consistent with their fiduciary duty to shareholders. This significant responsibility requires highly-skilled individuals with various qualities, attributes and professional experience. The Board believes that there are general requirements for service on the Company’s Board of Directors that are applicable to all directors and that there are other skills and experience that should be represented on the Board as a whole but not necessarily by each director. The Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board consider the qualifications of directors and director candidates individually and in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition and the Company’s current and future needs.

 

Qualifications for All Directors

 

In its assessment of each potential director candidate, including those recommended by shareholders, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers the nominee’s judgment, integrity, experience, independence, understanding of the Company’s business or other related industries and such other factors the Governance and Nominating Committee determines are pertinent in light of the current needs of the Board. The Governance and Nominating Committee also takes into account the ability of a director to devote the time and effort necessary to fulfill his or her responsibilities to the Company.

 

The Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee require that each director be a recognized person of high integrity with a proven record of success in his or her field. Each director must demonstrate innovative thinking, familiarity with and respect for corporate governance requirements and practices, an appreciation of multiple cultures and a commitment to sustainability and to dealing responsibly with social issues. In addition to the qualifications required of all directors, the Board assesses intangible qualities including the individual’s ability to ask difficult questions and, simultaneously, to work collegially.

 

The Board does not have a specific diversity policy, but considers diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural background and professional experiences in evaluating candidates for Board membership. Diversity is important because a variety of points of view contribute to a more effective decision-making process.

 

Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience to be Represented on the Board as a Whole

 

The Board has identified particular qualifications, attributes, skills and experience that are important to be represented on the Board as a whole, in light of the Company’s current needs and business priorities. The Company’s services are performed in areas of future growth located outside of the United States. Accordingly, the Board believes that international experience or specific knowledge of key geographic growth areas and diversity of professional experiences should be represented on the Board. In addition, the Company’s business is multifaceted and involves complex financial transactions. Therefore, the Board believes that the Board should include some directors with a high level of financial literacy and some directors who possess relevant business experience as a Chief Executive Officer or President. Our business involves complex technologies in a highly specialized industry. Therefore, the Board believes that extensive knowledge of the Company’s business and industry should be represented on the Board.

 

Summary of Qualifications of Current Directors

 

For a summary of qualifications of current directors, please see the section above entitled “Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors — Board Nominees.”

 

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Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Board oversees that the assets of the Company are properly safeguarded, that the appropriate financial and other controls are maintained, and that the Company’s business is conducted wisely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and proper governance. Included in these responsibilities is the Board of Directors’ oversight of the various risks facing the Company. In this regard, the Board seeks to understand and oversee critical business risks. The Board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of the Company’s business strategy. The Board recognizes that it is neither possible nor prudent to eliminate all risk. Indeed, purposeful and appropriate risk-taking is essential for the Company to be competitive on a global basis and to achieve its objectives.

 

While the Board oversees risk management, Company management is charged with managing risk. The Company has robust internal processes and a strong internal control environment to identify and manage risks and to communicate with the Board. The Board and the Audit Committee monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the internal controls and the risk management program at least annually. Management communicates routinely with the Board, Board committees and individual directors on the significant risks identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed often do, communicate directly with senior management.

 

The Board implements its risk oversight function both as a whole and through Committees. Much of the work is delegated to various Committees, which meet regularly and report back to the full Board. All Committees play significant roles in carrying out the risk oversight function. In particular:

 

  · The Audit Committee oversees risks related to the Company’s financial statements, the financial reporting process, accounting and legal matters. The Audit Committee members meet separately with representatives of the independent auditing firm.

 

  ·

The Compensation Committee evaluates the risks and rewards associated with the Company’s compensation philosophy and programs. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves compensation programs with features that mitigate risk without diminishing the incentive nature of the compensation. Management discusses with the Compensation Committee the procedures that have been put in place to identify and mitigate potential risks in compensation.

 

·The Governance & Nominating Committee oversees risks relating to corporate governance, [environmental and social responsibility] and compliance.

 

Committees and Meeting Attendance

 

Our Board held seven (7) meetings in connection with matters related to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Our Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Governance and Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee held five (5) meetings in connection with matters related to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. The Compensation Committee held two (2) meeting and the Governance and Nominating Committee did not hold any meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

During fiscal year 2019, except for Mr. Chao Yang, each member of the Board attended or participated in 75% or more of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board (held during the period for which such person has been a director) and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such person served (during the periods that such person served). Our Bylaws provide that the Executive Chairman (and in his absence, the Chairman) shall preside at all meetings of our shareholders and the Board. Each director is expected to make reasonable efforts to attend Board meetings, meetings of committees of which such director is a member and the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Code of Ethics

 

Our Board of Directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers, employees and advisors, which became effective in January 2016. We have posted a copy of our code of business conduct and ethics on our website at corporate.sevenstarscloud.com.

 

Communications by Shareholders with Directors

 

The Chairman of our Board may receive and distribute to our Board, and arrange for responses to, communications from shareholders. Shareholders may communicate with any and all of our directors by transmitting correspondence by facsimile or email, addressed as follows:

 

c/o Corporate SecretaryFax Number: ___________________

Email Address: ir@ideanomics.com

 

Our Corporate Secretary maintains a log of such communications and transmits as soon as practicable such communications to the Chairman and the identified director addressee(s), unless there are safety or security concerns that mitigate against further transmission of the communications, as determined by the Corporate Secretary. Our Board or individual directors so addressed are advised of any communication withheld for safety or security reasons as soon as practicable. The mailing envelope should contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Board Communication” or “Director Communication.” All such letters must clearly state whether the intended recipients are all members of the Board or just certain specified directors. The Corporate Secretary relays all communications to directors absent safety or security issues.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2:

 

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

General

 

KPMG Huazhen LLP (“KPMG”) was our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2016. On April 27, 2017, that firm was dismissed. The dismissal of KPMG was approved by our Audit Committee. Grant Thornton LLP was appointed our independent registered public accounting firm on April 27, 2017. On February 16, 2018, Grant Thornton LLP was dismissed. The dismissal of Grant Thornton LLP was approved by our Audit Committee. Our Board then appointed BF Borgers CPA PC (“BF Borgers”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 and which appointments were approved by our shareholders. Our Board has appointed BF Borgers as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 and recommends that shareholders vote for ratification of this appointment. 

 

During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, and in the subsequent interim period through April 27, 2017, there were no: (1) disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to their satisfaction would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement, or (2) reportable events, except that KPMG advised the Company of a material weakness in the Company’s internal control of financial reporting related to the design, documentation and implementation of effective internal controls over the review of the cash flow forecasts used in assessing the recoverability of licensed content.

 

The audit reports of KPMG on the consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries and variable interest entities as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except as follows:

 

KPMG’s report of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, contained a separate paragraph stating “the Company incurred recurring losses from operations, has net current liabilities and an accumulated deficit that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in note 3. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.” 

 

On April 27, 2017, the Company appointed Grant Thornton, China member firm of Grant Thornton International as its new independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2017. The decision to retain Grant Thornton was approved by the Audit Committee. On February 16, 2018, Grant Thornton LLP was dismissed. The dismissal of Grant Thornton LLP was approved by our Audit Committee.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and in the subsequent interim period through February 16, 2018, there were no: (1) disagreements with Grant Thornton on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to their satisfaction would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement, or (2) reportable events, except that Grant Thornton advised the Company of a material weakness in the Company’s internal control of financial reporting related to the design, documentation and implementation of effective internal controls over the review of the cash flow forecasts used in assessing the recoverability of licensed content.

 

On February 16, 2018, the Company appointed BF Borgers as its new independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2017. The decision to retain BF Borgers was approved by the Audit Committee.

 

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During the Company's fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with BF Borgers regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific transaction, either completed or proposed or (ii) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's financial statements and, neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that BF Borgers concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to accounting, auditing or financial reporting issues, or (iii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions), or (iv) any “reportable event” (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

 

Shareholder ratification of the appointment of BF Borgers as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise; however, our Board is submitting the appointment of BF Borgers to our shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If our shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, our Audit Committee and our Board will reconsider whether or not to retain BF Borgers. Even if the appointment is ratified, our Board in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such change would be in the best interests of us and our shareholders.

 

A representative of BF Borgers is expected to attend the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement and/or respond to appropriate questions from shareholders present at the meeting.

 

Fees Paid to Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The following is a summary of the fees billed to the Company by its principal accountants BF Borgers CPA for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2019   2018 
Audit Fees(1)          
           
BF Borgers (BFB)  $856,090   $500,000 
Tax Fees(2)          
BF Borgers          
           
All Other Fees(3)        - 
TOTAL  $856,090   $[500,000] 

 

  (1) Comprised of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and the reviews of the financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and for any other services that were normally provided in connection with our statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
     
  (2) Comprised of the aggregate fees billed for products and services and not otherwise included in Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees or Tax Fees.
     
  (3) Comprised of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided and not otherwise included in Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees or Tax Fees.

 

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit services performed by our auditors must be approved in advance by our Board of Directors to assure that such services do not impair the auditors’ independence from us. In accordance with its policies and procedures, our Board of Directors pre-approved the audit service performed by BF Borgers for our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Vote Required

 

Approval of the ratification of BF Borgers as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 requires a majority of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting to vote “FOR” the proposal.

 

Recommendation of Our Board

 

Our Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of BF Borgers as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 3:

 

To approve the amendment and restatement of our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, a copy of such amended and restated plan is included as Appendix A to this Information Statement (the “Plan”), to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan to 6,800,000]and so that the term of the Plan shall be until August 31, 2030.

 

Information Regarding the Plan

 

Reasons for the Adoption of the Plan

 

There are no shares currently available under the Plan and the board of directors believes that our ability to continue providing non-cash compensation and incentives in the form of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units and performance shares is crucial to our ability to attract, retain and motivate talented employees, officers, consultants and non-employee directors and that the adoption of the Plan is advisable and in our best interests.

 

Approval of the Plan

 

On August 3, 2018, the Board approved and on August 28, 2018 the holders of 40,827,931 of the outstanding votes entitled to vote on the matter, representing 55.12% of the votes of our issued and outstanding voting shares, executed and delivered to the Company the written consents approving the Plan. Accordingly, in compliance with the laws of the State of Nevada and our bylaws a majority of the outstanding voting shares has approved the Plan, and no other vote or proxy is required of the shareholders.

 

Summary of the Material Terms of the Plan

 

The material terms of the Plan are outlined below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Plan. Stockholders are urged to read the actual text of the Plan in its entirety, which is set forth as Appendix A to this Information Statement.

 

Shares Available for Awards

 

The total number of shares of our common stock that may be subject to awards under the Plan is 56,800,000, which increases the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan by 25,300,000 shares. Under the Plan, the terms and number of options or other awards to be granted in the future are to be determined in the discretion of the plan administrator. No determination has been made regarding awards or grants under the Plan, or as to the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to our non-employee directors, executive officers and other eligible employees under the Plan. We do not have any other equity incentive plans.

 

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Eligibility

 

The persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan consist of our employees, directors and consultants.

 

Administration

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a committee appointed by the Board, which committee shall be constituted to comply with applicable laws. If and so long as the common stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, the Board shall consider in selecting the administrator and the membership of any committee acting as administrator the requirements regarding (i) “nonemployee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act; (ii) “independent directors” as described in the listing requirements for any stock exchange on which Shares are listed; and (iii) Section 15(b)(i) of the Plan if the Company pays salaries for which it claims deductions that are subject to the Code section 162(m) limitation on its U.S. tax returns.

 

The plan administrator has the full authority to select those individuals eligible to receive awards and the amount and type of awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the plan administrator is authorized to select eligible persons to receive awards, determine the type and number of awards to be granted and the number of shares of our common stock to which awards will relate, specify times at which awards will be exercisable or may be settled (including performance conditions that may be required as a condition thereof), set other terms and conditions of awards, prescribe forms of award agreements, interpret and specify rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The plan administrator may amend the terms of outstanding awards, in its discretion; provided that any amendment that adversely affects the rights of the award recipient must receive the approval of such recipient.

 

Type of Awards.  The following types of awards are available for grant under the 2018 Plan: incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units and performance shares.

 

Stock Options

 

Grant of Options.  The Committee may award ISOs and NSOs (collectively referred to as “Options”) to grantees. The exercise price per share of an Option will be at least 100% of the fair market value per share of our stock underlying the award on the grant date. The Committee will determine the terms and conditions (including any performance requirements) under which an Option will become exercisable and will include such information in the award agreement.

 

Special Limitations on ISOs.  In the case of a grant of an Option intended to qualify as an ISO to a grantee who owns more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of our outstanding stock (a “Ten Percent Stockholder”), the exercise price of the Option will not be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of our stock on the grant date. Additionally, an Option will constitute an ISO only (i) if the grantee is an employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, (ii) to the extent such Option is specifically designated as an ISO in the related award agreement, and (iii) to the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the option is granted) of the shares of stock with respect to which all ISOs held by such grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the grantee’s employer and its affiliates) does not exceed $100,000.

 

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Exercise of Options.  An Option may be exercised by the delivery to us of written notice of exercise and payment in full of the exercise price (plus the amount of any taxes which we may be required to withhold). If not exercised, Options will expire at such time as the Committee determines. However, no Option may be exercised more than ten years from the date of grant, or in the case of an ISO held by a Ten Percent Stockholder, not more than five years from the date of grant.

 

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may award to a participant shares of Common Stock subject to specified restrictions (“restricted stock”). The Committee also may award to a participant-restricted stock units representing the right to receive shares of Common Stock in the future. Shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture if the participant does not meet certain conditions such as continued employment over a specified period and/or the attainment of specified performance targets over such period. The Committee will determine the terms and conditions (including any performance requirements) for each award of restricted stock or restricted stock units and will include such information in the award agreement.

 

Effect of Certain Transactions.  In the event of a change in control of the Company, outstanding awards under the Plan may be subject to accelerated vesting or settlement as provided in the individual award agreements. Upon the occurrence of certain corporate transactions, which may include a change in control, outstanding awards generally will be subject to the terms of the agreement entered into in connection with the transaction, which may provide for the assumption or substitution of awards by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary, for accelerated vesting and accelerated expiration, or for settlement in cash or cash equivalents.

 

Nontransferability of Awards.  Generally, during the lifetime of a grantee, only the grantee may exercise rights under the Plan and no award will be assignable or transferable other than by will or laws of descent and distribution. If authorized in the award agreement, a grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of an NSO to certain family members (including trusts and foundations for their benefit). Neither restricted stock nor restricted stock units may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the restricted period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Committee.

 

Amendment and Termination.  Subject to applicable laws and stock exchange listing standards requiring shareholder approval under certain circumstances, our Board of Directors may, at any time, amend or terminate the Plan, provided that no such action may be taken that adversely affects any rights or obligations with respect to any awards previously made under the Plan without the consent of the applicable participants.

 

Plan Benefits.  All grants of awards under the Plan will be discretionary and, therefore, the benefits and amounts that will be received under the Plan are not determinable.

 

Federal Income Tax Consequences.  The following is a summary of the general federal income tax consequences to the Company and to U.S. taxpayers of awards to be granted under the Plan. Tax consequences for any particular individual or under state or non-U.S. tax laws may be different.

 

NSOs. No taxable income is reportable when a NSO is granted. Upon exercise, generally, the recipient will have ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares of stock on the exercise date minus the exercise price. Any gain or loss upon the disposition of the stock received upon exercise will be capital gain or loss to the recipient if the appropriate holding period under federal tax law is met for such treatment.

 

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ISOs. No taxable income is reportable when an ISO is granted or exercised (except for grantees who are subject to the alternative minimum tax, who may be required to recognize income in the year in which the ISO is exercised). If the recipient exercises the ISO and then sells the underlying shares of stock more than two years after the grant date and more than one year after the exercise date, the excess of the sale price over the exercise price will be taxed as long-term capital gain or loss. If the recipient exercises the ISO and sells the shares before the end of the two- or one-year holding periods, he or she generally will have ordinary income at the time of the sale equal to the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date (or the sale price, if less) minus the exercise price of the ISO.

 

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. A recipient of restricted stock or restricted stock units will not have taxable income upon the grant unless, in the case of restricted stock, he or she elects to be taxed at that time. Instead, he or she will have ordinary income at the time of vesting equal to the fair market value on the vesting date of the shares (or cash) received minus any amount paid for the shares.

 

Performance Awards. Typically, a recipient will not have taxable income upon the grant of a performance awards. Subsequently, when the conditions and requirements for the grants have been satisfied and the payment determined, any cash received and the fair market value of any common stock received will constitute ordinary income to the recipient.

 

Tax Effect for the Company. We generally will receive a tax deduction for any ordinary income recognized by a grantee in respect of an award under the Plan (for example, upon the exercise of a NSO). In the case of ISOs that meet the holding period requirements described above, the grantee will not recognize ordinary income; therefore, we will not receive a deduction.

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

Our shareholders do not have any “appraisal” or “dissenters” rights in connection with the approval or implementation of the Plan.

 

Vote Required

 

Approval of the amendment and restatement of our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan requires a majority of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting to vote “FOR” the proposal.

 

Recommendation of Our Board

 

Our Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the approval of the amendment and restatement of our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

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PROPOSAL No. 4

 

—to approve the issuance of shares of Common Stock to Yorkville Advisors pursuant to the terms of a standby equity distribution agreement in accordance with the stockholder approval requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d).

 

At our annual meeting, holders of our Common Stock will be asked to approve, for purposes of compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), the issuance of up to $150,000,000 of our Common Stock to YA II PN Ltd., or an affiliate of YA II PN Ltd. (“Yorkville Advisors”), in connection with and pursuant to a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, dated September 4, 2020, by and between the Company and Yorkville Advisors (the “SEDA”), pursuant to which Yorkville Advisors is committed, subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the SEDA, to purchase up to an aggregate of $[150,000,000] of our shares of Common Stock over the 36-term of the SEDA.

 

Background

 

On April 3, 2020, the Company entered into a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (the “Prior SEDA”) with Yorkville Advisors, which provided that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, Yorkville was committed to purchase up to an aggregate of $50,000,000 worth of shares of our Common Stock from Company over the 36-month term of the Prior SEDA. The Prior SEDA was terminated on September 4, 2020. Over the course of the Prior SEDA’s term, Yorkville Advisors purchased an aggregate of 30,083,891 shares of our common stock under the SEDA at an aggregate purchase price of $30,500,000

 

Following the termination of the Prior SEDA, On September 4, 2020, the Company entered into the SEDA with Yorkville Advisors, which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, Yorkville Advisors is committed, subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the SEDA, to purchase up to an aggregate of $150000,000 shares of Common Stock over the 36-term of the SEDA (the “SEDA Shares”). The terms of the SEDA are materially the same as the terms of the Prior SEDA.

 

Under the terms of the SEDA, the Company will be able to sell the SEDA Shares at our request any time during the 36 months following the date of the SEDA’s entrance into force. The SEDA Shares would be purchased at 90% of the market price, which is defined as the lowest daily volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock during the 5 consecutive trading days commencing on the trading day immediately following our delivery of an advance notice to Yorkville Advisors, and would be subject to certain limitations, including that Yorkville Advisors could not purchase any shares that would result in it owning more than 4.99% of our common stock.

 

Pursuant to the SEDA, we are required to register all SEDA Shares which Yorkville Advisors may acquire. We shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a prospectus supplement to the Company's prospectus, dated July 17, 2020, filed as part of the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3/A, File No. 333-239371, registering all of the SEDA Shares be offered and sold to Yorkville Advisors pursuant to the SEDA. Additionally, pursuant to the SEDA, we shall use the net proceeds from any sale of the Seda Shares for working capital purposes, including the repayment of outstanding debt. There are no other restrictions on future financing transactions. The SEDA does not contain any right of first refusal, participation rights, penalties or liquidated damages. We did not pay any additional amounts to reimburse or otherwise compensate Yorkville Advisors in connection with the transaction.

 

Yorkville Advisors has agreed that neither it nor any of its affiliates shall engage in any short-selling or hedging of our common stock during any time prior to the public disclosure of the SEDA.

 

Stockholder Approval Requirement

 

As noted above, the issuance of the SEDA Shares to Yorkville Advisors is subject to approval by the Company's stockholders in compliance with the applicable Listing Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and, as such, the Company is subject to the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

 

Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), stockholder approval is required prior to a 20% Issuance at a price that is less than the Minimum Price. For purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), (A) "20% Issuance" means a transaction, other than a public offering, involving: (i) the sale, issuance or potential issuance by us of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock), which alone or together with sales by our officers, directors or substantial stockholders equals 20% or more of Common Stock (which for purposes of this calculation, includes issued and outstanding shares of our voting Common Stock and non-voting common stock) or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance and (B) "Minimum Price" means a price that is the lower of: (i) the closing price (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement; or (ii) the average closing price of Common Stock (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement. In determining whether multiple issuances should be aggregated for purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), Nasdaq will consider several factors, including the timing of the issuances. Stockholder approval of this proposal will constitute stockholder approval for purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d).

 

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While the issuance of the SEDA Shares would not in itself constitute a “20% issuance” pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(d), the issuance of the SEDA Shares when aggregated with the shares of Common Stock issued to Yorkville Advisors under the Prior SEDA could constitute a “20% issuance” pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(d). As a result, the Company’s issuance of the SEDA Shares under the SEDA may be subject to stockholder approval under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) (including rules related to the aggregation of offerings thereunder).

 

Reasons for Transaction and Effect on Current Stockholders

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that the SEDA is in the best interests of us and our stockholders because the right to sell the SEDA Shares to Yorkville Advisors provides us with a reliable source of capital for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

Vote Required

 

The vote required to approve Proposal No. 4 is the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast, affirmatively or negatively in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote, provided a quorum is present. As a result, abstentions will be considered in determining whether a quorum is present but will have no effect on the vote for Proposal No. 4.

 

The board of directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote "FOR" Proposal No. No. 4 to approve the issuance of shares of Common Stock to Yorkville Advisors pursuant to the terms of a standby equity distribution agreement in accordance with the stockholder approval requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d).

 

19

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following sets forth the name and position of each of our current executive officers and directors as of March 29, 2019.

 

NAME  AGE  POSITION
Bruno Wu  53  Chairman
Shane McMahon  47  Vice Chairman
Alf Poor  49  Chief Executive Officer, Director
Conor McCarthy  62  Chief Financial Officer
James Cassano  71  Director
Jerry Fan  51  Director
Harry Edelson  86  Director
Chao Yang  69  Director

 

Bruno Wu. Dr. Wu has served as our Chairman since January 12, 2016. Dr. Wu is the founder, co-chairman and CEO of Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited, a private media and investment company in China, since 2007. Its predecessor is Sun Media Group Holdings Limited, which was established by Dr. Wu and his spouse in 1999. Dr. Wu served as chairman of Sun Media Group from 1999 to 2007 and was former director of Shanda Group, a private investment group, from 2006 to 2009 and as former co-chairman of Sina Corporation (NASDAQ: SINA), a Chinese media and Internet services company, from 2001 to 2002. Additionally, Dr. Wu served as the chief operating officer for ATV, a free-to-air television broadcaster in Hong Kong, from 1998 to 1999. Dr. Wu served as a director of Seven Star Works Co Ltd (KOSDAQ:121800) between 2015 to 2017, and served as a director of Semir Garment Co. Ltd (SHE:00256) between 2008 and 2012. Dr. Wu received a Ph.D. from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University in 2001 and prior to that received an M.A. in International Relations from Washington University, a B.A. in Business Management from Culver-Stockton College of Missouri and a diploma in Superior Studies in French Literature from the School of French Language and Literature at the University of Savoie in Chambery, France.

 

Shane McMahon. Mr. McMahon was appointed Vice Chairman as of January 12, 2016 and was previously our Chairman from July 2010 to January 2016. Prior to joining us, from 2000 to December 31, 2009, Mr. McMahon served in various executive level positions with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE). Mr. McMahon also sits on the Boards of Directors of International Sports Management (USA) Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Global Power of Literacy, a New York not-for-profit corporation.

 

Mr. Alf Poor. Our Chief Executive Officer is a former Chief Operating Officer at Global Data Sentinel, a cybersecurity company that specializes in identity management, file access control, protected sharing, reporting and tracking, AI and thread response, and backup and recovery. He is the former President and Chief Operating Officer of Agendize Services Inc., a company with an integrated suite of applications that help businesses generate higher quality leads, improve business efficiency and customer engagement. Mr. Poor is a client-focused and profitability-driven management executive with a track record of success at both rapidly-growing technology companies and large, multi-national, organizations.

 

Mr. Conor McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer on September 9, 2019. Mr. McCarthy has over 30 years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer in areas such as corporate strategy and corporate finance including capital raising and M&A. Mr. McCarthy most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer of OS33, a private equity backed FinTech SaaS platform for compliance and productivity enablement for the wealth management industry with 200 employees from July 2018 to May 2019. Prior to that, Mr. McCarthy served as the (i) Chief Financial Officer of Intent from May 2016 to July 2018; (ii) the Chief Financial Officer of Convergex Group from June 2014 to July 2015 and (iii) the Chief Financial Officer and Finance Director of the Americas for GFI Group, Inc., a NYSE-listed fintech wholesale money broker with revenues of almost $1Billion (now part of BGC Partners, Nasdaq: BGCP), from March 2005 to June 2014. Mr.McCarthy, holds a CA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. Mr. McCarthy started his career as an auditor with KPMG in Ireland. Mr. McCarthy then transitioned into financial services, working as CFO, Treasurer, and in other executive finance roles, with trading and brokerage firms, as well as high growth fintech partners supporting the financial services industry. 

 

20

 

 

James S. Cassano. Mr. Cassano was appointed as director of the Company effective as of January 11, 2008. Mr. Cassano is currently a Partner & Chief Financial Officer of CoActive Health Solutions, LLC, a worldwide contract research organization, supporting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Mr. Cassano has served as executive vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and director of Jaguar Acquisition Corporation a Delaware corporation (OTCBB: JGAC), a blank check company, since its formation in June 2005. Mr. Cassano has served as a managing director of Katalyst LLC, a company which provides certain administrative services to Jaguar Acquisition Corporation, since January 2005. In June 1998, Mr. Cassano founded New Forum Publishers, an electronic publisher of educational material for secondary schools, and served as its chairman of the Board and chief executive officer until it was sold to Apex Learning, Inc., a company controlled by Warburg Pincus, in August 2003. He remained with Apex until November 2003 in transition as vice president business development and served as a consultant to the company through February 2004. In June 1995, Mr. Cassano co-founded Advantix, Inc., a high volume electronic ticketing software and transaction services company which handled event related client and customer payments, that was renamed Tickets.com and went public through an IPO in 1999. From March 1987 to June 1995, Mr. Cassano served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of the Hill Group, Inc., a privately-held engineering and consulting organization, and from February 1986 to March 1987, Mr. Cassano served as vice president of investments and acquisitions for Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a public venture development company. From May 1973 to February 1986, Mr. Cassano served as partner and director of strategic management services (Europe) for the strategic management group of Hay Associates. Mr. Cassano received a B.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Wharton Graduate School at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Jerry Fan. Mr. Fan was appointed as director of the Company on January 12, 2016. Mr. Fan has served as Managing Director and Country Manager for the Greater China region at Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI), a global semiconductor company since November, 2012. Prior to ADI, Mr. Fan worked for Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) for 15 years between 1997 and 2012 in a number of senior management roles, including Sales Managing Director for Cisco China, Sale Director for Cisco Australia and Senior Manager for Operations and Strategy for the Cisco Service Provider business based in Hong Kong. Mr. Fan started his career in 1998 working at Fudan University as a faculty member in both teaching and research roles. He graduated from Fudan University with a Computer Science Bachelor degree and an Executive MBA degree from CEIBS (China European International Business School) in 1999.

 

Harry Edelson. Mr. Edelson was appointed as director of the Company effective as of September 15, 2019, CFA, CCP, CDP, is the Founder of Edelson Technology Partners, and President since 1980 of Edelson Technology, Inc., a company involved in consulting, fundraising, M&A, and investments. From 1984 until 2005 Mr. Edelson was an advisor and consultant for 10 multinational corporations (AT&T, Viacom, 3M, Ford Motor, Cincinnati Bell, Colgate-Palmolive, Reed Elsevier, Imation, Asea Brown Boveri and UPS). During this time he managed four technology-oriented strategic venture capital funds for the aforementioned 10 companies using corporate rather than pension money. He has served on over 150 boards of directors, 12 as chairman. At some time in the past five years, Mr. Edelson served as a director of four private companies, Airwire, PogoTec, eChinaCash, Pathway Genomics, and one public company, China Gerui. Executive positions in industry include Senior Systems Computer Engineer for Unisys, Transmission Engineer for AT&T (1962-1967), CTO for Cities Service (1967-1970) and Director of Marketing for a terminal manufacturer serving the nascent internet industry (1971-1973). His experience in technology led him to a 12 year career as a securities analyst on Wall Street covering telecommunications, computers, and office equipment for three leading investment banking firms in the 1970s and 1980s. Mr. Edelson obtained a BS in Physics from Brooklyn College in 1962, MBA from New York University Graduate School of Business in 1965, and completed a Graduate Program in Telecommunications Engineering at the Cornell Graduate School of Electrical Engineering in 1966. In 2007, Mr. Edelsonserved as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for China Opportunity Acquisition Corp., a SPAC that raised $40 million and merged with China Gerui in 2009. Mr. Edelson was a Council member of The Julliard School of Music Dance & Drama, and is the founder and still Chairman of the China Investment Group; and the founder and current member of the Chinese Cultural Foundation. Mr. Edelson’s qualifications to serve as a director include decades of experience on Wall Street and various venture capital ventures. He has SPAC experience, vast board experience, and participated in numerous M&A transactions.

 

21

 

 

Chao Yang. Mr. Yang was appointed as a director of the Company on August 7, 2018. Mr. Yang has been an Independent Non-Executive Director of Fosun International Limited since December 2014. Mr. Yang was the chairman of China Life Insurance Company Limited (listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with stock code: 02628) from July 2005 to June 2011, the president and secretary of party committee of China Life Insurance (Group) Company from May 2005 to May 2011 and an independent non-executive director of SRE Group Limited (listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with stock code: 01207) from November 2013 to December 2015. As at 31 December 2017, Mr. Yang has been a member of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and its Social and Legislative Committee. Mr. Yang, a Senior Economist, has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance and banking industries, and was awarded special allowance by the State Council. Mr. Yang graduated from Shanghai International Studies University and Middlesex University in the United Kingdom, majoring in English and business administration respectively, and received a master’s degree in business administration.

 

Mr. Yang has significant senior management experience, including service as chairman, president and director. In light of our business and structure, Mr. Yang’s extensive executive experience and his educational background led us to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of our Company.

 

There are no agreements or understandings between any of our executive officers or directors and any other persons to resign at the request of another such other person and to act on behalf of or at the direction of any such other person.

 

Directors are elected for one-year term and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

  

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships among our directors or officers.

 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:

 

  · been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences);

 

  · had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;

 

  · been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

 

  · been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;

 

  · been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

 

  · been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

 

22

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table (2019 and 2018) 

 

The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the named persons (our “named executive officers”) for services rendered in all capacities during the noted periods.

 

Name and Principal Position  Year   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Stock
awards
(3)
($)
   Option
awards
(#)
   Nonequity
incentive plan
compensation
($)
   Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)
   All other
compensation
($)
   Total
($)
 
Bruno Wu (Former Chief Executive Officer)(1)   2018    312,500    125,000    415,332    -    -    -    -    852,832 
    2019    250,000    0         2,500,000    -    -    -    250,000 
Alf Poor (Chief Executive Officer )   2018    133,333    -    -    -    -    -    -    133,333 
    2019    300,000    50,000    -    2,000,000    -    -    -    350,000 
Conor McCarthy (Chief Financial Officer)(2)   2018    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
    2019    116,667    50,000         1,500,000    -    -    -    166,667 
Carla Oiong Zhou (Chief Revenue Officer)   2018    250,000    -    -         -    -    -    250,000 
    2019    250,000    -    -    1,000,000    -    -    -    250,000 

 

(1) On November 12, 2018, Bruno Wu resigned from his position as a Chief Executive Officer of the Company. On February 22, 2019 Bruno Wu rejoined the Company as Executive Chairman

 

(2)  Mr.McCarthy joined The Company on September 9, 2019, the salary represents a prorated amount for the year.

 

(3) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of option or restricted stock units determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

23

 

 

Employment Agreements

 

Alfred Poor

 

Employment Agreement

 

Effective August 5, 2020, the Company and Mr. Alfred Poor amended his employment agreement which provides for (i) a term of 2 years; (ii) a base salary of $500,000; (iii) a 2020 cash bonus of $300,000 in recognition of Mr. Poor’s performance during the first 6 months of 2020; (iv) an option grant of 2,000,000 shares in 2021 which shall vest monthly over 2 years; (v) future cash bonuses based on performance objectives to be mutually agreed by the board of directors or an appropriate committee; (vi) in the event Mr. Poor is terminated without cause or for “good reason” as defined in the employment agreement, severance payments equal to the base salary through the remainder of the term of the employment agreement plus the prior year’s performance bonuses divided by 12 and multiplied by the months remaining in the term and the estimated cost of health insurance pursuant to COBRA for 12 months following termination and (vii) eligibility for employee benefits provided to the Company’s senior executives.

 

Conor McCarthy

 

Employment Agreement

 

Effective August 5, 2020, the Company and Mr. Conor McCarthy amended his employment agreement which provides for (i) a term of 2 years; (ii) a base salary of $350,000; (iii) an option grant of 750,000 shares in 2021 which shall vest monthly over 2 years; (iv) future cash bonuses based on performance objectives to be mutually agreed by the board of directors or an appropriate committee; (v) in the event Mr. McCarthy is terminated without cause or for “good reason” as defined in the employment agreement, severance payments equal to the base salary through the remainder of the term of the employment agreement plus the prior year’s performance bonuses divided by 12 and multiplied by the months remaining in the term and the estimated cost of health insurance pursuant to COBRA for 12 months following termination and (vi) eligibility for employee benefits provided to the Company’s senior executives.

 

24

 

 

We have not provided retirement benefits (other than a state pension scheme in which all of our employees in China participate) or change of control benefits to our named executive officers.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table sets forth the equity awards of our named executive officers outstanding at December 31, 2019.

 

   Option awards     
Name  Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
exercisable
   Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#) unexercisable
   Equity
incentive
plan awards:
Number
of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options
(#)
   Option
exercise
price
($)
   Option
expiration
date
  Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
(#)
   Market value
of shares of
units of stock
that have not
vested
($)
 
Bruno Wu   1,041,666    1,458,334    -    1.98   February 20, 2029   1,041,666   $895,833 
Alf Poor   833,333    1,166,667    -    1.98   February 20, 2029   833,333    716,666 
Conor McCarthy (1)        1,500,000    -    0.53   September 20, 2029   1,500,000    1,290,000 
Carla Qiong Zhou   416,666    583,334    -    1.98   February 20, 2029   416,666    358,333 

 

Compensation of Directors

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation paid to our directors for services rendered to us during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Name  Fees
earned or
paid in
cash
($)
   Stock
awards(1)
($)
   Option
awards(2)
(#)
   Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
($)
   Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)
   All other
compensation
($)
   Total
($)
 
Bruno Wu   250,000    -    2,500,000    -    -    -    250,000 
Shane McMahon   36,000    -    -    -    -    -    36,000 
Alf Poor   300,000    -    2,000,000    -    -    50,000    350,000 
James Cassano   81,504    80,501    -    -    -    50,000    212,005 
Jerry Fan   36,000    -    -    -    -    -    36,000 
John Wallace   -    -    250,000    -    -    -    - 
Steven Fadem   19,894    -    500,000    -    -    -    19,894 
Harry Edelson   13,473    -    250,000    -    -    -    13,473 
Jin Shi   49,500    80,501    -    -    -    -    130,001 
Kang Zhao   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Chao Yang   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Richard Frankel (3)   18,000    -    -    -    -    -    18,000 
Brett McGonegal (4)   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 

 

(1) Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

(2) Reflects the number of stock options granted in 2019.

 

(3) Mr. Frankel resigned from the Board on July 2, 2019.

 

(4) Mr. McGonegal resigned from the Board on February 20, 2019.

 

25

 

 

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The following is the report of the Audit Committee with respect to the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. The information contained in this report shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or otherwise considered “filed” with the SEC, and such information shall not be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such information by reference in such filing.

 

The Audit Committee consists of three members: James Cassano, Harry Edelson and Jerry Fan with Mr. Cassano acting as Chair. All of the members are independent directors under the NASDAQ and SEC audit committee structure and membership requirements. The Audit Committee has certain duties and powers as described in its written charter adopted by the Board.

 

The Audit Committee is responsible primarily for assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility of reviewing the financial information that will be provided to shareholders and others, appointing the independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and internal audit department, evaluating the Company’s accounting policies and the Company’s system of internal controls that management and the Board have established, and reviewing significant financial transactions. The Audit Committee does not itself prepare financial statements or perform audits, and its members are not auditors or certifiers of the Company’s financial statements.

 

In fulfilling its oversight responsibility of appointing and reviewing the services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee carefully reviews the policies and procedures for the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm, including the scope of the audit, audit fees, auditor independence matters and the extent to which the independent registered public accounting firm may be retained to perform non-audit related services.

 

The Company maintains an auditor independence policy that bans its auditors from performing non-financial consulting services, such as information technology consulting and internal audit services. This policy mandates that the Audit Committee approve the audit and non-audit services and related budget in advance, and that the Audit Committee be provided with quarterly reporting on actual spending. This policy also mandates that the Company may not enter into auditor engagements for non-audit services without the express approval of the Audit Committee.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 with the Company’s management and BF Borgers CPA PC, the Company’s 2019 independent registered public accounting firm (“BF Borgers”). The Audit Committee has also discussed with BF Borgers the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standards No. 16, Communication with Audit Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

 

The Audit Committee also has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from BF Borgers required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding BF Borgers’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with BF Borgers its independence from the Company.

 

  Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
   
  James Cassano (Chair)
  Harry Edelson
  Jerry Fan

 

26

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions 

 

We have adopted a written policy with respect to the review, approval and ratification of related person transactions. The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for reviewing all related party transactions involving the Company’s directors, officers and directors’ and officers’ immediate family members. The Board may determine to permit or prohibit the Related Party Transaction. For any ongoing relationships, the Board shall annually review and assess the relationships with the Related Party and whether the Related Party Transaction should continue.

 

Under the policy, a “related party transaction” means any transaction directly or indirectly involving any Related Party that would need to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Under Item 404, the Company is required to disclose any transaction occurring since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which the Company was or is a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related party had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. “Related Party Transaction” also includes any material amendment or modification to an existing Related Party Transaction. For the purposes of this policy, a “Related Party” means (A) a director, including any director nominee, (B) an executive officer; (C) a person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock; or (D) a person known by the Company to be an immediate family member of any of the foregoing. “Immediate family member” means a child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of such director, executive officer, nominee for director, or beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee for director, or beneficial owner.

 

The following is a summary of transactions since the beginning of the 2019 fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and the amount involved exceeded or exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed years, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than compensation described under Item 11—“Executive Compensation”). We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below were comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable, in arm’s-length transactions.

 

Related Party Transactions with Bruno Wu, Chairman

 

On November 25, 2019, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note agreement with SSSIG, an affiliate of Dr. Wu, in the aggregate principal amount of $2.5 million. The convertible promissory note bears interest at a rate of 4.0%, matures on November 25, 2021, and is convertible into the shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.25 per share anytime at the option of SSSIG. As of December 31, 2019, the Company received $0.25 million from SSSIG.

 

On February 8, 2019, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note agreement with SSSIG, an affiliate of Dr. Wu, in the aggregate principal amount of $2.5 million. The convertible promissory note bears interest at a rate of 4.0%, was scheduled to mature on February 8, 2020, and is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.83 per share anytime at the option of SSSIG. The Company is in the process of negotiating an extended due date, and believes it has the ability to do so. As of December 31, 2019, the Company received $1.3 million from SSSIG. The Company has not received the remaining $1.2 million as of the date of this report. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded interest expense of $48,357 related to the Note. The Company has not paid the interest yet.

 

27

 

 

In connection with our acquisition with Grapevine on September 4, 2018, Fomalhaut Limited (“Fomalhaut”), a British Virgin Islands company and an affiliate of Bruno Wu (“Dr. Wu”), the Chairman of the Company, is the non-controlling equity holder of 34.35% in Grapevine (the “Fomalhaut Interest”). Fomalhaut entered into an option agreement, effective as of August 31, 2018 (the “Option Agreement”), with the Company pursuant to which the Company provided Fomalhaut with the option to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company. In May 2019, the Company entered into two amendments to the Option Agreement. The aggregate exercise price for the Option was amended to the greater of: (1) fair market value of the Fomalhaut Interest in Grapevine as of the close of business on the date preceding the date upon which the option is exercised; and (2) $1.84 per share of the Company’s common stock. It was also agreed that the full amount of the exercise price shall be paid in the form of common stock of the Company. In June 2019, the Company issued 0.6 million shares in exchange for a 34.3% ownership in Grapevine as a result of the exercise of the Option.

 

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase FinTalk Assets with Sun Seven Star International Limited, a Hong Kong company and an affiliate of Dr. Wu. FinTalk Assets are the rights, titles and interest in a secure mobile financial information, social, and messaging platform that has been designed for streamlining financial-based communication for professional and retail users. The purchase price for Fintalk Assets is $7.0 million payable with $1.0 million in cash and shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of $6.0 million. The Company paid $1.0 million in October 2018 and recorded in prepaid expense because the transaction had not closed. The purchase price was later amended to $6.4 million, payable with $1.0 million in cash and shares of the Company’s common stock with a value of $5.4 million.  The Company issued 2.9 million common shares in June 2019 and completed the transaction. 

 

In May 2019, the Company determined to sell the Red Rock business and entered into an agreement with Redrock Capital Group Limited, an affiliate of Dr. Wu, to sell its entire interest in Red Rock for consideration of $0.7 million. The Company decided to sell Red Rock primarily because it has incurred operating losses and its business is no longer needed based on the Company’s business plan. The transaction was completed in July 2019 and the Company recorded a disposal gain of $0.6 million recorded in “Loss on disposal of subsidiaries, net” in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Other Related Party Transactions

 

On May 10, 2012, at the Company’s request, our then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and current Vice Chairman, Shane McMahon, made a loan to the Company in the amount of $3,000,000. In consideration for the loan, the Company issued a convertible note to Mr. McMahon in the aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 at an annual interest rate of 4% (the “McMahon Note”). Effective on January 31, 2014, the Company and Mr. McMahon entered into an amendment to the McMahon Note pursuant to which the McMahon Note will be, at Mr. McMahon’s option, payable on demand or convertible on demand into shares of Series E Preferred Stock at a conversion price of $1.75, until December 31, 2015. On December 30, 2014, the Company and Mr. McMahon entered into an amendment extending the maturity date of the McMahon Note to December 31, 2016. On December 31, 2016, the Company and Mr. McMahon entered into an amendment pursuant to which the McMahon Note will be, at Mr. McMahon’s option, payable on demand or convertible on demand into shares of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock, provided that the McMahon Note will no longer be convertible into Series E Preferred Stock upon the conversion of the Series E Preferred stock owned by C Media Limited into the Company’s Common Stock (pursuant to which all Series E Preferred Stock will be automatically converted) but then convertible only into Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50, until December 31, 2018. C Media Limited converted all Series E Preferred Stock owned by it to Common Stock on March 8, 2017, and as a result, the McMahon Note is currently convertible solely into the Company’s Common Stock. the Company and Mr. McMahon entered into an amendment extending the maturity date of the McMahon Note to December 31, 2019 On November 9, 2017, then further extending the maturity date to December 31, 2020 on May 7, 2019.

 

28

 

 

Except as set forth in our discussion above, none of our directors or executive officers has been involved in any transactions with us or any of our directors, executive officers, affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

Promoters and Certain Control Persons

 

We did not have any promoters at any time during the past five fiscal years.

 

29

 

  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of August 31, 2020 (i) by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) by each of our executive officers and directors as a group; and (iii) by all of our executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise specified, the address of each of the persons set forth below is in care of Ideanomics, Inc., at 55 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10006. Information in this table with respect to our directors, named executive officers and all directors and executive officers as group is based upon information supplied by these individuals.

 

30

 

 

Name and
Address of
      Common Stock(2)     Series A Preferred Stock (3)     Combined Common Stock and
 Series A(4)
 
Beneficial
Owner
  Office, If
Any
  Shares     % of
Class
    Shares     % of
Class
    Votes     Percentage  
Directors and Officers                                                    
Bruno Wu   Chairman     34,949,141       14.7 %     7,000,000               41,949,141       17.5 %
Shane McMahon   Vice Chairman     8,321,019 (6)     3.5 %     0       *       8,321,019       3.5 %
James Cassano   Director     296,990 (7)     *       0       *       296,990       * %
John Wallace   Director     768,557 (14)     *                       768,557          
Jerry Fan   Director     255,013 (9)     *       0       *       255,013       *  
Kang Zhao   Director (Former)     86,923 (11)     *       0       *       86,923       *  
Chao Yang   Director     26,923 (12)     *       0       *       26,923       *  
Federico Tovar   CFO (Former)     60,000 (10)     *       0       *       60,000       *  
                                                     
All officers and directors as a group (8 persons named above)         44,764,566       18.9 %                     51,764,566       25.4 %
5% Securities Holders                                                    

 

 

* Less than 1%.

 

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(1) Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Each of the beneficial owners listed above has direct ownership of and sole voting power and investment power with respect to our securities. For each beneficial owner above, any options exercisable within 60 days have been included in the denominator.

 

(2) After this offering a total of 160,301,387 shares of our Common Stock are considered to be outstanding pursuant to SEC Rule 13d-3(d)(1) as of February 5, 2020.

 

(3) Based on 7,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of March 25, 2019, with the holders thereof being entitled to cast ten (10) votes for every share of Common Stock that is issuable upon conversion of a share of Series A Preferred Stock (each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.1333333 shares of Common Stock), or a total of 9,333,330 votes.

 

(4) Represents total voting power with respect to all shares of our Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock.

 

(5) Includes (i) 7,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) 22,584,038 shares of Common Stock, (iii) 174,536 shares of Common Stock are beneficially owned directly by Bruno Wu and 189,091 shares of Common Stock are beneficially owned by Lan Yang, the spouse of Bruno Wu. 7,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are beneficially owned directly by Wecast Media Investment Management Limited, a Hong Kong Company (“WMIML”) a wholly–owned subsidiary of Shanghai Sun Seven Stars Cultural Development Limited, a PRC company (“SSSSCD”) a wholly– owned subsidiary of Tianjin Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Limited, a PRC company (“TSSSCD”) a wholly–owned subsidiary of Beijing Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Limited, a PRC company (“SSS”) a directly controlled subsidiary of Tianjin Sun Seven Stars Partnership Management Co., Ltd., a PRC company (“TSSS”). Lan Yang, who is the direct controlling shareholder and the Chairperson of TSSS, is the spouse of the Company’s director Bruno Wu, who serves as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and as a director of SSS. 20,584,038 shares of Common Stock are beneficially owned directly by Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands Company (“SSSMG”) a wholly-owned entity of Lan Yang. Dr. Wu disclaims beneficial ownership of 1,421,052 shares of common stock owned by Tiger Sports- BDCG, however, Dr. Wu has the right to vote such shares on behalf of Tiger Sports- BDCG.

 

(6) Includes (i) 3,081,462 shares of Common Stock, (ii) 533,333 shares of Common Stock underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $3.00 per share, (iii) 40,000 shares of Common Stock underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $4.50 per share; (iv) 166,666 shares of Common Stock underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $2.00 per share, (v) 75,800 shares of Common Stock underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $5.57 per share, and (vi) 91,411 vested restricted shares units. In addition, Mr. McMahon’s shares of Common Stock includes 2,101,917 shares of Common Stock, issuable within 60 days, upon conversion of a promissory note which is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50, until December 31, 2019.

 

(7) Includes (i) 133,963 shares of Common Stock, (ii)13,333 shares underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $2.00 per share, (iii) 8,974 shares underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $2.91 per share, (iv)75,800 shares underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $5.57 and (v) 26,923 vested restricted shares units.

 

(8) Includes (i) 123,963 shares of Common Stock, (ii)75,800 shares underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $5.57 and (iii) 26,923 vested restricted shares units.

 

(9) Includes (i) 83,769 shares of Common Stock, (ii)75,800 shares underlying options exercisable within 60 days at $5.57 and (iii) vested 26,923 restricted shares units.

 

(10) Includes (i) 60,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

(11) Includes (i) 60,000 shares of Common Stock, (ii) vested 26,923 restricted shares units.

 

(12) Includes (i) vested 26,923 restricted shares units.

 

(13) Includes (i) 70,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

(14) Includes (i) 340,000 shares of Common Stock

 

32

 

 

Changes in Control

 

There are no arrangements known to us, including any pledge by any person of our securities, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table includes the information as of December 31, 2019 for each category of our equity compensation plan:

 

                Number of securities remaining  
    Number of securities to     Weighted-average     available for future issuance  
    be issued upon exercise     exercise price of     under equity compensation  
    of outstanding options     outstanding options     plans (excluding securities  
Plan category   and rights (a)     and rights (b)     reflected in column (a)) (c)  
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)     1,706,431     $ 3.28       27,635,499  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders     -       -       -  
Total     1,706,431     $ 3.28       27,635,499  

 

(1) On August 3, 2018, our Board of Directors approved and on August 28, 2018 our shareholders approved the Ideanomics Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan to 31,500,000 pursuant to which incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units and performance shares may be granted to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. 

 

33

 

  

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2020

 

Shareholder proposals that are intended to be presented by such shareholders at our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices no later than 120 calendar days in advance of the one year anniversary of the date our proxy statement was released to shareholders in order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy/voting instruction card relating to that meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Under the rules of the SEC, shareholders who wish to submit proposals for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must submit such proposals to Ideanomics by [September ___], 2021.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

Our Board knows of no other matters to be submitted to the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, then the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote the shares they represent in their discretion.

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers, banks and nominees) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement and annual report addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies and intermediaries.

 

This year, a number of brokers, banks and nominees with account holders who are our shareholders may be householding our proxy materials. In such circumstances, a single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received by the broker, bank or nominee from one or more of the affected shareholders. We have not initiated householding with respect to the small number of our record holders, because such householding would increase our costs. If, at any time, you would like to receive a separate copy of our proxy statement and annual report, we will promptly send you an additional copy upon written or oral request directed to our Secretary. If you are a beneficial owner, you can request additional copies of the proxy statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. If your shares are held in “street name”, you can request a change in your householding status by notifying your broker, bank or nominee.

 

To the extent that this Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing by us under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Audit Committee Report” (to the extent permitted by the rules of the SEC) will not be deemed incorporated unless specifically provided otherwise in such filing.

 

The final results of the balloting at the Annual Meeting will appear in our Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days of the Annual Meeting.

 

34

 

 

 

  

APPENDIX A

 

SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purposes of the Plan. YOU on Demand Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) hereby establishes the Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).The purposes of this Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to promote the long-term growth and profitability of the Company. The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units and Performance Shares as the Administrator may determine.

 

2. Definitions. The following definitions will apply to the terms in the Plan:

 

Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4.

 

Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

 

Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units or Performance Shares.

 

Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i)              Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting securities; provided however, that for purposes of this subsection (i) any acquisition of securities directly from the Company shall not constitute a Change in Control; or

 

(ii)             The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;

 

(iii)            A change in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” means directors who either (A) are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company); or

  

A-1

 

 

(iv)            The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

 

For avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is the change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference in the Plan to a section of the Code will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.

 

Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

 

Company” means YOU on Demand Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

 

Director” means a member of the Board.

 

Disability” means total and permanent disability as determined by the Administrator in its discretion in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

 

Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

 

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

 

Exchange Program” means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type and/or cash, and/or (ii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced.

 

A-2

 

 

Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

 

(i)              If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation any division or subdivision of the Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

 

(ii)             If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, including without limitation quotation through the over the counter bulletin board (“OTCBB”) quotation service administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) , the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

 

(iii)            In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator, and to the extent Section 15 applies (a) with respect to ISOs, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in a manner consistent with Code section 422 or (b) with respect to NSOs or SARs, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in a manner consistent with Code section 409A.

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.

 

Grant Date” means, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator determines to grant an Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator, provided that the Administrator cannot grant an Award prior to the date the material terms of the Award are established. Notice of the Administrator’s determination to grant an Award will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the Grant Date.

 

Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Nonstatutory Stock Option” or “NSO” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an ISO.

 

Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

Optioned Shares” means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

 

Optionee” means the holder of an outstanding Option.

 

A-3

 

 

Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

 

Performance Share” means an Award denominated in Shares which may vest in whole or in part upon attainment of performance goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10.

 

Performance Unit” means an Award which may vest in whole or in part upon attainment of performance goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10.

 

Period of Restriction” means the period during which Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer pursuant to Section 7.

 

Plan” means this 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Restricted Stock” means Shares awarded to a Participant which are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transferability in accordance with Section 7.

 

Restricted Stock Unit” means the right to receive one Share at the end of a specified period of time, which right is subject to forfeiture in accordance with Section 8 of the Plan.

 

Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3.

 

Section” means a paragraph or section of this Plan.

 

Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

 

Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 13.

 

Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means the right to receive payment from the Company in an amount no greater than the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share at the date the SAR is exercised over a specified price fixed by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, which shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date. In the case of a SAR which is granted in connection with an Option, the specified price shall be the Option exercise price.

 

Subsidiary” means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

Ten Percent Owner” means any Service Provider who is, on the grant date of an ISO, the owner of Shares (determined with application of ownership attribution rules of Code Section 424(d)) possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

A-4

 

 

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

  a. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 13, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is thirty one million five hundred thousand (56,800,000) Shares. The Shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

 

  b. Lapsed Awards. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, is forfeited in whole or in part to the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and SARs, the forfeited or unissued Shares) which were subject to the Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). With respect to SARs, only Shares actually issued pursuant to a SAR will cease to be available under the Plan; all remaining Shares subject to the SARs will remain available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if Shares issued pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price of an Award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

  c. Share Reserve. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

4.Administration of the Plan.

 

  a. Procedure. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a Committee (or Committees) appointed by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted to comply with Applicable Laws. If and so long as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, the Board shall consider in selecting the Administrator and the membership of any committee acting as Administrator the requirements regarding (i) “nonemployee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act; (ii) “independent directors” as described in the listing requirements for any stock exchange on which Shares are listed; and (iii) Section 15(b)(i) of the Plan if the Company pays salaries for which it claims deductions that are subject to the Code section 162(m) limitation on its U.S. tax returns. The Board may delegate the responsibility for administering the Plan with respect to designated classes of eligible Participants to different committees consisting of two or more members of the Board, subject to such limitations as the Board or the Administrator deems appropriate. Committee members shall serve for such term as the Board may determine, subject to removal by the Board at any time.

 

A-5

 

 

  b. Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the approval of any relevant authorities, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:

 

  i. to determine the Fair Market Value;

 

  ii. to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

 

  iii. to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

 

  iv. to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

 

  v. to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on continued employment, continued service or performance criteria), any vesting acceleration (whether by reason of a Change of Control or otherwise) or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine;

 

  vi. subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan, to reduce, without prior stockholder approval, the exercise price of any Award to the then current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered by such Award if the Fair Market Value has declined since the Grant Date;

 

  vii. to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, including the right to construe disputed or doubtful Plan and Award provisions;

 

  viii. to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan;

 

  ix. to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 19(c)) to the extent any modification or amendment is consistent with the terms of the Plan. The Administrator shall have the discretion to extend the exercise period of Options generally provided the exercise period is not extended beyond the earlier of the original term of the Option or 10 years from the original grant date, or specifically (1) if the exercise period of an Option is extended (but to no more than 10 years from the original grant date) at a time when the exercise price equals or exceeds the fair market value of the Optioned Shares or (2) an Option cannot be exercised because such exercise would violate Applicable Laws, provided that the exercise period is not extended more than 30 days after the exercise of the Option would no longer violate Applicable Laws.

 

A-6

 

 

  x. to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in such manner as prescribed in Section 14;

 

  xi. to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

 

  xii. to delay issuance of Shares or suspend Participant’s right to exercise an Award as deemed necessary to comply with Applicable Laws; and

 

  xiii. to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

 

  c. Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards. Any decision or action taken or to be taken by the Administrator, arising out of or in connection with the construction, administration, interpretation and effect of the Plan and of its rules and regulations, shall, to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Laws, be within its absolute discretion (except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan) and shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company, all Participants and any person claiming under or through any Participant.

 

5.Eligibility. NSOs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, SARs, Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers. ISOs may be granted as specified in Section 15(a).

 

6.Stock Options.

 

  a. Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Options to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, Service Providers shall include prospective employees or consultants to whom Options are granted in connection with written offers of employment or engagement of services, respectively, with the Company; provided that no Option granted to a prospective employee or consultant may be exercised prior to the commencement of employment or services with the Company. The Administrator may grant NSOs, ISOs, or any combination of the two. ISOs shall be granted in accordance with Section 15(a) of the Plan.

 

  b. Option Award Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the type of Option granted, the Option price, the exercise date, the term of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion. If the Award Agreement does not specify that the Option is to be treated as an ISO, the Option shall be deemed a NSO.

 

A-7

 

 

  c. Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be no less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.

 

  d. Term of Options. The term of each Option will be stated in the Award Agreement. Unless terminated sooner in accordance with the remaining provisions of this Section 6, each Option shall expire either ten (10) years after the Grant Date, or after a shorter term as may be fixed by the Board.

 

  e. Time and Form of Payment.

 

  i. Exercise Date. Each Award Agreement shall specify how and when Shares covered by an Option may be purchased. The Award Agreement may specify waiting periods, the dates on which Options become exercisable or “vested” and, subject to the termination provisions of this section, exercise periods. The Administrator may accelerate the exercisability of any Option or portion thereof.

 

  ii. Exercise of Option. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (1) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (2) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with all applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan (together with all applicable withholding taxes). Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Optioned Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 13.

 

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  iii. Payment. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. Such consideration may consist entirely of:

 

(1)               cash;

 

(2)               check;

 

(3)               to the extent not prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, a promissory note;

 

(4)               other Shares, provided Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option will be exercised;

 

(5)               to the extent not prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in accordance with any broker-assisted cashless exercise procedures approved by the Company and as in effect from time to time;

 

(6)               by asking the Company to withhold Shares from the total Shares to be delivered upon exercise equal to the number of Shares having a value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being acquired;

 

(7)               any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

 

(8)               such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

  f. Forfeiture of Options. All unexercised Options shall be forfeited to the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Award Agreement and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

7.Restricted Stock.

 

  a. Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  b. Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

 

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  c. Vesting Conditions and Other Terms.

 

  i. Vesting Conditions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such conditions on the vesting of Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, including but not limited to, achievement of Company- wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed. The Administrator may, in its discretion, also provide for such complete or partial exceptions to an employment or service restriction as it deems equitable.

 

  ii. Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.

 

  iii. Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

  iv. Transferability. Except as provided in this Section, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

  d. Removal of Restrictions. All restrictions imposed on Shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse and the Period of Restriction shall end upon the satisfaction of the vesting conditions imposed by the Administrator. Vested Shares of Restricted Stock will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction or at such other time as the Administrator may determine, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the year in which vesting occurred.

 

  e. Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Shares of Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will be forfeited and revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

8.Restricted Stock Units.

 

  a. Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Stock Units to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  b. Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, vesting criteria, form of payout, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

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  c. Vesting Conditions. The Administrator shall set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. At any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive a payout.

 

  d. Time and Form of Payment. Upon satisfaction of the applicable vesting conditions, payment of vested Restricted Stock Units shall occur in the manner and at the time provided in the Award Agreement, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the year in which vesting occurred. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Units may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof at the sole discretion of the Administrator. Restricted Stock Units that are fully paid in cash will not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

  e. Forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units. All unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited to the Company on the date set forth in the Award Agreement and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

9.Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

  a. Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant SARs to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  b. Award Agreement. Each SAR grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the number of Shares underlying the SAR grant, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  c. Exercise Price and Other Terms. The per Share exercise price for the exercise of an SAR will be no less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.

 

  d. Time and Form of Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount no greater than: (i) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times (ii) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. An Award Agreement may provide for a SAR to be paid in cash, Shares of equivalent value, or a combination thereof.

 

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  e. Forfeiture of SARs. All unexercised SARs shall be forfeited to the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Award Agreement and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

10.Performance Units and Performance Shares.

 

  a. Grant of Performance Units and Performance Shares. Performance Units or Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to each Participant.

 

  b. Award Agreement. Each Award of Performance Units and Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the initial value, the Performance Period, the number of Performance Units or Performance Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  c. Value of Performance Units and Performance Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the Grant Date. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.

 

  d. Vesting Conditions and Performance Period. The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Units or Performance Shares that will be paid out to the Service Providers. The time period during which the performance objectives or other vesting provisions must be met will be called the “Performance Period.” The Administrator may set performance objectives based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, or individual goals or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

  e. Time and Form of Payment. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units or Performance Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of vested Performance Units or Performance Shares by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. Vested Performance Units or Performance Shares will be paid as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the year the applicable Performance Period expired. An Award Agreement may provide for the satisfaction of Performance Unit or Performance Share Awards in cash or Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the vested Performance Units or Performance Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

 

  f. Forfeiture of Performance Units and Performance Shares. All unvested Performance Units or Performance Shares will be forfeited to the Company on the date set forth in the Award Agreement, and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

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11. Leaves of Absence/Transfer Between Locations. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise or as required by Applicable Laws, vesting of Awards will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. An Employee will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary.

 

12. Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

13. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.

 

  a. Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, shall appropriately adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award.

 

  b. Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

 

  c. Change in Control. In the event of a merger or Change in Control, any or all outstanding Awards may be assumed by the successor corporation, which assumption shall be binding on all Participants. In the alternative, the successor corporation may substitute equivalent Awards (after taking into account the existing provisions of the Awards). The successor corporation may also issue, in place of outstanding Shares of the Company held by the Participant, substantially similar shares or other property subject to vesting requirements and repurchase restrictions no less favorable to the Participant than those in effect prior to the merger or Change in Control.

 

In the event that the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and SARs, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse, and, with respect to Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or SAR is not assumed or substituted in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or SAR will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or SAR will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

 

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For the purposes of this Section 13(c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a SAR upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or SAR or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units, as applicable, by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control), to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such performance goals without the Participant's consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance goals only to reflect the successor corporation's post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

 

14. Tax Withholding.

 

  a. Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes required by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

  b. Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

 

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15. Provisions Applicable In the Event the Company or the Service Provider is Subject to U.S. Taxation.

 

  a. Grant of Incentive Stock Options. If the Administrator grants Options to Employees subject to U.S. taxation, the Administrator may grant such Employee an ISO and the following terms shall also apply:

 

  i. Maximum Amount. Subject to the provisions of Section 13, to the extent consistent with Section 422 of the Code, not more than an aggregate of thirty one million five hundred thousand (31,500,000) Shares may be issued as ISOs under the Plan.

 

  ii. General Rule. Only Employees shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs.

 

  iii. Continuous Employment. The Optionee must remain in the continuous employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries from the date the ISO is granted until not more than three months before the date on which it is exercised. A leave of absence approved by the Company may exceed ninety (90) days if reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three (3) months following the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave any ISO held by the Optionee will cease to be treated as an ISO.

 

  iv. Award Agreement.

 

(1)               The Administrator shall designate Options granted as ISOs in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), Options will not qualify as an ISO. For purposes of this section, ISOs will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

 

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 (2)               The Award Agreement shall specify the term of the ISO. The term shall not exceed ten (10) years from the Grant Date or five (5) years from the Grant Date for Ten Percent Owners.

 

(3)               The Award Agreement shall specify an exercise price of not less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date or one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date for Ten Percent Owners.

 

(4)               The Award Agreement shall specify that an ISO is not transferable except by will, beneficiary designation or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

  v. Form of Payment. The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an ISO, including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant in accordance with Section 6(e)(iii).

 

  vi. Disability”, for purposes of an ISO, means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

  vii. Notice. In the event of any disposition of the Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO within two years from the Grant Date or one year from the exercise date, the Optionee will notify the Company thereof in writing within thirty (30) days after such disposition. In addition, the Optionee shall provide the Company with such information as the Company shall reasonably request in connection with determining the amount and character of Optionee’s income, the Company’s deduction, and the Company’s obligation to withhold taxes or other amounts incurred by reason of a disqualifying disposition, including the amount thereof.

 

  b. Performance-based Compensation. If the Company pays salaries for which it claims deductions that are subject to the Code section 162(m) limitation on its U.S. tax returns, then the following terms shall be applied in a manner consistent with the requirements of, and only to the extent required for compliance with, the exclusion from the limitation on deductibility of compensation under Code Section 162(m):

 

  i. Outside Directors. The Board shall consider in selecting the Administrator and the membership of any committee acting as Administrator the provisions regarding “outside directors” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m).

 

  ii. Maximum Amount.

 

(1)               Subject to the provisions of Section 13, the maximum number of Shares that can be awarded to any individual Participant in the aggregate in any one fiscal year of the Company is one hundred million (100,000,000) Shares;

 

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(2)               For Awards denominated in Shares and satisfied in cash, the maximum Award to any individual Participant in the aggregate in any one fiscal year of the Company is the Fair Market Value of fifty million (50,000,000) Shares on the Grant Date; and

 

(3)               The maximum amount payable pursuant to any cash Awards to any individual Participant in the aggregate in any one fiscal year of the Company is the Fair Market Value of fifty million (50,000,000) Shares on the Grant Date.

 

  iii. Performance Criteria. All performance criteria must be objective and be established in writing prior to the beginning of the performance period or at later time as permitted by Code Section 162(m). Performance criteria may include alternative and multiple performance goals and may be based on one or more business and/or financial criteria. In establishing the performance goals, the Committee in its discretion may include one or any combination of the following criteria in either absolute or relative terms, for the Company or any Subsidiary:

 

(1)               Increased revenue;

 

(2)               Net income measures (including but not limited to income after capital costs and income before or after taxes);

 

(3)               Stock price measures (including but not limited to growth measures and total stockholder return);

 

(4)               Market share;

 

(5)               Earnings per Share (actual or targeted growth);

 

(6)               Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”);

 

(7)               Cash flow measures (including but not limited to net cash flow and net cash flow before financing activities);

 

(8)               Return measures (including but not limited to return on equity, return on average assets, return on capital, risk-adjusted return on capital, return on investors’ capital and return on average equity);

 

(9)               Operating measures (including operating income, funds from operations, cash from operations, after-tax operating income, sales volumes, production volumes, and production efficiency);

 

(10)             Expense measures (including but not limited to overhead cost and general and administrative expense);

 

(11)             Margins;

 

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(12)             Stockholder value;

 

(13)             Total stockholder return;

 

(14)             Proceeds from dispositions;

 

(15)             Production volumes;

 

(16)             Total market value; and

 

(17)             Corporate values measures (including but not limited to ethics compliance, environmental, and safety).

 

  c. Stock Options and SARs Exempt from Code section 409A. If the Administrator grants Options or SARs to Employees subject to U.S. taxation the Administrator may not modify or amend the Options or SARs to the extent that the modification or amendment adds a feature allowing for additional deferral within the meaning of Code section 409A.

 

  16. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant's relationship as a Service Provider with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant's right or the Company's or its Parent’s or Subsidiary’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

  17. Effective Date. The Plan’s effective date is the date on which it is adopted by the Board, so long as it is approved by the Company’s stockholders at any time within 12 months of such adoption. Upon approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company, all Awards issued pursuant to the Plan on or after the Effective Date shall be fully effective as if the stockholders of the Company had approved the Plan on the Effective Date. If the stockholders fail to approve the Plan within one year before or after the Effective Date, any Awards made hereunder shall be null and void and of no effect.

 

18.Term of Plan. The Plan will terminate 10 years following the earlier of (i) the date it was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date it became effective upon approval by stockholders of the Company, unless sooner terminated by the Board pursuant to Section 19.

 

19.Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

 

  a. Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

 

  b. Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

  c. Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

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20. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

 

  a. Legal Compliance. The Administrator may delay or suspend the issuance and delivery of Shares, suspend the exercise of Options or SARs, or suspend the Plan as necessary to comply Applicable Laws. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

  b. Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

21. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

 

22. Exchange Programs. The Administrator may authorize the Company, without prior stockholder approval, to institute one or more Exchange Programs. An Exchange Program may, at the discretion of the Administrator, be offered to individual Participants selected by the Administrator on a case-by-case basis, or to a class of Participants identified by the Administrator. The terms and conditions of any Exchange Program will be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, including without limitation, Section 15(c); provided however, that no Exchange Program may adversely affect the rights of a Participant under an outstanding Award unless the Participant consents in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Exchange Program..

 

23. Substitution and Assumption of Awards. The Administrator may make Awards under the Plan that assume, substitute or replace performance shares, phantom shares, stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar awards granted by another entity (including a Parent or Subsidiary), if such assumption, substitution or replacement is in connection with an asset acquisition, stock acquisition, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company (and/or its Parent or Subsidiary) and such other entity (and/or its affiliate). The Administrator may also cause the Plan to assume an equity-based award granted by the Company prior to the adoption and approval of the Plan or substitute or replace such prior award with a similar type of Award under this Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan), ,(i) in the case of an Award that assumes, substitutes or replaces an award of another entity pursuant to a corporate transaction, such Award shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the original award, with such adjustments or modifications as the Administrator deems necessary and appropriate to give effect to the relevant provisions of any agreement entered into in connection with the such corporate transaction or (ii) in the case of an Award that assumes, substitutes or replaces a prior Company award, such Award shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the original award, except to the extent that any such term or condition is inconsistent with the Plan, in which event the terms of the Plan shall control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the assumption, substitution or replacement of a prior Company award with an Award under the Plan adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the prior Company award unless the Participant consents in writing to such assumption, substitution or replacement. Shares issued pursuant to assumed, substituted or replaced awards shall count against the total number of shares authorized to be issued under the Plan pursuant to Section 3.

 

24. Governing Law. The Plan and all Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Nevada.

 

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STANDBY EQUITY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS STANDBY EQUITY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT dated as of September 4, 2020 (this “Agreement”) is made by and between YA II PN, LTD., a Cayman Islands exempt limited partnership (the “Investor”), and IDEANOMICS, INC., a Nevada (the “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, the Company shall have the right to issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time as provided herein, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company up to $150,000,000 of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Shares”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Common Shares are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “IDEX;” and

 

WHEREAS, the offer and sale of the Common Shares issuable hereunder shall be registered on the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-239371) under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Securities Act”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Article I. Certain Definitions

 

Section 1.01        Additional Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d)(ii).

 

Section 1.02        Adjusted Advance Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d)(i).

 

Section 1.03        Advance” shall mean the portion of the Commitment Amount requested by the Company in the Advance Notice.

 

Section 1.04        Advance Date” shall mean the 1st Trading Day after expiration of the applicable Pricing Period for each Advance.

 

Section 1.05        Advance Notice” shall mean a written notice in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto to the Investor executed by an officer of the Company and setting forth the Advance amount that the Company requests from the Investor.

 

Section 1.06        Advance Notice Date” shall mean each date the Company delivers (in accordance with Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement) to the Investor an Advance Notice requiring the Investor to advance funds to the Company, subject to the terms of this Agreement.

 

Section 1.07        Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.07.

 

Section 1.08        Applicable Laws” shall mean all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations, orders, executive orders, directives, policies, guidelines and codes having the force of law, whether local, national, or international, as amended from time to time, including without limitation (i) all applicable laws that relate to money laundering, terrorist financing, financial record keeping and reporting, (ii) all applicable laws that relate to anti-bribery, anti-corruption, books and records and internal controls, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, and (iii) any Sanctions laws.

 

 

 

Section 1.09        Base Prospectus” shall mean the Company’s prospectus accompanying the Registration Statement.

 

Section 1.10        Commitment Amount” shall mean the aggregate amount of up to $150,000,000.

 

Section 1.11        Commitment Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and expiring upon the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 11.02.

 

Section 1.12        Common Shares” shall have meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Section 1.13        Company Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.02.

 

Section 1.14        Condition Satisfaction Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.

 

Section 1.15        Consolidation Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.08.

 

Section 1.16        Environmental Laws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.08.

 

Section 1.17        Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section 1.18        Excluded Day” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d)(i).

 

Section 1.19        Indemnified Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

 

Section 1.20        Initial Registration Statement” shall have the meaning set forth in 6.01.

 

Section 1.21        Investor Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

 

Section 1.22        Market Price” shall mean the lowest daily VWAP of the Common Shares during the relevant Pricing Period, other than the daily VWAP on any Excluded Days.

 

Section 1.23        Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any condition, circumstance, or situation that may result in, or would reasonably be expected to result in (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiary, 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 this Agreement.

 

Section 1.24        Maximum Advance Amount” in respect of each Advance Notice means $[5],000,000, or such other amount as may be agreed by the parties.

 

Section 1.25        Minimum Acceptable Price” or “MAP” shall mean the minimum price notified by the Company to the Investor in each Advance Notice, if applicable, or if none is specified than the MAP shall be deemed to be 80% of VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Advance Notice Date.

 

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Section 1.26        OFAC” shall mean the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Office of Foreign Asset Control.

 

Section 1.27        Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(c)(i).

 

Section 1.28        Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

Section 1.29        Plan of Distribution” shall mean the section of a Registration Statement disclosing the plan of distribution of the Shares.

 

Section 1.30        Pricing Period” shall mean the 5 consecutive Trading Days commencing on the Trading Day immediately following the Advance Notice Date.

 

Section 1.31        Principal Market” shall mean the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Section 1.32        Prospectus” shall mean the Base Prospectus, as supplemented by any Prospectus Supplement.

 

Section 1.33        Prospectus Supplement” shall mean any prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, the Prospectus Supplement to be filed in accordance with Section 6.01 hereof.

 

Section 1.34        Purchase Price” shall mean the price per share obtained by multiplying the Market Price by 90%.

 

Section 1.35        Registration Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(c).

 

Section 1.36        Registration Period” shall mean the Initial Registration Statement or another registration statement on a form promulgated by the SEC for which the Company then qualifies for the registration of the offer and sale of the Shares to be offered and sold by the Company to the Investor and the resale of such Shares by the Investor, as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time and including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act and any successor registration statement filed by the Company with the SEC under the Securities Act on a form promulgated by the SEC for which the Company then qualifies and which form shall be available for the registration of the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

Section 1.37        Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Section 1.38        Sanctions” means any sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC, the U.S. State Department, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

Section 1.39        Sanctions Programs” means any OFAC economic sanction program (including, without limitation, programs related to Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

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Section 1.40        SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Section 1.41        SEC Documents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.04.

 

Section 1.42        Securities Act” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

Section 1.43        Settlement Document” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

 

Section 1.44        Shares” shall mean the Common Shares to be issued from time to time hereunder pursuant to Advances.

 

Section 1.45        Trading Day” shall mean any day during which the Principal Market shall be open for business.

 

Section 1.46        VWAP” means, for any Trading Day, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Shares for such date on the Principal Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. during regular trading hours.

 

Article II. Advances

 

Section 2.01        Advances; Mechanics. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the provisions of Article VII hereof), the Company, at its sole and exclusive option, may issue and sell to the Investor, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, Common Shares on the following terms:

 

(a)Advance Notice. At any time during the Commitment Period the Company may require the Investor to purchase Shares by delivering an Advance Notice to the Investor, subject to the conditions set forth in Section 7.01, and in accordance with the following provisions;

 

(i)The Company shall, in its sole discretion, select the Advance amount it desires to request in each Advance Notice and the time it desires to deliver each Advance Notice, which amount shall not exceed the Maximum Advance Amount, provided however, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the total Advance amount that the Company will receive in connection with each Advance Notice may be less than the Advance amount requested in the Advance Notice due to reductions to the Advance amount in accordance with Section 2.01(c) and 2.01(d).

 

(ii)There shall be no mandatory minimum Advances and no non-usages fee for not utilizing the Commitment Amount or any part thereof.

 

(b)Date of Delivery of Advance Notice. Advance Notices shall be delivered in accordance with the instructions set forth on the bottom of Exhibit A. An Advance Notice shall be deemed delivered (each, an “Advance Notice Date”) on (i) the day it is received by the Investor if such notice is received prior to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time in accordance with the instructions set forth on the bottom of Exhibit A, or (ii) the immediately succeeding day if it is received after 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, in each case in accordance with the instructions set forth on the bottom of Exhibit A.

 

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(c)Advance Limitations. Regardless of the Advance amount requested by the Company in the Advance Notice, the final amount of the Advance shall be reduced in accordance with each of the following limitations:

 

(i)Ownership Limitation; Commitment Amount. In no event shall the number of Common Shares issuable to the Investor pursuant to an Advance cause the aggregate number of Common Shares beneficially owned (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by the Investor and its affiliates to exceed 4.99% of the then outstanding Common Shares (the “Ownership Limitation”). In connection with each Advance Notice delivered by the Company, any portion of an Advance that would (i) cause the Investor to exceed the Ownership Limitation or (ii) cause the aggregate amount of Advances to exceed the Commitment Amount shall automatically be withdrawn with no further action required by the Company, and such Advance Notice shall be deemed automatically modified to reduce the aggregate amount of the requested Advance by an amount equal to such withdrawn portion.

 

(ii)Registration Limitation. In no event shall an Advance exceed the amount registered under the Registration Statement then in effect (the “Registration Limitation”). In connection with each Advance Notice, any portion of an Advance that would exceed the Registration Limitation shall automatically be withdrawn with no further action required by the Company and such Advance Notice shall be deemed automatically modified to reduce the aggregate amount of the requested Advance by an amount equal to such withdrawn portion in respect of each Advance Notice.

 

(d)Minimum Acceptable Price.

 

(i)With respect to each Advance Notice, each Trading Day during a Pricing Period for which (A) the VWAP of the Common Stock is below the Minimum Acceptable Price in effect with respect to such Advance Notice, or (B) there is no VWAP (each such day, an “Excluded Day”), shall result in an automatic reduction to the amount of the Advance set forth in such Advance Notice by 20% (the resulting amount of each Advance being the “Adjusted Advance Amount”), and each Excluded Day shall be excluded from the Pricing Period for purposes of determining the Market Price.

 

(ii)The total amount of each Advance (after reductions have been made to arrive at the Adjusted Advance Amount) shall be increased at the option of the Investor by an amount (the “Additional Amount”) equal to the product of (A) the number of Shares sold by the Investor on such Excluded Day, if any, and (B) a price per share equal to the MAP in effect with respect to such Advance Notice (without any further discount), provided that this increase shall not cause the total Advance amount to exceed the amount set forth in the original Advance Notice or any limitations set forth in Section 2.01(c).

 

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(e)At any time after receipt of an Advance Notice and prior to the end of the Pricing Period related to such Advance Notice, the Investor shall have the right and option, but not the obligation, to purchase a number of the Company's Common Shares (the “Estimated Shares”) equal to the Advance Amount divided by the a purchase price (the “Estimated Price”) per share equal to the product of (i) 90%, multiplied by the (ii) Minimum Acceptable Price related to a given Advance Notice. Such purchase shall take place within one (1) Trading Day of the Investor exercising its right and option hereunder (which is anticipated to be prior to the expiration of the related Pricing Period). At such purchase, the Investor shall remit the Advance Amount to the Company and the Company shall deliver the Estimated Shares to the Investor without restrictive legends or any other restriction on the immediate sale of such Common Shares by the Investor. Such Common Stock shall upon delivery by the Company to the Investor be registered with the SEC for immediate sale by the Investor. The purchase described herein shall be referred to as an “Estimated Closing.” If the Purchase Price of the Common Shares at the Closing of the Advance Notice is higher than the Estimated Price, then the Investor shall pay the Company the difference such that the aggregate payments by the Investor to the Company shall be equal to Purchase Price multiplied by the Estimated Shares (and the Advance Amount shall be increased automatically to account for such additional payment). If the Purchase Price of the Common Shares at the Closing of the Advance Notice would be lower than the Estimate Price without giving effect to the provisions of clause 2.01(d)(i), then the Company shall have the option to either (i) deliver to the Investor additional Common Shares equal to the amount paid by the Investor to the Company divided by the such Purchase Price minus the number of Estimated Shares or (ii) the Company shall refund to the Investor the portion of the Advance Amount paid by the Investor to the Company at the Estimated Closing which exceeds the Adjusted Advance Amount (plus any Additional Amount) in which case the Investor shall return to the Company the number of Common Shares it received at the Estimated Closing in excess of the number of Common Shares corresponding to the Adjusted Advance Amount divided by the Purchase Price, taking into account the provisions of clause 2.01(d)(i).

 

(f)Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that upon the Investor’s receipt of a valid Advance Notice the parties shall be deemed to have entered into an unconditional contract binding on both parties for the purchase and sale of Shares pursuant to such Advance Notice in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and subject to applicable law and (ii) subject to Section 3.08 (Trading Activities), the Investor may sell shares of Common Stock of the Company during the Pricing Period.

 

Section 2.02        Closings. Each Closing shall take place as soon as practicable after each Advance Date in accordance with the procedures set forth below. In connection with each Closing, the Company and the Investor shall fulfill each of its obligations as set forth below:

 

(a)On each Advance Date, the Investor shall deliver to the Company a written document, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each a “Settlement Document”), setting forth the amount of the Advance (taking into account any adjustments pursuant to Section 2.01), the Market Price, the Purchase Price, the number of Common Shares to be purchased by the Investor, and a report by Bloomberg, L.P. indicating the VWAP for each of the Trading Days during the Pricing Period (or, if not reported on Bloomberg, L.P., another reporting service reasonably agreed to by the parties), in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The number of Shares to be purchased by the Investor at the Closing for such Advance shall equal the sum of (i) the Adjusted Advance Amount divided by the Purchase Price, rounded to the nearest whole number of Shares, plus (ii) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock sold by the Investor on Excluded Days during such Pricing Period (as contemplated by Section 2.01(d)(ii).

 

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(b)Promptly after receipt of the Settlement Document with respect to each Advance (and, in any event, not later than one Trading Days after such receipt), subject to Section 2.01(e), the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer such number of s Common Shares to be purchased by the Investor (as set forth in the Settlement Document) by crediting the Investor’s account or its designee’s account at the Depository Trust Company through its Deposit Withdrawal at Custodian System or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto (which in all cases the resale of such Common Shares shall be freely transferable by the Investor without restriction), and transmit notification to the Investor that such share transfer has been requested. Promptly upon receipt of such notification, subject to Section 2.01(e), the Investor shall pay to the Company of the aggregate amount of the Advance (as set forth in the Closing Statement) in cash in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company in writing and transmit notification to the Company that such funds transfer has been requested. No fractional shares shall be issued, and any fractional amounts shall be rounded to the next higher whole number of shares. Any certificates evidencing Common Shares delivered pursuant hereto shall be free of restrictive legends. To facilitate the transfer of the Common Shares by the Investor, the Common Shares will not bear any restrictive legends so long as there is an effective Registration Statement covering such Common Shares.

 

(c)On or prior to the Advance Date, each of the Company and the Investor shall deliver to the other all documents, instruments and writings required to be delivered by either of them pursuant to this Agreement in order to implement and effect the transactions contemplated herein.

 

Section 2.03        Hardship. In the event the Investor sells Common Shares after receipt of an Advance Notice and the Company fails to perform its obligations as mandated in Section 2.02, the Company agrees that in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Article V hereto and in addition to any other remedy to which the Investor is entitled at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance, it will hold the Investor harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or expense (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company and acknowledges that irreparable damage may occur in the event of any such default. It is accordingly agreed that the Investor shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent such breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce (subject to the Securities Act and other rules of the Principal Market), without the posting of a bond or other security, the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

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Section 2.04        In the event the Investor fails to perform its obligations as mandated in Section 2.02, the Investor agrees that in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Article V hereto and in addition to any other remedy to which the Company is entitled at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance, it will hold the Company harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or expense (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Investor and acknowledges that irreparable damage may occur in the event of any such default. It is accordingly agreed that the Company shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent such breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce (subject to the Securities Act and other rules of the Principal Market), without the posting of a bond or other security, the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Article III. Representations and Warranties of Investor

 

Investor hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company that the following are true and correct as of the date hereof and as of each Advance Date:

 

Section 3.01        Organization and Authorization. The Investor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, including all transactions contemplated hereby. The decision to invest and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Investor, the performance by the Investor of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized and require no other proceedings on the part of the Investor. The undersigned has the right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other instruments on behalf of the Investor or its shareholders. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Investor and, assuming the execution and delivery hereof and acceptance thereof by the Company, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms.

 

Section 3.02        Evaluation of Risks. The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial, tax and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of, and bearing the economic risks entailed by, an investment in the Company and of protecting its interests in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that its investment in the Company involves a high degree of risk, and that the Investor may lose all or a part of its investment.

 

Section 3.03        No Legal, Investment or Tax Advice from the Company. The Investor acknowledges that it had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with its own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. The Investor is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of the Company’s representatives or agents for legal, tax, investment or other advice with respect to the Investor’s acquisition of Common Shares hereunder, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the laws of any jurisdiction and that the Investor may lose all or a part of its investment.

 

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Section 3.04       Investment Purpose. The Common Shares purchased by the Investor hereunder are being or will be purchased for its own account, for investment purposes, and without any view or intention to distribute such shares in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws. The Investor agrees not to assign or in any way transfer the Investor’s rights to the securities or any interest therein or its obligations under this Agreement and acknowledges that the Company will not recognize any purported assignment or transfer except in accordance with applicable Federal and state securities laws. No other Person has or will have a direct or indirect beneficial interest in the securities. The Investor agrees not to sell, hypothecate or otherwise transfer the Investor’s Common Shares unless such shares are registered under Federal and applicable state securities laws or unless, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, an exemption from such registration is available.

 

Section 3.05        Accredited Investor. The Investor is an “Accredited Investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D.

 

Section 3.06        Information. The Investor and its advisors (and its counsel), if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and information it deemed material to making an informed investment decision. The Investor and its advisors, if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and its management and has received answers to such questions. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by such Investor or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Investor’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement. The Investor understands that its investment involves a high degree of risk. The Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice, as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 3.07        Not an Affiliate. The Investor is not an officer, director or a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company or any “affiliate” of the Company (as that term is defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act).

 

Section 3.08        Trading Activities. The Investor’s trading activities with respect to the Common Shares shall be in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market. Neither the Investor nor its affiliates has any open short position in the Common Shares, nor has the Investor entered into any hedging transaction that establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Shares, and the Investor agrees that it shall not, and that it will cause its affiliates not to, engage in any short sales or hedging transactions with respect to the Common Shares; provided that the Company acknowledges and agrees that upon receipt of an Advance Notice the Investor has the right to sell (a) the Shares to be issued to the Investor pursuant to the Advance Notice prior to receiving such shares, or (b) other Common Shares of the Company that it holds as a long position.

 

Section 3.09        General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Common Shares offered hereby.

 

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Article IV. Representations and Warranties of the Company

 

Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, or in the Disclosure Schedules, which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof and shall qualify any representation or warranty otherwise made herein to the extent of the disclosure contained in the corresponding section of the Disclosure Schedules or in another Section of the Disclosure Schedules, to the extent that it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that such disclosure is applicable to such Section, the Company represents and warrants to the Investor that, as of the date hereof and as of each Advance Date (other than representations and warranties which address matters only as of a certain date, which shall be true and correct as written as of such certain date), that:

 

Section 4.01        Organization and Qualification. Each of the Company and its Subsidiary (as defined below) is an entity duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its state of organization or incorporation, and has the requisite power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of the Company and its Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing (to the extent applicable) in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. “Subsidiaries” means any Person (as defined below) in which the Company, directly or indirectly, (x) owns any of the outstanding capital stock or holds any equity or similar interest of such Person or (y) controls or operates all or any part of the business, operations or administration of such Person, and each of the foregoing, is individually referred to herein as a “Subsidiary.

 

Section 4.02        Authorization, Enforcement, Compliance with Other Instruments. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Common Shares) have been or (with respect to consummation) will be duly authorized by the Company’s board of directors or other governing body and no further consent or authorization will be required by the Company, its board of directors or its shareholders. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been (or, when executed and delivered, will be) duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the execution and delivery thereof and acceptance by the Investor, constitute (or, when duly executed and delivered, will be) the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or other laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law. “Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by any of the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as may be amended from time to time.

 

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Section 4.03        No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Common Shares) will not (i) result in a violation of the articles of association or other organizational documents of the Company or its Subsidiary (with respect to consummation, as the same may be amended prior to the date on which any of the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated), (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or its Subsidiary is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations) applicable to the Company or its Subsidiary or by which any property or asset of the Company or its Subsidiary is bound or affected except, in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) above, to the extent such violations that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.04        SEC Documents; Financial Statements. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (all of the foregoing filed within two years preceding the date hereof or amended after the date hereof, or filed after the date hereof, and all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, and all registration statements filed by the Company under the Securities Act, being hereinafter referred to as the “SEC Documents”). The Company has made available to the Investor through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, true and complete copies of the SEC Documents. As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the respective dates thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).

 

Section 4.05        Equity Capitalization. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital of the Company consists of 1,500,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock with [____________] shares of Common Stock and 7,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.

 

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Section 4.06        Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiary own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted, except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiary do not have any knowledge of any infringement by the Company or its Subsidiary of trademark, trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, or trade secrets, except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought against, or to the Company’s knowledge, being threatened against the Company or its Subsidiary regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights, invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other infringement; and, except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect, the Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any of the foregoing.

 

Section 4.07        Employee Relations. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiary is involved in any labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiary, is any such dispute threatened, in each case which is reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.08        Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiary (i) are in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws (as defined below), (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 of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply would be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The term “Environmental Laws” means all applicable federal, state and local laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including, without limitation, 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.

 

Section 4.09        Title. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents or except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect, the Company has good and marketable title to its properties and material assets owned by it, free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, claim or equitable interest other than such as are not material to the business of the Company. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.10        Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged. The Company has no 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 at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.11        Regulatory Permits. Except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries possess all material certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permits.

 

Section 4.12        Internal Accounting Controls. The Company maintains 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 generally accepted accounting principles 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.

 

Section 4.13        Absence of Litigation. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending against or affecting the Company, the Common Shares or any of the Company’s Subsidiary, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.14        Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company does not presently own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, association or other business entity.

 

Section 4.15        Tax Status. Each of the Company and its Subsidiary (i) has timely made or filed all foreign, federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has timely 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, except those being contested in good faith and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries know of no basis for any such claim.

 

Section 4.16        Certain Transactions. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents (or as not required to be disclosed pursuant to applicable law) none of the officers or directors of the Company is presently a party to any transaction with the Company (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, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer or director, or to the knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer or director has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.

 

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Section 4.17        Fees and Rights of First Refusal. The Company is not obligated to offer the Common Shares offered hereunder on a right of first refusal basis or otherwise to any third parties including, but not limited to, current or former shareholders of the Company, underwriters, brokers, agents or other third parties.

 

Section 4.18        Dilution. The Company is aware and acknowledges that issuance of Common Shares hereunder could cause dilution to existing shareholders and could significantly increase the outstanding number of Common Shares.

 

Acknowledgment Regarding Investor’s Purchase of Shares. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length investor with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder. The Company further acknowledges that the Investor is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder and any advice given by the Investor or any of its representatives or agents in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder is merely incidental to the Investor’s purchase of the Shares hereunder. The Company is aware and acknowledges that it shall not be able to request Advances under this Agreement if the Registration Statement is not effective or if any issuances of Common Shares pursuant to any Advances would violate any rules of the Principal Market.  The Company further acknowledges and agrees that it is not a client or customer of the Fund or any of its affiliates and none of the Fund or its affiliates has provided, or will provide, any services to the Issuer or any of its affiliates. The Fund’s relationship to the Issuer is solely as investor.

 

Section 4.19         

 

Section 4.20        Neither the Company, nor any Subsidiary of the Company, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is:

 

(a)on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC from time to time;

 

(b)the subject of any Sanctions;

 

(c)has a place of business in, or is operating, organized, resident or doing business in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions Programs (including without limitation Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

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Article V. Indemnification

 

The Investor and the Company represent to the other the following with respect to itself:

 

Section 5.01        Indemnification by the Company. In consideration of the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, and all of its officers, directors, partners, employees and agents (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) and each person who controls the Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively, the “Investor Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and reasonable and documented expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Investor Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by the Investor Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the registration of the Shares as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any related prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, 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; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability 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 and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor specifically for inclusion therein; (b) any material misrepresentation or breach of any material representation or material warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby; (c) any material breach of any material covenant, material agreement or material obligation of the Company contained in this Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby; or (d) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Investor Indemnitee not arising out of any action or inaction of an Investor Indemnitee, and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement executed pursuant hereto by any of the Investor Indemnitees. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is permissible under applicable law.

 

Section 5.02        Indemnification by the Investor. In consideration of the Company’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, and in addition to all of the Investor’s other obligations under this Agreement, the Investor shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Company Indemnitees”) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Company Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the registration of the Shares as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any related prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, 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; provided, however, that the Investor will only be liable for written information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity, and will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability 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 and in conformity with written information furnished to the Investor by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion therein; (b) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Investor in this Agreement or any instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Investor; (c) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Investor(s) contained in this Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Investor; or (d) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Company Indemnitee not arising out of any action or inaction of a Company Indemnitee and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or any other instrument, document or agreement executed pursuant hereto by any of the Company Indemnitees. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Investor may be unenforceable for any reason, the Investor shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is permissible under applicable law.

 

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Section 5.03        Notice of Claim. Promptly after receipt by an Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving an Indemnified Liability, such Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee, as applicable, shall, if a claim for an Indemnified Liability in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Article V, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof; but the failure to so notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it of liability under this Article V except to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such failure. The indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The indemnification required by this Article V shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received and payment therefor is due.

 

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Section 5.04        Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Article V are not exclusive and shall not limit any right or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified person at law or in equity. The obligations of the parties to indemnify or make contribution under this Article V shall survive expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

Article VI. Covenants of the Company

 

Section 6.01        Registration Statement.

 

(a)The Company has filed a registration statement (with File Number 333-239371) (the “Initial Registration Statement”) with the SEC under the Securities Act on Form S-3 with respect to the issuance and sale of securities by the Company, including Common Shares, which contains, among other things a Plan of Distribution section disclosing the methods by which the Company may sell the Common Shares. The Initial Registration Statement was declared effective on July 21, 2020 and remains in effect on the date hereof.

 

(b)Promptly after the date hereof (and prior to the Company delivering an Advance Notice to the Investor hereunder), the Company shall file with the SEC a report on Form 8-K or such other appropriate form as determined by counsel to the Company, relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and a preliminary Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act disclosing all information relating to the transaction contemplated hereby required to be disclosed therein and an updated Plan of Distribution, including, without limitation, the name of the Investor, if required, the number of Shares being offered hereunder, the terms of the offering, the purchase price of the Shares, and other material terms of the offering, and any other information or disclosure necessary to register the transactions contemplated herein (collectively, the “Initial Disclosure”) and shall provide the Investor with 24 hours to review the Initial Disclosure prior to its filing.

 

(c)Maintaining a Registration Statement. The Company shall maintain the effectiveness of any Registration Statement with respect to the Shares at all times during the Commitment Period (the “Registration Period”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall ensure that, when filed and at all times while effective, each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) and the prospectus (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) used in connection with such Registration Statement shall 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 case of prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading. During the Commitment Period, the Company shall notify the Investor promptly if (i) the Registration Statement shall cease to be effective under the Securities Act, (ii) the Common Shares shall cease to be authorized for listing on the Principal Market, (iii) the Common Shares ceases to be registered under Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act or (iv) the Company fails to file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of it as a reporting company under the Exchange Act.

 

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(d)Filing Procedures. Not less than one business days prior to the filing of a Registration Statement and not less than one business day prior to the filing of any related amendments and supplements to all Registration Statements (except for any amendments or supplements caused by the filing of any annual reports on Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K, and any similar or successor reports), the Company shall furnish to the Investor copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference) will be subject to the reasonable and prompt review of the Investor. The Investor shall furnish comments on a Registration Statement and any related amendment and supplement to a Registration Statement to the Company within 24 hours of the receipt thereof. If the Investor fails to provide comments to the Company within such 24-hour period, then the Registration Statement, related amendment or related supplement, as applicable, shall be deemed accepted by the Investor in the form originally delivered by the Company to the Investor.

 

(e)Delivery of Final Documents. The Company shall furnish to the Investor without charge, (i) at least one copy of each Registration Statement as declared effective by the SEC and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii) at the request of the Investor, 10 copies of the final prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as the Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Common Shares owned by the Investor pursuant to a Registration Statement. Filing of the forgoing with the SEC via its EDGAR system shall satisfy the requirements of this section.

 

(f)Amendments and Other Filings. The Company agrees that on such dates as the Securities Act shall require, the Company will file a Prospectus Supplement or other appropriate form as determined by counsel with the SEC under the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, which Prospectus Supplement will set forth, within the relevant period, the amount of Shares sold to the Investor, the net proceeds to the Company and the discount paid by the Investor with respect to such Shares. The Company shall provide the Investor at least 24 hours to comment on a draft of each such Prospectus Supplement (and shall give due consideration to all such comments) and shall deliver or make available to the Investor, without charge, an electronic copy of each form of Prospectus Supplement, together with the Base Prospectus. The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus (and of any Prospectus Supplement thereto) in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act and with the securities or “blue sky” laws of the jurisdictions in which the Shares may be sold by the Investor, in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares and for such period of time thereafter as the Prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares. If during such period of time any event shall occur that in the judgment of the Company and its counsel is required to be set forth in the Prospectus or should be set forth therein in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary to supplement or amend the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or any other applicable law or regulation, the Company shall forthwith prepare and file with the SEC an appropriate Prospectus Supplement to the Prospectus and shall promptly furnish or make available to the Investor an electronic copy thereof. The Company shall (i) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the related prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period.

 

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(g)Blue-Sky. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, if applicable, (i) register and qualify the Common Shares covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Investor reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Common Shares for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (w) make any change to its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 6.01(g), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify the Investor of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Common Shares for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

Section 6.02        Listing of Common Shares. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the authorization for quotation of the Common Shares on the Principal Market and shall notify the Investor promptly if the Common Shares shall cease to be authorized for quotation on the Principal Market.

 

Section 6.03        Opinion of Counsel. Prior to the date of the first Advance Notice, the Investor shall have received an opinion letter from counsel to the Company in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Investor.

 

Section 6.04        Exchange Act Registration. The Company will file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of it as a reporting company under the Exchange Act and will not take any action or file any document (whether or not permitted by Exchange Act or the rules thereunder) to terminate or suspend its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act.

 

Section 6.05        Transfer Agent Instructions. For any time while there is a Registration Statement in effect for this transaction, the Company shall (if required by the transfer agent for the Common Shares) cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver to the transfer agent for the Common Shares (with a copy to the Investor) instructions to issue Common Shares to the Investor free of restrictive legends upon each Advance.

 

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Section 6.06        Corporate Existence. The Company will take all steps necessary to preserve and continue the corporate existence of the Company during the Commitment Period.

 

Section 6.07        Notice of Certain Events Affecting Registration; Suspension of Right to Make an Advance. The Company will immediately notify the Investor, and confirm in writing, upon its becoming aware of the occurrence of any of the following events in respect of a Registration Statement or related prospectus relating to an offering of Common Shares: (i) receipt of any request for additional information by the SEC or any other Federal or state governmental authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or related prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the SEC or any other Federal governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Common Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or written threat of any proceeding for such purpose; (iv) the happening of any event that makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or related prospectus of any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, related prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the related prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or of the necessity to amend the Registration Statement or supplement a related prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or any other law; and (v) the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be appropriate; and the Company will promptly make available to the Investor any such supplement or amendment to the related prospectus. The Company shall not deliver to the Investor any Advance Notice, and the Investor shall not sell any Shares pursuant to a Registration Statement, during the continuation of any of the foregoing events (each of the events described in the immediately preceding clauses (i) through (v), inclusive, a “Material Outside Event”).

 

Section 6.08        Consolidation. If an Advance Notice has been delivered to the Investor, then the Company shall not effect any consolidation (a “Consolidation Event”) of the Company with or into, or a transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to another entity before the transaction contemplated in such Advance Notice has been closed in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, and all Shares in connection with such Advance have been received by the Investor. The Company shall not give an Advance Notice if a shareholder meeting, or the record date for any shareholder meeting or any corporate action, would fall during the period beginning on the Advance Notice Date and ending 10 Trading Days following the closing of such Advance.

 

Section 6.09        Market Activities. The Company will not, directly or indirectly, take any action designed to cause or result in, or that constitutes or might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company under Regulation M of the Exchange Act.

 

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Section 6.10        Expenses. The Company, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including but not limited to (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment and supplement thereto, of each prospectus and of each amendment and supplement thereto; (ii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of any Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) all fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (iv) the qualification of the Shares under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, including filing fees in connection therewith, (v) the printing and delivery of copies of any prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing or qualification of the Shares for trading on the Principal Market, or (vii) filing fees of the SEC and the Principal Market.

 

Section 6.11        Current Report. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each its Subsidiary and each of its and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents not to, provide the Investor with any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries without the express prior written consent of the Investor (which may be granted or withheld in the Investor’s sole discretion), and Investor shall not be subject to any expectation or duty of confidentiality for any information given to it by the Company (regardless of form, including, without limitation, telephone calls or emails, even if such communication purports to be confidential) without such prior written agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly agrees that it shall publicly disclose, no later than four (4) Business Days following the date hereof, any information communicated to the Investor by or, to the knowledge of the Company, on behalf of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, which, following the date hereof would, if not so disclosed, constitute material, non-public information regarding the Company or its Subsidiary.

 

Section 6.12        No Expectation of Confidentiality/Black-out Periods. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not deliver an Advance Notice during any Company black-out periods or during any other period in which the Company is, or could be deemed to be, in possession of material non-public information. Moreover, the Company shall acknowledge and agree at the time of delivery each Advance that it is not in possession of material, non-public information. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or elsewhere, the Investor shall have no expectation or duty of confidentiality with respect to any information given by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Investor (absent a separate written agreement signed by the Investor acknowledging the receipt of such information and its agreement to keep it confidential). The Company shall not deliver an Advance Notice if a shareholder meeting or corporate action date, or the record date for any shareholder meeting or any corporate action, would fall during the period beginning five Trading Days prior to the date of delivery of such Advance Notice and ending 10 Trading Days following the Closing of such Advance Notice.

 

Section 6.13        Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares hereunder for working capital and other general corporate purposes or, if different, in a manner consistent with the application thereof described in the Registration Statement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the transactions contemplated herein, or lend, contribute, facilitate or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Person (i) to fund, either directly or indirectly, any activities or business of or with any Person that is identified on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocker Persons maintained by OFAC, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions or Sanctions Programs, or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions.

 

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Section 6.14        Compliance with Laws. The Company shall comply with all Applicable Laws and will not take any action which will cause the Investor to be in violation of any such Applicable Laws.

 

Article VII. Conditions for Advance and Conditions to Closing

 

Section 7.01        Conditions Precedent to the Right of the Company to Deliver an Advance Notice. The right of the Company to deliver an Advance Notice and the obligations of the Investor hereunder with respect to an Advance is subject to the satisfaction by the Company, on each Advance Notice Date (a “Condition Satisfaction Date”), of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects.

 

(b)Registration of the Common Shares with the SEC. There is an effective Registration Statement pursuant to which the Investor is permitted to utilize the prospectus thereunder to resell all of the Common Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice. The Company shall have filed with the SEC all reports, notices and other documents required under the Exchange Act and applicable SEC regulations during the twelve-month period immediately preceding the applicable Condition Satisfaction Date.

 

(c)Authority. The Company shall have obtained all permits and qualifications required by any applicable state for the offer and sale of all the Common Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice, or shall have the availability of exemptions therefrom. The sale and issuance of such Common Shares shall be legally permitted by all laws and regulations to which the Company is subject.

 

(d)No Material Outside Event. No Material Outside Event shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(e)Performance by the Company. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior the applicable Condition Satisfaction Date.

 

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(f)No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits or directly and adversely affects any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no proceeding shall have been commenced that may have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)No Suspension of Trading in or Delisting of Common Shares. The Common Shares are quoted trading on the Principal Market and all of the shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice will be listed or quoted for trading on the Principal Market and the Company believes, in good faith, that trading of the Common Shares on the Principal Market will continue uninterrupted for the foreseeable future. The issuance of Common Shares with respect to the applicable Advance Notice will not violate the shareholder approval requirements of the Principal Market. The Company shall not have received any notice threatening the continued quotation of the Common Shares on the Principal Market.

 

(h)Authorized. There shall be a sufficient number of authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved Common Shares for the issuance of all of the shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice.

 

(i)Executed Advance Notice. The Investor shall have received the Advance Notice executed by an officer of the Company and the representations contained in such Advance Notice shall be true and correct as of the applicable Condition Satisfaction Date.

 

(j)Consecutive Advance Notices. Except with respect to the first Advance Notice, the Company shall have delivered all Shares relating to all prior Advances, and, unless waived by the Investor, at least 10 Trading Days shall have elapsed from the immediately preceding Advance Date.

 

Article VIII. Non-Disclosure of Non-Public Information

 

The Company covenants and agrees that it shall refrain from disclosing, and shall cause its officers, directors, employees and agents to refrain from disclosing, any material non-public information (as determined under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or the rules and regulations of the SEC) to the Investor without also disseminating such information to the public, unless prior to disclosure of such information the Company identifies such information as being material non-public information and provides the Investor with the opportunity to accept or refuse to accept such material non-public information for review. Unless specifically agreed to in writing, in no event shall the Investor have a duty of confidentially, or be deemed to have agreed to maintain information in confidence, with respect to (i) any information disclosed in violation of this provision or (ii) the delivery of any Advance Notices.

 

Article IX. Non Exclusive Agreement

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein, this Agreement and the rights awarded to the Investor hereunder are non-exclusive, and, subject to the provisions in Section 6.13, the Company may, at any time throughout the term of this Agreement and thereafter, issue and allot, or undertake to issue and allot, any shares and/or securities and/or convertible notes, bonds, debentures, options to acquire shares or other securities and/or other facilities which may be converted into or replaced by Common Shares or other securities of the Company, and to extend, renew and/or recycle any bonds and/or debentures, and/or grant any rights with respect to its existing and/or future share capital.

 

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Article X. Choice of Law/Jurisdiction

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The parties further agree that any action between them shall be heard in New York County, New York, and expressly consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the Supreme Court of New York, sitting in New York County, New York and the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, sitting in New York, New York, for the adjudication of any civil action asserted pursuant to this paragraph.

 

Article XI. Assignment; Termination

 

Section 11.01    Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights of the parties hereto may be assigned to any other Person.

 

Section 11.02    Termination.

 

(a)Unless earlier terminated as provided hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate automatically on the earliest of (i) the first day of the month next following the 36-month anniversary of the date hereof or (ii) the date on which the Investor shall have made payment of Advances pursuant to this Agreement in the aggregate amount of the Commitment Amount.

 

(b)The Company may terminate this Agreement effective upon fifteen Trading Days’ prior written notice to the Investor; provided that (i) there are no outstanding Advance Notices, the Common Shares under which have yet to be issued, and (ii) the Company has paid all amounts owed to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties, effective as of the date of such mutual written consent unless otherwise provided in such written consent.

 

(c)Nothing in this Section 11.02 shall be deemed to release the Company or the Investor from any liability for any breach under this Agreement, or to impair the rights of the Company and the Investor to compel specific performance by the other party of its obligations under this Agreement. The indemnification provisions contained in Article V shall survive termination hereunder.

 

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Article XII. Notices

 

Any notices, consents, waivers, or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile or e-mail if sent on a Trading Day, or, if not sent on a Trading Day, on the immediately following Trading Day, provided a copy is mailed by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested or overnight carrier; (iii) 7 days after being sent by U.S. or Israeli certified mail, return receipt requested, or (iv) 1 day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications (except for Advance Notices which shall be delivered in accordance with Exhibit A hereof) shall be:

 

If to the Company, to: Ideanomics Inc.
 

55 Broadway, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10006

 

Telephone:  212-206-1216

Email:

 

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice or delivery of process) to:

 

Venable LLP

1270 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

Attention:    William N. Haddad, Esq.

 

Telephone:   (212) 307-5500

Email: wnhaddad@venable.com

 

If to the Investor(s): YA II PN, Ltd.
  1012 Springfield Avenue
  Mountainside, NJ 07092
  Attention:      Mark Angelo
                        Portfolio Manager
  Telephone:    (201) 985-8300
 

Email:            mangelo@yorkvilleadvisors.com

 

With a Copy (which shall not constitute notice or delivery of process) to:

Troy Rillo, Esq.

1012 Springfield Avenue

Mountainside, NJ 07092

  Telephone:    (201) 985-8300
  Email:            legal@yorkvilleadvisors.com

 

Either may change its information contained in this Article XII by delivering notice to the other party as set forth herein.

 

Article XIII. Miscellaneous

 

Section 13.01    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, both which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. Facsimile or other electronically scanned and delivered signatures, including by e-mail attachment, shall be deemed originals for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Section 13.02    Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes all other prior oral or written agreements between the Investor, the Company, their respective affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement, and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor the Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party to be charged with enforcement.

 

Section 13.03    Reporting Entity for the Common Shares. The reporting entity relied upon for the determination of the trading price or trading volume of the Common Shares on any given Trading Day for the purposes of this Agreement shall be Bloomberg, L.P. or any successor thereto. The written mutual consent of the Investor and the Company shall be required to employ any other reporting entity.

 

Section 13.04    Each Party Responsible for Own Professional Fees. Each of the parties shall pay its own fees and expenses (including the fees of any attorneys, accountants, appraisers or others engaged by such party) in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 13.05    Brokerage. Each of the parties hereto represents that it has had no dealings in connection with this transaction with any finder or broker who will demand payment of any fee or commission from the other party. The Company on the one hand, and the Investor, on the other hand, agree to indemnify the other against and hold the other harmless from any and all liabilities to any person claiming brokerage commissions or finder’s fees on account of services purported to have been rendered on behalf of the indemnifying party in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Standby Equity Distribution Agreement to be executed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first set forth above.

 

  COMPANY:
  Ideanomics, Inc.
   
  By:   
  Name:
  Title:
   
  INVESTOR:
  YA II PN, Ltd.
   
  By: Yorkville Advisors Global, LP
  Its: Investment Manager
     
    By: Yorkville Advisors Global II, LLC
    Its: General Partner  
       
    By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

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EXHIBIT A
ADVANCE NOTICE

 

IDEANOMICS, INC.

 

Dated: ______________                                                                                                          Advance Notice Number: ____

 

The undersigned, _______________________ hereby certifies, with respect to the sale of Common Shares of IDEANOMICS, INC. (the “Company”) issuable in connection with this Advance Notice, delivered pursuant to that certain Standby Equity Distribution Agreement, dated as of _______, 2020 (the “Agreement”), as follows:

 

1.       The undersigned is the duly elected ______________ of the Company.

 

2.       There are no fundamental changes to the information set forth in the Registration Statement which would require the Company to file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement.

 

3.        The Company has performed in all material respects all covenants and agreements to be performed by the Company and has complied in all material respects with all obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement on or prior to the Advance Notice Date, and shall continue to perform in all material respects all covenants and agreements to be performed by the Company through the applicable Advance Date. All conditions to the delivery of this Advance Notice are satisfied as of the date hereof. The Company is not subject to black-out periods and the Company is not, and cannot be deemed to be, in possession of material non-public information. The Company acknowledges and agrees that any information given by the Company to the Investor is non-material or has been disclosed publicly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any information given by the Company to the Investor is not subject to an expectation or duty of confidentiality (it being understood that the Company would not be submitting any Advance Notice to the Investor if this paragraph were inaccurate in any respect).

 

4.       The Advance requested is _____________________.

 

5.       The Minimum Acceptable Price with respect to this Advance Notice is _________ (if left blank then no Minimum Acceptable Price will be applicable to this Advance).

 

6.       The number of Common Shares of the Company outstanding as of the date hereof is ___________.

 

The undersigned has executed this Advance Notice as of the date first set forth above.

 

  IDEANOMICS, INC.
   
  By:                      

 

 

Please deliver this Advance Notice by email with a follow up phone call to:

 

Email: Trading@yorkvilleadvisors.com

Attention: Trading Department and Compliance Officer
Confirmation Telephone Number: (201) 985-8300.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

FORM OF SETTLEMENT DOCUMENT

VIA EMAIL

 

IDEANOMICS, INC.

Attn:

Email:

 

  Below please find the settlement information with respect to the Advance Notice Date of:  
1. Amount of Advance Notice  
2. Minimum Acceptable Price for this Advance (if any)  
3. Number of Excluded Days (if any)  
4. Adjusted Advance Amount (after taking into account any adjustments pursuant to Section 2.01):  
5. Market Price  
6. Purchase Price (Market Price x 90%) per share  
7. Number of Shares due to Investor  
If there were any Excluded Days then add the following (see Section 2.01(d)):
8. Number of Shares Sold by Investor on Excluded Days  
9. Additional Amount to be paid by Investor (Shares in number 8 x Minimum Acceptable Price)  
10. Total Amount to be paid to Company (Adjusted Advance Amount + Additional Amount):  
11. Total Shares to be issued to Investor (Shares due to Investor + Additional Shares):  

 

Please issue the number of Shares due to the Investor to the account of the Investor as follows:

 

Investor’s DTC participant #:

 

ACCOUNT NAME:

ACCOUNT NUMBER:

ADDRESS:

CITY:

COUNTRY:

Contact person:

Number and/or email:

 

 

 

 

  Sincerely,
   
  YA II PN, LTD.
   
Approved By IDEANOMICS, INC.:  
   
   
Name: