UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT between EAST INDIA COMPANY ACQUISITION CORP. and EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC. Dated: ___________, 2006
between
EAST
INDIA COMPANY ACQUISITION CORP.
and
EARLYBIRDCAPITAL,
INC.
Dated:
___________, 2006
EAST
INDIA COMPANY ACQUISITION CORP.
________,
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
Inc.
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Dear
Sirs:
The
undersigned, East India Company Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation
(“Company”), hereby confirms its agreement with EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. (being
referred to herein variously as “you,” “EBC” or the “Representative”) and with
the other underwriters named on Schedule I hereto for which EBC is acting
as
Representative (the Representative and the other Underwriters being collectively
called the “Underwriters” or, individually, an “Underwriter”) as
follows:
1. Purchase
and Sale of Securities.
1.1 Firm
Securities.
1.1.1 Purchase
of Firm Units.
On the
basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject
to the
terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell,
severally and not jointly, to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of
6,000,000 units (“Firm Units”) of the Company at a purchase price (net of
discounts and commissions) of $5.67 per Firm Unit (including discounts and
commissions of $0.06 that will be paid to the Underwriters only upon
consummation of a Business Combination (as defined below) by the Company).
The
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree that they will not seek payment
of the discounts and commissions of $0.06 referred to in the preceding sentence
unless and until a Business Combination has been consummated by the Company,
and
the Company agrees that it shall pay such discounts and commissions only
upon
consummation of such Business Combination. The Underwriters, severally and
not
jointly, agree to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Units set
forth
opposite their respective names on Schedule I attached hereto and made a
part
hereof at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $5.67 per
Firm
Unit. The Firm Units are to be offered initially to the public (“Offering”) at
the offering price of $6.00 per Firm Unit. Each Firm Unit consists of one
share
of the Company’s common stock, par value $.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and
two warrants (“Warrant(s)”). The shares of Common Stock and the Warrants
included in the Firm Units will not be separately transferable until 90 days
after the effective date (“Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement (as
defined in Section 2.1.1 hereof) unless EBC informs the Company of its decision
to allow earlier separate trading, but in no event will EBC allow separate
trading until the preparation of an audited balance sheet of the Company
reflecting receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the Offering and the
filing
of a Form 8-K by the Company which includes such balance sheet. Each Warrant
entitles its holder to exercise it to purchase one share of Common Stock
for
$5.00 during the period commencing on the later of the consummation by the
Company of its “Business Combination” or one year from the Effective Date and
terminating on the four-year anniversary of the Effective Date. “Business
Combination” shall mean any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or
other similar business combination consummated by the Company with an operating
business that has operations in India (as
described more fully in the Registration Statement).
1
1.1.2 Payment
and Delivery.
Delivery and payment for the Firm Units shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New
York
time, on the third business day following commencement of trading of the
Firm
Units or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative
and
the Company at the offices of the Representative or at such other place as
shall
be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The hour and date of
delivery and payment for the Firm Units are called “Closing Date.” Payment for
the Firm Units shall be made on the Closing Date at the Representative’s
election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or
bank
cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, payable as follows:
$34,250,100 of the proceeds received by the Company for the Firm Units shall
be
deposited in the trust fund established by the Company for the benefit of
the
public stockholders as described in the Registration Statement (“Trust Fund”)
pursuant to the terms of an Investment Management Trust Agreement (“Trust
Agreement”) and the remaining proceeds shall be paid (subject to Section 3.13
hereof) to the order of the Company upon delivery to you of certificates
(in
form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Firm
Units
(or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the
account of the Underwriters. The Firm Units shall be registered in such name
or
names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request
in
writing at least two full business days prior to the Closing Date. The Company
will permit the Representative to examine and package the Firm Units for
delivery, at least one full business day prior to the Closing Date. The Company
shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Units except upon tender
of
payment by the Representative for all the Firm Units.
1.2 Over-Allotment
Option.
1.2.1 Option
Units.
For the
purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution
and
sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriters are hereby granted, severally and
not
jointly, an option to purchase up to an additional 900,000 units from the
Company (“Over-allotment Option”). Such additional 900,000 units are hereinafter
referred to as “Option Units.” The Firm Units and the Option Units are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Units,” and the Units, the shares
of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Units and the shares of
Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are hereinafter referred to
collectively as the “Public Securities.” The purchase price to be paid for the
Option Units will be the same price per Option Unit as the price per Firm
Unit
set forth in Section 1.1.1 hereof.
1.2.2 Exercise
of Option.
The
Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be
exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from
time
to time) of the Option Units within 45 days after the Effective Date. The
Underwriters will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Units
prior
to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted
hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company by the
Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or
facsimile transmission setting forth the number of Option Units to be purchased
and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Units (the
“Option Closing Date”), which will not be later than five full business days
after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by
the
Company and the Representative, at the offices of the Representative or at
such
other place as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative.
Upon
exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated
to
convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set
forth
herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of
Option
Units specified in such notice.
1.2.3 Payment
and Delivery.
Payment
for the Option Units shall be made on the Option Closing Date at the
Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by
certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, payable
as follows: approximately $5.73 per Option Unit shall be deposited in the
Trust
Fund (including discounts and commissions of $0.06 that will be paid to the
Underwriters only upon consummation of a Business Combination by the Company)
pursuant to the Trust Agreement upon delivery to you of certificates (in
form
and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Option Units
(or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriters. The
certificates representing the Option Units to be delivered will be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the Representative requests
not
less than two full business days prior to the Closing Date or the Option
Closing
Date, as the case may be, and will be made available to the Representative
for
inspection, checking and packaging at the aforesaid office of the Company’s
transfer agent or correspondent not less than one full business day prior
to
such Closing Date.
2
1.3 Representative’s
Purchase Option.
1.3.1 Purchase
Option.
The
Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Representative (and/or its
designees) on the Effective Date an option (“Representative’s Purchase Option”)
for the purchase of an aggregate of ____ units (“Representative’s Units”) for an
aggregate purchase price of $100. Each of the Representative’s Units is
identical to the Firm Units. The Representative’s Purchase Option shall be
exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on the later of the consummation
of
a Business Combination and one year from the Effective Date and expiring
on the
five-year anniversary of the Effective Date at an initial exercise price
per
Representative’s Unit of $___ (___% of the initial public offering price of a
Unit). The Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s Units, the
Warrants included in the Representative’s Units (“Representative’s Warrants”)
and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s
Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Representative’s
Securities.” The Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities are
hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Securities.” The Representative
understands and agrees that there are significant restrictions against
transferring the Representative’s Purchase Option during the first year after
the Effective Date, as set forth in Section 3 of the Representative’s Purchase
Option.
1.3.2 Payment
and Delivery.
Delivery and payment for the Representative’s Purchase Option shall be made on
the Closing Date. The Company shall deliver to the Representative, upon payment
therefor, certificates for the Representative’s Purchase Option in the name or
names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request.
2. Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
The
Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as follows:
2.1 Filing
of Registration Statement.
2.1.1 Pursuant
to the Act.
The
Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) a
registration statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1
(File No. 333-________), including any related preliminary prospectus
(“Preliminary Prospectus”), for the registration of the Public Securities under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”), which registration statement and
amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in conformity with
the
requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations (“Regulations”) of the
Commission under the Act. Except as the context may otherwise require, such
registration statement, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time
the
registration statement becomes effective (including the prospectus, financial
statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof
or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as
of
such time pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Regulations), is
hereinafter called the “Registration Statement,” and the form of the final
prospectus dated the Effective Date included in the Registration Statement
(or,
if applicable, the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 424 of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” The
Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the
date
hereof.
3
2.1.2 Pursuant
to the Exchange Act.
The
Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 000-_______)
providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended (“Exchange Act”), of the Units, the Common Stock and the Warrants. The
registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act
has
been declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof.
2.2 No
Stop Orders, Etc.
Neither
the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory
authority has issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing
or
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or has instituted or, to
the
best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with
respect to such an order.
2.3 Disclosures
in Registration Statement.
2.3.1 10b-5
Representation.
At the
time the Registration Statement became effective and at all times subsequent
thereto up to the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus does and will contain all material
statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the
Act and
the Regulations, and will in all material respects conform to the requirements
of the Act and the Regulations; neither the Registration Statement nor the
Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement thereto, on such dates, does
or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
When
any Preliminary Prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed
as
part of the Registration Statement for the registration of the Securities
or any
amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the Regulations) and when
any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto was first filed with the Commission,
such Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto
complied or will comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of the Act and the Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representation
and warranty made in this Section 2.3.1 does not apply to statements made
or
statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriters by the Representative
expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto.
4
2.3.2 Disclosure
of Agreements.
The
agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus conform to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there
are
no agreements or other documents required to be described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits
to
the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each
agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which
the
Company is a party or by which its property or business is or may be bound
or
affected and (i) that is referred to in the Prospectus, or (ii) is material
to
the Company’s business, has been duly and validly executed by the Company, is in
full force and effect and is enforceable against the Company and, to the
Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms,
except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as
enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited
under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject
to
the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought, and none of such agreements or instruments
has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the best
of
the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in breach or default thereunder and,
to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the
lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a breach
or
default thereunder. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, performance by the
Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will
not
result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation,
judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or
foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or
businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental
laws
and regulations.
2.3.3 Prior
Securities Transactions.
No
securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf
of,
or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by,
or
under common control with the Company since the Company’s formation, except as
disclosed in the Registration Statement.
2.3.4
Regulations.
The
disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of Federal,
State and local regulation on the Company's business as currently contemplated
are correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material
fact.
2.4 Changes
After Dates in Registration Statement.
2.4.1 No
Material Adverse Change.
Since
the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise specifically stated therein,
(i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial
or
otherwise, or business prospects of the Company, (ii) there have been no
material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated
pursuant to this Agreement, and (iii) no member of the Company’s management has
resigned from any position with the Company.
2.4.2 Recent
Securities Transactions, Etc.
Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be
indicated or contemplated herein or therein, the Company has not (i) issued
any
securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent,
for
borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other
distribution on or in respect to its equity securities.
2.5 Independent
Accountants.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP (“GGK”), whose report is filed with the Commission
as part of the Registration Statement, are independent accountants as required
by the Act and the Regulations. GGK has not, during the periods covered by
the
financial statements included in the Prospectus, provided to the Company
any
non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange
Act.
5
2.6 Financial
Statements.
The
financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules
included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus fairly present the
financial position, the results of operations and the cash flows of the Company
at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and the
supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly
the
information required to be stated therein. The summary financial data included
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the information
shown thereon and have been compiled on a basis consistent with the audited
financial statements presented therein. No other financial statements or
schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus. The Registration Statement discloses all material off-balance
sheet
transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations),
and
other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other
persons
that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial
condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity,
capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues
or expenses.
2.7 Authorized
Capital; Options; Etc.
The
Company had at the date or dates indicated in the Prospectus duly authorized,
issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the
adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in,
or
contemplated by, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, on the Effective
Date and on the Closing Date, there will be no options, warrants, or other
rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized but unissued shares
of
Common Stock of the Company or any security convertible into shares of Common
Stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell shares
of
Common Stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible
securities.
2.8 Valid
Issuance of Securities; Etc.
2.8.1 Outstanding
Securities.
All
issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been duly authorized
and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof
have
no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal
liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were
issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security
of
the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The authorized
Common Stock conforms to all statements relating thereto contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the
outstanding Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under
the
Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part
on
the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such shares of Common
Stock, exempt from such registration requirements.
2.8.2 Securities
Sold Pursuant to this Agreement.
The
Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for, will
be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not
and
will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders;
the
Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any
holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted
by
the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the
authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly
taken. The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements
with
respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement. When issued, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and
sell,
upon exercise thereof and payment of the respective exercise prices therefor,
the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in
accordance with the terms thereof and such Representative’s Purchase Option, the
Representative’s Warrants and the Warrants are enforceable against the Company
in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability
may
be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or
contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws, and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and
other
forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to
the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
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2.8.3 Insider
Securities.
▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇
LLC
(the
“Insider Purchaser”) has
committed to purchase an aggregate of 120,100 Units (“Insider Units”) at $6.00
per Unit and 685,000 Warrants (“Insider Warrants” and together with the Insider
Units, the shares of Common Stock and Warrants underlying the Insider Units,
and
the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants underlying the Insider
Units
and Insider Warrants, collectively referred to as the “Insider Securities”) at
$0.70 per Warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $1,200,100) from the
Company upon consummation of the Offering. The Insider Securities have been
duly
authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the subscription
agreements (“Subscription Agreements”) entered into by the Insider Purchaser to
purchase such Insider Securities, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal
liability by reason of being such holders; the Insider Securities are not
and
will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security
of
the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all
corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and
sale
of the Insider Securities has been duly and validly taken.
2.9 Registration
Rights of Third Parties.
Except
as set forth in the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company
or
any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities
of the
Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities
of
the Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration
statement to be filed by the Company.
2.10 Validity
and Binding Effect of Agreements.
This
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement (as defined in Section 2.21 hereof), the
Trust
Agreement, the Services Agreement (as defined in Section 3.7.2 hereof), the
Subscription Agreements and the Escrow Agreement (as defined in
Section 2.22.2 hereof) have been duly and validly authorized by the Company
and constitute, and the Representative’s Purchase Option, has been duly and
validly authorized by the Company and, when executed and delivered, will
constitute, the valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable
against
the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as enforceability of
any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal
and state securities laws, and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance
and
injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable
defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor
may be brought.
2.11 No
Conflicts, Etc.
The
execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement,
the Services Agreement, the Subscription Agreement and the Escrow Agreement,
the
consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated
and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not
and
will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both
(i)
result in a breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of,
or
constitute a default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination
or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets
of
the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which
the
Company is a party except pursuant to the Trust Agreement referred to in
Section 2.24 hereof; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company; or (iii) violate
any
existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any
governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over
the
Company or any of its properties or business.
2.12 No
Defaults; Violations.
No
material default exists in the due performance and observance of any term,
covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or
instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company
may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is
subject. The Company is not in violation of any term or provision of its
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or in violation of any material
franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or
decree
of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of its properties, businesses or assets.
7
2.13 Corporate
Power; Licenses; Consents.
2.13.1 Conduct
of Business.
The
Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary
authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of
and
from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of
the
date hereof to conduct its business purpose as described in the Prospectus.
The
disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of federal,
state and local regulation on this offering and the Company’s business purpose
as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects and do not
omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were
made, not misleading.
2.13.2 Transactions
Contemplated Herein.
The
Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
the
Warrant Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Representative’s Purchase Option,
the Trust Agreement and the Escrow Agreement and to carry out the provisions
and
conditions hereof and thereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals,
licenses, certifications, permits and orders required in connection therewith
have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing
with,
any court, government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance,
sale and delivery, of the Securities and the consummation of the transactions
and agreements contemplated by this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the
Representative’s Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement and the Escrow Agreement
and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable
federal
and state securities laws.
2.14 D&O
Questionnaires.
To the
best of the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires
(“Questionnaires”) completed by each of the Company’s stockholders immediately
prior to the Offering (all of which stockholders are referred to as the “Initial
Stockholders”) and
provided to the Underwriters as an exhibit to his, her or its Insider Letter
(as
defined in Section 2.22.1) is true and correct and the Company has not become
aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the
questionnaires completed by each Initial Stockholder to become inaccurate
and
incorrect.
2.15 Litigation;
Governmental Proceedings.
There
is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation
or governmental proceeding pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge,
threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, any Initial Stockholder, which has not been disclosed in the
Registration Statement or the Questionnaires.
2.16 Good
Standing.
The
Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation
and is
in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation, and is duly
qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation
in
each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct
of
business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify
would
not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations
of the
Company.
2.17 Stop
Orders.
The
Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any
Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus or any part thereof and has not threatened
to issue any such order.
8
2.18 Transactions
Affecting Disclosure to NASD.
2.18.1 Finder’s
Fees.
Except
as described in the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements,
agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting
or origination fee by the Company or any Initial Stockholder with respect
to the
sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or
understandings of the Company or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any
Initial Stockholder that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as
determined by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(“NASD”).
2.18.2 Payments
Within Twelve Months.
Other
than payments to EBC, the Company has not within the twelve months prior
to the
Effective Date made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities
or
otherwise) (i) to any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in
consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing
to
the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company, (ii) to
any
NASD member or (iii) to any person or entity that has any direct or
indirect affiliation or association with any NASD member.
2.18.3 Use
of
Proceeds.
None of
the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any
participating NASD member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized
herein and except as may be paid in connection with a Business Combination
as
contemplated by the Prospectus.
2.18.4 Insiders’
NASD Affiliation.
Based
on questionnaires distributed to such persons, except as set forth on
Schedule 2.18.4, no officer, director or any beneficial owner of the
Company’s unregistered securities has any direct or indirect affiliation or
association with any NASD member. The Company will advise the Representative
and
its counsel if it learns that any officer, director or owner of at least
5% of
the Company’s outstanding Common Stock is or becomes an affiliate or associated
person of an NASD member participating in the offering.
2.19 Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act.
Neither
the Company nor any of the Initial Stockholders or any other person acting
on
behalf of the Company has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give
any
money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers
in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or
agent
of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency
or
instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political
party
or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or any political party or
candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or
may
be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist
it in
connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject
the
Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental
litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a
material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company
as
reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Prospectus
or
(iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets,
business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company’s internal
accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to
comply
with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
2.20. Officers’
Certificate.
Any
certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered
to you or to your counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by
the
Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.
2.21 Warrant
Agreement.
The
Company has entered into a warrant agreement with respect to the Warrants,
the
Warrants underlying the Insider Units, the Insider Warrants and the
Representative’s Warrants with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement
(“Warrant Agreement”).
2.22 Agreements
With Initial Stockholders.
9
2.22.1 Insider
Letters.
The
Company has caused to be duly executed legally binding and enforceable
agreements (except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally, (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification, contribution or
noncompete provision may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws,
and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other
forms
of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought)
annexed as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.6 to the Registration Statement
(“Insider Letters”), pursuant to which each of the Initial Stockholders of the
Company agrees to certain matters, including but not limited to, certain
matters
described as being agreed to by them under the “Proposed Business” section of
the Prospectus.
2.22.2 Escrow
Agreement.
The
Company has caused the Initial Stockholders to enter into an escrow agreement
(“Escrow Agreement”) with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
(“Escrow Agent”) substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 10.8 to the
Registration Statement, whereby the Common Stock owned by the Initial
Stockholders will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent, until the third
anniversary of the Effective Date. During such escrow period, the Initial
Stockholders shall be prohibited from selling or otherwise transferring such
shares (except to spouses and children of Initial Stockholders and trusts
established for their benefit and as otherwise set forth in the Escrow
Agreement) but will retain the right to vote such shares. To the Company’s
knowledge, the Escrow Agreement is enforceable against each of the Initial
Stockholders and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse
of
time or both, result in a breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument
to
which any of the Initial Stockholders is a party. The Escrow Agreement shall
not
be amended, modified or otherwise changed without the prior written consent
of
EBC.
2.22.3 Subscription
Agreements.
The
Company has entered into the Subscription Agreement substantially in the
form
annexed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement with the Insider
Purchaser to purchase the Insider Securities. Pursuant to the Subscription
Agreement, the Insider Purchaser has placed the purchase price for the Insider
Securities in escrow prior to the date hereof. Simultaneously with the
consummation of the Offering, such purchase price shall be deposited into
the
Trust Fund pursuant to the Trust Agreement.
2.23 Intentionally
Omitted.
2.24 Investment
Management Trust Agreement.
The
Company has entered into the Trust Agreement with respect to certain proceeds
of
the Offering substantially in the form annexed as Exhibit 10.7 to the
Registration Statement.
2.25 Covenants
Not to Compete.
No
Initial Stockholder, employee, officer or director of the Company is subject
to
any noncompetition agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer
or
prior employer which could materially affect his ability to be an Initial
Stockholder, employee, officer and/or director of the Company.
2.26 Investment
Company Act; Investments.
The
Company has been advised concerning the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder
and has in the past conducted, and intends in the future to conduct, its
affairs
in such a manner as to ensure that it will not become an “investment company” or
a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act and such rules and regulations. The Company is not,
nor
will the Company become upon the sale of the Units and the application of
the
proceeds therefore as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of
Proceeds”, an “investment company” or a person controlled by an “investment
company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. No
more
than 45% of the “value” (as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the Investment
Company Act) of the Company’s total assets (exclusive of cash items and
“Government Securities” (as defined in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment
Company Act) consist of, and no more than 45% of the Company’s net income after
taxes is derived from, securities other than the Government
Securities.
10
2.27
Subsidiaries.
The
Company does not own an interest in any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust or other business entity.
2.28
Related
Party Transactions.
There
are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the
Company or any other person required to be described in the Prospectus that
have
not been described as required. There are no outstanding loans, advances
(except
normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business)
or
guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of
the
officers or directors or Initial Stockholders of the Company or any of the
members of the families of any of them, except as disclosed in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus.
2.29
No
Distribution of Offering Material.
The
Company has not distributed and will not distribute prior to the Closing
Date
any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Units
other than any Preliminary Prospectuses, the Prospectus, the Registration
Statement and other materials, if any, permitted by the Act.
2.30 Title
to Assets.
Except
as set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the Company has
good
and marketable title to all properties and assets described in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus as owned by it, free and clear of any pledge, lien,
security interest, encumbrances, claim or equitable interest, other than
such as
would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, earnings,
operations, business or business prospects of the Company.
2.31 Taxes.
The
Company has timely filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income
and
franchise tax returns and has paid all taxes shown thereon as due, and there
is
no tax deficiency that has been or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge,
might be asserted against the Company that might have a material adverse
effect
on the financial condition, earnings, operations, business or business prospects
of the Company, and all material tax liabilities are adequately provided
for on
the books of the Company.
3. Covenants
of the Company.
The
Company covenants and agrees as follows:
3.1 Amendments
to Registration Statement.
The
Company will deliver to the Representative, prior to filing, any amendment
or
supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed
after the Effective Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to
which
the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.
3.2 Federal
Securities Laws.
3.2.1 Compliance.
During
the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the
Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed
upon
it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations
under
the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit
the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Securities in accordance
with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus
relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under the Act,
any
event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel
for
the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended
or
supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus
to
comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly
and
prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an
appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the
Act.
11
3.2.2 Filing
of Final Prospectus.
The
Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule
424 of
the Regulations.
3.2.3 Exchange
Act Registration.
The
Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Units,
Common Stock and Warrants under the provisions of the Exchange Act for a
period
of five years from the Effective Date, or until the Company is required to
be
liquidated, if earlier or, in the case of the Warrants, until the Warrants
expire and are no longer exercisable. The Company will not deregister the
Units
under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of EBC.
3.2.4 Ineligible
Issuer.
At the
time of filing the Registration Statement and at the date hereof, the Company
was and is an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities
Act. The Company has not made and will not make any offer relating to the
Public
Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined
in Rule 433, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as
defined in Rule 405.
3.3 Blue
Sky Filings.
The
Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Representative,
at or
prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, to qualify
the
Public Securities for offering and sale under the securities laws of such
jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate, provided that
no
such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result
thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general process or to
taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in such jurisdiction. In
each
jurisdiction where such qualification shall be effected, the Company will,
unless the Representative agrees that such action is not at the time necessary
or advisable, use its best efforts to file and make such statements or reports
at such times as are or may be required by the laws of such
jurisdiction.
3.4 Delivery
to Underwriters of Prospectuses.
The
Company will deliver to each of the several Underwriters, without charge,
from
time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered
under the Act or the Exchange Act, such number of copies of each Preliminary
Prospectus and the Prospectus as such Underwriters may reasonably request
and,
as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto
becomes effective, deliver to you two original executed Registration Statements,
including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies
of all
exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original
executed consents of certified experts.
3.5 Effectiveness
and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative.
The
Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to
remain
effective and will notify the Representative immediately and confirm the
notice
in writing (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
or
of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose,
(iii)
of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for
the
suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or
sale in
any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding
for
that purpose, (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing
of
any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus,
(v) of
the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from
the
Commission, and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described
in Section 3.4 hereof that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement
of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue
or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement
or the
Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission
or
any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such
qualification at any time, the Company will use commercially reasonable effort
to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.
3.6 Review
of Financial Statements.
Until
the earlier of five years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier
time
upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company, at its
expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified public
accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for
each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly
financial information, the filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q quarterly report
and the mailing of quarterly financial information to stockholders.
12
3.7 Affiliated
Transactions.
3.7.1 Business
Combinations.
The
Company will not consummate a Business Combination with any entity which
is
affiliated with any Initial Stockholder unless
the Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm
that
the Business Combination is fair to the Company’s stockholders from a financial
perspective.
3.7.2 Administrative
Services.
The
Company has entered into an agreement (“Services Agreement”) with 30
CPS
LLC
(“Affiliate”) substantially
in the form annexed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Registration Statement
pursuant
to which the Affiliate will make available to the Company general
and administrative services including office space, utilities and secretarial
support
for the
Company’s use for $7,500 per month.
3.7.3 Compensation.
Except
as set forth above in this Section 3.7, the Company shall not pay any Initial
Stockholder or any of their affiliates any fees or compensation from the
Company, for services rendered to the Company prior to, or in connection
with,
the consummation of a Business Combination; provided that the Initial
Stockholders shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with seeking and
consummating a Business Combination.
3.8 Secondary
Market Trading and Standard & Poor’s.
The
Company will apply to be included in Standard & Poor’s Daily News and
Corporation Records Corporate Descriptions for a period of five years from
the
consummation of a Business Combination. Promptly after the consummation of
the
Offering, the Company shall take such steps as may be necessary to obtain
a
secondary market trading exemption for the Company’s securities in the State of
California. The Company shall also take such other action as may be reasonably
requested by the Representative to obtain a secondary market trading exemption
in such other states as may be requested by the Representative.
3.9 Intentionally
Omitted.
3.10 Financial
Public Relations Firm.
Promptly after the execution of a definitive agreement for a Business
Combination, the Company shall retain a financial public relations
firm.
13
3.11 Reports
to the Representative.
3.11.1 Periodic
Reports, Etc.
For a
period of five years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon
which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company will furnish
to the
Representative (Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, President and Managing Director of
Investment Banking) and its counsel copies of such financial statements and
other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes
generally to holders of any class of its securities, and promptly furnish
to the
Representative (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required
to file with the Commission, (ii) a copy of every press release and every
news
item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released
by the Company, (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K or Schedules 13D, 13G, 14D-1
or 13E-4 received or prepared by the Company, (iv) five copies of each
registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission under the
Securities Act, (v) a copy of monthly statements, if any, setting forth such
information regarding the Company’s results of operations and financial position
(including balance sheet, profit and loss statements and data regarding
outstanding purchase orders) as is regularly prepared by management of the
Company and (vi) such additional documents and information with respect to
the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as
the
Representative may from time to time reasonably request.
3.11.2 Intentionally
Omitted.
3.11.3 Secondary
Market Trading Survey.
Until
such time as the Public Securities are listed or quoted, as the case may
be, on
the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or quoted on the
Nasdaq
National Market, or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required
to be liquidated, the Company shall engage ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ (“GM”), for a
one-time fee of $5,000 payable on the Closing Date , to deliver and update
to
the Representative on a timely basis, but in any event on the Effective Date
and
at the beginning of each fiscal quarter, a written report detailing those
states
in which the Public Securities may be traded in non-issuer transactions under
the Blue Sky laws of the fifty States (“Secondary Market Trading Survey”).
3.11.4 Intentionally
Omitted.
3.12 Disqualification
of Form S-1.
Until
the earlier of seven years from the date hereof or until the Warrants have
expired and are no longer exercisable, the Company will not take any action
or
actions which may prevent or disqualify the Company’s use of Form S-1 (or other
appropriate form) for the registration of the Warrants and the Representative’s
Warrants under the Act.
3.13 Payment
of Expenses.
3.13.1 General
Expenses Related to the Offering.
The
Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date, if any, to the extent not paid at Closing Date, all expenses incident
to
the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement,
including but not limited to (i) the preparation, printing, filing and mailing
(including the payment of postage with respect to such mailing) of the
Registration Statement, the Preliminary and Final Prospectuses and the printing
and mailing of this Agreement and related documents, including the cost of
all
copies thereof and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto supplied
to the
Underwriters in quantities as may be required by the Underwriters, (ii) the
printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of the Units, the shares of Common
Stock and the Warrants included in the Units and the Representative’s Purchase
Option, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the
qualification of the Public Securities under state or foreign securities
or Blue
Sky laws, including the costs of printing and mailing the “Preliminary Blue Sky
Memorandum,” and all amendments and supplements thereto, fees and disbursements
of GM (such fees shall be $35,000 in the aggregate (of which $15,000 has
previously been paid)), and a one-time fee of $5,000 payable to GM for the
preparation of the Secondary Market Trading Survey, (iv) filing fees, costs
and expenses (including disbursements for the Representative’s counsel) incurred
in registering the Offering with the NASD, (v) fees and disbursements of
the
transfer and warrant agent, (vi) the Company’s expenses associated with “due
diligence” meetings arranged by the Representative, (vii) the preparation,
binding and delivery of transaction “bibles,” in form and style reasonably
satisfactory to the Representative and transaction lucite cubes or similar
commemorative items in a style and quantity as reasonably requested by the
Representative and (viii) all other costs and expenses customarily borne
by an
issuer incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are
not
otherwise specifically provided for in this Section 3.13.1. The Company also
agrees that, if requested by the Representative, it will engage and pay for
an
investigative search firm of the Representative’s choice to conduct an
investigation of the principals of the Company as shall be mutually selected
by
the Representative and the Company. If the Offering is successfully consummated,
any such amounts paid by the Company pursuant to the immediately preceding
sentence shall be credited against the Representative’s nonaccountable expense
allowance (described below in Section 3.13.2). The Representative may deduct
from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing
Date, or the Option Closing Date, if any, the expenses set forth in this
Agreement to be paid by the Company to the Representative and others. If
the
Offering contemplated by this Agreement is not consummated for any reason
whatsoever then the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters in full for
their
out of pocket expenses, including, without limitation, its legal fees (up
to a
maximum of $50,000) and disbursements and
“road
show” and due diligence expenses.
The
Representative shall retain such part of the nonaccountable expense allowance
previously paid as shall equal its actual out-of-pocket expenses and refund
the
balance. If the amount previously paid is insufficient to cover such actual
out-of-pocket expenses, the Company shall remain liable for and promptly
pay any
other actual out-of-pocket expenses.
14
3.13.2 Nonaccountable
Expenses.
The
Company further agrees that, in addition to the expenses payable pursuant
to
Section 3.13.1, on the Closing Date, it will pay to the Representative a
nonaccountable expense allowance equal to one half of one percent (0.5%)
of the
gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Firm Units (of
which
$25,000 has previously been paid), by deduction from the proceeds of the
Offering contemplated herein.
3.13.3 Deferred
Compensation.
Upon
the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company shall pay the
Underwriters discounts and commissions of $0.06 per Unit sold in the Offering.
This payment shall be made by wire transfer to an account designated by the
Representative on the closing date of the Business Combination.
3.14 Application
of Net Proceeds.
The
Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a
manner
consistent with the application described under the caption “Use Of Proceeds” in
the Prospectus.
3.15 Delivery
of Earnings Statements to Security Holders.
The
Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as
practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar
month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not
be
certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants
unless required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the
provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period
of
at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the Effective
Date.
3.16 Notice
to NASD.
For a
period of ninety days following the Effective Date, in the event any person
or
entity (regardless of any NASD affiliation or association) is engaged to
assist
the Company in its search for a merger candidate or to provide any other
merger
and acquisition services, the Company will provide the following to the NASD
and
EBC prior to the consummation of the Business Combination: (i) complete
details of all services and copies of agreements governing such services
(which
details or agreements may be appropriately redacted to account for privilege
or
confidentiality concerns); and (ii) justification as to why the person or
entity providing the merger and acquisition services should not be considered
an
“underwriter and related person” with respect to the Company’s initial public
offering, as such term is defined in Rule 2710 of the NASD’s Conduct Rules. The
Company also agrees that proper disclosure of such arrangement or potential
arrangement will be made in the proxy statement which the Company will file
for
purposes of soliciting stockholder approval for the Business
Combination.
15
3.17 Stabilization.
Neither
the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or
stockholders (without the consent of EBC) has taken or will take, directly
or
indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might
reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or
otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of
the
Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.
3.18 Internal
Controls.
The
Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient
to
provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance
with management’s general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are
recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements
in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain
accountability for assets, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in
accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.
3.19 Accountants.
Until
the earlier of five years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time
upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall retain
GGK or another independent registered public accountant.
3.20 Form
8-K.
The
Company shall, on the date hereof, retain its independent public accountants
to
audit the financial statements of the Company as of the Closing Date (“Audited
Financial Statements”) reflecting the receipt by the Company of the proceeds of
the initial public offering. As soon as the Audited Financial Statements
become
available, the Company shall immediately file a Current Report on Form 8-K
with the Commission, which Report shall contain the Company’s Audited Financial
Statements.
3.21 NASD.
The
Company shall advise the NASD if it is aware that any 5% or greater stockholder
of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of an NASD member
participating in the distribution of the Company’s Public
Securities.
3.22 Corporate
Proceedings.
All
corporate proceedings and other legal matters necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have
been done to the reasonable satisfaction to counsel for the Underwriters.
3.23 Investment
Company.
The
Company shall cause a portion of the proceeds of the Offering to be held
in the
Trust Fund to be invested only as set forth in the Trust Agreement and as
more
fully described in the Prospectus. The Company will otherwise conduct its
business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the Investment
Company Act. Furthermore, once the Company consummates a Business Combination,
it will be engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting,
owning, holding or trading securities.
3.24 Business
Combination Announcement.
Within
five business days following the consummation by the Company of a Business
Combination, the Company shall cause an announcement (“Business Combination
Announcement”) to be placed, at its cost, in The
Wall Street Journal,
The
New York Times
and a
third publication to be selected by the Representative announcing the
consummation of the Business Combination and indicating that EBC was the
managing underwriter in the Offering. The Company shall supply the
Representative with a draft of the Business Combination Announcement and
provide
the Representative with a reasonable opportunity to comment thereon. The
Company
will not place the Business Combination Announcement without the final approval
of the Representative, which such approval will not be unreasonably withheld.
16
3.25 Colorado
Trust Filing.
In the
event the Securities are registered in the State of Colorado, the Company
will
cause a Colorado Form ES to be filed with the Commissioner of the State of
Colorado no less than 10 days prior to the distribution of the Trust Fund
in
connection with a Business Combination and will do all things necessary to
comply with Section ▇▇-▇▇-▇▇▇ and Rule 51-3.4 of the Colorado Securities
Act.
3.26 Insider
Securities.
3.26.1 Insider
Securities Purchase Price.
Simultaneously with the consummation of the Offering, the Company shall cause
the purchase price to be paid for the Insider Securities by the Insider
Purchaser to be deposited in the Trust Fund
3.26.2 Insider
Warrant Exercises.
The
Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that, if the Warrants are called for
redemption, so long as the Warrants underlying the Insider Units or the Insider
Warrants are held by the Insider Purchaser or her affiliates, such Warrants
shall be exercisable by the holder by surrendering such Warrants for that
number
of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x)
the
product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants,
multiplied by the difference between the Warrant Price and the “Fair Market
Value” (defined below) by (y) the Fair Market Value. The
“Fair
Market Value” shall mean the average reported last sale price of the Common
Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third business day prior to the
date
on which the notice of redemption is sent to holders of Warrants.
3.27 Investment
Banking Engagement.
The
Company hereby engages EBC as its non-exclusive investment banker in connection
with the Company’s Business Combination to provide the Company with assistance
in structuring the Business Combination and negotiating its terms.
3.27.1 Compensation.
As
compensation for the foregoing services, the Company will pay EBC a cash
fee,
based on the “Total Consideration” paid by the Company in the Business
Combination, equal to 1% of the Total Consideration; provided, however, that
the
maximum fee to be paid to EBC shall be $360,000. The phrase “Total
Consideration” for the purpose of this Agreement, shall mean the total value of
the securities (valued as determined in the applicable agreement governing
the
terms of the Business Combination or, if not so valued, at market on the
day of
closing, or if there is no public market, valued as set forth herein for
other
property), cash and assets and property or other benefits exchanged by the
Company or received by the Company or its securityholders as consideration
as a
result of or arising out of the Business Combination, irrespective of the
period
of payment or terms (all valued at fair market present value as agreed or,
if
not, by an independent appraiser selected by EBC in good faith).
3.27.2 Payment.
All
fees payable under Section 3.27.1 are due and payable to EBC, by certified
check
or wire transfer, at the closing of the Business Combination. If a proposed
Business Combination is not consummated for any reason, no amounts shall
be
payable to EBC under 3.27.1. The fee payable under Section 3.27.1 shall be
paid
to EBC directly from the proceeds of the Trust Fund. The Company shall instruct
the trustee under the Trust Agreement to deliver the fee to EBC simultaneously
with the release of the remaining funds from the Trust Fund.
3.27.3 Expenses.
In
addition to the compensation described in Section 3.27.1 above, the Company
shall bear all reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by EBC
in
connection with the performance of its services under this Section 3.27,
promptly after submission of appropriate evidence of having incurred such
costs
and expenses.
4 Conditions
of Underwriters’ Obligations.
The
obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Units,
as
provided herein, shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as
of
each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the accuracy
of
the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions
hereof
and to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to
the
following conditions:
17
4.1 Regulatory
Matters.
4.1.1 Effectiveness
of Registration Statement.
The
Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:00 P.M.,
New
York time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall
be
consented to in writing by you, and, at each of the Closing Date and the
Option
Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for the purpose shall
have
been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and
any
request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have
been
complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of Blank Rome L.L.P., counsel
to
the Underwriters (“BR”).
4.1.2 NASD
Clearance.
By the
Effective Date, the Representative shall have received clearance from the
NASD
as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters
as
described in the Registration Statement.
4.1.3 No
Blue Sky Stop Orders.
No
order suspending the sale of the Units in any jurisdiction designated by
you
pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof shall have been issued on either on the Closing
Date or the Option Closing Date, and no proceedings for that purpose shall
have
been instituted or shall be contemplated.
4.2 Company
Counsel Matters.
4.2.1 Effective
Date Opinion of Counsel.
On the
Effective Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion
of
GM, counsel to the Company, dated the Effective Date, addressed to the
Representative and in form and substance satisfactory to BR to the effect
that:
(i) The
Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation
and is
in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation. The Company
is
duly qualified and licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation
in
each jurisdiction in which its ownership or leasing of any properties or
the
character of its operations requires such qualification or licensing, except
where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on
the
assets, business or operations of the Company. To such counsel’s knowledge, the
Company is not in violation of any term or provision of its Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws.
(ii) All
issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been duly authorized
and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof
are
not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none
of
such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any
stockholder of the Company arising by operation of law or under the Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company. The offers and sales of the
outstanding Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under
the
Act or exempt from such registration requirements. The authorized and, to
such
counsel’s knowledge, outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in
the Prospectus.
(iii) The
Securities and Insider Securities have been duly authorized and, when issued
and
paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders
thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of
being
such holders. The Securities and Insider Securities are not and will not
be
subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company
arising by operation of law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws
of the Company. When issued, the Representative’s Purchase Option, the
Representative’s Warrants, the Warrants underlying the Insider Units, the
Insider Warrants and the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations
of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment therefor,
the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby and such
Warrants, the Insider Warrants, the Warrants underlying the Insider Units,
the
Representative’s Purchase Option, and the Representative’s Warrants, when
issued, in each case, are enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their respective terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited
by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’
rights generally, (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution
provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and
(c)
that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of
equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. The
certificates representing the Securities are in due and proper
form.
18
(iv) This
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Trust Agreement,
the Subscription Agreement and the Escrow Agreement have each been duly and
validly authorized and, when executed and delivered by the Company, constitute,
and the Representative’s Purchase Option has been duly and validly authorized by
the Company and, when executed and delivered, will constitute, the valid
and
binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their respective terms, except (a) as such enforceability
may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally, (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or
contribution provisions may be limited under the federal and state securities
laws, and (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and
other
forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to
the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought.
(v) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement,
the Representative’s Purchase Option, the Escrow Agreement, the Trust Agreement,
the Subscription Agreement and the Services Agreement and compliance by the
Company with the terms and provisions thereof and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby, and the issuance and sale of the Securities,
do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of
time,
or both, (a) to such counsel’s knowledge, conflict with, or result in a breach
of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or
result
in the creation or modification of any lien, security interest, charge or
encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company pursuant
to the
terms of, any mortgage, deed of trust, note, indenture, loan, contract,
commitment or other agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, (b) result in any violation of the provisions of
the
Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company, or (c) to such
counsel’s knowledge, violate any United States statute or any judgment, order or
decree, rule or regulation applicable to the Company of any court, United
States
federal, state or other regulatory authority or other governmental body having
jurisdiction over the Company, its properties or assets.
(vi) The
Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
any
post-effective amendments or supplements thereto (other than the financial
statements included therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) each
as of
their respective dates appeared on their face to comply as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the Act and Regulations. The
Securities and all other securities issued or issuable by the Company conform
in
all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus. The descriptions in the Registration Statement
and
in the Prospectus, insofar as such statements constitute a summary of statutes,
legal matters, contracts, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly
present in all material respects the information required to be shown with
respect to such statutes, legal matters, contracts, documents and proceedings,
and such counsel does not know of any statutes or legal or governmental
proceedings required to be described in the Prospectus that are not described
in
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or included as exhibits to the
Registration Statement that are not described or included as required.
(vii) The
Registration Statement is effective under the Act. To such counsel’s knowledge,
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
has
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are
pending or threatened under the Act or applicable state securities
laws.
19
(viii) To
such
counsel’s knowledge, there is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any
court of governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or
threatened against the Company that is required to be described in the
Registration Statement.
The
opinion of counsel shall further include a statement to the effect that such
counsel
has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of
the
Company, the Underwriters and the independent public accountants of the Company,
at which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus contained therein and related matters were discussed and, although
such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for
the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein (except as otherwise
set forth in the foregoing opinion), solely on the basis of the foregoing
without independent check and verification, no facts have come to the attention
of such counsel which lead them to believe that the Registration Statement
or
any amendment thereto, at the time the Registration Statement or amendment
became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the
statements therein not misleading or the Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto, at the time they were filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or
at
the date of such counsel’s opinion, contained an untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statement therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading (except that such counsel need express
no
opinion with respect to (i) any disclosures relating to the laws, rules,
statutes or regulations of India or (ii) the financial statements and related
notes and schedules thereto and other financial and statistical data and
information included in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus).
4.2.2 Effective
Date Opinion of Indian Counsel.
On the
Effective Date, the Underwriters shall have received the favorable opinion
from
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Indian counsel to the Company, dated the Effective Date,
addressed to the Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory to the
Representative to the effect that:
(i) No
Indian
law, rule, statute or regulation required to be described in the Prospectus
is
not described as required and insofar as the disclosures in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus purport to summarize matters of Indian law, such
disclosures constitute accurate summaries thereof in all material
respects.
(ii) Counsel
has participated in certain conferences with officers and other representatives
of the Company, representatives of the independent registered public accounting
firm for the Company and representatives of the Underwriters at which certain
contents of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and related matters
were
discussed and although such counsel is not passing upon in any way and does
not
assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
statements contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and based
on
the foregoing, no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which
led
them to believe that either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
or any
amendment or supplement thereto (except for the financial statements and
related
schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express any belief), as
of the
date of such opinion, solely with respect to matters of Indian law, contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
4.2.3. Closing
Date and Option Closing Date Opinion of Counsel.
On each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative
shall have received the favorable opinion of GM and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, dated
the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, addressed
to
the Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to BR,
confirming as of the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Option Closing
Date,
the statements made by GM and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in their opinions
delivered on the Effective Date.
20
4.2.4 Reliance.
In
rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (i) as to matters involving
the
application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions
in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to
the
extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions
(in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to BR) of other counsel reasonably
acceptable to GM, familiar with the applicable laws, and (ii) as to matters
of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written
statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various
jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence
or
good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements
or
certificates shall be delivered to the Underwriters’ counsel if requested. The
opinion of counsel for the Company and any opinion relied upon by such counsel
for the Company shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied
upon by counsel for the Underwriters in its opinion delivered to the
Underwriters.
4.3 Cold
Comfort Letter.
At the
time this Agreement is executed, and at each of the Closing Date and the
Option
Closing Date, if any, you shall have received a letter, addressed to the
Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects (including
the non-material nature of the changes or decreases, if any, referred to
in
clause (iii) below) to you and to BR from GGK dated, respectively, as of
the
date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and the Option Closing
Date,
if any:
(i) Confirming
that they are independent registered public accounting firm with respect
to the
Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable Regulations and
that
they have not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included
in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such
term
is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act;
(ii) Stating
that in their opinion the financial statements of the Company included in
the
Registration Statement and Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects
with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the published
Regulations thereunder;
(iii) Stating
that, on the basis of a reading of the latest available unaudited interim
financial statements of the Company (with an indication of the date of the
latest available unaudited interim financial statements), a reading of the
latest available minutes of the stockholders and board of directors and the
various committees of the board of directors, consultations with officers
and
other employees of the Company responsible for financial and accounting matters
and other specified procedures and inquiries, they have been advised by the
Company officials that (a) the unaudited financial statements of the Company
included in the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
Regulations or are fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a basis substantially consistent with that
of
the audited financial statements of the Company included in the Registration
Statement and (b) at a date not later than five days prior to the Effective
Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was
no
change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company, or any decrease
in
the stockholders’ equity of the Company as compared with amounts shown in the
April 30, 2006 balance sheet included in the Registration Statement, other
than
as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, or, if there
was
any decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease;
(iv) Stating
that they have compared specific dollar amounts, numbers of shares, percentages
of revenues and earnings, statements and other financial information pertaining
to the Company set forth in the Prospectus in each case to the extent that
such
amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and information may be derived
from
the general accounting records, including work sheets, of the Company and
excluding any questions requiring an interpretation by legal counsel, with
the
results obtained from the application of specified readings, inquiries and
other
appropriate procedures (which procedures do not constitute an examination
in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) set forth in the letter
and found them to be in agreement;
21
(v) Stating
that they have not provided the Company’s management with any written
communication in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 60
“Communication of Internal Control Structure Related Matters Noted in an Audit;”
and
(vi) Statements
as to such other matters incident to the transaction contemplated hereby
as you
may reasonably request.
4.4 Officers’
Certificates.
4.4.1 Officers’
Certificate.
At each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative
shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Chairman of
the
Board or the President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company,
dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be,
respectively, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants
and
complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or the
Option
Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section
4.5 hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of Closing Date
and
the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties
of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct. In addition,
the Representative will have received such other and further certificates
of
officers of the Company as the Representative may reasonably
request.
4.4.2 Secretary’s
Certificate.
At each
of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative
shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary
or
Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option
Date,
as the case may be, respectively, certifying (i) that the Bylaws and Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company are true and complete, have not been modified
and are in full force and effect, (ii) that the resolutions relating to the
public offering contemplated by this Agreement are in full force and effect
and
have not been modified, (iii) all correspondence between the Company or its
counsel and the Commission, and (iv) as to the incumbency of the officers
of the
Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached
to such
certificate.
4.5 No
Material Changes.
Prior
to and on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, (i)
there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving
a
prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the
business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest
dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement
and
Prospectus, (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall
have
been pending or threatened against the Company or any Initial Stockholder
before
or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative
agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially
adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition
or
income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement
and
Prospectus, (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Act and
no
proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission,
and (iv) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendments
or
supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required
to
be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations and shall
conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the
Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus nor
any
amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
4.6 Delivery
of Agreements.
4.6.1 Effective
Date Deliveries.
On the
Effective Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed
copies of the Escrow Agreement, the Trust Agreement, the Warrant Agreement,
the
Services Agreement, all of the Subscription Agreements and all of the Insider
Letters.
22
4.6.2 Closing
Date Deliveries.
On the
Closing Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed
copies of the Representative’s Purchase Option.
4.7 Opinion
of Counsel for the Underwriters.
All
proceedings taken in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale
of the
Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form
and
substance to you and to BR and you shall have received from such counsel
a
favorable opinion, dated the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if
any,
with respect to such of these proceedings as you may reasonably require.
On or
prior to the Effective Date, the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date,
as
the case may be, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished such
documents, certificates and opinions as they may reasonably require for the
purpose of enabling them to review or pass upon the matters referred to in
this
Section 4.7, or in order to evidence the accuracy, completeness or satisfaction
of any of the representations, warranties or conditions herein
contained.
4.8 Secondary
Market Trading Survey.
On the
Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the Secondary Market
Trading Survey from GM.
4.9 Insider
Securities.
On the
Closing Date, the Insider Purchaser shall have purchased the Insider Securities
and the purchase price for such Insider Securities shall be deposited into
the
Trust Fund.
5 Indemnification.
5.1 Indemnification
of Underwriters.
5.1.1 General.
Subject
to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each of the Underwriters, and each dealer selected by you that
participates in the offer and sale of the Securities (each a “Selected Dealer”)
and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each person,
if any, who controls any such Underwriter (“controlling person”) within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, against
any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including
but
not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between
any of the Underwriters and the Company or between any of the Underwriters
and
any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject
under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or
otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based
upon
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in
(i) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
(as
from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) in any
post-effective amendment or amendments or any new registration statement
and
prospectus in which is included securities of the Company issued or issuable
upon exercise of the Representative’s Purchase Option; or (iii) any application
or other document or written communication (in this Section 5 collectively
called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information
furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Securities
under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state
securities commission or agency, Nasdaq or any securities exchange; or the
omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be
stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement
or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company with respect to an Underwriter by or on behalf of
such
Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or in any
application, as the case may be. With respect to any untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary
Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall not
inure
to the benefit of any Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability,
claim,
damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of
the
Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss,
liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale
of
the Securities to such person as required by the Act and the Regulations,
and if
the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless
such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by
the
Company with its obligations under Section 3.4 hereof. The Company agrees
promptly to notify the Representative of the commencement of any litigation
or
proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or controlling
persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities or in connection
with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
23
5.1.2 Procedure.
If any
action is brought against an Underwriter, a Selected Dealer or a controlling
person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant
to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter or Selected Dealer shall promptly notify
the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company
shall
assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel
(subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter or Selected Dealer,
as
the case may be) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter, Selected
Dealer or controlling person shall have the right to employ its or their
own
counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall
be at
the expense of such Underwriter, Selected Dealer or controlling person unless
(i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have
been
authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such
action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Underwriter or Selected Dealer, as the case may be, to
have
charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or
parties
shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it
or
them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company
(in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense
of
such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which
events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm
of
attorneys (in addition to a local firm of attorneys in any applicable
jurisdiction) selected by the Underwriter, Selected Dealer and/or controlling
person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, if the Underwriter, Selected Dealer or controlling person
shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall
have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. This Indemnification provided
for
in this Section 5.1 shall not be available to any party who shall fail to
give
notice as provided in this Section 5.1.2 if the Company was unaware of the
proceeding to which such notice would have related and was actually prejudiced
by the failure to give such notice; provided,
however,
that
indemnification shall only be limited to the extent of such prejudice;
provided,
further,
that,
the omission so to notify the Company will not relieve it from any liability
which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section
5.1. The Company shall not without the prior written consent of the indemnified
party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect
of which any indemnified party is or could have been sought hereunder by
such
indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release
of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject
matter
of such proceedings.
5.2 Indemnification
of the Company.
Each
Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control
the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several
Underwriters, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
or
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application,
in
reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished
to
the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter
expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
or
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application.
In
case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person
so
indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement
or
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and
in
respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such
Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the
Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties
given to the several Underwriters by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.
24
5.3 Contribution.
5.3.1 Contribution
Rights.
In
order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Act in any
case
in which (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this Section 5
makes claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined
(by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction
and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal)
that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding
the
fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii)
contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required
on the
part of any such person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided
under this Section 5, then, and in each such case, the Company and the
Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims,
damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement
incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportions
that the Underwriters and the Company are responsible for; provided, that,
no
person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was
not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions
of
this Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount
in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Public Securities
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been
required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee
of
an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who
controls an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning
of
Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Underwriters or the Company, as applicable.
5.3.2 Contribution
Procedure.
Within
fifteen days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its
representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding,
such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be
made
against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of
the commencement thereof, but the omission to so notify the contributing
party
will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party
other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or
proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing
party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid
fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein
with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified.
Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking
contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding
effected by such party seeking contribution on account of any settlement
of any
claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution without
the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions
contained in this Section are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted
by
law, any right to contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise
available. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section
5.3 are several and not joint.
6 Default
by an Underwriter.
6.1 Default
Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units.
If any
Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to
purchase the Firm Units or the Option Units, if the over-allotment option
is
exercised, hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Units or Option Units
with
respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10%
of
the number of Firm Units or Option Units that all Underwriters have agreed
to
purchase hereunder, then such Firm Units or Option Units to which the default
relates shall be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion
to
their respective commitments hereunder.
6.2 Default
Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units.
In the
event that the default addressed in Section 6.1 above relates to more than
10%
of the Firm Units or Option Units, you may in your discretion arrange for
yourself or for another party or parties to purchase such Firm Units or Option
Units to which such default relates on the terms contained herein. If within
one
business day after such default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Units
or
Option Units you do not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Units or Option
Units, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one business
day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to you
to
purchase said Firm Units or Option Units on such terms. In the event that
neither you nor the Company arrange for the purchase of the Firm Units or
Option
Units to which a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement
will be terminated by you or the Company without liability on the part of
the
Company (except as provided in Sections 3.13 and 5 hereof) or the several
Underwriters (except as provided in Section 5 hereof); provided, however,
that
if such default occurs with respect to the Option Units, this Agreement will
not
terminate as to the Firm Units; and provided further that nothing herein
shall
relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the other several
Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned by its default
hereunder.
25
6.3 Postponement
of Closing Date.
In the
event that the Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates are
to be
purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another
party or parties as aforesaid, you or the Company shall have the right to
postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period,
but
not in any event exceeding five business days, in order to effect whatever
changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees
to
file promptly any amendment to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
that
in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters may thereby be made necessary.
The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party
substituted under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally
been a
party to this Agreement with respect to such Securities.
7 Intentionally
Omitted.
8 Additional
Covenants.
8.1 Intentionally
Omitted.
8.2 Additional
Shares or Options.
The
Company hereby agrees that until the consummation of a Business Combination,
it
shall not issue any shares of Common Stock or any options or other securities
convertible or exercisable or exchangeable into Common Stock, or any shares
of
Preferred Stock which participate in any manner in the Trust Fund or which
vote
as a class with the Common Stock on a Business Combination.
8.3 Trust
Fund Waiver Acknowledgment.
(a) Underwriters/Representative.
Except
with respect to (i) the underwriting discounts and commissions due to the
Underwriters and (ii) the investment banking fee due to the Representative
pursuant to Section 3.27 only upon successful consummation of a Business
Combination, each of the Underwriters and the Representative hereby agree
that
it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to
any
monies in the Trust Fund (“Claim”) and waive any Claim it may have in the future
as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements
with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any
reason whatsoever.
(b) Target
Businesses and Vendors.
The
Company hereby agrees that it will not commence its due diligence investigation
of any operating business which the Company seeks to acquire (“Target Business”)
or obtain the services of any vendor unless and until such Target Business
or
vendor acknowledges in writing, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum
of understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges
the
same in any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that (a)
it has
read the Prospectus and understands that the Company has established the
Trust
Fund for the benefit of the public stockholders and that the Company may
disburse monies from the Trust Fund only (i) to the public stockholders in
the
event they elect to convert their IPO Shares (as defined below in Section
8.8),
(ii) to the public stockholders upon the liquidation of the Company if the
Company fails to consummate a Business Combination or (iii) to the Company
after, or concurrently with, the consummation of a Business Combination and
(b)
for and in consideration of the Company (1) agreeing to evaluate such Target
Business for purposes of consummating a Business Combination with it or (2)
agreeing to engage the services of the vendor, as the case may be, such Target
Business or vendor agrees that it does not have Claim in or to any monies
in the
Trust Fund and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of,
or
arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company
and
will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any reason whatsoever.
26
8.4 Insider
Letters.
The
Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action which would
cause a
breach of any of the Insider Letters executed between each Initial Stockholder
and EBC and will not allow any amendments to, or waivers of, such Insider
Letters without the prior written consent of EBC.
8.5 Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws.
The
Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action that would cause
the Company to be in breach or violation of its Certificate of Incorporation
or
Bylaws. Prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company
will
not amend its Certificate of Incorporation without the prior written consent
of
EBC.
8.6 Blue
Sky Requirements.
The
Company shall provide counsel to the Representative with ten copies of all
proxy
information and all related material filed with the Commission in connection
with a Business Combination concurrently with such filing with the Commission.
In addition, the Company shall furnish any other state in which its initial
public offering was registered, such information as may be requested by such
state.
8.7 Intentionally
Omitted.
8.8 Acquisition/Liquidation
Procedure.
The
Company agrees: (i) that, prior to the consummation of any Business Combination,
it will submit such transaction to the Company's stockholders for their approval
(“Business Combination Vote”) even if the nature of the acquisition is such as
would not ordinarily require stockholder approval under applicable state
law;
and (ii) that, in the event that the Company does not effect a Business
Combination within 24 months from the Effective Date, the Company will be
liquidated and will distribute to all holders of IPO Shares (defined below)
an
aggregate sum equal to the Company’s “Liquidation Value.” The Company’s
“Liquidation Value” shall mean the Company’s book value, as determined by the
Company and approved by GGK. In no event, however, will the Company’s
Liquidation Value be less than the Trust Fund, inclusive of any net interest
income thereon. Only holders of IPO Shares shall be entitled to receive
liquidating distributions and the Company shall pay no liquidating distributions
with respect to any other shares of capital stock of the Company. With respect
to the Business Combination Vote, the Company shall cause all of the Initial
Stockholders to vote the shares of Common Stock owned by them immediately
prior
to this Offering in accordance with the vote of the holders of a majority
of the
IPO Shares present, in person or by proxy, at a meeting of the Company’s
stockholders called for such purpose. At the time the Company seeks approval
of
any potential Business Combination, the Company will offer each holder of
Common
Stock issued in this Offering (“IPO Shares”) the right to convert their IPO
Shares at a per share price (“Conversion Price”) equal to the amount in the
Trust Fund (inclusive of any interest income therein) calculated as of two
business days prior to the consummation of the proposed Business Combination
divided by the total number of IPO Shares. If a majority of the holders of
IPO
Shares present and entitled to vote on the Business Combination vote in favor
of
such Business Combination and holders of less than 20% in interest of the
Company’s IPO Shares elect to convert their IPO Shares, the Company may, but
will not be required to, proceed with such Business Combination. If the Company
elects to so proceed, it will convert shares, based upon the Conversion Price,
from those holders of IPO Shares who affirmatively requested such conversion
and
who voted against the Business Combination. If holders of 20% or more in
interest of the IPO Shares, who vote against approval of any potential Business
Combination, elect to convert their IPO Shares, the Company will not proceed
with such Business Combination and will not convert such shares. The provisions
of this Section 8.8 may not be modified, amended or deleted under any
circumstances.
27
8.9 Rule
419.
The
Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to prevent the Company from
becoming subject to Rule 419 under the Act prior to the consummation of any
Business Combination, including but not limited to using its best efforts
to
prevent any of the Company’s outstanding securities from being deemed to be a
“▇▇▇▇▇ stock” as defined in Rule 3a-51-1 under the Exchange Act during such
period.
8.10 Affiliated
Transactions.
The
Company shall cause each of the Initial Stockholders to agree that, in order
to
minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple
affiliations, the Initial Stockholders will present to the Company for its
consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or company, any
suitable opportunity to acquire an operating business, until the earlier
of the
consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of
the
Company or until such time as the Initial Stockholders cease to be an officer
or
director of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual
obligations the Initial Stockholders might have.
8.11 Target
Net Assets.
The
Company agrees that the initial Target Business that it acquires must have
a
fair market value equal to at least 80% of the Company’s net assets (all of the
Company’s assets, including the funds held in the Trust Fund, less the Company’s
liabilities) at the time of such acquisition. The fair market value of such
business must be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company based
upon
standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as actual and
potential sales, earnings and cash flow and book value. If the Board of
Directors of the Company is not able to independently determine that the
target
business has a fair market value of at least 80% of the Company’s net assets at
the time of such acquisition, the Company will obtain an opinion from an
unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm which is a member of the
NASD
with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. The Company is not required
to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market
value
if the Company’s Board of Directors independently determines that the Target
Business does have sufficient fair market value.
9 Representations
and Agreements to Survive Delivery.
Except
as the context otherwise requires, all representations, warranties and
agreements contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations,
warranties and agreements at the Closing Date or Option Closing Date and
such
representations, warranties and agreements of the Underwriters and Company,
including the indemnity agreements contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain
operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made
by
or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any controlling person, and
shall survive termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery
of the
Securities to the several Underwriters until the earlier of the expiration
of
any applicable statute of limitations and the seventh anniversary of the
later
of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, at which time the
representations, warranties and agreements shall terminate and be of no further
force and effect.
10 Effective
Date of This Agreement and Termination Thereof.
10.1 Effective
Date.
This
Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date at the time the
Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.
10.2 Termination.
You
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any
Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence
has materially disrupted, or in your opinion will in the immediate future
materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii)
if
trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the
Boston
Stock Exchange or on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor trading market)
shall have been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall
have
been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been fixed,
or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required on the
NASD
OTC Bulletin Board or by order of the Commission or any other government
authority having jurisdiction, or (iii) if the United States shall have become
involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking
moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or
(v) if
a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially
adversely impacts the United States securities market, or (vi) if the Company
shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane,
earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether
or
not such loss shall have been insured, will, in your opinion, make it
inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Units, or (vii) if any of
the
Company’s representations, warranties or covenants hereunder are breached, or
(viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof
of
such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company,
or
such adverse material change in general market conditions, including without
limitation as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof, as
in the
Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the
offering, sale and/or delivery of the Units or to enforce contracts made
by the
Underwriters for the sale of the Securities.
28
10.3 Expenses.
In the
event that this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever,
within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the
terms
herein, the obligations of the Company to pay the out of pocket expenses
related
to the transactions contemplated herein shall be governed by Section 3.13
hereof.
10.4 Indemnification.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election
hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this
Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not
be in
any way effected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out
the
terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.
11 Miscellaneous.
11.1 Notices.
All
communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided,
shall be in writing and shall be mailed, delivered or telecopied and confirmed
and shall be deemed given when so delivered or telecopied and confirmed or
if
mailed, two days after such mailing
If
to the
Representative:
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇
▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chairman
Copy
to:
Blank
Rome LLP
The
Chrysler Building
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
If
to the
Company:
East
India Company Acquisition Corp.
▇▇
▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
29
Copy
to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇
The
Chrysler Building
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
11.2 Headings.
The
headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference,
and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of
any of
the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
11.3 Amendment.
Except
for Section 8.8 (which may not be amended under any circumstances), this
Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of
the
parties hereto.
11.4 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitute the entire
agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and
thereof, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings of the parties,
oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
11.5 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon
the
Representative, the Underwriters, the Company and the controlling persons,
directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective
successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person shall
have or
be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
or in
respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein
contained.
11.6 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with
the
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law
principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of
another jurisdiction. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding
or
claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement
shall
be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York of the United
States of America for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably
submits
to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company
hereby
waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts
represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served
upon
the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it
at
the address set forth in Section 11 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed
personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action,
proceeding or claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in
any
such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of
its
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding
and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.
11.7 Execution
in Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be an
original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been
signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties
hereto. Facsimile signatures will be binding and effective as
originals.
30
11.8 Waiver,
Etc.
The
failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver
of
any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement
or
any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter
enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the
party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought;
and
no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be
construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach,
non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
31
If
the
foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters
and
the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose,
whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between
us.
Very
truly yours,
EAST
INDIA COMPANY ACQUISITION CORP.
By: ___________________________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted
on the date first
above
written.
EARLYBIRDCAPITAL,
INC.
By:
______________________________
Name:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title:
Managing Director
SCHEDULE
I
EAST
INDIA COMPANY ACQUISITION CORP.
6,000,000
Units
|
Underwriter
|
Number
of Firm Units
to
be Purchased
|
|
|
EarlyBirdCapital,
Inc.
|
||
|
6,000,000
|