British Virgin Islands |
6770 |
98-1600102 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
David A. Sakowitz Jason D. Osborn Jeffrey Stern Winston & Strawn LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, NY 10166 Tel: (212) 294-6700 |
Rohan Malhotra Chief Executive Officer Roadzen, Inc. c/o Cogency Global Inc. 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201 Dover, DE 19904 Tel: (800) 483-1140 |
Evan M. D’Amico Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP 1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 955-8500 |
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
☒ | Smaller reporting company | |||||
Emerging growth company |
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THE PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER AND SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE 30, 2023
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP.
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting (the “Vahanna Special Meeting”) of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”), at [●] a.m., New York time, on [●], 2023, at [●] and virtually at https://www.cstproxy.com/[●].
On February 10, 2023, Vahanna entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, the “merger agreement”) with Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna (“Merger Sub”), and Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Roadzen”), whereby Merger Sub will merge with and into Roadzen, with Roadzen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna (the “merger”).
In the event that redemptions of Vahanna Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting are less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Vahanna, which is comprised of 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 5,002,500 Vahanna Class B Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares,” and together with Class A Ordinary Shares, the “Vahanna ordinary shares”), then at least one (1) business day prior to the merger, Vahanna will change its domicile by way of its continuation out of the British Virgin Islands, as a business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and into the State of Delaware to become a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”). In connection with the merger or, as applicable, the Domestication, Vahanna will change its name to Roadzen Inc. (“New Roadzen”).
In connection with the merger, New Roadzen will issue or reserve for issuance 68,300,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Roadzen (the “New Roadzen Ordinary Shares”, and if the Domestication occurs pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, following the effective time of the merger, references herein to “New Roadzen Ordinary Shares” shall mean common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Roadzen) (such consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). Each outstanding share of Roadzen common stock, including common stock held by prior owners of Roadzen preferred stock (other than shares owned by Roadzen as treasury stock and dissenting shares) (“Existing Roadzen Common Stock”) will represent a right to receive a pro rata portion (on a fully-diluted basis) of Merger Consideration. New Roadzen will also reserve a portion of the Merger Consideration for issuance upon the future conversion, exercise, vesting and/or settlement of any other equity security of Roadzen (other than Existing Roadzen Common Stock, warrants of Roadzen and Roadzen RSUs) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (the “New Roadzen Assumed Additional Securities”). In addition, a portion of the Merger Consideration shall be used for Roadzen RSUs (as defined below) outstanding immediately prior to the merger and converted into New Roadzen RSUs (as defined below) that are assumed under the Incentive Plan (as defined below).
If no public shareholders exercise their redemption rights with respect to the public shares they hold, New Roadzen’s ordinary shares issued and outstanding immediately after the business combination is expected to be as follows: (a) former Roadzen stockholders, 70.0%; (b) public shareholders of Class A Ordinary Shares, 24.0%; and (c) holders of Class B Ordinary Shares, 6.0%. If the public shareholders fully exercise their redemption rights with respect to all of the public shares they hold, the combined company’s ordinary shares issued and outstanding after the business combination are expected to be as follows: (a) former Roadzen stockholders, 92.1%; (b) public shareholders of Class A Ordinary Shares, 0.0%; and (c) Vahanna holders of Class B Ordinary Shares, 7.9%.
Subject to the assumptions set forth under “Basis of Presentation and Glossary” in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, the exchange ratio would have been approximately 27.549 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for each share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock (assuming for purposes of such calculation that all shares of Roadzen preferred stock and all options and warrants to purchase capital stock of Roadzen, in each case
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined below), have converted into New Roadzen Ordinary Shares) with any resulting fractional New Roadzen Ordinary Shares rounded up to the nearest whole share.
Vahanna’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). In connection with transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, Vahanna units will automatically be separated into their underlying Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants, with any fractional public warrants being forfeited for no consideration. We have applied to list the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and public warrants on Nasdaq under the symbols RDZN and RDZNW, respectively, upon the closing of the merger.
The Vahanna Special Meeting is being held in lieu of the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders to consider matters relating to the proposed merger. Vahanna and Roadzen cannot complete the merger unless Vahanna’s shareholders consent to the approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to be issued as the merger consideration, and Roadzen’s stockholders’ consent to adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. Vahanna is sending you this proxy statement/prospectus to ask you to vote in favor of these and the other matters described in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The Vahanna Special Meeting will be held on [●], 2023 at [●], New York time, at the office of [●]. You can participate in the meeting, vote, and submit questions via live webcast by visiting [●] with the password of [●] and entering the voter control number included on your proxy card. You will not be required to attend the meeting in person in order to vote, and Vahanna encourages virtual participation. You will need the control number that is printed on your proxy card to enter the Vahanna Special Meeting. Vahanna recommends that you log in at least 15 minutes before the meeting to ensure you are logged in when the Vahanna Special Meeting starts.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES YOU OWN. To ensure your representation at the Vahanna Special Meeting, please complete and return the enclosed proxy card or submit your proxy by following the instructions contained in this proxy statement/prospectus and on your proxy card. Please submit your proxy promptly whether or not you expect to attend the meeting. Submitting a proxy now will NOT prevent you from being able to vote at the meeting. If you hold your shares in “street name,” you should instruct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote in accordance with the voting instruction form you receive from your broker, bank or other nominee.
The Vahanna board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and recommends that Vahanna shareholders vote “FOR” the matters to be considered at the Vahanna Special Meeting, including the proposed merger and the issuance of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
This proxy statement/prospectus provides you with detailed business and financial information about the proposed merger. It also contains or references information about Vahanna and Roadzen and certain related matters. This information is available without charge to equity holders upon written or oral request, which can be made to Morrow Sodali LLC in writing at 333 Ludlow Street, 5th Floor, South Tower, Stamford, CT 06902 or by telephone at (800) 662-5200. To obtain timely delivery, equity holders must request the information by no later than five (5) days before the date they make their investment decision. You are encouraged to read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully. In particular, you should read the section titled “Risk Factors” for a discussion of the risks you should consider in evaluating the proposed merger and how it will affect you.
If you have any questions regarding the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, you may contact Morrow Sodali LLC, Vahanna’s proxy solicitor, toll-free at (800) 662-5200 (banks and brokers call (203) 658-9400) or by email at VHNA@investor.morrowsodali.com.
Sincerely,
/s/ Karan Puri
Karan Puri
Chief Executive Officer
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the merger, the issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with the merger or the other transactions described in this proxy statement/prospectus, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this proxy statement/prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This proxy statement/prospectus is dated [●], 2023 and is first being mailed to shareholders of Vahanna on or about [●], 2023.
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP.
NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING IN LIEU OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON [●], 2023
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting in lieu of the 2023 annual meeting of the shareholders (the “Vahanna Special Meeting”), of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (which is referred to as “Vahanna”) will be held New York time, on [●], 2023, at the office of [●]. You can participate in the meeting, vote, and submit questions via live webcast by visiting [●] with the password of [●] and entering the voter control number included on your proxy card. You will not be required to attend the meeting in person in order to vote, and Vahanna encourages virtual participation. Vahanna recommends that you log in at least 15 minutes before the Vahanna Special Meeting to ensure you are logged in when the meeting starts. You are cordially invited to attend the Vahanna Special Meeting for the following purposes:
1. | The Business Combination Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2023 (as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “merger agreement”), by and among Vahanna, Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna (“Merger Sub”), and Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Roadzen”), and to approve the transactions contemplated thereby. If the merger agreement is adopted by Roadzen’s stockholders, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance of ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna (“New Roadzen Ordinary Shares”, and if the Domestication occurs pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, following the effective time of the merger, references herein to “New Roadzen Ordinary Shares” shall mean common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Roadzen) to be issued as the merger consideration, is approved by Vahanna’s shareholders, and the merger is subsequently completed, Merger Sub will merge with and into Roadzen, with Roadzen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna (the “merger”). A copy of the merger agreement is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A (Proposal No. 1); |
2. | The Charter Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, assuming the Business Combination Proposal is approved and adopted, the proposed amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of Vahanna (the “Proposed Charter”) that will be in effect upon the closing of the merger (the “closing”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B (Proposal No. 2); |
3. | The Governance Proposals — To consider and vote upon on a non-binding advisory basis certain governance provisions set forth in the Proposed Charter, which are being separately presented in accordance with the requirements of the SEC (collectively, the “Governance Proposals”): |
a. | to eliminate the Class A Ordinary Share and Class B Ordinary Share classifications and provide for a single class of ordinary shares (Proposal No. 3A); |
b. | to provide clear instructions as to how a shareholder may bring matters before a general meeting and to increase the share ownership required for a member’s requisition from not less than ten percent (10%) to not less than thirty percent (30%) (Proposal No. 3B); |
c. | to provide that directors may be removed only for cause and by shareholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of New Roadzen’s voting power (Proposal No. 3C); and |
d. | to increase the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares that constitute a quorum from one-third (1/3) to one-half (1/2) (Proposal No. 3D). |
These proposals, along with Proposal No. 2, will only be presented and voted upon in the event that holders elect to redeem 12,000,000 or more Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting (or at least approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, which is comprised of 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 5,002,500 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”, and together with the Class A Ordinary Shares, the “Vahanna ordinary shares”)). If not, we will present Proposals No. 4 through 6D.
4. | The Domestication Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to, at least one (1) business day prior to the merger, (a) change the domicile of Vahanna by way of its continuation out of the British Virgin Islands, as a business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and into the State of Delaware to become a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”) pursuant to Section 184 of the BVI Business Companies Act (As Revised), and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“DGCL”), respectively, and (b) in connection therewith to adopt, upon the Domestication taking effect, the certificate of incorporation attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex I (the “Interim Charter”), in place of the memorandum and articles of association currently registered by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands (the “Existing Charter”), and which will remove or amend those provisions of the Existing Charter that terminate or otherwise cease to be applicable as a result of the Domestication (Proposal No. 4). This proposal will only be presented and voted upon in the event that holders of less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares) have elected to redeem such shares as of two (2) business days immediately prior to such Vahanna Special Meeting. |
5. | The Delaware Charter Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, assuming the Domestication Proposal is approved and adopted, the proposed amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Vahanna (the “Proposed Delaware Charter”) that will be in effect upon the closing of the merger (the “closing”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex J (Proposal No. 5) |
6. | The Delaware Governance Proposals — To consider and vote upon on a non-binding advisory basis certain governance provisions set forth in the Proposed Delaware Charter, which are being separately presented in accordance with the requirements of the SEC (collectively, the “Delaware Governance Proposals”): |
a. | to eliminate the Class A Ordinary Share and Class B Ordinary Share classifications and provide for a single class of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (Proposal No. 6A); |
b. | to provide clear instructions as to how a stockholder may bring matters before a general meeting and to increase the stock ownership required for a member’s requisition from not less than ten percent (10%) to not less than thirty percent (30%) (Proposal No. 6B); |
c. | to provide that directors may be removed only for cause and by stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of New Roadzen’s voting power (Proposal No. 6C); and |
d. | to increase the number of shares of New Roadzen Common Stock that constitute a quorum from one-third (1/3) to one-half (1/2) (Proposal No. 6D). |
These proposals, along with Proposal No. 5, will only be presented and voted upon in the event that elections to redeem Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting are less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares).
7. | The Nasdaq Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, for purposes of complying with applicable listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”): (i) the issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares pursuant to and in connection with the merger agreement and the PIPE Investment; and (ii) the related change of control of Vahanna that will occur in connection with consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (Proposal No. 7); |
8. | The Incentive Plan Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Incentive Plan (as defined herein) (Proposal No. 8); |
9. | The ESPP Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the ESPP (as defined herein) (Proposal No. 9); and |
10. | The Adjournment Proposal — To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Vahanna Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Vahanna Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the |
foregoing proposals, or holders of Class A Ordinary Shares have elected to redeem an amount of shares such that Vahanna would have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (Proposal No. 10). |
Only holders of record of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares at the close of business on [●], 2023 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of the Vahanna Special Meeting and to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting (or any adjournments or postponements of the Vahanna Special Meeting). The eligible Vahanna shareholder list will also be available at that time on the Vahanna Special Meeting website for examination by any shareholder attending the Vahanna Special Meeting live audio webcast.
Pursuant to Vahanna’s Existing Charter, Vahanna will provide holders (“public shareholders”) of its Class A Ordinary Shares with the opportunity to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the trust account (the “Trust Account”), which holds the proceeds of Vahanna’s initial public offering (“IPO”) as of two (2) business days prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Proposal (including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of taxes paid or payable, if any)) upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. For illustrative purposes, based on funds in the Trust Account of approximately $209.3 million on March 31, 2023, the estimated per share redemption price would have been approximately $10.46, inclusive of additional interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Vahanna to pay taxes. Public shareholders may elect to redeem their shares even if they vote for the Business Combination Proposal. A public shareholder, together with any of his, her or its affiliates or any other person with whom he, she or it is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Class A Ordinary Shares, without the prior written consent of Vahanna. Vahanna LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights in connection with the consummation of the merger with respect to any Class A Ordinary Shares they may hold. Currently, the Sponsor owns approximately 19.4% of the Vahanna ordinary shares, consisting of Class B Ordinary Shares, initially purchased by the Sponsor in a private placement (together with any Class A Ordinary Shares issued upon the conversion thereof, “Founder Shares”). Vahanna’s directors and officers do not own any Vahanna ordinary shares. Founder Shares will be excluded from the pro rata calculation used to determine the per share redemption price. The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote any Founder Shares owned by them in favor of the proposals set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Approval of each of the proposals set forth herein requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Vahanna board of directors has already approved each of the proposals.
As of March 31, 2023, there was approximately $209.3 million in the Trust Account, which Vahanna intends to use for the purposes of consummating a business combination within the time period described in this proxy statement/prospectus and to pay approximately $6,525,000 in deferred underwriting commissions to the underwriters of the IPO. Each redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares by its public shareholders will decrease the amount in the Trust Account. Vahanna will not consummate the merger if the redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares would result in Vahanna’s failure to have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (or any successor rule).
If Vahanna shareholders fail to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal or, as applicable, the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal or the Delaware Charter Proposal, the merger will not occur. The Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Incentive Plan Proposal are conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the Nasdaq Proposal. The Adjournment Proposal, the Governance Proposals and the Delaware Governance Proposals are not conditioned on the approval of any other proposal. The proxy statement/prospectus accompanying this notice explains the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, as well as the proposals to be considered at the Vahanna Special Meeting. Please review this proxy statement/prospectus carefully.
The Vahanna board of directors has set [●], 2023 as the record date for the Vahanna Special Meeting. Only holders of record of Vahanna ordinary shares at the close of business on [●], 2023 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Any shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting may attend the meeting virtually and is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on such shareholder’s behalf. Such proxy need not be a holder of Vahanna ordinary shares.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF VAHANNA ORDINARY SHARES YOU OWN. Whether or not you plan to attend the Vahanna Special Meeting, please complete, sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided at your earliest convenience. You may also submit a proxy by telephone or via the Internet by following the instructions printed on your proxy card. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, you should direct the vote of your shares in accordance with the voting instruction form received from your broker, bank or other nominee.
The Vahanna board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and recommends that you vote “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the Charter Proposal, “FOR” the Governance Proposal, “FOR” the Domestication Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Delaware Charter Proposal, “FOR” the Delaware Governance Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Nasdaq Proposal, “FOR” the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the ESPP Proposal, and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal (to the extent required).
If you have any questions or need assistance with voting, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC, Vahanna’s proxy solicitor, toll-free at (800) 662-5200 (banks and brokers call (203) 658-9400) or by email at VHNA@investor.morrowsodali.com.
If you plan to attend the Vahanna Special Meeting and are a beneficial shareholder who owns your investments through a bank or broker, you will need to contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company to receive a control number. Please read carefully the sections in the proxy statement/prospectus regarding attending and voting at the Vahanna Special Meeting to ensure that you comply with these requirements.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
/s/ Saurav Adhikari |
Saurav Adhikari |
Chairman of the Board |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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26 | ||||
UNAUDITED HISTORICAL COMPARATIVE AND PRO FORMA COMBINED PER SHARE INFORMATION OF VAHANNA AND ROADZEN |
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32 | ||||
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS; MARKET, RANKING AND OTHER INDUSTRY DATA |
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36 | ||||
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138 | ||||
VAHANNA’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
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ROADZEN’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT OF NEW ROADZEN |
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PROPOSALS NO. 6A THROUGH NO. 6D — THE DELAWARE GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS |
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ANNEX B — FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION |
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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND GLOSSARY
As used in this proxy statement/prospectus, unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise requires:
• | references to “BVI” are to the British Virgin Islands; |
• | references to “BVI Companies Act” are to the British Virgin Islands Business Companies Act (As Revised); |
• | references to “Convertible Note” are to the unsecured convertible promissory note dated June 20, 2022 in the aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000 issued by Vahanna to the Sponsor for working capital purposes, from which $975,000 was drawn down as of March 31, 2023; |
• | references to “Effective Time” are to the time at which the merger becomes effective; |
• | references to “ESPP” are to the New Roadzen 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the approval of which is the subject of the ESPP Proposal; |
• | references to “Existing Charter” means the memorandum and articles of association currently registered by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands; |
• | references to “Existing Roadzen Common Stock” are to each outstanding share of Roadzen common stock, including common stock converted from Existing Roadzen Preferred Stock, immediately prior to the Effective Time; |
• | references to “Existing Roadzen Preferred Stock” are to each outstanding share of Roadzen’s preferred stock immediately prior to the Effective Time; |
• | references to “Extension Note” are to the unsecured convertible promissory note dated May 24, 2023 in the aggregate principal amount of $1,452,726 issued by Vahanna to the Sponsor for purposes of the Extensions, from which $1,320,660 was drawn down as of June 22, 2023. The Extension Note was issued with an original issue discount of ten percent (10.0%) and a principal amount of $1,452,726, and bears interest at a rate of twenty percent (20.0%) per annum. The Extension Note is due and payable (subject to the waiver against trust provisions) on the earlier of (i) the date on which an initial business combination is consummated and (ii) the date of the liquidation of Vahanna; |
• | references to “Founder Shares” are to the Class B Ordinary Shares initially purchased by the Sponsor in a private placement, together with any Class A Ordinary Shares issued upon the conversion thereof, including such shares transferred by the Sponsor to certain of Vahanna’s directors and officers, but do not include such Class B Ordinary Shares held by Mizuho Securities USA LLC (“Mizuho”); |
• | references to “GAAP” are to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America; |
• | references to the “Holder Representative” are to the representative of the Pre-Closing Holders, to be selected in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement; |
• | references to “Incentive Plan” are to the New Roadzen 2023 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the approval of which is the subject of the Incentive Plan Proposal; |
• | references to “IPO” are to Vahanna’s initial public offering of 20,010,000 units of Vahanna (“units”), at an offering price of $10.00 per unit (which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 2,610,000 units, at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments), each unit consisting of one (1) Class A Ordinary Share and one-half (1/2) of one (1) redeemable warrant (the “public warrants”), each whole public warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment; references to “merger” are to the proposed merger of Roadzen with and into Merger Sub, with Roadzen surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of New Roadzen; |
• | references to “merger agreement” are to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2023, by and among Roadzen, Vahanna, and Merger Sub, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time. |
iii
• | references to “Merger Sub” are to Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna; |
• | references to “New Roadzen” are to Roadzen Inc. (formerly Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.), after giving effect to the merger; |
• | references to “New Roadzen Assumed Additional Securities” are to, with respect to the equity securities of Roadzen (other than Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen RSUs) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (prior to the Effective Time, the “Roadzen Additional Securities”), which, following the Effective Time, shall represent an equity security that may vest, settle, convert or be exercised into a New Roadzen Ordinary Share equal to the number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to such Roadzen Additional Security immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement (rounded down to the nearest whole share); |
• | references to “New Roadzen Ordinary Shares” are to, at and following the Effective Time, ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per ordinary share of New Roadzen; provided that if the Domestication occurs pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, following the Effective Time, references herein to “New Roadzen Ordinary Shares” shall mean common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Roadzen; |
• | references to “New Roadzen Preference Shares” are to, at any time following the Effective Time, New Roadzen Preference Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of which none are expected to be outstanding following the consummation of the merger; |
• | references to “New Roadzen Private Warrants” are to the private warrants to purchase New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to be issued in exchange on a one-for-one basis for each Private Placement Warrant of Vahanna outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time; |
• | references to “New Roadzen Public Warrants” are to, at and following the Effective Time, warrants to purchase New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, issuable in exchange on a one-for-one basis for each Vahanna public warrant outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time; |
• | references to “New Roadzen RSUs” are to, with respect to each Roadzen RSU outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, a restricted stock unit representing the right to receive upon vesting and settlement a number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equal to the number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to such Roadzen RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement (rounded down to the nearest whole share) and issued from the Incentive Plan as a Substitute Award (as defined under the Incentive Plan); |
• | references to “New Roadzen Warrants” are to, collectively, the New Roadzen Private Warrants and the New Roadzen Public Warrants; |
• | references to “PIPE Investment” are to a prospective and intended private placement of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. In particular, we assume that, in order to satisfy a closing condition in the merger agreement that requires Vahanna to have minimum net tangible assets of $5,000,001 and minimum available cash of $50 million at the closing of the merger, Vahanna will consummate a private placement of 5,530,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares with certain investors at a price of $10.00 per share, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of $55,300,000. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Vahanna has not entered into any subscription agreements for the PIPE Investment and the actual amount of the PIPE Investment may be greater or less than this target amount; therefore, we have made certain assumptions with respect to the expected size of proceeds and per share issuance price of such securities. We do not expect that the PIPE Investment will be conditioned or dependent on Vahanna public shareholder redemptions; |
• | references to “Pre-Closing Holders” are to all persons who hold one (1) or more shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock, Roadzen RSUs or Roadzen Additional Securities immediately prior to the Effective Time; |
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• | references to “Roadzen” or to the “Company” are to Roadzen, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries; |
• | references to “Roadzen RSUs” are to, collectively, restricted stock units issued by the Company which vest into an equivalent number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock, which will convert into New Roadzen RSUs at the Effective Time pursuant to the merger agreement and be assumed as Substitute Awards under the Incentive Plan; |
• | references to “Sponsor” are to Vahanna LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; |
• | references to “Vahanna” are to Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. before giving effect to the merger; |
• | references to “Vahanna ordinary shares” are to, prior to the Effective Time, collectively, Vahanna’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Ordinary Shares”), and Vahanna’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B Ordinary Shares”); provided that, if the Domestication occurs pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, following the Domestication Effective Time, but prior to the Effective Time, references herein to “Class A Ordinary Shares” shall mean, Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna and “Class B Ordinary Shares” shall mean, Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna; and |
• | references to “Vahanna Warrants” are to, collectively, (i) the public warrants and (ii) the 8,638,500 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) issued by Vahanna to the Sponsor at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, each Private Placement Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment; provided that, (a) at the Effective Time of the merger each Vahanna Warrant shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Public Warrant or New Roadzen Private Warrant (as applicable), to acquire one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share (i.e., ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Roadzen) and (b) if the Domestication occurs pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement (i) following the Domestication Effective Time, but prior to the Effective Time, each Vahanna Warrant, pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Public Warrant or New Roadzen Private Warrant (as applicable), to acquire one (1) Class A Ordinary Share (i.e., Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna) and (ii) following the Effective Time, each Vahanna Warrant shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Public Warrant or New Roadzen Private Warrant (as applicable), to acquire one (1) share of New Roadzen Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share. |
Unless specified otherwise, amounts in this proxy statement/prospectus are presented in United States (“U.S.”) dollars.
Defined terms in the financial statements contained in this proxy statement/prospectus have the meanings ascribed to them in the financial statements.
Unless otherwise specified, the share calculations and ownership percentages set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus with respect to New Roadzen’s shareholders immediately following the Effective Time are for illustrative purposes only and assume the following:
(i) | The issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (a) under a “No Redemption Scenario” will be 83,409,001, (b) under a “50% Redemption Scenario” will be 73,404,001 and (c) under a “Max Redemption Scenario” will be 63,399,001, in each case, assuming that 58,396,501 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares are issued at closing as merger consideration and without giving effect to (x) the exercise of any of the 10,005,000 public warrants, 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants, or any warrants issued at the Closing in satisfaction of the Convertible Note, (y) the 9,903,499 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved and issuable as merger consideration upon the post-closing exercise, acceleration, vesting, settlement, or conversion of any New Roadzen Additional Security or New Roadzen RSU, that remain outstanding as of immediately following |
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the Effective Time or (z) any other post-closing issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares following the Effective Time. The “Maximum Redemption Scenario” assumes that all 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger. The “50% Redemption Scenario” assumes that 50% of the Class A Ordinary Shares (10,005,000 shares) are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger. The “No Redemption Scenario” assumes that none of the 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger. |
(ii) | at the Effective Time, there is an estimated $19.1 million in aggregate outstanding debt of New Roadzen and its subsidiaries (which assumption is subject to change); |
(iii) | at the Effective Time, New Roadzen has an estimated $204 million under the no redemption scenario and $50 million under the maximum redemption scenario (which assumption is subject to change); and |
(iv) | at the Effective Time, there is no adjustment to the total merger consideration pursuant to the merger agreement for Acquisition Proposals (as defined herein) (which assumption is subject to change). |
Beneficial ownership throughout this proxy statement/prospectus with respect to New Roadzen’s shareholders is determined according to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within sixty (60) days.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The following are answers to certain questions that you, as a shareholder of Vahanna may have regarding the merger and the Vahanna Special Meeting (as defined below). We urge you to read carefully the remainder of this proxy statement/prospectus because the information in this section may not provide all the information that might be important to you in determining how to vote. Additional important information is also contained in the annexes to this proxy statement/prospectus.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
Q: | WHAT IS THE MERGER? |
A: | Vahanna, Merger Sub and Roadzen have entered into the merger agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Roadzen, with Roadzen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna. |
Vahanna will hold a special meeting in lieu of the 2023 annual meeting of Vahanna shareholders (the “Vahanna Special Meeting”) to, among other things, obtain the approvals required for the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and you are receiving this proxy statement/ prospectus in connection with such meeting. Roadzen is also providing consent solicitation materials to the holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and the holders of Roadzen’s preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, designated as “Series A Preferred Stock” (including the preferred stock designated as “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) in its Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, the “Roadzen certificate”) (collectively, the “Roadzen Preferred Stock”) to solicit, among other things, the required written consent to adopt and approve in all respects the merger agreement and the merger (the “Business Combination Proposal”). See the section titled “The Merger Agreement.” In addition, a copy of the merger agreement is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A. We urge you to carefully read this proxy statement/ prospectus and the merger agreement in their entirety.
Q: | WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS DOCUMENT? |
A: | Vahanna is sending this proxy statement/prospectus to its shareholders to help them decide how to vote their Vahanna ordinary shares with respect to the matters to be considered at the Vahanna Special Meeting. |
The merger cannot be completed unless Vahanna’s shareholders approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal, the Incentive Plan Proposal and the ESPP Proposal, and, if the Domestication occurs, the Domestication Proposal and the Delaware Charter Proposal, set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. Information about the Vahanna Special Meeting, the merger and other business to be considered by shareholders at the Vahanna Special Meeting is contained in this proxy statement/prospectus.
This document constitutes a proxy statement and a prospectus of Vahanna. It is a proxy statement because the board of directors of Vahanna is soliciting proxies using this proxy statement/prospectus from its shareholders. It is a prospectus because Vahanna, in connection with the merger, is offering New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in exchange for the outstanding shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock. See “The Merger Agreement — Merger Consideration.”
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Q: | WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO VAHANNA’S SECURITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER? |
A: | Assuming the proposals set forth herein are approved and the Domestication does not occur pursuant to the merger agreement, Vahanna will continue as a British Virgin Islands business company and adopt and register the Proposed Charter with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands. |
• | Class A Ordinary Shares: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, each Class A Ordinary Share will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Roadzen (“New Roadzen Ordinary Share”). |
• | Class B Ordinary Shares: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, and pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, each Class B Ordinary Share will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share. |
• | Public warrants: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, and pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, each public warrant will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Public Warrant to acquire one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share. |
• | Private Placement Warrants: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, and pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, each Private Placement Warrant will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Private Warrant to acquire one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share. |
• | Units: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, each unit will automatically be separated into its underlying New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and public warrants, with any fractional public warrant being forfeited for no consideration. |
Assuming the proposals set forth herein are approved and the Domestication occurs pursuant to the merger agreement, Vahanna will continue out of the British Virgin Islands, as a business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and into the State of Delaware to become a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, and in connection therewith adopt and file the Interim Charter.
• | Class A Ordinary Shares: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, each Class A Ordinary Share will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Roadzen (also referred to as a “New Roadzen Ordinary Share” in the context of the Domestication). |
• | Class B Ordinary Shares: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, and pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, each Class B Ordinary Share will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share. |
• | Public warrants: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, and pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, each public warrant will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Public Warrant to acquire one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share. |
• | Private Placement Warrants: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, and pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, each Private Placement Warrant will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Private Warrant to acquire one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share. |
• | Units: Concurrent with the consummation of the merger, each unit will automatically be separated into its underlying New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and public warrants, with any fractional public warrant being forfeited for no consideration. |
Following the Domestication and adoption of the Interim Charter, and upon consummation of the merger and adoption of the Proposed Delaware Charter, securities of Vahanna shall convert on the same basis as if
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no Domestication had occurred, except that such securities shall convert to or represent the right to acquire shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (in the event that a Domestication occurs, “New Roadzen Common Stock”).
Vahanna’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are currently publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “VHNAU,” “VHNA,” and “VHNAW,” respectively. Upon consummation of the merger, New Roadzen will have one class of ordinary shares (or common stock in the event of the Domestication) that will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbol RDZN and its public warrants will be listed on Nasdaq under the symbol RDZNW. New Roadzen will not have units traded on Nasdaq following the consummation of the merger and existing units will automatically be separated into their component securities without any action.
Q: | WHAT WILL ROADZEN STOCKHOLDERS RECEIVE IN THE MERGER? |
A: | Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock, including common stock held by prior owners of Roadzen Preferred Stock (other than shares owned by Roadzen as treasury stock and dissenting shares) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a pro rata portion (on a fully- diluted basis) of approximately 68,300,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (including the portion of such New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance upon the future exercise, conversion, vesting and/or settlement of any New Roadzen RSUs and any New Roadzen Assumed Additional Securities after the closing in accordance with the merger agreement). |
Subject to the assumptions set forth under “Basis of Presentation and Glossary” in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, the exchange ratio would have been approximately 27.549 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for each share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock (assuming for purposes of such calculation that all outstanding shares of Roadzen Preferred Stock and Roadzen RSUs have converted into Existing Roadzen Common Stock), except for any resulting fractional New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
Q: | WHAT ARE THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO U.S. HOLDERS? |
A: | As discussed more fully under the section “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders,” the Deemed Domestication (as defined below) is expected to constitute a conversion of Vahanna from a non-U.S. corporation to a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a reorganization described in Section 368(a)(1)(F) (an “F Reorganization”) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In addition, and only to the extent applicable, the Domestication (as defined below) is expected to qualify as an F Reorganization. Therefore, U.S. Holders (as defined in the section “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”) of Existing Roadzen Common Stock or Class A Ordinary Shares, as applicable, are expected to be subject to Section 367(b) of the Code and may be required to recognize gains and/or recognize the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to their Existing Roadzen Common Stock or Class A Ordinary Shares, as applicable. |
In addition, because Vahanna is expected to qualify as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code (which have a retroactive effective date), if finalized in their current form, generally would require a U.S. Holder to recognize gains as a result of the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable, unless the U.S. Holder makes (or has made) certain elections discussed further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.” The tax on any such gain would be imposed at the rate applicable to ordinary income and an interest charge would apply based on a complex set of rules. It is difficult to predict whether such proposed regulations will be finalized and whether, in what form, and with what effective date, other final U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code will be adopted.
Vahanna received a written opinion dated as of the date hereof, to the effect that, as of the date hereof and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations set forth herein and in the opinion attached as
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Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, the statements of law and legal conclusions set forth below under the headings “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — The Deemed Domestication” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — The Domestication” constitute the opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of (i) the Deemed Domestication to the Holders of Vahanna Securities, (ii) an exercise of redemption rights generally applicable to Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares following the Deemed Domestication, (iii) the ownership and disposition of Vahanna Securities following the Deemed Domestication, (iv) the Domestication to the Holders of Vahanna Securities, (v) an exercise of redemption rights generally applicable to Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares following the Domestication, and (vi) the ownership and disposition of Vahanna Securities following the Domestication.
Additionally, the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable, may cause Non-U.S. Holders (as defined in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” below) of Existing Roadzen Common Stock or Class A Ordinary Shares, as applicable, to become subject to U.S. federal income withholding taxes on any redemption of such Non-U.S. Holder’s Existing Roadzen Common Stock or Class A Ordinary Shares, as applicable, and on any amounts treated as dividends paid in respect of such Non-U.S. Holder’s Existing Roadzen Common Stock or Class A Ordinary Shares, as applicable, after the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable (as discussed more fully under the section “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders”).
For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to Holders (as defined below) with respect to the merger, see the section titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Q: | WHEN WILL THE MERGER BE COMPLETED? |
A: | The parties currently expect that the merger will be completed during the third quarter of 2023. |
However, neither Vahanna nor Roadzen can assure you of when or if the merger will be completed and it is possible that factors outside of the control of both companies could result in the merger being completed at a different time or not at all. Vahanna must first obtain the approval of Vahanna shareholders for each of the proposals set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus for their approval (other than the Adjournment Proposal) and Vahanna and Roadzen must also first obtain certain necessary regulatory approvals and satisfy other closing conditions. See the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to the Merger.”
Q: | WHAT HAPPENS TO ROADZEN STOCKHOLDERS IF THE MERGER IS NOT COMPLETED? |
A: | If the merger is not completed, Roadzen stockholders will not receive any consideration for their shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock, and such shares will not be converted into New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. |
Instead, Roadzen will remain an independent company. See the sections titled “The Merger Agreement — Termination” and “Risk Factors.”
Q: | WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH THE DOMESTICATION? |
A: | The Domestication Proposal will only be presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting, and if passed, will only occur, in the event that holders of less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares) have elected to redeem such shares as of two (2) business days immediately prior to such Vahanna Special Meeting. |
The Domestication will require Vahanna to file certain documents in both the British Virgin Islands and the State of Delaware. At the effective time of the Domestication (which will occur, if at all, at least one
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(1) business day prior to the merger), Vahanna will cease to be a business company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, New Roadzen will continue as a Delaware corporation. In connection with the Domestication, the Existing Charter will be replaced by the Interim Charter and your rights as a shareholder will cease to be governed by the laws of the British Virgin Islands and will be governed by Delaware law.
No sooner than one (1) business day following the Domestication, assuming the satisfaction of the conditions to close the merger agreement, we will effectuate the merger. Concurrently, the Interim Charter will be amended and restated in its entirety and replaced with the Proposed Delaware Charter.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING
Q: | WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON AND WHY ARE THESE APPROVALS NECESSARY? |
A: | Vahanna shareholders are being asked to vote on the following proposals: |
1. | Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination Proposal: To approve the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger of Merger Sub with and into Roadzen, with Roadzen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna, and the issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to Roadzen equity holders as merger consideration. |
2. | Proposal No. 2 — The Charter Proposal: To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, assuming the Business Combination Proposal is approved and adopted, the proposed amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of Vahanna (the “Proposed Charter”) that will be in effect upon the closing of the merger. |
3. | Proposals No. 3A through No. 3D — The Governance Proposals: To consider and vote upon on a non-binding advisory basis certain governance provisions set forth in the Proposed Charter, which are being separately presented in accordance with the requirements of the SEC. |
a. | to eliminate the Class A Ordinary Share and Class B Ordinary Share classifications and provide for a single class of ordinary shares (Proposal No. 3A); |
b. | to provide clear instructions as to how a shareholder may bring matters before a general meeting and to increase the share ownership required for a member’s requisition from not less than ten percent (10%) to not less than thirty percent (30%) (Proposal No. 3B); |
c. | to provide that directors may be removed only for cause and by shareholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of New Roadzen’s voting power (Proposal No. 3C); and |
d. | to increase the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares that constitute a quorum from one-third (1/3) to one-half (1/2) (Proposal No. 3D). |
These proposals, along with Proposal No. 2, will only be presented and voted upon in the event that holders elect to redeem 12,000,000 or more Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting (or at least approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, which is comprised of 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 5,002,500 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (collectively, the “Vahanna ordinary shares”)). If not, we will present Proposals No. 4 through 6D.
4. | Proposal No. 4 — The Domestication Proposal: To consider and vote upon a proposal to, at least one (1) business day prior to the merger, (a) change the domicile of Vahanna by way of its continuation out of the British Virgin Islands, as a business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and into the State of Delaware to become a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”) pursuant to Section 184 of the BVI Companies Act and the applicable |
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provisions of the DGCL, as amended, respectively and (b) in connection therewith to adopt, upon the Domestication taking effect, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws appended to this proxy statement as attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex I (the “Interim Charter”), in place of the Existing Charter currently registered by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands, and which will remove or amend those provisions of the Existing Charter that terminate or otherwise cease to be applicable as a result of the Domestication (Proposal No. 4). This proposal will only be presented and voted upon in the event that holders of less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares) have elected to redeem such shares as of two (2) business days immediately prior to such Vahanna Special Meeting. |
5. | Proposals No. 5 — The Delaware Charter Proposal: To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, assuming the Domestication Proposal is approved and adopted, the proposed amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vahanna (the “Proposed Delaware Charter”) that will be in effect upon the closing of the merger. |
6. | Proposals No. 6A through No. 6D — The Delaware Governance Proposals: To consider and vote upon on a non-binding advisory basis certain governance provisions set forth in the Proposed Delaware Charter, which are being separately presented in accordance with the requirements of the SEC. |
a. | to eliminate the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock classifications and provide for a single class of ordinary shares (Proposal No. 6A); |
b. | to provide clear instructions as to how a stockholder may bring matters before a general meeting and to increase the stock ownership required for a member’s requisition from not less than ten percent (10%) to not less than thirty percent (30%) (Proposal No. 6B); |
c. | to provide that directors may be removed only for cause and by stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of New Roadzen’s voting power (Proposal No. 6C); and |
d. | to increase the number of shares of New Roadzen Common Stock that constitute a quorum from one-third (1/3) to one-half (1/2) (Proposal No. 6D). |
These proposals, along with Proposal No. 5, will only be presented and voted upon in the event that elections to redeem Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting are less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares).
7. | Proposal No. 7 — The Nasdaq Proposal: To approve, for purposes of complying with applicable listing rules of Nasdaq: (i) the issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares pursuant to and in connection with the merger agreement and the PIPE Investment and (ii) the related change of control of Vahanna that will occur in connection with consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. |
8. | Proposal No. 8 — The Incentive Plan Proposal: To approve and adopt the Incentive Plan; |
9. | Proposal No. 9 — The ESPP Proposal: To approve and adopt the ESPP; |
10. | Proposal No. 10 — The Adjournment Proposal: To approve the adjournment of the Vahanna Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Vahanna Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the foregoing proposals, or holders of Class A Ordinary Shares have elected to redeem an amount of Class A Ordinary Shares such that Vahanna would have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets. |
The adoption and approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the Domestication Proposal is required under Vahanna’s Existing Charter and the approval of the merger is required under Vahanna’s Existing Charter. The approval of the Nasdaq Proposal is required under Nasdaq Rules. In addition, approval of such proposals by Vahanna shareholders is also a condition to the closing of the merger under the merger agreement.
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If Vahanna shareholders fail to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal or, as applicable, the Charter Proposal, Domestication Proposal or Delaware Charter Proposal, the merger will not occur.
Q: | ARE THE PROPOSALS CONDITIONED UPON ONE ANOTHER? |
A: | The Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Incentive Plan Proposal are conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the Nasdaq Proposal. Additionally, the Nasdaq Proposal is conditioned upon the approval of the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, and the Delaware Charter Proposal, as applicable. The Adjournment Proposal, the Governance Proposals and the Delaware Governance Proposals are not conditioned on the approval of any other proposal. If the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, the other proposals (except the Adjournment Proposal) will not be presented to the shareholders for a vote. |
It is important to note that if Vahanna shareholders fail to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal or, as applicable, the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal or the Delaware Charter Proposal, the merger will not occur.
Q: | WHY IS VAHANNA PROPOSING THE MERGER? |
A: | Vahanna was incorporated to effect a merger, capital share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses (collectively, a “business combination”). |
On November 26, 2021, Vahanna completed its IPO. A total of $204,102,000, comprised of $195,463,500 of the proceeds from the IPO (including aggregate fees of approximately $6,525,000 as deferred underwriting commissions) and $8,638,500 of the proceeds from the concurrent sale of the Private Placement Warrants, was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”), acting as trustee. Since the IPO, Vahanna’s activity has been limited to the evaluation of business combination candidates.
Roadzen is a leading insurance technology company on a mission to transform global auto insurance powered by advanced artificial intelligence (“AI”). At the heart of its mission is its commitment to create transparency, efficiency, and a seamless experience for the millions of end customers who use its products through its insurer, original automotive equipment manufacturer (“OEM”), and fleet (such as trucking, delivery, and commercial fleets) partners. Roadzen seeks to accomplish this by combining computer vision, telematics and AI with continually updated data sources to provide a more efficient, effective and informed way of building auto insurance products, assessing damages, processing claims and improving driver safety.
Insurers across the world use Roadzen’s technology to launch new auto insurance products, manage risk better and resolve claims faster. These products are built with dynamic underwriting capabilities, application programming interface (“API”)-led distribution and real-time claims processing.
Roadzen has been recognized as a top innovator in the insurtech space by Forbes and Financial Express (India).
Based on its due diligence investigations of Roadzen and the industry in which it operates, including the financial and other information provided by Roadzen in the course of their negotiations in connection with the merger agreement, Vahanna believes that Roadzen aligns well with the objectives laid out in its investment thesis which focused on identifying a high-growth, new technology company with a strong connection to India and that is both vertically focused (e.g., insurtech), concentrating in a niche market, and horizontally focused (e.g., AI Analytics, IoT, etc.), spreading across various industries.
As a result, Vahanna believes that a merger with Roadzen will provide Vahanna shareholders with an opportunity to participate in the ownership of a publicly listed company with significant growth potential at an attractive valuation. See the section titled “The Merger — Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger.”
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Q: | DID THE VAHANNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OBTAIN A THIRD-PARTY VALUATION OR FAIRNESS OPINION IN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE MERGER? |
A: | Yes. On November 28, 2022, the audit committee of the board of directors of Vahanna (the “Vahanna Audit Committee”) retained Sheumack & Co. GMA, LLC (“SHEUMACK GMA”) to conduct an analysis of the merger and to provide an opinion as to whether the total merger consideration (herein the “Total Merger Consideration”) to be paid by Vahanna in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to Vahanna and the unaffiliated shareholders of Vahanna. On February 10, 2023, the Vahanna board of directors (solely in such capacity) obtained an opinion from SHEUMACK GMA to the effect that, as of that date and subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by SHEUMACK GMA as set forth in its written opinion, the Total Merger Consideration to be paid by Vahanna pursuant to the merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to Vahanna and the unaffiliated shareholders of Vahanna. See the section titled “The Merger — Opinion of SHEUMACK GMA” and the opinion (as described below) attached to the proxy statement/ prospectus as Annex G. |
Q: | DO I HAVE REDEMPTION RIGHTS? |
A: | If you are a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, you may elect to have such shares redeemed for a pro rata portion of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, which holds the proceeds of the IPO, as of two (2) business days prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Proposal (including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of taxes paid or payable, if any)) upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (such rights, “redemption rights”). |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, together with any affiliate of such holder or any other person with whom such holder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Class A Ordinary Shares, without the prior written consent of Vahanna.
Holders of the outstanding public warrants of Vahanna do not have redemption rights with respect to such warrants in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Proposal.
Under Vahanna’s Existing Charter, the merger may be consummated only if Vahanna has at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets after giving effect to all holders of Class A Ordinary Shares that properly demand redemption of their shares for cash.
Q: | WILL HOW I VOTE AFFECT MY ABILITY TO EXERCISE REDEMPTION RIGHTS? |
A: | No. You may exercise your redemption rights whether you vote your Class A Ordinary Shares for or against, or whether you abstain from voting on, the Business Combination Proposal or any other proposal described in this proxy statement/prospectus. As a result, the Business Combination Proposal can be approved by shareholders who will redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares and no longer remain shareholders and the merger may be consummated even though the funds available from the Trust Account and the number of public shareholders are substantially reduced as a result of redemptions by public shareholders. Your decision to exercise your redemption rights with respect to Class A Ordinary Shares will have no effect on public warrants of Vahanna you may also hold. |
Q: | HOW DO I EXERCISE MY REDEMPTION RIGHTS? |
A: | If you are a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares and wish to exercise your redemption rights, you must demand that Vahanna redeem your shares for cash no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, two (2) business days prior to the Vahanna Special Meeting by delivering your shares to Vahanna’s transfer agent physically |
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or electronically using Depository Trust Company’s Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian (“DWAC”) system prior to the vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting. Any holder of Class A Ordinary Shares will be entitled to demand that such holder’s shares be redeemed for a full pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (which, for illustrative purposes, was approximately $209.3 million on March 31, 2023). Such amount, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of taxes paid or payable, if any), will be paid promptly upon consummation of the merger. However, under BVI law, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to claims that could take priority over those of Vahanna’s public shareholders exercising redemption rights, regardless of whether such holders vote for or against the Business Combination Proposal. Therefore, the per share distribution from the Trust Account in such a situation may be less than originally anticipated due to such claims. Your vote on any proposal other than the Business Combination Proposal will have no impact on the amount you will receive upon exercise of your redemption rights. |
Any request for redemption, once made by a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, may not be withdrawn once submitted to Vahanna unless the directors determine (in their sole discretion) to permit the withdrawal of such redemption request. If you deliver your shares for redemption to Vahanna’s transfer agent and later decide prior to the Vahanna Special Meeting not to elect redemption, subject to approval by Vahanna’s directors, you may request that Vahanna’s transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically).
Any corrected or changed proxy card or written demand of redemption rights must be received by Vahanna’s transfer agent prior to the vote taken on the Business Combination Proposal at the Vahanna Special Meeting. No demand for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s stock has been delivered (either physically or electronically) to the transfer agent no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, two (2) business days prior to the vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting.
If a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares properly makes a request for redemption and the Class A Ordinary Shares are delivered as described to Vahanna’s transfer agent as described herein, then, if the merger is consummated, Vahanna will redeem these shares for a pro rata portion of the funds deposited in the Trust Account. If you exercise your redemption rights, then you will be exchanging your Class A Ordinary Shares for cash.
For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of Class A Ordinary Shares with respect to the exercise of these redemption rights, see the sections titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger” and “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders — Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger.”
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Q: | HOW DO REDEMPTIONS AFFECT THE VALUE OF MY NEW ROADZEN ORDINARY SHARES? |
A: | The value of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares held by a non-redeeming Vahanna public shareholder may be impacted by the number of shares that are redeemed, as well as other events that may significantly dilute the value of such New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. For example, the following tables show the potential impact of varying levels of redemptions (on an issued and outstanding at Closing basis and fully diluted at Closing basis) on the per share value of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares held by non-redeeming Vahanna public shareholders, in each case assuming an equity value of $683 million for New Roadzen upon consummation of the merger. |
Issued and Outstanding at Closing |
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No Redemption Scenario |
50% Redemption Scenario |
Maximum Redemption Scenario |
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Shares held by Roadzen Stockholders |
58,396,501 | 58,396,501 | 58,396,501 | |||||||||
Class A Ordinary Shares |
20,010,000 | 10,005,000 | — | |||||||||
Class B Ordinary Shares |
5,002,500 | 5,002,500 | 5,002,500 | |||||||||
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Total Shares (projected to be issued and outstanding) |
83,409,001 | 73,404,001 | 63,399,001 | |||||||||
Implied Value Per Share |
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Shares issued and outstanding(1) |
$ | 10.70 | $ | 10.73 | $ | 10.77 |
(1) | Calculation of implied value per share assumes (i) equity value of $683.0 million of Roadzen upon consummation of the merger (with 9,903,499 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance upon vesting of the corresponding New Roadzen RSUs) and (ii) approximately $209.3 million of funds in the Trust Account immediately prior to any redemptions. These figures do not give effect to (a) the settlement and issuance of 9,903,499 shares underlying New Roadzen RSUs, (b) a prospective PIPE Investment, and (c) exercise of 10,005,000 Public Warrants, 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants and up to 750,000 Conversion Warrants. |
Fully Diluted at Closing |
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No Redemption Scenario |
50% Redemption Scenario |
Maximum Redemption Scenario |
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Shares held by Roadzen Stockholders |
68,300,000 | 68,300,000 | 68,300,000 | |||||||||
Class A Ordinary Shares |
20,010,000 | 10,005,000 | — | |||||||||
Class B Ordinary Shares |
5,002,500 | 5,002,500 | 5,002,500 | |||||||||
Public Warrants (as exercised) |
10,005,000 | 10,005,000 | 10,005,000 | |||||||||
Private Placement Warrants (as exercised) |
8,638,500 | 8,638,500 | 8,638,500 | |||||||||
Conversion Warrants (as exercised) |
750,000 | 750,000 | 750,000 | |||||||||
PIPE Investment |
5,530,000 | |
5,530,000 |
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5,530,000 |
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Total Shares (projected to be issued and outstanding) |
118,236,000 | 108,231,000 | 98,226,000 | |||||||||
Implied Value Per Share |
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Shares issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis(1) |
$ | 8.01 | $ | 7.79 | $ | 7.52 |
(1) | Calculation of implied value per share assumes ownership of New Roadzen on a fully diluted basis as follows: (i) equity value of $683.0 million upon consummation of the merger; (ii) approximately $209.3 million of funds in the Trust Account immediately prior to any redemptions; (iii) all of the New Roadzen RSUs vesting into shares of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares; (iv) approximately $55.3 million of proceeds from potential PIPE Investments (as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Vahanna has not entered into any PIPE Investments and the actual amount of the PIPE Investment may be greater or less than this target amount); (v) the exercise of 750,000 Conversion Warrants issued in satisfaction of $750,000 of the Convertible Note at $1.00 per warrant (this assumes Vahanna borrows the full $1.5 million available |
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under the Convertible Note); and (vi) exercise of the 10,005,000 public warrants and 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants that will remain outstanding after consummation of the merger regardless of the level of redemptions. These figures give effect to the settlement and issuance of shares underlying New Roadzen RSUs. |
For more information regarding potential sources of dilution and the effects on post-closing ownership of New Roadzen, see the section titled “Summary — Ownership of New Roadzen.”
Effect of Redemptions and Underwriting Fees on Book Value Per Share
Historical | Pro Forma Combined | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. GAAP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roadzen- Historical |
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. |
National Automobile Club |
Global Insurance Management |
Assuming No Redemptions |
Assuming 50% Redemptions |
Assuming Full Redemption |
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As of March 31, 2023 |
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Total shareholders’ equity (deficit) |
$ | (50,845,203 | ) | $ | (9,869,000 | ) | $ | 4,883,000 | $ | 4,460,000 | $ | 186,033,000 | $ | 109,035,000 | $ | 32,037,000 | ||||||||||||
Total shares outstanding at closing(1)(2) |
98,842,500 | 88,837,500 | 78,832,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Book value per share |
$ | 1.88 | $ | 1.23 | $ | 0.41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Underwriting Fee |
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Deferred underwriting fee as a percentage of aggregate proceeds from the IPO, net of redemptions |
3.1 | % | 6.2 | % | — | %(1) |
(1) | Amount excludes 10,005,000 and 8,638,500 Class A Ordinary Shares underlying the public warrants and Private Placement Warrants, respectively, that will convert to warrants to purchase New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. These figures give effect to (a) the settlement and issuance of shares underlying New Roadzen RSUs and (b) the PIPE Investment. |
(2) | The number of shares of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issued to the Roadzen stockholders is based on the total merger consideration calculation and will fluctuate based on certain balances outstanding upon the close of the merger, including cash, debt and working capital amounts. |
(3) | Because the deferred underwriting fee is not subject to adjustment based on redemptions by Vahanna’s public shareholders, the effective underwriting fee will not vary based on the amount of redemptions in connection with the merger. In a no redemption scenario, the effective underwriting fee would be approximately 3.2%, based on approximately $204.1 million in the Trust Account on November 26, 2021 (the date Vahanna consummated its IPO). In a maximum redemption scenario, the entire amount of the approximately $6,525,000 deferred underwriting fees would be payable to the underwriters of the IPO, notwithstanding that all Class A Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders will have been redeemed and the balance of the Trust Account after redemptions will have been reduced to approximately $0. |
As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Vahanna had warrants to purchase an aggregate of 18,643,500 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, comprising 10,005,000 public warrants and 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants. The likelihood that these Vahanna Warrants will be exercised increases if the trading price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares exceeds the exercise price of the Vahanna Warrants. The exercise price of the Vahanna Warrants is $11.50 per share.
Based on the closing price of $0.034 per warrant on Nasdaq on June 29, 2023, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the public warrants and the Private Placement Warrants have an aggregate market value of approximately $633,879 (including approximately $340,170 for the public warrants that may be retained by redeeming shareholders in the maximum redemption scenario). However, there is no assurance that the Vahanna Warrants will ever be in the money following the time they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, and as such, the warrants may expire worthless.
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To the extent the Vahanna Warrants are exercised, additional New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be issued, which will result in dilution to the non-redeeming Vahanna public shareholders and increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market. The dilution, as a percentage of outstanding shares, caused by the exercise of the Vahanna Warrants will increase if a large number of Vahanna public shareholders elect to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with an initial business combination. Holders of Vahanna Warrants do not have a right to redeem the warrants. Further, the redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares without any accompanying redemption of the public warrants will increase the dilutive effect of the exercise of public warrants. Sales of substantial numbers of shares issued upon the exercise of Vahanna Warrants in the public market, or the potential that such warrants may be exercised and sold in the public market, could also adversely affect the value of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. See the section titled “Summary — Ownership of New Roadzen” which details the post-closing capitalization of New Roadzen on a fully diluted basis, including the effects of the exercise of issued and outstanding public warrants and Private Placement Warrants.
Q: | WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FUNDS DEPOSITED IN THE TRUST ACCOUNT AFTER CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER? |
A: | The net proceeds of the IPO, together with funds raised from the private sale of warrants simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, were placed in the Trust Account immediately following the IPO. After consummation of the merger, the funds in the Trust Account will be used to pay holders of the Class A Ordinary Shares who exercise redemption rights, to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the merger (including aggregate fees of approximately $6,525,000 as deferred underwriting commissions related to the IPO) and for New Roadzen’s working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include future strategic transactions. |
Q: | WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MERGER IS NOT CONSUMMATED? |
A: | If Vahanna does not complete the merger with Roadzen for any reason, Vahanna would search for another target business with which to complete a business combination. If Vahanna does not complete the merger with Roadzen or another target business within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination), Vahanna must redeem 100% of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the amount then held in the Trust Account divided by the number of outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares. The Sponsor has no redemption rights in the event a business combination is not effected in the required time period and, accordingly, its Founder Shares will be worthless. Additionally, in the event of such liquidation, there will be no distribution with respect to the Vahanna Warrants. Accordingly, such warrants will expire worthless. |
On each of May 24, 2023 and June 22, 2023, pursuant to the Existing Charter, the Sponsor caused to be deposited an aggregate of $660,330 into the Trust Account to extend the deadline by which Vahanna must consummate an initial business combination from May 26, 2023 to June 26, 2023 and June 26, 2023 to July 26, 2023, respectively. In the event that Vahanna has not consummated the business combination by July 26, 2023, without approval of the public shareholders, Vahanna may, by resolution of the Vahanna board of directors, if requested by the Sponsor, and upon five days’ advance notice prior to July 26, 2023, extend the termination date by one additional month, provided that the Sponsor (or one or more of its affiliates, members or third-party designees) will deposit an aggregate of $660,330 into the Trust Account for such extension. In addition, Vahanna has filed a preliminary proxy statement to call an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders regarding a proposal to provide the Vahanna board of directors the ability to further extend the business combination period up to twelve additional times for one month each time, from May 26, 2023 to May 26, 2024.
Q: | HOW DOES THE SPONSOR INTEND TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS? |
A: | The Sponsor owns of record and is entitled to vote an aggregate of approximately 19.4% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, which represents 38.8% of the vote required to effectuate the merger (assuming all |
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Vahanna ordinary shares are voted at the Vahanna Special Meeting). Vahanna’s directors and officers do not own any Vahanna ordinary shares. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement and the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote any Founder Shares and any Class A Ordinary Shares held by them as of the Record Date, in favor of the proposals. See the section titled “Other Agreements — Sponsor Support Agreement.” |
Q: | WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM AT THE VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING? |
A: | The holders of at least one-third (1/3) of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares entitled to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting as of the Record Date must be present virtually, in person or by proxy, at the Vahanna Special Meeting to constitute a quorum and in order to conduct business at the Vahanna Special Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum. The holders of the Founder Shares, who represent approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, will count towards this quorum. Together, the Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Sponsor and Mizuho represent approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, which will count towards the quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the chairman of the Vahanna Special Meeting has power to adjourn the Vahanna Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, 8,337,500 Vahanna ordinary shares would be required to achieve a quorum. |
Q: | WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH PROPOSAL AT THE VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING? |
A: | Approval of each of the proposals set forth herein requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established. |
Q: | DO ANY OF VAHANNA’S DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS OR THE SPONSOR HAVE INTERESTS IN THE MERGER THAT MAY DIFFER FROM OR BE IN ADDITION TO THE INTERESTS OF VAHANNA SHAREHOLDERS? |
A: | Vahanna’s executive officers and certain non-employee directors and the Sponsor may have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Vahanna shareholders generally. The Vahanna board of directors was aware of and considered these interests to the extent such interests existed at the time, among other matters, in approving the merger agreement and in recommending that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby be approved by the shareholders of Vahanna. See “The Merger — Interests of Vahanna Directors and Executive Officers and the Sponsor the Merger.” |
Q: | WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW? |
A: | After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, please submit your proxies as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented at the Vahanna Special Meeting. Please follow the instructions set forth on the proxy card or on the voting instruction form provided by your broker, bank or other nominee if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee. |
Q: | HOW DO I VOTE? |
A: | If you are a shareholder of record of Vahanna as of [●], 2023, the record date for the Vahanna Special Meeting, you may submit your proxy before the Vahanna Special Meeting in any of the following ways, if available: |
use the toll-free number shown on your proxy card;
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visit the website shown on your proxy card to vote via the Internet; or
complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Shareholders who choose to participate in the Vahanna Special Meeting can vote their shares electronically during the meeting via live audio webcast by visiting https://www.[●].com.
You will need the control number that is printed on your proxy card to enter the Vahanna Special Meeting. Vahanna recommends that you log in at least fifteen (15) minutes before the meeting to ensure you are logged in when the Vahanna Special Meeting starts.
If your shares are held in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, your broker, bank or other nominee will send you separate instructions describing the procedure for voting your shares. “Street name” shareholders who wish to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting will need to obtain a proxy form from their broker, bank or other nominee.
Q: | WHEN AND WHERE IS THE VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING? |
A: | The Vahanna Special Meeting of shareholders will be held at [●] on [●], 2023, at [●], New York time. Vahanna will also be hosting the Special Meeting via live webcast on the Internet. All Vahanna shareholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the Vahanna Special Meeting. Pre-registration will begin at [●] New York time on [●], 2023. |
Q: | CAN I ATTEND THE VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON? |
A: | Yes. The Vahanna Special Meeting will be held at [●]. Vahanna will also be hosting the Vahanna Special Meeting via live webcast on the Internet. The Vahanna Special Meeting will start at [●], New York time, on [●], 2023. Any shareholder can listen to and participate in the Vahanna Special Meeting live via the Internet at [●] with the password of [●]. Shareholders may vote and submit questions while connected to the Vahanna Special Meeting on the Internet with the voter control number included on your proxy card. |
Q: | HOW CAN VAHANNA’S SHAREHOLDERS ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING VIRTUALLY? |
A: | As a registered shareholder, you received a Notice and Access instruction form or proxy card from CST. Both forms contain instructions on how to attend the virtual Vahanna Special Meeting including the URL address, along with your control number. You will need your control number for access. If you do not have your control number, contact CST. CST’s contact information is as follows: [●], or by email, proxy@continentalstock.com. |
You can pre-register to attend the virtual Vahanna Special Meeting three (3) days prior to the meeting date starting [●], 2023 at [●] New York time. Enter the URL address into your browser https://www.[●].com, enter your control number, name and email address. Once you pre-register you can vote or enter questions in the chat box. At the start of the meeting you will need to re-login using your control number and will also be prompted to enter your control number if you vote during the meeting. Vahanna recommends that you log in at least 15 minutes before the meeting to ensure you are logged in when the Vahanna Special Meeting starts.
Beneficial shareholders, who own their investments through a bank or broker, will need to contact CST to receive a control number. If you plan to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting you will need to have a legal proxy from your bank or broker or if you would like to join and not vote CST will issue you a guest control number with proof of ownership. Either way you must contact CST for specific instructions on how to receive the control number. We can be contacted at the number or email address above.
Please allow up to 72 hours prior to the meeting for processing your control number.
If you do not have Internet capabilities, you can listen to the meeting by dialing [●]. When prompted enter the pin number [●]. This is listen-only, meaning you will not be able to vote or enter questions during the meeting.
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Q: | WHAT IF DURING THE CHECK-IN TIME OR DURING THE SPECIAL MEETING I HAVE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES OR TROUBLE ACCESSING THE VIRTUAL MEETING WEBSITE? |
A: | If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual shareholder meeting login page. |
Q: | WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD AND A “STREET NAME” HOLDER? |
A: | If your shares are registered directly in your name with CST, you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares, and access to proxy materials is being provided directly to you. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, then you are considered the beneficial owner of those shares, which are considered to be held in “street name.” Access to proxy materials is being provided to those who hold stock in “street name” by your broker, bank or other nominee who is considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. |
Q: | IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN “STREET NAME” BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE, WILL MY BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE VOTE MY SHARES FOR ME? |
A: | If your shares are held in “street name” in a stock brokerage account or by a broker, bank or other nominee, you must provide the record holder of your shares with instructions on how to vote your shares. |
Please follow the voting instructions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee. Please note that you may not vote shares held in “street name” by returning a proxy card directly to Vahanna or by voting online at the Vahanna Special Meeting unless you provide a “legal proxy,” which you must obtain from your broker, bank or other nominee.
Under Nasdaq rules, brokers who hold shares in “street name” for a beneficial shareholder of those shares typically have the authority to vote in their discretion on “routine” proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial shareholders. However, brokers are not permitted to exercise their voting discretion with respect to the approval of matters that Nasdaq determines to be “non-routine” without specific instructions from the beneficial shareholders. We believe the proposals presented to the shareholders at the Vahanna Special Meeting will be considered non-routine and, therefore, your broker, bank, or other nominee cannot vote your shares without your instruction on any of the proposals presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting. If you do not submit voting instructions, your broker, bank, or other nominee may deliver a proxy card expressly indicating that it is NOT voting your shares. This indication that a broker, bank, or nominee is not voting your shares is referred to as a “broker non-vote.” Your bank, broker, or other nominee can vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares in accordance with directions you provide.
Q: | WHAT HAPPENS IF I SELL MY CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES BEFORE THE VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING? |
A: | The record date for the Vahanna Special Meeting will be earlier than the date of the consummation of the merger. If you transfer your Class A Ordinary Shares after the record date, but before the Vahanna Special Meeting, unless the transferee obtains from you a proxy to vote those shares, you will retain your right to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting. However, you will not be able to seek redemption of your Class A Ordinary Shares because you will no longer be able to deliver them for cancellation upon the consummation of the merger in accordance with the provisions described herein. |
If you transfer your Class A Ordinary Shares prior to the Record Date, you will have no right to vote those shares at the Vahanna Special Meeting or redeem those shares for a pro rata portion of the proceeds held in the Trust Account.
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Q: | WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE VAHANNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS? |
A: | The Vahanna board of directors believes that the Business Combination Proposal and the other proposals to be presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting are in the best interest of Vahanna and its shareholders and unanimously recommends that Vahanna’s shareholders vote “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the Charter Proposal, “FOR” the Governance Proposals, “FOR” the Domestication Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Delaware Charter Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Delaware Governance Proposals(to the extent required), “FOR” the Nasdaq Proposal, “FOR” the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the ESPP Proposal, and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal (to the extent required). |
Q: | WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I RETURN MY PROXY CARD WITHOUT INDICATING HOW TO VOTE? |
A: | If you sign and return your proxy card without indicating how to vote on any particular proposal, the Vahanna shares represented by your proxy will be voted as recommended by the Vahanna board of directors with respect to that proposal. |
Q: | WHAT IF I ATTEND THE VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING AND ABSTAIN OR DO NOT VOTE? |
A: | At the Vahanna Special Meeting, we will count a properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to a particular proposal as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. |
For purposes of approval, a failure to vote or an abstention will have no effect on the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, the Governance Proposals, the Domestication Proposal, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the Delaware Governance Proposals, the Nasdaq Proposal, the Incentive Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.
Q: | MAY I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I HAVE DELIVERED MY PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD? |
A: | Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the Vahanna Special Meeting. |
You may do this in one of three ways:
• | filing a notice with the corporate secretary of Vahanna; |
• | mailing a new, subsequently dated proxy card; or |
• | by attending the Vahanna Special Meeting virtually or in person and electing to vote your shares in person or online. |
If you are a shareholder of record of Vahanna and you choose to send a written notice or to mail a new proxy, you must submit your notice of revocation or your new proxy to Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10020, and it must be received at any time before the vote is taken at the Vahanna Special Meeting. Any proxy that you submitted may also be revoked by submitting a new proxy by mail, or online or by telephone, not later than 11:59 p.m. New York time on [●], 2023, or by voting online at the Vahanna Special Meeting. Simply attending the Vahanna Special Meeting will not revoke your proxy. If you have instructed a broker, bank or other nominee to vote your Vahanna ordinary shares, you must follow the directions you receive from your broker, bank or other nominee in order to change or revoke your vote.
Q: | WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL TO TAKE ANY ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THE VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING? |
A: | If you fail to take any action with respect to the Vahanna Special Meeting and the merger is approved by shareholders and consummated, you will continue to be a shareholder of Vahanna. Failure to take any action with respect to the Vahanna Special Meeting will not affect your ability to exercise your redemption rights. |
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If you fail to take any action with respect to the Vahanna Special Meeting and the merger is not approved, you will continue to be a shareholder of Vahanna while Vahanna searches for another target business with which to complete a business combination.
Q: | WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE SET OF VOTING MATERIALS? |
A: | Shareholders may receive more than one (1) set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one (1) brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares are registered under more than one (1) name, you will receive more than one (1) proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast a vote with respect to all of your shares. |
Q: | WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS OR VOTING? |
A: | If you have any questions about the proxy materials, need assistance submitting your proxy or voting your shares or need additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact Morrow Sodali LLC, Vahanna’s proxy solicitor, toll-free at (800) 662-5200 (banks and brokers call (203) 658-9400) or by email at VHNA@investor.morrowsodali.com. |
Q: | HOW ARE THE FUNDS IN THE TRUST ACCOUNT CURRENTLY BEING HELD? |
A: | With respect to the regulation of special purpose acquisition companies like us (“SPACs”), on March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules (the “2022 Proposed Rules”) relating to, among other items, the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), including a proposed rule that would provide SPACs a safe harbor from treatment as an investment company if they satisfy certain conditions that limit a SPAC’s duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities. |
There is currently uncertainty concerning the applicability of the Investment Company Act to a SPAC. It is possible that a claim could be made that we have been operating as an unregistered investment company, including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, based on the current views of the SEC. The funds in the Trust Account have historically, since the Company’s IPO, been held only in U.S. government securities within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or money market funds meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, to mitigate the risk of being viewed as operating as an unregistered investment company (including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act). However, on June 12, 2023, prior to the date that is 24 months after the effective date of the registration statement relating to our IPO (November 22, 2023), we instructed Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government securities or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in an interest-bearing bank deposit account until the earlier of consummation of our initial business combination or our liquidation. Interest on bank deposit accounts is variable and such accounts currently yield interest of approximately 4.25% per annum. Following the liquidation of the Trust Account assets, if we are unable to achieve more than minimal interest, on the funds held in the Trust Account, the dollar amount our public shareholders would otherwise receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company would be less than if the assets in the Trust Account remained in U.S. government securities or money market funds.
In addition, even prior to the date that is 24 months after the effective date of the registration statement relating to our IPO, we may be deemed to be an investment company. The longer that the funds in the Trust Account are held in short-term U.S. government securities or in money market funds invested exclusively in
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such securities, even prior to the date that is 24 months after the effective date of the registration statement, there is a greater risk that we may be considered an unregistered investment company, in which case we may be required to liquidate. Accordingly, we determined, in our discretion, to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account prior to the 24-month anniversary, and currently hold all funds in the Trust Account in an interest-bearing bank deposit account, which may further reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption or our liquidation. For more information, see the section entitled “Risk Factors — If we are deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we may be forced to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate the Company. To mitigate the risk of that result, we instructed Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account and currently hold all funds in the Trust Account in a bank deposit account.”
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information included in this proxy statement/prospectus and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read this entire document and its annexes and the other documents to which we refer before you decide how to vote. Each item in this summary includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that item.
Information About the Parties to the Business Combination
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Telephone: (347) 745-6448
Vahanna is a blank check company incorporated as a BVI business company and incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Vahanna is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, Vahanna is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
Vahanna’s liquidity needs prior to the consummation of the IPO were satisfied through the payment of $25,000 from the Sponsor to purchase Founder Shares and amounts borrowed from the Sponsor under a promissory note dated May 6, 2021. Vahanna has borrowed $300,000 under the promissory note since its execution on May 6, 2021, and has fully repaid this amount. Subsequent to the consummation of the IPO, Vahanna’s liquidity needs were satisfied through the net proceeds from the consummation of the IPO and the sale of Private Placement Warrants held outside of the Trust Account. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, on June 20, 2022 the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to $1,500,000 in the form of a non-interest bearing convertible promissory note to be used for a portion of the expenses of the Company (“Convertible Note”). Pursuant to the Convertible Note, Vahanna will repay the principal out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to Vahanna if Vahanna completes a business combination. Otherwise, the Convertible Note will be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. Additionally, Vahanna may convert the unpaid principal balance into whole warrants (“Conversion Warrants”) to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares at a conversion price equal to $1.00 per Conversion Warrant. The Conversion Warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. In the event that a business combination does not occur, Vahanna may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the Convertible Note; however, no proceeds from the Trust Account will be used to repay the Convertible Note.
On each of May 24, 2023 and June 22, 2023, pursuant to the Existing Charter, the Sponsor caused to be deposited an aggregate of $660,330 into the Trust Account to extend the deadline by which Vahanna must consummate an initial business combination from May 26, 2023 to June 26, 2023 and June 26, 2023 to July 26, 2023, respectively. In connection therewith, Vahanna issued to the Sponsor the Extension Note on May 24, 2023, from which $1,320,660 was drawn down as of June 22, 2023. The Extension Note was issued with an original issue discount of ten percent (10.0%) and a principal amount of $1,452,726, and bears interest at a rate of twenty percent (20.0%) per annum. The Extension Note is due and payable (subject to the waiver against trust provisions) on the earlier of (i) the date on which an initial business combination is consummated and (ii) the date of the liquidation of Vahanna.
Vahanna’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are currently listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “VHNAU,” “VHNA” and “VHNAW,” respectively.
Vahanna Merger Sub Corp.
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Telephone: (347) 745-6448
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Vahanna Merger Sub Corp. is a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna, which was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger with Roadzen, Inc. Vahanna Merger Sub Corp. owns no material assets and does not operate any business.
Roadzen, Inc.
c/o Cogency Global Inc.
850 New Burton Road, Suite 201
Dover, Delaware 19904
Telephone: (800) 483-1140
Roadzen is a leading insurance technology company on a mission to transform global auto insurance powered by advanced AI. At the heart of its mission is its commitment to create transparency, efficiency, and a seamless experience for the millions of end customers who use its products through its insurer, OEM, and fleet (such as trucking, delivery, and commercial fleets) partners. Roadzen seeks to accomplish this by combining computer vision, telematics and AI with continually updated data sources to provide a more efficient, effective and informed way of building auto insurance products, assessing damages, processing claims and improving driver safety. Insurers across the world use Roadzen’s technology to launch new auto insurance products, manage risk better and resolve claims faster. These products are built with dynamic underwriting capabilities, API-led distribution and real-time claims processing. Roadzen has selected March 31 as its fiscal year end and New Roadzen’s fiscal year end also will be March 31.
The Merger and the Merger Agreement (beginning on pages 196 and 233)
The terms and conditions of the merger are contained in the merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read the merger agreement carefully, as it is the legal document that governs the merger.
If the merger agreement is approved and adopted and the merger is subsequently completed, Merger Sub will merge with and into Roadzen, with Roadzen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna.
Merger Consideration (beginning on page 233)
At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock, including common stock held by prior owners of Roadzen Preferred Stock and Roadzen RSUs (other than shares owned by Roadzen as treasury stock and dissenting shares) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a pro rata portion (on a fully-diluted basis) of approximately 68,300,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (including the portion of such New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance upon the future exercise, conversion, vesting and/or settlement of any New Roadzen RSUs and any New Roadzen Assumed Additional Securities after the closing in accordance with the merger agreement).
Domestication (Proposal No. 4) (beginning on page 264)
Based on the number of Class A Ordinary Shares redeemed by Vahanna shareholders in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting, Vahanna may domicile by way of continuation out of the British Virgin Islands, as a business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and into the State of Delaware to become a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”).
In the event that Vahanna receives notice pursuant to the Vahanna Special Meeting that public holders of Class A Ordinary Shares have elected to redeem less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, so that Roadzen stockholders will not hold at
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least 80% of the vote or value of New Roadzen after the merger, as determined under Section 7874 of the Code), then Vahanna will not be treated as a U.S. corporation prior to the merger under Section 7874 of the Code and, at least one (1) business day prior to the merger, Vahanna will effectuate the Domestication to ensure that it will be treated as a U.S. corporation prior to the merger.
In the event that Vahanna receives notice pursuant to the Vahanna Special Meeting that public holders of Class A Ordinary Shares have elected to redeem 12,000,000 or more Class A Ordinary Shares (or at least approximately 48% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, so that Roadzen stockholders will hold at least 80% of the vote or value of New Roadzen after the merger, as determined under Section 7874 of the Code), then Vahanna will be treated as a U.S. corporation prior to the merger under Section 7874 of the Code and it will remain a business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.
Vahanna will not be able to determine the number of redemptions of Class A Ordinary Shares until the redemption deadline, which is two (2) business days prior to Vahanna Special Meeting.
For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to Holders (as defined below) with respect to the merger, see the section titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
See the section titled “Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights” on page 308, and the risk factor titled “There can be no assurance whether New Roadzen will be a British Virgin Islands business company or a Delaware corporation following the merger” on page 100 for more information regarding the Domestication and different governance provisions of New Roadzen resulting therefrom.
Recommendation of the Roadzen Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger (page 216)
After consideration, the Roadzen board of directors adopted resolutions determining that the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement were advisable and in the best interests of Roadzen and its stockholders, authorizing and approving the merger agreement, the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby, and directing that the merger agreement be submitted to the holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock for consideration. The Roadzen board of directors recommends that Roadzen stockholders adopt the merger agreement by submitting a written consent and thereby approving the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
For a description of various factors considered by the Roadzen board of directors in reaching its decision to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, see the section titled “The Merger — Recommendation of the Roadzen Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger.”
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger (beginning on page 219)
The Vahanna board of directors has unanimously determined that the merger, on the terms and conditions set forth in the merger agreement, is advisable and in the best interests of Vahanna and its shareholders and has directed that the proposals set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus be submitted to its shareholders for approval at the Vahanna Special Meeting on the date and at the time and place set forth in this proxy statement/ prospectus. The Vahanna board of directors unanimously recommends that Vahanna’s shareholders vote “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the Charter Proposal, “FOR” the Governance Proposals, “FOR” the Domestication Proposal, “FOR” the Delaware Charter Proposal, “FOR” the Delaware Governance Proposals, “FOR” the Nasdaq Proposal, “FOR” the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the ESPP Proposal, and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. See the section titled “The Merger — Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger.”
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Opinion of SHEUMACK GMA (beginning on page 221)
On February 10, 2023, SHEUMACK GMA rendered its oral opinion to the Vahanna Audit Committee (which was subsequently confirmed in writing) to the effect that, as of such date and subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by SHEUMACK GMA as set forth in its written opinion, the Total Merger Consideration to be paid by Vahanna pursuant to the merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to Vahanna and the Vahanna Unaffiliated Shareholders (defined for purposes of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion as holders of Vahanna ordinary shares other than (i) the Sponsor, (ii) holders of Vahanna ordinary shares who elect to redeem their shares prior to or in connection with the merger, and (iii) officers, directors or affiliates of Vahanna or the Sponsor).
SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion was directed to the Vahanna board of directors and the Vahanna Audit Committee (in their respective capacities as such) and only addressed the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Total Merger Consideration to be paid by Vahanna pursuant to the merger agreement, and did not address any other terms, aspects or implications of the merger, or any agreements, arrangements or understandings entered into in connection with the merger. The summary of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of its written opinion, which is attached as Annex G to this proxy statement/prospectus and which describes the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by SHEUMACK GMA in connection with the preparation of its opinion. Neither SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion nor the summary of its opinion and the related analyses set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus are intended to be, and do not constitute, advice or a recommendation to the Vahanna board of directors, the Vahanna Audit Committee, Vahanna or any security holder as to how to act or vote on any matter relating to the merger or otherwise.
See the section titled “The Merger — Opinion of SHEUMACK GMA.”
Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders (beginning on page 123)
The Vahanna Special Meeting will be held on [●], 2023, at [●] New York time, via an in-person meeting and virtual meeting. At the Vahanna Special Meeting, Vahanna shareholders will be asked to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, the Governance Proposals, the Domestication Proposal, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the Delaware Governance Proposals, the Nasdaq Proposal, the Incentive Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal (if necessary).
The Vahanna board of directors has fixed the close of business on [●], 2023 (the “Record Date”) as the record date for determining the holders of Vahanna ordinary shares entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting held by holders of record. Each share of Vahanna ordinary shares entitles the holder to one (1) vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting on each proposal to be considered at the Vahanna Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, Mizuho, the Sponsor and certain of Vahanna’s directors and officers owned and were entitled to vote 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 20% of the Vahanna ordinary shares outstanding. Vahanna currently expects that Mizuho, the Sponsor and those directors and officers of Vahanna will vote their shares in favor of the proposals set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement entered into in connection with the merger agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to do so. Pursuant to the Mizuho Subscription Agreement, Mizuho has agreed to vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. As of the Record Date, Roadzen did not beneficially hold any Vahanna ordinary shares.
The holders of one-third (1/3) of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares entitled to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting must be present or represented by proxy (including virtually), at the Vahanna Special Meeting to constitute a quorum and in order to conduct business at the Vahanna Special Meeting.
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Approval of each of the proposals set forth herein requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Vahanna board of directors has already approved each of the proposals.
If Vahanna shareholders fail to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal or, as applicable, the Charter Proposal, Domestication Proposal or Delaware Charter Proposal, the merger will not occur. The Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Incentive Plan Proposal are conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the Nasdaq Proposal. Additionally, the Nasdaq Proposal is conditioned upon the approval of the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, and the Delaware Charter Proposal, as applicable. The Adjournment Proposal, the Governance Proposals and the Delaware Governance Proposals are not conditioned on the approval of any other proposal. If the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, the other proposals (except the Adjournment Proposal) will not be presented to the shareholders for a vote.
Vahanna Directors and Executive Officers Have Financial Interests in the Merger (beginning on page 227)
Certain of Vahanna’s executive officers and directors may have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Vahanna’s shareholders. For example, if Vahanna is able to complete a business combination within the required time period, the Sponsor and certain Vahanna directors and officers holding Founder Shares may receive a positive return on the 4,852,500 Founder Shares, which were acquired by Sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 prior to the IPO, and/or the 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants, which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8.6 million concurrently with completion of the IPO, even if the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares experience a negative return on their investment in the Class A Ordinary Shares after consummation of the merger. The members of the Vahanna board of directors were aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, when they approved the merger agreement and recommended that Vahanna shareholders approve the proposals required to effect the merger. See the section titled “The Merger — Interests of Vahanna Directors and Executive Officers and the Sponsor in the Merger.”
Treatment of Roadzen Equity Securities (beginning on page 340)
A portion of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares comprising merger consideration will be reserved for issuance upon the vesting, settlement, exercise or conversion of New Roadzen RSUs and New Roadzen Assumed Additional Securities.
As of the Effective Time, each Roadzen RSU, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective time will, by virtue of the occurrence of the Effective Time and without any action on the part of Roadzen, Vahanna or any holder of such Roadzen RSU, be assumed and converted into a New Roadzen RSU with respect to a number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equal to the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares subject to such Roadzen RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement (rounded down to the nearest whole share). Except as otherwise provided in the merger agreement, each New Roadzen RSU shall continue to be subject to terms and conditions consistent with the applicable Roadzen equity incentive plan and RSU award agreement, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, including with respect to vesting and forfeiture; provided that the Roadzen RSUs shall be assumed under the Incentive Plan and reissued as Substitute Awards thereunder.
As of the Effective Time, each Roadzen Additional Security, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the occurrence of the Effective Time and without any action on the part of Roadzen, Vahanna or any holder of such Roadzen Additional Security, be assumed and converted into a New Roadzen Assumed Additional Security with respect to a number of New Roadzen Ordinary
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Shares equal to the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares subject to such Roadzen Additional Security immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement (rounded down to the nearest whole share) and, as applicable, at an exercise or conversion price per New Roadzen Ordinary Share equal to the exercise price per share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to such Roadzen Additional Security divided by the exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement (rounded up to the nearest whole cent).
Conditions to the Merger (beginning on page 245)
Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations
The respective obligations of each of Roadzen and Vahanna to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction, or waiver, of the following conditions:
• | the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act in respect of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the ancillary documents thereto, and any agreement with any governmental entity not to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the ancillary documents thereto, shall have expired, been terminated or been obtained; |
• | no governmental order, statute, rule or regulation enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the ancillary documents thereto shall be in effect, threatened or pending; |
• | the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part shall have become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), no stop order shall have been issued by the SEC and no such order shall remain in effect with respect to the registration statement, and no proceeding seeking such a stop order shall have been threatened or initiated by the SEC and remain pending; |
• | the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement shall be listed on Nasdaq upon closing and shall otherwise satisfy the applicable listing requirements of the Nasdaq (including with respect to the minimum number of round lot holders); |
• | the approval by the Vahanna shareholders of the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal (to the extent required), the Delaware Charter Proposal (to the extent required), and the Nasdaq Proposal (the “Vahanna Shareholder Approval”); |
• | the approval by the Roadzen stockholders of the Business Combination Proposal shall have been obtained and remain in full force and effect; |
• | the aggregate transaction proceeds shall be greater than or equal to $50,000,000 after giving effect to any redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares and any other cash made available to Vahanna or raised for the benefit of Roadzen (including, without limitation, any debt or equity financing or other backstop arrangements mutually agreed upon by Vahanna and Roadzen) (the “Minimum Cash Condition”); |
• | Vahanna shall have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following the exercise of the redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares in accordance with Vahanna’s governing documents; |
• | the consummation of the New Roadzen domestication, if applicable; and |
• | the consummation of Roadzen’s acquisitions of Global Insurance Management and National Automobile Club. |
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Conditions to Obligations of Vahanna
The obligation of Vahanna to complete the merger is also subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by Vahanna, of the following conditions:
• | the representations and warranties of Roadzen shall be truthful, complete and accurate in all material respects as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the closing, in each case, subject to customary bring-down standards and exceptions; |
• | each of the covenants of Roadzen to be performed or complied with at or prior to the closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects; |
• | no material adverse effect with respect to Roadzen shall have occurred which is continuing and uncured; |
• | the receipt by Vahanna of, among other required deliverables: (i) a certificate signed by an officer of Roadzen certifying that the three preceding conditions have been satisfied; (ii) good standing certificates; (iii) a copy of the duly executed exchange agent agreement; and (iv) duly executed copies of the Lock-Up Agreements from Pre-Closing Holders; |
• | Roadzen’s board shall have obtained Company Conversion Consents as defined in the merger agreement; |
• | evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Vahanna, that all equity rights to Roadzen’s subsidiaries have been terminated; |
• | the conversion of the Roadzen preferred stock shall have occurred; |
• | Roadzen obtaining certain scheduled consents and taking certain scheduled actions prior to closing; and |
• | Roadzen having effectuated awards of Roadzen RSUs in an amount not to exceed 14.5% of the fully diluted equity securities of Roadzen immediately prior to the closing. |
Conditions to Obligations of Roadzen
The obligation of Roadzen to complete the merger is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Roadzen of the following conditions:
• | the representations and warranties of Vahanna shall be truthful, complete and accurate in all material respects as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the Closing, in each case, subject to customary bring-down standards and exceptions; |
• | each of the covenants of Vahanna to be performed or complied with at or prior to the closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects; |
• | there shall not have occurred any amendment or modification to the waiver agreement, other than as consented to in writing by Roadzen; and |
• | the receipt by Roadzen of, among other required deliverables: (i) a certificate signed by an officer of Vahanna certifying that the first two preceding conditions have been satisfied; (ii) good standing certificates; (iii) a copy of the duly executed exchange agent agreement; (iv) evidence that the Amended and Restated Charter of Vahanna in the form included as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus has been registered by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the BVI; and (v) duly executed copies of the Lock-Up Agreements from Pre-Closing Holders. |
Exclusive Dealing (beginning on page 240)
From the date of the execution of the merger agreement until the earlier of the closing of the merger agreement or the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms, each of Roadzen and
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Vahanna agreed to certain customary exclusive dealings provisions with respect to engaging or soliciting other persons to undertake certain significant transactions. Each of Roadzen and Vahanna further agreed to certain notice provisions with respect to solicitations and offers and to terminate such conversations with such parties. The merger agreement provides for a customary “fiduciary out” exception with respect to Roadzen’s board of directors’ ability to change its recommendation with respect to the proposed merger in the event of certain superior proposals.
Termination (beginning on page 247)
The merger agreement may be terminated by written consent of each of Vahanna and Roadzen, or as set forth in this section.
Mutual termination rights.
The merger agreement may be terminated by either Roadzen or Vahanna:
• | by written consent of Roadzen and Vahanna; |
• | by written notice from either Roadzen or Vahanna to the other if the Vahanna Special Meeting has been held (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), has concluded, Vahanna’s shareholders have duly voted, and the approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are not obtained; |
• | by written notice from either Roadzen or Vahanna to the other if the closing has not occurred on or prior to August 26, 2023 (subject to a two (2)-month extension as a result of delays in obtaining necessary regulatory or stock exchange approvals) for any reason other than delay and/or nonperformance of the party seeking such termination; or |
• | by written notice from either Roadzen or Vahanna to the other if a governmental authority has issued an order or taken an action permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or any ancillary document and such order has become final and nonappealable. |
Roadzen termination rights.
The merger agreement may be terminated by Roadzen:
• | by written notice to Vahanna from Roadzen, if Roadzen is not in breach of the closing conditions applicable to it in the merger agreement and if the representations and warranties of either of Vahanna or Merger Sub are not true and correct or if either of Vahanna or Merger Sub has failed to perform any covenant or agreement to be performed by Vahanna or Merger Sub, as applicable, in such a way that the conditions to closing in the merger agreement would not be satisfied and such breach or breaches are not or cannot be cured before the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after written notice of any such breach is delivered to Vahanna and (ii) August 26, 2023 (subject to a two-month extension as a result in delays in obtaining necessary regulatory or stock exchange approvals). |
Vahanna termination rights.
The merger agreement may be terminated by Vahanna:
• | if the written consent of the Roadzen stockholders approving and adopting the merger agreement and the merger is not received by Roadzen within five (5) business days after this proxy statement/ prospectus is declared effective by the SEC; |
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• | by written notice to Roadzen from Vahanna, if neither Vahanna nor Merger Sub is in breach of the closing conditions applicable to Vahanna in the merger agreement and if the representations and warranties of Roadzen are not true and correct or if Roadzen has failed to perform any covenant or agreement to be performed by Roadzen in such a way that the conditions to closing in the merger agreement would not be satisfied and such breach or breaches are not or cannot be cured before the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after written notice of any such breach is delivered to Roadzen and (ii) August 26, 2023 (subject to a two (2)-month extension as a result in delays in obtaining necessary regulatory or stock exchange approvals); or |
• | if the Written Consent and Company Conversion Consents are not received by Roadzen within five (5) business days after the Registration Statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC. |
Other Agreements (beginning on page 251)
Letter Agreement
Pursuant to the terms of a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) entered into with Vahanna, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed to vote shares representing approximately 19.4% of the aggregate voting power of the Vahanna ordinary shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. The Sponsor and its permitted transferees collectively own approximately 19.4% of Vahanna’s outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote thereon. Vahanna’s directors and officers do not own any Vahanna ordinary shares. The quorum and voting thresholds at the Vahanna Special Meeting and the Letter Agreement may make it more likely that Vahanna will consummate the merger. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Letter Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and any Class A Ordinary Shares held by them in connection with the completion of a business combination. See the section titled “Other Agreements — Letter Agreement.”
Mizuho Subscription Agreement
Pursuant to the terms of a subscription agreement (the “Mizuho Subscription Agreement”) entered into with Vahanna, Mizuho agreed to vote shares representing approximately 0.6% of the aggregate voting power of the Vahanna ordinary shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. Mizuho owns approximately 0.6% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares entitled to vote thereon. The quorum and voting thresholds at the Vahanna Special Meeting and the Mizuho Subscription Agreement may make it more likely that Vahanna will consummate the merger. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Mizuho Subscription Agreement, Mizuho has agreed to waive its redemption rights with respect to any Class B Ordinary Shares held by it (and any Class A Ordinary Shares into which such Class B Ordinary Shares are convertible) in connection with the completion of a business combination. See the section titled “Other Agreements — Mizuho Subscription Agreement.”
Support Agreement
Concurrent with the execution of the merger agreement, certain holders (a) representing approximately 51% of the outstanding shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock (determined on an as-converted basis) and (b) representing at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Roadzen Preferred Stock entered into a support agreement with Vahanna (the “Support Agreement”). Under the Support Agreement, the supporting holders agreed, among other things, to execute and deliver a written consents adopting the merger agreement, approving the merger and converting the Roadzen Preferred Stock to Existing Roadzen Common Stock effective immediately prior to the Effective Time of, and conditioned upon, the merger within three (3) business days after the date on which this proxy statement/prospectus is declared effective by the SEC. As of the execution date of the merger agreement, the current directors and executive officers of Roadzen held the requisite number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock required by the contemplated written consents and entered into the Support Agreement with respect to such shares. See the section titled “Other Agreements — Support Agreement.”
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Sponsor Support Agreement
Concurrent with the execution of the merger agreement, Vahanna entered into a support agreement with the Sponsor pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to, among other things, (i) vote any ordinary shares owned by it in favor of (a) the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and (b) any proposals made by Vahanna to facilitate or in furtherance of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, (ii) appear at any Vahanna shareholder meetings called regarding the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement for purposes of constituting a quorum, (iii) vote against any proposals that would materially impede the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and (iv) waive certain of its anti-dilution and conversion rights. The Sponsor Support Agreement is attached hereto as Annex D and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. You are encouraged to read the Sponsor Support Agreement in its entirety. See the section titled “Other Agreements — Sponsor Support Agreement.”
Lock-Up Agreements
Pursuant to the merger agreement, it is expected that all equityholders of Roadzen will enter into the Lock-Up Agreements, whereby, the equityholders of Roadzen, subject to certain exceptions, will agree not to transfer or dispose of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares until the earlier of (x) the one (1) year anniversary of consummation of the merger, (y) the date that the closing price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 (as adjusted for share recapitalizations, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), for twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period following the 150th day following the merger and (z) the consummation of a liquidation, merger, capital share exchange, reorganization, tender or exchange offer as the first step of a two-step transaction or other similar transaction that results in all of New Roadzen’s shareholders having the right to exchange their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property; provided that certain equityholders of Roadzen that held less than 5% of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) immediately prior to the Closing will be permitted to transfer and/or sell up to 25% of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the date that is six (6) months following the consummation of the merger. The form of the Lock-Up Agreement is attached hereto as Annex E and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus. You are encouraged to read the form of the Lock-Up Agreement in its entirety. See the section titled “Other Agreements — Lock-Up Agreements.”
Public Trading Markets (beginning on page 232)
Vahanna’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “VHNAU”, “VHNA” and “VHNAW”, respectively. New Roadzen intends to apply to list the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and New Roadzen Public Warrants on Nasdaq under the symbols “RDZN” and “RDZNW”, respectively, upon the closing of the merger. New Roadzen will not have units traded following the closing of the merger.
Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights (beginning on page 308)
Following the merger, the rights of public holders who become New Roadzen shareholders in the merger will no longer be governed by Vahanna’s Existing Charter and instead will be governed by the Proposed Charter or the Proposed Delaware Charter. See the section titled “Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights” for more information regarding the governance provisions of New Roadzen following the Effective Time.
Risk Factors (beginning on page 36)
You should consider all the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus in deciding how to vote for the proposals presented in the proxy statement/prospectus. In particular, you should carefully read and consider the factors described under the section titled “Risk Factors Summary” below, and “Risk Factors.”
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Risk Factors Summary
The transactions described in this proxy statement/prospectus involve various risks, and you should carefully read and consider the factors discussed under the section titled “Risk Factors.” The following is a summary of some of these risks.
Risks Relating to Roadzen’s Business and Industry
• | We have a history of losses and we anticipate increased expenses in the future. |
• | A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a relatively small number of clients ranging from insurers, OEMs and automotive fleets, and the loss of any of these clients, or a significant revenue reduction from any of these clients, could materially impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. |
• | Our larger clients have negotiating leverage, which may require us to agree to terms and conditions that result in increased cost of sales, decreased revenue, lower average selling prices and gross margins, and increased contractual liability risks, all of which could harm our results of operations. |
• | If we are unable to attract new customers, our future revenue and results of operations will be harmed. |
• | Our rapid growth makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and increases the risk that we will not continue to grow at or near historical rates. |
• | We may not be able to ensure the accuracy and completeness of product information and the effectiveness of our recommendation of insurance products on our platform. |
• | Increases in technology costs that are used in providing services to our clients would adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. |
• | Our business depends on our brand, and if we fail to develop, maintain, and enhance our brand and reputation cost-effectively, our business and financial condition may be adversely affected. |
• | Our revenue growth rate in part depends on existing customers renewing and upgrading their contracts. |
• | A decline in our customer renewals and expansions could adversely impact our future results of operations. |
• | We rely heavily on direct sales to sell automobile insurance brokerage services. |
• | Our growth strategy depends on continued investment in and around the delivery of innovative AI solutions. If we are unsuccessful in delivering the above-mentioned AI solutions, it could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. |
• | A downturn in the automotive sector, auto insurance industry, claims volumes, or supporting economy, which are outside of our control, could adversely impact our results of operations. |
• | Changes in the automotive insurance industry, including the adoption of new technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, may significantly impact our results of operations. |
• | Our customers may defer or forego purchases of automobiles in the event of weakened global economic conditions or political transitions, which in turn will affect purchases of our products or services. |
• | We face competition in our market, which could negatively impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition and cause our market share to decline. |
• | If we are unable to develop, introduce and market new and enhanced versions of our services and products, we may be put at a competitive disadvantage and our operating results could be adversely affected. |
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Risks Relating to Regulatory and Legal Matters
• | The federal government or independent standards organizations may implement significant regulations or standards that could adversely affect our ability to produce or market our products. |
• | We are currently, and have been in the past, a party to litigation, which could result in damage to our reputation and harm our future results of operations. |
• | Failure to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business could subject us to fines and penalties and could also cause us to lose customers or otherwise harm our business. |
• | Our failure to comply with the requirements of applicable environmental legislation and regulation could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability. |
• | We are subject to stringent and changing laws, regulations, standards, and contractual obligations related to privacy, data protection, and data security. Any actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our business. |
Risks Relating to Intellectual Property
• | Failure to protect our intellectual property could adversely impact our business and results of operations. |
• | After the Effective Time, we may enter into joint ventures, collaborations or sponsored developments for intellectual property and, as a result, some of our intellectual property may, in the future, be jointly owned by third parties. |
• | Assertions by third parties of infringement or other violation by us of their intellectual property rights could result in significant costs and substantially harm our business and results of operations. |
• | Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information. |
• | Our exposure to risks associated with the use of intellectual property may be increased as a result of acquisitions. |
Risks Relating to the Merger
• | Vahanna shareholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the merger and will exercise less influence over management. |
• | Vahanna’s directors and officers may have interests in the merger different from the interests of Vahanna shareholders. |
• | Since the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors will lose their entire investment in Vahanna if its business combination is not completed, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for Vahanna’s initial business combination. |
• | You may not have the same benefits as an investor in an underwritten public offering and may be subject to material risks present when a company is taken public through a merger including, but not limited to, the absence of due diligence conducted by an underwriter that would be subject to liability for any material misstatements or omissions in a registration statement. |
• | The consummation of the merger is subject to a number of conditions and if those conditions are not satisfied or waived, the merger agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and the merger may not be completed. |
• | Because of Vahanna’s limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, if the merger is not completed, it may be more difficult for it to complete an initial business combination. If Vahanna is unable to complete an initial business combination, its public |
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shareholders may receive only approximately $10.46 per share (based on the amount in the Trust Account as of March 31, 2023) on its redemption of its Class A Ordinary Shares, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, based on the initial balance of its Trust Account, and its warrants will expire worthless. |
• | Vahanna does not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may lead Vahanna to consummate an initial business combination with which a substantial majority of Vahanna’s shareholders do not agree. |
• | Vahanna’s ability to successfully effect the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and New Roadzen’s ability to successfully operate the business thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of certain key personnel of Roadzen, all of whom Vahanna expects to stay with the combined company following the consummation of the merger. Any loss of such key personnel could negatively impact the operations and financial results of the combined business. Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about Vahanna’s ability to continue as a “going concern.” |
• | Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about Vahanna’s ability to continue as a “going concern.” |
Additional Risks Relating to Ownership of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares Following the Merger
• | Nasdaq may delist New Roadzen’s securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in its securities and subject New Roadzen to additional trading restrictions. |
• | If New Roadzen is unable to remediate the material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, or if New Roadzen identifies additional material weaknesses in the future as a result of acquisitions, including Roadzen’s acquisitions of Global Insurance Management Limited and National Automobile Club, or if New Roadzen otherwise fails to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, this may result in material misstatements of New Roadzen’s consolidated financial statements or failure to meet its periodic reporting obligations. |
• | New Roadzen’s share price may change significantly following the merger and you could lose all or part of your investment as a result. |
• | Because there are no current plans to pay cash dividends on New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for the foreseeable future, you may not receive any return on investment unless you sell your ordinary shares for a price greater than that which you paid for it. |
• | Future sales, or the perception of future sales, by New Roadzen or its stockholders in the public market following the merger could cause the market price for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to decline. |
• | Certain of New Roadzen’s shareholders, including the Sponsor, may engage in business activities which compete with New Roadzen or otherwise conflict with New Roadzen’s interests. |
Risks Relating to the Redemption
• | There is no guarantee that a Vahanna public shareholder’s decision whether to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account will put such shareholder in a better future economic position. |
• | If Vahanna public shareholders fail to comply with the redemption requirements specified in this proxy statement/prospectus, they will not be entitled to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account. |
Information about Vahanna (beginning on page 132)
Vahanna is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Vahanna units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are currently listed on Nasdaq
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under the symbols “VHNAU,” “VHNA,” and “VHNAW,” respectively. The mailing address of Vahanna’s principal executive office is 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10020 and the telephone number of Vahanna’s principal executive office is (347) 745-6448.
Information about Roadzen (beginning on page 148)
Roadzen is a leading insurance technology company on a mission to transform global auto insurance powered by advanced AI. At the heart of its mission is its commitment to create transparency, efficiency, and a seamless experience for the millions of end customers who use Roadzen’s products through its insurer, OEM, and fleet (such as trucking, delivery, and commercial fleets) partners. Roadzen seeks to accomplish this by combining computer vision, telematics and AI with continually updated data sources to provide a more efficient, effective and informed way of building auto insurance products, assessing damages, processing claims and improving driver safety. Insurers across the world use Roadzen’s technology to launch new auto insurance products, manage risk better and resolve claims faster. These products are built with dynamic underwriting capabilities, API-led distribution and real-time claims processing.
Roadzen has been recognized as a top innovator in the insurtech space by Forbes and Financial Express (India).
Roadzen was incorporated in Delaware on May 7, 2015. Roadzen’s principal executive offices are located at c/o Cogency Global Inc., 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19904, and Roadzen’s telephone number is (800) 483-1140. Roadzen also maintains a website at www.roadzen.io. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, Roadzen’s website is not part of this proxy statement/prospectus.
Organizational Structure
The following diagram illustrates in simplified terms the anticipated structure of Vahanna just prior to the consummation of the merger.
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The following diagram illustrates in simplified terms the anticipated structure of Roadzen just prior to the consummation of the merger (assuming Roadzen has acquired each of Global Insurance Management and National Automobile Club).
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The following diagram illustrates in simplified terms the expected legal structure of Vahanna upon the consummation of the merger, assuming maximum redemption of Vahanna ordinary shares and no PIPE Investment.
(1) | To be renamed Roadzen Inc. following the merger. |
Ownership of New Roadzen
As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are 25,012,500 Vahanna ordinary shares issued and outstanding, including 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares, which will be converted into Class A Ordinary Shares on a one-for-one basis. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are an aggregate of 10,005,000 public warrants and 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants outstanding. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A Ordinary Share. Therefore, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus
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(without giving effect to the merger and assuming no redemptions), assuming that each outstanding warrant is exercised and one (1) Class A Ordinary Share is issued as a result of such exercise, the Vahanna fully diluted share capital would be 43,656,000 Vahanna ordinary shares.
The following table illustrates varying beneficial ownership levels of issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following consummation of the merger, assuming the levels of redemptions by the public shareholders of Vahanna indicated:
No Redemption Scenario(1) |
50% Redemption Scenario(1) |
Max Redemption Scenario(1) |
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Shares | % | Shares | % | Shares | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Former equityholders of Roadzen |
58,396,501 | 70.0 | % | 58,396,501 | 79.6 | % | 58,396,501 | 92.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Former holders of Class A Ordinary Shares |
20,010,000 | 24.0 | % | 10,005,000 | 13.6 | % | — | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Sponsor (Class B Ordinary Shares) |
4,852,500 | 5.8 | % | 4,852,500 | 6.6 | % | 4,852,500 | 7.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
Mizuho (Class B Ordinary Shares) |
150,000 | 0.2 | % | 150,000 | 0.2 | % | 150,000 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
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83,409,001 | 100 | % | 73,404,001 | 100 | % | 63,399,001 | 100 | % |
(1) | See “Basis of Presentation and Glossary” for additional information with respect to assumptions underlying New Roadzen share calculations and ownership percentages. |
The following table illustrates varying beneficial ownership levels of issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following consummation of the merger on a fully diluted basis, assuming the levels of redemptions by the public shareholders of Vahanna indicated:
No Redemption Scenario |
50% Redemption Scenario |
Max Redemption Scenario |
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Shares | % | Shares | % | Shares | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Former equityholders of Roadzen(1) |
68,300,000 | 57.8 | % | 68,300,000 | 63.1 | % | 68,300,000 | 69.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Former holders of Class A Ordinary Shares(2) |
30,015,000 | 25.4 | % | 20,010,000 | 18.5 | % | 10,005,000 | 10.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Sponsor (Class B Ordinary Shares)(3) |
14,241,000 | 12.0 | % | 14,241,000 | 13.2 | % | 14,241,000 | 14.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Mizuho (Class B Ordinary Shares) |
150,000 | 0.1 | % | 150,000 | 0.1 | % | 150,000 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Prospective PIPE Investment (Class A Ordinary Shares)(4) |
5,530,000 | 4.7 | % | 5,530,000 | 5.1 | % | 5,530,000 | 5.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
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118,236,000 | 100 | % | 108,231,000 | 100 | % | 98,226,000 | 100 | % |
(1) | Assumes all 9,903,499 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares underlying New Roadzen RSUs are vested at closing. |
(2) | Assumes the exercise of all 10,005,000 Public Warrants. |
(3) | Assumes the exercise of 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants and 750,000 Conversion Warrants. (assuming that Vahanna borrows the full $1.5 million available under the Convertible Note). |
(4) | Assumes approximately $55.3 million of proceeds from potential PIPE Investments in order to satisfy a closing condition in the merger agreement that requires Vahanna to have minimum net tangible assets of $5,000,001 and minimum available cash of $50 million at the closing of the merger. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Vahanna has not entered into any PIPE Investments. The actual amount of the PIPE Investment may be greater or less than this target amount. |
For more information regarding potential sources of dilution and the effects on post-closing ownership of New Roadzen, see the section titled “Summary—Ownership of New Roadzen.”
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Permitted Purchases of Vahanna Securities
Our Sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of the merger. There is no limit on the number of shares such persons may purchase, nor is there any restriction on the price that they may pay. Any such price per share may be different than the amount per share a public shareholder would receive if it elected to redeem its shares in connection with the merger. However, such persons have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. In the event Vahanna’s Sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates determine to make any such purchases at the time of a shareholder vote relating to the merger, such purchases could have the effect of influencing the vote necessary to approve such transaction. None of the funds in the Trust Account will be used to purchase shares in such transactions.
If any of the aforementioned parties engages in such transactions, they will not make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller or if such purchases are prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We cannot currently determine whether Vahanna’s insiders will make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan, as it will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to, the timing and size of such purchases. Depending on such circumstances, Vahanna’s insiders may either make such purchases pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan or determine that such a plan is not necessary.
We do not currently anticipate that such purchases, if any, would constitute a tender offer subject to the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act or a going-private transaction subject to the going-private rules under the Exchange Act. However, if the purchasers determine at the time of any such purchases that the purchases are subject to such rules, the purchasers will comply with such rules.
Any purchases by Vahanna’s Sponsor, officers, directors, advisors and/or their affiliates who are affiliated purchasers under Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act will only be made to the extent such purchases are able to be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18, which is a safe harbor from liability for manipulation under Section 9(a)(2) of, and Rule 10b-5 under, the Exchange Act. Rule 10b-18 has certain technical requirements that must be complied with in order for the safe harbor to be available to the purchaser. Vahanna’s Sponsor, officers, directors, advisors and/or their affiliates will not make purchases of Vahanna ordinary shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) of, or Rule 10b-5 under, the Exchange Act.
The purpose of such purchases would be to (1) increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the Business Combination Proposal or (2) to satisfy a closing condition in the merger agreement that requires us to have a minimum net worth or a certain amount of cash at the closing of the merger, where it appears that such requirement would otherwise not be met. This may result in the consummation of the merger that may not otherwise have been possible.
As a consequence of any such purchases, the “public float” of the Vahanna ordinary shares may be reduced and the number of beneficial shareholders of Vahanna’s securities may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain the listing or trading of New Roadzen securities on a national securities exchange following consummation of the merger.
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SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF VAHANNA
The following table sets forth summary historical financial information derived from Vahanna’s (i) unaudited financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and (ii) audited financial statements as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2022. You should read the following summary financial information in conjunction with the section titled “Vahanna’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Vahanna’s financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/ prospectus. Vahanna’s historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.
Vahanna has neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenue to date. Vahanna’s only activities from inception through March 31, 2023 were organizational activities and those necessary to complete the IPO and identifying an acquisition target for a business combination. We do not expect to generate any operating revenue until after the completion of the merger.
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 |
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
Period from April 22, 2023 (inception) to December 31, 2021 |
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Statement of Operations Data: |
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Net income (loss) |
$ | 90,965 | $ | 983,439 | $ | (215,218 | ) | |||||
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A Ordinary Shares, basic and diluted |
20,010,000 | 20,010,000 | 2,930,335 | |||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class A |
0.00 | 0.04 | (0.03 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B Ordinary Shares, basic and diluted |
5,002,500 | 5,002,500 | 5,002,500 | |||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class B |
0.00 | 0.04 | (0.03 | ) | ||||||||
Cash Flow Data: |
||||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
$ | (551,544 | ) | $ | (1,189,573 | ) | $ | (50,072 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
675,000 | 304,734 | 205,087,874 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
— | — | (204,102,000 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net change in cash |
$ | (123,456 | ) | $ | (884,839 | ) | $ | 935,802 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||
Total current assets |
$ | 265,167 | $ | 199,498 | $ | 1,180,276 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
— | — | 91,817 | |||||||||
Investments held in Trust Account |
209,296,150 | 207,091,906 | 204,113,336 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total assets |
$ | 209,561,317 | $ | 207,291,404 | $ | 205,385,429 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
$ | 3,609,523 | $ | 1,430,575 | $ | 508,039 | ||||||
Deferred underwriting commissions |
6,525,000 | 6,525,000 | 6,525,000 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Liabilities |
10,134,523 | 7,955,575 | 7,033,039 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Class A Ordinary Shares, subject to possible redemption; 20,010,000 shares at redemption value |
209,296,150 | 207,091,906 | 204,102,000 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding |
— | — | — | |||||||||
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding (excluding 20,010,000 shares subject to redemption) at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively |
— | — | — | |||||||||
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 5,002,500 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively |
500 | 500 | 500 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
— | — | — | |||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(9,869,856 | ) | (7,756,577 | ) | (5,750,000 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total shareholders’ deficit |
(7,756,077 | ) | (7,756,077 | ) | (5,749,610 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities, redeemable shares and shareholders’ deficit |
$ | 209,561,317 | $ | 207,291,404 | $ | 205,385,429 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ROADZEN, GLOBAL INSURANCE MANAGEMENT LIMITED, AND NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB
Roadzen
The following summary historical consolidated financial information and other data for Roadzen set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Roadzen’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Roadzen’s historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The summary consolidated statement of operations data and consolidated statement of cash flows data for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, are each derived from Roadzen’s audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future.
Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 13,560,498 | $ | 9,988,728 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately) |
5,413,686 | 4,806,018 | ||||||
Research and development |
2,670,333 | 1,307,209 | ||||||
Sales and marketing |
10,736,173 | 7,123,074 | ||||||
General and administrative |
4,648,242 | 1,621,180 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,624,208 | 1,370,143 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total costs and expenses |
25,092,642 | 16,227,624 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Loss from operations |
(11,532,144 | ) | (6,238,896 | ) | ||||
Interest income/( expense) |
(776,023 | ) | (44,929 | ) | ||||
Fair value gains/(losses) in financial instruments carried at fair value |
(1,009,374 | ) | (3,392,971 | ) | ||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles with definite life |
(919,517 | ) | ||||||
Other income/(expense), net |
(6,358 | ) | (104,825 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Loss before income tax expense |
(14,243,416 | ) | (9,781,621 | ) | ||||
Less: Income tax (benefit)/expense |
(42,265 | ) | 24,957 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net loss |
(14,201,151 | ) | (9,806,578 | ) | ||||
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax |
(176,883 | ) | (64,746 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net loss attributable to Roadzen, Inc. |
$ | (14,024,268 | ) | $ | (9,741,832 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to Roadzen, Inc. common stockholders |
$ | (13,967,135 | ) | $ | (9,782,185 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
21
As of March 31, | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 15,181,242 | $ | 15,874,433 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
17,989,861 | 29,130,250 | ||||||
Mezzanine equity |
48,274,279 | 23,696,228 | ||||||
Total stockholders’ deficit |
(50,845,203 | ) | (36,878,068 | ) | ||||
Non-controlling interest |
(237,695 | ) | (73,977 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity, non-controlling interest and stockholders’ deficit |
$ | 15,181,242 | $ | 15,874,433 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Statement of Cash Flows Data: |
||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(7,546,704 | ) | (4,066,053 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(841,359 | ) | (1,152,601 | ) | ||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
8,360,723 | 851,936 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
72,752 | (2,808 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
45,412 | (4,369,526 | ) | |||||
Cash acquired in business combination |
— | 703,097 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
1,086,418 | 4,752,847 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 1,131,830 | $ | 1,086,418 | ||||
|
|
|
|
22
Global Insurance Management
The following summary historical consolidated financial information and other data for Global Insurance Management set forth below should be read in conjunction with Global Insurance Management’s historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The summary consolidated statement of operations data and consolidated statement of cash flows data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, are each derived from Global Insurance Management’s audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The summary condensed consolidated statement of operations and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows data for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, and the summary condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2023, are derived from Global Insurance Management’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The Global Insurance Management unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared on the same basis as its audited annual financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those statements. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future.
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 7,861,057 | $ | 9,246,990 | $ | 32,683,052 | $ | 4,896,121 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization expense (which is shown separately)) |
502,211 | 584,805 | 1,855,878 | 1,438,575 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
6,740,189 | 8,164,080 | 28,382,202 | — | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
630,189 | 593,286 | 3,379,709 | 4,221,685 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expenses |
7,739 | 7,872 | 29,512 | 30,022 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
7,880,328 | 9,350,043 | 33,647,301 | 5,690,282 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Loss from operations |
||||||||||||||||
Finance expense |
(19,271 | ) | (103,052 | ) | (964,904 | ) | (794,161 | ) | ||||||||
Other income/(expense) net |
(114,676 | ) | (159,372 | ) | 1,061,716 | (42,639 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Profit/(loss) before income tax expense |
(134,646 | ) | (270,617 | ) | 79,844 | (842,521 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax expense |
— | — | 655 | 1,292 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net profit (loss) |
(134,646 | ) | (270,617 | ) | 79,189 | (843,813 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
86,589 | (199,945 | ) | (759,023 | ) | (79,704 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
(48,057 | ) | (470,562 | ) | (679,834 | ) | (923,517 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 18,869,555 | $ | 21,553,248 | $ | 28,766,447 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities |
14,408,532 | 17,044,166 | $ | 21,645,709 | ||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
4,461,023 | 4,509,082 | $ | 7,120,738 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
18,869,555 | 21,553,248 | $ | 28,766,447 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Statement of Cash Flows Data: |
||||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities |
(1,066,160 | ) | (2,719,101 | ) | $ | (1,638,302 | ) | $ | 2,410,897 | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
14,836 | (3,364 | ) | (60,357 | ) | (25,586 | ) | |||||||||
Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities |
— | — | (309,404 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
445,879 | (888,581 | ) | (2,146,506 | ) | (124,193 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
(605,445 | ) | (3,611,046 | ) | (4,154,569 | ) | 2,261,118 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
17,270,108 | 21,424,677 | 21,424,677 | 19,163,559 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
16,664,663 | 17,813,631 | 17,270,108 | $ | 21,424,677 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Automobile Club
The following summary historical financial information and other data for National Automobile Club set forth below should be read in conjunction with National Automobile Club’s historical financial statements and the related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The summary statement of operations data and statement of cash flows data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, are each derived from National Automobile Club’s audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The summary condensed statement of operations and condensed statement of cash flows data for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, and the summary condensed balance sheet data as of March 31, 2023, are derived from National Automobile Club’s unaudited condensed financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The National Automobile Club unaudited interim condensed financial statements were prepared on the same basis as its audited annual financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those statements. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future.
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenue |
$ | 3,579,830 | $ | 2,371,766 | $ | 12,353,607 | $ | 8,573,178 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue |
2,940,098 | 1,897,862 | 9,832,498 | 6,682,997 | ||||||||||||
Sales and marketing expense |
63,247 | 55,822 | 350,310 | 230,498 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative |
423,350 | 385,492 | 1,899,795 | 1,390,929 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total operating expenses |
3,426,695 | 2,339,176 | 12,082,603 | 8,304,424 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Operating income |
153,135 | 32,590 | 271,004 | 268,754 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Financial income (expense) |
29,005 | (1,098,659 | ) | (1,150,144 | ) | 832,928 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
(Loss) income before income tax expense |
182,140 | (1,066,069 | ) | (879,140 | ) | 1,101,682 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net (loss) income |
$ | 179,425 | $ | (1,066,069 | ) | $ | (880,579 | ) | $ | 1,092,776 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Comprehensive (loss) income |
$ | 179,425 | $ | (511,726 | ) | $ | (326,236 | ) | $ | 1,195,387 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
As of March 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 5,717,190 | $ | 5,516,924 | $ | 5,751,376 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | 835,153 | $ | 870,733 | $ | 1,004,629 | ||||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
4,882,037 | 4,646,191 | 4,746,747 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ | 5,717,190 | $ | 5,516,924 | $ | 5,751,376 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Statement of Cash Flows Data: |
||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 55,206 | $ | 33,696 | $ | 78,386 | $ | 155,951 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
(2,600,000) | — | 1,834,726 | (286,219 | ) | |||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
— | — | — | 284,995 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(2,544,794) | 33,696 | 1,913,112 | 154,727 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
2,917,521 | 1,004,409 | 1,004,409 | 849,682 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
$ | 372,727 | $ | 1,038,105 | $ | 2,917,521 | $ | 1,004,409 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25
SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The summary unaudited pro forma combined financial information gives effect to the merger and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, as more fully described below. The merger will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Vahanna will be treated as the “acquired” company for accounting purposes and the merger will be treated as the equivalent of Roadzen issuing stock for the net assets of Vahanna, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Vahanna will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
Roadzen’s acquisitions of Global Insurance Management Limited (“Global Insurance Management Limited” or “GIM”) and National Automobile Club (“National Automobile Club” or “NAC”) are expected to be accounted for as forward acquisitions. Under this method of accounting, the assets, including intangible assets, and liabilities will be recorded at fair value and the excess of fair value of the net assets over historical cost will be recorded as goodwill.
The summary unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet of the combined company as of March 31, 2023 and the summary unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations of the combined company for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022 present the combination of the financial information of Vahanna and Roadzen after giving effect to the following transactions:
• | the reverse recapitalization between Roadzen and Vahanna pursuant to the merger, |
• | Roadzen’s acquisition of Global Insurance Management Limited (“Global Insurance Management”), |
• | Roadzen’s acquisition of National Automobile Club (“National Automobile Club”), and |
• | the issuance of an aggregate of $55.3 million of ordinary shares of Vahanna pursuant to a PIPE Investment expected to close just prior to the completion of the merger. |
Collectively these transactions are referred to as the “Transaction Adjustments”. The summary unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the three months ended March 31, 2023 give effect to the Transaction Adjustments as if they had occurred on January 1, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2023 gives effect to the Transaction Adjustments as if they had occurred on March 31, 2023.
As described elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, Roadzen has entered into definitive agreements to acquire each of Global Insurance Management and National Automobile Club. The acquisition of National Automobile Club closed on June 6, 2023, and the acquisition of Global Insurance Management closed on June 30, 2023. See “Information About Roadzen — Recent Developments.” Roadzen has determined that each of Global Insurance Management and National Automobile Club meets the definition of “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X and have accordingly included, as required under Rule 3-05 and Article 11 of Regulation S-X, unaudited pro forma financial information showing how the acquisitions would have affected the financial statements of the combined company.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been prepared after giving effect to the Transaction Adjustments, assuming two alternative levels of redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares into cash:
• | Assuming No Redemptions: This presentation assumes that no Vahanna shareholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares. |
• | Assuming Maximum Redemptions: This scenario assumes that 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed pursuant to their redemption rights at a redemption price of approximately $10.46 per share. This scenario includes all adjustments contained in the above scenario but presents additional adjustments to reflect the effect of the maximum redemptions. |
26
The historical financial information has been adjusted to give pro forma effect to certain transaction adjustments to provide relevant information necessary for an accurate understanding of the combined company upon consummation of the merger.
The historical financial information of Vahanna was derived from the unaudited financial statements of Vahanna as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the audited financial statements of Vahanna as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The historical financial information of Roadzen was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Roadzen as of and for the years ended March 31, 2023, and 2022, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The historical financial information of Global Insurance Management was derived from the unaudited financial statements of Global Insurance Management as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the audited consolidated financial statements of Global Insurance Management as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The historical financial information of National Automobile Club was derived from the unaudited financial statements of National Automobile Club as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the audited financial statements of National Automobile Club as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The summary pro forma information has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited pro forma combined financial information of the combined company appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying notes. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical consolidated financial statements of Roadzen, Global Insurance Management, National Automobile Club, Vahanna and related notes included in this proxy statement/prospectus. The summary of unaudited pro forma combined financial information is for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may have been different had the companies actually been combined as of January 1, 2022. You should not rely on the unaudited pro forma combined financial information as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies actually been combined as of January 1, 2022 or the future results that the combined company will experience. Roadzen and Vahanna have not had any historical relationship prior to the merger. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.
27
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF MARCH 31, 2023
(in thousands)
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Minimum Redemption |
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Maximum Redemption |
|||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
204,004 | 50,008 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
4,824 | 4,824 | ||||||
Inventory |
60 | 60 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
3,608 | 3,608 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
212,496 | 58,500 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-current assets: |
||||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
543 | 543 | ||||||
Non marketable securities |
4,910 | 4,910 | ||||||
Operating lease - right of use asset |
806 | 806 | ||||||
Intangible assets |
5,798 | 5,798 | ||||||
Goodwill |
5,697 | 5,697 | ||||||
Other long term assets |
140 | 140 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
258 | 258 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total non-current assets |
18,152 | 18,152 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
230,648 | 76,652 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
8,541 | 8,541 | ||||||
Sum due to insurer |
8,764 | 8,764 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term borrowings |
2,852 | 2,852 | ||||||
Short term borrowings |
4,876 | 4,876 | ||||||
Short term lease liabilities |
241 | 241 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
5,897 | 5,897 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
31,171 | 31,171 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-current liabilities: |
||||||||
Long term borrowings |
11,341 | 11,341 | ||||||
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
360 | 360 | ||||||
Other long term liabilities |
1,743 | 1,743 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total non-current liabilities |
13,444 | 13,444 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
44,615 | 44,615 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
||||||||
Shareholders’ equity: |
||||||||
Ordinary shares |
10 | 8 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
237,409 | 83,415 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(51,449 | ) | (51,449 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(67 | ) | (67 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other components of equity |
367 | 367 | ||||||
Total shareholders’ deficit before non controlling interest |
186,270 | 32,274 | ||||||
Non controlling interest |
(237 | ) | (237 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total shareholders’ equity |
186,033 | 32,037 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
230,648 | 76,652 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
(in thousands)
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Minimum Redemption |
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Maximum Redemption |
|||||||
Revenues |
16,447 | 16,447 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||
Administration fee - related party |
60 | 60 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
21,942 | 21,942 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
22,002 | 22,002 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Loss from operations |
(5,555 | ) | (5,555 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||
Interest expense |
(412 | ) | (412 | ) | ||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles with definite life |
(920 | ) | (920 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense) |
(127 | ) | (127 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total other income (expense) |
(1,459 | ) | (1,459 | ) | ||||
Net loss before income tax provision |
(7,014 | ) | (7,014 | ) | ||||
Income tax provision |
(52 | ) | (52 | ) | ||||
Net loss |
(7,066 | ) | (7,066 | ) | ||||
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax |
(15 | ) | (15 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net loss attributable to shareholders |
(7,051 | ) | (7,051 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
29
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
(in thousands)
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Minimum Redemption |
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Maximum Redemption |
|||||||
Revenues |
57,293 | 57,293 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||
Administration fee - related party |
240 | 240 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
79,281 | 79,281 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
79,521 | 79,521 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Loss from operations |
(22,228 | ) | (22,228 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||
Interest expense |
(1,528 | ) | (1,528 | ) | ||||
Fair value changes in financial instruments carried at fair value |
(34 | ) | (34 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense) |
(19 | ) | (19 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total other income (expense) |
(1,581 | ) | (1,581 | ) | ||||
Net loss before income tax provision |
(23,809 | ) | (23,809 | ) | ||||
Income tax provision |
(185 | ) | (185 | ) | ||||
Net loss |
(23,994 | ) | (23,994 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax |
(201 | ) | (201 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net loss attributable to shareholders |
(23,793 | ) | (23,793 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
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UNAUDITED HISTORICAL COMPARATIVE AND PRO FORMA COMBINED PER SHARE INFORMATION OF VAHANNA AND ROADZEN
The following table sets forth the unaudited historical comparative share information for Roadzen and Vahanna on a stand-alone basis and the unaudited pro forma combined share information for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022, after giving effect to the merger, assuming two alternative levels of redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares into cash:
• | Assuming No Redemptions: This presentation assumes that no Vahanna shareholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares. |
• | Assuming Maximum Redemptions: This scenario assumes that 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed pursuant to their redemption rights at a redemption price of approximately $10.46 per share. This scenario includes all adjustments contained in above scenario but presents additional adjustments to reflect the effect of the maximum redemptions. |
You should read the information in the following table in conjunction with the summary historical financial information included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, and the historical financial statements of Roadzen and Vahanna and related notes that are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited pro forma combined share information is derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/ prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma combined share information below does not purport to represent what the actual results of operations or the earnings per share would have been had the companies been combined during the periods presented, nor to project Vahanna’s results of operations or earnings per share for any future date or period. The unaudited pro forma combined shareholders’ equity per share information below does not purport to represent what the value of Roadzen and Vahanna would have been had the companies been combined during the periods presented.
Vahanna Historical |
Minimum Redemption |
Maximum Redemption |
||||||||||
March 31, 2023 |
||||||||||||
Book value per diluted share |
(0.39 | ) | 1.88 | 0.41 | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - common stock |
98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
(0.07 | ) | (0.09 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - common stock subject to redemption |
20,010,000 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - common stock subject to redemption |
0.04 | |||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - non-redeemable common stock |
5,002,500 | — | — | |||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - non-redeemable common stock |
0.04 | — | — | |||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - common stock |
98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
(0.24 | ) | (0.30 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - common stock subject to redemption |
20,010,000 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - common stock subject to redemption |
0.04 | |||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - non-redeemable common stock |
5,002,500 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - non-redeemable common stock |
0.04 |
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MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
Vahanna
Vahanna’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are currently listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “VHNAU,” “VHNA,” and “VHNAW,” respectively. Vahanna’s units commenced public trading on November 23, 2021 and Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants began separate trading on January 13, 2022.
The closing price of the units, the Class A Ordinary Shares and the public warrants on February 13, 2023, the last trading day before announcement of the execution of the merger agreement, was $10.505, $10.35 and $0.0425, respectively. As of [●], 2023, the Record Date, the most recent closing price for each unit, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrant was $[●], $[●] and $[●], respectively.
Holders of the units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants should obtain current market quotations for their securities. The market price of Vahanna’s securities could vary at any time before the merger.
Holders
As of the Record Date, there were [●] holders of record of Vahanna’s units, [●] holders of record of Class A Ordinary Shares and [●] holders of record of Vahanna’s public warrants. The number of holders of record does not include a substantially greater number of “street name” holders or beneficial holders whose units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.
Dividend Policy
Vahanna has not paid any cash dividends on the Vahanna ordinary shares to date and does not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of the merger. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon New Roadzen’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to the completion of the merger. The payment of any cash dividends subsequent to the merger will be within the discretion of New Roadzen’s board of directors at such time. New Roadzen’s ability to declare dividends in the future may also be limited by restrictive covenants pursuant to any future debt financing.
Roadzen
As of [●], there were approximately [●] holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock. Historical market price information for Roadzen’s capital stock is not provided because there is no public market for Roadzen’s capital stock. See “Roadzen’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS; MARKET, RANKING AND OTHER INDUSTRY DATA
This proxy statement/prospectus includes forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, the plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial of Vahanna and Roadzen. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of Vahanna and Roadzen.
Although Vahanna and Roadzen believe that their respective plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, neither Vahanna nor Roadzen can assure you that either will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “anticipates,” “intends” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this proxy statement/prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements about the ability of Vahanna and Roadzen prior to the merger, and New Roadzen following the merger, to:
• | meet the closing conditions to the merger, including approval by shareholders of Vahanna and Roadzen on the expected terms and schedule or realization of the benefits expected from the merger if it is consummated; |
• | avoid the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; |
• | obtain and maintain the listing of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq following the merger; |
• | execute New Roadzen’s business strategy, including monetization of services provided and expansions in and into existing and new lines of business; |
• | anticipate the uncertainties inherent in the development of new business lines and business strategies; |
• | retain and hire necessary employees; |
• | increase brand awareness; |
• | attract, train and retain effective officers, key employees or directors; |
• | upgrade and maintain information technology systems; |
• | acquire and protect intellectual property; |
• | meet future liquidity requirements and comply with restrictive covenants related to long-term indebtedness; |
• | effectively respond to general economic and business conditions; |
• | manage intense competition and competitive pressures from other companies worldwide in the industries in which New Roadzen will operate; |
• | manage litigation and adequately protecting New Roadzen’s intellectual property rights; |
• | obtain additional capital, including use of the debt market; |
• | enhance future operating and financial results; |
• | anticipate rapid technological changes; |
• | comply with laws and regulations applicable to New Roadzen’s business, including laws and regulations related to data privacy and insurance operations; |
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• | stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations applying to New Roadzen’s business; |
• | anticipate the impact of, and response to, new accounting standards; |
• | respond to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and political unrest and regulatory changes in international markets from various events; |
• | anticipate the rise in interest rates which would increase the cost of capital; anticipate the significance and timing of contractual obligations; |
• | maintain key strategic relationships with partners; |
• | respond to uncertainties associated with product and service development and market acceptance; |
• | manage to finance operations on an economically viable basis; |
• | anticipate the impact of new U.S. federal income tax laws, including the impact on deferred tax assets; |
• | successfully defend litigation; |
• | successfully deploy the proceeds from the merger; and |
• | manage other factors detailed under the section titled “Risk Factors.” |
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on these statements which speak only as of the date hereof. You should understand that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, could affect the future results of Vahanna and Roadzen prior to the merger, and New Roadzen following the merger, and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this proxy statement/prospectus:
• | any delay in closing of the merger; |
• | risks related to disruption of management’s time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transactions; |
• | litigation, complaints, product liability claims and/or adverse publicity; |
• | the impact of changes in consumer spending patterns, consumer preferences, local, regional and national economic conditions, crime, weather, demographic trends and employee availability; |
• | privacy and data protection laws, privacy or data breaches, or the loss of data; and |
• | the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on business, financial condition and results of operations of Roadzen. |
These and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this proxy statement/prospectus are more fully described under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” are not exhaustive. Other sections of this proxy statement/prospectus describe additional factors that could adversely affect the business, financial condition or results of operations of Vahanna and Roadzen prior to the merger, and New Roadzen following the merger. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can Vahanna or Roadzen assess the impact of all such risk factors on the business of Vahanna and Roadzen prior to the merger, and New Roadzen following the merger, or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to Vahanna or Roadzen or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Vahanna and Roadzen prior to the merger, and New Roadzen following the merger, undertake no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
34
In addition, statements of belief and similar statements reflect the beliefs and opinions of Vahanna or Roadzen, as applicable, on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to Vahanna or Roadzen, as applicable, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, and while such party believes such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and statements should not be read to indicate that Vahanna or Roadzen, as applicable, has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
Market, ranking and industry data used throughout this proxy statement/prospectus is based on the good faith estimates of Roadzen’s management, which in turn are based upon Roadzen’s management’s review of internal surveys, independent industry surveys and publications, including reports by third-party researchers and publicly available information. Such data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. While Roadzen is not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented herein, its estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Roadzen’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this proxy statement/prospectus.
35
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the following risk factors in deciding how to vote on the proposals presented in this proxy statement/prospectus. Although we have organized risks generally according to these categories in the discussion below, many of the risks may have ramifications in more than one category. These categories, therefore, should be viewed as a starting point for understanding the significant risks facing us and not as a limitation on the potential impact of the matters discussed. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “we,” “us,” “our” and other similar terms refer to Roadzen and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the merger and to New Roadzen and its consolidated subsidiaries after giving effect to the merger.
Risks Relating to Roadzen’s Business and Industry
We have a history of losses and we anticipate increased expenses in the future.
We have incurred net losses of $13.9 million and $9.8 million for our fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As a result, we had an accumulated deficit of $51.2 million and $37.18 million as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We anticipate that our operating expenses will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as we continue to scale operations, broaden our customer base, expand our sales and marketing activities, including expanding our sales team, hire additional employees, and continue to develop our technology. In addition to the expected costs to grow our business, we also expect to incur significant additional legal, accounting, and other expenses as we transition to being a public company. These efforts may prove more expensive than we currently anticipate, and we may not succeed in increasing our revenue sufficiently, or at all, to offset these higher expenses. Revenue growth may slow, or revenue may decline, for several possible reasons, including slowing demand for our services or increasing competition. Any failure to increase our revenue sufficiently to keep pace with our investments and other expenses could prevent us from achieving or increasing profitability or positive cash flow on a consistent basis.
A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a relatively small number of clients including insurers, OEMs, and automotive fleets, and the loss of any of these clients, or a significant revenue reduction from any of these clients, could materially impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our revenue is dependent on clients in the automotive insurance industry, OEMs, and automotive fleets, and historically, a relatively small number of clients have accounted for a significant portion of our revenue. In India, revenues from 15 customers collectively accounted for more than 80% of total revenue during the year ended March 31, 2023. We had one customer (an automotive insurance provider) that represented approximately 25% of our total revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 but no longer represents a material portion of our revenue as of March 31, 2023. Pursuant to our agreement with the insurance provider, we provide the insurer with IaaS platform services for the purpose of conducting pre-underwriting inspections of vehicles which the insurer may insure. The insurer’s potential customer will upload images of and basic details about the vehicle to our platform, which will then be processed by our platform and result in a platform-generated recommendation of policy terms to the insurer. We charge the insurer a fixed fee of INR 765 per inspection. Our agreement with this insurer expires in July 2024. We had a different customer (also an automotive insurance provider) that represented 24% of our total revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and we do not anticipate the insurer will represent a material portion of our revenue on a consolidated basis. In India, there are no contracts between insurance brokers and insurers. Instead, each insurer will onboard and integrate a broker within the insurer’s core IT systems such that the broker receives access to real-time quotes for the policies they wish to sell and is assigned a unique code. This code is used by the insurer to track the policies sold by the broker and the corresponding commissions and fees earned. Roadzen’s revenue from this one insurer is a byproduct of Roadzen fulfilling numerous policy sales for the insurer at varying commission rates. We had another customer (an OEM) that represented 15% of total revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and we do not anticipate this customer will represent a material portion of our revenue on a consolidated basis. For the year ended March 31, 2023, we sold extended warranty policies to the OEM at a price of INR 5,799 per policy. Our customer would then attach the policy as an add-on to their automotive sales.
36
For GIM in the U.K., revenues from eight customers collectively accounted for more than 85% of total revenue during the year ended December 31, 2022. For NAC in the U.S., revenues from 10 customers collectively accounted for more than 85% of total revenue during the year ended December 31, 2022. We expect that New Roadzen will continue to depend upon a small number of clients for a significant portion of our revenues for the foreseeable future. As a result, if we fail to successfully renew our contracts with one or more of these customers, or if any of these customers reduce or cancel services or defer purchases, or otherwise terminate their relationship with us, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely impacted. Some of our Insurance as a Service (“IaaS”) arrangements with our customers can be canceled or not renewed by our customers after the expiration of the engagement term, as applicable, on relatively short notice. Additionally, we may be involved in disputes with our customers in the future and such disputes may impact our relationship with these customers. The loss of business from any of our significant customers, including from cancellations or due to disputes, could materially impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our larger clients have negotiating leverage, which may require us to agree to terms and conditions that result in increased cost of sales, decreased revenue, lower average commissions earned and gross margins, and increased contractual liability risks, all of which could harm our results of operations.
Some of our clients include large OEMs, automotive fleets, and insurance companies globally. These customers have significant bargaining power when negotiating new licenses, subscriptions or renewals of existing agreements and have the ability to buy similar products from other vendors or develop such systems internally. These customers have sought and may continue to seek advantageous pricing and other commercial and performance terms that may require us to develop additional features in the products we sell to them or add complexity to our client agreements. In the past, we have been required to, and may in the future be required to, reduce the average fixed fees and/or commissions charged for our products, or otherwise agree to materially less favorable terms in response to these pressures. If we are unable to avoid reducing our fixed fees and/or commissions or renegotiate our contracts on commercially reasonable terms, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
If we are unable to attract new customers, our future revenue and results of operations will be harmed.
Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to underwrite insurance policies, distribute motor insurance, extended warranty and other insurance policies, and manage insurance claims using our AI-based technology platform. Our ability to attract new customers will depend on the perceived benefits and pricing of our services and the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts. Other factors, many of which are out of our control, may now or in the future impact our ability to attract new customers, including:
• | potential customers’ inexperience with or reluctance to adopt software-based and/or AI solutions for their existing operations; |
• | potential customers’ commitments to or preferences for their existing vendors; |
• | actual or perceived switching costs; |
• | the adoption of new, or the amendment of existing, laws, rules, or regulations that negatively impact the utility of, or that require difficult-to-implement changes to, our services, including deregulation that reduces the need for compliance functionality; |
• | our failure to expand, retain, and motivate our sales and engineering personnel; |
• | our failure to expand into new markets; |
• | our failure to develop or expand relationships with existing partners or to attract new partners; |
• | our failure to develop our application ecosystem and integrate with new applications and devices used by potential customers; |
37
• | our failure to help potential customers successfully deploy and use our solution; and |
• | general macroeconomic conditions. |
If our efforts to attract new customers are not successful, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may suffer.
Our rapid growth makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and increases the risk that we will not continue to grow at or near historical rates.
We have been growing rapidly over the last several years, with revenue of approximately $13.5 million and $10.0 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As a result, our ability to forecast our future results of operations is subject to several uncertainties, including our ability to effectively plan for and model future growth. Many factors may contribute to declines in our revenue growth rate, including increased competition, slowing demand for our IaaS solutions from existing and new customers, a failure by us to continue capitalizing on growth opportunities, terminations of contracts by our existing customers, and the maturation of our business, among others. Our recent and historical growth should not be considered indicative of our future performance. Even if our revenue continues to increase over the long term, we expect that our revenue growth rate may decline in the future because of a variety of factors, including the maturation of our business. We have encountered in the past, and will encounter in the future, risks, and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly changing industries. If our assumptions regarding these risks and uncertainties, which we use to plan and operate our business, are incorrect or change, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our operating and financial results could differ materially from our expectations, our growth rates may slow and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be harmed.
We may not be able to ensure the accuracy and completeness of product information and the effectiveness of our recommendation of insurance products on our platform.
Our end consumers rely on the insurance product information we provide to our clients. While we believe that such information is generally accurate, complete and reliable, there can be no assurance that the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information can be maintained in the future. If we provide any inaccurate or incomplete information on our platform due to either our own fault or that of our insurer and reinsurer partners, or if we fail to present accurate or complete information of any insurance products which could lead to our customers’ failure to get adequate protection or us being warned or penalized by regulatory authorities or us being sued by our customers, our reputation could be harmed and we could experience reduced user traffic on our platform, which may adversely affect our business and financial performance.
Our business depends on our brand, and if we fail to develop, maintain, and enhance our brand and reputation cost-effectively, our business and financial condition may be adversely affected.
We believe that the brand identity we have developed and acquired has significantly contributed to the success of our business. We also believe that developing, maintaining, and enhancing awareness and integrity of our brand and reputation are critical to achieving widespread acceptance of our solutions and expanding adoption of our solutions to new customers in both existing and new markets. Maintaining and enhancing our brand requires us to make substantial investments and these investments may not be successful or cost-efficient. We believe that the importance of our brand and reputation will increase as competition in our market further intensifies. Successful promotion of our brand depends on the effectiveness of our marketing efforts and our ability to provide a reliable, useful, and valuable collection of solutions at competitive prices. These factors are essential to our ability to differentiate our offerings from competing products. In addition, our brand and reputation could be impacted if our end users or insured parties have negative experiences in the claims process, which ultimately largely depends on the quality of service from our business customers, but also may depend on the insured’s perceived value of its vehicle.
38
Maintaining and enhancing our brand will depend largely on our ability to be a technology innovator, to continue to provide high quality solutions and protect and defend our brand names and trademarks, which we may not do successfully. We have not engaged in extensive direct brand promotion activities, and we may not successfully implement brand enhancement efforts in the future. Our products and services generally are branded and are likely associated with the overall experiences of a participant in the insurance economy, which is largely outside of our control. Any brand promotion activities we undertake may not yield increased revenue, and even if they do, the increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incur in building and maintaining our brand and reputation. If we fail to promote and maintain our brand successfully or to maintain loyalty among our customers, we may fail to attract new customers and partners or retain our existing customers and partners and our business and financial condition may be adversely affected. Any negative publicity relating to our employees, partners, or others associated with these parties, may also tarnish our own reputation simply by association and may reduce the value of our brand. Damage to our brand and reputation may result in reduced demand for our solutions and increased risk of losing market share to competitors. Any efforts to restore the value of our brand and rebuild our reputation may be costly and may not be successful.
Our revenue growth rate in part depends on existing customers renewing and upgrading their contracts. A decline in our customer renewals and expansions could adversely impact our future results of operations.
Our customers have no obligation to renew their contracts for our solutions after the expiration of their contract periods, which may also be terminable on demand or on short notice, and our customers may choose not to renew contracts for a similar mix of solutions. Our customers’ renewal rates may fluctuate or decline based on a number of factors, including dissatisfaction, changes in clients’ spending levels, increased competition, changes in tax or data privacy laws or rules, prices of our services, the prices of services offered by our competitors, spending levels due to the macroeconomic environment or other factors, deteriorating general economic conditions, or legislative and regulatory changes. If our customers terminate or do not renew their contracts or reduce the solutions purchased under their contracts, our revenue could decline, and our business may be adversely impacted.
Our future success also depends in part on our ability to sell additional services to existing customers. If our efforts to sell our additional solutions to our customers are not successful, our revenue growth could decrease and our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
We face risks associated with the growth of our business in new use cases.
Historically, most of our revenue has been derived from sales relating to our offering of motor insurance brokerage services for use in connection with AI, and solutions around vehicle inspection and claims through the use of AI. In recent periods, we have increased our focus on AI for use in connection with customers’ vehicles and equipment. We plan to expand the use cases of our AI solutions, including those where we may have limited operating experience, and may be subject to increased business, technology, and economic risks that could affect our financial results. Entering new use cases and expanding in the use cases in which we are already operating with new AI will continue to require significant resources, and there is no guarantee that such efforts will be successful or beneficial to us. Historically, sales to a new customer have often led to additional sales to the same client or similarly situated clients. To the extent we expand into and within new use cases that are heavily regulated, we will likely face additional regulatory scrutiny, risks, and burdens from the governments and agencies which regulate those markets and industries. While our strategy of building AI for use in connection with brokerage services and other use cases has proven successful in the past, it is uncertain we will achieve the same penetration and organic growth with respect to AI solutions for client vehicles and equipment or any other use cases that we pursue. Any failure to do so may harm our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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We rely heavily on direct sales to sell automobile insurance brokerage services.
We market and sell automobile insurance through a direct sales business-to-business-to-consumer (“B2B2C”) model and we must expand our sales organization to increase our sales to new and existing customers. As of March 31, 2023, our sales and business development team consisted of 100 members. We expect to continue expanding our direct sales force, both domestically and internationally, particularly our direct sales organization focused on sales to large organizations. We also expect to dedicate significant resources to sales programs that are focused on these large organizations. Once a new customer begins using our services, our sales team will need to continue to focus on expanding use of our services by that customer, including increasing the number of AI solutions used by that customer across other use cases. All of these efforts will require us to invest significant financial and other resources. If we are unable to expand and successfully onboard our sales force at sufficiently high levels, our ability to attract new customers may be harmed, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, we may not achieve anticipated revenue growth from expanding our sales force if we are unable to hire, develop, integrate, and retain talented and effective sales personnel, if our new and existing sales personnel are unable to achieve desired productivity levels in a reasonable period of time, or if our sales programs are not effective. We have experienced turnover in our sales team members, which results in costly training and operational inefficiency. In order to increase our revenue, we expect we will need to further build our direct sales capacity. Additionally, our entry into any new markets and use cases will require us to develop appropriate internal sales capacity and to train our sales teams to effectively address these markets. If we are unsuccessful in these efforts, our ability to grow our business will be limited, and our business, results of operations, prospects, and financial condition will be adversely affected.
Our current system of direct sales may not prove effective in maximizing sales of our services and solutions. Our solutions are complex and certain sales can require substantial effort and outlay of cost and resources. It is possible that our sales team members will be unable or unwilling to dedicate appropriate resources to support those sales. If we are unable to develop and maintain effective sales incentive programs for our internal sales team members, we may not be able to incentivize these parties to sell our solutions to customers and, in particular, to large organizations. The loss of one or more of our sales team members in a given geographic area could harm our results of operations within that area, as sales team members typically require extensive training and take several months to achieve acceptable productivity.
Our growth strategy depends on continued investment in and around the delivery of innovative AI solutions. If we are unsuccessful in delivering the above mentioned AI solutions, it could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
To address demand trends across the automotive insurance economy, we have focused on and plan to continue focusing on the growth and expansion of our AI solutions in the automotive insurance sector. This growth strategy has required and will continue to require a considerable investment of technical, financial and sales resources. These investments may not result in an increase in revenues and we may not be able to scale such investments efficiently, or at all, to meet customer demand and expectations. Our focus on our AI business may increase our costs in any given period and may be difficult to predict over time.
Our AI service arrangements also contain service level agreement clauses which may include penalties for matters such as failing to meet stipulated service levels. The consequences in such circumstances could include monetary credits for current or future service engagements, reduced fees for additional product sales, cancellations of planned purchases and a customer’s refusal to pay their contractually-obligated fees. Should these penalties be triggered, our results of operations may be adversely affected. Furthermore, any factor adversely affecting sales of our solutions, including market acceptance, product competition, performance and reliability, reputation, price competition and economic and market conditions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Additionally, the entry into new markets or the introduction of new features, functionality or applications beyond our current markets and functionality may not be successful. If we invest in the development of new products, we may not recover the “up-front” costs of developing and marketing those products, or recover the opportunity cost of diverting management, technical and financial resources away from other development efforts. If we are unable to successfully grow our AI business and navigate our growth strategy in light of the foregoing uncertainties, our reputation could suffer and our results of operations may be impacted, which may cause our stock price to decline.
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Changes in the automotive insurance industry, including the adoption of new technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, may significantly impact our results of operations.
Aspects of our business, and our customers’ businesses, which our products and services support, can be impacted by events in automotive insurance which are beyond our control. Certain trends in the automotive industry, including the continued adoption of semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicles and the advent of improved automotive safety features, may potentially impact the future market for, and operations of, the automotive insurance industry. While the impacts and timing of these changes are currently unknown, if this has an adverse impact on the automotive insurance industry, it could have an adverse impact on our future results of operations.
Our customers may defer or forgo purchases of automobiles in the event of weakened global economic conditions or political transitions, which in turn will affect purchases of our products or services.
Our financial performance depends, in part, on the state of the economy. Declining levels of economic activity may lead to declines in spending in the industries we serve, which may result in decreased revenue for us. Concerns about the strength of the economy may slow the rate at which businesses are willing to enter into new contractual arrangements, potentially including those for our solutions. If our customers and potential customers experience financial hardship as a result of a weakened economy, industry consolidation, or other factors, the overall demand for our solutions could decrease. If economic conditions worsen, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
Global events such as the imposition of various trade tariffs by the U.S. and China, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have created and may continue to create economic uncertainty, including inflationary pressures, in regions in which we have significant operations. These conditions may make it difficult for our customers and us to forecast and plan future business activities accurately, and they could cause our customers to reevaluate their decision to purchase our products, which could delay and lengthen our sales cycles or result in cancellations of planned purchases. Moreover, during challenging economic times, our customers may be unable to timely access sufficient credit, which could impair their ability to make timely payments to us. If that were to occur, we may not receive amounts owed to us and may be required to record an allowance for doubtful accounts, which would adversely affect our financial results. A substantial downturn in the insurance industry may cause firms to react to worsening conditions by reducing their capital expenditures, reducing their spending on information technology, delaying, or canceling information technology projects, or seeking to lower their costs by renegotiating vendor contracts. Negative or worsening conditions in the general economy in the U.S., the U.K., and India, including conditions resulting from financial and credit market fluctuations, could decrease corporate spending on enterprise software in general, and in the insurance industry specifically, and negatively affect the rate of growth of our business.
Macroeconomic factors impacting the principal industries we serve could adversely affect our product adoption, usage, or average selling prices.
We expect to continue to derive most of our revenue from brokerage services and AI services we provide to the automotive industry, automotive insurance industry and supporting economy, including the automotive collision and OEM industries. Given the concentration of our business activities in this industry, we will be particularly exposed to certain economic downturns affecting the automotive and insurance industries. Global market and economic conditions, as well as those in the U.S., the U.K. and India, have been, and continue to be, disrupted and volatile. General business and economic conditions that could affect us and our customers include fluctuations in economic growth, debt and equity capital markets, liquidity of the global financial markets, the availability and cost of credit, investor and consumer confidence, and the strength of the economies in which our customers operate. A poor economic environment could result in significant decreases in demand for our solutions, including the delay or cancellation of current or anticipated projects, or could present difficulties in collecting accounts receivable from our customers due to their deteriorating financial condition. Our existing customers may be acquired by or merged into other entities that use our competitors’ products, or they may decide to terminate their relationships with us for other reasons. As a result, our sales could decline if an existing customer is merged with or acquired by another company that has a poor economic outlook or is closed.
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We face competition in our market, which could negatively impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition and cause our market share to decline.
The market for our solutions is competitive. The competitors we face in any sale opportunity may change depending on, among other things, the line of business purchasing the service, the service being sold, the geography in which the customer is operating, and the size of the customer to which we are selling. These competitors may compete on the basis of price, the time and cost required for implementation, custom development, or unique product features or functions. Outside of our key markets, we are more likely to compete against vendors that may differentiate themselves based on local advantages in language, market knowledge, and content applicable to that jurisdiction.
As we expand our product portfolio, we may begin to compete with software and technology providers that we have not competed against previously and whose technology and applications may, in time, become more competitive with our offerings.
We expect the intensity of competition to remain high in the future, as the amount of capital invested in current and potential competitors, including insurance technology companies, has increased significantly in recent years. As a result, our competitors or potential competitors may develop improved product or sales capabilities, or even a technology breakthrough that disrupts our market. Continuing intense competition could result in increased pricing pressure, increased sales and marketing expenses, or greater investments in research and development, each of which could negatively impact our profitability. Current and potential competitors may be able to devote greater resources to, or take greater risks in connection with, the development, promotion, and sale of their products than we can devote to ours, which could allow them to respond more quickly than we can to new technologies and changes in customer needs, thus leading to their wider market acceptance. We may not be able to compete effectively, and competitive pressures may prevent us from acquiring and maintaining the customer base necessary for us to increase our revenue and profitability.
In addition, the insurance industry is evolving rapidly, and we anticipate the market for edge-based and cloud-based AI solutions will become increasingly competitive. If our current and potential customers move a greater proportion of their data and computational needs to the cloud, new competitors may emerge that offer services either comparable to or better suited than ours to address the demand for such cloud-based AI solutions, which could reduce demand for our offerings. To compete effectively we will likely be required to increase our investment in research and development, as well as the personnel and third-party services required to improve reliability and lower the cost of delivery of our cloud-based solutions. This may increase our costs more than we anticipate and may adversely impact our results of operations.
Our current and potential competitors may also establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to further enhance their resources and offerings. Current or potential competitors may be acquired by other vendors or third parties with greater available resources. As a result of such acquisitions, our current or potential competitors might be able to adapt more quickly to new technologies and customer needs, to devote greater resources to the promotion or sale of their products and services, to initiate or withstand substantial price competition, or to take advantage of emerging opportunities by developing and expanding their product and service offerings more quickly than we can. Additionally, they may hold larger portfolios of patents and other intellectual property rights as a result of such relationships or acquisitions. If we are unable to compete effectively with these evolving competitors for market share, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
If we are unable to develop, introduce and market new and enhanced versions of our services and products, we may be put at a competitive disadvantage and our operating results could be adversely affected.
As technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, both within the automotive insurance economy and more broadly across the insurance ecosystem, the possibility of the development of technological advancements made by other firms will increase. If we are unable to internally develop or acquire suitable alternatives to such developments or otherwise deploy competitive offerings our business and growth opportunities may be
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challenged. Additionally, certain automotive insurance ecosystem customers may seek to develop internal solutions which could potentially compete with our related offerings. Technologies such as enhanced modeling, AI and machine learning technology may offer certain firms, including insurance carriers, the opportunity to make rapid advancements in the development of tools which may impact the industry broadly.
New products utilize and will continue to be based on AI technologies in the future. As such, the market acceptance of AI-based solutions is critical to our continued success. In order for cloud-based AI solutions to be widely accepted, organizations must overcome any concerns with placing sensitive information on a cloud-based platform. Furthermore, our ability to effectively market and sell AI-based solutions to customers is partly dependent upon the pace at which enterprises undergo digital transformation. Additionally, as technologies continue to become more integrated with AI technologies generally, governments may implement data privacy and AI regulations with which we will need to comply, and which may result in the incurrence of additional costs and expenses.
We expect that the needs of our customers will continue to rapidly change and increase in complexity and we will need to improve the functionality and performance of our platform continually to meet these demands. If we are unable to continue to meet customer demands or to achieve more widespread market acceptance of enterprise AI solutions in general or on our platform in particular, our business operations, financial results, and growth prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
Our sales and implementation cycles can be lengthy and variable, depend upon factors outside our control, and could cause us to expend significant time and resources prior to generating revenue.
Sales cycles for some of our solutions are complex and can be lengthy and unpredictable, requiring pre-purchase evaluation by a significant number of employees in our customers’ organizations, and can involve a significant operational decision by our customers. Our sales efforts involve educating our customers about the use and benefits of our solutions, including in the technical capabilities and the potential cost savings achievable by organizations using our solutions. For larger business opportunities, such as converting a new automotive insurance customer, customers undertake a rigorous pre-purchase decision-making and evaluation process which typically involves due diligence and reference checks. We invest a substantial amount of time and resources in our sales efforts without any assurance that our efforts will produce sales. Even if we succeed at completing a sale, we may be unable to predict the size or term of an initial AI-based arrangement until very late in the sales cycle. In addition, we sometimes commit to include custom functions in our base product offering at the request of a customer or group of customers. Providing this additional functionality may be time consuming and may involve factors that are outside of our control. Customers may also insist that we commit to certain time frames in which systems built around our solutions will be operational, or that once implemented our solutions will be able to meet certain operational requirements. Our ability to meet such time frames and requirements may involve factors that are outside of our control, and failure to meet such time frames and requirements could result in us incurring penalties, costs and/or additional resource commitments, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Unexpected delays and difficulties can occur as customers implement and test our solutions. Solutions can involve integration with our customers’ and third-party’s systems as well as the addition of customer and third- party data to our platform. This process can be complex, time-consuming, and expensive for our customers and can result in delays in the implementation of our solutions, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Time-consuming efforts such as client setups, training and transition of systems may also increase the amount of services personnel we must allocate to each customer, thereby increasing our costs for these services. These types of changes can also result in a shift in the timing of the recognition of revenue which could adversely affect results of operations and financial condition. The timing of when we sign a large contract can materially impact our results of operations for the period and can be difficult to predict.
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Developing significant revenue streams derived from our current research and development efforts may take several months or years, or may not be achieved at all.
Developing AI solutions is time consuming and costly, and investment in product development may involve a long payback cycle. Our future plans include significant investments to develop, improve and expand the functionality of our solutions, which we believe is necessary to maintain our competitive position. However, we may not recognize significant revenue from these investments for several months or years, or the investments may not yield any additional revenue.
There are limited key underwriting carrier partners in our insurance markets, and we may not be able to find suitable replacements for our existing carriers in the event such replacements become necessary.
Roadzen works with a limited number of carriers in the U.S., India, and the U.K./EU for its automobile insurance products, and there is a risk that if one or more of the carriers becomes impaired or terminates its relationship with Roadzen that Roadzen’s revenues and profitability may be adversely affected. If a carrier partner relationship terminates or there is loss of strategic support or alignment, we may be unable to transition to a new relationship without disruption, increased cost, lost profits, or lost market share, or a combination of the foregoing.
We derive a large portion of our revenue from commissions on the sale of automotive insurance products in India and the U.K./EU. If a carrier were to experience liquidity problems or other financial (such as rating agency downgrades) or operational difficulties, we could encounter business disruptions as a result, and our results of operations may suffer.
Sales to customers or operations outside the U.S., India and the U.K./EU may expose us to risks inherent in international sales.
Historically, transactions occurring outside of the three core markets, the U.S., India, and the U.K./EU, have represented a small portion of our overall processed transactions. However, we intend to continue to expand our international sales efforts. Operating in international markets requires significant resources and management attention and will subject us to regulatory, economic, and political risks that are different from those in these three core markets. Because of our limited experience operating outside these three markets, our international expansion efforts outside of these three core markets may not be successful. We may rely heavily on third parties outside of the three core markets, and as a result we may be adversely impacted if we invest time and resources into such business relationships but do not see significant sales from such efforts. Potential risks and challenges associated with sales to customers and operations outside of our core markets include, but are not limited to:
• | compliance with multiple conflicting and changing governmental laws and regulations, including employment, tax, money transmission, privacy, and data protection laws and regulations; |
• | increased travel, real estate, infrastructure, legal and compliance costs associated with international operations; |
• | laws and business practices favoring local competitors; |
• | new and different sources of competition; |
• | new integrations for international technology platforms; |
• | localization of our solutions, including translation into foreign languages, obtaining and maintaining local content, and customer care in such languages; |
• | treatment of revenue from international sources and changes to tax rules, including being subject to foreign tax laws and liability for paying withholding or other taxes in foreign jurisdictions; |
• | fluctuation of foreign currency exchange rates; |
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• | greater difficulty collecting accounts receivable, longer sales and payment cycles, and different pricing environments; |
• | challenges inherent in efficiently managing, and increased costs associated with, an increased number of employees over large geographic distances, including the need to implement appropriate systems, policies, benefits, and compliance programs that are specific to each jurisdiction; |
• | restrictions on the transfer of funds; |
• | inconsistent or irregular availability of reliable Internet connectivity in areas targeted for expansion; |
• | limited or insufficient intellectual property protection or difficulties obtaining, maintaining, protecting, or enforcing our intellectual property rights, including our trademarks and patents, or obtaining necessary intellectual property licenses from third parties; |
• | natural disasters, acts of war, terrorism, pandemics, or security breaches; |
• | import and export license requirements, tariffs, taxes and other trade barriers; |
• | compliance with sanctions laws and regulations, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury; |
• | compliance with various anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and the UK Bribery Act (“UKBA”); and |
• | regional or national economic and political conditions. |
As we continue to expand our business globally, our success will depend, in large part, on our ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks associated with our international operations. Any of these factors could negatively impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, and growth prospects.
We may experience fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that could adversely impact our results of operations.
Our business has a substantial international focus, and our international sales are denominated in foreign currencies. These non-U.S. revenues could be materially affected by currency fluctuations. The volatility of exchange rates depends on many factors that we cannot forecast with reliable accuracy. We typically collect revenue and incur costs in the currency of the location in which we provide our solutions and services, but our long-term contracts with customers make it difficult for us to predict if our operating activities will provide a natural hedge in the future or as we expand internationally. We currently do not have any foreign currency hedging agreements or arrangements. Our results of operations may also be impacted by transaction gains or losses related to revaluing certain current asset and liability balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the entities in which they are recorded. Moreover, significant, and unforeseen changes in foreign currency exchange rates may cause us to fail to achieve our stated projections for revenue and operating income, which could have an adverse effect on our stock price. As we expand internationally, we will continue to experience fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which, if material, may harm our revenue or results of operations.
If we do not continuously develop AI that is compatible with third-party hardware, software, and infrastructure, including the many evolving insurance industry standards, our ability to introduce and sell new services could be adversely affected.
In order to support customers’ adoption of our services, we develop AI that is compatible with a wide variety of hardware, software and other technology infrastructure. Not only must we ensure our AI is compatible with applications and technologies developed by our partners and vendors, but we must also ensure that our AI can interface with third-party hardware, software, or other technology infrastructure that our customers may
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choose to adopt. To the extent that a third party were to develop AI applications that compete with ours, that provider may choose not to support our solution. In particular, our ability to accurately anticipate evolving insurance standards and ensure that our AI application comply with these standards in all relevant respects is critical to the functionality of our services. Any failure of our AI to be compatible or comply with the hardware, software, or infrastructure — including insurance standards — utilized by our customers could prevent or delay their implementation of our AI and require costly and time-consuming engineering changes. Additionally, if an insufficient number of reinsurers or subscribers adopt the standards to which we design our AI, our ability to introduce and sell subscriptions to our customers could be harmed.
The competitive position of our AI depends in part on its ability to operate with a wide variety of data sources and infrastructure, and if we are not successful in maintaining and expanding the compatibility of our solutions with such data sources and infrastructure, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
The competitive position of our AI depends in part on its ability to operate with a wide array of physical sensors and devices — including devices manufactured by third parties, other software and database technologies, and communications, networking, computing, and other infrastructure. As such, we must continuously modify and enhance our AI to be compatible with evolving hardware, software, and infrastructure that are used by our current and potential partners, vendors, and customers. In the future, one or more technology companies may choose not to support the interoperation of their hardware, software, or infrastructure with solutions such as ours, or our solutions may not otherwise support the capabilities needed to operate with such hardware, software, or infrastructure. We intend to facilitate the compatibility of our AI with a wide variety of hardware, software, and infrastructure by maintaining and expanding our business and technical relationships. If we are not successful in achieving this goal, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
We rely on data, technology, and intellectual property of third parties and our solutions rely on information generated by third parties. Any interruption of our access to such information, technology, and intellectual property could materially harm our operating results.
We use data, technology, and intellectual property licensed from unaffiliated third parties in certain of our products, and we may license additional third-party data, technology, and intellectual property in the future. Any errors or defects in this third-party data, technology, and intellectual property could result in errors that could adversely impact our brand and business. In addition, licensed data, technology, and intellectual property may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. The loss of the right to license and distribute this third-party data, technology, and intellectual property could limit the functionality of our products and might require us to redesign our products. Our success depends significantly on our ability to provide our customers access to data from many different sources, including, for example, parts-related data for purposes of repair estimation. We obtain much of our data about vehicle parts and components and collision repair labor and costs through license agreements with third parties who may be sole-source suppliers of that data.
If one or more of our licenses are terminated, if our licenses are subject to material price increases, or if we are unable to renew one or more of these licenses on favorable terms or at all, we may be unable to access necessary information without incurring additional costs or, for instance in the case of information licensed from sole-service suppliers, unable to access alternative data sources that would provide comparable information. While we do not believe that our access to many of the individual sources of data is material to our operations, prolonged industry-wide price increases or reductions in data availability could make receiving certain data more difficult and could result in significant cost increases, which could materially harm our operating results.
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Our solutions or products or our third-party cloud providers have experienced in the past, and could experience in the future, data security breaches, which could adversely impact our reputation, business, and ongoing operations.
As a software business, we face risks of cyber-attacks, including ransomware and phishing attacks, social engineering attacks, computer break-ins, theft, fraud, misappropriation, misuse, denial-of-service attacks, and other improper activity that could jeopardize the performance of our platform and solutions and expose us to financial and reputational impact and legal liability, especially with regards to regulators such as the FTC, which has become increasingly aggressive in prosecuting alleged failure to secure personal data as unfair and deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act the (“FTC Act”). In addition, each of Global Insurance Management Limited and National Automobile Club may be subject to additional cyber-security risks, borne of existing systems-wide vulnerabilities, that could jeopardize the performance of their platforms and expose us to similar financial and reputational impact and legal liability, especially with regards to regulators such as the FTC.
Furthermore, such adverse impact could be in the form of theft of our or our customers’ confidential information, the inability of our customers to access our systems, or the improper re-routing of customer funds through fraudulent transactions or other frauds perpetrated to obtain inappropriate payments and may result from accidental events (such as human error) or deliberate attacks. To protect the information we collect and our systems, we have implemented and maintain commercially reasonable security measures and information security policies and procedures informed by requirements under applicable law and recommended practices, in each case, as applicable to the data collected, but we cannot be sure that such security measures will be sufficient. In some cases, we must rely on the safeguards put in place by third parties to protect against security threats. These third parties, including vendors that provide products and services for our operations, could also be a source of security risk to us in the event of a failure of their own security systems and infrastructure. Our network of business application providers could also be a source of vulnerability to the extent their business applications interface with ours, whether unintentionally or through a malicious backdoor. We cannot, in all instances, review the software code included in third-party integrations. Although we vet and oversee such vendors, we cannot be sure such vetting and oversight will be sufficient. We also exercise limited control over these vendors, which increases our vulnerability to problems with services they provide. Any errors, failures, interruptions or delays experienced in connection with these vendor technologies and information services or our own systems could negatively impact our relationships with partners and adversely affect our business and could expose us to liabilities. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently, generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and may be difficult to detect for long periods of time, we or these third parties may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. With the increasing frequency of cyber-related fraud to obtain inappropriate payments, we need to ensure our internal controls related to authorizing the transfer of funds are adequate. We may also be required to expend resources to remediate cyber-related incidents or to enhance and strengthen our cybersecurity. Any of these occurrences could create liability for us, put our reputation in jeopardy, and adversely impact our business.
Our customers provide us with information that our solutions store, some of which is sensitive and/or confidential information about them or their financial transactions. In addition, we store personal information about our employees and, to a lesser extent, those who purchase products or services from our customers. We have security systems and information technology infrastructure designed to protect against unauthorized access to and disclosure of such information. The security systems and infrastructure we maintain may not be successful in protecting against all security breaches and cyber-attacks, including ransomware and phishing attacks, social-engineering attacks, computer break-ins, theft, fraud, misappropriation, misuse, denial-of-service attacks, and other improper activity. Threats to our information technology security can take various forms, including viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attempt to attack our solutions or platform or to gain access to the data of our customers or their customers. Non-technical means, for example, actions or omissions by an employee or trespasser, can also result in a security breach. Any significant violations of data privacy could result in the loss of business, litigation, regulatory fines or investigations, loss of customers, and penalties that
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could damage our reputation and adversely affect the growth of our business. It is possible, however, that claims could be denied or exceed the amount of our applicable insurance coverage, if any, or that this coverage may not continue to be available on acceptable terms or in sufficient amounts. Even if these claims do not result in liability to us, investigating and defending against them could be expensive and time consuming and could divert management’s attention away from our operations. In addition, negative publicity caused by these events may negatively impact our customer relationships, market acceptance of our solutions, including unrelated solutions, or our reputation and business.
We may not be able to prevent or address the misappropriation of Roadzen-owned data.
From time to time, third parties may misappropriate our data through website scraping, bots, or other means and aggregate this data on their websites with data from other companies. In addition, copycat websites or mobile apps may misappropriate data and attempt to imitate our brand or the functionality of our website or our mobile app. If we become aware of such websites or mobile apps, we intend to employ technological or legal measures in an attempt to halt their operations. However, we may be unable to detect all such websites or mobile apps in a timely manner and, even if we could, technological and legal measures may be insufficient to halt their operations.
In some cases, our available remedies may not be adequate to protect us against the effect of the operation of such websites or mobile apps. Regardless of whether we can successfully enforce our rights against the operators of these websites or mobile apps, any measures that we may take could require us to expend significant financial or other resources, which could harm our business, results of operations, or financial condition. In addition, to the extent that such activity creates confusion among consumers or advertisers, our brand and business could be harmed.
Real or perceived failures in our solutions, an inability to meet contractual service levels, or unsatisfactory performance of our services, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Because we offer solutions that operate in complex environments, undetected or other errors or failures may exist or occur, which may lead to unsatisfactory performance of our services resulting in termination of our contracts, especially when solutions are first introduced or when new versions are released, implemented, or integrated into other systems. Our solutions are often used in environments with different operating systems, system management software and equipment and networking configurations, which may cause errors or failures in our solutions or may expose undetected errors, failures, or bugs in our solutions. Despite testing by us, we may not identify all errors, failures or bugs in new solutions or releases until after commencement of commercial sales or installation. In the past, we have discovered errors, failures, and bugs in some of our solutions after their introduction. We may not be able to fix errors, failures, and bugs without incurring significant costs or an adverse impact to our business. The occurrence of errors in our solutions or the detection of bugs by our customers may damage our reputation in the market and our relationships with our existing customers, and as a result, we may be unable to attract or retain customers. We believe that our reputation and name recognition are critical factors in our ability to compete and generate additional sales. Promotion and enhancement of our name will depend largely on our success in continuing to provide effective solutions and services. The failure to do so may result in the loss of, or delay in, market acceptance of our solutions and services, which could adversely impact our sales, results of operations and financial condition.
The license and support of our software creates the risk of significant liability claims against us. Our IaaS arrangements and licenses with our customers contain provisions designed to limit our exposure to potential liability claims. It is possible, however, that the limitation of liability provisions contained in such agreements may not be enforced as a result of international, federal, state and local laws or ordinances or unfavorable judicial decisions. Breach of warranty or damage liability, or injunctive relief resulting from such claims, could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
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Any disruption of our Internet connections, including to any third-party cloud providers that host any of our websites or web-based services, could affect the success of our IaaS solutions.
Any system failure, including network, software, or hardware failure, that causes an interruption in our network or a decrease in the responsiveness of our website or our IaaS solutions could result in reduced user traffic, reduced revenue and potential breaches of our IaaS arrangements. Continued growth in Internet usage could cause a decrease in the quality of Internet connection services. Websites have experienced service interruptions as a result of outages and other delays occurring throughout the worldwide Internet network infrastructure. In addition, there have been several incidents in which individuals have intentionally caused service disruptions of major websites. If these outages, delays, or service disruptions occur frequently in the future, usage of our web-based services could grow more slowly than anticipated or decline and we may lose customers and revenue.
If the third-party cloud providers that host any of our websites or web-based services were to experience a system failure, the performance of our websites and web-based services, including our IaaS solutions, could be adversely impacted. Currently, we utilize third-party cloud providers to host our websites and web-based services. Any disruption of, or interference with, our use of these third-party cloud providers could impair our ability to deliver our solutions to our customers, resulting in customer dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation, loss of customers and adverse impact to our operations and our business. In general, third-party cloud providers are vulnerable to damage from fire, floods, earthquakes, acts of terrorism, war or political upheaval, power loss, telecommunications failures, electronic intrusion attempts from both external and internal sources, and similar events. If we decided to switch cloud providers or consolidate cloud providers for any reason, it may require significant resources to execute the resulting migrations.
The controls implemented by our current or future third-party cloud providers may not prevent or timely detect system failures and we do not control the operation of third-party cloud providers that we use. Any changes in service levels by our current or future third-party cloud providers could result in loss or damage to our customers’ stored information and any service interruptions at these third-party cloud providers could hurt our reputation, cause us to lose customers, adversely impact our ability to attract new customers or subject us to potential liability. Our current or future third-party cloud providers could decide to close their facilities without adequate notice. In addition, financial difficulties, such as bankruptcy, faced by our current or future third-party cloud providers, or any of the service providers with whom we or they contract, may have negative effects on our business. If our current or future third-party cloud providers are unable to keep up with our growing needs for capacity or any spikes in customer demand, it could have an adverse effect on our business. Our property and business interruption insurance coverage may not be adequate to fully compensate us for losses that may occur. Additionally, systems redundancies and disaster recovery and business continuity plans may not be sufficient to overcome the failures of third-party providers hosting our IaaS solutions.
In addition, our users depend on Internet service providers, online service providers and other website operators for access to our website. These providers could experience outages, delays, and other difficulties due to system failures unrelated to our systems. Any of these events could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may acquire or invest in companies, or pursue business partnerships, which may divert our management’s attention or result in dilution to our shareholders, and we may be unable to integrate acquired businesses and technologies successfully or achieve the expected benefits of such acquisitions, investments, or partnerships.
We expect to continue to grow, in part, by making targeted acquisitions in addition to our organic growth strategy. Our business strategy includes the potential acquisition of shares or assets of companies with businesses complementary to ours, both domestically and globally. Our strategy also includes alliances with such companies. Acquisitions and alliances may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and may not result in the benefits anticipated by such corporate activity.
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In particular, we may fail to assimilate or integrate the businesses, technologies, services, products, personnel or operations of the acquired companies, retain key personnel necessary to favorably execute the combined companies’ business plans, or retain existing customers or sell acquired products to new customers. Acquisitions and alliances may also disrupt our ongoing business, divert our resources, and require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of our current business. In addition, we may be required to make additional capital investments or undertake remediation efforts to ensure the success of our acquisitions, which may reduce the benefits of such acquisitions. We also may be required to use a substantial amount of our cash or to issue debt or equity securities to complete an acquisition or realize the potential of an alliance, which could deplete our cash reserves and/or dilute our existing stockholders and newly- issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. With respect to Global Insurance Management Limited, which we acquired on June 30, 2023, and with respect to National Automobile Club, which we acquired on June 6, 2023, given the complexity of such businesses and multiplicity of the jurisdictions and regulators, the integration of each of Global Insurance Management Limited and National Automobile Club into the growing business of Roadzen will put stress on the current management and limited resources of Roadzen. As such, among other things, we will need to recruit additional talent and resources to supplement current management resources and operational bandwidth of Roadzen. There can be no assurances that we will find adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge and experience for such assimilation or integration. Further, the challenge to management will be further stressed as a result of the combined company becoming a public company as is stated elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Such challenges could adversely affect the business, operations and financial condition of the combined company. Additionally, in the year ended March 31, 2022, we acquired contractual control of four of our subsidiaries in India, including Peoplebay Consultancy Services Private Limited and FA Events and Media Private Limited, with the right to acquire shares from the shareholders of such entities. We currently do not own any of the equity shares of Peoplebay Consultancy Services Private Limited and FA Events and Media Private Limited and we expect to complete the acquisitions in the period leading up to closing through the purchase of all of the outstanding equity shares of the two entities, and such acquisitions will require us to use certain amount of our cash to complete the transactions. Further, contractual control versus control through majority ownership of shares is dependent upon the contractual performance of counterparties.
Additionally, the assumptions we use to evaluate acquisition opportunities may not prove to be accurate, and intended benefits may not be realized. Our due diligence investigations may fail to identify all the problems, liabilities or other challenges associated with an acquired business which could result in increased risk of unanticipated or unknown issues or liabilities, including with respect to environmental, competition and other regulatory matters, and our mitigation strategies for such risks that are identified may not be effective. As a result, we may not achieve some or any of the benefits, including anticipated synergies or accretion to earnings, that we expect to achieve in connection with our acquisitions, we may not accurately anticipate the fixed and other costs associated with such acquisitions, or the business may not achieve the performance we anticipate, any of which may materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, as well as our stock price. Further, if we fail to achieve the expected synergies from our acquisitions and alliances, we may experience impairment charges with respect to goodwill, intangible assets, or other items, particularly if business performance declines or expected growth is not realized. Any future impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In particular, our financial projections included in this proxy statement/prospectus under “The Merger — Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Roadzen” have taken into account the integration of Global Insurance Management Limited and National Automobile Club into Roadzen and we have made certain assumptions regarding the achievement of certain synergies, potential revenue growth and margin expansion levers, including Roadzen’s plan to optimize costs, negotiate a higher price and better margin contracts with customers, partners and suppliers, and integrate people, process and technology. No assurance can be given regarding the accuracy or reasonability of such projections and assumptions. No assurance can be given that we may be able to achieve some or all such benefits, economies of scale or synergies that we expect to achieve in connection with these acquisitions, including achieving accretion to earnings, achieving fixed and other costs associated with such acquisitions, or achieving the anticipated performance. Any failure to achieve such benefits,
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economies of scale or synergies or unanticipated challenges we may face in such integration would adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, as well as our stock price. Further, such failure would result in impairment charges with respect to goodwill, intangible assets, or other items, particularly if business performance declines or expected growth is not realized.
Further, following an acquisition or the establishment of an alliance offering new solutions, we may be required to defer the recognition of revenue that we receive from the sale of solutions that we acquired or that result from the alliance, or from the sale of a bundle of solutions that includes such new solutions. In addition, our ability to maintain favorable pricing of new solutions may be challenging if we bundle such solutions with sales of existing solutions. A delay in the recognition of revenue from sales of acquired or alliance solutions, or reduced pricing due to bundled sales, may cause fluctuations in our quarterly financial results, may adversely affect our operating margins, and may reduce the benefits of such acquisitions or alliances.
Additionally, competition within the insurance industry for acquisitions of businesses, technologies and assets has been, and is expected to continue to be, intense. Acquisitions could become the target of regulatory reviews, which could lead to increased legal costs, or could potentially jeopardize the consummation of the acquisition. As such, even if we are able to identify an acquisition that we would like to pursue, the target may be acquired by another strategic buyer or financial buyer such as a private equity firm, or we may otherwise not be able to complete the acquisition on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
If we are unable to achieve and sustain a level of liquidity sufficient to support our operations and fulfill our obligations, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We actively monitor and manage our cash and cash equivalents so that sufficient liquidity is available to fund our operations and other corporate purposes. In the future, increased levels of liquidity may be required to adequately support our operations and initiatives and to mitigate the effects of business challenges or unforeseen circumstances. If we are unable to achieve and sustain such increased levels of liquidity, we may suffer adverse consequences, including reduced investment in our platform development, difficulties in executing our business plan and fulfilling our obligations, and other operational challenges. Any of these developments could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are subject to key person risk because we rely on the expertise of our CEO, senior management team, and other key employees. If we are unable to attract, retain, or motivate key personnel or hire qualified personnel, our business may be severely impacted.
Our success depends on the ability to attract, retain, and motivate a highly skilled and diverse management team and workforce. Our CEO is an integral part of the Roadzen brand and his departure would likely create difficulty with respect to both the perception and execution of our business. Additionally, the loss of a member of our senior management team, specialized experts or key personnel might significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our strategic business objectives and could harm our business. We rely on a small number of highly specialized experts, the loss of any one of whom could have a disproportionate impact on our business. Our compensation arrangements, such as our equity award programs, may not always be successful in attracting new employees and retaining and motivating our existing employees. Moreover, if and when our stock options or other equity awards are substantially vested, employees under such equity arrangements may be more likely to leave, particularly when the underlying shares have seen a value appreciation.
Our inability to ensure that the Company has the depth and breadth of management and personnel with the necessary skills and experience could impede our ability to deliver growth objectives and execute our operational strategy. As we continue to expand and grow, we will need to promote or hire additional staff, and it may be difficult to attract or retain such individuals in a timely manner and without incurring significant additional costs. Furthermore, several members of our management team were hired recently. If we are not able to integrate these new team members or if they do not perform adequately, our business may be harmed.
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If we cannot maintain our company culture as we grow, our success and our business and competitive position may be harmed.
We believe that our success to date has been driven in large part by our company’s cultural principles of focusing on customer success, building for the long term, adopting a growth mindset, being inclusive and winning as a team. As New Roadzen grows and develops the infrastructure of a public company, we may find it difficult to maintain these important aspects of our culture. Any failure to preserve our culture could negatively affect our ability to retain and recruit personnel, which is critical to our growth, and to effectively focus on and pursue our corporate objectives. As a result, if we fail to maintain our company culture, our business and competitive position may be harmed.
We typically provide service-level commitments under our subscription agreements. Failure to meet these contractual commitments could lower our revenue and harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our subscription agreements typically contain service-level commitments, and our agreements with larger customers may carry higher service-level commitments than those provided to customers generally. If we are unable to meet the stated service-level commitments, including failure to meet the service requirements under our subscription agreements, we may face subscription terminations and a reduction in renewals, which could significantly affect both our current and future revenue. We offer multiple tiers of subscriptions to our products and, as such, our service-level commitments will increase if more customers choose higher tier subscriptions. Any service-level failures could also damage our reputation, which could also adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Roadzen is exposed to interest rate risk through the course of our normal operations. Rising interest rates could have a negative impact on our cash flows as interest expense would likely increase on any debt undertaken.
Our consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities with estimated fair values that are subject to the interest rate, which impacts the fair value of our liabilities as well as interest rate risks associated with any investments made in fixed income securities.
We may need to raise additional funding to achieve our goals, and a failure to obtain this necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, may force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development efforts or other operations.
Since our inception, substantially all of our resources have been dedicated to the development of our core technology and product platforms. We believe that we will continue to expend substantial resources for the foreseeable future as we build and enhance our capabilities and commercialize our products. These expenditures are expected to include costs associated with research and development, as well as marketing and selling existing and new products. These expenditures are expected to include working capital, costs of acquiring and building out new facilities, and the cost of attracting and retaining a skilled labor force. In addition, other unanticipated costs may arise.
As of March 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.6 million and an accumulated deficit of approximately $51.3 million. During the year ended March 31, 2023, the Company incurred a net loss of approximately $14.0 million and had cash flows used in operating activities of approximately $7.1 million
Our business prospects are subject to risks, expenses, and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in the early stages of commercial operations. To date, we have been funded primarily by equity and debt financings, including the issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock.
Based on our history of losses, we do not expect that we will be able to fund our longer-term capital and liquidity needs to execute our business plan and pursue our strategic goals through our cash balances and
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operating cash flows alone. To fund our longer-term capital and liquidity needs, we expect we will need to secure additional capital. However, our business plan and financing needs are subject to change depending on, among other things:
• | the number and characteristics of any additional products we develop or acquire to serve new or existing markets; |
• | the scope, progress, results and costs of researching and developing future products or improvements to existing products; |
• | the expenses associated with our sales and marketing initiatives; |
• | our investment to expand our service offerings; |
• | the costs required to fund domestic and international growth; |
• | any lawsuits, arbitration, or other legal proceedings related to our products or commenced against us; |
• | the expenses needed to attract and retain skilled personnel; |
• | the costs associated with being a public company; |
• | the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, defending, and enforcing intellectual property claims, including litigation costs and the outcome of such litigation; and |
• | the timing, receipt and amount of sales of, or royalties on, any future approved products, if any. |
We may obtain future additional funds through public or private equity or debt financings or other sources, such as strategic collaborations. Such financings may result in dilution to shareholders, issuance of securities with priority as to liquidation and dividend and other rights more favorable than ordinary shares, imposition of debt covenants and repayment obligations, or other restrictions that may adversely affect our business. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe that we have sufficient funds for current or future operating plans. There can be no assurance that financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. The inability to obtain financing when needed may make it more difficult for us to operate our business or implement our growth plans and we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our manufacturing, research and development activities, growth and expansion plans, establishment of sales and marketing capabilities or other activities that may be necessary or desirable to generate revenue and achieve profitability.
Our management has limited experience in operating a public company.
Our executive officers have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Our management team may not successfully or effectively manage our transition to a public company that will be subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of our company. We may not have adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience, and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal controls over financial reporting required of public companies in the U.S. In addition, each of Global Insurance Management Limited and National Automobile Club may also have inadequate internal controls over financial reporting required of public companies in the U.S. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for us to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company in the U.S. may require costs greater than expected. It is possible that we will be required to expand our employee base and hire additional employees to support our operations as a public company, which will increase our operating costs in future periods.
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We will incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, and these expenses may increase even more after we are no longer an emerging growth company, as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act. As a public company, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), as well as rules adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and Nasdaq. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, we expect these rules and regulations to substantially increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. The increased costs may increase our net loss. For example, we expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for it to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits or incur substantially higher costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. We cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of additional costs we may incur to respond to these requirements. The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees, or as executive officers.
The estimates and assumptions on which our financial projections are based may prove to be inaccurate, which may cause our actual results to materially differ from such projections, and which may adversely affect our future profitability, cash flows and the market price of our ordinary shares.
Our financial projections included in this proxy statement/prospectus under “The Merger — Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Roadzen” are dependent on certain estimates and assumptions related to, among other things, growth assumptions that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, such as the completion of our acquisition of Global Insurance Management Limited, which is subject to regulatory approval, as well as matters related specifically to the recent operational performance and anticipated development of our business, and which are subject to significant economic, competitive, industry and other uncertainties, and may not be achieved in full, at all, or within projected time frames. The financial projections also reflect numerous assumptions with respect to general business, economic, market, regulatory and financial conditions, and various other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Furthermore, the financial projections do not take into account any circumstances or event occurring after the date they were prepared. The financial projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure, nor were they prepared with a view toward compliance with GAAP, published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. Accordingly, none of Vahanna, Marcum LLP, Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the American Securities Association (“ASA”), Roadzen’s independent registered accounting firm, nor any other independent accountants, has compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the financial projections contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such projections or their achievability. The report of the independent registered public accounting firm to Roadzen, Inc. contained in the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023, which is included in this proxy statement/ prospectus, relates to historical financial information of Roadzen, and such report does not extend to the financial projections included below and should not be read to do so. The financial projections were based on historical experience and on various other estimates and assumptions that our management believed to be reasonable under the circumstances and at the time they were made. There will be differences between actual and projected financial results, and actual results may be materially greater or materially less than those contained in the financial projections, especially in light of the increased difficulty in making such estimates and assumptions as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war. Any material variation between our financial projections and our actual results may adversely affect our future profitability, cash flows and the market price of our ordinary shares. See “The Merger — Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Roadzen.”
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The current conflict between Ukraine and Russia has exacerbated market instability and disrupted the global economy.
The current conflict between Ukraine and Russia has caused uncertainty about economic and political stability, increasing volatility in the credit and financial markets, and disrupting the global economy. The U.S., the EU, and several other countries are imposing far-reaching sanctions and export control restrictions on Russian entities and individuals. These sanctions and export controls may also contribute to higher oil and gas prices and inflation, which could reduce demand in the global automotive sector and therefore reduce demand for our solutions. There is also a risk that Russia, as a retaliatory action to sanctions, may launch cyberattacks against the U.S., the EU, or other countries or their infrastructures and businesses. Additional consequences of the conflict may include diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, and various shortages and supply chain disruptions. While we do not currently directly rely on goods or services sourced in Russia or Ukraine and thus have not experienced any direct disruptions, we may experience indirect disruptions in our supply chain. Any of the foregoing factors, including developments or effects that we cannot yet predict, may adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Risks Relating to Regulatory and Legal Matters
New Roadzen will be subject to changing law and regulations regarding regulatory matters, corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both its costs and the risk of non-compliance.
New Roadzen will be subject to rules and regulations by various governing bodies, including, for example, the SEC, which are charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded, and to new and evolving regulatory measures under applicable law, including the laws of the BVI. New Roadzen’s efforts to comply with new and changing laws and regulations are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Moreover, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. If New Roadzen fails to address and comply with these regulations and any subsequent changes, it may be subject to penalty and our business may be harmed.
Handling of mail (if the Domestication does not occur).
In the event that New Roadzen remains a BVI entity following the consummation of the proposed transaction, its mail addressed to New Roadzen and received at its registered office will be forwarded unopened to the forwarding address supplied by New Roadzen to be dealt with. None of New Roadzen, its directors, officers, advisors or service providers (including the organization which provides registered office services in the BVI) will bear any responsibility for any delay however caused in mail reaching the forwarding address.
As a managing general agency/underwriter in the U.K./EU market, and an insurance broker in India, we operate in a highly regulated environment for our insurance product distribution and face risks associated with compliance requirements, some of which cause us to make judgment calls that could have an adverse effect on us.
The insurance broking industry in which we operate is subject to extensive regulation. We are subject to regulation and supervision both federally and in each applicable local state or provincial jurisdiction as per the particular geography. In general, these regulations are designed to protect members, policyholders, and insureds and to protect the integrity of the financial markets, rather than to protect shareholders or creditors. Our ability to conduct business in these jurisdictions depends on our compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by
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federal and state or provincial regulatory bodies and other regulatory authorities. Maintaining compliance with rules and regulations is often complex and challenging, and it sometimes requires us to make a judgment call regarding the level of risk associated with a requirement, which could have an adverse effect on us.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to adapt effectively and timely to any changes in law. A failure to comply with regulatory requirements, or changes in regulatory requirements or interpretations, can result in actions by regulators, potentially leading to penalties and enforcement actions, and in extreme cases, revocation of an authority to do business in one or more jurisdictions. This could result in adverse publicity and potential damage to our brand and reputation in the marketplace. In addition, we could face lawsuits by members, insureds, and other parties for alleged violations of these laws and regulations.
State insurance laws grant supervisory agencies, including state insurance departments, broad administrative authority. In India, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (“IRDAI”), the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and, in the U.S., state insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners continually review existing laws and regulations, some of which affect our business. These supervisory agencies regulate many aspects of the insurance business, including the licensing of insurance brokers and agents and other insurance intermediaries; the handling of third-party funds held in a fiduciary capacity; and trade practices, such as marketing, advertising, and compensation arrangements entered into by insurance brokers and agents. Individuals who engage in the solicitation, negotiation, or sale of insurance, or provide certain other insurance services, generally are required to be licensed individually. Insurance laws and regulations govern whether licensees may share commissions with unlicensed entities and individuals. We believe that generally any payments we make to third parties are in compliance with applicable laws. However, should any regulatory agency take a contrary position and prevail, we will be required to change the manner in which we pay fees to individuals and entities for placing insurance policies through us.
In India, insurance brokers are required to comply with various regulatory requirements as prescribed under the Insurance Act, 1938, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 and the relevant rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended from time to time (collectively, “Indian Insurance Broker Laws”). Because of the complexities of the Indian Insurance Broker Laws, we have had prior experiences with lapses in filings or disclosures in compliance with the Indian Insurance Broker Laws. While past lapses could be attributed to technical lapses and human errors, we are setting up a system to track and monitor compliance with the regulatory requirements under applicable laws. Currently, although there are no notices or penalty imposed by IRDAI in respect of such lapses, such lapses could result in actions by IRDAI, potentially leading to penalties and enforcement actions, which in extreme cases, among things, could lead to revocation of license to operate as licensed insurance broker. In determining the penalties, the discretion of the regulatory agencies in imposing penalties is generally guided by facts and circumstances of a specific case, particularly, the gravity of the violation and the bona fide of the parties involved. There can be no assurance that the penalties imposed by the regulator while regularizing such past lapses will not adversely affect our business or financial conditions.
We may be subject to periodic inspections by IRDAI for our insurance broker in India. In the event that we are unable to comply with the observations made by the IRDAI or comply with IRDAI’s directions at any time in the future, we could be subject to penalties and restrictions which may be imposed by the IRDAI. Imposition of any penalty or adverse finding by the IRDAI during any future inspection may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any adverse regulatory actions by regulators in the future. The costs of compliance may be high, which may affect our profitability. If we are unable to comply with any such regulatory requirements, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Regulatory review or the issuance of interpretations of existing laws and regulations may result in the enactment of new laws and regulations that could adversely affect our operations or our ability to conduct
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business profitably. It is difficult to predict whether, and to what degree, changes resulting from new laws and regulations will affect the industry or our business.
The U.S. federal government or independent standards organizations may implement significant regulations or standards that could adversely affect our ability to produce or market our products.
Our products transmit radio frequency waves, the transmission of which is governed by the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as well as other federal and state agencies. Further, to the extent our AI requires the use of electronic logging devices (ELDs), they are subject to regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and may be subject to similar regulations in other countries in which they are used. Among other challenges, compliance with ELD regulations often requires reading and interpreting diagnostic information from commercial motor vehicle engines, which can prove challenging given the diversity of commercial motor vehicles in our customers’ fleets, the continuous release of vehicles of new makes, models, and years with potentially different diagnostic communication protocols, and the lack of standardization of diagnostic communication protocols across OEMs. Our ability to design, develop and sell our products will continue to be subject to these rules and regulations, as well as many other federal, state, local and foreign rules, and regulations, for the foreseeable future.
The implementation of unfavorable regulations or industry standards, or unfavorable interpretations of existing regulations by courts or regulatory bodies, could require us to incur significant compliance costs, cause the development of the affected products to become impractical, or otherwise adversely affect our ability to produce or market our solution. The adoption of new industry standards applicable to our products may require us to engage in rapid product development efforts that would cause us to incur higher expenses than we anticipated. In some circumstances, we may not be able to comply with such standards, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenues through the sale of our products.
We may in the future become a party to litigation, which could result in damage to our reputation and harm our future results of operations.
From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. Litigation might result in substantial costs and may divert management’s attention and resources, which might harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. While we believe that we can partially mitigate the risk and severity of exposure from these lawsuits through contractual provisions in certain of our agreements with insurance carriers, and carrying our own insurance that we believe is adequate to cover adverse claims arising from these lawsuits or similar lawsuits that may be brought against us, we may not have adequate contractual protection in all of our contracts and defending these and similar litigation is costly, diverts management from day-to-day operations, and could harm our brand and reputation. As a result, we may ultimately be subject to a damages judgment, which could be significant and exceed our insurance policy limits or otherwise be excluded from coverage.
Regardless of the outcome of any future litigation, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, harm to our reputation, and other factors. See “Business — Legal Proceedings.”
Failure to comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business could subject us to fines and penalties and could also cause us to lose customers or otherwise harm our business.
Our business is subject to regulation by various federal, state, local, and foreign governmental agencies, including agencies responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with various legal obligations, covering topics including privacy and data protection, telecommunications, intellectual property, employment and labor, workplace safety, the environment, consumer protection, governmental trade sanctions, import and export controls, anti-corruption and anti-bribery, securities, and tax. In certain jurisdictions, these regulatory
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requirements may be more stringent than in the U.S. These laws and regulations impose added costs on our business. Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could subject us to:
• | investigations, enforcement actions, and sanctions; |
• | mandatory changes to our solutions and services; |
• | disgorgement of profits, fines, and damages; |
• | civil and criminal penalties or injunctions; |
• | claims for damages by our customers or channel partners; |
• | termination of contracts; |
• | loss of intellectual property rights; and |
• | temporary or permanent debarment from sales to government organizations. |
If any governmental sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of our management’s attention and resources and an increase in fees to professionals and/or consultants. Enforcement actions and sanctions could materially harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Additionally, companies in the technology industry have recently experienced increased regulatory scrutiny. Any reviews by regulatory agencies or legislatures may result in substantial regulatory fines, changes to our business practices, and other penalties, which could negatively affect our business and results of operations. Changes in social, political, and regulatory conditions or in laws and policies governing a wide range of topics may cause us to change our business practices. Further, our expansion into a variety of new use cases for our solution could also raise a number of new regulatory issues. These factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our failure to comply with the requirements of applicable environmental legislation and regulation could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability.
Production and marketing of products in certain states and countries may subject us to environmental and other regulations. In addition, certain states and countries may pass new regulations requiring our products to meet certain requirements to use environmentally friendly components. For example, the EU has issued two directives relating to chemical substances in electronic products. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (“WEEE”) makes producers of certain electrical and electronic equipment financially responsible for the collection, reuse, recycling, treatment, and disposal of equipment placed in the EU market. The Restrictions of Hazardous Substances Directive (“RoHS”) bans the use of certain hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment which are put on the market in the EU. In the future, the governments of various countries, including the United States, or other state or local governments, may adopt further environmental compliance programs and requirements. If we fail to comply with these regulations in connection with the manufacture of our telematic devices, we may face regulatory fines, changes to our business practices, and other penalties, and may not be able to sell our devices in jurisdictions where these regulations apply, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability.
We are subject to stringent and changing laws, regulations, standards, and contractual obligations related to privacy, data protection, and data security. Any actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our business.
We receive, collect, store, process, transfer, and use personal information and other data relating to users of our solutions, our employees and contractors, and other persons. For example, one of our AI-based telematics
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systems collects video information of our customers, and certain of our AI applications collect and store facial recognition data, which is subject to heightened sensitivity and regulation. We have legal and contractual obligations regarding the protection of confidentiality and appropriate use of certain data, including facial recognition data and other personal information. We are subject to numerous federal, state, local, and international laws, directives, and regulations regarding privacy, data protection, data security and the collection, storing, sharing, use, processing, transfer, disclosure, and protection of personal information and other data, the scope of which are changing, subject to differing interpretations, and may be inconsistent across jurisdictions or conflict with other legal and regulatory requirements. We are also subject to certain contractual obligations to third parties related to privacy, data protection and data security. We strive to comply with our applicable policies and applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and other legal obligations relating to privacy, data protection, and data security to the extent possible. However, the regulatory framework for privacy, data protection and data security worldwide is currently, and is likely to remain for the foreseeable future, uncertain and complex, and it is possible that these or other actual or alleged obligations may be interpreted and applied in a manner that we do not anticipate or that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other legal obligations or our practices. Further, any significant change to applicable laws, regulations or industry practices regarding the collection, use, retention, security or disclosure of data, or their interpretation, or any changes regarding the manner in which the consent of users or other data subjects for the collection, use, retention or disclosure of such data must be obtained, could increase our costs and require us to modify our AI, possibly in a material manner, which we may be unable to complete, and may limit our ability to store and process user data or develop new features.
We also expect that there will continue to be new laws, regulations, and industry standards concerning privacy, data protection, and information security proposed and enacted in various jurisdictions. For example, the data protection landscape in Europe is currently evolving, resulting in possible significant operational costs for internal compliance and risks to our business. The EU adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), which became effective in May 2018, and contains numerous requirements and changes from previously existing European Union laws, including more robust obligations on data processors and heavier documentation requirements for data protection compliance programs by companies. Among other requirements, the GDPR regulates the transfer of personal data subject to the GDPR to third countries that have not been found to provide adequate protection to such personal data, including the U.S. Failure to comply with the GDPR could result in penalties for noncompliance (including possible fines of up to the greater of €20 million and 4% of our global annual turnover for the preceding financial year for the most serious violations, as well as the right to compensation for financial or non-financial damages claimed by individuals under Article 82 of the GDPR).
In addition to the GDPR, the European Commission has another draft regulation in the approval process that focuses on a person’s right to conduct a private life. The proposed legislation, known as the Regulation of Privacy and Electronic Communications (the “ePrivacy Regulation”), would replace the current ePrivacy Directive. Originally planned to be adopted and implemented at the same time as the GDPR, the ePrivacy Regulation is still being negotiated.
Various United States privacy laws are potentially relevant to our business, including the Federal Trade Commission Act, Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (CAN-SPAM Act), and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Any actual or perceived failure to comply with these laws could result in a costly investigation or litigation resulting in potentially significant liability, loss of trust by our users, and a material and adverse impact on our reputation and business.
Additionally, in June 2018, California passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which provides new data privacy rights for California consumers and new operational requirements for covered companies. Specifically, the CCPA provides that covered companies must provide new disclosures to California consumers and afford such consumers new data privacy rights that include the right to request a copy from a covered company of the personal information collected about them, the right to request deletion of such personal information, and the right to request to opt-out of certain sales of such personal information. The CCPA became
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operative on January 1, 2020. The California Attorney General can enforce the CCPA, including by seeking an injunction and civil penalties for violations. The CCPA also provides a private right of action for certain data breaches that is expected to increase data breach litigation. The CCPA may require us to modify our data practices and policies and to incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply. A new privacy law, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), was approved by California voters in the November 3, 2020 election and is effective as of January 1, 2023. The CPRA significantly modified the CCPA, resulting in further uncertainty and requiring us to incur additional costs and expenses in an effort to comply. A number of other states, such as Illinois, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Colorado, have implemented, or are considering implementing, their own versions of privacy legislation, which could increase our potential liability and cause us to incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply and otherwise adversely affect our business. Some of those laws, including Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, also provide consumers with a private right of action for certain violations and large potential statutory damages awards. Recent litigation around these laws has encouraged plaintiffs’ attorneys to bring additional actions against other targets, and because some of our products employ technology that may be perceived as subject to these laws, we and our customers may become subject to litigation, government enforcement actions, damages and penalties under these laws, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and our financial condition. Further, in March 2017, the U.K. formally notified the European Council of its intention to leave the EU pursuant to Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union. The U.K. ceased to be a EU Member State on January 31, 2020, but enacted legislation that substantially implements the GDPR and which provides for substantial penalties in a manner similar to the GDPR (up to the greater of £17.5 million and 4% of our global annual turnover for the preceding financial year for the most serious violations). It is unclear how the U.K. data protection laws or regulations will develop in the medium to longer term and how data transfers to and from the U.K. will be regulated. Further, some countries also are considering or have enacted legislation requiring local storage and processing of data that could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services.
We are also subject to legislation and regulations in India under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended from time to time, including the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 and the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Further, the laws and regulations relating to privacy and the collection, storing, sharing, use, disclosure, and protection of certain types of data in India may continually change as a result of new legislation, amendments to existing legislation, changes in the enforcement policies and changes in the interpretation of such laws and regulations by the courts or the regulators. For example, the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 (the “PDP Bill”) was introduced to propose a legal framework governing the processing of personal data. However, the PDP Bill was withdrawn on August 3, 2022. Following this, the Government of India is considering the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 on personal data protection for implementing organizational and technical measures in processing personal data and lays down norms for cross-border transfer of personal data and to ensure the accountability of entities processing personal data. The enactment of the aforesaid bill may introduce stricter data protection norms for a company such as ours and may impact our processes. If this or similar legislation is enacted, we may incur additional compliance costs and it may affect us in ways that we are currently unable to predict.
Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with our posted privacy policies, our privacy-related obligations to users or other third parties, or any other legal obligations or regulatory requirements relating to privacy, data protection, or data security, may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, litigation, claims, or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could result in significant liability, cause our users to lose trust in us, and otherwise materially and adversely affect our reputation and business. Furthermore, the costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the laws, regulations, other obligations, and policies that are applicable to the businesses of our users may limit the adoption and use of, and reduce the overall demand for, our solution. Additionally, if third parties we work with violate applicable laws, regulations or contractual obligations, such violations may put our users’ data at risk, could result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, fines, litigation, claims, or public statements
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against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could result in significant liability, cause our users to lose trust in us, and otherwise materially and adversely affect our reputation and business. Further, public scrutiny of, or complaints about, technology companies or their data handling or data protection practices, even if unrelated to our business, industry or operations, may lead to increased scrutiny of technology companies, including us, and may cause government agencies to enact additional regulatory requirements, or to modify their enforcement or investigation activities, which may increase our costs and risks.
Failure to comply with anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws, including the FCPA and similar laws associated with our activities outside of the United States, could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We are subject to the FCPA, the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. § 201, the U.S. Travel Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010, the Indian Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988 and possibly other anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws in countries where we conduct activities. We face significant risks if we fail to comply with the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws that prohibit companies and their employees and third-party intermediaries from authorizing, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or benefits to foreign government officials, political parties, and private-sector recipients for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, directing business to any person, or securing any improper advantage. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws have been enforced aggressively in recent years and are interpreted broadly. In many foreign countries, particularly in countries with developing economies, it may be a local custom that businesses engage in practices that are prohibited by the FCPA or other applicable laws and regulations. In addition, we use third parties to sell subscriptions to our solution and conduct our business abroad. We or our third-party intermediaries may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities, and we can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of these third-party intermediaries, our employees, representatives, contractors, partners, and agents, even if we do not explicitly authorize such activities. Similarly, some of our customers may be state- owned, in each case exposing us to additional potential risks.
These laws also require that we keep accurate books and records and maintain internal controls and compliance procedures designed to prevent any such activities. While we have policies and procedures to address such laws, we cannot assure you that none of our employees or third-party intermediaries will take actions in violation of our policies and applicable law, for which we may be ultimately held responsible.
Any violation of the FCPA, other applicable anti-corruption laws, or anti-money laundering laws could result in whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage, investigations, severe criminal or civil sanctions and suspension or debarment from government contracts, which could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. In addition, responding to any enforcement action may result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other fees for professionals and/or consultants.
We are subject to stringent and changing privacy and data security laws, regulations, and standards related to data privacy and security. Our actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our reputation, subject us to significant fines and liability, or adversely affect our business.
In the U.S., insurance companies are subject to the privacy provisions of the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Model Act, to the extent adopted and implemented by various state legislatures and insurance regulators. The regulations implementing these laws require insurance companies to disclose their privacy practices to consumers, allow them to opt-in or opt-out, depending on the state, of the sharing of certain personal information with unaffiliated third parties, and require them to maintain certain security controls to protect information in their possession. Violators of these laws face regulatory enforcement action, substantial civil penalties, injunctions, and in some states, private lawsuits for damages.
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Privacy and data security regulation in the U.S. is rapidly evolving. For example, California recently enacted the CCPA, which became effective January 1, 2020. The CCPA and related regulations give California residents expanded rights to access and request deletion of their personal information, opt out of certain personal information sharing, and receive detailed information about how their personal information is used and shared. The CCPA provides for civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for certain data breaches, which is expected to increase the volume and success of class action data breach litigation. In addition to increasing its compliance costs and potential liability, the CCPA’s restrictions on “sales” of personal information may restrict Roadzen’s use of cookies and similar technologies for advertising purposes. The CCPA excludes information covered by Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the “California Financial Information Privacy Act”) from the CCPA’s scope, but the CCPA’s definition of “personal information” is broad and may encompass other information that Roadzen maintains. Some observers have noted that the CCPA could mark the beginning of a trend toward more stringent privacy legislation in the U.S., and multiple states have enacted or proposed similar laws. There is also discussion in Congress of new comprehensive federal data protection and privacy law to which Roadzen likely would be subject if it is enacted.
In addition, California voters approved the November 2020 ballot measure which will enact the CPRA, substantially expanding the requirements of the CCPA. As of January 1, 2023, the CPRA gives consumers the ability to limit use of precise geolocation information and other categories of information classified as “sensitive” and add e-mail addresses and passwords to the list of personal information that, if lost or breached, would give the affected consumers the right to bring private lawsuits. The law increases increase the maximum penalties threefold for violations concerning consumers under age 16; and establish the California Privacy Protection Agency to implement and enforce the new law, as well as impose administrative fines. The effects of the CCPA, CPRA and other similar state or federal laws are potentially significant and may require us to modify our data processing practices and policies, incur substantial compliance costs and subject it to increased potential liability.
In the EU we face particular privacy, data security, and data protection risks in connection with requirements of the GDPR 2016/679 and other data protection regulations. Among other stringent requirements, the GDPR restricts transfers of data outside of the E.U. to countries deemed to lack adequate privacy protections (such as the U.S.), unless an appropriate safeguard specified by the GDPR is implemented. A July 16, 2020 decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union invalidated a key mechanism for lawful data transfer to the U.S. and called into question the viability of its primary alternative. As such, the ability of companies to lawfully transfer personal data from the EU to the U.S. is presently uncertain. Other countries have enacted or are considering enacting similar cross-border data transfer rules or data localization requirements. These developments could limit its ability to deliver its products in the EU and other foreign markets. In addition, any failure or perceived failure to comply with these rules may result in regulatory fines or penalties including orders that require it to change the way Roadzen processes data.
Additionally, we are subject to the terms of its privacy policies, privacy-related disclosures, and contractual and other privacy-related obligations to its customers and other third parties. Any failure or perceived failure by it or third parties Roadzen works with to comply with these policies, disclosures, and obligations to customers or other third parties, or privacy or data security laws may result in governmental or regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, regulatory fines, criminal compliance orders, litigation or public statements against Roadzen by consumer advocacy groups or others, and could cause customers to lose trust in it, all of which could be costly and have an adverse effect on its business.
We rely on some mobile applications to execute our business strategy. Government regulation of the Internet and the use of mobile applications in particular is evolving, and unfavorable changes could seriously harm our business.
Roadzen relies on some mobile application to execute components of its business strategy. Roadzen is subject to general business regulations and laws as well as federal and state regulations and laws specifically governing the Internet and the use of mobile applications in particular. Existing and future laws and regulations
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may impede the growth of the Internet or other online services, and increase the cost of providing online services. These regulations and laws may involve taxes, tariffs, privacy and data security, anti-spam, content protection, electronic contracts and communications, electronic signatures and consents, consumer protection and social media marketing. It is at times not clear how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes and consumer privacy apply to the Internet and the use of mobile applications in particular, as the vast majority of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and the use of mobile applications and do not contemplate or address the unique issues raised by the Internet. It is possible that general business regulations and laws, or those specifically governing the Internet and the use of mobile applications in particular, may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or our practices. Roadzen cannot be sure that its practices have complied, currently comply, or will comply fully with all such laws and regulations. Any failure, or perceived failure, by it to comply with any of these laws or regulations could result in damage to its reputation, a loss in business and proceedings or actions against it by governmental entities or others. Any such proceeding or action could hurt its reputation, force it to spend significant amounts in defense of these proceedings, distract its management, increase its costs of doing business and decrease the use of its mobile application or website by consumers and suppliers and may result in the imposition of monetary liability. Roadzen may also be contractually liable to indemnify and hold harmless third parties from the costs or consequences of non-compliance with any such laws or regulations.
Changes in, or violations by us or our customers of, applicable government regulations could reduce demand for or limit our ability to provide our software and services in those jurisdictions.
Our automotive insurance industry customers are subject to extensive government regulations, mainly at the state level in the U.S. and at the country level in our non-U.S. markets. Some of these regulations relate directly to our software and services, including regulations governing the use of total loss and photo estimating software. If our insurance company customers fail to comply with new or existing insurance regulations, including those applicable to our services, they could lose their certifications to provide insurance and/or reduce their usage of our software and services, either of which would reduce our revenues. If our products or services are found to be defective, we could be liable to them. In addition, future regulations could force us to implement costly changes to our software and/or databases or have the effect of prohibiting or rendering less valuable one or more of our offerings. Also, we are subject to direct regulation in some markets, and our failure to comply with these regulations could significantly reduce our revenues or subject us to government sanctions.
We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities and may be affected by changes in tax laws or interpretations, any of which could adversely impact our results of operations.
Following the merger, New Roadzen and its subsidiaries are expected to be subject to income taxes in the United States and various jurisdictions outside of the United States. Our effective tax rate could fluctuate due to changes in the mix of earnings and losses in countries with differing statutory tax rates. Moreover, our tax position could also be impacted by changes in accounting principles, changes in U.S. federal, state or international tax laws applicable to corporate multinationals, other fundamental law changes currently being considered by many countries, including the United States, and changes in taxing jurisdictions’ administrative interpretations, decisions, policies, and positions. Any of the foregoing changes could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”) was signed into law on August 16, 2022 and imposes a minimum tax on certain corporations with book income of at least $1 billion, subject to certain adjustments, and a 1% excise tax on certain stock buybacks (including certain redemptions) and similar corporate actions. Any of these or similar developments or changes in U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. tax laws or tax rulings could adversely affect our effective tax rate and our operating results.
We may in the future be obligated to pay income tax in India.
We must certify annually that we are not an Indian domiciled company for Indian income tax purposes. Establishing that we are not an Indian domiciled company requires an evaluation of certain parameters and
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conducting certain tests to the satisfaction of the tax authorities in India. There is a risk that now or at some point in the future, we will not be able to satisfy the requirements of the tax authorities in India. If we were unable to meet these requirements, we would be considered an Indian domiciled company by the tax authorities in India and would consequently incur income tax charges in India.
Risks Relating to Intellectual Property
Failure to protect our intellectual property could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our success depends in part on our ability to enforce and defend our intellectual property rights. We rely upon a combination of trademark, trade secret, copyright, patent and unfair competition laws, as well as license agreements and other contractual provisions, to do so.
In the future we may file patent applications related to certain of our innovations. We do not know whether those patent applications will result in the issuance of a patent or whether the examination process will require us to narrow our claims. In addition, we may not receive competitive advantages from the rights granted under our patents and other intellectual property. Our existing patents and any patents granted to us or that we otherwise acquire in the future, may be contested, circumvented or invalidated, and we may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing these patents. The validity, enforceability, scope and effective term of patents can be highly uncertain and often involve complex legal and factual questions and proceedings that vary based on the local law of the relevant jurisdiction. Our ability to enforce our patents also depends on the laws of individual countries and each country’s practice with respect to enforcement of intellectual property rights. Patent protection must be obtained on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, and we only pursue patent protection in countries where we think it makes commercial sense for the given product. In addition, if we are unable to maintain our existing license agreements or other agreements pursuant to which third parties grant us rights to intellectual property, including because such agreements terminate, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Therefore, the extent of the protection afforded by these patents cannot be predicted with certainty. In addition, given the costs, effort, risks and downside of obtaining patent protection, including the requirement to ultimately disclose the invention to the public, we may choose not to seek patent protection for certain innovations; however, such patent protection could later prove to be important to our business.
Patent law reform in the U.S. and other countries may also weaken our ability to enforce our patent rights, or make such enforcement financially unattractive. For instance, in September 2011, the U.S. enacted the Leahy- Smith America Invents Act, which permits enhanced third-party actions for challenging patents and implements a first-to-file system. Further, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2014 decision in Alice v. CLS Bank made it easier to invalidate software patents. These legal changes could result in increased costs to protect our intellectual property or limit our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection for our products in these jurisdictions.
We also rely on several registered and unregistered trademarks to protect our brand. We have pursued and will pursue the registration of trademarks, logos and service marks in the U.S. and internationally; however, enforcing rights against those who knowingly or unknowingly dilute or infringe our brands can be difficult. There can be no assurance that the steps we have taken and will take to protect our proprietary rights in our brands and trademarks will be adequate or that third parties will not infringe, dilute or misappropriate our brands, trademarks, trade dress or other similar proprietary rights. Competitors may adopt service names similar to ours or use confusingly similar terms as keywords in Internet search engine advertising programs, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly creating confusion in the marketplace. In addition, trade name or trademark infringement claims could be brought against us by owners of other registered trademarks or trademarks that incorporate variations of our trademarks. Any claims or customer confusion related to our trademarks could damage our reputation and brand and adversely impact our business and results of operations.
We attempt to protect our intellectual property, technology and confidential information by generally requiring our employees, contractors, and consultants to enter into confidentiality and assignment of inventions
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agreements and third parties to enter into nondisclosure agreements, all of which offer only limited protection. These agreements may not effectively prevent, or provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology. Despite our efforts to protect our confidential information, intellectual property, and technology, unauthorized third parties may gain access to our confidential proprietary information, develop and market solutions similar to ours, or use trademarks similar to ours, any of which could materially impact our business and results of operations. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and confidential information, and in such cases, we could not assert any trade secret rights against such parties. Existing U.S. federal, state and international intellectual property laws offer only limited protection. The laws of some foreign countries do not protect our intellectual property rights to as great an extent as the laws of the U.S., and many foreign countries do not enforce these laws as diligently as governmental agencies and private parties in the U.S. More broadly, enforcing intellectual property protections outside the U.S., including in some countries we operate in, can be more challenging than enforcement in the U.S. The Company takes certain actions when operating in countries where protection of IP, technology and confidential information, is not as well protected, including steps such as preventing placing sensitive IP in such countries, as an example. Moreover, policing our intellectual property rights is difficult, costly and may not always be effective. From time to time, legal action by us may be necessary to enforce our patents and other intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the intellectual property rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Even if we are successful in defending our claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could negatively affect our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition. To the extent that we seek to enforce our rights, we could be subject to claims that an intellectual property right is invalid, otherwise not enforceable, or is licensed to the party against whom we are pursuing a claim. In addition, our assertion of intellectual property rights may result in the other party seeking to assert alleged intellectual property rights or assert other claims against us, which could adversely impact our business. If we are not successful in defending such claims in litigation, we may not be able to sell or license a particular solution due to an injunction, or we may have to pay damages that could, in turn, adversely impact our results of operations. In addition, governments may adopt regulations, or courts may render decisions, requiring compulsory licensing of intellectual property to others, or governments may require that products meet specified standards that serve to favor local companies. Our inability to enforce our intellectual property rights under these circumstances may adversely impact our competitive position and our business. If we are unable to protect our technology and to adequately maintain and protect our intellectual property rights, we may find ourselves at a competitive disadvantage to others who need not incur the additional expense, time and effort required to create the innovative solutions that have enabled us to be successful to date.
There can be no assurance that our patents or patent applications will be enforceable or otherwise upheld as valid.
Any patents, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights that we have obtained or may obtain may be challenged by others or invalidated, circumvented, abandoned or lapse. As of June 15, 2023, we had no U.S. trademarks or pending applications, and we had four registered non-U.S. trademarks and five pending non-U.S. trademark applications. As of June 15, 2023, we had no U.S. patents and pending applications, and one registered non-U.S. patent, one registered non-U.S. design and one pending non-U.S. patent application. There can be no assurance that our patent applications will result in issued patents. Even if we continue to seek patent protection in the future, we may be unable to obtain further patent protection for our technology. There can also be no assurance that our patents or application will be equally enforceable or otherwise protected by the laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions.
In addition, given the costs, effort, risks and downside of obtaining patent protection, including the requirement to ultimately disclose the invention to the public, we may choose not to seek patent protection for certain innovations; however, such patent protection could later on prove to be important to our business. Further, any patents may not provide us with competitive advantages, or may be successfully challenged by third parties. Furthermore, legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability, and scope of protection of intellectual property rights are uncertain.
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We may enter into joint ventures, collaborations or sponsored developments for intellectual property and, as a result, some of our intellectual property may, in the future, be jointly owned by third parties.
Engagement in any type of intellectual property collaboration agreement requires diligent management of intellectual property rights. Other than in specific, limited circumstances, such as a joint venture we are party to in India where we have majority ownership of the joint venture entity. Roadzen does not currently engage in joint ventures, collaborations or sponsored development agreements. Should Roadzen decide to pursue such agreements in future, the development of joint intellectual property would create additional administrative and financial burdens, and may place Roadzen at heightened risk of disputes or litigation regarding ownership, maintenance or enforcement of such joint intellectual property.
Assertions by third parties of infringement or other violation by us of their intellectual property rights could result in significant costs and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
The insurtech industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent claims and related litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. In particular, leading companies in the technology industry own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, which they may use to assert claims against us. From time to time, third parties holding such intellectual property rights, including companies, competitors, patent holding companies, customers and/or non-practicing entities, may assert patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property claims against us, our customers and partners, and those from whom we license technology and intellectual property.
Although we believe that our solutions do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties, any such assertions may require us to enter into royalty arrangements or result in costly litigation, or result in us being unable to use certain intellectual property. Infringement assertions by third parties may involve patent holding companies or other patent owners who have no relevant product revenue, and therefore our own issued and pending patents may provide little or no deterrence to these patent owners in bringing intellectual property rights claims against us.
If we are forced to defend against any infringement or misappropriation claims, whether they are with or without merit, are settled out of court, or are determined in our favor, we may be required to expend significant time and financial resources on the defense of such claims. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, such a claim could adversely impact our brand and business. Furthermore, an adverse outcome of a dispute may require us to pay damages, potentially including treble damages and attorneys’ fees, if we are found to have willfully infringed a party’s intellectual property; cease making, licensing or using our solutions that are alleged to infringe or misappropriate the intellectual property of others; expend additional development resources to redesign our solutions; enter into potentially unfavorable royalty or license agreements in order to obtain the right to use necessary technologies or works; and to indemnify our partners, customers and other third parties. Any of these events could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information.
To protect our trade secrets, confidential information and distribution of our proprietary information, we generally enter into confidentiality, non-compete, proprietary, and invention assignment agreements with our employees and consultants and enter into confidentiality agreements with other parties. We also have entered into confidentiality agreements to protect our confidential information delivered to third parties for research and other purposes. No assurance can be given that these agreements will be effective in controlling access to trade secrets, confidential information and distribution of our proprietary information, especially in certain U.S. states and countries that are less willing to enforce such agreements. Further, these agreements may not prevent our competitors from independently developing technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our products. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and confidential information, and in
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such cases we could not assert any trade secret rights against such parties. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our trade secret rights and related confidentiality and nondisclosure provisions, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection, or our competitors’ obtainment of our trade secrets or independent development of unpatented technology similar to ours or competing technologies, could adversely affect our competitive business position.
In order to protect our intellectual property rights and proprietary technology, we may be required to spend significant resources to monitor and protect our intellectual property rights. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights and to protect our trade secrets. Litigation brought to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could be costly, time-consuming, and distracting to management, and could result in the impairment or loss of portions of our intellectual property. Further, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims, and countersuits attacking the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property rights. Our inability to protect our intellectual property rights and proprietary technology against unauthorized copying or use, as well as any costly litigation or diversion of our management’s attention and resources, could delay further sales or the implementation of our products, impair the functionality of our products, delay introductions of new products, result in our substituting inferior or more costly technologies into our products, or injure our brand and reputation.
Our exposure to risks associated with the use of intellectual property may be increased as a result of acquisitions.
Our exposure to risks associated with the use of intellectual property may be increased as a result of acquisitions, as we have a lower level of visibility into the development process with respect to acquired technology or the care taken to safeguard against infringement risks. Third parties may make infringement and similar or related claims after we have acquired technology that had not been asserted prior to our acquisition. Any of these results could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. These risks have been amplified by the increase in third parties whose sole or primary business is to assert such claims.
Our use of open source software could negatively affect our ability to sell subscriptions and subject us to possible litigation.
Few of the licenses applicable to open source software have been interpreted by courts, and there is a risk that these licenses could be construed in a manner that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to commercialize our solution or other products we may develop in the future. We also rely upon third-party, non-employee contractors to perform certain development services on our behalf, and we cannot be certain that such contractors will comply with our review processes or not incorporate software code made available under open source licenses into our proprietary code base.
We may be found to have used open source software in our software in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms of the applicable license or our current policies and procedures. For example, certain kinds of open source licenses may require that any person who creates a product or service that contains, links to, or is derived from software that was subject to an open source license must also make their own product or service subject to the same open source license. If these requirements are found to apply to our products and we fail to comply with them, we may be subject to certain requirements, including requirements that we offer additional portions of our solutions for no cost, that we make available additional source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon, incorporating or using the open source software, and that we license such modifications or derivative works under the terms of applicable open source licenses.
If an author or other third party that distributes such open source software were to allege that we had not complied with the conditions of one or more of these licenses, we could be required to incur significant legal expenses defending against such allegations and could be subject to significant damages, enjoined from the sale of our products that contained the open source software, or required to comply with onerous conditions or
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restrictions on these products, which could disrupt the distribution and sale of these products. In addition, there have been claims challenging the ownership rights in open source software against companies that incorporate open source software into their products, and the licensors of such open source software provide no warranties or indemnities with respect to such claims. Moreover, we cannot assure you that our processes for controlling our use of open source software in our solution will be effective. In any of these events, we and our customers could be required to seek licenses from third parties in order to continue offering our products, to re-engineer our products, or to discontinue the sale of our products in the event re-engineering cannot be accomplished on a timely basis. We and our customers may also be subject to suits by parties claiming infringement, misappropriation or violation due to the reliance by our solutions on certain open source software, and such litigation could be costly for us to defend or subject us to an injunction.
Some open source projects provided on an “as-is” basis have known vulnerabilities and architectural instabilities which, if used in our product and not properly addressed, could negatively affect the security or performance of our product. Any of the foregoing could require us to devote additional research and development resources to re-engineer our solutions, could result in customer dissatisfaction, and may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Some of our services and technologies use “open source” software, which may restrict how we use or distribute our services or require that we release the source code of certain products subject to those licenses.
Some of our services and technologies incorporate software licensed under so-called “open source” licenses. In addition to risks related to license requirements, usage of open source software can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or controls on origin of the software. Additionally, some open source licenses require that source code subject to the license be made available to the public and that any modifications or derivative works to open source software continue to be licensed under open source licenses. These open source licenses typically mandate that proprietary software, when combined in specific ways with open source software, become subject to the open source license. If we combine our proprietary software with open source software, we could be required to release the source code of our proprietary software.
We take steps to ensure that our proprietary software is not combined with, and does not incorporate, open source software in ways that would require our proprietary software to be subject to many of the restrictions in an open source license. However, few courts have interpreted open source licenses, and the manner in which these licenses may be interpreted and enforced is therefore subject to some uncertainty. Additionally, we rely on hundreds of software programmers to design our proprietary technologies, and although we take steps to prevent our programmers from including objectionable open source software in the technologies and software code that they design, write and modify, we do not exercise complete control over the development efforts of our programmers and we cannot be certain that our programmers have not incorporated such open source software into our proprietary products and technologies or that they will not do so in the future. In the event that portions of our proprietary technology are determined to be subject to an open source license, we could be required to publicly release the affected portions of our source code, re-engineer all or a portion of our technologies, or otherwise be limited in the licensing of our technologies, each of which could reduce or eliminate the value of our services and technologies and materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and prospects.
In the past, companies that have incorporated open source software into their products have faced claims challenging the ownership of open source software or compliance with open source license terms. Accordingly, we could be subject to suits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source software or claiming noncompliance with open source licensing terms.
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Indemnity provisions in various agreements potentially expose us to substantial liability for intellectual property infringement, misappropriation, violation, and other losses.
Our agreements with customers and other third parties have in some cases included indemnification provisions under which we agree to indemnify them for losses suffered or incurred as a result of claims of intellectual property infringement, misappropriation or violation, damages caused by us to property or persons, or other liabilities relating to or arising from our solution or other contractual obligations. Large indemnity payments could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Pursuant to certain agreements, we do not have a cap on our liability and any payments under such agreements would harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Although we normally contractually limit our liability with respect to some of these indemnity obligations, we may still incur substantial liability related to them. Any dispute with a customer with respect to such obligations could have adverse effects on our relationship with that customer and other existing customers and new customers and harm our business and results of operations.
We may become subject to intellectual property disputes, which are costly and may subject us to significant liability and increased costs of doing business.
Third parties have claimed and may in the future claim that our operations and applications infringe their intellectual property rights, and such claims have resulted and may result in legal claims against our customers and us. These claims may damage our brand and reputation, harm our customer relationships, and result in liability for us. We expect the number of such claims will increase as the number of applications and the level of competition in our market grows, the functionality of our solution overlaps with that of other products and services, and the volume of issued patents and patent applications continues to increase. We have agreed in various agreements to indemnify customers for expenses or liabilities they incur as a result of third-party intellectual property infringement claims associated with our solution. To the extent that any claim arises as a result of third-party technology we use in our solution, we may be unable to recover from the appropriate third party any expenses or other liabilities that we incur.
Companies in the software and technology industries, including some of our current and potential competitors, own patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets and frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. In addition, many of these companies have the capability to dedicate substantially greater resources to enforce their intellectual property rights and to defend claims that may be brought against them than we do. Furthermore, patent holding companies, non-practicing entities, and other patent owners that are not deterred by our existing intellectual property protections may seek to assert patent claims against us. Third parties may assert patent, copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights against us, our channel partners, our technology partners, or our customers. We have received notices and been subject to litigation (and we may be subject to litigation in the future) that claims we have misappropriated, misused, or infringed other parties’ intellectual property rights, and, to the extent we gain greater market visibility, we face a higher risk of being the subject of intellectual property infringement claims, which is not uncommon with respect to the enterprise software market. These and other possible disagreements could lead to delays in the collaborative research, development or commercialization of our systems, or could require or result in costly and time-consuming litigation that may not be decided in our favor. Any such event could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
There may be third-party intellectual property rights, including issued or pending patents, that cover significant aspects of our technologies or business methods. In addition, if we acquire or license technologies from third parties, we may be exposed to increased risk of being the subject of intellectual property infringement due to, among other things, our lower level of visibility into the development process with respect to such technology and the care taken to safeguard against infringement risks. These claims may damage our brand and reputation, harm our customer relationships, and create liability for us.
Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be very time-consuming, could be expensive to settle or litigate, and could divert our management’s attention and other resources. These claims could also
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subject us to significant liability for damages, potentially including treble damages if we are found to have willfully infringed patents or copyrights, and may require us to indemnify our customers for liabilities they incur as a result of such claims. These claims could also result in our having to stop using technology found to be in violation of a third party’s rights. We might be required to seek a license for the intellectual property, which may not be available on reasonable terms or at all. Even if a license were available, we could be required to pay significant royalties, which would increase our operating expenses. Alternatively, we could be required to develop alternative non-infringing technology, which could require significant time, effort, and expense, and may affect the performance or features of our solution. If we cannot license or develop alternative non-infringing substitutes for any infringing technology used in any aspect of our business, we would be forced to limit or stop sales of our solution and may be unable to compete effectively. Any of these results would adversely affect our business operations and financial condition.
Risks Relating to Operations in India
We are subject to various labor laws, regulations and standards in India. Non-compliance with and changes in such laws may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are required to comply with various labor and industrial laws in India and the rules made thereunder (each as amended from time to time), which include relevant shops and establishment legislations depending on the States of India in which we operate, the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948, the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970. Because of the complexities of the applicable labor laws in India, we have had prior experiences with lapses in compliance with applicable labor laws. While past lapses could be attributed to technical lapses and human errors, we are setting up a system to track and monitor compliance with the regulatory requirements under applicable labor laws. Currently, although there are no notices or penalty imposed by relevant labor authorities in respect of such lapses, such lapses could result in actions by such authorities, potentially leading to civil and/or criminal penalties and enforcement actions, which in extreme cases, among things, could lead to revocation of licenses or registrations to operate our business. In determining the penalties, the discretion of the regulatory agencies in imposing penalties is generally guided by facts and circumstances of a specific case, particularly, the gravity of the violation and the bona fide of the parties involved. There can be no assurance that the penalties imposed by the regulator while regularizing such past lapses will not adversely affect our business or financial conditions.
The Government of India has notified four labor codes, namely, (i) the Code on Wages, 2019, (ii) the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, (iii) the Code on Social Security, 2020 and (iv) the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. While certain provisions of the Code on Wages, 2019 and the Code on Social Security, 2020 have been brought in force, the effective date of the four labor codes is yet to be notified, and they shall come into force from such date as may be notified by the Government of India. The new codes, if implemented, will subsume several separate legislations, and will introduce several new changes, such as introducing a single registration and license for Indian companies, and provide uniformity in providing social security benefits to employees, which was earlier segregated under different legislations and had different applicability and coverage. We may incur increased costs and other burdens relating to compliance with such new requirements, which may also require significant management time and other resources, and any failure to comply may adversely affect our business, our results of operations and financial condition.
A portion of our business and operations are located in India and we are subject to regulatory, economic, social and political uncertainties in India.
A portion of our business and some of our employees are located in India, and we intend to continue to develop and expand our business in India. Consequently, our financial performance and the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the merger may be affected by changes in exchange rates and controls, interest
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rates, volatility in and actual or perceived trends in trading activity on India’s principal stock exchanges, prevailing economic conditions, changes in government policies, including taxation policies and foreign investment policies, social and civil unrest and other political, social and economic developments in or affecting India. The Government of India has exercised and continues to exercise significant influence over many aspects of the Indian economy. Since 1991, successive Indian governments have generally pursued policies of economic liberalization and financial sector reforms, including by significantly relaxing restrictions on the private sector. Nevertheless, the role of the Indian central and state governments in the Indian economy as producers, consumers and regulators has remained significant and we cannot assure you that such liberalization policies will continue. The rate of economic liberalization could change, and specific laws and policies affecting travel service companies, e-commerce, data, foreign investments, currency exchange rates and other matters affecting investments in India could change as well or be subject to unfavorable changes, interpretations, or uncertainty, including by reason of limited administrative or judicial precedents. There can be no assurance that the Government of India may not implement new regulations and policies, which will require us to obtain approvals and licenses or impose onerous requirements and conditions on our operations. A significant change in India’s policy of economic liberalization and deregulation or any social or political uncertainties could adversely affect business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Factors that may adversely affect the Indian economy, and hence our results of operations, may include:
• | the macroeconomic climate, including any increase in Indian interest rates or inflation; |
• | any exchange rate fluctuations, the imposition of currency controls and restrictions on the right to convert or repatriate currency or export assets; |
• | any scarcity of credit or other financing in India, resulting in an adverse effect on economic conditions in India and scarcity of financing for our expansions; |
• | prevailing income conditions among Indian customers and Indian corporations; |
• | epidemic, pandemic or any other public health in India or in countries in the region or globally, including in India’s various neighboring countries; |
• | volatility in, and actual or perceived trends in trading activity on, India’s principal stock exchanges; |
• | changes in India’s tax, trade, fiscal or monetary policies; |
• | political instability, terrorism or military conflict in India or in countries in the region or globally, including in India’s various neighboring countries; |
• | occurrence of natural or man-made disasters; |
• | prevailing regional or global economic conditions, including in India’s principal export markets; |
• | other significant regulatory or economic developments in or affecting India or its consumption sector; |
• | international business practices that may conflict with other customs or legal requirements to which we are subject, including anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; |
• | protectionist and other adverse public policies, including local content requirements, import/export tariffs, increased regulations or capital investment requirements; |
• | logistical and communications challenges; |
• | difficulty in developing any necessary partnerships with local businesses on commercially acceptable terms or on a timely basis; and |
• | being subject to the jurisdiction of foreign courts, including uncertainty of judicial processes and difficulty enforcing contractual agreements or judgments in foreign legal systems or incurring additional costs to do so. |
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Any slowdown or perceived slowdown in the Indian economy, or in specific sectors of the Indian economy, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and the price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the merger.
The impact of any changes to Indian legislation on our business cannot be fully determined at this time. Additionally, our business and financial performance could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in or interpretations of existing, or the promulgation of new laws, rules and regulations applicable to us and our business, including those relating to consumer protection and privacy. Such unfavorable changes could decrease demand for our services and products, increase costs and/or subject us to additional liabilities.
Cross-border transactions in India are subject to exchange control regulations of India.
In India, transactions between residents and non-residents or transactions involving foreign currencies, such as foreign investment into India, imports and exports of goods and services (including insurance tech licensing or related services), borrowings in foreign currencies, incurrence of any liabilities in foreign currencies (such as non INR denominated guarantees) and overseas investments by resident Indians are regulated by the foreign exchange regulations in India, including Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended from time to time (“FEMA”). FEMA has classified such transactions into two broad categories: capital account transactions and current account transactions. Capital account transactions (transactions which alter the assets or liabilities, including contingent liabilities, outside of India by persons residing in India or assets or liabilities, including contingent liabilities in India by persons residing outside India) are generally prohibited unless specifically permitted under FEMA, and current account transactions (transactions other than capital account transactions) are generally permitted unless prohibited or specifically regulated by FEMA. Accordingly, investments that were made by a non-resident in Roadzen’s Indian subsidiaries/entities were subject to foreign exchange regulations, which such entities were required under FEMA to report to the Reserve Bank of India. There have certain lapses in reporting such investments as required under FEMA, which are currently in the process of being regularized. While past lapses could be attributed to technical lapses and human errors, we are setting up a system to track and monitor compliance with the regulatory requirements under applicable laws. Currently, although there are no notices or penalty imposed by the Reserve Bank of India in respect of such lapses, such lapses could result in actions by the Reserve Bank of India, potentially leading to penalties (including late submission fees) and enforcement actions (including compounding process for regularization of the violation), which in extreme cases, among things, could be up to three times the sum involved in such contravention that is the subject matter of violation of the regulatory requirements. In determining the penalties, the discretion of the regulatory agencies in imposing penalties is generally guided by facts and circumstances of a specific case, particularly, the gravity of the violation and the bona fide of the parties involved. While such violations can be regularized under the applicable laws, there can be no assurance that the penalties imposed by the regulator while regularizing such past lapses will not adversely affect our business or financial conditions.
The business combination may be scrutinized by the tax authorities in India.
Under the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended from time to time (“Income Tax Act”), income arising directly or indirectly through the sale of a capital asset, including shares of a company incorporated outside of India, will be subject to tax in India, if such shares derive, directly or indirectly, their value substantially from assets located in India, whether or not the seller of such shares has a residence, place of business, business connection, or any other presence in India. Such capital asset (including shares) shall be deemed to derive value substantially from assets located in India if, on the specified date, the value of the Indian assets exceeds the amount of INR 100 million and the overseas company derives 50% or more of its overall value from the Indian assets. However, an exception is available under the Income Tax Act for shareholders who (together with any of their associated enterprises, as defined under Income Tax Act) neither hold more than 5% of voting power of the share capital in the company nor hold any right of management or control in the company, at any time in the 12 months preceding the date of transfer. Similarly, the impact of the above indirect transfer provisions would need to be separately evaluated under the tax treaty scenario of the country of which the shareholder is a tax resident.
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If the indirect transfer tax provisions are applicable, New Roadzen may be required to withhold tax in respect of gains made by respective transferors at the applicable rate and both transferor and New Roadzen would have to undertake requisite compliances in India.
The tax authorities in India may determine that we have a Place of Effective Management in India for a specific financial year or a permanent establishment in India or business connection under the Indian tax regime, a finding of which would subject us to corporate taxation in India.
We face certain risks of being subject to corporate taxation in India. One such risk is that if Indian tax authorities determine that the Place of Effective Management (“POEM”) for New Roadzen is located in India, then its world-wide income will be taxed at 40% (plus surcharge and cess) in India. The second risk is the risk of “permanent establishment,” which can arise when directors or officers or agents of the company conduct business on behalf of the company while in India, or where an Indian subsidiary carries out the business of its non-Indian parent. Such actions may subject the non-Indian entity’s income derived from the business conducted in India or attributed to India, to being treated as “business income” by the Indian tax authorities and, accordingly, taxed at 40% (plus surcharge and cess).
While POEM provisions are described under the Indian domestic tax regime, “permanent establishment” concept and provisions are generally contained under bilateral double taxation avoidance agreements (“International Tax Treaties”) that India has executed with multiple countries globally. India does not have an international tax treaty with the British Virgin Islands, but it has an Agreement for Exchange of Information with respect to taxes with the British Virgin Islands. However, the Income Tax Act contemplates a comparable concept of “business connection,” which has a much wider scope of taxability than that of the permanent establishment under an international tax treaty. Business connection is defined to include significant economic presence. A foreign enterprise may set up a significant economic presence in India if (a) sales from transactions in goods, services or property with any person in India (including provision of data or software downloads) during the tax year exceed INR 20 million (approximately US $243,839 based on an exchange rate of US $1.00 = INR 81.02 as of June 26, 2023), or (b) the Company engages in systematic and continuous soliciting of its business activities or interacts with more than 300,000 Indian users. A significant economic presence may arise even if such foreign enterprise (i) has no physical place of business or employees in India, (ii) does not render any services in India, and/or (c) does not enter into agreements in India.
Under Section 6 of the Income Tax Act, POEM is defined as “a place where key management and commercial decisions that are necessary for the conduct of the business of an entity as a whole are, in substance, made.” The guidance for determining POEM sets forth certain tests to determine if a company is engaged in active business outside India. The POEM of a company with active business outside India is presumed to be outside India if the majority of its board meetings are held outside India in the relevant financial year, subject to certain caveats contained in the circulars issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (“CBDT”), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. If a company does not qualify as having active business outside India, there is a two-stage process for determining its POEM. The first stage involves the determination of the people who make key management and commercial decisions for the business of the company as a whole. The second stage involves a determination of the place where such decisions are in fact being made. To this end, factors such as whether the company’s head office is located outside India, where the board of directors meets and makes decisions and whether it delegates any of its authority to senior management for making commercial decisions related to the company, are relevant. Additionally, Circular 8 of 2017 issued by the CBDT provides an exemption from POEM regulations to any company incorporated outside of India with revenues of INR 500 million (approximately US $6.09 million based on an exchange rate of US $1.00 = INR 82.02 as of June 26, 2023) or less in a given financial year.
If it is determined by the Indian tax authorities that New Roadzen will have a POEM in India, it will be subject to tax in India on our global income and will be subject to all procedural requirements, including filing a tax return in India and complying with certain tax withholding provisions. The applicable corporate tax rate for a domestic company is 22-30%, however, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Ministry of Finance, Government of
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India, prescribes that a foreign company that is deemed to have a POEM in India will be taxed at a rate of 40% plus an applicable surcharge and cess (on tax). A surcharge of 2% of the income tax calculated will be applied if New Roadzen’s total income for any given year exceeds INR 10 million (approximately $121,241 based on the exchange rate as of June 19, 2023) but is less than INR 100 million (approximately $1,221,091 based on the exchange rate as of June 19, 2023), and a surcharge of 5% of the income tax calculated will be applied if New Roadzen’s total income exceeds INR 100 million. Additionally, a health and education cess equal to 4% of income tax as increased by surcharge calculated will be levied).
Alternatively, if business activities carried out in India by certain persons in their capacity as directors or officers or agents of New Roadzen, New Roadzen may be determined by the Indian tax authorities to have a business connection in India under the Income Tax Act. Each of Mr. Rohan Malhotra, who will serve as a director and the Chief Executive Officer of New Roadzen, Mr. Mohit Pasricha, who will serve as the Chief Financial Officer of New Roadzen, Mr. Ankur Kamboj, who will serve as New Roadzen’s Chief Operating Officer, and Mr. Saurav Adhikari, who will serve as a director of New Roadzen, is an Indian citizen and either resides or spends a portion of his time every year in India. Their actions in India on behalf of New Roadzen, taken as a whole, may lead Indian tax authorities to determine that New Roadzen has a business connection in India. Such a determination may result in taxation of New Roadzen’s income, which is attributable to operations carried on in India, at 40% plus the applicable surcharge and cess.
Accordingly, a finding by the Indian tax authorities that New Roadzen has a POEM or a business connection in India under the Income Tax Act could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Additionally, some of our subsidiaries are already subject to corporate taxes in India and some are not. If any of our non-Indian subsidiaries conducts business or provides services in India, or an individual has the authority to enter into and execute contracts on behalf of such non-Indian subsidiary, and such activities take place in India but do not fall within an exclusion available under the relevant Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and the jurisdiction of incorporation of the non-Indian subsidiary, the non-Indian subsidiary’s income from such activities would be taxable in India.
If we are deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we may be forced to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate the Company. To mitigate the risk of that result, we instructed Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account and currently hold all funds in the Trust Account in a bank deposit account.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued the 2022 Proposed Rules, relating, among other things, to circumstances in which SPACs such as us could potentially be subject to the Investment Company Act and the regulations thereunder. The 2022 Proposed Rules would provide a safe harbor for such companies from the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, provided that a SPAC satisfies certain criteria. To comply with the duration limitation of the proposed safe harbor, a SPAC would have a limited time period to announce and complete a de-SPAC transaction. Specifically, to comply with the safe harbor, the 2022 Proposed Rules would require a company to file a report on Form 8-K announcing that it has entered into an agreement with a target company for an initial business combination no later than 18 months after the effective date of the registration statement for its initial public offering. The company would then be required to complete its initial business combination no later than 24 months after the effective date of the registration statement for its initial public offering. As indicated above, we completed our IPO in November 2021 and have operated as a blank check company searching for a target business with which to consummate an initial business combination since such time (or approximately 19 months after the effective date of our IPO, as of the date of this proxy statement).
There is currently uncertainty concerning the applicability of the Investment Company Act to a SPAC. It is possible that a claim could be made that we have been or was operating as an unregistered investment company, including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, based on the current
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views of the SEC. If we were deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we might be forced to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate the Company. If we are required to liquidate the Company, our investors would not be able to realize the benefits of owning shares in a successor operating business, including the potential appreciation in the value of our shares following such a transaction.
The funds in the Trust Account have historically, since our IPO, been held only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. However, on June 12, 2023, to mitigate the risk of us being deemed to have been operating as an unregistered investment company under the Investment Company Act, we, prior to the date that is 24 months after the effective date of the registration statement relating to our IPO (November 22, 2023), instructed Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in an interest-bearing bank deposit account until the earlier of the consummation of a business combination or our liquidation. Interest on bank deposit accounts is variable and such accounts currently yield interest of approximately 4.25% per annum. Following such liquidation of the assets in our Trust Account, if we are unable to achieve more than minimal interest, on the funds held in the Trust Account, the dollar amount our public shareholders would otherwise receive upon any redemption or liquidation of the Company would be less than if the assets in the Trust Account had remained in U.S. government securities or money market funds.
In addition, even prior to the date that is 24 months after the effective date of the registration statement relating to our IPO, we may be deemed to be an investment company. The longer that the funds in the Trust Account were held in short-term U.S. government securities or in money market funds invested exclusively in such securities, even prior to the date that is 24 months after the effective date of the registration statement, there is a greater risk that we may be considered an unregistered investment company, in which case we may be required to liquidate. Accordingly, we determined, in our discretion, to liquidate the securities held in the Trust Account prior to the date that is 24 months after the effective date of the registration statement relating to our IPO, and currently hold all funds in the Trust Account in an interest-bearing bank deposit account, which would further reduce the dollar amount our public shareholders would receive upon any redemption or our liquidation.
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Risks Relating to the Merger
Vahanna shareholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the merger and will exercise less influence over management.
Upon the issuance of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to Roadzen stockholders as merger consideration, current Vahanna public shareholders’ percentage ownership will be diluted. Subject to the assumptions set forth under “Basis of Presentation and Glossary” and assuming no public shareholders exercise their redemption rights, current Vahanna public shareholders’ percentage ownership in New Roadzen following the issuance of shares to Roadzen stockholders as merger consideration would be 24.0%. Under the same assumptions and assuming that 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (the maximum number of Class A Ordinary Shares that could be redeemed in connection with the merger) are redeemed in connection with the merger and excluding any shares issuable pursuant to Vahanna Warrants, current Vahanna public shareholders would not have any ownership in New Roadzen following the issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to Roadzen stockholders as merger consideration. The percentage of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares that will be owned by current Vahanna public shareholders as a group will vary based on the number of Class A Ordinary Shares for which the holders thereof request redemption in connection with the merger. The following table illustrates varying beneficial ownership levels of issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following consummation of the merger, assuming the levels of redemptions by the public shareholders of Vahanna indicated:
No Redemption Scenario(1) |
50% Redemption Scenario(1) |
Max Redemption Scenario(1) |
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Shares | % | Shares | % | Shares | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Former equityholders of Roadzen |
58,396,501 | 70.0 | % | 58,396,501 | 79.6 | % | 58,396,501 | 92.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Former holders of Class A Ordinary Shares |
20,010,000 | 24.0 | % | 10,005,000 | 13.6 | % | — | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Sponsor (Class B Ordinary Shares) |
4,852,500 | 5.8 | % | 4,852,500 | 6.6 | % | 4,852,500 | 7.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
Mizuho (Class B Ordinary Shares) |
150,000 | 0.2 | % | 150,000 | 0.2 | % | 150,000 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||
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83,409,001 | 100 | % | 73,404,001 | 100 | % | 63,399,001 | 100 | % |
(1) | See “Basis of Presentation and Glossary” for additional information with respect to assumptions underlying New Roadzen share calculations and ownership percentages. |
Because of this, current Vahanna public shareholders, as a group, will have less influence on the board of directors, management and policies of New Roadzen than they now have on the board of directors, management and policies of Vahanna. For more information regarding potential sources of dilution and the effects on post-closing ownership of New Roadzen, see the section titled “Summary — Ownership of New Roadzen.”
You may not have the same benefits as an investor in an underwritten public offering and may be subject to material risks present when a company is taken public through a merger including, but not limited to, the absence of due diligence conducted by an underwriter that would be subject to liability for any material misstatements or omissions in a registration statement.
In an underwritten public offering, underwriters typically conduct due diligence on the issuer in order to establish a due diligence defense against liability claims under federal securities laws. Because Vahanna is already a publicly traded company, no underwriter has conducted due diligence in connection with the transaction. While sponsors, private investors and management in a business combination undertake a certain level of due diligence, it is not necessarily the same level of due diligence undertaken by an underwriter in an underwritten public offering and, therefore, there could be a heightened risk of an incorrect valuation of the business or material misstatements or omissions in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Like other business combinations and spin-offs, in connection with the merger, you will not receive the benefits of the diligence performed by the underwriters in an underwritten public offering. Investors in an underwritten public offering may benefit from the role of the underwriters in such an offering. In an underwritten
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public offering, an issuer initially sells its securities to the public market via one or more underwriters, who distribute or resell such securities to the public. Underwriters have liability under the U.S. securities laws for material misstatements or omissions in a registration statement pursuant to which an issuer sells securities. Because the underwriters have a “due diligence” defense to any such liability by, among other things, conducting a reasonable investigation, the underwriters and their counsel conduct a due diligence investigation of the issuer. Due diligence entails engaging legal, financial and/or other experts to perform an investigation as to the accuracy of an issuer’s disclosure regarding, among other things, its business and financial results. Auditors of the issuer will also deliver a “comfort” letter with respect to the financial information contained in the registration statement. In making their investment decision, investors have the benefit of such diligence in underwritten public offerings. In contrast, Vahanna and Roadzen have each engaged financial advisors (rather than underwriters) in connection with the merger. While such financial advisors or their respective affiliates may act as underwriters in underwritten public offerings, the role of a financial advisor differs from that of an underwriter. For example, financial advisors do not act as intermediaries in the sale of securities and therefore do not face the same potential liability under the U.S. securities laws as underwriters. As a result, financial advisors typically do not undertake the same level of, or any, due diligence investigation of the issuer as is typically undertaken by underwriters.
In addition, because there are no underwriters engaged in connection with the merger, prior to the opening of trading on the trading day immediately following the closing, there will be no book building process and no price at which underwriters initially sold shares to the public to help inform efficient and sufficient price discovery with respect to the initial post-closing trades on the Nasdaq. Therefore, buy and sell orders submitted prior to and at the opening of initial post-closing trading of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq will not have the benefit of being informed by a published price range or a price at which the underwriters initially sold shares to the public, as would be the case in an underwritten initial public offering. There will be no underwriters assuming risk in connection with an initial resale of shares of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares or helping to stabilize, maintain or affect the public price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares following the closing. Moreover, Vahanna will not engage in, and have not and will not, directly or indirectly, request the financial advisors to engage in, any special selling efforts or stabilization or price support activities in connection with the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares that will be outstanding immediately following the closing. All of these differences from an underwritten public offering of Roadzen’s securities could result in a more volatile price for the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
Further, Vahanna will not conduct a traditional “roadshow” with underwriters prior to the opening of initial post-closing trading of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq. There can be no guarantee that any information made available in this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus and/or otherwise disclosed or filed with the SEC will have the same impact on investor education as a traditional “roadshow” conducted in connection with an underwritten initial public offering. As a result, there may not be efficient or sufficient price discovery with respect to the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares or sufficient demand among potential investors immediately after the closing, which could result in a more volatile price for the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
In addition, the Sponsor, directors and officers and their respective affiliates and permitted transferees have interests in the merger that are different from or are in addition to Vahanna shareholders and that would not be present in an underwritten public offering of Roadzen’s securities. Such interests may have influenced Vahanna’s board of directors in making their recommendation that you vote in favor of the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Such differences from an underwritten public offering may present material risks to unaffiliated investors that would not exist if Roadzen became a publicly listed company through an underwritten initial public offering instead of upon completion of the merger.
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If the merger’s benefits do not meet the expectations of financial analysts, the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares may decline.
The market price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares may decline as a result of the merger if New Roadzen does not achieve the perceived benefits of the merger as rapidly, or to the extent anticipated by, financial analysts or the effect of the merger on New Roadzen’s financial results is not consistent with the expectations of financial analysts. Accordingly, holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares may experience a loss as a result of a decline in the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. In addition, a decline in the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares could adversely affect New Roadzen’s ability to issue additional securities and to obtain additional financing in the future.
The consummation of the merger is subject to a number of conditions and if those conditions are not satisfied or waived, the merger agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and the merger may not be completed.
The merger agreement is subject to a number of conditions which must be fulfilled in order to complete the merger. Those conditions include: approval of the proposals required to effect the merger by Vahanna shareholders, as well as receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals, absence of orders prohibiting completion of the merger, effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, approval of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to be issued to Roadzen stockholders for listing on Nasdaq, meeting the Minimum Cash Condition, the accuracy of the representations and warranties by both parties (subject to the materiality standards set forth in the merger agreement) and the performance by both parties of their covenants and agreements. These conditions to the closing of the merger may not be fulfilled in a timely manner or at all, and, accordingly, the merger may not be completed. Moreover, parties may agree to waive, in whole or in part, some of the conditions to their obligations to complete the merger, to the extent permitted by applicable laws. In some instances, if the board of directors of either Roadzen or Vahanna determines that a waiver is not sufficiently material to warrant resolicitation of shareholders, such party has the discretion to complete the merger without seeking further shareholder approval. For example, it is a condition to Vahanna’s obligations to close the merger that there be no applicable law and no injunction or other order restraining or imposing any condition on the consummation of the business combination; however, if the board of directors of Vahanna determines that any such order or injunction is not material to the business of Roadzen, then the board of directors may elect to waive that condition without shareholder approval and close the merger. In addition, the parties can mutually decide to terminate the merger agreement at any time, before or after shareholder approval, or Vahanna or Roadzen may elect to terminate the merger agreement in certain other circumstances. For more information regarding conditions to closing and termination rights, see the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Termination.”
Vahanna’s directors’ and officers’ discretion in agreeing to changes or waivers in the terms of the merger may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether such changes to the terms of the merger or waivers of conditions are appropriate and in Vahanna’s shareholders’ best interest.
In the period leading up to closing, events may occur that, pursuant to the merger agreement, would require Vahanna to agree to amend the merger agreement, to consent to certain actions taken by Roadzen or to waive rights that Vahanna is entitled to under, or conditions of, the merger agreement. Such events could arise because of changes in the course of Roadzen’s business, a request by Roadzen to undertake actions that would otherwise be prohibited by the terms of the merger agreement or the occurrence of other events that would have a material adverse effect on Roadzen’s business and would entitle Vahanna to terminate the merger agreement. In any of such circumstances, it would be at Vahanna’s discretion, acting through the Vahanna board, to grant its consent or waive those rights or conditions. The existence of the financial and personal interests of the directors described elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus may result in a conflict of interest on the part of one or more of the directors between what he, she or they may believe is best for Vahanna and what he, she or they may believe is best for himself, herself or themselves in determining whether or not to take the requested action. As of the date
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of this proxy statement/prospectus, Vahanna does not believe there will be any material changes or waivers that Vahanna’s directors and officers would be likely to make after the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus. While certain changes could be made without further shareholder approval, Vahanna will circulate a new or amended proxy statement/prospectus or supplement thereto if changes to the terms of the merger that would have a material impact on its shareholders are required prior to the vote on the Business Combination Proposal.
Termination of the merger agreement could negatively impact Roadzen and Vahanna.
If the merger is not completed for any reason, including as a result of Roadzen stockholders declining to adopt the merger agreement or Vahanna shareholders declining to approve the proposals required to effect the merger, the ongoing businesses of Roadzen and Vahanna may be adversely impacted and, without realizing any of the anticipated benefits of completing the merger, Roadzen and Vahanna would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:
• | Roadzen or Vahanna may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on Vahanna’s share price (including to the extent that the current market price reflects a market assumption that the merger will be completed); |
• | Roadzen may experience negative reactions from its customers, vendors and employees; |
• | Roadzen and Vahanna will have incurred substantial expenses and will be required to pay certain costs relating to the merger, whether or not the merger is completed; and |
• | since the merger agreement restricts the conduct of Roadzen’s and Vahanna’s businesses prior to completion of the merger, each of Roadzen and Vahanna may not have been able to take certain actions during the pendency of the merger that would have benefitted it as an independent company, and the opportunity to take such actions may no longer be available (see the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Covenants and Agreements” for a description of the restrictive covenants applicable to Roadzen and Vahanna). |
If the merger agreement is terminated and Roadzen’s board of directors seeks another merger or business combination, Roadzen stockholders cannot be certain that Roadzen will be able to find a party willing to offer equivalent or more attractive consideration than the consideration Vahanna has agreed to provide in the merger or that such other merger or business combination is completed. If the merger agreement is terminated and Vahanna’s board of directors seeks another merger or business combination, Vahanna shareholders cannot be certain that Vahanna will be able to find another acquisition target that would constitute a business combination or that such other merger or business combination will be completed. See “The Merger Agreement — Termination.”
Roadzen will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger is pending.
Uncertainty about the effect of the merger on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on Roadzen and consequently on Vahanna. These uncertainties may impair Roadzen’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the merger is completed, and could cause customers and others that deal with Roadzen to seek to change existing business relationships with Roadzen. Retention of certain employees may be challenging during the pendency of the merger, as certain employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles. If key employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with the business, New Roadzen’s business following the merger could be negatively impacted. In addition, the merger agreement restricts Roadzen from making certain expenditures and taking other specified actions without the consent of Vahanna until the merger occurs. These restrictions may prevent Roadzen from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the merger. See the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Covenants and Agreements.”
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Vahanna directors and officers may have interests in the merger different from the interests of Vahanna shareholders.
Executive officers of Vahanna negotiated the terms of the merger agreement with their counterparts at Roadzen, and the Vahanna board of directors determined that entering into the merger agreement was in the best interests of Vahanna and its shareholders, declared the merger agreement advisable and recommended that Vahanna shareholders approve the proposals required to effect the merger. In considering these facts and the other information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, you should be aware that Vahanna’s executive officers and directors may have financial interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Vahanna shareholders. The Vahanna board of directors and the audit committee thereof was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in reaching the determination to approve the terms of the merger and in recommending to Vahanna’s shareholders that they vote to approve the merger. For a detailed discussion of the special interests that Vahanna directors and executive officers may have in the merger, please see the section titled “The Merger — Interests of Vahanna Directors and Executive Officers and the Sponsor in the Merger.”
Since the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors will lose their entire investment in Vahanna if its business combination is not completed, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for Vahanna’s initial business combination.
On May 6, 2021, the Sponsor paid $25,000 to cover for certain expenses and offering costs on behalf of Vahanna in exchange for issuance of 5,750,000 Class B Ordinary Shares. October 8, 2021, the Sponsor surrendered and forfeited 1,437,500 Class B Ordinary Shares for no consideration, after which the Sponsor held 4,312,500 Class B Ordinary Shares. On November 22, 2021, Vahanna issued 690,000 Class B Ordinary Shares to the Sponsor with such issue being made by way of a bonus share issue for no consideration, after which the Sponsor held an aggregate of 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares. On November 26, 2021, the Sponsor surrendered and forfeited 150,000 Class B Ordinary Shares and now, together with certain of Vahanna’s directors and officers, hold 4,852,500 Class B Ordinary Shares. In addition, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant, or $8,638,500 in the aggregate, in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the closing of the IPO.
Assuming a trading price of $10.00 per share upon consummation of the merger, the Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Sponsor would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $48,525,000 (without giving effect to the Private Placement Warrants). Even if the trading price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares was as low as $1.7854, the value of the shares of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares held by the Sponsor would be equal to the $8,663,500 paid by the Sponsor for the Class B Ordinary Shares and Private Placement Warrants. As a result, the Sponsor is likely to be able to recoup its investment in Vahanna and make a substantial profit on that investment, even if New Roadzen Ordinary Shares have lost significant value. Accordingly, Vahanna’s directors and management team, some of whom have direct interests in Vahanna and interests in the securities held by the Sponsor, may have an economic incentive that differs from that of the public shareholders to pursue and consummate an initial business combination rather than to liquidate and to return all of the cash in the Trust Account to the public shareholders, even if that business combination were with a riskier or less-established target business. For the foregoing reasons, you should consider Vahanna’s management team’s financial incentive to complete an initial business combination when evaluating whether to redeem your shares prior to or in connection with the initial business combination.
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement and the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote their respective shares in favor of each of the proposals set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and to waive certain of their anti-dilution and conversion rights with respect to their Founder Shares. In addition, Vahanna may obtain loans from the Sponsor, affiliates of the Sponsor or officers or directors. The personal and financial interests of Vahanna’s officers and directors may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation of the business following the initial business combination.
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The merger will result in changes to the board of directors of New Roadzen that may affect the strategy of New Roadzen.
If the parties complete the merger, the composition of New Roadzen board of directors will change from the current boards of directors of Vahanna and Roadzen. The board of directors of New Roadzen will consist of seven (7) directors after the completion of the merger. This new composition of the New Roadzen board of directors may affect the business strategy and operating decisions of New Roadzen upon the completion of the merger. For more information regarding the directors of New Roadzen following the merger, see the section titled “Management of New Roadzen After the Merger.”
The merger agreement contains provisions that may discourage other companies from trying to acquire Roadzen for greater merger consideration.
The merger agreement contains provisions that may discourage a third-party from submitting a business combination proposal to Roadzen that might result in greater value to Roadzen’s stockholders than the merger or may result in a potential competing acquirer proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire Roadzen than it might otherwise have proposed to pay absent such provisions. These provisions include a general prohibition on Roadzen from soliciting, or entering into discussions with any third-party regarding any acquisition proposal or offers for competing transactions. Roadzen also has an unqualified obligation to submit the proposal to adopt the merger agreement to a vote by its stockholders, even if Roadzen receives an alternative acquisition proposal that its board of directors believes is superior to the merger, unless the merger agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms. “The Merger — The Merger Agreement — Covenants and Agreements — Exclusive Dealing.”
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus is preliminary and the actual financial condition and results of operations after the merger may differ materially.
The unaudited pro forma financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what New Roadzen’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the merger been completed on the date(s) indicated. The preparation of the pro forma financial information is based upon available information and certain assumptions and estimates that Vahanna and Roadzen currently believe are reasonable.
The unaudited pro forma financial information in this proxy statement/prospectus reflects adjustments which are based on a number of assumptions and estimates including, but not limited to, Roadzen being considered the accounting acquirer in the merger the debt obligations and the cash and cash equivalents of Roadzen immediately following the consummation of the merger, and the number of Class A Ordinary Shares that are redeemed in connection with the merger. Accordingly, such pro forma financial information may not be indicative of New Roadzen’s future operating or financial performance and New Roadzen’s actual financial condition and results of operations may vary materially from the pro forma results of operations and balance sheet contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, including as a result of such assumptions not being accurate. Additionally, the final acquisition accounting adjustments could differ materially from the unaudited pro forma adjustments presented in this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.”
Vahanna and Roadzen will incur transaction costs in connection with the merger.
Each of Vahanna and Roadzen has incurred and expects that it will incur significant, non-recurring costs in connection with consummating the merger. Vahanna and Roadzen may also incur additional costs to retain key employees. Vahanna and Roadzen will also incur significant legal, financial advisor, accounting, banking and consulting fees, fees relating to regulatory filings and notices, SEC filing fees, printing and mailing fees and
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other costs associated with the merger, including approximately $6.5 million in deferred underwriting fees. Some of these costs are payable regardless of whether the merger is completed. See “The Merger — Terms of the Merger.”
Roadzen’s stockholders and Vahanna’s shareholders will have their rights as stockholders governed by New Roadzen’s organizational documents.
New Roadzen will be governed by the Proposed Charter or the Proposed Delaware Charter. As a result, there will be differences between the rights currently enjoyed by Roadzen stockholders and Vahanna shareholders and the rights that New Roadzen shareholders will have as shareholders of New Roadzen. See “Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights.”
If the merger does not qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code, U.S. Holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock may be required to pay substantial U.S. federal income taxes.
Subject to the qualifications and limitations discussed more fully under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” the merger is expected to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a). However, such position is not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or the courts, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. Roadzen and Vahanna do not intend to request a ruling from the IRS regarding any aspect of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger. If the merger does not qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, then a U.S. Holder that exchanges its Existing Roadzen Common Stock for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares would recognize any gain in connection with the merger and may be subject to substantial U.S. federal income taxes. For more information on the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the merger to U.S. Holders, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders.”
The Sponsor and Mizuho have agreed to vote in favor of the proposals at the Vahanna Special Meeting, regardless of how public shareholders vote.
As of the date hereof, the Class B Ordinary Shares owned by the Sponsor, certain of Vahanna’s directors and officers and Mizuho collectively represent approximately 20% of the voting power of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement and the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote their Founder Shares (and any Class A Ordinary Shares into which the Class B Ordinary Shares are convertible) held by them in favor of each of the proposals at the Vahanna Special Meeting, regardless of how public shareholders vote. Pursuant to the Mizuho Subscription Agreement, Mizuho has agreed to vote any Class B Ordinary Shares held by it (and any Class A Ordinary Shares into which such Class B Ordinary Shares are convertible) in favor of the Business Combination Proposal at the Vahanna Special Meeting, regardless of how public shareholders vote. Together, the Sponsor, certain of Vahanna’s directors and officers and Mizuho hold 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares, which represent approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares. Accordingly, the respective agreements with the Sponsor and Mizuho to vote in favor of the proposals at the Vahanna Special Meeting will increase the likelihood that Vahanna will receive the requisite shareholder approval for the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Because of Vahanna’s limited resources and the significant competition for business combination opportunities, if the merger is not consummated, it may be more difficult for it to complete an initial business combination. If Vahanna is unable to complete an initial business combination, its public shareholders may receive only approximately $10.20 per share (based on the initial balance of the Trust Account) on its redemption of its Class A Ordinary Shares, or less than such amount in certain circumstances, based on the initial balance of its Trust Account, and its warrants will expire worthless.
If the merger is not consummated, Vahanna will continue looking for business combination opportunities. Vahanna may encounter competition from other entities having a business objective similar to its own, including
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private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), other blank check companies and other entities competing for the types of businesses it intends to acquire. Many of these individuals and entities are well-established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting, directly or indirectly, acquisitions of companies operating in or providing services to various industries. Many of these competitors possess similar technical, human and other resources to those of Vahanna, and its financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While Vahanna believes there are numerous target businesses it could potentially acquire with the net proceeds of its IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants if the merger is not consummated, Vahanna’s ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by its available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses.
Furthermore, because Vahanna is obligated to pay cash for the Class A Ordinary Shares its public shareholders redeem in connection with an initial business combination, target companies will be aware that this may reduce the resources available to Vahanna for the initial business combination. This may place Vahanna at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating an initial business combination. If it is unable to complete an initial business combination, Vahanna’s public shareholders may only receive $10.20 per share on the liquidation of its Trust Account, based on the initial balance of the Trust Account, and its warrants will expire worthless.
Vahanna may not be able to consummate the merger or an initial business combination within the required time period, in which case it would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up and it would redeem the Class A Ordinary Shares and liquidate, in which case the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares may only receive $10.20 per share (based on the initial balance of the Trust Account), or less than such amount in certain circumstances, and the public warrants will expire worthless.
The Existing Charter provides that Vahanna must complete an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). If Vahanna is unable to consummate the merger or complete another initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination), Vahanna will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem the Class A Ordinary Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Vahanna (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then-outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of its remaining shareholders and Vahanna’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to Vahanna’s obligations under BVI law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to its warrants, which will expire worthless if Vahanna fails to complete an initial business combination within the 18-month time period (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). In certain circumstances, the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares may receive less than $10.20 per share (based on the initial balance of the Trust Account) on the redemption of their shares.
Vahanna’s placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against Vahanna. Although Vahanna has sought and will continue to seek to have all vendors, service providers (excluding Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective partner businesses and other entities with which Vahanna does business execute agreements with Vahanna waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of Vahanna’s public shareholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be
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prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against Vahanna’s assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, Vahanna’s officers and directors and the Sponsor will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third party that has not executed a waiver if Vahanna’s founding team believes that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to Vahanna than any alternative.
Examples of possible instances where Vahanna may engage a third party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by Vahanna’s founding team to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where Vahanna’s founding team is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Vahanna and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. Upon redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares, if Vahanna has not consummated an initial business combination as required by the Existing Charter or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with Vahanna’s initial business combination, Vahanna will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against Vahanna. Accordingly, the per ordinary share redemption amount received by a public shareholder could be less than the $10.00 per Class A Ordinary Share initially held in the Trust Account, due to claims of such creditors. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to Vahanna if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to Vahanna, or a prospective target business with which Vahanna has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (a) $10.00 per Class A Ordinary Share and (b) the actual amount per Class A Ordinary Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per ordinary share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under Vahanna’s indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. However, Vahanna has not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has Vahanna independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believes that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of Vahanna. Therefore, Vahanna cannot assure you that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of Vahanna’s officers or directors will indemnify Vahanna for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
Vahanna’s Sponsor, directors, officers, advisors and their affiliates may elect to purchase shares or warrants from holders of Class A Ordinary Shares, which may influence the vote on the Business Combination Proposal and reduce the public float of the Class A Ordinary Shares.
Vahanna’s Sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase Class A Ordinary Shares or public warrants or a combination thereof in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, although they are under no obligation to do so. There is no limit on the number of shares the Sponsor or Vahanna’s directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates may purchase in such transactions, subject to compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq rules. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the Trust Account will be used to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares or public warrants in such transactions.
Such a purchase may include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although still the record holder of Class A Ordinary Shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore agrees not to exercise
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its redemption rights. In the event that Vahanna’s Sponsor, directors, officers, advisors or their affiliates purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from holders of Class A Ordinary Shares who have already elected to exercise their redemption rights, such selling shareholders would be required to revoke their prior elections to redeem their shares. The purpose of such purchases could be to vote such shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and thereby increase the likelihood of obtaining shareholder approval of the Business Combination Proposal. The purpose of any such purchases of public warrants could be to reduce the number of public warrants outstanding or to vote such warrants on any matters submitted to the warrantholders for approval in connection with the merger or the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Any such purchases of Vahanna securities may result in consummation of the merger, which may not otherwise have been possible. Any such purchases will be reported pursuant to Sections 13 and 16 of the Exchange Act to the extent such purchasers are subject to such reporting requirements.
In addition, if such purchases are made, the public float of Class A Ordinary Shares or public warrants and the number of beneficial holders of Vahanna securities may be reduced, possibly making it difficult to maintain the quotation, listing or trading of Vahanna securities on a national securities exchange.
Neither Vahanna nor its shareholders will have the protection of any indemnification, escrow, price adjustment or other provisions that allow for a post-closing adjustment to be made to the total merger consideration in the event that any of the representations and warranties made by Roadzen in the merger agreement ultimately proves to be inaccurate or incorrect.
The representations and warranties made by Roadzen and Vahanna to each other in the merger agreement will not survive the consummation of the merger. As a result, Vahanna and its shareholders will not have the protection of any indemnification, escrow, price adjustment or other provisions that allow for a post-closing adjustment to be made to the total merger consideration if any representation or warranty made by Roadzen in the merger agreement proves to be inaccurate or incorrect. Accordingly, to the extent such representations or warranties are incorrect, Vahanna would have no indemnification claim with respect thereto and its financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.
Either Vahanna or Roadzen may waive one or more of the conditions to the merger or certain of the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
Either Vahanna or Roadzen may agree to waive, in whole or in part, some of the conditions to consummate the merger or certain of the other transaction contemplated by the merger agreement, to the extent permitted by the Existing Charter and applicable laws. For example, it is a condition to Vahanna’s obligations to consummate the merger that certain of Roadzen’s representations and warranties are true and correct in all respects as of the closing, except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct, taken as a whole, would not result in a material adverse effect. However, if Vahanna’s board of directors determines that it is in the best interest of the Vahanna shareholders to waive any such breach, then the board may elect to waive that condition and consummate the merger. No party is able to waive the condition that Vahanna shareholders approve the Business Combination Proposal.
Vahanna does not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it possible for Vahanna to consummate an initial business combination with which a substantial majority of Vahanna’s shareholders do not agree.
The Existing Charter does not provide a specified maximum redemption threshold, except that in no event will Vahanna redeem the Class A Ordinary Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of an initial business combination and after payment of underwriters’ fees and commissions (such that Vahanna is not subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules). As a result, Vahanna may be able to consummate the merger even if a substantial majority of its shareholders do not agree with the merger and have redeemed their shares (provided that the requisite votes to approve the proposals set forth herein are
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met). Though Vahanna does not expect such a result in connection with the merger, in the event the aggregate cash consideration Vahanna would be required to pay for all Class A Ordinary Shares that are validly submitted for redemption plus any amount required to satisfy cash conditions pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement exceed the aggregate amount of cash available to Vahanna, Vahanna will not complete the merger or redeem any shares, all Class A Ordinary Shares submitted for redemption will be returned to the holders thereof, and Vahanna instead may search for an alternate business combination.
If third parties bring claims against Vahanna, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be reduced and the per share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.20 per share (based on the initial balance of the Trust Account).
Vahanna’s placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third-party claims against Vahanna. Although Vahanna has sought to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses and other entities with which it does business (except its independent registered accounting firm) execute agreements with Vahanna waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account, including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain advantage with respect to a claim against Vahanna’s assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third-party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, Vahanna’s management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third-party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to Vahanna than any alternative. Vahanna is not aware of any product or service providers who have not or will not provide such waiver other than the underwriters of its IPO and Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The Trust Account may be subject to claims that take priority over those of Vahanna shareholders exercising their redemption rights, which may reduce the amount in the Trust Account. Vahanna’s directors may decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of the Sponsor, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares.
Under BVI law, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to claims that could take priority over those of Vahanna’s public shareholders exercising redemption rights, regardless of whether such holders vote for or against the Business Combination Proposal. Therefore, the per share distribution from the Trust Account in such a situation may be less than originally anticipated due to such claims.
In the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account is less than $10.20 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and the Sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, Vahanna’s independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations.
While Vahanna currently expects that its independent directors would take legal action on its behalf against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to Vahanna, it is possible that Vahanna’s independent directors in exercising their business judgment and subject to their fiduciary duties may choose not to do so in any particular instance if, for example, the cost of such legal action is deemed by the independent directors to be too high relative to the amount recoverable or if the independent directors determine that a favorable outcome is not likely. If Vahanna’s independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares may be reduced below $10.20 per share (based on the initial balance of the Trust Account).
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Vahanna may not have sufficient funds to satisfy indemnification claims of its directors and executive officers.
Vahanna has agreed to indemnify its officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account and not to seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will be able to be satisfied by Vahanna only if (i) Vahanna has sufficient funds outside of the Trust Account or (ii) Vahanna consummates an initial business combination.
Vahanna’s obligation to indemnify its officers and directors may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against its officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against Vahanna’s officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit Vahanna and its shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent Vahanna pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against its officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
If, after Vahanna distributes the proceeds in the Trust Account to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares, it files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Vahanna that is not dismissed, a bankruptcy court may seek to recover such proceeds, and Vahanna and its board may be exposed to claims of punitive damages.
If, after Vahanna distributes the proceeds in the Trust Account to its shareholders, it files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Vahanna that is not dismissed, any distributions received by Vahanna’s shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance” or a “voidable transaction.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by Vahanna’s shareholders. In addition, the Vahanna board may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to its creditors and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and Vahanna to claims of punitive damages, by paying Vahanna’s shareholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares, Vahanna files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Vahanna that is not dismissed, the claims of creditors in such proceeding may have priority over the claims of Vahanna’s shareholders and the per share amount that would otherwise be received by Vahanna’s shareholders in connection with Vahanna’s liquidation may be reduced.
If, before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares, Vahanna files a bankruptcy petition or an involuntary bankruptcy petition is filed against Vahanna that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in Vahanna’s bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of Vahanna’s shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, the per share amount that would otherwise be received by Vahanna’s shareholders in connection with Vahanna’s liquidation may be reduced.
Vahanna shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against Vahanna to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
If Vahanna is forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that, immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, Vahanna was unable to pay its debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by Vahanna’s shareholders. Furthermore, Vahanna’s directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to Vahanna or its creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and Vahanna to claims, by paying public shareholders
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from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. Vahanna cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against it for these reasons. Vahanna and its directors and officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be paid while Vahanna was unable to pay its debts as they became due in the ordinary course of business would be guilty of an offence and may be liable for a fine or imprisonment.
Vahanna may amend the terms of its warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then-outstanding warrants. As a result, the exercise price of the warrants could be increased, the exercise period could be shortened and the number of Class A Ordinary Shares purchasable upon exercise of a public warrant could be decreased, all without your approval.
The Vahanna Warrants were issued in registered form under the Warrant Agreement (as defined herein) between CST, as warrant agent, and Vahanna. The Warrant Agreement provides that the terms of Vahanna’s warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then-outstanding warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of the public warrants. Accordingly, Vahanna may amend the terms of the public warrants in a manner adverse to a holder if holders of at least a majority of the then-outstanding warrants approve of such amendment.
Although Vahanna’s ability to amend the terms of the public warrants with the consent of at least a majority of the then-outstanding warrants is unlimited, examples of such amendments could be amendments to, among other things, increase the exercise price of the warrants, convert the warrants into cash or shares, shorten the exercise period or decrease the number of Class A Ordinary Shares purchasable upon exercise of a warrant.
Vahanna may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
Vahanna has the ability to redeem outstanding warrants at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, provided that the last reported sales price of Class A Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of Class A Ordinary Shares and equity- linked securities for capital-raising purposes in connection with the consummation of the merger) for any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading-day period commencing once the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which Vahanna gives proper notice of such redemption to the warrantholders and provided certain other conditions are met on the date Vahanna gives such notice. If and when the warrants become redeemable by Vahanna, Vahanna may not exercise its redemption right if the issuance of ordinary shares upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or it is unable to effect such registration or qualification. Vahanna will use its best efforts to register or qualify such ordinary shares under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the warrants were offered. Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force the warrantholders (i) to exercise their warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous for them to do so, (ii) to sell their warrants at the then-current market price when they might otherwise wish to hold their warrants or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of their warrants. The closing price of the Class A Ordinary Shares on May 31, 2023 was $10.55, which is below the threshold required for redemption.
In the event that Vahanna elects to redeem all of the warrants that are subject to redemption, it will fix a date for redemption and mail the notice of redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the redemption date to the registered holders of the warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they appear on the registration books. Any notice mailed in such manner will be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the registered holder received such notice and Vahanna is not required to provide any notice to the beneficial owners of such warrants. Additionally, while Vahanna is required
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to provide such notice of redemption, it is not separately required to, and does not currently intend to, notify any holders of when the warrants become eligible for redemption. If you do not exercise your warrants in connection with a redemption, including because you are unaware that such warrants are being redeemed, you would only receive the nominal redemption price for your warrants.
Even if Vahanna consummates the merger, there can be no assurance that the warrants will be in the money at the time they become exercisable, and they may expire worthless.
The exercise price for the outstanding warrants is $11.50 per New Roadzen Ordinary Share. There can be no assurance that the warrants will be in the money following the time they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, and as such, the warrants may expire worthless.
Subsequent to the consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, New Roadzen may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, or the combined company may be subject to restructuring, impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on the combined company’s financial condition, results of operations and the price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
Although Vahanna has conducted due diligence on Roadzen, this diligence may not reveal all material issues that may be present with Roadzen’s business. Factors outside of Roadzen’s and Vahanna’s respective control may, at any time, arise. As a result of these factors, New Roadzen may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in the combined company reporting losses. Even if Vahanna’s due diligence successfully identified certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with Vahanna’s preliminary risk analysis. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and therefore not have an immediate impact on the combined company’s liquidity, the fact that the combined company reports charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about the combined company or its securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause the combined company to be unable to obtain future financing on favorable terms or at all.
If Vahanna’s due diligence investigation of Roadzen’s business was inadequate, then Vahanna shareholders following the merger could lose some or all of their investment.
Even though Vahanna and its advisors conducted certain due diligence investigation of Roadzen’s business, Vahanna cannot be sure that such diligence uncovered all material issues that may be present inside Roadzen’s business, or that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of Roadzen’s business and outside of its control will not later arise. If Vahanna’s due diligence investigation of Roadzen’s business was inadequate, then the performance of New Roadzen following the closing could suffer and stockholders could lose some or all of their investment. Further, in assessing the tax liabilities, Vahanna has relied upon accuracy and completeness of the reports from the auditors of Roadzen and its consolidated subsidiaries, as well as Global Insurance Management and National Automobile Club.
New Roadzen’s failure to timely and effectively implement controls and procedures required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that will be applicable to it after the merger is consummated could have a material adverse effect on its business.
Roadzen is currently not subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. However, following the consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the combined company will be required to provide management’s attestation on internal controls commencing with New Roadzen’s annual report for the year ending March 31, 2023, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. The standards required for a public company under Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are significantly more stringent than those required of Roadzen as a privately held company. Management may not be able to effectively and timely implement controls and procedures that adequately respond to the increased regulatory
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compliance and reporting requirements that will be applicable after the merger. If the combined company is not able to implement the additional requirements of Section 404(a) in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, it may not be able to assess whether its internal controls over financial reporting are effective, which may subject it to adverse regulatory consequences and could harm investor confidence and the market price of its securities.
New Roadzen will qualify as an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if it takes advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, it could make New Roadzen’s securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare New Roadzen’s performance to the performance of other public companies.
New Roadzen will qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). As such, the combined company will be eligible for and intends to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies for as long as it continues to be an emerging growth company, including, but not limited to, (a) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (b) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in New Roadzen’s periodic reports and proxy statements and (c) exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, New Roadzen’s shareholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. New Roadzen will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following January 8, 2026, (b) in which New Roadzen has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, or (c) in which New Roadzen is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of its common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th subject to compliance with periodic reporting requirements for a period of at least twelve (12) months, and (2) the date on which New Roadzen has issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three (3) year period. Vahanna cannot predict whether investors will find New Roadzen’s securities less attractive because it will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find the combined company’s securities less attractive as a result of the combined company’s reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of the combined company’s securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for New Roadzen’s securities and the trading prices of the combined company’s securities may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. Vahanna has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, it, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of Vahanna’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Additionally, New Roadzen will qualify as a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. To the extent New Roadzen takes advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible. New Roadzen’s status as a smaller reporting company is determined annually. New Roadzen will continue to qualify as a smaller reporting company through the following fiscal year as long as (i) the market value of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares held by
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non-affiliates (measured as of the end of the third quarter of the then current fiscal year) does not exceed $250 million or (ii) New Roadzen’s annual revenues for the most recently completed fiscal year do not exceed $100 million and the market value of New Roadzen ordinary shares held by non-affiliates (measured as of the end of the second quarter of the then current fiscal year) does not exceed $700 million. If New Roadzen exceeds these thresholds, it will cease to be a smaller reporting company as of the first day of the following fiscal year.
Vahanna Warrants will become exercisable for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, which would increase the number of shares eligible for future resale in the public market and result in dilution to New Roadzen shareholders.
Outstanding Vahanna Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 18,643,500 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will become exercisable on the later of thirty (30) days after the completion of the merger or twelve (12) months from the consummation of the IPO. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) share of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares at a price of $11.50 per whole share, subject to adjustment. Vahanna Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. To the extent such warrants are exercised, additional New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be issued, which will result in dilution to the then existing holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares in the public market could adversely affect the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
Vahanna’s ability to successfully effect the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and New Roadzen’s ability to successfully operate the business thereafter will be largely dependent upon the efforts of certain key personnel of Roadzen, all of whom Vahanna expects to stay with the combined company following the consummation of the merger. Any loss of such key personnel could negatively impact the operations and financial results of the combined business.
Vahanna’s ability to successfully effect the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and New Roadzen’s ability to successfully operate the business following the consummation of the merger is dependent upon the efforts of certain key personnel of Roadzen. Although Vahanna expects key personnel to remain with the combined company following the consummation of the merger, there can be no assurance that they will do so. It is possible that Roadzen will lose some key personnel, the loss of which could negatively impact the operations and profitability of the combined company. Furthermore, following the consummation of the merger, certain of the key personnel of Roadzen may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a company regulated by the SEC, which could cause the combined company to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements.
Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm’s report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about Vahanna’s ability to continue as a “going concern.”
As of March 31, 2023, Vahanna had cash of approximately $174,419. Further, Vahanna has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. Vahanna management’s plans to address this need for capital discussed in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Vahanna.” Vahanna cannot assure you that its plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about Vahanna’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from Vahanna’s inability to continue as a going concern.
The underwriter has a potential conflict of interest regarding the merger.
Mizuho, the underwriter of the IPO, is entitled to $6,525,000 of deferred underwriting commissions upon consummation of the merger. Mizuho has agreed to waive its rights to the deferred underwriting commission
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held in the Trust Account in the event Vahanna does not complete an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). Accordingly, if the merger, or any other initial business combination, is not consummated by that time and Vahanna is therefore required to be liquidated, Mizuho will not receive any of the deferred underwriting commission and such funds will be returned to Vahanna’s public shareholders upon its liquidation.
In addition, under the terms of engagement for Mizuho, Vahanna agreed to reimburse Mizuho for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, including the fees and disbursements of its outside attorneys, and to indemnify Mizuho and certain related parties against liabilities, including liabilities under federal securities laws, in each case, in connection with, as a result of, or relating to its engagement.
Mizuho therefore has an interest in Vahanna completing a business combination that will result in the payment of the deferred underwriting commission to the underwriters of the IPO. In considering approval of the merger, Vahanna shareholders should consider the role of Mizuho in light of the deferred underwriting commission they are entitled to receive if the merger is consummated within 18 months of the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination).
Roadzen’s indebtedness or guarantees of its subsidiarites’ indebtedness could adversely affect its financial position and results of operations and ability to raise additional capital, and could result in dilution to its shareholders.
On June 30, 2023, Roadzen entered into a Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with Mizuho, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain purchasers that may become party thereto from time to time, as purchasers of the senior secured notes (together with Mizuho, the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $7,500,000 of senior secured notes (the “Mizuho Notes”) issued by Roadzen. The Mizuho Notes are a secured obligation of Roadzen, Vahanna (upon close of the merger), and each subsidiary of Roadzen serving as a guarantor under, and as identified in, the Note Purchase Agreement (individually a “Note Party” and, together, the “Note Parties”).
The Note Purchase Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants that restrict the Note Parties’ ability to, among other things, transfer or sell assets, create liens, incur indebtedness, make payments and investments and transact with affiliates. Additionally, the Note Parties are collectively required to maintain a cash reserve of at least $1.0 million in the aggregate to satisfy a minimum liquidity condition. Roadzen’s failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of substantially all of the outstanding debt and interest owed under the Mizuho Notes (and any other debt containing a cross-default or cross-acceleration provision). Roadzen’s assets or cash flows may not be sufficient to fully repay borrowing under the Mizuho Notes if accelerated upon an event of default. The Mizuho Notes bear interest at a rate of fifteen percent (15.0%) per annum, which will automatically be increased by five percent (5.0%) if Roadzen fails to prepay the Mizuho Notes upon the occurrence of certain mandatory prepayment events as set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement. The Note Purchase Agreement also provides for customary events of default and default interest of an additional two percent (2.0%) for so long as an event of default is continuing. Pursuant to the Security Agreement entered into by the Note Parties concurrently with the Note Purchase Agreement, the current Note Parties have pledged substantially all of their assets to Mizuho as collateral. If Roadzen is unable to repay, refinance or restructure its debt arrangement, Mizuho, as collateral agent, could proceed against the collateral granted to it, which could potentially force Roadzen into bankruptcy or liquidation. As a result, any default by Roadzen on its debt could have a materially adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Mizuho Notes mature one (1) year after issuance. However, if Roadzen is unable to repay its debt under the Mizuho Notes in full within six (6) months after the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement, the Purchasers will be issued warrants exercisable for, collectively, the number of shares of common stock of
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Roadzen or New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, depending on whether the merger has been consummated at the time the warrants are issued, equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the interests of the issuer on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued (the “Mizuho Warrants”). The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will have an exercise price of $0.001 per share. It is expected that a portion of the proceeds available upon consummation of the merger will be used to repay the Mizuho Notes in full; however, no assurances or guarantees can be provided in this regard. If the Mizuho Notes are not timely repaid within six (6) months of the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement, and the Purchasers exercise the Mizuho Warrants at $0.001 per share, existing shareholders will suffer substantial dilution and the price of Roadzen’s securities may be adversely affected.
Additionally, Roadzen may, from time to time, serve as a guarantor with respect to debt arrangements entered into by its subsidiaries. To the extent Roadzen pledges its assets in connection therewith, the lender may seek to recover from Roadzen in the event Roadzen’s subsidiary defaults on its obligations under the debt arrangement and Roadzen is unable to satisfy such obligation. Any liquidation of Roadzen’s assets by a lender could have a materially adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations. Currently, Roadzen and one of its Indian subsidiaries serve as guarantors with respect to a second Indian subsidiary’s debt facility with a principal amount of approximately $3.8 million. As of June 30, 2023, the total amount owed to the lender is approximately $3.4 million. In the event of default, if Roadzen and the other guarantors are unable to repay the borrower’s obligation to the lender, the lender may proceed against Roadzen’s assets to the extent necessary to recover the funds due but unpaid by the Indian subsidiary borrower.
Furthermore, generally, the incurrence of indebtedness may:
• | limit Roadzen’s ability to borrow additional funds or to refinance debt; |
• | limit Roadzen’s flexibility to plan for or react to changes in its business and industry; |
• | increase Roadzen’s vulnerability to the impact of adverse economic, competitive and industry conditions; and |
• | increase Roadzen’s cost of borrowing. |
It is also possible that Roadzen could become involved in litigation related to matters concerning the Mizuho Note, and such litigation could result in significant costs to Roadzen.
Additional Risks Relating to Ownership of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares Following the Merger
The market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the prices of Class A Ordinary Shares.
Upon completion of the merger, holders of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock will become holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. Prior to the merger, Vahanna had limited operations. Upon completion of the merger, New Roadzen’s results of operations will depend upon the performance of Roadzen’s businesses, which are affected by factors that are different from those currently affecting the results of operations of Vahanna.
Nasdaq may delist New Roadzen’s securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in its securities and subject New Roadzen to additional trading restrictions.
Currently, Vahanna’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are publicly traded on Nasdaq. Vahanna intends to list the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and New Roadzen Public Warrants on Nasdaq under the symbols RDZN and RDZNW, respectively, upon the closing of the merger. New Roadzen will not have units traded following closing of the merger. Vahanna cannot assure you that its securities will continue to be listed on Nasdaq following the merger. In order to continue listing its securities on Nasdaq following the merger, New Roadzen will be required to maintain certain financial, distribution and share price levels. For instance, New Roadzen’s share price would generally be required to be at least $4.00 per share and New Roadzen will be
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required to have a minimum of 400 public holders (with at least 50% of such round lot holders holding securities with a market value of at least $2,500) in order to remain listed on Nasdaq Global Market. Vahanna cannot assure you that New Roadzen will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time. In addition to the listing requirements for the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, Nasdaq imposes listing standards on warrants. Vahanna cannot assure you that New Roadzen will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
If Nasdaq delists New Roadzen’s securities from trading on its exchange and New Roadzen is not able to list its securities on another national securities exchange, Vahanna expects that the securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, New Roadzen could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
• | a limited availability of market quotations for such securities; |
• | reduced liquidity for such securities; |
• | a determination that the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; |
• | a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and |
• | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Since Vahanna’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are listed on Nasdaq, they are covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of its securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While Vahanna is not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the State of Idaho, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if Vahanna was no longer listed on Nasdaq, its securities would not be covered securities and it would be subject to regulation in each state in which it offers its securities, including in connection with the initial business combination.
New Roadzen’s share price may change significantly following the merger and you could lose all or part of your investment as a result.
The trading price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares is likely to be volatile. The stock market recently has experienced extreme volatility. This volatility often has been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. You may not be able to resell your shares at an attractive price due to a number of factors such as those listed in “— Risks Relating to Roadzen’s Business and Industry” and the following:
• | results of operations that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors; |
• | results of operations that vary from those of New Roadzen’s competitors; |
• | the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on New Roadzen’s business and financial conditions; |
• | changes in expectations as to New Roadzen’s future financial performance, including financial estimates and investment recommendations by securities analysts and investors; |
• | declines in the market prices of stocks generally; |
• | strategic actions by New Roadzen or its competitors; |
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• | announcements by New Roadzen or its competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, joint ventures, other strategic relationships or capital commitments; |
• | any significant change in New Roadzen’s management; |
• | changes in general economic or market conditions or trends in New Roadzen’s industry or markets; |
• | changes in business or regulatory conditions, including new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to New Roadzen’s business; |
• | future sales of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares or other securities; |
• | investor perceptions or the investment opportunity associated with New Roadzen Ordinary Shares relative to other investment alternatives; |
• | the public’s response to press releases or other public announcements by New Roadzen or third parties, including New Roadzen’s filings with the SEC; |
• | litigation involving New Roadzen, New Roadzen’s industry, or both, or investigations by regulators into New Roadzen’s operations or those of New Roadzen’s competitors; |
• | guidance, if any, that New Roadzen provides to the public, any changes in this guidance or New Roadzen’s failure to meet this guidance; |
• | the development and sustainability of an active trading market for New Roadzen’s share; |
• | actions by institutional or activist shareholders; |
• | changes in accounting standards, policies, guidelines, interpretations or principles; and |
• | other events or factors, including those resulting from natural disasters, war, acts of terrorism or responses to these events. |
These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, regardless of New Roadzen’s actual operating performance. In addition, price volatility may be greater if the public float and trading volume of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares is low.
In the past, following periods of market volatility, shareholders have instituted securities class action litigation. If New Roadzen was involved in securities litigation, it could have a substantial cost and divert resources and the attention of executive management from New Roadzen’s business regardless of the outcome of such litigation.
Because there are no current plans to pay cash dividends on New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for the foreseeable future, you may not receive any return on investment unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
New Roadzen intends to retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and there are no current plans to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. The declaration, amount and payment of any future dividends on New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be at the sole discretion of New Roadzen’s board of directors. New Roadzen’s board of directors may take into account general and economic conditions, New Roadzen’s financial condition and results of operations, New Roadzen’s available cash and current and anticipated cash needs, capital requirements, contractual, legal, tax, and regulatory restrictions, implications on the payment of dividends by New Roadzen to its shareholders or by its subsidiaries to it and such other factors as New Roadzen’s board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, New Roadzen’s ability to pay dividends is limited by covenants of Roadzen’s existing and outstanding indebtedness and may be limited by covenants of any future indebtedness New Roadzen incurs. As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment in New Roadzen Ordinary Shares unless you sell New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
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If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about New Roadzen’s business or if they downgrade New Roadzen’s share or New Roadzen’s sector, New Roadzen’s share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will rely in part on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about New Roadzen or its business. New Roadzen will not control these analysts. In addition, some financial analysts may have limited expertise with Roadzen’s model and operations. Furthermore, if one or more of the analysts who do cover New Roadzen downgrade its shares or industry, or the shares of any of its competitors, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about its business, the price of New Roadzen’s shares could decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of New Roadzen or fails to publish reports on it regularly, New Roadzen could lose visibility in the market, which in turn could cause its stock price or trading volume to decline.
Future sales, or the perception of future sales, by New Roadzen or its shareholders in the public market following the merger could cause the market price for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to decline.
The sale of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could harm the prevailing market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for New Roadzen to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that it deems appropriate.
Upon consummation of the merger, subject to the assumptions set forth in “Basis of Presentation and Glossary,” New Roadzen would have a total of approximately 83,409,001 ordinary shares (assuming no redemptions) outstanding. All shares issued in the merger will be freely tradable without registration under the Securities Act and without restriction by persons other than New Roadzen’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, “Rule 144”), including New Roadzen’s directors, executive officers and other affiliates. It is expected that New Roadzen’s affiliates subject to Rule 144 will hold approximately [●] New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, or [●]% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (under the No Redemption Scenario).
Pursuant to the merger agreement, it is expected that all equityholders of Roadzen, other than those holding only Roadzen RSUs that do not provide for the possibility of vesting or acceleration prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing, will enter into the Lock-Up Agreements, whereby the equityholders of Roadzen, subject to certain exceptions, will agree not to transfer or dispose of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares until the earlier of (x) the one (1) year anniversary of consummation of the merger, (y) the date that the closing price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 (as adjusted for share recapitalizations, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), for twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period following the 150th day following the merger and (z) the consummation of a liquidation, merger, capital share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of New Roadzen’s shareholders having the right to exchange their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property; provided that certain equityholders of Roadzen that held less than five percent (5%) of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) immediately prior to the Closing will be permitted to transfer and/or sell up to 25% of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the date that is six (6) months following the consummation of the merger. See “Other Agreements — Lock-Up Agreements” for more information. It is expected that these holders will hold approximately 70.0% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (under the No Redemption Scenario). The Sponsor and Vahanna’s current officers and directors and their affiliates, pursuant to the Letter Agreement, have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to transfer or dispose of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares during the period from the date of the closing of the merger through the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the consummation of merger, (ii) the date that the closing price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 (as adjusted for share recapitalizations, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), for twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period following the 150th day following the merger and (iii) the consummation of a liquidation, merger, capital share exchange, reorganization, tender or exchange offer as the first step of a two-step transaction or other similar transaction that results in all of New Roadzen’s shareholders having the right to exchange their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares
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for cash, securities or other property; provided that certain equityholders of Roadzen that held less than 5% of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) immediately prior to the Closing will be permitted to transfer and/or sell up to 25% of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the date that is six (6) months following the consummation of the merger. See “Other Agreements — Letter Agreement” for more information. It is expected that the Sponsor will hold approximately 5.8% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (under the No Redemption Scenario).
Upon the expiration or waiver of the lock-ups described above, shares held by the Sponsor and certain other shareholders of New Roadzen will be eligible for resale, subject to volume, manner of sale and other limitations under Rule 144, when such rule becomes applicable to Vahanna. In addition, pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed on the effective date of the IPO with Vahanna, the Sponsor and Mizuho will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to require New Roadzen to register the sale of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares under the Securities Act. By exercising their registration rights and selling a large number of shares, these shareholders could cause the prevailing market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to decline. Following completion of the merger, the shares covered by the Registration Rights Agreement will represent approximately 6.0% of the then-outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (under the No Redemption Scenario), in addition to their holdings of New Roadzen Private Warrants (including any Conversion Warrants) and the underlying New Roadzen Ordinary Shares thereto.
As restrictions on resale end or if these shareholders exercise their registration rights, the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares could drop significantly if the holders of these shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. These factors could also make it more difficult for New Roadzen to raise additional funds through future offerings of New Roadzen’s Class A Ordinary Shares or other securities.
In addition, the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved for future issuance under New Roadzen’s equity incentive plans will become eligible for sale in the public market once those shares are issued, subject to provisions relating to various vesting agreements, lock-up agreements and, in some cases, limitations on volume and manner of sale applicable to affiliates under Rule 144, as applicable. The number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares expected to be reserved for future issuance under the Incentive Plan and the ESPP, respectively, is equal to 10% and 2% of the aggregate number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares outstanding at Closing. The compensation committee of New Roadzen’s board of directors may determine the exact number of shares to be awarded or available for offerings under its equity incentive plans at its discretion. New Roadzen is expected to file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register New Roadzen Ordinary Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to New Roadzen’s equity incentive plans. Any such Form S-8 registration statements will automatically become effective upon filing. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statements will be available for sale in the open market.
Future issuances of debt securities and equity securities may adversely affect New Roadzen, including the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, and may be dilutive to existing shareholders.
There is no assurance that New Roadzen will not incur debt or issue equity ranking senior to New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. Those securities will generally have priority upon liquidation. Such securities also may be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting its operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that New Roadzen issues in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. Because New Roadzen’s decision to issue debt or equity in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond New Roadzen’s control, it cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, nature or success of New Roadzen’s future capital raising efforts. The amount of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issued in connection with an investment or acquisition could constitute a material portion of New Roadzen’s then-outstanding shares of common stock. Any issuance of additional securities in connection with investments or acquisitions may result in additional dilution to New Roadzen’s shareholders. As a result, future capital-raising efforts may reduce the market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and be dilutive to existing shareholders.
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Anti-takeover provisions in New Roadzen’s organizational documents could delay or prevent a change of control.
The BVI Companies Act does not currently provide anti-takeover measures, similar to some jurisdictions in the U.S.
Certain provisions of the Proposed Charter to become effective upon the consummation of the merger may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a merger, acquisition, tender offer, takeover attempt or other change of control transaction that a shareholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by New Roadzen’s shareholders.
These provisions, among other things:
• | authorize New Roadzen’s board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders; |
• | limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders; |
• | require advance notice procedures with which shareholders must comply to nominate candidates to the New Roadzen board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a shareholders’ meeting, which could preclude shareholders from bringing matters before annual or special meetings and delay changes in the New Roadzen board of directors and also may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise from attempting to obtain control of New Roadzen; |
• | provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the unanimous approval of all other directors then in office or shareholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting for the election of directors; and |
• | permit the New Roadzen board of directors to fill vacancies created by the expansion of the New Roadzen board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director. |
New Roadzen will be a BVI company (if the Domestication does not occur) and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of members is more limited under BVI law than that under U.S. law, you may have less protection for your member rights than you would under U.S. law.
New Roadzen’s corporate affairs will be governed by the Proposed Charter, the BVI Act and the common law of the BVI. The rights of members to take action against the directors, actions by minority members and the fiduciary responsibilities of New Roadzen’s directors to New Roadzen under BVI law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the BVI. The common law of the BVI is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the BVI as well as that from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the BVI. The rights of New Roadzen’s members and the fiduciary responsibilities of its directors under BVI law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the U.S. In particular, the BVI has a less exhaustive body of securities laws than the U.S. In addition, some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the BVI. There is no statutory recognition in the BVI of judgments obtained in the U.S., although the courts of the BVI will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits. As a result of all of the above, public members may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling members than they would as members of a U.S. public company.
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It may be difficult for you to enforce any judgment obtained in the United States against us, our directors or executive officers or our affiliates.
India has reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters with only a limited number of jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom; however, no reciprocity has been established with the U.S. In order to be enforceable, a judgment from a jurisdiction with reciprocity must meet certain requirements of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, as amended from time to time (the “Civil Code”). The Civil Code only permits the enforcement and execution of monetary decrees in the reciprocating jurisdiction, not being in the nature of any amounts payable in respect of taxes, other charges, fines or penalties. Judgments or decrees from jurisdictions which do not have reciprocal recognition with India may be enforced in India only by a fresh suit upon the foreign judgment and not by proceedings in execution. The suit must be brought in India within three (3) years from the date of judgment in the same manner as any other suit filed to enforce a civil liability in India. Generally, there are considerable delays in the disposal of suits by Indian courts. It is unlikely that a court in India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign court if an action were to be brought in India. Furthermore, it is unlikely that an Indian court would enforce foreign judgments if that court was of the view that the amount of damages awarded was excessive or inconsistent with Indian practice. Some remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including remedies available under the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be allowed in Indian courts if contrary to public policy in India. A party seeking to enforce a foreign judgment in India is required to obtain prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India to repatriate any amount recovered. Any judgment in a foreign currency would be converted into Indian Rupees on the date of the judgment and not on the date of the payment. We cannot predict whether a suit brought in an Indian court will be disposed of in a timely manner or be subject to considerable delays.
Certain of New Roadzen’s shareholders, including the Sponsor, may engage in business activities which compete with New Roadzen or otherwise conflict with New Roadzen’s interests.
The Sponsor is in the business of making investments in companies and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with New Roadzen. The Proposed Charter will provide that none of the Sponsor, any of their respective affiliates or any director who is not employed by New Roadzen (including any non-employee director who serves as one of New Roadzen’s officers in both his director and officer capacities) or his or her affiliates will have any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same business activities or similar business activities or lines of business in which New Roadzen operates. The Sponsor also may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to New Roadzen’s business and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to New Roadzen.
Because New Roadzen will be incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (if no Domestication occurs), shareholders may face difficulties in protecting their interests, and their ability to protect their rights through the U.S. Federal courts may be limited.
New Roadzen will be incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon New Roadzen directors or officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against New Roadzen directors or officers.
New Roadzen will be a British Virgin Islands company and substantially a majority of its assets will be located outside of the U.S. A majority of its current operations are conducted in Europe and India. In addition, most of its directors and officers will reside outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the U.S. or elsewhere upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in Europe, India or British Virgin Islands courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against New Roadzen and its officers and directors, most of whom are not residents in the U.S. and the majority of whose assets are located outside of the U.S. It may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against New Roadzen in the British Virgin Islands if you believe your rights under the U.S. securities laws have been infringed. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the British Virgin Islands, Europe or India would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against New
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Roadzen or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S. or any state, and it is uncertain whether such British Virgin Islands, European or Indian courts would hear original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, Europe or India against New Roadzen or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the U.S. or any state. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”
There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the British Virgin Islands will in certain circumstances recognize such a foreign judgment and treat it as a cause of action in itself which may be sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary provided that the U.S. judgment:
• | the U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and New Roadzen either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; |
• | is final and for a liquidated sum; |
• | the judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of New Roadzen; |
• | in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court; |
• | recognition or enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to public policy in the British Virgin Islands; and |
• | the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice. |
The courts of the British Virgin Islands are also unlikely:
• | to recognize or enforce against New Roadzen judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws where that liability is in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of New Roadzen; and |
• | to impose liabilities against New Roadzen, in original actions brought in the British Virgin Islands, based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in nature. |
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.
New Roadzen does not intend to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
Following the merger, New Roadzen currently intends to retain its future earnings, if any, to finance the further development and expansion of its business and does not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of New Roadzen’s board of directors and will depend on its financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions contained in future agreements and financing instruments, business prospects and such other factors as its board of directors deems relevant.
New Roadzen may be subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert management attention.
The market price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares may be volatile and, in the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. New Roadzen may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against New Roadzen could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm its business.
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Risks Relating to the Deemed Domestication and the Domestication
There can be no assurance whether New Roadzen will be a British Virgin Islands business company or a Delaware corporation following the merger.
Vahanna will not be able to determine how many holders of Class A Ordinary Shares will elect to redeem their shares for cash in connection with the merger until the redemption deadline, which is two (2) business days prior to the Vahanna Special Meeting. Therefore, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Vahanna cannot predict whether it will continue as a British Virgin Islands business company or reincorporate as a Delaware corporation as a result of the Domestication. See the sections titled “Summary— Domestication (Proposal No. 4)” and “Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights” for more information regarding the Domestication and different governance provisions of New Roadzen resulting therefrom.
If the Domestication occurs, the Proposed Delaware Charter will provide, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit New Roadzen stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with New Roadzen or its directors, officers, employees or stockholders.
Should Vahanna change its domicile by way of its continuation out of the British Virgin Islands, as a business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and into the State of Delaware to become a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, the Proposed Delaware Charter will provide that, unless New Roadzen selects or consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law: (a) the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting any internal corporate claims, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have, or declines to accept, jurisdiction, another state court or a federal court located within the State of Delaware); and (b) the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be the federal district courts of the United States of America. For purposes of the foregoing, “internal corporate claims” means claims, including claims in the right of New Roadzen that are based upon a violation of a duty by a current or former director, officer, employee or stockholder in such capacity, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of New Roadzen common stock will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this provision.
This choice of forum provision may limit a New Roadzen shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a forum that it finds favorable for disputes with New Roadzen or any of its directors, officers or employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce this provision. If a court ruled the choice of forum provision was inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, New Roadzen may incur additional costs to resolve such action in other jurisdictions. The choice of forum provision is intended to apply to the fullest extent permitted by law to the above-specified types of actions and proceedings, and is intended to require, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that (i) any claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933 be brought in the federal district courts of the United States in accordance with clause (b) of the choice of forum provision, and (ii) any derivative actions, including those brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in accordance with clause (a) of the choice of forum provision. The provision does not apply to any direct claims brought by New Roadzen’s shareholders on their own behalf, or on behalf of any class of similarly situated shareholders, under the Exchange Act. New Roadzen’s shareholders will not be deemed, by operation of the choice of forum provision, to have waived New Roadzen’s obligation to comply with all applicable federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
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If the Domestication occurs, upon consummation of the merger, the rights of holders of New Roadzen common stock arising under the DGCL as well as the Proposed Delaware Charter will differ from and may be less favorable to the rights of holders of Class A Ordinary Shares arising under the British Virgin Islands Companies Act as well as the Existing Charter.
If the Domestication occurs, upon consummation of the merger, the rights of holders of New Roadzen common stock will arise under the Proposed Delaware Charter as well as the DGCL. Those new organizational documents and the DGCL contain provisions that differ in some respects from those in the Existing Charter and BVI law and, therefore, some rights of holders of New Roadzen common stock could differ from the rights that holders of Class A Ordinary Shares currently possess. For instance, while class actions are generally not available to shareholders under the British Virgin Islands Companies Act, such actions are generally available under the DGCL. This change could increase the likelihood that New Roadzen becomes involved in costly litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on New Roadzen.
In addition, there are differences between the Proposed Delaware Charter of New Roadzen and the Existing Charter of Vahanna. For a more detailed description of the rights of holders of New Roadzen common stock and how they may differ from the rights of holders of Class A Ordinary Shares, please see the section titled “Comparison of Shareholders’ Rights.” The forms of the Proposed Delaware Charter and the Proposed Bylaws of New Roadzen are attached as Annex J and Annex K, respectively, to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Some provisions of the Proposed Delaware Charter and Delaware law may have anti-takeover effects that could discourage an acquisition of New Roadzen by others, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to New Roadzen’s stockholders, and may prevent attempts by New Roadzen’s stockholders to replace or remove New Roadzen’s current management.
Provisions in the Proposed Delaware Charter, as well as provisions of the DGCL, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire New Roadzen or increase the cost of acquiring New Roadzen, even if doing so would benefit New Roadzen’s stockholders, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. These provisions include:
• | nothing in the Proposed Delaware Charter precludes future issuances without stockholder approval of the authorized but unissued shares of New Roadzen common stock; |
• | advance notice procedures apply for stockholders to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring matters before an annual meeting of stockholders; |
• | no provision in the Proposed Delaware Charter or the Proposed Bylaws provides for cumulative voting, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates; |
• | the Proposed Bylaws will provide that the affirmative vote of a majority of the of the shares voted and entitled to vote of New Roadzen, voting as a single class, is required for stockholders to amend or adopt any provision of New Roadzen’s bylaws; |
• | the Proposed Delaware Charter authorizes undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and shares of which may be issued, without the approval of the holders of New Roadzen common stock; and |
• | certain litigation against New Roadzen can only be brought in Delaware. |
New Roadzen will continue to be liable under the BVI Companies Act following the Domestication.
Where a company is continued under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands: (a) the company continues to be liable for all of its claims, debts, liabilities and obligations that existed prior to its continuation as a company under the laws of the jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands; (b) no conviction, judgement, ruling, order, claim, debt, liability or obligation due or to become due, and no cause existing, against the company or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, is released or impaired by its continuation as a company under the laws of the jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands; (c) no proceedings, whether civil or
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criminal, pending by or against the company, or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, are abated or discontinued by its continuation as a company under the laws of the jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands, but the proceedings may be enforced, prosecuted, settled or compromised by or against the company or against the member, director, officer or agent thereof, as the case may be; and (d) service of process may continue to be effected on the registered agent of the company in the British Virgin Islands in respect of any claim, debt, liability or obligation of the company during its existence as a company under the BVI Companies Act.
As a result of the Deemed Domestication, Vahanna is expected to be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Although Vahanna is incorporated under the laws of the BVI, it is expected to be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874(b) of the Code as a result of the merger because the merger is expected to result in an 80% Inversion (as defined in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” below). In the event that Vahanna receives notice pursuant to the Vahanna Special Meeting that public holders of Vahanna’s Class A Ordinary Shares have elected to redeem less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares), the merger may not result in an 80% Inversion, but the Domestication will result in the domestication of Vahanna from a non-U.S. corporation to a U.S. corporation.
As a result, in all events, Vahanna is expected to be deemed to convert from a non-U.S. corporation to a U.S. corporation in an F Reorganization that occurs either at the end of the day immediately preceding the merger, in the case of the Deemed Domestication, or on the date that the certificate of domestication is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, in all events at least one (1) business day before the merger, in the event of the Domestication. Consequently, Vahanna will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its worldwide taxable income following the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable. See the section titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Residency of Vahanna for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes” for a more complete discussion. Additionally, a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” below) of Class A Ordinary Shares may be subject to U.S. federal income withholding taxes on any dividends in respect of such Non-U.S. Holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares subsequent to the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable.
Certain investors may be required to recognize gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, or may be subject to U.S. withholding tax.
As discussed more fully under the section “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders,” Vahanna will, in the event of either the Domestication or the Deemed Domestication, as applicable, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, convert from a non-U.S. corporation to a U.S. corporation in an F Reorganization. Therefore, U.S. Holders (as defined in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”) of Class A Ordinary Shares will be subject to Section 367(b) of the Code and, as a result:
• | Subject to the discussion below concerning PFICs, a U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares whose ordinary shares have a fair market value of less than $50,000 on the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, and who is not a 10% Shareholder (as defined in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Effects of Section 367(b) — U.S. Holders that Own More than 10 Percent (by Vote or Value) of Vahanna”) will not recognize any gain or loss and will not be required to include any part of Vahanna’s earnings in income. |
• | Subject to the discussion below concerning PFICs, a U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares whose ordinary shares have a fair market value of $50,000 or more, but who is not a 10% Shareholder will generally recognize gain (but not loss) on the deemed receipt of Class A Ordinary Shares in the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable. As an alternative to recognizing gain as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, such U.S. Holder may file an |
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election to include in income, as a dividend, the “all earnings and profits amount” (as defined in the U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code) attributable to its Class A Ordinary Shares, provided certain other requirements are satisfied. |
• | Subject to the discussion below concerning PFICs, a U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares who on the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, is a 10% Shareholder will generally be required to include in income, as a dividend, the “all earnings and profits amount” (as defined in the U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code) attributable to its Class A Ordinary Shares provided certain other requirements are satisfied. |
As discussed further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” below, Vahanna believes that it is (and has been) a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If Vahanna is a PFIC, proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code (which have a retroactive effective date), generally would require a U.S. Holder to recognize gain as a result of the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable, unless the U.S. Holder makes (or has made) certain elections discussed further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
The tax on any such gain would be imposed at the rate applicable to ordinary income and an interest charge would apply based on a complex set of rules. It is difficult to predict whether such proposed regulations will be finalized and in what form, and as a result, the impact of such proposed regulations is unclear. For a more complete discussion of the potential application of the PFIC rules to U.S. Holders as a result of the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable, see the section titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
Because the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable, of Vahanna will occur prior to the redemption of Holders that exercise redemption rights with respect to Class A Ordinary Shares, Non-U.S. Holders may become subject to withholding tax on any amounts treated as dividends paid on Class A Ordinary Shares as a result of the redemption. Additionally, the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable, may cause Non-U.S. Holders to become subject to U.S. federal income withholding taxes on any dividends in respect of such Non-U.S. Holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares paid by New Roadzen subsequent to the merger.
The tax consequences of the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable, are complex and will depend on a Holder’s particular circumstances. All Holders are strongly urged to consult their tax advisor for a full description and understanding of the tax consequences of the Deemed Domestication and the Domestication, including the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax laws. For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the Deemed Domestication and the Domestication, see the section below titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Risks Relating to the Redemption
There is no guarantee that a Vahanna public shareholder’s decision whether to redeem their shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account will put such shareholder in a better future economic position.
No assurance can be given as to the price at which a public shareholder may be able to sell the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in the future following the completion of the merger. Certain events following the consummation of any business combination, including the merger, may cause an increase in New Roadzen’s share price, and may result in a lower value realized now than an Vahanna shareholder might realize in the future had the shareholder not elected to redeem such shareholder’s Class A Ordinary Shares. Similarly, if an Vahanna public shareholder does not redeem his, her or its shares, such shareholder will bear the risk of ownership of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the consummation of the merger, and there can be no assurance that a shareholder
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can sell his, her or its New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in the future for a greater amount than the redemption price set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers About the Vahanna Special Meeting — How do redemptions affect the value of my New Roadzen Ordinary Shares?”
Furthermore, all public warrants will remain outstanding after consummation of the merger even if all Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed by Vahanna public shareholders. Based on the average of the high and low trading prices of the public warrants on Nasdaq on the Record Date, the public warrants had an aggregate value of $[●]. However, there can be no assurance that the trading price of the public warrants or the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the public warrants will increase due to redemptions of the Class A Ordinary Shares. See “Additional Risks Relating to Ownership of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares Following the Merger — New Roadzen’s share price may change significantly following the merger and you could lose all or part of your investment as a result.”
A Vahanna public shareholder should consult his, her or its own tax and/or financial advisor for assistance on how this may affect its individual situation.
If Vahanna public shareholders fail to comply with the redemption requirements specified in this proxy statement/prospectus, they will not be entitled to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account.
To exercise their redemption rights, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares are required to deliver their shares, either physically or electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC System, to Vahanna’s transfer agent no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the second business day prior to the vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting. If a holder fails to properly seek redemption as described in this proxy statement/prospectus and the merger with Roadzen is consummated, such holder will not be entitled to redeem these shares for a pro rata portion of funds deposited in the Trust Account. See the section titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders — Redemption Rights” for additional information on how to exercise your redemption rights.”
If you or a “group” of shareholders of which you are a part are deemed to hold an aggregate of more than 15% of the Class A Ordinary Shares, you (or, if a member of such a group, all of the members of such group in the aggregate) will lose the ability to redeem all such shares in excess of 15% of the Class A Ordinary Shares.
A public shareholder, together with any of his, her or its affiliates or any other person with whom he, she or it is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from seeking redemption rights with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Class A Ordinary Shares, without the prior consent of Vahanna, which we refer to as the “Excess Shares.” However, Vahanna will not be restricting its shareholders’ ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against the business combination. Your inability to redeem any such Excess Shares will reduce your influence over our ability to complete the business combination and you could suffer a material loss on your investment in Vahanna if you sell such Excess Shares in open market transactions. Additionally, you will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if Vahanna completes the business combination and as a result, you will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose of such shares, would be required to sell your shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss. Vahanna cannot assure you that the value of such Excess Shares will appreciate over time following the merger or that the market price of the Excess Shares will exceed the per share redemption price.
There is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the redemption to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares.
There is some uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of Class A Ordinary Shares who exercise their redemption rights. The uncertainty of tax consequences relates primarily to
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the individual circumstances of the taxpayer and include (i) whether the redemption results in a dividend, taxable as ordinary income, or a sale, taxable as capital gain, and (ii) whether such capital gain is “long-term” or “short- term.” Whether the redemption qualifies for sale treatment, resulting in taxation as capital gain rather than ordinary income, will depend largely on whether the holder owns (or is deemed to own) any Class A Ordinary Shares following the redemption, and if so, the total number of Class A Ordinary Shares held by the holder both before and after the redemption relative to all Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding both before and after the redemption. The redemption generally will be treated as a sale, rather than a dividend, if the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the holder’s interest in Vahanna or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the holder. Due to the personal and subjective nature of certain of such tests and the absence of clear guidance from the IRS, there is uncertainty as to whether a holder who elects to exercise its redemption rights will be taxed on any gain from the redemption as ordinary income or capital gain. See the section titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger” and “ — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders — Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger.”
A new 1% U.S. federal excise tax could be imposed on Vahanna in connection with the redemptions of Class A Ordinary Shares.
The IRA provides for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases (including certain redemptions) of stock by publicly traded U.S. corporations and certain U.S. subsidiaries of publicly traded non-U.S. corporations. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its shareholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the excise tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the excise tax. The U.S. Department of Treasury has been given authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out, and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the excise tax.
Any redemption or other repurchase that occurs in connection with the merger is expected to be subject to the excise tax. Whether and to what extent Vahanna would be subject to the excise tax would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases in connection with the merger, (ii) the nature and fair market value of any Class A Ordinary Shares issued to the Roadzen shareholders in connection with the merger, and (iii) the content of regulations and other guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In addition, because the excise tax would be payable by us, and not by the redeeming holder, the mechanics of any required payment of the excise tax have not been determined. The foregoing could cause a reduction in the cash available on hand to complete the merger and in Vahanna’s ability to complete the merger.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Introduction
Vahanna is providing the following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, as more fully described below. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet of New Roadzen as of March 31, 2023 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations of New Roadzen for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022 present the combination of the financial information of Vahanna and Roadzen after giving effect to the following transactions:
• | the reverse recapitalization between Roadzen and Vahanna pursuant to the merger, |
• | Roadzen’s assumed acquisition of Global Insurance Management Limited, |
• | Roadzen’s acquisition of National Automobile Club, and |
• | the issuance of an aggregate of $55.3 million of ordinary shares issued at par. |
Collectively these transactions are referred to as the “Transaction Adjustments”, described in the accompanying notes. Vahanna and Roadzen are collectively referred to herein as the “Companies,” and the Companies, subsequent to the merger and the PIPE Investment, are referred to herein as “New Roadzen.”
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022 give effect to the Transaction Adjustments as if they had occurred on January 1, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2023 gives effect to the Transaction Adjustments as if they had occurred on March 31, 2023. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what New Roadzen’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Transaction Adjustments occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of New Roadzen. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The Transaction Adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.
The historical financial information of Vahanna was derived from the unaudited financial statements of Vahanna as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the audited financial statements of Vahanna as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The historical financial information of Roadzen was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Roadzen as of and for the years ended March 31, 2023, and 2022, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The historical financial information of Global Insurance Management was derived from the unaudited financial statements of Global Insurance Management as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the audited consolidated financial statements of Global Insurance Management as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The historical financial information of National Automobile Club was derived from the unaudited financial statements of National Automobile Club as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the audited financial statements of National Automobile Club as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
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The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on and should be read in conjunction with the audited and unaudited historical financial statements of each of Vahanna, Roadzen, Global Insurance Management and National Automobile Club and the notes thereto, as well as the disclosures contained in the sections titled “Vahanna’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Roadzen’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial information included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The events discussed in “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information – Recent Developments” are not reflected in the pro formas, as they occurred after March 31, 2023, the date of the pro forma combined balance sheet, and they are not related to the transactions nor expected to impact the financial information post-closing.
Description of the Transactions
The Merger
On February 10, 2023, Vahanna, Merger Sub and Roadzen entered into the merger agreement, pursuant to which Roadzen will be merged with and into Merger Sub, with Roadzen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna. After giving effect to the merger, Vahanna will own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Roadzen and its subsidiaries and will become New Roadzen. Existing Roadzen equity holders will hold a portion of the ordinary shares of New Roadzen.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the consideration to be received by the Existing Roadzen equity holders in connection with the merger will be 68.3 million New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, valued at $10.00 per share for total merger consideration of $683 million.
In addition, certain investors are expected to subscribe for an aggregate of $55.3 million of ordinary shares of New Roadzen in a private placement expected to close just prior to the completion of the merger, in order for Vahanna to satisfy a closing condition in the merger agreement that requires Vahanna to have minimum net tangible assets of $5,000,001 and minimum available cash of $50 million at the completion of the merger. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Vahanna has not entered into any subscription agreements for the PIPE Investment and the actual amount of the PIPE Investment may be greater or less than this target amount; therefore, we have made certain assumptions with respect to the expected size of proceeds and per share issuance price of such securities. The actual terms of such issuance are not known at this time.
The following summarizes the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares outstanding before and following the consummation of the merger and the PIPE Investment under the two scenarios, at the consummation of the merger excluding the potential dilutive effect of the exercise or vesting of warrants and stock options:
No Redemptions |
Maximum Redemptions |
|||||||
Sponsor |
4,852,500 | 4,852,500 | ||||||
Mizuho |
150,000 | 150,000 | ||||||
Public |
20,010,000 | — | ||||||
PIPE Investment |
5,530,000 | 5,530,000 | ||||||
Roadzen(1) |
68,300,000 | 68,300,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | For purposes of this section, “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information”, figures assume the issuance of all 68,300,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. |
Acquisition of Global Insurance Management
On June 8, 2022, Roadzen entered into a share purchase agreement (the “GIM Purchase Agreement”) with AXA Partners Holding S.A. (“AXA”), pursuant to which Roadzen will acquire Global Insurance Management
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Limited (“Global Insurance Management Limited” or “GIM”), a company incorporated and registered in England and Wales, from AXA for a total purchase price of GBP 5 million (five million pounds, or approximately $6.29 million based on an exchange rate of GBP 1.00 = US $1.2587 as of June 8, 2022), subject to adjustment as set forth in the GIM Purchase Agreement. The acquisition of GIM is a closing condition to the merger agreement. Roadzen closed the acquisition of GIM on June 30, 2023.
Acquisition of National Automobile Club
On August 5, 2022, Roadzen entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “NAC Purchase Agreement”) with National Automobile Club, a California corporation (“National Automobile Club” or “NAC”), and National Automobile Club Employee Stock Ownership Trust, pursuant to which Roadzen will acquire National Automobile Club from National Automobile Club Employee Stock Ownership Trust for a total purchase price of $1,750,000, subject to adjustment as set forth in the NAC Purchase Agreement. The acquisition of National Automobile Club is a closing condition to the merger agreement. Roadzen closed the acquisition of NAC on June 6, 2023.
Recent Developments
On May 24, 2023, an aggregate of $660,330 was deposited by the Sponsor into the Trust Account for Vahanna’s public shareholders, representing $0.033 per public share, which enabled Vahanna to extend the period of time it has to consummate its initial business combination by one month from May 26, 2023 to June 26, 2023.
On June 22, 2023, an aggregate of $660,330 was deposited by the Sponsor into the Trust Account for Vahanna’s public shareholders, representing $0.033 per public share, which enabled Vahanna to extend the period of time it has to consummate its initial business combination by one month from June 26, 2023 to July 26, 2023.
In connection with the extensions, Vahanna issued to the Sponsor the Extension Note on May 24, 2023, from which $1,320,660 was drawn down as of June 22, 2023. The Extension Note was issued with an original issue discount of ten percent (10.0%) and a principal amount of $1,452,726, and bears interest at a rate of twenty percent (20.0%) per annum. The Extension Note is due and payable (subject to the waiver against trust provisions) on the earlier of (i) the date on which an initial business combination is consummated and (ii) the date of the liquidation of Vahanna. In the event that a business combination does not close, Vahanna may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Extension Note but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Extension Note.
On June 30, 2023, Roadzen entered into the Note Purchase Agreement with Mizuho, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain purchasers that may become party thereto from time to time, as purchasers of the senior secured notes (together with Mizuho, the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $7,500,000 of senior secured notes (the “Mizuho Notes”) issued by Roadzen. The Mizuho Notes bear interest at a rate of fifteen percent (15.0%) per annum, which will automatically be increased by five percent (5.0%) if Roadzen fails to prepay the Mizuho Notes upon the occurrence of certain mandatory prepayment events as set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement. The Mizuho Notes mature one (1) year from the date of issuance; however, Roadzen may prepay all or any portion of the Mizuho Notes prior to maturity at its option without penalty. As a condition precedent to closing under the Note Purchase Agreement, Roadzen entered into a Security Agreement, pursuant to which each current Note Party granted a first priority lien on substantially all of its assets to Mizuho, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Purchasers. In addition, the Note Parties are collectively required to maintain a cash reserve of at least $1.0 million in the aggregate to satisfy a minimum liquidity condition under the Note Purchase Agreement.
Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, if the Mizuho Notes have not been repaid in full by the date that is six (6) months after the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement, Roadzen has agreed to issue to the noteholders warrants to purchase collectively the number of shares of common stock of Roadzen or New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, depending on whether the merger has been consummated at the time the warrants are
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issued, equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the interests of the issuer on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued (the “Mizuho Warrants”). The shares underlying the Mizuho Warrants shall be referred to herein as the “Mizuho Warrant Shares.”
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will vest as follows until the full repayment of the Mizuho Notes: 40% upon issuance of the Mizuho Warrants, approximately six and two-thirds percent (6.67%) on each of the five (5) consecutive months thereafter, and 26.67% on the date that is six (6) months after the issuance date of the Mizuho Warrants.
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent vested, will be exercisable at a purchase price of $0.001 per share and may be exercised on a cashless basis. In the event of an acquisition of the issuer or similar transaction, the Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent unexercised, will be deemed to have been automatically exercised on a cashless basis immediately prior to such acquisition or similar transaction. The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will expire five (5) years after issuance or earlier upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the issuer. The number of Mizuho Warrant Shares underlying and the applicable exercise price of the Mizuho Warrants are subject to customary adjustment for dividends, splits, reclassifications and other modifications. The Purchasers will also receive registration rights and other customary protections with respect to the Mizuho Warrant Shares.
Accounting Treatment
The merger is expected to be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization because Roadzen has been determined to be the accounting acquirer under both the minimum redemption and maximum redemption scenarios. Under this method of accounting, Vahanna will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the merger will be treated as the equivalent of Roadzen issuing shares for the net assets of Vahanna, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Vahanna will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the merger will be those of Roadzen. This accounting treatment determination was primarily based on the following:
• | The Pre-Closing Roadzen Holders will hold the majority of voting rights in New Roadzen or will be the largest single voting interest block in New Roadzen, in the “maximum redemption” and “minimum redemption” scenarios, respectively; |
• | The pre-combination directors of Roadzen will be the majority of the directors on the board of directors of New Roadzen; |
• | Senior management of Roadzen will comprise the senior management of New Roadzen; and |
• | Operations of Roadzen will comprise the ongoing operations of New Roadzen. |
The GIM purchase and the NAC purchase will be accounted for as forward acquisitions, as Roadzen is acquiring them for cash. Under this method of accounting, the acquired assets, including intangible assets, and assumed liabilities will be recorded at fair value and the excess of fair value of the net assets over historical cost will be recorded as goodwill.
Basis of Pro Forma Presentation
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X. The historical financial information of Vahanna, Roadzen, GIM and NAC has been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give effect to (a) Transaction Accounting Adjustments (as defined in Article II of Regulation S-X) and (b) Management’s Adjustments (as defined in Article II of Regulation S-X).
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National Automobile Club and Global Insurance Management have been included in the pro forma financial information as they are “significant” and are a closing condition to the Vahanna/Roadzen merger. Therefore, they are probable transactions and would be required under Regulation S-X to be included in the pro forma financial information.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared using the assumptions below with respect to the potential redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares into cash:
• | Assuming No Redemptions: This presentation assumes that no Vahanna shareholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares. |
• | Assuming Maximum Redemptions: This scenario assumes that 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed pursuant to their redemption rights at a redemption price of approximately $10.46 per share. This scenario includes all adjustments contained in the above scenario but presents additional adjustments to reflect the effect of the maximum redemptions. |
Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.
If the actual facts are different than these assumptions, then the amounts and shares outstanding in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information will be different.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined information contained herein assumes that the Vahanna shareholders approve the merger. Vahanna’s public shareholders may elect to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares for cash even if they approve the merger. Vahanna cannot predict how many of its public shareholders will exercise their right to have their Class A Ordinary Shares redeemed for cash. As a result, New Roadzen has provided the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information under two different redemption scenarios, which produce different allocations of total New Roadzen equity between holders of the ordinary shares. The first scenario, or “no redemption scenario,” assumes that none of Vahanna’s public shareholders will exercise their right to have their Class A Ordinary Shares redeemed for cash, and the second scenario, or “maximum redemption scenario,” assumes that all holders redeem all of their Class A Ordinary Shares. The actual results will be within the parameters described by the two scenarios. However, there can be no assurance regarding which scenario will be closest to the actual results.
111
NEW ROADZEN
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Roadzen |
GIM | NAC | Transaction and NAC |
Pro Forma Combined Roadzen, GIM, NAC |
Vahanna | Pro Forma Reverse |
Pro Forma |
Pro Forma reverse |
Pro Forma |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 589 | 16,665 | 373 | (2,301 | ) | D | 15,253 | 174 | 209,296 | A | 204,004 | (209,296 | ) | H | 50,008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(73 | ) | D | (6,525 | ) | B | 55,300 | F | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(975 | ) | I | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(13,219 | ) | C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments |
— | — | 3,600 | (3,600 | ) | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable |
1,536 | 1,680 | 1,608 | — | 4,824 | — | — | 4,824 | 4,824 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Inventory |
60 | — | — | — | 60 | — | — | 60 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
3,182 | 242 | 93 | — | 3,517 | 91 | — | 3,608 | 3,608 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total current assets |
5,367 | 18,587 | 5,674 | (5,974 | ) | 23,654 | 265 | 188,577 | 212,496 | (153,996 | ) | 58,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Non-current assets: |
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Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
543 | — | — | — | 543 | — | — | 543 | 543 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non marketable securities |
4,910 | — | — | — | 4,910 | — | — | 4,910 | 4,910 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account |
— | — | — | — | 209,296 | (209,296 | ) | A | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease - right of use asset |
546 | 242 | 18 | — | 806 | — | — | 806 | 806 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets |
2,469 | — | 16 | 2,805 | E | 5,798 | — | — | 5,798 | 5,798 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
508 | E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
996 | — | — | 3,396 | E | 5,697 | — | 5,697 | 5,697 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1,305 | E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long term assets |
117 | 14 | 9 | 140 | — | 140 | 140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
232 | 26 | 258 | — | 258 | 258 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total non-current assets |
9,813 | 282 | 43 | 8,014 | 18,152 | 209,296 | (209,296 | ) | 18,152 | — | 18,152 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
15,180 | 18,869 | 5,717 | 2,040 | 41,806 | 209,561 | (20,719 | ) | 230,648 | (153,996 | ) | 76,652 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
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Current liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
6,241 | 1,612 | 688 | — | 8,541 | 2,634 | (2,634 | ) | C | 8,541 | 8,541 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sum due to insurer |
— | 8,764 | — | 8,764 | — | — | 8,764 | 8,764 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred share warrants |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term borrowings |
2,852 | — | 2,852 | — | — | 2,852 | 2,852 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short term borrowings |
4,876 | — | 4,876 | 975 | (975 | ) | I | 4,876 | 4,876 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short term lease liabilities |
209 | 14 | 18 | — | 241 | — | — | 241 | 241 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other current liabilities |
2,503 | 3,266 | 128 | — | 5,897 | — | — | 5,897 | 5,897 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total current liabilities |
16,681 | 13,656 | 834 | — | 31,171 | 3,609 | (3,609 | ) | 31,171 | — | 31,171 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Non-current liabilities: |
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Long term borrowings |
653 | — | — | 7,772 | E | 11,341 | — | 11,341 | 11,341 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2,916 | E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred underwriting fee |
— | — | — | 6,525 | (6,525 | ) | B | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
360 | — | — | 360 | 360 | 360 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long term liabilities |
294 | 753 | — | 589 | E | 1,743 | 1,743 | 1,743 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
107 | E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total non-current liabilities |
1,307 | 753 | — | 11,384 | 13,444 | 6,525 | (6,525 | ) | 13,444 | — | 13,444 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total liabilities |
17,988 | 14,409 | 834 | 11,384 | 44,615 | 10,134 | (10,134 | ) | 44,615 | — | 44,615 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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112
Roadzen |
GIM | NAC | Transactions and NAC |
Pro Forma Combined Roadzen, GIM, NAC |
Vahanna | Pro Forma reverse |
Pro Forma |
Pro Forma reverse |
Pro Forma |
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(Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
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Temporary equity: |
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Ordinary shares subject to possible redemption |
— | — | — | — | 209,296 | (209,296 | ) | A | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A and A1 Preferred shares and additional paid in capital |
48,274 | — | — | — | 48,274 | (48,274 | ) | J | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity (deficit): |
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Ordinary shares |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | A | 10 | (2 | ) | H | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | J | — | F | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
303 | 331 | 513 | (331 | ) | E | 303 | — | 209,293 | A | 237,409 | (209,294 | ) | H | 83,415 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(513 | ) | E | (9,869 | ) | G | 55,300 | F | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
— | 48,274 | J | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(7 | ) | J | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred shares |
— | (10,585 | ) | C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(51,448 | ) | 4,435 | 4,370 | (2,135 | ) | E | (51,449 | ) | (9,869 | ) | 9,869 | G | (51,449 | ) | (51,449 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(697 | ) | E | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2,301 | ) | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3,673 | ) | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(67 | ) | (306 | ) | 306 | E | (67 | ) | (67 | ) | (67 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other components of equity |
367 | — | 367 | 367 | 367 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total shareholders’ deficit before non controlling interest |
(50,845 | ) | 4,460 | 4,883 | (9,344 | ) | (50,846 | ) | (9,869 | ) | 246,985 | 186,270 | (153,996 | ) | 32,274 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non controlling interest |
(237 | ) | (237 | ) | (237 | ) | (237 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total shareholders’ equity (deficit) |
(51,082 | ) | 4,460 | 4,883 | (9,344 | ) | (51,083 | ) | (9,869 | ) | 246,985 | 186,392 | (153,996 | ) | 32,037 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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TOTAL LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
15,180 | 18,869 | 5,717 | 2,040 | 41,806 | 209,561 | (20,719 | ) | 231,007 | (153,996 | ) | 76,652 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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113
NEW ROADZEN
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Roadzen | GIM | NAC | Transactions Adjustments of GIM and NAC |
Pro Forma Combined Roadzen, GIM, NAC |
Vahanna | Pro Forma Adjustments for the reverse recapitalisation Assuming Minimum Redemption |
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Minimum Redemption |
Pro Forma Adjustments for the reverse recapitalisation Assuming Maximum Redemption |
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Maximum Redemption |
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(Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 5,006 | 7,861 | 3,580 | 16,447 | — | — | 16,447 | 16,447 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Administration fee - related party |
— | — | — | — | — | 60 | — | 60 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
8,376 | 7,880 | 3,427 | 174 | GG | 19,889 | 2,053 | — | 21,942 | 21,942 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
32 | GG | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
8,376 | 7,880 | 3,427 | 206 | 19,889 | 2,113 | — | 22,002 | 22,002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(3,370 | ) | (19 | ) | 153 | (206 | ) | (3,442 | ) | (2,113 | ) | — | (5,555 | ) | — | (5,555 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(172 | ) | (1 | ) | — | (176 | ) | II | (412 | ) | — | — | (412 | ) | (412 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(63 | ) | II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Trust account |
— | — | — | — | — | 2,204 | (2,204 | ) | HH | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles with definite life |
(920 | ) | (920 | ) | — | — | (920 | ) | (920 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) |
(41 | ) | (115 | ) | 29 | — | (127 | ) | — | — | (127 | ) | (127 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
(1,133 | ) | (116 | ) | 29 | (239 | ) | (1,459 | ) | 2,204 | (2,204 | ) | (1,459 | ) | — | (1,459 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) before income tax provision |
(4,503 | ) | (135 | ) | 182 | (445 | ) | (4,901 | ) | 91 | (2,204 | ) | (7,014 | ) | — | (7,014 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision |
(5 | ) | — | (3 | ) | (37 | ) | GG | (52 | ) | — | — | (52 | ) | (52 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(7 | ) | GG | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(4,508 | ) | (135 | ) | 179 | (489 | ) | (4,953 | ) | 91 | (2,204 | ) | (7,066 | ) | — | (7,066 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax |
(15 | ) | — | — | — | (15 | ) | — | — | (15 | ) | (15 | ) |
114
Roadzen | GIM | NAC | Transactions Adjustments of GIM and NAC |
Pro Forma Combined Roadzen, GIM, NAC |
Vahanna | Pro Forma Adjustments for the reverse recapitalisation Assuming Minimum Redemption |
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Minimum Redemption |
Pro Forma Adjustments for the reverse recapitalisation Assuming Maximum Redemption |
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Maximum Redemption |
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(Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to shareholders |
(4,493 | ) | (135 | ) | 179 | (489 | ) | (4,938 | ) | 91 | (2,204 | ) | (7,051 | ) | — | (7,051 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to shareholders |
(4,493 | ) | (135 | ) | 179 | (489 | ) | (4,938 | ) | 91 | (2,204 | ) | (7,051 | ) | (7,051 | ) |
Roadzen | GIM | NAC | Vahanna | Minimum | Maximum | |||||||||||||||||||
(Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | Redemption | Redemption | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Common stock |
— | 98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - Common stock |
— | (0.07 | ) | (0.09 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A common stock subject to redemption |
— | 20,010,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A common stock subject to redemption |
— | 0.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class B non-redeemable common stock |
— | 5,002,500 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class B non-redeemable common stock |
— | 0.00 | — | — |
115
NEW ROADZEN
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
(In thousands)
Roadzen | GIM | NAC | Transaction Adjustments of NAC |
Pro Forma Combined Roadzen, GIM, NAC |
Vahanna | Pro Forma Reverse Recapitalization Assuming |
Pro Forma Combined Assuming Minimum Redemption |
Pro Forma Reverse |
Pro Forma |
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(Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | (Historical) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 12,256 | 32,683 | 12,354 | 57,293 | — | — | 57,293 | 57,293 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Administration fee - related party |
— | — | — | — | — | 240 | — | 240 | 240 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
21,268 | 33,648 | 12,083 | 728 | BB | 67,300 | 1,755 | 10,226 | AA | 79,281 | 79,281 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
127 | BB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(554 | ) | FF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
21,268 | 33,648 | 12,083 | 301 | 67,300 | 1,995 | 10,226 | 79,521 | 79,521 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(9,012 | ) | (965 | ) | 271 | (301 | ) | (10,007 | ) | (1,995 | ) | (10,226 | ) | (22,228 | ) | — | (22,228 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(632 | ) | (17 | ) | — | (646 | ) | EE | (1,528 | ) | — | — | (1,528 | ) | (1,528 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(233 | ) | EE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Trust account |
— | — | — | — | — | 2,978 | (2,978 | ) | CC | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value changes in financial instruments carried at fair value |
(1,423 | ) | — | — | — | (1,423 | ) | — | 1,389 | DD | (34 | ) | (34 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) |
70 | 1,061 | (1,150 | ) | — | (19 | ) | — | — | (19 | ) | (19 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
(1,985 | ) | 1,044 | (1,150 | ) | (879 | ) | (2,970 | ) | 2,978 | (1,589 | ) | (1,581 | ) | — | (1,581 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) before income tax provision |
(10,997 | ) | 79 | (879 | ) | (1,180 | ) | (12,977 | ) | 983 | (11,815 | ) | (23,809 | ) | — | (23,809 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision |
(4 | ) | — | (1 | ) | (153 | ) | BB | (185 | ) | — | — | (185 | ) | (185 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(27 | ) | BB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(11,001 | ) | 79 | (880 | ) | (1,360 | ) | (13,162 | ) | 983 | (11,815 | ) | (23,994 | ) | — | (23,994 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax |
(201 | ) | — | — | — | (201 | ) | — | — | (201 | ) | (201 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to stockholders |
(10,800 | ) | 79 | (880 | ) | (1,360 | ) | (12,961 | ) | 983 | (11,815 | ) | (23,793 | ) | — | (23,793 | ) |
Roadzen (Historical) |
GIM (Historical) |
NAC (Historical) |
Vahanna (Historical) |
Minimum Redemption |
Maximum Redemption |
|||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Common stock |
— | 98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - Common stock |
— | (0.24 | ) | (0.30 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A common stock subject to redemption |
— | 20,010,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A common stock subject to redemption |
— | 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class B non-redeemable common stock |
— | 5,002,500 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class B non-redeemable common stock |
— | 0.04 | — | — |
116
NEW ROADZEN
UNAUDITED HISTORICAL COMPARATIVE AND PRO FORMA COMBINED PER SHARE INFORMATION
Vahanna | Minimum | Maximum | ||||||||||
Historical | Redemption | Redemption | ||||||||||
March 31, 2023 |
||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - common stock |
98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
(0.07 | ) | (0.09 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - common stock subject to redemption |
20,010,000 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - common stock subject to redemption |
0.04 | |||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - non-redeemable common stock |
5,002,500 | — | — | |||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - non-redeemable common stock |
0.04 | — | — | |||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - common stock |
98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
(0.24 | ) | (0.30 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - common stock subject to redemption |
20,010,000 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - common stock subject to redemption |
0.04 | |||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - non-redeemable common stock |
5,002,500 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share - non-redeemable common stock |
0.04 |
Transaction Adjustments
(All amounts are in $ thousands, unless specified otherwise)
Adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2023 are as follows:
A | Reflects the release of $209.3 million of cash and cash equivalents held in the Trust Account at the balance sheet date and corresponding reclassification of common stock subject to possible redemption to 20,010,000 shares of common stock, that becomes available to fund expenses in connection with the merger or future cash needs of the Company. |
B | Reflects the payment of $6.5 million of deferred underwriters’ fees. |
The fees will be paid at the Closing out of the Trust Account.
C | Represents transaction costs totalling $21.6 million, which consists of $11 million in aggregate that are reflected in the Vahanna and Roadzen financial statements as of March 31, 2023, as well as $10.6 million of costs ($10.2 million for Vahanna and $0.4 million for Roadzen) that are expected to be incurred through the closing of the transaction which consists of estimated legal, financial advisory, and other professional fees. Included in the $11 million is $2.6 million and $6.5 million outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and presented as accounts payable and deferred underwriting fee, respectively. The costs expected to be incurred by Vahanna of $10.2 million are included in the pro forma results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2023, while the $0.4 million have been capitalized as they relate to Roadzen. |
D | As per the share purchase agreement between Roadzen, Inc. and AXA Partners Holding S.A. dated June 8, 2022, GIM is permitted to distribute cash amounting to $2.3 million to AXA Partners Holding S.A. upon closing of Roadzen’s acquisition of GIM. Also, as per the share purchase agreement between Roadzen, Inc. and National Automobile Club Employee Stock Ownership Trust dated August 5, 2022, NAC is required to |
117
distribute cash and investments of approximately $3.7 million and investments of approximately $1.0 million to National Automobile Club Employee Stock Ownership Trust upon closing of Roadzen’s acquisition of NAC. |
E | Reflects the fair value adjustment for the purchases of GIM and NAC as of March 31, 2023. |
GIM
Historical carrying amount |
Fair value adjustment |
Fair value |
||||||||||
Assets acquired |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents* |
14,364 | — | 14,364 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
1,680 | — | 1,680 | |||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
242 | — | 242 | |||||||||
Intangibles |
— | 2,805 | 2,805 | |||||||||
Other assets |
282 | — | 282 | |||||||||
Total assets acquired |
16,568 | 2,805 | 19,373 | |||||||||
Liabilities assumed |
||||||||||||
Deferred tax liability |
— | 589 | 589 | |||||||||
Other liabilities |
14,409 | — | 14,409 | |||||||||
Total liabilities assumed |
14,409 | 589 | 14,998 | |||||||||
Net assets acquired |
2,159 | 2,217 | 4,376 | |||||||||
Represented by: |
||||||||||||
Common stock |
331 | |||||||||||
Retained earnings* |
2,134 | |||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(306 | ) | ||||||||||
2,159 | ||||||||||||
Purchase consideration** |
7,772 | |||||||||||
Net assets acquired |
4,376 | |||||||||||
Goodwill |
3,396 |
NAC
Historical carrying amount |
Fair value adjustment |
Fair value |
||||||||||
Assets acquired |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents* |
300 | — | 300 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
1,608 | — | 1,608 | |||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
— | — | — | |||||||||
Intangibles |
— | 508 | 508 | |||||||||
Other assets |
137 | — | 137 | |||||||||
Total assets acquired |
2,045 | 508 | 2,553 | |||||||||
Liabilities assumed |
||||||||||||
Deferred tax liability |
— | 107 | 107 | |||||||||
Current liabilities |
834 | — | 834 | |||||||||
Total liabilities assumed |
834 | 107 | 941 | |||||||||
Net assets acquired |
1,211 | 401 | 1,611 | |||||||||
Represented by: |
||||||||||||
Common stock |
513 | |||||||||||
Retained earnings* |
697 | |||||||||||
1,210 | ||||||||||||
Purchase consideration** |
2,916 | |||||||||||
Net assets acquired |
1,611 | |||||||||||
Goodwill |
1,305 |
118
* | Represents historical amounts adjusted for distributions referred to in D above. |
** | Purchase consideration for acquisition for GIM and NAC will be discharged through funds raised from external borrowings. |
F | In order to meet the closing conditions of the merger, New Roadzen, under this maximum redemption scenario, currently plans to raise an additional $55.3 million through the sale of 5.53 million ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, at a purchase price of $10.00 per share. The par value of the ordinary shares has been rounded to zero for the purpose of the pro forma presentation. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, New Roadzen has not entered into any subscription agreements for the PIPE Investment and the actual amount of the PIPE Investment may be greater or less than $55.3 million. |
G | To reflect the elimination of the historical accumulated deficit of Vahanna. |
H | Reflects the maximum redemption of 20.0 million shares for $209.3 million. |
I | Repayment of Sponsor note of $1.0 million. |
J | Reflects the conversion of Roadzen’s preferred stock $48.27 million to common stock which is expected to take place concurrently with the merger and the issuance of 68.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock to Roadzen equity holders as consideration for the reverse recapitalization. |
Adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
GG | Represents the amortization charge of $0.17 million and $0.3 million on customer contracts acquired as part of the GIM and NAC acquisitions, respectively, and resultant deferred tax impact thereof ($0.4 million — GIM; $0.1 million — NAC). The estimated useful life of the intangible assets is 4.25 years as of January 1, 2023. |
HH | Represents an adjustment to eliminate gain on investments held in the Trust Account as of the beginning of the period. |
II | 8% interest on additional debt as a result of the acquisitions of NAC and GIM. 8% is management’s current estimate of the market rate for the Company’s debt. |
Adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022:
AA | Represents transaction costs of $21.6 million of which $20.8 million pertains to the reverse recapitalization transaction (the “DeSPAC”) and $0.8 million pertains to the acquisitions of GIM and NAC. DeSPAC transaction costs include $15.5 million of legal and underwriting fee and balance pertains to other related costs. Out of the total transaction costs of $21.6 million, $11.0 million have been incurred in the respective historical financial statements and $0.4 million have been capitalized as they relate to Roadzen. |
BB | Represents the amortization charge of $0.7 million and $0.1 million on customer contracts acquired as part of the GIM and NAC acquisitions, respectively, and resultant deferred tax impact thereof ($0.2 million — GIM; $0.3 million — NAC). The estimated useful life of the intangible assets is 5.25 years as of January 1, 2022. |
CC | Represents an adjustment to eliminate gain on investments held in the Trust Account as of the beginning of the period. |
DD | Represents reversal of fair value adjustment on convertible notes upon conversion to common stock. |
EE | 8% interest on additional debt as a result of the acquisitions of NAC and GIM. 8% is management’s current estimate of the market rate for the Company’s debt. |
FF | Accounting policy adjustment to record actuarial gains/losses on pension liability in the statement of operations instead of other comprehensive income. |
119
Loss per Share
Basic loss per share represents the net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the merger, assuming the shares were outstanding at the beginning of the periods presented.
Diluted loss per common share is the same as basic loss per common share for all periods presented because the effects of potentially dilutive items were anti-dilutive given the pro forma combined net loss.
The following common share equivalent securities have been excluded from the calculation of weighted- average common shares outstanding because the effect is anti-dilutive for the periods presented:
Anti-dilutive common share equivalents: |
||||
Public Warrants |
10,005,000 | |||
Private Placement Warrants |
8,638,500 | |||
|
|
|||
Total anti-dilutive common share equivalents |
18,643,500 | |||
|
|
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined loss per share has been prepared assuming no redemptions and assuming maximum redemption for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022:
Vahanna Historical |
Minimum Redemption |
Maximum Redemption |
||||||||||
March 31, 2023 |
||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding — common stock |
98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
(0.07 | ) | (0.09 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding — common stock subject to redemption |
20,010,000 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share — common stock subject to redemption |
0.04 | |||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding — non-redeemable common stock |
5,002,500 | — | — | |||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share — non-redeemable common stock |
0.04 | — | — | |||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding — common stock |
98,842,500 | 78,832,500 | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
(0.24 | ) | (0.30 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding — common stock subject to redemption |
20,010,000 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share — common stock subject to redemption |
0.04 | |||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding — non-redeemable common stock |
5,002,500 | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share — non-redeemable common stock |
0.04 |
120
Reconciliation of Financial Information Included in the Pro Forma Information
ROADZEN
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS RECONCILIATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
Financial Statements as included |
Adjustments | Pro forma as presented |
||||||||||
Subtract | ||||||||||||
Year ended March 31, 2023 |
Nine months ended December 31, 2022 |
Three months ended March 31, 2023 |
||||||||||
Revenue |
13,560 | (8,554 | ) | 5,006 | ||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately) |
5,414 | (4,405 | ) | 1,009 | ||||||||
Sales and marketing |
10,736 | (7,263 | ) | 3,473 | ||||||||
Research and development |
2,670 | (1,780 | ) | 890 | ||||||||
General and administrative |
4,648 | (1,974 | ) | 2,674 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,624 | (1,294 | ) | 330 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total costs and expenses |
25,092 | (16,716 | ) | 8,376 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss from operations |
(11,532 | ) | 8,162 | (3,370 | ) | |||||||
Interest expense |
(776 | ) | 604 | (172 | ) | |||||||
Fair value changes in financial instruments carried at fair value |
(1,009 | ) | 1,009 | 0 | ||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles with definite life |
(920 | ) | — | (920 | ) | |||||||
Other income/(expense), net |
(6 | ) | (35 | ) | (41 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Loss before income tax expense |
(14,243 | ) | 9,739 | (4,504 | ) | |||||||
Income tax expense/(benefit) |
(42 | ) | 47 | 5 | ||||||||
Net loss |
(14,201 | ) | 9,693 | (4,508 | ) | |||||||
— | ||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax |
(177 | ) | 162 | (15 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to Roadzen, Inc. |
(14,024 | ) | 9,531 | (4,493 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
121
ROADZEN
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS RECONCILIATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
Financial Statements as included |
Adjustments | Pro forma as presented |
||||||||||||||||||
Subtract | Subtract | Add | ||||||||||||||||||
Year ended March 31, 2022 |
Nine months ended December 31, 2021 |
Foreign exchange translation differences |
Nine months ended December 31, 2022 |
Period ended December 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
9,989 | (5,958 | ) | 329 | 8,554 | 12,256 | ||||||||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately) |
4,806 | (4,294 | ) | (191 | ) | 4,405 | 5,108 | |||||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
7,123 | (4,283 | ) | 45 | 7,263 | 10,058 | ||||||||||||||
Research and development |
1,307 | (887 | ) | 46 | 1,780 | 2,154 | ||||||||||||||
General and administrative |
1,621 | (1,093 | ) | 174 | 1,974 | 2,329 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,370 | (894 | ) | 150 | 1,294 | 1,620 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
16,227 | (11,451 | ) | 223 | 16,716 | 21,268 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(6,238 | ) | 5,493 | 106 | (8,162 | ) | (9,012 | ) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(45 | ) | 10 | (7 | ) | (604 | ) | (632 | ) | |||||||||||
Fair value changes in financial instruments carried at fair value |
(3,393 | ) | 2,979 | — | (1,009 | ) | (1,423 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other income/(expense), net |
(105 | ) | 37 | (103 | ) | 35 | 70 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Loss before income tax expense |
(9,780 | ) | 8,519 | (4 | ) | (9,739 | ) | (10,997 | ) | |||||||||||
Income tax expense/(benefit) |
25 | 22 | (4 | ) | (47 | ) | 4 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net loss |
(9,805 | ) | 8,497 | — | (9,693 | ) | (11,001 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax |
(65 | ) | (26 | ) | — | (162 | ) | (254 | ) | |||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Roadzen, Inc. |
(9,740 | ) | 8,524 | — | (9,531 | ) | (10,747 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122
VAHANNA SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
General
Vahanna is furnishing this proxy statement/prospectus to its shareholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors for use at the Vahanna Special Meeting to be held on [●], 2023 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy statement/prospectus provides Vahanna’s shareholders with information they need to know to be able to vote or direct their vote to be cast at the Vahanna Special Meeting.
Date, Time and Place
The Vahanna Special Meeting will be held on [●], 2023, at [●] New York time. On or about [●], 2023, Vahanna commenced mailing this proxy statement/prospectus and the enclosed form of proxy to its shareholders entitled to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting.
Purpose of Vahanna Special Meeting
Vahanna shareholders are being asked to vote on the following proposals:
1. | the Business Combination Proposal; |
2. | the Charter Proposal; |
3. | the Governance Proposals; |
4. | the Domestication Proposal (to the extent required); |
5. | the Delaware Charter Proposal (to the extent required); |
6. | the Delaware Governance Proposals (to the extent required); |
7. | the Nasdaq Proposal; |
8. | the Incentive Plan Proposal; |
9. | the ESPP Proposal; and |
10. | the Adjournment Proposal (to the extent required). |
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
The Vahanna board of directors has unanimously determined that the merger, on the terms and conditions set forth in the merger agreement, is advisable and in the best interests of Vahanna and its shareholders and has directed that the proposals set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus be submitted to its shareholders for approval at the Vahanna Special Meeting on the date and at the time and place set forth in this proxy statement/ prospectus. The Vahanna board of directors unanimously recommends that Vahanna’s shareholders vote “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the Charter Proposal, “FOR” the Domestication Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Delaware Charter Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Delaware Governance Proposals (to the extent required), “FOR” the Nasdaq Proposal, “FOR” the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the ESPP Proposal, and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal (to the extent required).
In considering the recommendation of the board of directors of Vahanna to vote in favor of approval of the proposals to be presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting, shareholders should keep in mind that certain members of the board of directors and executive officers of Vahanna and the Sponsor, including their directors and executive officers, have interests in such proposals that are different from, or in addition to, those of Vahanna shareholders generally. In particular:
• | Certain of the directors and officers of Vahanna have interests in the Sponsor and a pecuniary interest in the Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants that the Sponsor holds. Each of Vahanna’s three |
123
independent directors and Vahanna’s Chief Financial Officer has been granted certain non-voting units of the Sponsor representing an equivalent of 25,000 Founder Shares (which would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $250,000 assuming a trading price of $10.00 per New Roadzen Ordinary Share upon consummation of the merger); however, each has disclaimed beneficial ownership of such Founder Shares as they are held and controlled by the Sponsor. The Sponsor has entered into a services agreement with Indus Global Techventures LLP (“Indus LLP”), which is controlled by Vahanna’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The terms of the agreement require the Sponsor to pay a fixed monthly retainer fee in the amount of $10,000 to formulate an investment and marketing strategy and explore potential targets for a business combination on behalf of Vahanna. In addition, the Sponsor provided for a success fee that would entitle Indus LLP to distributions attributable to a certain non-voting class of units of the Sponsor which makes up 11.24% of the total fully diluted units of the Sponsor upon a successful business combination (which would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $11.3 million assuming trading prices of $10.00 per Founder Share and $1.00 per New Roadzen Private Warrant upon consummation of the merger). |
• | On September 23, 2022, in a privately negotiated transaction whereby parties agreed to value Roadzen at a pre-money valuation of $200 million, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, LP, an entity beneficially owned and controlled by Ajay Shah, a director of Vahanna, and his wife, acquired an interest in Roadzen from an existing Roadzen investor for an aggregate purchase price of $1,500,000, which investment would represent approximately 389,375 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the consummation of the proposed merger; Mr. Ramgopal helped to facilitate this transaction between Roadzen and Mr. Shah. On April 28, 2023, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, LP, acquired 3,226 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of Roadzen for an aggregate purchase price of $500,030, which investment would represent approximately 88,873 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the consummation of the proposed merger. Assuming that no Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger, Mr. Shah’s aggregate interest in Roadzen currently would represent approximately 478,248 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (which would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $4,782,480 assuming a trading price of $10.00 per New Roadzen Ordinary Share upon the consummation of the proposed merger), being equal to approximately 0.6% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the closing of the proposed merger. Mr. Shah indirectly owns, through Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, LP, certain non-voting units of the Sponsor (which would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $6,200,000 assuming trading prices of $10.00 per New Roadzen Ordinary Share and $1.00 per New Roadzen Private Warrant upon the consummation of the proposed merger). |
• | If the merger or another business combination is not consummated within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination), Vahanna will cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, redeeming 100% of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares for cash and, subject to the approval of its remaining shareholders and its board of directors, dissolving and liquidating. In such event, the (a) 4,852,500 Founder Shares held by the Sponsor, which were acquired prior to the IPO for $25,000 and (b) 150,000 Class B Ordinary Shares held by Mizuho, which were acquired for $500,000, would be worthless because the holder is not entitled to participate in any redemption or distribution with respect to such shares. Such shares had an estimated aggregate market value of $[●] based upon the closing price of $[●] per Class A Ordinary Share on Nasdaq on the Record Date. |
• | The Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants from Vahanna for an aggregate purchase price of $8,638,500 (or $1.00 per warrant) in a private placement. These purchases took place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. A portion of the proceeds Vahanna received from these purchases was placed in the Trust Account. Such warrants had an estimated aggregate value of $[●] based on the closing price of $[●] per public warrant on Nasdaq on the Record Date. The Private Placement Warrants will become worthless if Vahanna does not consummate a business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). |
124
• | If Vahanna is unable to complete a business combination within the required time period, the Sponsor will be personally liable under certain circumstances described herein to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by Vahanna for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to Vahanna. If Vahanna consummates a business combination, however, Vahanna will be liable for all such claims. |
• | Vahanna’s officers and directors, and their affiliates are entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on Vahanna’s behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations. However, if Vahanna fails to consummate a business combination within the required period, they will not have any claim against the Trust Account for reimbursement. Accordingly, Vahanna may not be able to reimburse these expenses if the merger or another business combination, are not completed within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are no out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Vahanna’s officers and directors that are subject to reimbursement. |
• | Following the closing of the merger, the Sponsor will be entitled to the repayment of any working capital loans and extension loans that have been made to Vahanna and remain outstanding. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the Sponsor has loaned Vahanna $975,000 for working capital expenses with respect to the Convertible Note and $1,320,660 for purposes of the Extensions with respect to the Extension Note. The Extension Note was issued with an original issue discount of ten percent (10.0%) and a principal amount of $1,452,726, and bears interest at a rate of twenty percent (20.0%) per annum. If Vahanna does not complete an initial business combination within the required period, Vahanna may use a portion of its working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the Convertible Note and the Extension Note, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Convertible Note or the Extension Note. The Convertible Note may be converted, in whole or in part, at the option of the Sponsor into warrants of Vahanna at a price of $1.00 per warrant, which warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants; however, the merger agreement requires 50% of the aggregate amount outstanding under the Convertible Note to be repaid in cash and the remainder in warrants (at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant) if the merger closes. |
• | If Vahanna is able to complete a business combination within the required time period, the Sponsor and certain Vahanna directors and officers holding Founder Shares may receive a positive return on the 4,852,500 Founder Shares, which were acquired by Sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 prior to the IPO, and/or the 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants, which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8.6 million concurrently with completion of the IPO, even if the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares experience a negative return on their investment in the Class A Ordinary Shares after consummation of the merger. |
• | As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the Sponsor’s aggregate at risk capital is $10,959,160, comprised of Founder Shares ($25,000), Private Placement Warrants ($8,638,500), and amounts outstanding under the Convertible Note ($975,000) and the Extension Note ($1,320,660, which does not include any interest accrued pursuant thereto). Such Founder Shares had an estimated aggregate market value of $[●] based upon the closing price of $[●] per Class A Ordinary Share on Nasdaq on the Record Date. Such warrants (assuming that 50% of the aggregate amount outstanding under the Convertible Note are converted into warrants) had an estimated aggregate value of $[●] based on the closing price of $[●] per public warrant on Nasdaq on the Record Date. If Vahanna is unable to complete a business combination within the required time period, the Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless, and the Convertible Note and the Extension Note may only be repaid with working capital held outside the Trust Account and not with proceeds held in the Trust Account. The Sponsor and the directors and officers of Vahanna do not otherwise have any amounts otherwise owed or payable by Vahanna. The Sponsor does not hold any interest in Roadzen. |
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• | Certain of Vahanna’s officers and directors may continue to serve as officers and directors of New Roadzen after the closing. As such, in the future they will determine the compensation paid to New Roadzen’s directors and officers. |
• | The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to their Founder Shares if Vahanna fails to complete a business combination by within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). |
• | The continued indemnification of current directors and officers and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. |
• | In addition to having an interest in and providing advisory services to Vahanna, the Sponsor and its controlling interest holders and affiliates have certain interests in and provide advisory services to Roadzen. Current and historical relationships and interests of the Sponsor and its affiliates in Roadzen and Vahanna include: |
• | Vinode Ramgopal is the chairman and one of the two managers of the Sponsor. From January 2020 until the consummation of the IPO, Mr. Ramgopal was an advisor to Roadzen, acting in his personal capacity, via his personal and professional relationship with certain of Roadzen’s executive officers and board members. Specifically, Mr. Ramgopal has known (a) Aashish Kalra, the chairman of Roadzen, for more than two decades and (b) Rohan Malhotra, the chief executive officer of Roadzen, since 2017. Mr. Ramgopal is a managing partner of Pi Capital International LLC, a global advisory firm (“Pi Capital”), that has served as an M&A and capital markets advisor to Roadzen since 2017. Mr. Ramgopal does not serve as a director or an officer together with Messrs. Kalra or Malhotra. |
• | Mr. Ramgopal introduced Roadzen to Vahanna. |
• | Each of Mr. Ramgopal and Steven Carlson (Mr. Carlson is anticipated to serve as a director of New Roadzen following the merger) is a co-chairman and a 50% owner of Magellan Global, Inc., a financial services holding company (“Magellan”). Magellan is an approximately 15% interest holder in and serves as an advisor to Avacara PTE, Ltd (“Avacara”), a majority investor in Roadzen. Immediately prior to Closing, Avacara’s pre-closing interest in Roadzen is expected to represent approximately 25.3% of Roadzen on a fully diluted basis and, following the consummation of the merger, it is expected that Magellan’s interest in Avacara will be approximately 15% of Avacara on a fully diluted basis. Assuming that no Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger, Magellan’s interest in Avacara would represent approximately 3.1% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the closing of the merger (assuming a No Redemption Scenario). |
• | Magellan is the sole interest holder in (a) Pi Capital and (b) Marco Polo Securities Inc., a registered broker dealer (“Marco Polo”), each of which have provided certain financial advisory services to Roadzen. Mr. Ramgopal and Mr. Carlson are each 50% owners, co-chairmen of Magellan and co-chairmen of Pi Capital. Mr. Carlson is also a managing partner of Pi Capital. |
• | Magellan has served as an advisor to Roadzen since 2020 and received a one-time payment of approximately $150,000 for such consulting services on January 12, 2021. |
• | Pi Capital has served as an advisor to Roadzen since 2017, serving as M&A and capital markets advisor to Roadzen in certain of its proposed strategic acquisitions. Pi Capital has not received any compensation for its advisory services. |
• | Marco Polo has served as an advisor to Roadzen since 2019 and has received aggregate fees of approximately $660,000 for services including strategic advisory and capital raising engagements, and an engagement in 2019 to advise on a private placement of $16.5 million of certain of Roadzen’s convertible preferred securities. Marco Polo was also engaged by Roadzen in 2022 as a |
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financial advisor in connection with a proposed strategic acquisition that has since been abandoned, and no fee was paid by Roadzen as a result thereof. On June 22, 2022, Marco Polo entered into a formal engagement letter with Vahanna to serve as an M&A advisor to Vahanna in connection with the proposed transaction with Roadzen, whereby Marco Polo would be entitled to a $2.5 million success fee upon consummation of the merger. |
• | Each of Mr. Ramgopal and Mr. Carlson hold aggregate indirect pre-closing interests in Roadzen (via their interest in Magellan and Magellan’s interest in Avacara) of approximately 1.9% on a fully diluted basis. Assuming that no Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger, we expect that these interests would each represent approximately 1.6% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the closing of the merger (assuming a No Redemption Scenario). |
In consideration of certain of the interests set forth above, the Vahanna Board engaged an independent investment banking firm that rendered an opinion with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid by Vahanna to the equity holders of Roadzen pursuant to the merger agreement. For more information regarding the opinion, see the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—Opinion of SHEUMACK GMA.” Nevertheless, in light of the foregoing interests, including investments in Roadzen by certain of our officers and directors and other members of the Sponsor who are not officers or directors of the Vahanna, as well as investments in Vahanna, such persons may have interests in the merger that are different from or are in addition to those of other shareholders and, as a result, the terms of the merger may not be as advantageous to such other shareholders as they would be absent such interests.
• | Shareholders should take these interests into account in deciding whether to approve the merger. The Vahanna Board was aware of and did consider these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the transaction and the transaction agreements and in making the recommendation to the shareholders of Vahanna that they vote in favor of the proposals presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting, including the Business Combination Proposal. |
Voting Power; Record Date
You will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast at the Vahanna Special Meeting if you owned Vahanna ordinary shares at the close of business on [●], 2023, which is the Record Date. You are entitled to one (1) vote for each Vahanna ordinary share that you owned as of the close of business on the Record Date. If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. On the Record Date, there were 25,012,500 ordinary shares outstanding, of which 20,010,000 are Class A Ordinary Shares and 5,002,500 are Class B Ordinary Shares.
Vote of the Sponsor and Vahanna’s Directors and Officers
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement and the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed to (i) vote any Vahanna ordinary shares owned by them in favor of the proposals set forth herein and (ii) waive certain of their anti-dilution and conversion rights.
The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have waived any redemption rights, including with respect to Vahanna ordinary shares purchased in the IPO or in the aftermarket, in connection with the merger. The Founder Shares held by the Sponsor and certain of Vahanna’s directors and officers have no redemption rights upon Vahanna’s liquidation and will be worthless if no business combination is effected by Vahanna within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). However, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers are entitled to redemption rights upon Vahanna’s liquidation with respect to any Class A Ordinary Shares they may own.
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Quorum and Required Vote for Proposals for the Vahanna Special Meeting
A quorum of Vahanna shareholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. The holders of one-third (1/3) of the Vahanna ordinary shares being individuals present in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy constitute a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum. The holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares, who currently own 20% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, will count towards this quorum. As of the Record Date for the Vahanna Special Meeting, 8,337,500 Vahanna ordinary shares would be required to achieve a quorum.
Approval of each of the proposals set forth herein requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Vahanna board of directors has already approved each of the proposals.
If Vahanna shareholders fail to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal or, as applicable, the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal or the Delaware Charter Proposal, the merger will not occur. The Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Incentive Plan Proposal are conditioned on the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the Nasdaq Proposal. Additionally, the Nasdaq Proposal is conditioned upon the approval of the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, and the Delaware Charter Proposal, as applicable. The Adjournment Proposal, the Governance Proposals and the Delaware Governance Proposals are not conditioned on the approval of any other proposal. If the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, the other proposals (except the Adjournment Proposal) will not be presented to the shareholders for a vote. It is important for you to note that in the event that the Business Combination Proposal does not receive the requisite vote for approval, then the merger may not be consummated. If Vahanna does not consummate the merger and fails to complete an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination), Vahanna will be required to dissolve and liquidate its Trust Account by returning the then remaining funds in such account to the public shareholders.
Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum. For purposes of approval, a failure to vote, an abstention or a broker non-vote will have no effect on the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, the Governance Proposals, the Domestication Proposals, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the Delaware Governance Proposals, the Nasdaq Proposal, the Incentive Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.
Voting Your Shares
Each Vahanna ordinary share that you own in your name entitles you to one (1) vote on each of the proposals for the Vahanna Special Meeting. Your one or more proxy cards show the number of Vahanna ordinary shares that you own. There are several ways to have your Vahanna ordinary shares voted:
• | You can submit a proxy to vote your shares by calling the toll-free number shown on your proxy card and voting over the phone. |
• | You can submit a proxy to vote your shares by visiting the website shown on your proxy card and voting via the Internet. |
• | You can submit a proxy to vote your shares by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to follow the instructions provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee to ensure that your shares are represented and voted at the Vahanna Special |
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Meeting. If you submit a proxy card, your “proxy,” whose name is listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign and return the proxy card but do not give instructions on how to vote your shares, your Vahanna ordinary shares will be voted as recommended by Vahanna’s board of directors. Vahanna’s board of directors unanimously recommends that Vahanna’s shareholders vote “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal, “FOR” the Charter Proposal, “FOR” the Governance Proposals, “FOR” the Domestication Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Delaware Charter Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Delaware Governance Proposal (to the extent required), “FOR” the Nasdaq Proposal, “FOR” the Incentive Plan Proposal, “FOR” the ESPP Proposal, and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal (to the extent required). |
• | You can attend the Vahanna Special Meeting and vote in person or virtually even if you have previously voted by submitting a proxy pursuant to any of the methods noted above. However, if your Vahanna ordinary shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must get a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee. That is the only way Vahanna can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not already voted your Vahanna ordinary shares. |
Revoking Your Proxy
If you are a record owner of your shares and you give a proxy, you may change or revoke it at any time before it is exercised by doing any one of the following:
• | you may send another proxy card with a later date; |
• | you may notify Vahanna’s Secretary in writing before the Vahanna Special Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or |
• | you may attend the Vahanna Special Meeting in person or virtually, revoke your proxy, and vote in person or online as described above. |
If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee for information on how to change or revoke your voting instructions.
No Additional Matters May be Presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting
The Vahanna Special Meeting has been called only to consider the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, the Governance Proposals, the Domestication Proposal (to the extent required), the Delaware Charter Proposal (to the extent required), the Delaware Governance Proposals (to the extent required), the Nasdaq Proposal, the Incentive Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal (to the extent required). Under Vahanna’s Existing Charter, no other matters may be considered at the Vahanna Special Meeting if they are not included in this proxy statement/prospectus, which serves as the notice of the Vahanna Special Meeting.
Who Can Answer Your Questions About Voting
If have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your Vahanna ordinary shares, you may call Morrow Sodali LLC, Vahanna’s proxy solicitor, toll-free at (800) 662-5200 (banks and brokers call (203) 658-9400) or by email at VHNA@investor.morrowsodali.com.
Redemption Rights
Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares may seek to redeem their shares for cash, regardless of whether they vote for or against, or whether they abstain from voting on, the Business Combination Proposal. Any shareholder holding Class A Ordinary Shares may demand that Vahanna redeem such shares for a full pro rata portion of the funds deposited in the Trust Account (which, for illustrative purposes, was $10.46 per share based on the balance
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of the Trust Account on March 31, 2023), calculated as of two (2) business days prior to the anticipated consummation of the merger. If a holder properly seeks redemption as described in this section and the merger with Roadzen is consummated, Vahanna will redeem these shares for a pro rata portion of the funds deposited in the Trust Account and the holder will no longer own these shares following the merger.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, together with any affiliate of such holder or any other person with whom such holder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Class A Ordinary Shares, without the prior written consent of Vahanna.
Holders of Class B Ordinary Shares will not have redemption rights with respect to such shares.
Holders may demand redemption by delivering their shares, either physically or electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC System, to Vahanna’s transfer agent no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the second business day prior to the vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting. If you hold the shares in “street name,” you will have to coordinate with your broker to have your shares certificated or delivered electronically. Certificates that have not been tendered (either physically or electronically) in accordance with these procedures will not be redeemed for cash. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $100.00 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming shareholders. In the event the proposed merger is not consummated this may result in an additional cost to shareholders for the return of their shares.
Vahanna’s transfer agent can be contacted at the following address:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
One State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attention: Mark Zimkind
mzimkind@continentalstock.com
Any request to redeem such shares, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the Business Combination Proposal. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered its certificate in connection with an election of its redemption and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, it may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If the merger is not approved or completed for any reason, then Vahanna’s public shareholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights will not be entitled to redeem their shares for a full pro rata portion of the funds deposited in the Trust Account, as applicable. In such case, Vahanna will promptly return any shares delivered by public holders. If Vahanna would be left with less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets as a result of the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares properly demanding redemption of their shares for cash or the Minimum Cash Condition would not be satisfied, Vahanna will not be able to consummate the merger.
The closing price of Class A Ordinary Shares on the Record Date was $[●]. The cash held in the Trust Account on such date was approximately $[●] million ($[●] per public share). Prior to exercising redemption rights, shareholders should verify the market price of Class A Ordinary Shares as they may receive higher proceeds from the sale of their ordinary shares in the public market than from exercising their redemption rights if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price. Vahanna cannot assure its shareholders that they will be able to sell their Class A Ordinary Shares in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when its shareholders wish to sell their shares.
If a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares exercises his, her or its redemption rights, then he, she or it will be exchanging its Class A Ordinary Shares for cash and will no longer own those shares. You will be entitled to
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receive cash for these shares only if you properly demand redemption no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the second business day prior to the vote on the Business Combination Proposal by delivering your stock (either physically or electronically) to Vahanna’s transfer agent, and the merger is consummated.
For a detailed discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations for shareholders with respect to the exercise of these redemption rights, see the section titled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” The consequences of a redemption to any particular shareholder will depend on that shareholder’s particular facts and circumstances. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor to determine your tax consequences from the exercise of your redemption rights, including the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax laws in light of your particular circumstances.
Appraisal Rights
Appraisal rights are not available to holders of Vahanna ordinary shares in connection with the merger under BVI law.
Proxy Solicitation Costs
Vahanna is soliciting proxies on behalf of its board of directors. This solicitation is being made by mail but also may be made by telephone. Vahanna and its directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies online. Vahanna will file with the SEC all scripts and other electronic communications as proxy soliciting materials. Vahanna will bear the cost of the solicitation.
Vahanna has hired Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the proxy solicitation process. Vahanna will pay to Morrow Sodali LLC a fee of $[●], plus disbursements.
Vahanna will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward the proxy materials to their principals and to obtain their authority to execute proxies and voting instructions. Vahanna will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses.
The Sponsor
As of [●], 2023, the Record Date, the Sponsor owns and is entitled to vote an aggregate of 4,852,500 Founder Shares that were issued prior to the IPO. Such shares currently constitute 19.4% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares and therefore represent 38.8% of the vote required to approve the Business Combination Proposal (assuming all Vahanna ordinary shares are voted at the Vahanna Special Meeting). The Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed to vote the Founder Shares, as well as any Vahanna ordinary shares acquired in the aftermarket, in favor of each of the proposals being presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting. Vahanna’s directors and officers do not own any Vahanna ordinary shares. The Founder Shares have no right to participate in any redemption distribution and will be worthless if no business combination is effected by Vahanna.
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INFORMATION ABOUT VAHANNA
References in this section to “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company,” or “Vahanna” generally refer to Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.
General
Vahanna is a blank check company incorporated as a BVI business company and incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Vahanna is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.
Initial Public Offering and Private Placement
On May 6, 2021, the Sponsor received 5,750,000 Founder Shares in exchange for the payment of $25,000 of deferred offering costs. On October 28, 2021, the Sponsor surrendered and forfeited 1,437,500 Founder Shares for no consideration, after which the Sponsor held 4,312,500 Founder Shares. On November 22, 2021, Vahanna issued 690,000 Founder Shares to the Sponsor with such issue being made by way of a bonus share issue for no consideration, after which the Sponsor holds an aggregate of 5,002,500 Founder Shares. On November 26, 2021, Vahanna surrendered and forfeited 150,000 Founder Shares at no cost and Mizuho purchased 150,000 Founder Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $500,000.
On June 30, 2021, the Sponsor granted units to three of Vahanna’s directors equivalent to 75,000 Founder Shares which will be convertible into Class A Ordinary Shares following the consummation of Vahanna’s initial business combination. The units were granted subject to a performance condition (i.e., the occurrence of a business combination).
On November 26, 2021, Vahanna completed its IPO of 20,010,000 units, at a price of $10.00 per unit, including the issuance of 2,610,000 units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option, generating gross proceeds of $200,100,000. Each unit consists of one (1) Class A Ordinary Share, par value $0.0001 per share, and one-half (1/2) of one (1) redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain adjustments.
Concurrently with the completion of the IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, or $8,638,500 in the aggregate. A portion of the purchase price of the Private Placement Warrants was added to the net proceeds of the IPO and placed in the Trust Account such that the Trust Account held $204,102,000 at the time of the closing of the IPO. Each whole Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain adjustments.
Upon the closing of the IPO and the private placement, an amount of $204.1 million ($10.20 per unit) from the net proceeds of the IPO and certain of the proceeds of the private placement was placed in a Trust Account located in the United States with CST acting as trustee. The amount in the Trust Account is invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, as determined by us, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a business combination or (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below. On June 12, 2023, Vahanna instructed Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government securities or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in an interest-bearing bank deposit account until the earlier of (a) the completion of a business combination and (b) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below. Interest on bank deposit accounts is variable and the Trust Account currently yields interest of approximately 4.25% per annum.
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On each of May 24, 2023 and June 22, 2023, pursuant to the Existing Charter, the Sponsor caused to be deposited an aggregate of $660,330 into the Trust Account to extend the deadline by which Vahanna must consummate an initial business combination from May 26, 2023 to June 26, 2023 and June 26, 2023 to July 26, 2023, respectively. In the event that Vahanna has not consummated the business combination by July 26, 2023, without approval of the public shareholders, Vahanna may, by resolution of the Vahanna board of directors, if requested by the Sponsor, and upon five days’ advance notice prior to July 26, 2023, extend the termination date by one additional month, provided that the Sponsor (or one or more of its affiliates, members or third-party designees) will deposit an aggregate of $660,330 into the Trust Account for such extension. In addition, Vahanna has filed a preliminary proxy statement to call an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders regarding a proposal to provide the Vahanna board of directors the ability to further extend the business combination period up to twelve additional times for one month each time, from May 26, 2023 to May 26, 2024.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
Nasdaq rules require that Vahanna’s initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. The fair market value of the target or targets is determined by Vahanna’s board of directors based on one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community, such as discounted cash flows valuation or value of comparable businesses. Vahanna’s board of directors determined that this test was met in connection with the proposed business combination with Roadzen as described in the section titled “The Merger — Satisfaction of 80% Test.”
Shareholder Approval of Merger and Redemptions
Under Vahanna’s Existing Charter, in connection with any proposed business combination, Vahanna is required to seek shareholder approval of a business combination at a meeting called for such purpose. Pursuant to the terms of this transaction as described in the section titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders” in this proxy statement/prospectus, Vahanna is seeking shareholder approval at a meeting called for such purpose at which public shareholders may seek to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares upon the completion of an initial business combination at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two (2) business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of taxes paid or payable, if any), divided by the number of then-outstanding public shares. Public shareholders may redeem all or a portion of their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, subject to the limitations described and procedures set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus. There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of an initial business combination with respect to the Vahanna Warrants.
Vahanna will complete the merger only if approved by a resolution passed by the holders of a majority of Vahanna’s ordinary shares which are entitled to vote and are actually voted. The holders of one-third (1/3) of the Vahanna ordinary shares being individuals present virtually, in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy shall constitute a quorum. The holders of the Founder Shares, who collectively beneficially own approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, will count toward this quorum.
Voting Restrictions in Connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting
Pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Support Agreement and the Letter Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed to vote any Founder Shares held by them and any Class A Ordinary Shares purchased during or after the IPO in favor of an initial business combination. See the sections titled “Other Agreements — Sponsor Support Agreement” and “Other Agreements — Letter Agreement,” for more information. Pursuant to the terms of the Mizuho Subscription Agreement entered into with Vahanna, Mizuho
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has agreed to vote any Class B Ordinary Shares held by them in favor of an initial business combination. See the section titled “Other Agreements — Mizuho Subscription Agreement” for more information. Mizuho, the Sponsor, certain of Vahanna’s directors and officers and their permitted transferees own at least 20% of Vahanna’s ordinary shares outstanding entitled to vote thereon and therefore represent 40% of the vote required to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (assuming all Vahanna ordinary shares are voted at the Vahanna Special Meeting). The quorum and voting thresholds at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as supported by the Letter Agreement, the Sponsor Support Agreement and the Mizuho Subscription Agreement may make it more likely that Vahanna will consummate the merger. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Support Agreement and the Letter Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and any Class A Ordinary Shares held by them in connection with the completion of an initial business combination.
Liquidation if No Initial Business Combination
Vahanna’s Existing Charter provides that it has until 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination) to complete an initial business combination. If Vahanna is unable to complete an initial business combination by such date, Vahanna will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem the Class A Ordinary Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Vahanna (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then- outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of its remaining shareholders and Vahanna’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to Vahanna’s obligations under BVI law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to its warrants, which will expire worthless if Vahanna fails to complete an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination).
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors have waived their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares they hold if Vahanna fails to consummate an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Class A Ordinary Shares they hold if Vahanna fails to complete its initial business combination within the prescribed time frame.
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors have agreed that they will not propose any amendment to Vahanna’s Existing Charter that would modify the substance or timing of Vahanna’s obligation to provide holders of its Class A Ordinary Shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with its initial business combination or to redeem 100% of Vahanna’s public shares if it does not complete its initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination) or with respect to any other material provision relating to the rights of holders of the Class A Ordinary Shares or pre-initial business combination activity, unless Vahanna provides its public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account (net of taxes paid or payable, if any), divided by the number of the then-outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares. However, Vahanna will not redeem its Class A Ordinary Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.
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Vahanna expects that all costs and expenses associated with implementing its plan of dissolution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from the proceeds held outside the Trust Account, although Vahanna cannot assure you that there will be sufficient funds for such purpose. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing its plan of dissolution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the Trust Account not required to pay taxes, Vahanna may request the trustee to release to it an additional amount of up to $100,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses.
If Vahanna were to expend all of the net proceeds of its IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, other than the proceeds deposited in the Trust Account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the Trust Account, the per share redemption amount received by shareholders upon Vahanna’s dissolution would be approximately $10.20. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could, however, become subject to the claims of Vahanna’s creditors which would have higher priority than the claims of its public shareholders. Vahanna cannot assure you that the actual per share redemption amount received by shareholders will not be reduced to less than $10.20 per public share. While Vahanna intends to pay such amounts, if any, it cannot assure you that it will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors’ claims.
Although Vahanna seeks to have all vendors, service providers (except Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which it does business execute agreements with it waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account for the benefit of its public shareholders, such parties may not execute such agreements, or even if they execute such agreements, they may not be prevented from bringing claims against the Trust Account including, but not limited to, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other similar claims, as well as claims challenging the enforceability of the waiver, in each case in order to gain an advantage with respect to a claim against Vahanna’s assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account. If any third-party refuses to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the Trust Account, Vahanna’s management will perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and will only enter into an agreement with a third-party that has not executed a waiver if management believes that such third-party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to Vahanna than any alternative. Examples of possible instances where Vahanna may engage a third-party that refuses to execute a waiver include the engagement of a third-party consultant whose particular expertise or skills are believed by management to be significantly superior to those of other consultants that would agree to execute a waiver or in cases where management is unable to find a service provider willing to execute a waiver.
In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Vahanna nor is there a guarantee that they will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason. Upon redemption of the Class A Ordinary Shares, if Vahanna is unable to complete its initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, or upon the exercise of a redemption right in connection with its initial business combination, Vahanna will be required to provide for payment of claims of creditors that were not waived that may be brought against Vahanna within the ten (10) years following redemption. The Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to Vahanna if any claims by a third party (other than Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm and the underwriters of its IPO) for services rendered or products sold to Vahanna, or a prospective target business with which Vahanna has entered into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.20 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under Vahanna’s indemnity of the underwriters of its IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Vahanna has not asked its Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has it independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations. Vahanna believes that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of Vahanna. Therefore,
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Vahanna cannot assure you that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the Trust Account, the funds available for Vahanna’s initial business combination and redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.20 per public share. None of Vahanna’s officers or directors will indemnify Vahanna for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.
In the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.20 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay its taxes, and the Sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, Vahanna’s independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While Vahanna currently expects that its independent directors could take legal action on its behalf against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to Vahanna, it is possible that its independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If Vahanna’s independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.20 per share.
Vahanna will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (other than its independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which Vahanna does business, execute agreements waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account. The Sponsor will also not be liable as to any claims under Vahanna’s indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Vahanna will have access to the proceeds held outside the Trust Account, with which to pay any such potential claims. In the event that Vahanna liquidates and it is subsequently determined that the reserve for claims and liabilities is insufficient, shareholders who received funds from the Trust Account could be liable for claims made by creditors.
If, after we distribute the proceeds in the Trust Account to public shareholders, Vahanna files a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition that is filed against Vahanna is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy or insolvency laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent conveyance” or a “voidable transaction.” As a result, a bankruptcy or insolvency court could seek to recover all amounts received by shareholders. In addition, Vahanna’s board of directors may be viewed as having breached its fiduciary duty to Vahanna’s creditors, thereby exposing itself and Vahanna to claims of punitive damages and/or having acted in bad faith by paying public shareholders from the Trust Account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. If, before distributing the proceeds in the Trust Account to public shareholders, Vahanna files a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition that is filed against Vahanna is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in Vahanna’s bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, the per share amount that would otherwise be received by shareholders in connection with Vahanna’s liquidation may be reduced.
Vahanna’s public shareholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the completion of the initial business combination, and then only in connection with those Class A Ordinary Shares that such shareholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described in this proxy statement/prospectus; (ii) the redemption of any Class A Ordinary Shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Existing Charter (A) to modify the substance or timing of Vahanna’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Class A Ordinary Shares if it does not complete the initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination), or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of the Class A Ordinary Shares or pre-business combination
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activity, and (iii) the redemption of all of the Class A Ordinary Shares if it has not consummated its business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination), subject to applicable law and as further described in this proxy statement/prospectus. In no other circumstances will a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the Trust Account. In connection with the merger, a shareholder’s vote in connection with the initial business combination alone will not result in a shareholder’s redeeming its shares of Vahanna for an applicable pro rata share of the Trust Account. Such shareholder must have also exercised its redemption rights.
Facilities
Our executive offices are located at 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10020, and our telephone number is (347) 745-6448. The cost for our use of this space is included in the $20,000 per month fee we are paying to an affiliate of the Sponsor for office space, utilities, secretarial support and administrative services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We currently have three officers: Saurav Adhikari, Karan Puri and Raahim Don. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they intend to devote as much of their time as they deem necessary to our affairs until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of time that they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination and the stage of the business combination process we are in.
Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
Vahanna has registered its units, Class A Ordinary Shares and warrants under the Exchange Act and has reporting obligations, including the requirement that it file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, Vahanna’s annual reports contain financial statements audited and reported on by its independent registered public accountants.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against Vahanna or any members of its management team in their respective capacities as such.
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MANAGEMENT OF VAHANNA
Directors and Executive Officers
The below lists Vahanna’s officers and directors as of June 28, 2023.
Name |
Age | Title | ||||
Karan Puri |
59 | Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Saurav Adhikari |
64 | Chairman | ||||
Raahim Don |
46 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Ajay Shah |
63 | Director | ||||
Diane B. Glossman |
67 | Director | ||||
Abha Kumar |
70 | Director | ||||
Rangarajan Sundaram |
61 | Director |
Karan Puri, Chief Executive Officer. Karan Puri, our Chief Executive Officer since June 2021, is an entrepreneur, investor and global business leader with rich and varied experience in the technology sector. He co-founded Axiscades (formerly called IT&T), India’s leading IT infrastructure management services company, in 1990, and took it public at the age of 37 before selling a part of the business in 2003 to iGate Corp. (now part of Cap Gemini). As an entrepreneur, Mr. Puri was also instrumental in setting up several new businesses like India’s first computerized cross-location ticketing network as a joint venture with Tickets.com UK. He also set up a technology incubation center in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. He has more than 30 years of experience in global executive and leadership positions in IT and technology enabled services sectors across India, Europe and the U.S. He has consistently managed shareholders and analysts for global IT players bringing credibility and experience in raising funds in the capital markets, both in India and the U.S.
He was a senior leader with DXC Technology (formed through the merger of CSC and HP Services), where he was Executive Vice President and General Manager managing the Americas region with approximately US $10 billion in revenue for the year ended March 31, 2019 and with approximately 70,000 employees as of March 31, 2019 across operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil and India. Prior to DXC, he was a Senior Corporate Officer at HCL Technologies Limited (“HCL”), one of the leading India based IT services companies with revenue in excess of US $10 billion for the year ended March 31, 2021 and market capitalization of approximately US $34.5 billion as of May 21, 2021. He managed the business in the United States, with revenue in excess of US $3 billion for the year ended March 31, 2017, and earlier in Europe as well, across several industry verticals. He earned an MBA in Marketing and Economics, from Punjab Agricultural University, India and a Bachelor’s degree in science from Punjab University, India.
Saurav Adhikari, Chairman. Saurav Adhikari, Chairman of our board of directors since June 2021, is a senior global business leader with approximately four decades of deep domain expertise in global businesses, across technology, fast-moving consumer goods (“FMCG”), and consumer durables sectors in global markets. During the last two decades, he has served in the technology sector with HCL, a global technology solutions provider. He has served as the founding President of HCL’s startup corporate networking firm, has led a team as President of HCL’s BPO North America business that established IT enabled services business worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and has worked on several inorganic investments in technology and software worth hundreds of millions of dollars, including the acquisition of Actian (transaction value US $330 million), carve-outs of multiple IBM product suites, a joint venture between HCL and CSC, and an acquisition of 51% ownership in BPO and Software joint venture DSL Software in India. This helped HCL pivot to a leading intellectual property led solutions company. From 2000 to 2019, Mr. Adhikari held various executive positions, the last being President, Corporate Strategy, working directly with the Founder & Chairman with oversight across the group’s business, as well as the not-for-profit Shiv Nadar Foundation.
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Mr. Adhikari is currently a board member of Goodricke Group Ltd, an owner-operator of tea farms across India and publicly traded on the National Stock Exchange (“NSE”) of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange (“BSE”), Accelya Solutions India Ltd., a technology solutions provider to the air transport industry and publicly traded on the NSE and BSE, and Bridgeweave Ltd, UK, an AI-based financial technology (“fintech”) company. He works as a technology advisor and investor with interests across AI-based fintech and healthcare firms, as well as analytics, IoT and logistics firms. He also serves as a Senior Advisor to the Shiv Nadar Foundation’s not-for-profit institutions and was a board member of Shiv Nadar University, India until July 2022. His prior experience also includes several global senior leadership and executive roles across Unilever, PepsiCo and Groupe SEB. Mr. Adhikari received his MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies at University of Mumbai, his Bachelor’s in Arts (Honors) in Economics from Delhi University, India, and his AMP from INSEAD Fontainebleau, France.
Raahim Don, Chief Financial Officer. Raahim Don, our Chief Financial Officer since October 2021, is a private equity veteran with decades of experience. Mr. Don has primarily aided middle market companies through their growth stage and has helped them expand into international and emerging markets, both in the public and private arena. Mr. Don has a track record of investing in disruptive technology companies and has extensive experience as a board director.
Since 2015, Mr. Don has previously served as a managing partner of Lasso Capital Partners Management. Mr. Don was also the interim CFO and is currently a non-executive board member for a large New York City real estate family office, Delshah Capital, that he helped take public. Prior to that, he founded Saffron Capital, a cross-border private equity fund and was previously a managing director at Marco Polo Partners. Mr. Don started his career at Credit Suisse (First Boston) in investment banking.
Mr. Don holds a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the London School of Economics & Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Manchester.
Ajay Shah, Director. Ajay Shah, director since November 2021, was a managing partner at Silver Lake, a global private equity investment firm from 2007 to 2021, and was the co-founder and Managing Partner of the firm’s middle market growth fund, Silver Lake Sumeru.
Mr. Shah served as Chairman of the board of SMART Global Holdings (“SGH”), a publicly-held Silver Lake portfolio company that he co-founded in 1989, and served as a board member from 2011 to 2022. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SGH from February 1989 to December 2000 and then again from May 2018 to August 2020. He also previously served as the CEO of Maui Greens, Inc., an early-stage agriculture technology company from February 2021 to February 2022. He also currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of private technology companies including Maui Greens, Inc., Mercury Healthcare (f/k/a Healthgrades) and Vast Data. Mr. Shah previously served on the boards of many public and private technology companies including Magellan Navigation, Inc., AVI-SPL, Inc., CMAC MicroTechnology, Flex, Ingenient Technologies Inc., Power-One, Inc., PulseCore Semiconductor, Spansion Inc and others. In the not-for-profit sector, he serves on the board of the National Audubon Society and the governing board of the Indian School of Business (ISB).
Mr. Shah has a B.S. in Engineering from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India and an M.S. degree in Engineering Management from Stanford University.
Diane B. Glossman, Director. Diane B. Glossman, director since November 2021, spent 25 years as a research analyst, retiring as a Managing Director and head of U.S. bank and brokerage research at UBS. Prior to UBS, Ms. Glossman was co-head of global bank research and head of Internet financial services research at Lehman Brothers. Prior to that, she was co-head of U.S. bank stock research at Salomon Brothers for nine years. Over her sell-side research career, she specialized in money center banks, trust banks and broker-dealers, covering all aspects of banking, fintech and financial services. She was a multiple-time member of Institutional Investor’s All-America Research Team. During her decade on the buy-side, she was responsible for coverage of
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all financials along with a variety of other industry sectors. She has served as a member of the board of directors of Barclays Bank Delaware since June 2016 and has chaired its Audit Committee since December 2018. She has also served as a member of the advisory board of Barclays US LLC since its inception in April 2015, and since the advisory board’s upgrade into the board of directors, as a member of the board of directors, as chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Governance Committee. In addition, since August 2014, she has served as a member of the board of directors, the chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee and a member of various committees of Live Oak Bancshares, a North Carolina-based bank with more than US $10 billion of assets as of March 2023, and assisted in its initial public offering.
Ms. Glossman’s previous board experience includes serving on the board of directors or board of trustees of WMI Holding, FinServ Acquisition Corp., Ambac Assurance and QBE NA. In addition to her directorships, Ms. Glossman has also worked as an independent consultant with a number of banks in the U.S. and U.K. on projects relating to strategy, business execution, and investor communications. Ms. Glossman received a Bachelor of Science in finance and health care administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Abha Kumar, Director. Abha Kumar, director since October 2021, has over thirty years of operational experience delivering technology at enterprise scale at The New York Times, Dow Jones & Co., and most recently at Vanguard, the second largest mutual fund company in the world. She is experienced in the fields of risk mitigation, cyber, cloud, and emerging technologies such as AI / machine learning and blockchain. As Principal at Vanguard (2007-2019), she served as CIO for corporate and international systems and as head of the global sourcing office, where she established and led the first shared-services business unit with eight offshore centers in Europe and Asia. Prior to her role at Vanguard, Ms. Kumar was Vice President and Divisional CIO at Dow Jones & Co. (1999-2007), creating innovative strategies to drive change and reduce operating costs. From 1986 to 1999, she was Group Director at The New York Times, where she co-led a program to consolidate and modernize financial and human resources functions. Currently, she serves on the board of Binary and notify.io, the Management Advisory Board at Berkeley College, New York, and the Advisory Board of Shanti Bhavan, a nonprofit residential education program for children from disadvantaged communities in India.
During her time at Vanguard, Ms. Kumar founded the Leadership and Engagement for Asian Professionals (“LEAP”) and served on Vanguard’s corporate Diversity Leadership Team and Talent Oversight Team for seven years. She speaks internationally on diversity, leadership and the future of work. She received the Inspirational Women Leaders award by Roshni Media and the 2018 American Business Association’s Gold Stevie® award for “Visionary for Creating Ecosystems of Tomorrow.” Ms. Kumar graduated from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India and has a Masters from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India.
Rangarajan Sundaram, Director. Rangarajan Sundaram, director since October 2021, has over 30 years of academic experience with a deep finance research background and currently serves as the Dean and Professor of Credit and Debt Markets at New York University’s Stern School of Business. His experience in finance spans a number of areas, including corporate finance, derivatives pricing, agency problems, executive compensation and credit risk. He has published extensively in mathematical economics, decision theory, and game theory with his research appearing in leading academic journals in finance and economics, as well as in several practitioner- oriented journals. As Dean and Vice Dean previously, he has overseen NYU Stern’s entry into online education and the establishment of several new, high-profile initiatives at the intersection of entrepreneurship and technology. He has been the recipient of several prestigious awards during his time at NYU Stern, including the inaugural Stern’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2007.
Prior to joining NYU Stern in 1996, Mr. Sundaram was on the faculty of the University of Rochester from 1988 to 1996. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Madras, India, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and a PhD in economics from Cornell University.
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Executive Compensation and Director Compensation
The following disclosure concerns the compensation of Vahanna’s executive officers and directors for the year ended December 31, 2022.
None of Vahanna’s executive officers or directors have received any cash compensation for services rendered to Vahanna. Commencing at the consummation of the IPO, Vahanna is paying a total of $20,000 per month for office space, administrative and support services. Upon completion of the merger, Vahanna will cease making these payments to the Sponsor.
In addition, the Sponsor, its service providers, executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, are being reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred or such agreed-upon compensation as contracted in connection with activities conducted on Vahanna’s behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Vahanna’s Audit Committee reviews on a quarterly basis all payments that Vahanna makes to the Sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates. Any such payments prior to an initial business combination are made using funds held outside the Trust Account. Other than these payments and reimbursements, no compensation of any kind, including finder’s or consulting fees, has been or will be paid by Vahanna to the Sponsor its executive officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to completion of the initial business combination.
After the completion of the initial business combination, directors or members of its management team who remain with New Roadzen may be paid consulting or management fees from the combined company. For more information on post-combination company executive compensation, see “Management of Roadzen After the Merger.” It is unlikely the amount of management and executive compensation will be known at the time of the proposed business combination, because the directors of New Roadzen will be responsible for determining executive officer and director compensation. Any compensation to be paid to Vahanna’s executive officers will be determined, or recommended to the board of directors of New Roadzen for determination, by a Compensation Committee constituted solely of independent directors or by a majority of the independent directors on New Roadzen’s board of directors.
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VAHANNA’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
References to the “Company,” “our,” “us” or “we” refer to Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. The following discussion and analysis of Vahanna’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Vahanna’s financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated in April 22, 2021 as a BVI business company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any operating revenues to date. We intend to complete our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our IPO and the sale of our Private Placement Warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and debt.
The registration statement for our IPO was declared effective on November 22, 2021. On November 26, 2021, we consummated our IPO of 20,010,000 units at $10.00 per unit, which includes the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 2,610,000 units, generating gross proceeds of $200.1 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $11.3 million, inclusive of approximately $6.5 million of deferred underwriting commissions.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant to our Sponsor, generating proceeds of approximately $8,638,500.
Upon the closing of the IPO and the private placement, an amount of $204.1 million ($10.20 per unit) from the net proceeds of the IPO and certain of the proceeds of the private placement was placed in a Trust Account located in the United States with CST acting as trustee. The amount in the Trust Account is invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), as determined by us, until the earlier of (i) the completion of a business combination or (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below. On June 12, 2023, Vahanna instructed Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government securities or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to hold all funds in the Trust Account in an interest-bearing bank deposit account until the earlier of (a) the completion of a business combination and (b) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below. Interest on bank deposit accounts is variable and the Trust Account currently yields interest of approximately 4.25% per annum.
If we are unable to complete a business combination within 18 months from the closing of our IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination), we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten (10) business days thereafter, redeem all of the Class A Ordinary Shares, at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Vahanna (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish the public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law; and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining shareholders and the board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under BVI law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
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On June 20, 2023, Vahanna issued a press release, announcing that, on June 20, 2023, the Sponsor requested that the Company extend the date by which it has to consummate a business combination from June 26, 2023 to July 26, 2023. This extension is the second of three one-month extensions permitted under the Company’s governing documents.
Proposed Merger
On February 10, 2023, we entered into the merger agreement with Merger Sub and Roadzen, and certain related agreements, as further described in Note 1 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. On June 29, 2023, the parties to the merger agreement entered into a first amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Amendment”).
Extension
On May 18, 2023, the Company issued a press release, announcing that, on May 17, 2023, the Sponsor requested that the Company extend the date by which it has to consummate a Business Combination from May 26, 2023 to June 26, 2023 (the “First Extension”). The First Extension is the first of three one-month extensions permitted under the Company’s governing documents. On May 24, 2023, an aggregate of $660,330 was deposited by the Sponsor into the Trust Account, representing $0.033 per public share, which enabled the Company to extend the period of time it has to consummate a business combination by one month from May 26, 2023 to June 26, 2023.
On June 20, 2023, the Company issued a press release, announcing that, on June 20, 2023, the Sponsor requested that the Company extend the date by which it has to consummate a Business Combination from June 26, 2023 to July 26, 2023 (the “Second Extension”, and together with the First Extension, the “Extensions”). The Second Extension is the second of three one-month extensions permitted under the Company’s governing documents. On June 22, 2023, an aggregate of $660,330 was deposited by the Sponsor into the Trust Account, representing $0.033 per public share, which enabled the Company to extend the period of time it has to consummate a business combination by one month from June 26, 2023 to July 26, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2023, we had cash of $174,419. Until the consummation of the IPO, our only source of liquidity was an initial purchase of ordinary shares by the Sponsor and loans from the Sponsor.
On November 26, 2021, we consummated the IPO of 20,010,000 units, at a price of $10.00 per unit, which included the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in the amount of 2,610,000 units, generating gross proceeds of $200,100,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant generating gross proceeds of $8,638,500.
Following the IPO, the full exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, a total of $204,102,000 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $11,274,404 in transaction costs, including $3,480,000 of underwriting fees, $6,525,000 of deferred underwriting fees and $645,904 of other offering costs and $623,500 representing the excess of fair value over the purchase price of the Class B Ordinary Shares purchased by Mizuho.
We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less deferred underwriting commissions and income taxes payable), to complete our Business Combination. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete a business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.
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We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, on June 20, 2022, the Sponsor agreed to loan us up to $1,500,000 in the form of non-interest bearing convertible promissory notes to be used for a portion of the expenses of the Company (the “Convertible Note”). If we complete a business combination, we would repay the Convertible Note out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to us. Otherwise, the Convertible Note would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. Additionally, we may convert the unpaid principal balance into warrants (“Conversion Warrants”) to purchase Class A ordinary shares at a conversion price equal to $1.00 per Conversion Warrant. The Conversion Warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. In the event that a business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the Convertible Note but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used to repay the Convertible Note. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $975,000 and $300,000 of borrowings, respectively, under the Convertible Note.
We will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. Furthermore, if our estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating a business combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, we may need additional funds to operate our business prior to our business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete our business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our business combination.
If we are unable to complete our business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following our business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any operating revenues to date. Our only activities from inception through March 31, 2023 were organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for our IPO, described below, and since the closing of our IPO, the search for a business combination target, including activities in connection with the proposed merger with Roadzen. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial business combination. We expect to generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held after the IPO. We expect that we will incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses in connection with searching for, and completing, a business combination.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had net income of $90,965, which consisted primarily of formation and operating expenses of $2,053,288 which were offset by $2,204,253 of realized and unrealized gains on investments held in the Trust Account.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we had a net loss of $162,880, which consisted primarily of formation and operating expenses.
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For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had net income of approximately $1 million, which consisted primarily of realized and unrealized gains on the funds held in the Trust Account of $3 million, partially offset by operating expenses of $2 million.
For the period from April 22, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, we had a net loss of $215,218, which consisted primarily of formation and operating expenses. The increase in formation and operating expenses is primarily due to business combination costs, such as legal, accounting and consulting, in 2022. Certain service providers have agreed to defer payment until the closing of the business combination, which is reflected in the increase in accrued expenses.
Contractual Obligations
We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee of $20,000 for office space, utilities, and secretarial and administrative support services. On November 22, 2021, we entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with the Sponsor, pursuant to which we agreed to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000.
On March 11, 2022, we entered into the Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement, pursuant to which the monthly fee was increased to $20,000. This change was applied retroactively for the months of November and December 2021. We will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of our initial business combination and our liquidation.
Mizuho, as the underwriter of the IPO, is entitled to a deferred fee of $0.30 per unit, or $6,525,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that we complete a business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Registration Rights
The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and Conversion Warrants (and any Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Note) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed on the effective date of the IPO. The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three (3) demands, excluding short form registration demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
We granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of the IPO to purchase up to 2,610,000 additional units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the IPO price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters exercised the over-allotment option in full on November 26, 2021.
The underwriters received a cash underwriting discount of $3,480,000 in the aggregate, payable upon the closing of the IPO. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of $6,525,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that we complete a business combination, subject to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.
Risks and Uncertainties
Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on our financial position, results of our operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance enumerated in ASC 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered by the Company to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in the amount of $209,296,150 and $207,091,906, respectively, are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheets.
Net Loss per Ordinary Share
The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period. Accretion associated with the redeemable Class A ordinary shares is excluded from income (loss) per ordinary share as the redemption value approximates fair value.
The calculation of diluted loss per ordinary share does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with (i) the IPO, and (ii) the sale of Private Placement Warrants since the exercise of the warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of future events. The Company did not include any dilutive securities or other contracts that could potentially be exercised or converted into ordinary shares and then share in the earnings of the Company because to do so would be anti-dilutive as the Company had a loss for the period. As a result, diluted net loss per ordinary share is the same as basic net loss per ordinary share for the periods presented.
Recent Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our financial statements.
Going Concern
As of March 31, 2023, the Company had cash of $174,419 and $209,296,150 of investments in the Trust Account to be used for its initial business combination or to repurchase or redeem Public Shares in connection therewith.
We may raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from the Sponsor or our shareholders, officers, directors, or third parties. Our officers and directors, the Sponsor or their respective affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet our working capital needs.
If our estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating an initial business combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, or if our shareholders approve an extension to the mandatory liquidation date beyond 21 months from the closing of the IPO, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to an initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to complete an initial business combination or
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because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon completion of an initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such initial business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
If we do not consummate our initial business combination by 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if we extend the period of time to consummate an initial business combination), there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of our company. In connection with our assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern,” we have determined that the liquidity condition due to insufficient working capital and mandatory liquidation, should our initial business combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for at least one year from the date that the financial statements are issued. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if we extend the period of time to consummate an initial business combination). The financial statements do not include any adjustment that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2023. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
JOBS Act
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the JOBS Act, and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
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INFORMATION ABOUT ROADZEN
Throughout this section, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Roadzen and its consolidated subsidiaries (excluding GIM and NAC) as the context so requires.
Overview
Roadzen is a leading insurance technology (“insurtech”) company on a mission to transform global auto insurance powered by advanced artificial intelligence (“AI”). At the heart of our mission is our commitment to create transparency, efficiency, and a seamless experience for the millions of end customers who use our products through our insurer, original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”), and fleet (such as trucking, delivery, and commercial fleets) partners. We seek to accomplish this by combining computer vision, telematics and AI with continually updated data sources to provide a more efficient, effective and informed way of building auto insurance products, assessing damages, processing claims and improving driver safety. Insurers across the world use Roadzen’s technology to launch new auto insurance products, manage risk better and resolve claims faster. These products are built with dynamic underwriting capabilities, application programming interface (“API”)-led distribution and real-time claims processing.
Roadzen has built a pioneering technology platform that uses telematics, computer vision and data science to spearhead innovation across the insurance value chain, namely underwriting, distribution, claims and road safety. We call it the Roadzen “Insurance as a Service” (“IaaS”) platform. We generate commission-based revenue as an insurance broker focused on embedded and B2B2C (Business-to-Business-to-Customer) insurance distribution, and fee-based revenue as a provider of innovative cloud, mobile, AI-based telematics applications for the auto insurance economy.
We are building the global technology leader at the intersection of mobility and insurance. We have made significant investments in AI to power algorithms in road safety (occupancy networks, distraction detection, accident detection), claims management (car, panel, part detection) and claims fraud prevention. This vertically integrated AI stack, along with our business strategy and ability to distribute products through our insurance broker, places us uniquely at the forefront of the next generation of auto insurance.
Roadzen has received global recognition for its AI, having just recently won two awards at the 2022 Global Artificial Intelligence Summit & Awards for the “Best Use of AI in Mobility” and “Best Use of AI in Insurance” categories held by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and All India Council for Robotics & Automation (AICRA). The awards are an acknowledgment of Roadzen’s innovative efforts in intersecting telematics with computer vision to give insurers personalized underwriting and touchless claims processing solutions, while providing our OEM customers with the ability to include insurance products (such as extended warranty and auto insurance) as part of their sales offerings. In October 2021, Roadzen was recognized by Forbes as one of the Top 10 Technology & AI Innovators and, in 2022, was recognized by Financial Express as the AI Startup of the Year.
Our Opportunity
We recognize three broad areas of opportunity for the future of auto insurance that our technology is poised to address:
Product and Pricing
The way auto insurance is underwritten and priced is expected to undergo a fundamental shift. With increasing connectivity, “pay how you drive” and usage-based insurance (“UBI”) will emerge as natural complements to traditional auto insurance. Mobile apps, aftermarket devices, and the actuarial challenges of underwriting insights after selection are likely to become outdated. Instead, the insurance industry is likely to
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experience a change due to a proliferation of connected data from the vehicle which, when added to demographic data and loss-causing information such as braking, acceleration, cornering and driving speed, will create better risk pools. Such enhanced and connected data will improve the accuracy and convenience of assessing and pricing risk in real-time, giving advantage to those that have access to this data.
Similarly, within products such as extended warranty it has now become easier to gather data about a vehicle’s performance and usage, including information about how the vehicle is being driven, its maintenance history, and potential mechanical issues. This information can be used to identify potential problems early on, before they become major issues that require costly repairs. As our technology advances, it is likely that extended warranties will become more customized and data-driven. For example, instead of offering a blanket coverage plan, extended warranties may be tailored to individual drivers based on their driving habits and usage patterns.
Claims
Today’s claims processes are fragmented, complex and manual. Processing claims requires significant input from customers, insurers, repair-shop networks and rental providers, and it often relies on incomplete data from the parties involved.
In the new future of mobility, insurers will be able to simplify, streamline and automate the claims process through telematics and video streaming to provide accurate data on a real time basis. AI will interpret the data gathered, allowing for seamless claims handling and enabling the insurer to choose how and when to introduce a human intervention. Small claims can be automated to be fully touchless and processed within minutes from first notification of loss to payments.
The vehicle repair and rental segments could also undergo their own shift (opening opportunities for OEMs) because traditional repair shops do not have much experience with repairing vehicles with highly sophisticated embedded technology.
Distribution
As the number of connected vehicles grows, so too will in-vehicle services and products, including insurance. OEMs have historically participated in insurance distribution by acting as a lead-referral partner to a range of insurance providers. However, the growth of both connected vehicles and digital direct-to-consumer distribution of electric vehicles provides promising prospects for a new channel through which consumers can directly buy insurance from the OEM in an embedded purchase. The OEMs will require partners who can provide a white-labeled technology platform through which the OEMs can price policies, process claims and offer other products such as extended warranty coverage.
Auto Insurance Market
Insurance is a $5.5 trillion industry that accounts for approximately 7% of global gross domestic product (“GDP”). Advances in smartphone penetration, data ubiquity, and AI have created a significant opportunity to shape the digital insurance economy.
The automotive insurance market is an industry led by legacy players. The global automotive insurance market was approximately $630 billion in 2021 and is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030. There are approximately 1.4 billion vehicles on the road, including cars, vans and trucks (excluding motorcycles). The premium paid for automobile insurance was close to 15% of the total insurance premium paid worldwide in 2022. Over the span of the next ten years, auto insurance premiums are likely to surpass 20% of total insurance premiums, representing high traction for the segment.
The continued development of autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, connected vehicles (vehicles that can communicate bidirectionally with other systems outside of the car) and Mobility as a Service (“MaaS”) platforms
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can shift the emphasis from providing individual insurance to providing insurance to fleet owners, and embedded insurance at the point-of-sale to car companies. This changing trend signals a shift from direct insurance (which is insurance sold ad-hoc to a consumer and separate from the purchase of the vehicle) to embedded insurance solutions (which is a form of digital bundling that enables companies to offer insurance policies as an add-on) with enhanced focus on road safety, prevention, usage-based insurance, warranties, and distribution platforms with technologies to provide ongoing support capabilities on policies.
Roadzen is uniquely placed with the technology, global scale and strategic relationships to emerge as the key player at the forefront of this massive change.
Our Business
Roadzen has two principal models for generating revenue: 1) Platform Sales of our IaaS platform and 2) Brokerage Commission and Fees.
1. | Platform Sales: |
Roadzen provides an Insurance-as-a-Service (“IaaS”) platform addressed towards insurance for mobility. Roadzen’s IaaS platform has a suite of products that work cohesively to address the auto insurance value chain. The platform is designed to provide a comprehensive suite of solutions that spans the entire auto insurance lifecycle (hence, end-to-end), from underwriting and policy management to claims processing and roadside assistance. Our solutions also include driver monitoring technology to promote driver safety throughout the lifecycle. The platform is powered by advanced AI and machine learning capabilities, such as computer vision and telematics technologies. Roadzen sells its IaaS platform to insurers, car manufacturers, and fleet companies. Our deep understanding of the insurance industry has enabled us to develop a unified suite of modules and products that is tailored to address the key challenges faced in auto insurance such as long waiting periods to obtain a claim estimate. Our solution suite includes several products that support the insurance lifecycle, such as:
• | VIA: enables fleets, carmakers and insurers to inspect a vehicle using computer vision; |
• | xClaim: enables digital, touchless and real-time resolution of claims from first notice of loss (“FNOL”) through payment using telematics and computer vision, a field of AI where computers are trained to interpret visual input; |
• | StrandD: enables digital, real-time dispatch and tracking for Roadside Assistance (“RSA”) and FNOL during accident claims; and |
• | Good Driving: enables insurers and fleets to use telematics to evaluate driving patterns, which in turn helps insurers and fleets identify their best/safest drivers, train poor drivers (in the case of fleets), and build usage-based-insurance (“UBI”) programs. |
Our technology revolutionizes the customer experience by helping customers obtain a policy within seconds and process claims estimates within minutes in comparison with traditional insurance processes that may take weeks. Roadzen’s revenue derived from IaaS platform sales are usage-based, utilizing either a pay-per-vehicle or pay-per-use pricing model.
2. | Brokerage Commission and Fees: |
Roadzen acts as an insurance broker and utilizes its technology to sell insurance through its embedded and business-to-business-to-consumer (“B2B2C”) distribution model. The policies are sold by insurance intermediaries such as agents and through captive distributors such as dealerships, fleets and used car platforms. Such B2B2C channel intermediaries choose us for a variety of reasons — for the ease of integrating our technology through APIs into their ecosystem, to provide a seamless, fully digital customer experience from obtaining the policy to submitting and processing claims, and to access the many insurers that use our platform
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so that they can offer their end customer a handful of policy options. Lastly, we can provide a superior customer experience by bundling telematics, RSA and claims management to the customer — a customer experience that is unrivaled by other traditional brokers.
Roadzen’s revenues are based on commissions and other fees that are paid to us by the insurance carriers that use our platform. Our commissions and fees are structured as a percentage of the gross written premiums (“GWP”) underwritten for each policy.
Our business models are capital-light. We do not underwrite any risk ourselves or carry it on our balance sheet in either model.
Recent Developments
Acquisition of Global Insurance Management
On June 8, 2022, Roadzen entered into a share purchase agreement (the “GIM Purchase Agreement”) with AXA Partners Holding S.A. (“AXA”), pursuant to which it will acquire Global Insurance Management Limited (“Global Insurance Management” or “GIM”) from AXA for a total purchase price of GBP 5 million (five million pounds, or approximately $6.29 million based on an exchange rate of GBP 1.00 = US $1.2587 as of June 8, 2022), subject to adjustment as set forth in the GIM Purchase Agreement. The acquisition of GIM closed on June 30, 2023.
About Global Insurance Management
Global Insurance Management is a leading Managing General Agent (“MGA”) platform that provides auto insurance, extended warranties and claims management to insurers, car dealerships, car manufacturers and fleets throughout the U.K. Global Insurance Management particularly specializes in extended warranty (“EW”) and guaranteed asset protection (“GAP”) car insurance. MGAs are a specialized type of insurance agent/broker that, unlike traditional agents/brokers, is vested with underwriting authority and claims payment, up to a certain amount, from an insurer.
Additionally, GIM partners with AXA and several other insurers and reinsurers to deliver services globally. GIM is headquartered in Coventry, U.K. and has approximately 49 employees across its actuarial, sales, claims and IT departments.
GIM provides brokerage services to insurance companies, where it acts as a delegated authority of the insurance company to sell the insurer’s policies using its brokerage platform as well as to adjudicate and pay claims. GIM collects a percentage commission and administrative fee of the GWP from the insurer/re-insurer during this process. GIM’s specialty insurance contracts typically have an average term of five (5) years. During the last two (2) fiscal years, GIM has generated most of its revenue from MGA fees and commissions.
GIM’s proprietary sales-to-claims customer relationship management (“CRM”) platform called Global Distribution Network (“GDN”) allows GIM to manage premiums, claims, and associated services globally, as well as issue policies from multiple insurance partners, all from its centralized Coventry location. GDN is a scalable platform that GIM clients, such as car manufacturers and dealerships, use to underwrite insurance policies and process and service claims made under the insurance policies. With over 20 years of experience in underwriting functions, GIM’s seasoned management team includes client-facing technical experts and dedicated customer support teams.
GIM’s business-to-business-to-consumer (“B2B2C”) business model is focused on a global industrial client base of car manufacturers, large-scale dealerships and captive fleets. GIM partially attributes its high client
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renewal rate of EW and GAP contracts to car owners becoming increasingly reliant on servicing plans and products due to the complexity of modern vehicles, offering future growth opportunities with existing clients.
GDN holds a large database of historic policy, parts and claims data that is used by experienced underwriters to make accurate assessments of underwriting for future contracts and reinsurance partnerships. GIM generated revenue of approximately $4.9 million in 2021 and $32.7 million in 2022. GIM generated revenue of approximately $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and approximately $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Financial Performance of Global Insurance Management
GIM generated approximately $32.7 million in revenue for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and approximately $0.08 million in net profit. GIM generated approximately $7.9 million in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and experienced a net loss of approximately $(0.1) million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Due to GIM’s multinational operations across the UK and EU, GIM deals in multiple local currencies. For the year ended December 31, 2022, GIM experienced a net gain in foreign exchange fluctuation of approximately $0.9 million, as compared to a net loss in foreign exchange fluctuation of approximately $(0.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The foreign exchange fluctuation is largely due to GIM selling policies in multiple countries and in multiple currencies, a year end restatement of balance sheet items from respective foreign currencies to GIM’s reporting currency, along with closing balance movement from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2022. The fluctuation also reflects actual realized gain/loss on the transactions that occurred in fiscal year 2022.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, GIM experienced a net loss in foreign exchange fluctuation of approximately $(0.11) million, as compared to a net loss in foreign exchange fluctuation of approximately $(0.16) million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, GIM realized increased distribution fee income and sales and marketing expenses as compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. GIM’s distribution fee income increased by $27.7 million from $1.6 million in 2021 to $29.3 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to GIM modifying its arrangements with its insurance provider partners to allow GIM to price, sell and adjudicate the insurance providers’ policies and earn a distribution fee for each sale.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, GIM did not earn distribution fees; rather, it earned fees for (1) underwriting and pricing policies and (2) providing insurance support services (such as service plan administration). In 2022, GIM expanded the first of the two revenue streams to include distribution fees, hence the increase from $1.6 million of distribution fees in 2021 (which included fees from underwriting and pricing policies) to $29.3 million in 2022 (which included fees from underwriting and pricing policies, as well as from selling policies).
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, GIM’s distribution fee income was approximately $7.2 million as compared to approximately $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
GIM’s sales and marketing expenses increased by $28.4 million from none in 2021 to $28.4 million in 2022. Pursuant to GIM’s new arrangement with the insurance providers, GIM can sell the policies in two ways: (1) directly to customers and (2) through wholesale insurance intermediaries. When GIM sells through wholesale insurance intermediaries, GIM pays the intermediaries a commission. The commissions paid to intermediaries are recognized by GIM as a customer acquisition cost within sales and marketing expenses. Accordingly, because GIM expanded its arrangement with its insurance provider partners to include selling insurance policies, GIM consequently incurred sales and marketing expenses when it sold such policies through wholesale insurance intermediaries. GIM’s sales and marketing expenses decreased by approximately $1.4 million from approximately $9.2 million for three months ended March 31, 2022 to approximately $7.9 million for three months ended March 31, 2023.
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GIM’s miscellaneous income was $153,026 and $636,584 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These results include trade payable write-offs of $285,400 and $651,113 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as well as trade receivable write-offs of $132,374 and $15,383 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. When determining to write off trade payables and include them as miscellaneous income, GIM’s management evaluated the age of the trade payables and whether they had been demanded by the vendor within the last three (3) years. Similarly, when determining to write off trade receivables, GIM’s management evaluated the age of the accounts receivable and the likelihood of their recoverability.
Acquisition of National Automobile Club
On August 5, 2022, Roadzen entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “NAC Purchase Agreement”) with National Automobile Club, a California corporation (“National Automobile Club” or “NAC”), and National Automobile Club Employee Stock Ownership Trust, pursuant to which Roadzen will acquire National Automobile Club from National Automobile Club Employee Stock Ownership Trust for a total purchase price of $1,750,000, subject to adjustment as set forth in the NAC Purchase Agreement. The acquisition of National Automobile Club closed on June 6, 2023.
About National Automobile Club
NAC is a licensed auto club in California and a provider of claims management and 24/7 commercial roadside assistance in the U.S. NAC is focused on the commercial automotive industry and its network comprises of over 75,000 professional service providers, providing tow, transport and FNOL services. National Automobile Club’s customers include government enterprises, commercial fleets and insurers. NAC is headquartered in Burlingame, California and has a team 29 professionals across sales, claims and roadside operations, of whom 19 are full time employees and 10 are part time employees.
NAC derives its revenues largely from commercial contracts and a minor percentage from membership fees revenues. NAC determines the amount of revenue to be recognized as follows. For commercial revenue, NAC charges its customers for different types of roadside assistance, claims management and emergency services provision on a per incident basis. For membership revenue, NAC charges its members annual membership fees. For commercial revenue, NAC recognizes revenue when services have been provided to its customers. For membership revenue, NAC recognizes membership fees ratably over the membership period and unearned membership fees are deferred on the balance sheet. NAC had operating revenue of approximately $12.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. NAC had operating revenue of approximately $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, $3.5 million of which was derived from commercial contracts and $0.06 million of which was derived from membership fees. NAC’s business-to-business (“B2B”) business model is focused on a client base of federal and state fleets, small businesses, commercial fleets, automotive OEMs, fuel card companies, insurance carriers, leasing and financing companies, warranty companies and auto-related companies throughout the country.
Operating synergies between Roadzen, NAC and GIM, and future global operations
Recognizing the unique characteristics of each market, including the regulatory landscape and licensing requirements, Roadzen intends for GIM and NAC to operate as subsidiaries of Roadzen. This will allow for greater flexibility and agility in responding to local market conditions and regulatory requirements. Roadzen will also evaluate leveraging its India operations as a center for technology development, underwriting expertise and sales and operations support for GIM and NAC. This will provide GIM and NAC access to top talent in technology and AI, cost savings, and the ability to leverage shared resources across different geographies.
To successfully integrate the newly acquired companies into its existing operations, Roadzen will prioritize creating a shared vision and culture. This will involve developing shared values and goals, establishing clear lines of communication, and ensuring that all employees feel like they are part of the same team.
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Overall, Roadzen’s strategic plan for structuring its businesses will prioritize creating a shared vision and culture while also recognizing the unique characteristics and opportunities in each market. By investing in talent development and leveraging technology and data to drive innovation, Roadzen strives to establish itself as a leader in the global insurtech industry. Roadzen, NAC and GIM each have a B2B2C commercial strategy and target similar clients (insurance companies, auto companies and fleets) in their respective geographies. We believe this synergy, along with Roadzen’s technology, will allow Roadzen, GIM and NAC to upsell more products to their existing clients.
Roadzen is replacing the existing systems at NAC with StrandD and xClaim, Roadzen’s roadside and claims products, to transform NAC’s business. NAC’s existing systems are complex and require frequent manual intervention and will be replaced by the automated decision systems of StrandD for algorithmic triage, dispatch and routing for roadside assistance. Similarly, telematics and computer vision technologies in xClaim will be used for inspection (which is a critical process for accidental claims) and provide NAC the opportunity to enter the secondary tow (i.e., accidental tows) market. NAC has also augmented its support team by leveraging Roadzen’s preexisting support team in India.
Roadzen views the acquisition of NAC to be the cornerstone of its strategy to penetrate the U.S. market, the largest auto insurance market in the world. Roadzen plans to make significant investments into the personnel and technology at NAC to build NAC into the leading digital platform for commercial vehicles, insurance, fleets and motorists in the U.S. market. Please see “Information About Roadzen — Recent Developments — About National Automobile Club” on page 153 for additional information about Roadzen’s planned operations with NAC.
With the U.K. as a key market in our continued expansion across geographies, Roadzen believes that GIM is a great strategic fit. The transaction combines Roadzen’s technology and global network with GIM’s established expertise in claims handling, underwriting and product administration. Roadzen will bolster GIM’s auto insurance and extended warranty portfolios which require automobile-focused technology and point of sales solutions.
The key areas of collaboration between Roadzen and GIM are as follows:
(i) Cross-selling GIM’s Products and Roadzen’s Expansion
As Roadzen and GIM share the same primary client base — insurers, carmakers, dealerships and fleets — the collaboration between Roadzen and GIM opens up opportunities for cross-selling their respective products in each other’s regions. Roadzen’s expansion into the U.K., facilitated by GIM’s established presence in the U.K. market, allows Roadzen to tap into the auto insurance industry in that region. GIM’s specialized products, such as extended warranties and guaranteed asset protection (“GAP”) car insurance, can be introduced to customers in Asia, the U.S. and Europe through Roadzen’s global reach. This cross-selling strategy enables both companies to leverage their strengths and expand their customer base across multiple geographies.
(ii) Introduction of Reinsurance Relationships and New Products
GIM’s partnerships with insurers and reinsurers can be leveraged to establish reinsurance partnerships for Roadzen’s offerings. With reinsurer partners in hand, Roadzen can provide added value to insurers who utilize their technology and are in need of a reinsurer. Additionally, by utilizing Roadzen’s technology, GIM can broaden the types of insurance products it can offer, which may open up new revenue streams with current and future clients.
(iii) Upgrading Pricing, Embedded Distribution and Claims Technology at GIM:
GIM can leverage Roadzen’s advanced technology to upgrade its actuarial pricing, embedded distribution and claims processes.
• | Actuarial Pricing. Roadzen’s AI-powered algorithms and data science capabilities can significantly enhance GIM’s actuarial pricing methods. By integrating Roadzen’s technology into its underwriting |
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process, GIM will be able to access real-time and dynamic data sources, including telematics data, computer vision insights and connected vehicle data. This data can be utilized to improve risk assessment, refine pricing models, and create more accurate and personalized premium calculations. Roadzen’s technology can enable GIM to consider a wide range of variables, such as driver behavior, vehicle performance and usage patterns, to determine insurance premiums more effectively. This upgraded actuarial pricing approach can result in more competitive and tailored insurance products for GIM’s clients. |
• | Embedded Distribution. Roadzen’s technology can enhance GIM’s embedded distribution capabilities, enabling seamless integration of insurance products into the offerings our car manufacturer, dealership and other OEM partners offer to their customers. By incorporating Roadzen’s API-led distribution solutions into their platform, GIM can provide a fully digitized and streamlined process for customers to obtain insurance coverage at the point of sale. Roadzen’s technology enables quick and efficient policy issuance, reducing friction in the purchasing process. Through this integration, GIM can offer their partners a white-labeled technology platform that facilitates pricing policies, processing claims and managing other aspects of insurance coverage. This upgraded embedded distribution model can enhance customer convenience and expand GIM’s market reach. |
• | Claims Processing. Roadzen’s AI capabilities, including computer vision and real-time data processing, can revolutionize GIM’s claims management and processing. By integrating Roadzen’s technology, GIM can automate and streamline the claims handling process, leading to faster and more accurate claim assessments. Roadzen’s computer vision technology can enable automated damage detection, reducing the need for manual inspections and expediting the claims settlement process. Additionally, Roadzen’s real-time data processing capabilities can facilitate seamless communication between all parties involved in the claims process, including customers, insurers, repair-shop networks and rental providers. This integration ensures the availability of accurate and up-to-date information, enabling faster claims resolution and improving overall customer experience. |
Roadzen and AXA share a close and long running relationship, and we believe that AXA will continue to be a strategic partner to GIM and Roadzen on a global basis for motor specialty products. Please see “Information About Roadzen – Recent Developments – Key areas of collaboration between Roadzen and GIM” on page 154 for additional information about Roadzen’s planned operations with GIM.
Despite Roadzen’s intention to achieve the benefits of expanding internationally through subsidiaries such as GIM and NAC, it may experience challenges inherent in global operations. There will be an increase in complexity related to compliance for Roadzen and each of its subsidiaries as several of them are regulated by local regulators within their respective markets. Failure to comply with local regulations and laws could harm Roadzen’s and its subsidiaries’ businesses and reputation. Additionally, Roadzen and its subsidiaries will face increasing competition with local, regional and national companies as their international presence expands, and many of the competitors may be larger, better capitalized and have access to greater financial and other resources. Greater competition may exert pressure on pricing models and may force Roadzen and its subsidiaries to modify or reduce prices.
Note Purchase Agreement
On June 30, 2023, Roadzen entered into the Note Purchase Agreement with Mizuho, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain purchasers that may become party thereto from time to time, as purchasers of the senior secured notes (together with Mizuho, the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $7,500,000 of senior secured notes (the “Mizuho Notes”) issued by Roadzen. The Mizuho Notes are a secured obligation of Roadzen, Vahanna (upon close of the merger), and the Note Parties. Except as otherwise permitted under the Note Purchase Agreement, the obligations of each of the Note Parties under the Mizuho Notes constitute direct and unconditional senior obligations of each such Note Party and will at all times rank at least equal in right of payment with all other present and future indebtedness and other obligations of each Note Party.
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The Mizuho Notes bear interest at a rate of fifteen percent (15.0%) per annum, which will automatically increased by five percent (5.0%) if Roadzen fails to prepay the Mizuho Notes upon the occurrence of certain mandatory prepayment events as set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement. The Mizuho Notes mature one (1) year from the date of issuance; however, Roadzen may prepay all or any portion of the Mizuho Notes prior to maturity at its option without penalty. As a condition precedent to closing under the Note Purchase Agreement, Roadzen entered into a Security Agreement, pursuant to which each current Note Party granted a first priority lien on substantially all of its assets to Mizuho, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Purchasers.
Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, if the Mizuho Notes have not been repaid in full by the date that is six (6) months after the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement, Roadzen has agreed to issue to the noteholders warrants to purchase collectively the number of shares of common stock of Roadzen or New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, depending on whether the merger has been consummated at the time the warrants are issued, equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the interests of the issuer on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued (the “Mizuho Warrants”). The shares underlying the Mizuho Warrants shall be referred to herein as the “Mizuho Warrant Shares.”
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will vest as follows until the full repayment of the Mizuho Notes: 40% upon issuance of the Mizuho Warrants, approximately six and two-thirds percent (6.67%) on each of the five (5) consecutive months thereafter, and 26.67% on the date that is six (6) months after the issuance date of the Mizuho Warrants.
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent vested, will be exercisable at a purchase price of $0.001 per share and may be exercised on a cashless basis. In the event of an acquisition of the issuer or similar transaction, the Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent unexercised, will be deemed to have been automatically exercised on a cashless basis immediately prior to such acquisition or similar transaction. The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will expire five (5) years after issuance or earlier upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the issuer. The number of Mizuho Warrant Shares underlying and the applicable exercise price of the Mizuho Warrants are subject to customary adjustment for dividends, splits, reclassifications and other modifications. The Purchasers will also receive registration rights and other customary protections with respect to the Mizuho Warrant Shares.
Roadzen anticipates that the merger will close within six (6) months under the closing date of the Note Purchase Agreement and that, upon the consummation of the merger, the Mizuho Notes will be repaid in full from proceeds from the consummation of the merger and that no Mizuho Warrants will be issued.
The Note Purchase Agreement contains certain covenants that restrict the Note Parties’ ability to, among other things, transfer or sell assets, create liens, incur indebtedness, make payments and investments and transact with affiliates. Additionally, the Note Parties are collectively required to maintain a cash reserve of at least $1 million in the aggregate to satisfy the minimum liquidity condition as set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement.
The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default, if not cured or waived, would result in the acceleration of substantially all of the outstanding debt and interest owed under the Mizuho Notes (and any other debt containing a cross-default or cross-acceleration provision) and default interest of an additional two percent (2.0%) for so long as an event of default is continuing.
Roadzen intends to use the proceeds of the Mizuho Notes to support general corporate and working capital requirements of its Indian subsidiaries, to pay a portion of the purchase price of GIM, and for other general corporate purposes.
Our Strengths
1. | Data. We have collected extensive data and consumer insights over the years. These data insights help our insurer customers with more accurate risk assessment and pricing of their policies. By providing |
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insurers with tailored data insights and analytics to make profitable risk selections, we enable them to generate advanced pricing simulation and underwriting models. |
2. | Technology Architecture. Our open API architecture is conducive to technology integrations with insurers on one side and distribution channels on the other for our brokerage business. Our platform enables real-time data sharing and pricing simulations. We continuously automate the processes across policy purchase and issuance, servicing and renewals, thereby streamlining processes for insurers who utilize our platform to offer insurance to their customers. We also work with insurers to create dedicated and customized technology-based solutions for various process flows, such as offering computer vision-based inspections, digital KYC and easy payment processing. |
3. | Deep domain expertise. We have assembled a global team with decades of experience and knowledge in insurance, automotive and technology. This cross-functional expertise is necessary to address the complexity in the automotive insurance sector. |
4. | Proven R&D engine. We invest heavily in R&D efforts and are committed to delivering market- leading technology for the auto insurance economy. We believe AI will have a transformative impact on the insurance economy and have focused our efforts on deep learning technology, and we have released several new solutions incorporating real world AI at enterprise scale. We are building a high- tech computer vision lab where our goal is to make machines “see.” This has a significant impact at the intersection of insurance and mobility. We have developed over 100 AI models in computer vision as well as natural language processing such as car inspection, driver scoring, vehicle, part and damage detection, driver distraction, insureGPT (policy summary of any insurance policy), claims invoice automation, road object detection and driver facial landmark detection. Roadzen AI is built on our proprietary Canvas platform that allows ground truth generation, automated model selection, and continuous training and deployment of AI models. We believe our focus on machine learning operations (“MLOps”) allows us to build and deploy models faster, iterate quicker and product impactful real-world AI and is a significant competitive advantage over our traditional and insurtech peers. |
5. | Deep, collaborative ecosystem relationships. Since founding, we have developed strong and strategic relationships with leading insurers, reinsurers, on-ground repair networks, dealership groups, fleets and automotive manufacturers, among others. We are a trusted partner to our clients, which allows us to collaborate and adapt our business based on customer feedback and changing expectations to stay ahead of our competition. |
Our Business Strategy
1. | Acquire New Customers. We believe there is substantial opportunity to continue to grow our customer base across the auto insurance industry. We have 39 major customers in the insurance and automotive industry and approximately 2,000 customers made up of smaller agents and fleets, which represents a very small portion of carriers, automakers and fleets globally. We are investing in our sales and marketing, specifically targeting key accounts, expanding small business sales, and leveraging current customers as references. We are also expanding our client base through the acquisitions of GIM and NAC. |
2. | Cross-sell and Upsell to Existing Customers. A central part of our strategy is expanding solution adoption across our existing customer base. We have developed long-term relationships with our customers and have a proven track record of successfully cross-selling product offerings. Our customers are increasingly looking to Roadzen as a trusted partner to address complexity and solve their challenges. We have the opportunity to realize incremental value by selling additional functionality to customers that do not currently utilize our full solution suite from our platform. As we innovate and bring new technology and solutions to market, we also have the opportunity to realize incremental value by selling new products to our existing customer base. Our customers include leading insurers and car companies that have a global presence and are keen on digitizing their auto insurance offerings. We believe that successful integration in one geography can open up opportunities within other geographies. |
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3. | Broaden our partner ecosystem. We view our customers as partners, as our product offerings act as an extension of their business. We intend to extend our network of partners to enhance our value proposition and create new market opportunities. We have a large network of insurance providers and reinsurance providers that use our platform and that are either interdependent on each other or, at the very least, would benefit from fostering mutually beneficial relationships with one another. As an example, if a reinsurer is looking to expand into a new market, they will need an insurer that can support them on the front end of the insurance process. Roadzen’s network of insurers is a great resource and Roadzen can help facilitate a marriage of reinsurer with insurer, providing a potential business expansion solution for its customers and, in turn, creating more business conducted through Roadzen. The more customers Roadzen acquires, the likelier it becomes that one customer will find a partner in another customer. |
4. | Broaden our geographical presence. We believe there is significant need for our solutions on a global basis and, accordingly, an opportunity to grow our business through international expansion. The global nature of several of our clients provides an excellent anchor relationship to launch us into new markets. The acquisitions of GIM and NAC will broaden our international footprint and help introduce Roadzen, GIM and NAC to each other’s customers. |
Our Offerings
Our main offerings are underwriting solutions for cars, drivers and fleets, road safety using app-based and computer vision-based telematics (including accident prevention, distraction alerts, and driver coaching), and claims management (including accident scene management, FNOL, touchless video loss adjustment and RSA). Roadzen markets these solutions through one of two channels — (i) as an IaaS provider or (ii) as a broker. Roadzen builds and tests its solutions in cost-intensive Indian auto-insurance markets before deploying the services to higher-margin markets in the U.K, the EU, and the U.S.
1. | Insurance as a Service Platform |
Roadzen’s unified IaaS platform powered by computer vision and telematics helps insurers improve their underwriting capabilities, and process real-time claims using touchless, remote protocols. Using our technology, our clients can launch products quickly and provide a great end-customer experience to motorists. Supported by a vertically integrated AI stack with labeling, training, and neural network design capabilities, Roadzen gives insurers personalized underwriting capabilities, and instant claims processing abilities. Our IaaS platform- enabled products include underwriting, and claims processing, which are managed on a fully-integrated, real- time platform.
Underwriting
Roadzen’s underwriting platform, powered by AI-trained models, helps customers make better, data-driven decisions, which results in accurate and precise policy underwriting. We provide a pricing engine that allows the underwriting of insurance policies based on asset value, usage-based insurance, driver scoring using telematics, and other auto products such as extended warranty. Our rating engine empowers insurers in India to underwrite risk using in-house data sources, delivering dynamic risk-assessed pricing for each policy insured. As more data accumulates, recursive patterns emerge, creating precise assessment of risk. Our offerings are extremely valuable to our customers, as most traditional insurers typically lack the expertise to build AI-powered underwriting technologies in-house. Additionally, our technology requires a large amount of data to create and train predictive models with accuracy. Roadzen, through its partnerships with insurers, has continuous access to large volumes of data. As Roadzen’s technology is built in-house and not influenced by any specific customer, the underwriting algorithms are unbiased and allow Roadzen to serve as an industry benchmark. Roadzen offers underwriting platforms for asset-based underwriting and usage-based underwriting and is working towards providing underwriting platforms for behavior-based underwriting. Roadzen’s underwriting solutions accounted for approximately 3.7% of revenue for the year ended March 31, 2023.
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Claims Processing
For insurers, it is challenging to manage the customer experience during the claims process. Furthermore, insurtech innovations over the last two decades have been highly focused on distribution, with less of an emphasis on seamless, efficient claims processing for the end customer. Roadzen has built an ecosystem that helps insurers provide an improved customer experience.
Roadzen’s claims platform is powered by telematics, computer vision algorithms, and real-time video streaming modules to conduct live surveys of vehicle accidents. Within seconds, AI and computer-vision algorithms can identify the damaged parts, the extent of the damage, repair or replacement decisions, and the estimated cost of repair. Traditionally, this multi-step process takes anywhere between two (2) and seven (7) days, depending on the insurer. Additionally, total costs can be inflated by the interplay between multiple service providers that have traditionally been involved in repairing a damaged vehicle (such as repairers, surveyors and others). As Roadzen’s technology is unbiased, Roadzen eliminates the threat of cost inflation, providing savings to both the insurance company and its end customer. Roadzen’s digital claims management platform, xClaim, is built for a user-driven approach and has transformed opaque claims processing into proactive engagement with customers.
xClaim initiates a claim using telematics, conducts remote surveys of accidents using photos and videos, and processes the claim by providing an estimate of costs needed to repair or replace the damaged part purely using computer vision. Applying photography, video-streaming and computer vision, Roadzen can inspect a vehicle instantly to assess risk profile, damages, and repair value. We believe that Roadzen delivers a best-in-class customer experience with improved outcomes for insurers, customers and repair shops alike. Whether parametric, assisted, or self-service, our engine handles all claims using algorithmic triage protocols, video, and deep learning for faster and more accurate resolution. Our deep ecosystem for claims processing includes loss adjustors, repairers, assistance, and payments for a one-stop solution to simplify and transform the claims journey.
Roadside Assistance (“RSA”)
We believe RSA is key to offering a better claims experience for customers, including our fleet and OEM customers, and a powerful tool to limit fraud and leakages for insurers. End customers who sustain an accident need proactive service by insurers to commence the claims and FNOL processes. Roadzen’s assistance platform can capture the “moment of truth” for insurers by obtaining near real-time information about the accident with video and photographic evidence. In a matter of minutes, Roadzen’s solution provides the insurer with clarity on all relevant questions after an incident occurs, including details on the parties involved, the extent of damage, and the time, location, and stated cause of the incident. Roadzen’s white-labelled RSA product, StrandD, provides accident management, emergency-call, vehicle breakdown-call, network management, and digital dispatch capabilities to get customers back on the road quickly. As a digitally enabled and integrated network, StrandD provides for 24/7 customer service. Roadzen is working with industry-leading automotive companies, insurers, aggregators, and fleets to power their assistance needs. Roadzen’s claims solutions, including RSA and FNOL, accounted for approximately 28.6% of revenue for the year ended March 31, 2023.
Telematics
We have built a telematics data exchange that enables the ingestion of mobility data from a multitude of sources, including connected cars, on-board diagnostics devices, software development kits (mobile apps), and dashcam video. It is a next-generation telematics platform that adds real-time driving context to significantly improve risk measurement, and more importantly, guide drivers to avoid predictable risks and make driving safer. Roadzen Telematics improves upon first-generation telematics solutions by fusing real-time traffic, video context, and weather information with driver behavior data. Additionally, we add driver distractions and fatigue to the evaluation matrix, and we measure accident hot spots encountered to create the most comprehensive and rich driving evaluation possible. Roadzen’s telematics offerings are bundled into its underwriting, claims and brokerage products and do not provide a material amount of revenues independently, though they may in the aggregate.
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Our platform generates a driver score for each driver and a fleet safety index to help insurers make more informed underwriting decisions and offer better products to their customers. Fleet owners can better track driving behavior and provide this feedback to their drivers, all leading to improved and safer fleet operations. The potential benefits of this approach include safer drivers, fewer accidents, fewer delays, and shorter repair times, leading to greater efficiency, lower costs, and greater profits. Roadzen has four telematics layers operating on the same core technology.
Roadzen telematics for insurance consists of a comprehensive telematics stack for driver behavior including:
• | Software-based: The insured end customer’s mobile phone generates driving behavior data through a software development kit (“SDK”) which is integrated into a mobile application. This software is primarily utilized by insurers to embed in the end customer applications, generating the insured’s driver score for future policy underwriting. |
• | Connected vehicles: As vehicles become increasingly connected over time, more and more will already have a telematics control unit built into the vehicle, and Roadzen’s APIs can integrate with the vehicle software to fetch data for our exchange. |
• | Video telematics: Roadzen’s subsidiary DrivebuddyAI is a V2X (“vehicle-to-everything”) dashcam that brings ADAMATICS (Advanced driver-assistance system (“ADAS”) + Telematics) capabilities to any vehicle using purely computer vision. The system continuously monitors the road ahead and utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze potential hazards. The driver-facing camera performs landmark detection on the drivers face to recognize distractions, pose, and yaw. The system alerts the driver in real-time to avoid collisions — a major benefit for fleets, insurers and automotive OEMs. Reduced distractions and collision avoidance leads to better underwriting outcomes and loss control for insurers and commercial fleets. The DrivebuddyAI system is not just safer for fleets, but also used for more accurate driver logging, fleet utilization, and visual mapping. We believe that our ADAMATICS solution has an opportunity to become a fundamental part of the commercial auto insurance market. |
2. | Brokerage — Insurance Distribution Platform |
We have built a distribution platform that allows Roadzen to sell insurance policies from any insurer and offer these products through multiple distribution channels using simple APIs. The result is a comprehensive, integrated user experience from quote to policy to claim. Our underwriting and claims are done using our AI platform, and the financial risk is assumed by leading insurers and reinsurers. We do not hold any balance sheet risk.
Currently, the digital brokerage competitive environment is focused on selling the available insurance products without innovating the insurance product itself. Roadzen’s IaaS platform, with its unique capabilities, gives its distribution business a competitive edge. The platform’s capabilities include:
• | Product creation and underwriting: Our technology can be used by insurers to make underwriting decisions for their customers, the platform has ingested years of data to improve its trained algorithms’ policy pricing capabilities. We have built and launched traditional auto, UBI and driver-score -based insurance policies with our partners. |
• | Re-insurer backing: Roadzen has cultivated partnerships with global reinsurers, which provides Roadzen with the ability to co-create products using our technology and provide them to our customers. |
• | API Exchange: Roadzen’s insurance marketplace is agnostic as to the insurer, geography, and product, enabling Roadzen to launch new products, enter new markets, and serve any vehicle category. Our API benefits end customers with access to a single window of real-time quote information from all participating insurers, and a seamless claims management experience. |
Roadzen has evolved into a leader in the digital transformation of India’s auto insurance market. Roadzen is currently partnered with 26 of India’s auto insurers. In India, there are no contracts between insurance brokers
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and insurers. Instead, each insurer will onboard and integrate a broker within the insurer’s core IT systems such that the broker receives access to real-time quotes for the policies they wish to sell and is assigned a unique code. This code is used by the insurer to track the policies sold by the broker and the corresponding commissions and fees earned. In 2020, Roadzen launched Good InsuranceTM, its brokerage platform focused on auto insurance. Good Insurance has grown rapidly and has become a platform of choice for buying auto insurance. Good Insurance issues insurance policies that incorporate the Company’s RSA and claims solutions. Roadzen’s brokerage solutions accounted for 67.7% of revenue for the year ended March 31, 2023.
See “Information About Roadzen – Recent Developments – About Global Insurance Management” and “Information About Roadzen – Recent Developments – Financial Performance of Global Insurance Management” for a discussion of GIM’s offerings, and “Information About Roadzen – Recent Developments – About National Automobile Club” for a discussion of NAC’s offerings.
Our Revenue Model
Roadzen’s business is centered around the business-to-business-to-consumer (“B2B2C”) model, using the Roadzen technology and ecosystem to provide better underwriting capabilities, a more efficient claims management process, RSA, and a digitized policy pricing engine to fleet, insurance, and car company customers. Our vision is to be the lowest cost of distribution brokerage business in the market. Retail customer acquisition costs are very high for insurers, but Roadzen does not spend on acquiring retail customers directly. Roadzen incurs costs on the business-to-business (“B2B”) front, including sales and marketing costs, to onboard the channel partners, which consist of dealers, fleet companies, agents, car companies, and strategic tie-ups. This enables Roadzen to bundle its ecosystem offerings to its customers. This approach has resulted in consistent revenue streams.
Roadzen deploys its solutions to insurers as a technology provider. It serves as a SaaS provider to auto insurers that embed our offerings with their end customers. Insurers benefit from more efficient underwriting processes and reduced claims processing costs; in turn, their customers secure a simplified online experience in claims reporting, risk evaluations, payments, and RSA. Insurers pay Roadzen a percentage of premiums charged where Roadzen’s solutions are used for underwriting. Fixed fees per usage of Roadzen solutions is utilized in damage assessments, claims management, and RSA. Through Roadzen’s proprietary specialty brokerage platforms in India and Europe, where it targets OEMs, auto dealerships and commercial fleets, Roadzen operates on a B2B2C model. Roadzen secures a percentage of brokerage commissions paid by insurers to brokers for distribution of their offerings. By embedding its solutions suite in brokerage offerings, Roadzen secures two revenue streams: (i) brokerage commissions; and (ii) insurer payments for claims management and RSA. Both of Roadzen’s sales channels, SaaS for insurers (indirect) and brokerage distribution (direct), target a unified customer base of car companies, fleets, dealerships, and agents. Roadzen’s direct sales channels do not compete with insurers that use the SaaS solutions. Rather, Roadzen’s MGA/brokerage service becomes a platform for the marketing and distribution of policies in which Roadzen’s solutions are embedded.
See “Information About Roadzen – Recent Developments – About Global Insurance Management” and “Information About Roadzen – Recent Developments – Financial Performance of Global Insurance Management” for a discussion of GIM’s revenue model, and “Information About Roadzen – Recent Developments – About National Automobile Club” for a discussion of NAC’s revenue model.
Our Competition
We believe that the primary factors determining our competitive position with other organizations in our industry are the policy add-on features we offer through bundling, the quality of our services, our technology, the diversity of products we offer, and the overall costs to our customers.
Roadzen believes that it is uniquely placed because of its technology that spans the entire insurance value chain. However, there is a threat of competition to each individual product or service that we may provide. Insurers that choose to build similar offerings and technological expertise in-house present competition to the
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Company. Competition also exists from other insurtech companies that may be specifically focused on one part of the value chain. There are several telematics players that are capable of building similar products to Roadzen, but very few have the breadth of comprehensive software, hardware and video telematics capabilities that Roadzen possesses.
The insurance brokerage business is highly competitive, and numerous firms actively compete with us for customers and insurance markets. Competition in the insurance business is largely based upon innovation, knowledge, terms and condition of coverage, quality of service and price. Our brokerage operations compete with both global firms and local firms that are focused on a particular region.
A number of insurance carriers who choose to directly sell insurance, primarily to individuals, do not have to pay commissions to third-party agents and brokers and can instead allocate those funds to their advertising and customer acquisition efforts. Roadzen believes that by using its B2B2C strategy, rather than going directly to customer, it can have a lower cost of customer acquisition and insurance distribution.
Research and Development
Roadzen has 118 engineers, computer vision researchers and data scientists focused on building software to address the challenges and complexity in auto insurance. Our product and engineering team focuses on enhancing our solutions to meet the complex requirements of our customers with a focus on capabilities, operational efficiency, security, and privacy of our platform. We also invest significantly in developing our products and customizing them for the specific market in which the customer operates, including the relevant regulations, language, currency and payment methods.
We believe AI will have a transformative impact on the insurance economy and have focused our efforts on deep learning technology. We have released several new solutions incorporating real world AI at enterprise scale. Our team has developed over 100 AI models in computer vision as well as natural language processing such as video inspection, driver scoring, vehicle, part and damage detection, driver distraction, insureGPT (policy summary and FAQ of any insurance policy), claims invoice automation, and road object detection and driver facial landmark detection. We invest significantly into developing our internal tooling for AI through our proprietary Canvas platform that allows ground truth generation, automated model selection, and continuous training and deployment of AI models.
Intellectual Property
Roadzen maintains intellectual property and proprietary protection for its products and technology related to our business. We also rely on trade secrets and/or contractual provisions to develop and maintain our proprietary position and protect aspects of our business that are not amenable to, or that we do not consider appropriate for, patent protection. We protect our proprietary technologies, in part, by confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors, and contractors. For more information regarding the risks related to our intellectual property, please see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Roadzen’s Business and Industry — Risks Relating to Intellectual Property.”
As of June 15, 2023, we had no U.S. trademarks or pending applications, and we had four registered non-U.S. trademarks and five pending non-U.S. trademark applications. As of June 15, 2023, we had no U.S. patents and pending applications, and one registered non-U.S. patent, one registered non-U.S. design and one pending non-U.S. patent application.
Sales and Marketing
Our sales and marketing efforts are a key component of our growth strategy. Our investments in this area have enabled us to build and sustain our customer base while creating long-term customer relationships.
Our sales efforts are materially dependent on our three different channels: (1) strategic and contractual sales to insurers and car companies; (2) sales to small-and-medium fleet owners; and (3) brokerage sales driven by
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agents, captive distribution channels and reinsurance partnerships. We plan to continue investing in each of these channels of growth including hiring sales personnel, producing marketing content and event marketing. We are investing heavily in content production and marketing focused on delivering rich, industry specific content on all platforms that our clients use. This helps position Roadzen as a thought leader in the insurance and mobility space and adds to the lead funnel for our business. We directly engage with decision-makers and industry leaders across the industry. Our top of the funnel digital marketing efforts provide us with a platform to execute highly targeted outreach to important decision makers in our client matrix.
Our sales teams are structured to address the different needs of our markets. For our small business sales efforts, we employ a geographically dispersed account team structure to facilitate in-person demos and direct sales, along with an in-house sales team. For larger insurance and automotive clients, we have an enterprise sales team. Roadzen has a large direct sales force spread across India, Europe, Southeast Asia, the U.K. and the U.S. that focus on sales, on-boarding and customer management activities.
Fleets: Fleet vehicles are groups of motor vehicles owned or leased by a business, government agency, or other organization rather than by an individual or family. This set of customers is targeted directly by Roadzen’s sales team. Fleets are adversely affected when accidents are followed by a slow and manual claims process, incurring a loss of revenue from the delay caused by the accident and the time needed to repair the vehicle. This is a problem that Roadzen solves with its distinctive ecosystem. Roadzen has regional sales teams across India, the U.S., the U.K., Europe and Southeast Asia. As fleets are usually on a local scale, our local sales teams are frequently within reach of our potential fleet customers and faster to close a sale.
Insurance & Car Companies: Insurance companies and car company sales are generally either a request for proposal (“RFP”) or bid driven process that requires demos, technical qualification criteria and finally financial pricing evaluation. These processes are highly customized and require both in-house sales and solution architecture teams to close.
We employ two primary sales activities for our brokerage business:
1. | Motor Insurance: As motor insurance contracts are generally of annual duration, the customers give a “Broker on Record” mandate to Roadzen which authorizes Roadzen to advise the customers to select the best insurance policy. As Roadzen operates a B2B brokerage business, sometimes other value- added services offered by Roadzen are more valuable to customers than the lowest premium offered by the competitors, such as faster claims processing, software telematics and fleet management software. Hence Roadzen’s platform and ecosystem offers Roadzen a competitive advantage. |
2. | Specialty Insurance: These are long duration policies, generally starting with a 5-year duration, where the risk underwriting is done at a portfolio level. Roadzen has partnered with re-insurers to back the long-term risks associated with these long-tenure contracts. These contracts are RFP-driven and may require additional negotiations with reinsurers. The RFP process for our brokerage business is the same as our IaaS RFP process. |
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Our People and Culture
We have assembled a proven, global team with excellence and experience spanning technology, AI, insurance and mobility. As of March 31, 2023, we had 324 full-time employees and no part-time employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We believe we have good relationships with our employees and have not experienced any interruptions of operations due to labor disagreements.
Division |
Employees | |||
Technology |
119 | |||
Management |
13 | |||
Sales and Business Development |
100 | |||
Operations |
53 | |||
Finance, HR, Compliance & Admin |
39 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
324 | |||
|
|
Our operating principles below inform our culture as well as how we operate on a day-to-day basis. We actively foster an environment where problem solvers, collaborators and builders can thrive. Our people have a global mindset, a passion for innovation and play well with others.
Our Operating Principles
Take Ownership
We thrive on excellence, responsibility, and adaptability to change. In our largely non-hierarchical structure, we stress the need for our personnel to hold themselves and each other accountable and to high standards. It also means striving for constant improvement to raise our bar as a company. Ownership is about taking initiative and making decisions to deliver the highest quality outcome.
Be meritocratic
As no playbook exists for many of the problems we are solving, we look at the best ideas that we can bring to the table through rigorous thought, debate and action. This is fostered by a culture of respect and kindness where everyone has a voice. We believe that backing the best ideas with committed action is the key to building world class products.
Play with purpose
We have fun, indulge our curiosities, build for the long term, and do things differently. This is not just a job, it is a place to be authentic, express yourself fully and bring purpose to what we at Roadzen are building.
Challenge the status quo
To us, innovation is the default mindset, a hardwired desire to improve things. The better we collaborate the more effective we are. Strong teams are built when we embrace both.
Move fast
Quick and iterative feedback loops are critical to innovation in both software and AI products. This means we must move with urgency yet keep a deliberate focus on the details to make sure our clients can rely on us to make fundamental business decisions.
Our Customers
We have strong customer relationships in the auto insurance market. These relationships are a key component of our success given the long-term nature of our contracts and the interconnectedness of our network.
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We have customer agreements with 26 insurers (including carriers, self-insurers and other entities processing insurance claims), 23 automotive clients, and approximately 2,000 agent and fleet customers. Roadzen’s insurer clients make up less than 2% of Roadzen’s total number of clients, but approximately 53% of Roadzen’s enterprise client base (i.e., 26 of the 49 total insurers and automotive clients).
Key customer ecosystems are as follows:
• | Insurance — including insurance companies, reinsurers, agents, brokers. |
• | Automotive — including carmakers (OEMs), dealerships, online-to-offline car sales platforms. |
• | Fleets — including small and medium fleets, taxicab companies, ridesharing platforms and commercial and corporate fleets. |
• | Other distribution channels such as financial services companies providing auto loans and telematics companies. |
And key customer benefits from working with us can include:
• | For Insurers — faster, efficient and cheaper claims processing, lower combined operating ratios, lower distribution costs and better underwriting models. |
• | For Automotive — embedded or white-labeled products with better visibility on the insurance distribution process for both new and renewal policies, extended warranty programs, faster and more transparent claims settlements. |
• | For Fleets — advanced road safety using telematics, lower premiums and faster claims processing. |
We had one customer (an automotive insurance provider) that represented approximately 25% of total revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 but no longer represents a material portion of our revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Pursuant to our agreement with the insurance provider, we provide the insurer with IaaS platform services for the purpose of conducting pre-underwriting inspections of vehicles which the insurer may insure. The insurer’s potential customer will upload images of and basic details about the vehicle to our platform, which will then be processed by our platform and result in a platform-generated recommendation of policy terms to the insurer. We charge the insurer a fixed fee of INR 765 per inspection. Our agreement with this insurer expires in July 2024. We had a different customer (also an automotive insurance provider) that represented 24% of total revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and we do not anticipate the insurer will represent a material portion of our revenue on a consolidated basis. In India, there are no contracts between insurance brokers and insurers. Instead, each insurer will onboard and integrate a broker within the insurer’s core IT systems such that the broker receives access to real-time quotes for the policies they wish to sell and is assigned a unique code. This code is used by the insurer to track the policies sold by the broker and the corresponding commissions and fees earned. Roadzen’s revenue from this one insurer is a byproduct of Roadzen fulfilling numerous policy sales for the insurer at varying commission rates. We had another customer (an OEM) that represented 15% of total revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and we do not anticipate this customer will represent a material portion of our revenue on a consolidated basis. For the year ended March 31, 2023, we sold extended warranty policies to the OEM at a price of INR 5,799 per policy. Our customer would then attach the policy as an add-on to their automotive sales.
Regulatory Landscape
Our insurance brokerage business is subject to various laws and regulations and our inability to comply with them may adversely affect our business, results of operations and reputation.
Our subsidiary in India received a certificate of registration to act as a direct insurance broker (life and general) under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Insurance Brokers) Regulations, 2018 (“Insurance Brokers Regulations”). Accordingly, we are subject to certain laws, regulations and licensing requirements. Insurance brokers are required to comply with various regulatory requirements such as the
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following: (i) the principal officer and broker qualified persons of an insurance broker should have undergone training and passed the relevant examination specified by the IRDAI, (ii) the principal officer, directors, promoters, partners, key management personnel and persons having effective control of the insurance broker should fulfill the ‘fit and proper’ criteria specified under the Insurance Brokers Regulations, (iii) insurance brokers may not undertake multi-level marketing for solicitation and procuring of insurance products, (iv) insurance brokers may not offer any rebate or any other inducement to a client, (v) insurance brokers must conduct their business in compliance with the code of conduct specified under the Insurance Brokers Regulations, and (vi) ensure that not more than 50% of their remuneration emanates from one client in a financial year. The IRDAI may undertake inspection of the premises of the insurance broker to ascertain how activities are carried on and inspect their books of accounts, records and documents. The Insurance Brokers Regulations specify certain approval and reporting requirements to be adhered to by the insurance brokers from time to time, as applicable. We would be subject to fines and penalties if we fail to comply with the Insurance Brokers Regulations. We derive revenues primarily from commissions and other fees paid to us by the insurance carriers who sell their policies through our platform.
The commissions that we can charge to insurers are based on charges set forth under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Payment of Commission or Remuneration or Reward to Insurance Agents and Insurance Intermediaries) Regulations, 2016 (“IRDAI Commissions Regulations”). The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Minimum Information Required for Investigation and Inspection) Regulations, 2020 (“Minimum Information Regulations”), effective from May 23, 2021, are applicable to all insurers and insurance intermediaries in relation to purposes of investigation and inspection by the IRDAI.
Inter-related companies within the group are subject to a stringent regulatory framework that affects the flexibility of our operations and increases compliance costs, and any regulatory action against us and our employees may result in penalties and/or sanctions that could have an adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Coverzen Entities
On June 1, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Coverzen Technologies Private Limited (“Coverzen”). Coverzen is engaged in the business of auto insurance broking in India through its subsidiary Good Insurance Brokers Private Limited (formerly Heartbeat Insurance Brokers Private Limited). Between June 2021 and October 2021, Coverzen acquired control of several small businesses (together with Coverzen, the “Coverzen Entities”). The Coverzen Entities include Peoplebay Consultancy Services Private Limited (“Peoplebay”), FA Events and Media Private Limited (“FA Events”), and Kintsugi Innovation Labs Private Limited (“Kintsugi”).
Each of Peoplebay and FA Events is incorporated in India and is engaged in the business of providing marketing services, including in connection with product launches, and assisting with road shows for corporate clients. Kintsugi is incorporated in India and is engaged in the business of event management services of any kind, including corporate events and conferences, product launches, road shows, product launches and grand opening events.
Roadzen intends for the Coverzen Entities to continue their ongoing operations following its acquisition of GIM and NAC, respectively, as well as after the proposed business combination with Vahanna.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. We currently are not a party to any material litigation or other material legal proceedings.
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Other Information
We were incorporated in Delaware on May 7, 2015. Our principal executive offices are located at c/o Cogency Global Inc., 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19904. We also maintain a website at www.roadzen.io. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this proxy statement/prospectus.
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ROADZEN’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Throughout this section, references to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Roadzen and its consolidated subsidiaries (excluding GIM and NAC) as the context so requires.
The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Roadzen, Inc. and its subsidiaries should be read together with the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Roadzen,” and the audited consolidated financial statements, together with related notes thereto, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The discussion and analysis should also be read together with the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Information About Roadzen” and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and three months ended March 31, 2023 (in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information”). The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. See the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements; Market, Ranking and Other Industry Data.” Actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under the section titled “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Roadzen’s Business and Industry” or elsewhere in this proxy statement/ prospectus.
Overview
Roadzen is a leading insurtech company on a mission to transform global auto insurance powered by advanced AI. At the heart of our mission is our commitment to create transparency, efficiency, and a seamless experience for the millions of end customers who use our products through our insurer, OEM, and fleet (such as trucking, delivery, and commercial fleets) partners. We seek to accomplish this by combining computer vision, telematics and AI with continually updated data sources to provide a more efficient, effective and informed way of building auto insurance products, assessing damages, processing claims and improving driver safety. Insurers and other partners of Roadzen across the world use Roadzen’s technology to launch new auto insurance products, manage risk better and resolve claims faster. These products are built with dynamic underwriting capabilities, API-led distribution and real-time claims processing.
Roadzen has built a pioneering technology platform that uses telematics, computer vision and data science to spearhead innovation across the insurance value chain, namely underwriting, distribution, claims and road safety. We call it the Roadzen “Insurance as a Service” (“IaaS”) platform. Our business generates commission- based revenue as an insurance broker focused on embedded and B2B2C (Business-to-Business-to-Customer) insurance distribution, and fee-based revenue as a provider of innovative cloud, mobile, AI-based telematics applications for the auto insurance economy.
Roadzen has clients within the following ecosystems:
• | Insurance — including insurance companies, reinsurers, agents, brokers; |
• | Automotive — including carmakers, dealerships, online-to-offline car sales platforms; |
• | Fleets — including small and medium fleets, taxi fleets, ridesharing platforms, commercial and corporate fleets; and |
• | Other distribution channels such as financial services companies providing auto loans and telematics companies. |
Our operations are global, and our partners consists of market-leading insurers and OEMs, including AXA, Société Générale and others.
We have received global recognition, having recently won two awards at the prestigious 2022 Global Artificial Intelligence Summit & Awards for the “Best Use of AI in Mobility” and “Best Use of AI in Insurance”
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categories held by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and All India Council for Robotics & Automation (AICRA). In October 2021, Roadzen was recognized by Forbes Magazine as a Top 10 AI company and, in 2022, Roadzen was awarded AI Startup of the Year in 2022 by Financial Express (India). These awards are an acknowledgement of our customer impact and technological superiority.
Our Business Model
Roadzen has two principal models for generating revenue: 1) Platform Sales of our IaaS platform and 2) Brokerage Commission and Fees. We follow a capital-light business model, meaning that we do not underwrite any risk ourselves or carry it on our balance sheet for either source of revenue.
1. | Platform Sales: |
Roadzen provides an IaaS platform addressed towards insurance for mobility. The IaaS platform has a suite of products that work cohesively to address the auto insurance value chain. Roadzen sells its IaaS platform to insurers, car manufacturers, and fleet companies to deliver services for their respective insured customers. Our deep understanding of the insurance industry has enabled us to develop a unified suite of modules and products that is tailored to address the key challenges faced in auto insurance. Our solution suite includes several products that support the insurance lifecycle, such as:
• | Via: enables fleets, carmakers and insurers to inspect a vehicle using computer vision. |
• | xClaim: enables digital, touchless and real-time resolution of claims from first notice of loss (“FNOL”) through payment using telematics and computer vision; |
• | StrandD: enables digital, real-time dispatch and tracking for RSA and FNOL during accident claims; and |
• | Good Driving: enables insurers and fleets to recognize their best drivers, train poor drivers and build UBI programs. |
Our technology revolutionizes the customer experience by helping customers obtain a policy within seconds and process a claim estimate within minutes in comparison with existing processes that can take weeks. Roadzen’s revenue derived from platform sales is usage-based, meaning we get paid on a per-vehicle or per-use basis.
Sales of Roadzen’s IaaS platform represented approximately 32.3% of revenues for the year ended March 31, 2023.
2. | Brokerage Commission and Fees: |
Roadzen acts as an insurance broker utilizing its technology to sell insurance through our embedded and business-to-business-to-consumer (“B2B2C”) distribution model. The policies are sold by insurance intermediaries such as agents and through captive distributors such as dealerships, fleets and used car platforms. Our B2B2C channel partners choose us for a variety of reasons — for the ease of integrating our technology through APIs into their ecosystem, for a seamless, fully digital customer experience from obtaining a policy to submitting a claim, and for integrations with a large number of insurance companies who sell their policies through our platform to give the users a handful of policy options. Lastly, we can provide a superior customer experience by bundling telematics for road safety, RSA and claims management to the customer — a customer experience that is unrivaled by other traditional brokers. Roadzen’s revenues are based on commissions and other fees that are paid by our insurance carriers as a percentage of the GWP underwritten for each policy. Roadzen’s brokerage solutions accounted for 67.7% of revenue for the year ended March 31, 2023.
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Factors Affecting Our Performance
Our financial condition and results of operations have been, and will likely continue to be, affected by a number of factors, including the following:
Investment in Core Technology and AI
We continue to develop and invest in our technology platform to drive scalability and build innovative products. We believe our significant proprietary investments into our data pipelines, training, model development and our core technology platform are key advantages that allow us to stay ahead of competition, support our growth into global markets and improve operating margins.
Investment in Sales and Marketing
Our sales and marketing efforts are a key component of our growth strategy. Our investments in this area have enabled us to build and sustain our customer base while creating long-term customer relationships. Our sales efforts are materially dependent on our three different channels: (1) strategic sales to insurers and car companies; (2) sales to small-and-medium fleet owners; and (3) brokerage sales driven by such as agents, captive distribution channels and reinsurance partnerships. We plan to continue investing in these each of these channels of growth including hiring sales personnel, event marketing and global travel.
Investments in Innovation for Future Growth
The world of mobility is changing rapidly due to advances in connected, electric, and autonomous vehicles. We believe this presents an exciting and large opportunity to build insurance for this evolving environment. For this reason, our performance will be impacted by our ability to continuously innovate our underwriting algorithms, internalize new data sources and technologies such as ADAS and video telematics for accident prevention, and invest in partnerships with carmakers for their insurance offerings and for selling insurance into fleets.
Acquiring New Customers
Our long-term growth will depend on our continued ability to attract new customers to our platform. We intend to continue to drive customers to our platform by expanding our B2B2C model through different avenues:
• | In addition to our existing geographic and product footprint, we aim to grow by expanding into new markets across our target geographies, leveraging our technology platform to increase our speed to market. |
• | Our future performance is dependent on our ability to acquire new customers by consistently offering them cutting edge technology at the intersection of mobility and insurance — a capability that traditional insurance carriers and other insurance intermediaries have struggled to provide. As our clients look to digitize and capture a greater part of the insurance value chain, our technology is the differentiator for them to choose Roadzen as a partner. |
Expanding Sales Within Our Existing Customer Base
A central part of our strategy is expanding solutions adoption across our existing customer base. We have developed long-term relationships with our customers and have a proven track record of successfully cross- selling product offerings. We have the opportunity to realize incremental value by selling additional functionality to customers that do not currently utilize our full solution portfolio from our platform. As we innovate and bring new technology and solutions to market, we also have the opportunity to realize incremental growth by selling new products to our existing customer base.
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Our ability to expand sales within our customer base will depend on a number of factors, including our customers’ satisfaction, pricing, competition, and changes in our customers’ spending levels. Roadzen’s customers include leading insurers and car companies that have a global presence and are spending millions of dollars on digitizing their insurance offerings. We believe that successful integration in one geography may open up opportunities within other geographies. Roadzen has shown the ability to expand contracts from low ticket size in India to higher ticket size in global markets. We have a significant focus on maximizing the lifetime value of our customer relationships, and we continue to make significant investments in order to grow our customer base.
Strength of the Auto Insurance Market
We generate a majority of our revenues through commissions and fees which are a reflection of the total insurance policy premium. Roadzen derived 67.7% of revenue from its brokerage solutions and 32.3% from its platform sales of its IaaS platform for the year ended March 31, 2023. A softening of the insurance market characterized by a period of declining premium rates due to competition or regulation could negatively impact our profitability.
Our Regulatory Environment
Our insurance broking business is subject to various laws and regulations and our inability to comply with them may adversely affect our business, results of operations, and reputation.
Our subsidiary in India received a certificate of registration to act as a direct insurance broker (life and general) under the Insurance Brokers Regulations of India. Accordingly, we are subject to certain laws, regulations and licensing requirements. Insurance brokers operating in India are required to comply with various regulatory requirements, including stipulations that: (i) the principal officer and broker qualified persons of an insurance broker must undergo training and pass the relevant examinations specified by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (the “IRDAI”); (ii) the principal officer, directors, shareholders and key management personnel must fulfil the “fit and proper” criteria specified under the Insurance Brokers Regulations; (iii) insurance brokers may not undertake multi-level marketing for solicitation and procuring of insurance products; (iv) insurance brokers may not offer any rebate or any other inducement to a client; (v) insurance brokers must conduct their business in compliance with the code of conduct specified under the Insurance Brokers Regulations; and (vi) insure brokers must ensure that not more than 50% of their remuneration emanates from one client in a financial year. The IRDAI may undertake inspection of the premises of an insurance broker to ascertain how activities are carried on, and inspect their books of accounts, records and documents. The Insurance Brokers Regulations specify certain approval and reporting requirements to be adhered to by the insurance brokers from time to time, as applicable. We would be subject to fines and penalties if we fail to comply with the Insurance Brokers Regulations. We derive revenues primarily from commissions and other fees paid by insurance carriers whose insurance products our customers purchase.
The commissions that we can charge to our Insurer Partners are based on charges set forth under the IRDAI (Payment of Commission or Remuneration or Reward to Insurance Agents and Insurance Intermediaries) Regulations, 2016 (“IRDAI Commissions Regulations”). The IRDAI (Minimum Information Required for Investigation and Inspection) Regulations, 2020 (“Minimum Information Regulations”), effective from May 23, 2021, are applicable to all insurers and insurance intermediaries in relation to purposes of investigation and inspection by the IRDAI.
Inter-related companies within the group are subject to a stringent regulatory framework that affects the flexibility of our operations and increases compliance costs, and any regulatory action against us and our employees may result in penalties and/or sanctions that could have an adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
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The regulatory and policy environment in which we operate is evolving and is subject to change. The government of India (“GoI”) may implement new laws or other regulations and policies that could affect the fintech industry, which could lead to new compliance requirements, including requiring us to obtain approvals and licenses from the GoI and other regulatory bodies, or impose onerous requirements. New compliance requirements could increase our costs or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Ability to Manage Risk with Data and Technology
Our operations are highly dependent on the reliability, availability, and security of our technology platform and data. Our operations rely on the secure processing and storage of confidential information, including our information systems and networks and those of our third-party service providers. Disruptions in the technology platform, systems and control failures, security breaches, or inadvertent disclosure of user data could result in legal exposure, harm our reputation and brand, and ultimately affect our ability to attract and retain customers. Although we have implemented administrative and technical controls and have taken protective actions to reduce risk, such measures may be insufficient to prevent unauthorized and malicious attacks. As our technology- enabled platform is reliant on data from external parties, such attacks or disruption in our data sources can impact our ability to operate effectively and result in damage to our reputation and results.
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
We provide access to our IaaS solutions through contractual agreements with our customers, whereby the customer receives one or a bundle of our solutions, which can include inspection, claims management, RSA, and/ or telematics offerings. The average contract length for our IaaS customers is approximately three (3) years. Our client pays us on a fixed fee per-incident or per-vehicle. Our brokerage revenues are based on commissions and fees that we receive from our insurance partners for selling their policies to customers as well as providing other client services such as claims management. Our commissions and fees are calculated as a percentage of the GWP underwritten for each policy.
Cost of Services
The cost of services for distribution business includes commissions paid to the point-of-sale person, cost of employees and other direct expenses related to facilities.
For our IaaS platform, cost of services primarily consists of direct costs involved in delivering the services to the customers, including external provider cost for inspections and RSA, as well as additional costs such as employee benefit expenses. Costs forming part of cost of revenue are recognized as incurred.
Research and Development
Research and development costs consist primarily of employee-related costs, including salaries, employee benefits and other expenses. It also includes the cost of annotating data pipelines for AI, the cost of building and maintaining our own AI servers for training and the cloud costs for production deployments. We continue to focus our research and development efforts on adding new features and products.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses primarily include expenditures related to advertising, channel partner incentives, media, promotional and bundling costs, brand awareness activities, business development, corporate partnerships and allocated overhead costs. These expenses are a reflection of our efforts to expand our market
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reach for distributing insurance policies. Sales and marketing expenses also consist of employee-related costs directly associated with our sales and marketing activities, including salaries and employee benefits.
We plan to continue to invest in sales and marketing to grow our customer base and increase the awareness of end customers about our products. As a result, we expect our sales and marketing expenses to increase in absolute dollars for the foreseeable future. While we expect our sales and marketing expenses to decrease as a percentage of our revenue over the long term, our sales and marketing expenses may fluctuate as a percentage of our revenue from period to period due to the timing and extent of these expenses.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist of employee-related costs for executive, finance, legal, human resources, IT, and facilities personnel, including salaries, employee benefits, professional fees for external legal, accounting, and other consulting services, and allocated overhead costs.
We expect our general and administrative expenses to continue to increase in absolute dollars for the foreseeable future to support our growth as well as due to additional costs associated with legal, accounting, compliance, insurance, investor relations, and other costs as we become a public company. While we expect our general and administrative expenses to decrease as a percentage of our revenue over the long term, our general and administrative expenses may fluctuate as a percentage of our revenue from period to period due to the timing and extent of these expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization reflects the recognition of the cost of our tangible and intangible assets over their useful life. Depreciation expenses relate to equipment, hardware and purchased software. Amortization relates to investments related to recent acquisitions, internal software development and investments made in intellectual property development. Depreciation and amortization are expected to increase slightly in dollar amount over time but will likely decrease as a percentage of revenue as investments in platform technology reach scale.
Fair Value Changes in Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value
Our outstanding convertible notes and warrants are financial liabilities measured at fair value with fair value changes recognized in profit or loss. We carry out a periodic fair valuation exercise and recognize the increase or decrease in the carrying values of these financial instruments in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Such fair value changes are primarily driven by changes in our equity value, risk free interest rates and credit risk premia.
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles with definite life
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles can arise from various factors, including economic fluctuations, industry changes, technological advancements, and evolving customer preferences. When the carrying value of these assets exceeds their recoverable amount, impairment occurs, leading to a decrease in reported value on our financial statements. Recognizing and addressing impairment in a timely and effective manner is essential. Regular assessments and impairment tests are necessary to identify potential impairments and determine the recoverable amount of these assets.
Income Tax Expense/(Benefit)
Income tax expense/(benefit) consists primarily of income taxes in certain foreign and state jurisdictions in which we conduct business. We maintain a full valuation allowance against our U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions’ deferred tax assets because we have concluded that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
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Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022
For the Year ended March 31, |
Change Amount | % | ||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 13,560,498 | $ | 9,988,728 | $ | 3,571,770 | 36 | % | ||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization (which are shown separately)) |
5,413,686 | 4,806,018 | 607,668 | 13 | % | |||||||||||
Sales and marketing |
10,736,173 | 7,123,074 | 3,613,099 | 51 | % | |||||||||||
Research and development |
2,670,333 | 1,307,209 | 1,363,124 | 104 | % | |||||||||||
General and administrative |
4,648,242 | 1,621,180 | 3,027,062 | 187 | % | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,624,208 | 1,370,143 | 254,065 | 19 | % | |||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
25,092,642 | 16,227,624 | 8,865,018 | 55 | % | |||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Loss from operations |
(11,532,144 | ) | (6,238,896 | ) | (5,293,248 | ) | 85 | % | ||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Interest income/(expense) |
(776,023 | ) | (44,929 | ) | (731,094 | ) | 1627 | % | ||||||||
Fair value gains/(losses) in financial instruments carried at fair value |
(1,009,374 | ) | (3,392,971 | ) | 2,383,597 | -70 | % | |||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles with definite life |
(919,517 | ) | — | — | 100 | % | ||||||||||
Other income/(expense) net |
(6,358 | ) | (104,825 | ) | 98,467 | -94 | % | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Loss before income tax expense |
(14,243,416 | ) | (9,781,621 | ) | (4,461,795 | ) | 46 | % | ||||||||
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|
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|
|
|||||||||
Less: Income tax (benefit)/expense |
(42,265 | ) | 24,957 | (67,222 | ) | -269 | % | |||||||||
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|
|||||||||
Net Loss |
(14,201,151 | ) | (9,806,578 | ) | (4,394,573 | ) | 45 | % | ||||||||
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Revenue
Revenue increased by $3.5 million, or 36%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to the increased insurance distribution income.
Revenue from brokerage commissions and fees increased by $2.17 million, or 31%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to increased penetration of our brokerage business. Roadzen sold 258,546 policies for a total GWP of approximately $38.01 million for the year ended March 31, 2023 as compared to 154,013 policies for a total GWP of approximately $27 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. There are no trends associated with the Coverzen Entities that Roadzen believes are likely to impact future earnings.
Revenue from sales of our IaaS platform increased by $1.4 million, or 47%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to new client contracts and increased penetration of the existing clients. Roadzen had 42 customers on its platform as of March 31, 2023 compared to 38 customers on its platform as of March 31, 2022.
Cost of Services
Cost of services increased by $0.6 million, or 13%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022, even though the revenue increased by 36% primarily due to addition of new clients in the IaaS platform with better margins.
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Research and development
Research and development expense increased by $1.3 million, or 104%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs, as we hired more employees to continue the innovation and enhancement of our IaaS platform.
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing expense increased by $3.6 million, or 51%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to a $1.5 million or 14% increase in marketing expenses resulting from new businesses during the year ended March 31, 2023 and as we expanded our advertising efforts. Further, the increase is attributable to the fact that sales and marketing expenses related to the operations of the Coverzen Entities (which were acquired between June and October of 2021) were only consolidated for a period of six to ten months ended March 31, 2022, while the Coverzen Entities were fully consolidated for the year ended March 31, 2023. The Coverzen Entities contributed 84.4% of our sales and marketing costs, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to 97% for the year ended March 31, 2022.
General and administrative
General and administrative expense increased by $3 million, or 187%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to a $2.88 million increase in Legal and Professional costs related to the acquisition of NAC and GIM and transaction costs related to the Business Combination.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased by $0.25 million, or 19%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2021, primarily due to an increase in tangible and intangible assets.
Interest Income (Expense)
Interest expense increased by $0.7 million primarily due to an increase in borrowings from banks and related parties and the issuance of non-convertible debentures.
Fair Value Changes in Financial Instruments Carried at Fair Value
We reported a decrease of $2.4 million, or 70%, in fair value changes of financial instruments carried at fair value for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022. This was primarily due to the fact that a significant amount of our preferred share warrants and convertible notes were converted during the year ended March 31, 2022.
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles with definite life
During the fourth quarter of the year ended March 31, 2023, the Company shifted its focus more to insurance distribution services rather than engaging in insurance support services. As a result, the Company performed a goodwill impairment assessment by comparing the fair value of the affected entities to its carrying value. The carrying value of the affected entities exceeded its fair value and, as a result, a goodwill and customer contract impairment charge of $0.9 million was recorded in the Statement of Operations.
Income Tax Expense/(Benefit)
Income tax expense decreased by $0.067 million, or 269%, for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to the year ended March 31, 2022.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes the impact of finance costs, taxes and depreciation and amortization from reported net profit or loss. Adjusted EBITDA aids investors by providing an operating profit/ loss without the impact of non-cash depreciation and amortization to help clarify sustainability and trends affecting the business. For comparability of reporting, management considers non-GAAP measures in conjunction with GAAP financial results in evaluating business performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
The following table reconciles our net loss reported in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA:
For the year ended March 31, 2023 |
For the year ended March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Net loss |
(14,201,151 | ) | (9,806,578 | ) | ||||
Adjusted for: |
||||||||
Other (income)/expense |
6,358 | 104,825 | ||||||
Interest expense |
776,023 | 44,929 | ||||||
Fair value changes in financial instruments carried at fair value(1) |
1,009,374 | 3,392,971 | ||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles |
919,517 | — | ||||||
Tax (benefit)/expense |
(42,265 | ) | 24,957 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,624,208 | 1,370,143 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
(9,907,936 | ) | (4,868,753 | ) |
(1) | Fair value changes in financial instruments are considered to be financing costs as they relate to convertible notes and liability-classified preferred stock warrants previously issued in financing transactions. These changes are non-cash as the Company does not have an unconditional obligation to settle the convertible notes and preferred stock warrants in cash. These changes in fair value are affected by the Company’s own share price as these are settleable/convertible into the Company’s preferred stock. |
Limitations and Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for financial information presented under GAAP. There are a number of limitations related to the use of non-GAAP financial measures versus comparable financial measures determined under GAAP. For example, other companies in our industry may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance. These limitations could reduce the usefulness of these non-GAAP financial measures as analytical tools. Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and to not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our founding, we have financed our operations primarily through the issue of convertible instruments and payments received from our customers. As of March 31, 2023, we have raised an aggregate of $25.43 million, net of issuance costs, through sales of convertible preferred stock and convertible debt. As of March 31, 2023, we have also raised $8.4 million through non-convertible debt financing. We have generated significant operating losses from our operations as reflected in our accumulated deficit of $(51.14) million and $(37.18) million as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We expect to continue to incur operating losses and generate negative cash flows from operations for the foreseeable future due to the investments we intend to make in our business, and as a result, we may require additional capital resources to execute on our strategic initiatives to grow our business.
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As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents of $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash on deposit with banks as well as highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three (3) months or less, when purchased.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, our growth, our ability to attract and retain customers, the continued market acceptance of our solutions, the timing and extent of spending to support our efforts to develop our platform, and the expansion of sales and marketing activities. Further, we may in the future enter into arrangements to acquire or invest in businesses, products, services, and technologies. We may be required to seek additional equity or debt financing. In the event that additional financing is required, we may not be able to raise it on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital when desired, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Cash Flows
The following table shows a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented:
Year Ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
$ | (7,546,704 | ) | $ | (4,066,053 | ) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(841,359 | ) | (1,152,601 | ) | ||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
8,360,723 | 851,936 |
Operating Activities
Our largest source of cash provided by operations is payments received from our customers.
Our primary uses of cash from operating activities include employee-related expenses, sales and marketing expenses, third-party cloud infrastructure expenses, and other overhead costs.
Cash used in operating activities was $(7.5) million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $(4.0) million for the year ended March 31, 2022. This consisted of a net loss of $(14.2) million and net cash inflows of $3.2 million provided by changes in our operating assets and liabilities, and partially assisted by non-cash charge add-backs of $3.4 million. The non-cash charges were primarily comprised of depreciation and amortization of $1.6 million, loss on fair valuation of our convertible financial instruments of $1 million and loss due to impairment of intangibles of $0.9 million.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $0.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $1.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in purchase of property and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill.
Financing Activities
We have generated negative cash flows from operations since inception and have supplemented working capital through net proceeds from the sale of convertible debt and preferred equity securities.
Cash provided by financing activities was $8.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, which primarily consisted of $7.9 million (net of repayments) as loans from banks and other parties.
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Cash provided by financing activities was $0.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2022, which primarily consisted of $0.5 million in proceeds from the exercise of preferred share warrants.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2023:
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Less Than 1 year |
1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | After | ||||||||||||||||
Debt(1) |
$ | 8,381,598 | $ | 7,728,329 | $ | 653,269 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
Operating Leases(2) |
769,930 | 224,770 | 311,887 | 176,960 | 56,313 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred Revenue |
108,442 | 108,442 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
6,241,066 | 6,241,066 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total |
$ | 15,501,036 | $ | 14,302,607 | $ | 965,156 | $ | 176,960 | $ | 56,313 | ||||||||||
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(1) | The amount of debt represents carrying amount of borrowings (excluding interest) which the Company is obligated to repay in cash. |
(2) | The Company leases office space under non-cancelable operating lease agreements, which expire on various dates through September 2028. The operating lease includes $200,928 of imputed interest due to the implementation of ASC-842. |
Description of Indebtedness
As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
Long Term Borrowings |
||||||||
Convertible notes |
$ | — | $ | 23,032,002 | ||||
Debentures |
3,198,569 | — | ||||||
Loans from banks |
307,228 | 159,951 | ||||||
Less: current portion of long-term borrowings |
(2,852,528 | ) | (63,983 | ) | ||||
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|
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Total |
$ | 653,269 | $ | 23,127,970 | ||||
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Convertible Note
As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2023 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
Convertible notes (carrying values) |
||||||||
Convertible Note 2019 |
$ | — | $ | 5,379,110 | ||||
Convertible Note 2020 |
$ | — | $ | 17,652,892 | ||||
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Total |
$ | — | $ | 23,032,002 | ||||
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The Company issued convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) to various creditors in 2019 and 2020. Upon maturity, the Company has the option to either repay the principal of each Note together with accrued interest at a rate of 12% per annum or convert the outstanding principal amount of each Note and accrued interest at the rate of 8% per annum into a number of shares of Roadzen preferred stock determined by dividing the loan amount by the Capped Conversion Price, as per the terms of each Note. The Company expects the Notes to be converted into Roadzen preferred stock prior to the closing of the merger.
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Debentures
One of our material subsidiaries issued debentures with an aggregate principal amount of $3.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2023 with varying maturity dates between January 2024 and July 2024 and interest rates ranging from 19.25% to 20.00% per annum.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, including entities sometimes referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, that were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks in connection with our business, which primarily relate to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange risks.
Interest Rate Risk
Cash and loans
As of March 31, 2023, we had $1.13 million of cash and cash equivalents, including $0.5 million of non-current restricted cash, and $8.4 million of repayable debt in the form of loans from banks and other parties. Our cash and cash equivalents and loans are held for working capital purposes. As of March 31, 2023, we do not believe a hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in interest rates during any of the periods presented would have had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Convertible Notes
As of March 31, 2023, we have no convertible notes outstanding.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Transaction Exposure
Our results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. All our revenue is generated in local currencies. Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies of the jurisdictions in which we conduct our operations, which are primarily in India and the U.S. Our results of operations and cash flows are, therefore, subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be adversely affected in the future due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The effect of a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates applicable to our business would not have a material impact on our historical consolidated financial statements. To date, we have not engaged in any hedging strategies. As our international operations grow, we will continue to reassess our approach to manage our risk relating to fluctuations in currency rates.
Translation Exposure
We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we translate the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the translating adjustments resulting from the conversion of our foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars would result in a gain or loss recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss which is part of stockholders’ equity.
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Price Risk
We have invested in common stock of two private companies, Moonshot — Internet SAS and Daokang (Beijing) Data Science Company Ltd, which were accounted for under the measurement alternative. These investments are considered as long-term, strategic investments. Valuations of our equity investments in private companies are inherently more complex due to the lack of readily available market data. Volatility in the global economic climate and financial markets could result in a significant impairment charge relating to our non-marketable equity securities. Further, observable transactions at lower valuations could result in significant losses on our non-marketable equity securities.
Recent Developments
Acquisition of Global Insurance Management
On June 8, 2022, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement (the “GIM Purchase Agreement”) with AXA Partners Holding S.A. (“AXA”), pursuant to which the Company will acquire Global Insurance Management Limited, a company incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 01394929, whose registered office is at 7th floor, Eaton House, Eaton Road, Station Square, Coventry, CV21 2FJ (“Global Insurance Management”) from AXA for a total purchase price of GBP 5 million (five million pounds, or approximately $6.29 million based on an exchange rate of GBP 1.00 = US $1.2587 as of June 8, 2022), subject to adjustment as set forth in the GIM Purchase Agreement. The acquisition of GIM closed on June 30, 2023.
Global Insurance Management is a leading specialist MGA platform providing auto insurance, extended warranties, and claims management to insurers, car dealers, car companies, and fleets. Global Insurance Management delivers services to customers globally through its contracts and a strategic partnership with AXA, leveraging its MGA licenses in the UK market and using third party licenses for others. Global Insurance Management is headquartered in Coventry, U.K. Roadzen and AXA plan to continue the global strategic partnership post acquisition of Global Insurance Management.
GIM provides brokerage services to insurance companies, where it acts as a delegated authority of the insurance company to sell the insurer’s policies using its brokerage platform as well as to adjudicate and pay claims. GIM collects a percentage commission and an administrative fee of the GWP from the insurer/re-insurer during this process. GIM’s specialty insurance contracts typically have an average term of five (5) years. During the last two (2) fiscal years, GIM has generated most of its revenue from MGA fees and commissions.
Acquisition of National Automobile Club
On August 5, 2022, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “NAC Purchase Agreement”) with National Automobile Club, a California corporation (“NAC”), and National Automobile Club Employee Stock Ownership Trust, pursuant to which the Company will acquire National Automobile Club from National Automobile Club Employee Stock Ownership Trust for a total purchase price of $1,750,000, subject to adjustment as set forth in the NAC Purchase Agreement. The acquisition of National Automobile Club closed on June 6, 2023.
NAC is a licensed auto club in California and a provider of claims management and 24/7 commercial roadside assistance in the U.S. NAC is focused on the commercial automotive industry and its network comprises of over 75,000 professional service providers, providing tow, transport and FNOL services. National Automobile Club’s customers include government enterprises, commercial fleets and insurers. NAC is headquartered in Burlingame, California.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We believe that certain accounting policies involve a high degree of judgment and complexity. The application of accounting policies and preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with
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GAAP require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in those financial statements and accompanying notes. Although we believe that the estimates we use are reasonable, due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, actual results reported in future periods could differ from those estimates. The critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgments that we believe have the most significant impact on our consolidated financial statements are described in our consolidated financial statements. These estimates involve estimating allowance for accounts receivable, fair values of financial instruments, measurement of defined benefit obligations, impairment of non-financial assets, useful lives of property plant and equipment and intangible assets, income taxes, certain deferred tax assets and tax liabilities, and other contingent liabilities. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/ prospectus for a description of our significant accounting policies involving these estimates and judgments.
JOBS Act
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. We intend to rely on certain reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As an emerging growth company, we are not required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which would otherwise be required beginning with our second annual report on Form 20-F, or 10-K, or (ii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (“Auditor Discussion and Analysis,” as generally required in quarterly and annual filings).
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT OF NEW ROADZEN
The following table sets forth information regarding (i) unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, the actual beneficial ownership of Vahanna ordinary shares as of June 15, 2023 (the “Ownership Date”), which is prior to the consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (“pre-business combination”) and (ii) expected beneficial ownership of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (“post-business combination”), assuming that (x) no Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed and (y) 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed, by:
• | each person who is, or is expected to be, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares or of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares; |
• | each of our current executive officers and directors; |
• | each person who will (or is expected to) become an executive officer or director of New Roadzen following the consummation of the merger; and |
• | all executive officers and directors of Vahanna as a group pre-business combination and all executive officers and directors of New Roadzen post-business combination. |
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within sixty (60) days.
The beneficial ownership of Vahanna ordinary shares pre-business combination is based on 25,012,500 outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares (including 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares) issued and outstanding as of the Ownership Date. The ownership percentages listed below do not include any such Class A Ordinary Shares that may be purchased after the Ownership Date.
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See “Basis of Presentation and Glossary” for information with respect to assumptions underlying New Roadzen share calculations and ownership percentages under each of the No Redemption Scenario and Maximum Redemption Scenario.
After the Merger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Before the Merger | No Redemption | Max Redemption | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
Class A Ordinary Shares |
% | Class B Ordinary Shares |
% | New Roadzen Ordinary Shares |
% | New Roadzen Ordinary Shares |
% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers of Vahanna |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Karan Puri |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Raahim Don |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saurav Adhikari |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ajay Shah(2) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 478,248 | * | % | 478,248 | * | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Diane B. Glossman |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rangarajan Sundaram |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Abha Kumar |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
All Directors and Executive Officers of Vahanna as a Group (7 Individuals) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 478,248 | * | % | 478,248 | * | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers of New Roadzen After Consummation of the Merger:(3) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rohan Malhotra(4) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 18,021,923 | 21.6 | % | 18,021,923 | 28.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mohit Pasricha |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ankur Kamboj |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saurav Adhikari |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Steven Carlson |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Xavier Blanchard |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ajay Shah(2) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 478,248 | * | % | 478,248 | * | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Supurna VedBrat |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Zoe Ashcroft |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Diane B. Glossman |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All Directors and Executive Officers of New Roadzen as a Group (10 Individuals) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 18,500,171 | 22.2 | % | 18,500,171 | 29.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Five Percent Holders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vahanna LLC(5) |
— | 0.0 | % | 4,852,500 | 97.0 | % | 4,852,500 | 5.8 | % | 4,852,500 | 7.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Highbridge Capital Management, LLC(10) |
1,900,950 | 9.5 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 1,900,950 | 2.3 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saba Capital Management, L.P.(7) |
1,850,000 | 9.3 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 1,850,000 | 2.2 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Calamos Market Neutral Income Fund, a series of Calamos Investment Trust(8) |
1,250,000 | 6.2 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 1,250,000 | 1.5 | % | — | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Avacara PTE, Ltd.(4) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 17,247,111 | 20.7 | % | 17,247,111 | 27.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Naveen Arya(9) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 5,509,775 | 6.6 | % | 5,509,775 | 8.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
WI Harper Fund VIII LP(10) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 6,545,253 | 7.8 | % | 6,545,253 | 10.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Element Ventures LP(11) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 7,791,497 | 9.3 | % | 7,791,497 | 12.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
EVP I LP(12) |
— | 0.0 | % | — | 0.0 | % | 5,262,612 | 6.3 | % | 5,262,612 | 8.3 | % |
* | Less than one (1) percent. |
(1) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each such person is c/o Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10020. |
(2) | Represents 17,360 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of Roadzen, which Vahanna expects will represent the right to receive 478,248 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with the merger. Securities are held by Krishnan-Shah Family Partners LP. Ajay B. Shah & Lata K. Shah 1996 Trust LP is the general partner of Krishnan-Shah Family Partners LP (the “General Partner”). Mr. Shah and his wife, Mrs. Lata K. Shah are the trustees of the General Partner of the General Partner and have voting and dispositive control over the securities held by Krishnan-Shah Family Partners LP. |
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Accordingly, Mr. Shah and Mrs. Shah may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by Krishnan-Shah Family Partners LP. The business address of each of Krishnan-Shah Family Partners LP, the General Partner Mr. Shah and Mrs. Shah is 27241 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022. |
(3) | Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the executive officers and directors of New Roadzen is c/o Cogency Global Inc., 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19904. |
(4) | Rohan Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer of Roadzen, is the majority shareholder of Avacara PTE Ltd, a Singapore corporation with offices located at 14 Robinson Road, #12-01/02, Far East Finance Building, Singapore, 048545, and as such may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares held directly by Avacara. Mr. Malhotra disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares held by Avacara, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
(5) | Vinode Ramgopal and Akshaya Bhargava are the managers of the Sponsor, and as such may be deemed to have shared beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares held directly by the Sponsor. Each of Mr. Ramgopal and Mr. Bhargava disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Sponsor, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. This does not give effect to the (a) 8,638,500 Class A Ordinary Shares underlying the 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants that are held by the Sponsor and (b) up to 750,000 Class A Ordinary Shares underlying Conversion Warrants (assuming that Vahanna borrows the full $1.5 million available under the Convertible Note). Assuming the exercise of all Private Placement Warrants and Conversion Warrants held by the Sponsor (and all other sources of possible dilution, including, for example, the exercise of Public Warrants and consummation of the potential PIPE Investment), the Sponsor’s beneficial ownership interest in New Roadzen would be approximately 12.0% under the No Redemption scenario and 14.5% under the Max Redemption scenario. For more information regarding potential sources of dilution and the effects on post-closing ownership of New Roadzen, see the section titled “Summary — Ownership of New Roadzen.” |
(6) | According to a Schedule 13G/A filed on January 31, 2023, on behalf of Highbridge Capital Management, LLC, the aforementioned entity has beneficial ownership of the securities reported above and the business address of such entity is 277 Park Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10172. |
(7) | According to a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2023, on behalf of Saba Capital Management, L.P., Saba Capital Management GP, LLC and Boaz R. Weinstein, the aforementioned persons have beneficial ownership of the securities reported above and the business address of each such person is 405 Lexington Avenue, 58th Floor, New York, NY 10174. |
(8) | According to a Schedule 13G filed on February 8, 2022, on behalf of Calamos Market Neutral Income Fund, a series of Calamos Investment Trust, the aforementioned entity has beneficial ownership of the securities reported above and the business address of each such person is 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, IL 60563. |
(9) | Mr. Arya has beneficial ownership of the securities reported above and the address of Mr. Arya is 3 Avenue Gulmohar Western Greens Farms, Rajokari, New Delhi, India 110038. |
(10) | The address of WI Harper Fund VIII LP is 50 California Street, Suite 2580, San Francisco, CA 94111. Mr. Pete Yeau-Hwan Liu, as the General Partner of the General Partner of WI Harper Fund VIII LP, has beneficial ownership of the securities reported above. |
(11) | The business address of Element Ventures LP is First Floor, 80 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5RJ. Mr. Michael Barrett McFadgen and Mr. Stephen Gibson each have beneficial ownership of the securities reported above. |
(12) | The address of EVP I LP is North Suite 2, Town Mills, Rue Du Pre, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1, 1LT . Messrs. Samuel Evans, Jon Young and Andrew Whittaker are the directors of the general partner of EVP I LP, and as such may be deemed to have shared beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares held directly by EVP I LP. Each of Messrs. Evans, Young and Whittaker disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares held by EVP I LP, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
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MANAGEMENT OF NEW ROADZEN AFTER THE MERGER
References in this section to “we,” “our,” “us,” “Roadzen” and the “Company” generally refer to Roadzen, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the merger and New Roadzen and its consolidated subsidiaries after giving effect to the merger.
Management and Board of Directors
Vahanna and Roadzen anticipate that the current executive officers and directors of Roadzen will become the executive officers and directors of New Roadzen. The following persons are expected to serve as New Roadzen’s executive officers and directors following the merger. For biographical information concerning the executive officers and directors, see below.
Name |
Age | Position | ||||
Rohan Malhotra |
37 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||
Mohit Pasricha |
32 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Ankur Kamboj |
42 | Chief Operating Officer | ||||
Xavier Blanchard |
56 | Global Head of Strategy and Insurance | ||||
Saurav Adhikari |
64 | Director | ||||
Steven Carlson |
63 | Chairman and Director | ||||
Ajay Shah |
63 | Director | ||||
Supurna VedBrat |
47 | Director | ||||
Zoe Ashcroft |
57 | Director | ||||
Diane B. Glossman |
67 | Director |
Executive Officers
Rohan Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer, will serve as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of New Roadzen upon closing of the merger. Mr. Malhotra founded Roadzen in 2015 and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since its inception. Previously, Mr. Malhotra served as the Chief Executive Officer of Avacara Global Solutions, an enterprise software and data analytics company that provided product development services to Fortune 500 companies, from June 2011 to July 2014. Mr. Malhotra holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from NSIT, Delhi University, India and a master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University where he studied robotics, AI and control systems. Mr. Malhotra, as the founder of Roadzen, has years of experience operating Roadzen and is committed to its continued growth, making him a qualified to serve as a director.
Mohit Pasricha, Chief Financial Officer, will serve as the Chief Financial Officer of New Roadzen upon closing of the business combination. Mr. Pasricha has served as the Vice President, Finance of Roadzen since March 2020. Mr. Pasricha previously served as a manager of Roadzen’s Global Accounts from July 2016 to October 2021. Prior to Roadzen, Mr. Pasricha served as an Audit Manager for S. Bahl & Co. from August 2014 to May 2016. Additionally, Mr. Pasricha has served as a member of the board of directors of Roadzen Technologies Pvt Ltd and Roadzen Assistance India Pvt Ltd since 2019, of AAA Plus Risk Management Pvt Ltd since 2021, and of Nervanik AI Labs Pvt Ltd since 2020. Mr. Pasricha received his received his bachelor’s of commerce degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi.
Ankur Kamboj, Chief Operating Officer, will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of New Roadzen upon closing of the merger. Ankur has served as Chief Operating Officer of Roadzen since April 2017. Prior to Roadzen, Ankur served as the Head of Network at AXA Assistance — India, where he was responsible for building the assistance network from June 2014 to July 2015. Additionally, Ankur held prior roles with Mahindra First Choice Services Ltd. (Regional Manager), from January 2013 to June 2014, as well as Carnation Auto (Business Development), from December 2011 to January 2013. While at Carnation, Ankur was responsible for the expansion of Carnation’s multi-brand auto repair centers. Ankur also served in marketing
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roles with Samsung, from August 2010 to December 2011, Citi, from August 2007 to July 2010, and Nestle, from May 2003 to August 2007. While at Citi, Ankur led digital marketing for customer acquisition and oversaw new customer onboarding. Ankur holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Punjab University and a post graduate diploma in management from Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University (ICFAI).
Xavier Blanchard, Global Head of Strategy and Insurance, will serve as the Global Head of Strategy and Insurance of New Roadzen upon closing of the merger. Mr. Blanchard brings extensive insurance industry experience, having held numerous leadership position across key international market, including France, the UK, Japan, and South East Asia, for AXA Group. Mr. Blanchard served as Global Head of Savings of AXA from October 2007 to February 2011, Regional Chief Marketing Officer from February 2011 to March 2013, CEO – Asia Region from March 2013 to July 2017 and AXA Travel Insurance CEO and Global Head of Specialized Insurance from July 2017 to July 2022. Additionally, Mr. Blanchard served as a member of the board of directors of AXA Travel Insurance from July 2017 to July 2022, of IPA Dublin and AXA Travel Insurance Ireland from July 2017 to March 2022, and of GMIL from March 2019 to July 2022. Xavier Blanchard holds a master’s degree from EM Lyon.
Non-Employee Director Nominees
Saurav Adhikari is a senior global business leader with approximately four decades of deep domain expertise in global businesses, across technology, fast-moving consumer goods (“FMCG”), and consumer durables sectors in global markets. During the last two decades, he has served in the technology sector with HCL, a global technology solutions provider. He has served as the founding President of HCL’s startup corporate networking firm, has led a team as President of HCL’s BPO North America business that established a multi-hundred million dollar IT enabled services business, and has worked on several multi- hundred million dollar inorganic investments in technology and software, including the acquisition of Actian (transaction value US $330 million), carve-outs of multiple IBM product suites, a joint venture between HCL and CSC, and an acquisition of 51% ownership in BPO and Software joint venture DSL Software in India. This helped HCL pivot to a leading intellectual property led solutions company. He has built deep relationships in global private equity and venture capital firms, while creating large, successful, value-based partnerships between HCL and private equity owned technology and technology-enabled businesses, which are considered groundbreaking in the industry. At HCL, he held various executive positions from 2009 to 2019, the last being President, Corporate Strategy, working directly with the Founder & Chairman with oversight across the group’s business, as well as the not-for-profit Shiv Nadar Foundation.
Mr. Adhikari has been a board member of Goodricke Group Ltd, an owner-operator of tea farms across India and publicly traded on the NSE of India and the BSE since 2019, Accelya Solutions India Ltd., a technology solutions provider to the air transport industry and publicly traded on the NSE and BSE since 2022, and Bridgeweave Ltd, UK, an AI-based financial technology (“fintech”) company since 2021. He works as a technology advisor and investor with interests across AI-based fintech and healthcare firms, as well as analytics, IoT and logistics firms. He also serves as a Senior Advisor to the Shiv Nadar Foundation’s not-for-profit institutions and is a board member of Shiv Nadar University, India. His prior experience also includes several global senior leadership and executive roles across Unilever, PepsiCo and Groupe SEB. Mr. Adhikari received his MBA from Bombay University, his Bachelor’s in Arts (Honors) in Economics from Delhi University, India, and his AMP from INSEAD Fontainebleau, France.
Mr. Adhikari has served as Chairman of Vahanna from June 2021 and will continue to serve as Chairman until the closing of the business combination. Mr. Adhikari is qualified to serve as a director because of his decades of experience operating and growing companies in the technology sector and valuable network formed during his professional career.
Steve Carlson will serve as the chairman and a director of New Roadzen upon closing of the business combination. Mr. Carlson has served as one of the independent directors of Quantum Fintech Acquisition Corp.
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since February 2021. Since 2016, Mr. Carlson has served as Co-Chairman of Magellan Global, a financial services holding company which owns Marco Polo Exchange (which owns Marco Polo Securities Inc., a distribution platform enabling foreign financial services firms to market their products in the United States and other select jurisdictions worldwide) for which he serves as Chairman. He also currently serves as the Managing Partner of Pi Capital International LLC and several other early stage firms. Pi Capital, a global advisory firm headquartered in New York City, provides capital raising, M&A advisory, and general corporate advisory services. Securities are offered through an affiliate, Marco Polo Securities, Inc. Marco Polo Securities, Inc. is a distribution platform enabling foreign financial services firms to market their products in the United States and other select jurisdictions worldwide. Before founding Pi Capital, Mr. Carlson was President and Head of Investment Banking at INTL FCStone Financial Inc. (“INTL”) from 2010 to 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Carlson was the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Provident Group, a boutique investment banking firm providing capital raising, M&A and other corporate finance advisory services to firms globally. Provident Group was acquired by INTL in 2010. Prior to forming Provident in December 1998, Mr. Carlson was a Managing Director at Lehman Brothers holding various senior positions at the firm. Mr. Carlson began his career at Fannie Mae. Mr. Carlson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Maryland and obtained a master’s degree in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. We believe Mr. Carlson is well qualified to serve as a director due to his 30 years of experience in the financial services industry in various leadership positions, as well as his investment banking and entrepreneurial experience, having founded and managed several businesses.
Ajay Shah will serve as a director of New Roadzen upon closing of the business combination. Mr. Shah has served as a director of Vahanna since November 2021. Mr. Shah previously was a managing partner at Silver Lake, a global private equity investment firm from 2007 to 2021, and was the co-founder and Managing Partner of the firm’s middle market growth fund, Silver Lake Sumeru. Mr. Shah served as Chairman of the board of SMART Global Holdings (“SGH”), a publicly-held Silver Lake portfolio company that he co-founded in 1989, and served as a board member from 2011 to 2022. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SGH from February 1989 to December 2000 and then again from May 2018 to September 2020. He also previously served as the CEO of Maui Greens, Inc., an early-stage agriculture technology company, from February 2021 to February 2022. He also currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of private technology companies including Maui Greens, Inc., Mercury Healthcare (f/k/a Healthgrades) and Vast Data. Mr. Shah previously served on the boards of many public and private technology companies including Magellan Navigation, Inc., AVI-SPL, Inc., CMAC MicroTechnology, Flex, Ingenient Technologies Inc., Power-One, Inc., PulseCore Semiconductor, Spansion Inc. and others. In the not-for-profit sector, he serves on the board of the National Audubon Society and the governing board of the Indian School of Business (ISB).
Mr. Shah has a B.S. in Engineering from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India and an M.S. degree in Engineering Management from Stanford University.
We believe Mr. Shah is well qualified to serve as a director due to his experience serving on public company boards as well as prior senior management roles in the technology space.
Supurna VedBrat will serve as a director of New Roadzen upon closing of the business combination. Ms. VedBrat served as Head of Global Trading at BlackRock from July 2011 to February 2023 and oversaw the company’s trading function across asset classes and regions. At BlackRock, she was responsible for driving innovation and setting the trading platform’s strategic vision focused on growth and sustainable scalable trading solutions. Ms. VedBrat also served as a member of the Global Operating Committee and the Investment Subcommittee at BlackRock. Additionally, Ms. VedBrat served as the president of Strategic Solutions Consulting from January 2009 to July 2011 and as a fixed income strategy, distressed debt analyst at Bank of America from March 2004 to January 2009.
Ms. VedBrat’s professional career spans over 25 years in both the U.S. and Europe, and within the financial and the technology industries. She held various positions at Bank of America, ING Barings in London and Lehman
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Brothers in New York. She started her career as a software engineer with IBM at its research center. Ms. VedBrat is passionate about giving back to the financial community by contributing through mentorship and by serving on the Board of Women in Derivatives (WIND), a non-profit with a mission to advance women in the workforce.
Ms. VedBrat has a Computer Science degree from Rutgers University and a Mathematics (Hons) degree from Delhi University, India.
We believe Ms. VedBrat is well qualified to serve as a director because of her business acumen across markets, expertise in the financial and technology industries, and leadership skills.
Zoë Ashcroft will serve as a director of New Roadzen upon closing of the business combination. She has over thirty years’ experience as a corporate and finance lawyer, advising clients on complex cross-border transactions including mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and joint ventures, investments, private placements and financings. Ms. Ashcroft co-founded the London office of global law firm Winston & Strawn LLP (“Winston”) in 2003 and served as the head of the U.K. corporate team until 2023. She was also an elected member of Winston’s global executive committee from 2015 to 2018 and led the firm’s Womens’ Leadership Initiative in London. Before joining Winston, she was an associate attorney and a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP from 1994 to 2003, where she was the head of the U.K. corporate team for many years. Ms. Ashcroft currently serves as a director and non-executive chair of Carbon Pesa Limited, a start-up fintech company in the renewable energy industry, with operations in Kenya. She has been noted in several editions of annual U.K. legal directories such as the Legal 500 U.K. and Chambers U.K. for her expertise in international corporate and finance transactions.
Ms. Ashcroft also serves as a trustee on nonprofit organizations, such as Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Limited since 2003, which provides mentoring and internship opportunities across a number of sectors (including investment banking and corporate law) to help prepare talented students from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds for career success, and the British American Drama Academy, which helps actors and students around the world train with leading actors in the U.K. Additionally, since 2010, she has served as a trustee of The Climate Change Organization, a not for profit organization focusing on high-impact climate and energy initiatives with the world’s leading businesses and state and local governments, and was appointed as deputy chair in 2022.
Ms. Ashcroft has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Bristol, U.K. and is qualified as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales.
We believe Ms. Ashcroft is well qualified to serve as a director because of her deep experience in navigating sophisticated cross-border corporate transactions and her leadership skills.
Diane B. Glossman will serve as a director of New Roadzen upon closing of the business combination. She spent 25 years as a research analyst, retiring as a Managing Director and head of U.S. bank and brokerage research at UBS. Prior to UBS, Ms. Glossman was co-head of global bank research and head of Internet financial services research at Lehman Brothers. Prior to that, she was co-head of U.S. bank stock research at Salomon Brothers for nine years. Over her sell-side research career, she specialized in money center banks, trust banks and broker-dealers, covering all aspects of banking, fintech and financial services. She was a multiple-time member of Institutional Investor’s All-America Research Team. During her decade on the buy-side, she was responsible for coverage of all financials along with a variety of other industry sectors. She has served as a member of the board of directors of Barclays Bank Delaware since June 2016 and has chaired its Audit Committee since December 2018. She has also served as a member of the advisory board of Barclays US LLC since its inception in April 2015, and since the advisory board’s upgrade into the board of directors, as a member of the board of directors, as chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Governance Committee. In addition, since August 2014, she has served as a member of the board of directors, the chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee and a member of various committees of Live Oak Bancshares, a North Carolina-based bank with more than US$10 billion of assets as of March 2023, and assisted in its initial public offering.
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Ms. Glossman’s previous board experience includes serving on the board of directors or board of trustees of WMI Holding, FinServ Acquisition Corp., Ambac Assurance and QBE NA. In addition to her directorships, Ms. Glossman has also worked as an independent consultant with a number of banks in the U.S. and U.K. on projects relating to strategy, business execution, and investor communications. Ms. Glossman received a Bachelor of Science in finance and health care administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
We believe Ms. Glossman is well qualified to serve as a director because of her financial expertise, leadership experiences and wide network in the financial industry.
Composition of the New Roadzen Board of Directors After the Merger
When considering whether directors and director nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the New Roadzen board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of its business and structure, the New Roadzen board expects to focus primarily on each person’s background and experience as reflected in the information discussed in each of the directors’ individual biographies set forth above in order to provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the size and nature of its business.
The New Roadzen board will consist of seven (7) members upon the consummation of the merger, which includes Saurav Adhikari, the current chairman of Vahanna, and Rohan Malhotra, the chief executive officer of Roadzen. Each director shall be nominated for a one (1) year term to be elected at the subsequent annual meeting of the shareholders following the effectiveness of the Proposed Charter or the Proposed Delaware Charter. At each succeeding annual meeting of the shareholders of New Roadzen, beginning with the first annual meeting of the shareholders of New Roadzen following the effectiveness of the Proposed Charter or the Proposed Delaware Charter, each of the successors elected to replace the directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a one-year term or until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of our board of directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person who has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company). Upon completion of the merger, New Roadzen anticipates that the size of its board of directors will be seven (7) directors. New Roadzen has determined that each of Mr. Adhikari, Mr. Shah, Ms. VedBrat, Ms. Ashcroft and Ms. Glossman is an “independent director” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Officer and Director Compensation
Overview
The policies of New Roadzen with respect to the compensation of its executive officers and following the business combination will be administered by New Roadzen’s board in consultation with its compensation committee. The compensation decisions regarding New Roadzen’s executives will be based on New Roadzen’s need to retain those individuals who continue to perform at or above New Roadzen’s expectations and to attract individuals with the skills necessary for New Roadzen to achieve its business plan. New Roadzen’s intends to be competitive with other similarly situated companies in its industry following completion of the business combination.
It is anticipated that performance-based and equity-based compensation will be an important foundation in executive compensation packages. New Roadzen believes that performance-based and equity-based
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compensation can be an important component of the total executive compensation package for maximizing shareholder value while, at the same time, attracting, motivating and retaining high-quality executives.
New Roadzen’s executive officers will receive a combination of cash and equity compensation. New Roadzen’s compensation committee will be charged with performing an annual review of New Roadzen’s executive officers’ cash and equity compensation to determine whether they provide adequate incentives and motivation to executive officers and whether they adequately compensate the executive officers relative to comparable officers in other companies. In addition to the guidance provided by its nomination and compensation committee, New Roadzen may utilize the services of third parties from time to time in connection with the hiring and compensation awarded to executive employees. This could include subscriptions to executive compensation surveys and other databases or use of a third-party compensation consultant.
Since New Roadzen’s compensation committee will not be formed until the closing of the business combination, New Roadzen has not adopted any formal or informal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid out compensation, between cash and equity compensation, or among different forms of compensation.
Following the merger, non-employee directors of New Roadzen may receive varying levels of compensation for their services as directors and members of committees of New Roadzen’s board of directors. Should it be determined that non-employee directors be compensated, New Roadzen anticipates determining such compensation in accordance with industry practice and standards.
New Roadzen 2023 Incentive Plan
New Roadzen intends to adopt the New Roadzen 2023 Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), to be administered by the New Roadzen board. The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to give employees of New Roadzen (including executive and non-executive directors and officers) an opportunity to become shareholders of New Roadzen, and thereby to participate in its future long-term success and prosperity. The Incentive Plan is expected to reflect the following terms and provisions:
• | The total number of shares to be issued under the Incentive Plan shall initially not exceed ten percent of total issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares determined following the closing of the Business Combination (subject to annual increases pursuant to an evergreen provision as provided in the Incentive Plan). |
• | New Roadzen’s compensation committee shall review the Incentive Plan and shall make recommendations regarding the terms and conditions (including vesting) of each award, which may be based on (but is not limited to) the employment period or performance conditions or any combination thereof as determined by New Roadzen’s nomination and compensation committee. |
• | New Roadzen may set customary lock-up provision for the shares issued under the Incentive Plan as well as customary limitations imposed by its Insider Trading Policy. |
• | Forfeited shares, which are subject to awards, shall again be available for future grants under the Incentive Plan. |
• | Awards granted under the Incentive Plan may be subject to participants entering into customary non-compete and non-solicit agreements with New Roadzen if determined by New Roadzen’s nomination and compensation committee and on the terms set by it. |
Please see “Proposal No. 8 — The Incentive Plan Proposal” for further information.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, New Roadzen’s board of directors will have two standing committees: an audit committee and a compensation
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committee. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq and Rule 10A under the Exchange Act require that the audit committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. Subject to phase-in rules and a limited exception, the rules of Nasdaq require that the compensation committee of a listed company be comprised solely of independent directors. The charter of each committee will be available on New Roadzen’s website.
Audit Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, we will establish an audit committee of the board of directors. Ms. Glossman, Ms. VedBrat and Mr. Adhikari will serve as members of our audit committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least three members of the audit committee, all of whom must be independent, subject to the exception described below. Ms. Glossman, Ms. VedBrat and Mr. Adhikari are independent. Because we expect to list New Roadzen’s securities on Nasdaq, we have one (1) year from the date of initial listing to have our audit committee be comprised solely of independent members.
Ms. Glossman will serve as chair of the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee meets the financial literacy requirements of Nasdaq listing standards and our board of directors has determined that Ms. Glossman is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
The purpose of the audit committee will be to prepare the audit committee report required by the SEC to be included in our proxy statement and to assist our board of directors in overseeing and monitoring (i) the quality and integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) our independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications and independence, (iv) the performance of our internal audit function and (v) the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm.
Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for the audit committee, which will be available on our website upon the effectiveness of the registration statement.
Compensation Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, we will establish a compensation committee of the board of directors. [●] will serve as members of our compensation committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two (2) members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent. [●] and [●] are independent. [●] will serve as chair of the compensation committee.
The purpose of the compensation committee is to assist our board of directors in discharging its responsibilities relating to (i) setting our compensation program and compensation of our executive officers and directors, (ii) monitoring our incentive and equity-based compensation plans and (iii) preparing the compensation committee report required to be included in our proxy statement under the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for the compensation committee, which will be available on our website upon the effectiveness of the registration statement. The charter will also provide that the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser and will be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any such adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel or any other adviser, the compensation committee will consider the independence of each such adviser, including the factors required by the Nasdaq and the SEC.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, we will establish a nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors. [●] will serve as
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members of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Under the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules, we are required to have at least two (2) members of the nominating and corporate governance committee, all of whom must be independent. [●] and [●] are independent. [●] will serve as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our board of directors. The nominating and corporate governance committee considers persons identified by its members, management, stockholders, investment bankers and others.
Our board of directors will adopt a written charter for the nominating and corporate governance committee, which will be available on our website upon the effectiveness of the registration statement. The guidelines for selecting nominees, which will be specified in the nominating and corporate governance committee charter, will generally provide that persons to be nominated:
• | should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service; |
• | should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the board of directors and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and |
• | should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the stockholders. |
The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the board of directors. The nominating and corporate governance committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The nominating and corporate governance committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons.
We have not formally established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. In general, in identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the New Roadzen board considers educational background, diversity of professional experience, knowledge of our business, integrity, professional reputation, independence, wisdom, and the ability to represent the best interests of our shareholders.
Code of Business Conduct
We will adopt a new code of business conduct (the “code of business conduct”) that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief revenue officer and chief operating officer, which will be available on our website upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part. Our code of business conduct is a “code of ethics,” as defined in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K. Copies of the code of business conduct and charters for each of our committees will be provided without charge upon request from us and will be posted on our website. We will make any legally required disclosures regarding amendments to, or waivers of, provisions of our code of ethics on our Internet website.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our board of directors will adopt corporate governance guidelines in accordance with the corporate governance rules of Nasdaq that serve as a flexible framework within which our board of directors and its committees operate. These guidelines will cover a number of areas including board membership criteria and director qualifications, director responsibilities, board agenda, roles of the chair of the board, principal executive officer and presiding director, meetings of independent directors, committee responsibilities and assignments,
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board member access to management and independent advisors, director communications with third parties, director compensation, director orientation and continuing education, evaluation of senior management and management succession planning. A copy of our corporate governance guidelines will be posted on our website.
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ROADZEN’S EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Introduction
As an emerging growth company, Roadzen has opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies,” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act. This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for Roadzen’s named executive officer (“NEO”) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 (“Fiscal Year 2023”), its Chief Executive Officer Rohan Malhotra. Mr. Malhotra was the only Roadzen executive officer serving in Fiscal Year 2023 with compensation in excess of $100,000. Mr. Malhotra will serve New Roadzen in the same capacity after the closing of the Business Combination.
This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that are based on current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that New Roadzen adopts in connection with or following the closing of the Business Combination could vary significantly from historical practices and currently planned programs summarized in this discussion.
Roadzen Executive Compensation Program
The objective of Roadzen’s compensation program is to provide a total compensation package to its executives, including its NEO, that will enable Roadzen to attract, motivate and retain outstanding individuals, align the interests of our executive team with those of our shareholders, encourage individual and collective contributions to the successful execution of our short- and long-term business strategies and reward our executives for performance. The board of directors of Roadzen has historically determined the compensation for Mr. Malhotra.
The Fiscal Year 2023 compensation program for Mr. Malhotra consisted of base salary and a discretionary cash bonus, as described below, and paid in Indian rupees (“INR”). Amounts paid in INR have been translated into U.S. dollars (“USD”) using the exchange rate in effect on the last day of Fiscal Year 2023, which was a rate of 1 INR to 0.01218 USD.
• | Base Salary. Mr. Malhotra is paid a base salary commensurate with his skill set, experience, performance, role and responsibilities. For Fiscal Year 2023, Mr. Malhotra’s annual salary was INR 9,000,000 (USD 109,602). |
• | Short-Term Cash Incentives. For Fiscal Year 2023, Roadzen paid Mr. Malhotra a discretionary cash bonus of INR 1,279,071 (USD 15,579). During Fiscal Year 2023, Roadzen did not grant any short-term cash bonuses to Mr. Malhotra pursuant to any non-equity incentive plan. |
• | Long-Term Equity Incentives. During Fiscal Year 2023, Roadzen did not grant any incentive equity awards to Mr. Malhotra. |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents information regarding the total compensation awarded to, earned by and paid to Mr. Malhotra for services rendered to Roadzen (and its subsidiaries) in all capacities for Fiscal Year 2023 the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 (“Fiscal Year 2022”).
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||
Rohan Malhotra(1) |
||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
2023 | 109,602 | 15,579 | 125,181 | ||||||||||||
2022 | 118,620 | — | 118,620 |
(1) | For Fiscal Years 2023 and 2022, Mr. Malhotra’s compensation was paid in INR. Amounts paid in INR were translated into U.S. dollars (“USD”) using the exchange rate in effect on the last day of the fiscal year: for Fiscal Year 2023 – 1 INR = 0.01218 USD and for Fiscal Year 2022 – 1 INR = 0.01318. |
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Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table
Employee Benefits
Mr. Malhotra is generally eligible to participate in the health and welfare and other employee benefit programs offered by Roadzen (or its subsidiaries) on the same basis as other employees, subject to applicable law.
Agreements with our NEO
As of the date of this filing, Mr. Malhotra is not party to an employment agreement with Roadzen (or its subsidiaries).
Outstanding Equity Awards at End of Fiscal Year 2023
Mr. Malhotra did not have any outstanding equity awards as of March 31, 2023.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Mr. Malhotra was not eligible for any potential payments upon any form of termination or resignation of employment or a change in control of Roadzen (or its subsidiaries) if such event took place on March 31, 2023, or at any other point during Fiscal Year 2023.
Director Compensation Program
None of Roadzen’s non-employee directors received any compensation for services rendered to Roadzen for Fiscal Year 2023.
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THE MERGER
The following is a discussion of the merger and the material terms of the merger agreement among Vahanna, Merger Sub and Roadzen. You are urged to read carefully the merger agreement in its entirety, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete and may not contain all of the information about the merger agreement that is important to you. We encourage you to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety. This section is not intended to provide you with any factual information about Vahanna or Roadzen. Such information can be found elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Terms of the Merger
Transaction Structure
Vahanna’s and Roadzen’s boards of directors have approved the merger agreement. The merger agreement provides for the merger of Roadzen with and into Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna, with Roadzen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna.
Merger Consideration
Each share of Roadzen Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into a number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock in accordance with the Roadzen charter (the “Roadzen Preferred Conversion”). At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis, including shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock held by prior owners of Roadzen Preferred Stock, and shares underlying Roadzen RSUs and Roadzen Additional Securities), in each case, other than shares owned by Roadzen as treasury stock and dissenting shares, will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive (x) the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in a ratio (the “Exchange Ratio”) equal to: (a)(i) $683,000,000 divided by (ii) $10.00 divided by (b) the total number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, expressed on a fully-diluted basis (including the number of Existing Roadzen Common Stock issued or issuable upon the Roadzen Preferred Conversion and the shares underlying Roadzen RSUs and Roadzen Additional Securities). A portion of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares comprising the merger consideration will be reserved for issuance upon the vesting, settlement, exercise or conversion of New Roadzen RSUs and New Roadzen Assumed Additional Securities. Any resulting fractional New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will instead be paid in cash in an amount equal to the fractional amount multiplied by $10.00. See the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Merger Consideration — Consideration; Conversion of Shares.”
Conversion of Shares; Exchange Procedures
The conversion of Existing Roadzen Common Stock issued or issuable upon the Roadzen Preferred Conversion will occur automatically immediately prior to the Effective Time of the merger. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time of the merger, New Roadzen will exchange shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock (after taking effect of the Roadzen Preferred Conversion) for merger consideration to be received in the merger pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement.
Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Roadzen
Roadzen does not as a matter of course publicly disclose long-term forecasts or internal projections of their future performance, revenue, earnings, financial condition or other results. However, Roadzen’s senior management prepared and provided to Roadzen’s board of directors, Roadzen’s financial advisors, SHEUMACK GMA and Vahanna certain internal, unaudited prospective financial information in connection with the evaluation of the merger (the “Unaudited Prospective Financial Information”). The Unaudited Prospective
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Financial Information is not included in this proxy statement/prospectus in order to induce any Vahanna shareholders to vote in favor of or against any proposals at the Vahanna Special Meeting. The Unaudited Prospective Financial Information prepared by Roadzen’s senior management was provided to Vahanna and its board as a component of its overall evaluation of Roadzen, and is included in this proxy statement/prospectus on that account. The Unaudited Prospective Financial Information should not be considered public guidance. The inclusion of the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information should not be regarded as an indication that Roadzen or any other recipient of this information considered — or now considers — it to be necessarily predictive of actual future results.
The Unaudited Prospective Financial Information is subjective in many respects and is thus susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments. As a result, there can be no assurance that the prospective results will be realized or that actual results will not be significantly higher or lower than estimated. Since the Unaudited Prospective Financial information covers multiple quarters, that information by its nature becomes less predictive with each successive quarter. Roadzen’s management selected the length of the period for the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Roadzen because Roadzen’s management believes the next five (5) quarters appropriately demonstrates a reasonable estimate of Roadzen’s future financial performance.
While presented in this proxy statement/prospectus with numeric specificity, the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information is forward-looking and based on numerous variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and may be beyond the control of Roadzen’s senior management, including, among other things, the matters described in the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements; Market, Ranking and Other Industry Data,” “Risk Factors” and “Roadzen’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In preparing the assumptions associated with the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information, Roadzen’s senior management relied on a number of factors, including their significant experience and observations regarding consumer, industry and market trends at the time such information and underlying assumptions were prepared. Roadzen’s management and board of directors believe that the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information and the assumptions used to derive such financial information were prepared by Roadzen’s senior management on a reasonable basis, reflected the best estimates and judgments of Roadzen based on information available to senior management at the time of preparation (including in light of the risks and uncertainties described herein), and presented, to the best of Roadzen senior management’s knowledge and belief, the expected course of action and the expected future financial performance of Roadzen as of that date with respect to each item contained in the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information.
The Unaudited Prospective Financial Information does not take into account any events or circumstances occurring after the date on which it was prepared. However, applicable federal securities laws require registrants to make full and prompt disclosure of material facts, both favorable and unfavorable, regarding their financial condition, which obligation may extend to situations where management knows or has reason to know that previously disclosed projections no longer have a reasonable basis. The senior management of Roadzen has considered whether the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information needed to be updated for circumstances and events occurring after the preparation of such information and, to the best of their knowledge and belief, determined there were no such circumstances or events that would result in a material change to the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information or that would result in the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information no longer having a reasonable basis. However, these projections are not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results, and readers of this proxy statement/prospectus are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information. Important factors that may affect actual results and cause the results reflected in the prospective financial information not to be achieved include, among other things, risks and uncertainties relating to Roadzen’s business, industry performance, the regulatory environment and general business and economic conditions. The Unaudited Prospective Financial Information also reflects assumptions as to certain business decisions that are subject to change.
The financial projections contained in the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure, nor were they prepared with a view toward compliance with GAAP,
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published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. Accordingly, none of Vahanna, Marcum LLP, Vahanna’s independent registered public accounting firm, and ASA & Associates LLP, Roadzen’s independent registered accounting firm, nor any other independent accountants, has compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the financial projections contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such projections or their achievability. The report of the independent registered public accounting firm for Roadzen contained in the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2022, which is included in this proxy statement/prospectus, relates to historical financial information of Roadzen, and such report does not extend to the financial projections included below and should not be read to do so.
BY INCLUDING THE UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, NEITHER ROADZEN NOR VAHANNA UNDERTAKES ANY OBLIGATION, AND EACH OF THEM EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY, TO UPDATE OR REVISE, OR PUBLICLY DISCLOSE ANY UPDATE OR REVISION TO, THE UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO REFLECT CIRCUMSTANCES OR EVENTS, INCLUDING UNANTICIPATED EVENTS, THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED OR THAT MAY OCCUR AFTER THE PREPARATION OF THE UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION, EVEN IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OR ALL OF THE ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION ARE SHOWN TO BE IN ERROR OR CHANGE, IN EACH CASE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS. READERS OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THE UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION SET FORTH BELOW, AS SUCH FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT THAN ACTUAL RESULTS. NONE OF ROADZEN, VAHANNA NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, ADVISORS OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE OR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION TO ANY ROADZEN STOCKHOLDER, VAHANNA SHAREHOLDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON REGARDING ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE COMPARED TO THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION OR THAT FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS WILL BE ACHIEVED. VAHANNA DOES NOT INTEND TO REFERENCE THE UNAUDITED PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN ITS FUTURE PERIODIC REPORTS FILED UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT.
Certain of the measures included in the Unaudited Prospective Financial Information may be considered non-GAAP financial measures. Due to the forward-looking nature of this information, specific quantifications of the amounts that would be required to reconcile such projections to GAAP measures are not available and Roadzen believes it is not feasible to provide accurate forecasted non-GAAP reconciliations. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP, and non-GAAP financial measures as used by Roadzen may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts used by other companies.
The following table sets forth certain summarized prospective financial and operational information regarding Roadzen for fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2024:
(in USD) |
Projections (1)(2) | |||||||
FY23 | FY24 | |||||||
Total Revenues |
$ | 59,764,639 | $ | 118,221,696 | ||||
Expenses(3) |
67,150,223 | 116,207,793 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
EBITDA |
(7,385,583 | ) | 2,013,903 | |||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | Gives pro forma effect to the acquisitions of GIM and NAC for the projected periods. Fiscal year is from April 1 to March 31. |
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(2) | Does not include effects of foreign exchange volatility. |
(3) | Expenses include cost of revenues, research and development expenses, G&A, sales and marketing costs and depreciation costs. |
The Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Roadzen was prepared using several assumptions, including the following assumptions that Roadzen believed to be material:
• | For the purpose of the projections, it is assumed that Roadzen has given pro forma effect to the acquisitions of GIM and NAC. The projections are provided for the combined company, which includes Roadzen and its existing operations in India, NAC and its existing operations in the US, and GIM and its existing operations in the UK/EU. Roadzen projects financial performance of the combined company by geographic region — India, US, and UK/EU — with service level revenues. The projections reflect approximately 33% of revenues being derived from India, 45% from the UK/EU, and 22% from the US for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. |
• | Revenues are projected from a sales pipeline across each region, that is probability-weighted based on the status and size of the contract. The probability is 100% for existing and closed contracts and varies from 25-50% across the pipeline for the remaining contract stages, with the actual probability depending on the status and size of the contracts. Projected revenues also assume renewal of existing contracts at current pricing and Roadzen’s ability to continue to develop and foster strong relationships with existing and potential new customers. |
• | Roadzen projects margin improvements in fiscal year 2024 compared to the nine-month interim period (CY 2022) due to a 15.2 percentage point reduction in total direct costs as a percentage of total revenues in India. This margin improvement is arising from increased scale benefits, better brokerage commissions, new higher unit priced IaaS contracts, increased manpower utilization and automation of operations. Roadzen has made significant investments in digitization and automation, leading to a reduction of operational costs. Roadzen has also increased its sales team to help drive revenue. The projections do not reflect any anticipated further investments by Roadzen to support its growth. As a result of increasing its sales team, Roadzen anticipate achieving higher distribution rates and an increase of brokerage leads, which is expected to result in a larger quantity of deals as well as better quality deals (i.e., higher commission percentages) with insurance partners. |
• | In the UK and Europe, Roadzen projects GIM to realize a margin improvement in fiscal year 2024 compared to the nine-month interim period (calendar year 2022) due to a 2.8 percentage point reduction in total direct costs as a percentage of total GIM revenues. This margin improvement is arising from GIM’s execution of new contracts with higher margins with the reinsurer, increased operating leverage by optimizing direct costs with the recent addition of underwriting and claims support teams in India. New reinsurance terms at GIM have improved. As previously discussed on page 152 (see “Information About Roadzen – Recent Developments – Financial Performance of Global Insurance Management”), GIM’s distribution fee income increased significantly from 2021 to 2022, primarily due to GIM modifying its contracts with its insurance provider partners to allow GIM to price, sell and adjudicate the insurance providers’ policies and earn a distribution fee for each sale. Looking ahead, certain legacy policies which GIM has previously sold remain under their originally and less profitable terms. Upon expiration, these legacy policies will be renewed/replaced under GIM’s improved arrangement. Lastly, future policies will be sold under the improved arrangement. We believe this mix of past, present and future terms will make up a meaningful portion of the combined company’s UK/EU revenue for the the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The reduction in costs is due to the adoption of Roadzen automated claims technology by GIM and increased operating leverage by optimizing employee costs with the recent addition of underwriting and claims support teams in India. As a sign of good faith and in the interest of building the relationship with GIM while the acquisition of GIM is pending, Roadzen has provided GIM its automated claims technology free of charge. |
• | In the U.S., Roadzen projects NAC to realize a margin improvement in fiscal year 2024 compared to the nine-month interim period (calendar year 2022) due to an 8.5 percentage point reduction in total |
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direct costs as a percentage of total NAC revenues. This margin improvement arises from the benefits of increased volume, call center costs optimization across geographies (by moving operations to India), full digitization, and the automation of workflows with increased operating leverage (driven by NAC’s adoption of claims and roadside assistance digitization technology provided by Roadzen free of charge). While Roadzen and NAC worked towards the close of Roadzen’s acquisition of NAC, as a sign of good faith and in the interest of building the relationship with NAC, Roadzen began replacing the existing systems at NAC with StrandD and xClaim, Roadzen’s roadside and claims products, to transform NAC’s business. NAC’s existing systems are complex and require frequent manual intervention, and will be replaced by the automated decision systems of StrandD for algorithmic triage, dispatch and routing for roadside assistance. We believe this optimization will allow NAC to service its contracts more efficiently and at cheaper costs, consequently improving NAC’s margins. Due to NAC’s improved technology (as provided by Roadzen), NAC will not need to linearly scale its manpower and thus, its cost basis, to service an increase in clients/business. This, in turn, will allow NAC to capture more revenue as it adds more clients. Additionally, higher volume will allow NAC to negotiate for better rates with suppliers and service providers (i.e., garages and roadside assistance providers), which we believe will further drive NAC’s costs down and improve its margins. |
The Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Roadzen does not assume the completion of the merger and related transactions.
Certain Financial Analyses
On February 10, 2023, SHEUMACK GMA rendered its oral opinion to the Vahanna Audit Committee (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of SHEUMACK GMA’s written opinion addressed to the Vahanna board of directors and the Vahanna Audit Committee dated February 10, 2023) to the effect that, as of such date and subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by SHEUMACK GMA as set forth in its written opinion, the Total Merger Consideration to be paid to the equity holders of Roadzen is fair, from a financial point of view, to Vahanna and the Vahanna Unaffiliated Shareholders.
SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion was directed to the Vahanna board of directors and the Vahanna Audit Committee (in their respective capacities as such) and only addressed the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Total Merger Consideration to be paid by Vahanna pursuant to the merger agreement, and did not address any other terms, aspects or implications of the merger, or any agreements, arrangements or understandings entered into in connection with the merger. The summary of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of its written opinion, which is attached as Annex G to this proxy statement/prospectus and which describes the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by SHEUMACK GMA in connection with the preparation of its opinion. Neither SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion nor the summary of its opinion and the related analyses set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus are intended to be, and do not constitute, advice or a recommendation to the Vahanna board, Vahanna or any security holder as to how to act or vote on any matter relating to the merger or otherwise.
Analyses underlying SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion and on which SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion is based and the resulting opinion address only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid by Vahanna pursuant to the merger agreement and SHEUMACK GMA did not express any views nor did it conduct any financial or other analyses whatsoever of any other terms, aspects or implications of the merger agreement or the merger including, without limitation: (i) any term of the merger agreement that is not subject to financial analyses; (ii) the redemption obligations of Vahanna; (iii) the capital structure of Vahanna and Roadzen; (iv) any capital raising transaction of Vahanna or Roadzen; and (v) any terms and conditions associated with the ancillary documents contemplated by the merger agreement, including (a) the Support Agreement, (b) the Sponsor Support Agreement and (c) the Lock-Up Agreement, among other things.
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SHEUMACK GMA reviewed, among other things, a draft dated February 9, 2023 of the merger agreement and reviewed certain publicly available and non-public business and financial information relating to Vahanna and Roadzen. Among other important assumptions on which the financial analyses contained in SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion are based, Vahanna and Roadzen acknowledged and agreed that:
• | the financial statements of Roadzen have been calculated, assembled and presented to SHEUMACK GMA in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) applied on a basis consistent with the preparation of Roadzen’s consolidated audited financial statements; |
• | all Roadzen consolidated historical partial year and forecast financial statements as provided to SHEUMACK GMA are unaudited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and represent Roadzen’s best internal estimates of (A) partial-year actual financial performance and financial condition and (B) forecast financial performance and financial condition; |
• | unaudited financial information may differ from audited financial information; and |
• | past financial performance is not representative of future performance and as such there can be no assurance that Roadzen will achieve the financial forecasts provided by Roadzen. |
SHEUMACK GMA reviewed certain non-public internal financial and business information in respect of the past and current business, operations, financial condition, financial performance and prospects of Roadzen as furnished to SHEUMACK GMA by Roadzen or by Vahanna, including certain financial forecasts relating to the businesses of Roadzen prepared by the executive management of Roadzen. SHEUMACK GMA understood that the board of directors of Roadzen authorized such information to be used by Vahanna for the purpose of negotiating and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement and by SHEUMACK GMA for the purpose or purposes of the analyses contained in its opinion.
Roadzen provided Vahanna and SHEUMACK GMA with a board of directors-approved multi-year financial forecast inclusive of Roadzen’s projected consolidated statement of financial performance (“Income Statement”) and the projected consolidated statement of financial condition (“Balance Sheet”, together with Income Statement, the “Pro Forma Financial Forecast”) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 through and including the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, each presented on a pro forma basis to give full effect to Roadzen’s stand- alone (independent) financial performance under the normal operating course for such periods inclusive of all reasonable assumptions thereof. Roadzen informed SHEUMACK GMA that the financial forecast provided represents Roadzen’s best judgment as to its future financial performance and condition. Subsequent to the delivery by SHEUMACK GMA of its oral and written opinion, Roadzen confirmed with and to SHEUMACK GMA and Vahanna that there has been no material adverse change in its business, operations, perceived competitive position or financial condition and capitalization that might reasonably give rise to a change in Roadzen’s financial forecast, the probability assigned by Roadzen of achieving same and other such assumptions and variables which may in whole or in part cause Roadzen to reduce its financial forecast for the purpose of SHEUMACK GMA’s analyses or otherwise. As part of its analysis, SHEUMACK GMA utilized and undertook analyses consistent with a traditional free cash flow-based discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis to estimate the fair market valuation of Roadzen’s equity capitalization on a fully diluted change of control basis. SHEUMACK GMA used sensitivity analyses to illustrate a range of outcomes based on a range of variables including revenue and earnings growth rate, terminal year multiple (at which time Roadzen is assumed to be sold in exchange for full, unconditional and unincumbered liquidity) and the cost of capital (assuming an unlevered equity discount rate methodology consistent with the capital asset pricing model). In incorporating financial forecast data and other information from Roadzen into its analyses, SHEUMACK GMA acknowledged and agreed that there can be no assurance that Roadzen will achieve the forecast results. SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion was prepared utilizing public information and non-public information provided by Vahanna and Roadzen. SHEUMACK GMA relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing information and has not assumed any responsibility for any independent verification of such information. SHEUMACK GMA did not make any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities, solvency or fair value of Vahanna or Roadzen.
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In respect of Roadzen, to the extent any forward-looking financial information appears in SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion, SHEUMACK GMA relied upon Vahanna and the management and the board of directors of Roadzen in the provision of same and as to the reasonableness and achievability of such forward-looking information (including the assumptions thereof and bases therefor). SHEUMACK GMA assumed that such forecast or forecasts reflects the best currently available estimate and judgment of Roadzen as approved and authorized by its board of directors, and that such forecast or forecasts will be realized in the amounts and in conformance with the time period currently estimated by Roadzen. SHEUMACK GMA assumed no responsibility for and expresses no view as to any forward-looking financial information or the assumptions on which it is or they are based. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking financial information. The information set forth in SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion was based upon the information made available to SHEUMACK GMA as of the date of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion, unless indicated otherwise and certain assertions and representations, as referenced herein, made by Roadzen to SHEUMACK GMA and Vahanna subsequent to the delivery by SHEUMACK GMA of its oral and written opinion. Portions of the information in SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion may be based upon certain estimates provided directly to SHEUMACK GMA by Roadzen and Vahanna, in which case SHEUMACK GMA assumed said endorsement was expressly received by the Roadzen’s board of directors.
SHEUMACK GMA assumed no responsibility for, and made no representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information contained in its opinion. SHEUMACK GMA expressly disclaimed any liability for any statements, express or implied, contained in, or omissions from, its opinion. The past performance information concerning Vahanna and Roadzen were not necessarily indicative of future results and there can be no assurance that any party will achieve comparable results in the future.
SHEUMACK GMA acted as financial advisor to the Vahanna Audit Committee and to no other party. The information in SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion was prepared for the Vahanna Audit Committee and the Vahanna board of directors only. SHEUMACK GMA expressly disclaimed responsibility for and will not authorize distribution of the information to any other party except as expressly authorized in writing by SHEUMACK GMA. Nothing contained in SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion constituted tax, accounting, actuarial, legal, regulatory, executive compensation or other professional advice. Nothing contained in SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion, either in whole or part, was or is intended to be a recommendation and as such, no party was authorized by SHEUMACK GMA to interpret or represent any such content as a recommendation.
In preparing its opinion, with the Vahanna Audit Committee’s consent, SHEUMACK GMA did not assume any responsibility for independent verification of, and did not verify, any of the foregoing information. SHEUMACK GMA, with the Vahanna Audit Committee’s consent, assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness, in all material respects, of all of the financial, accounting, legal, tax and other information provided to, discussed with or reviewed by, SHEUMACK GMA. SHEUMACK GMA was not requested to make, and did not make, an independent evaluation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Vahanna or Roadzen or any of their respective affiliates, and SHEUMACK GMA was not furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal, nor did SHEUMACK GMA make any physical inspection of the properties or assets of Vahanna, Roadzen or any affiliate thereof. Further, SHEUMACK GMA assumed, with the Vahanna Audit Committee’s consent, that all of the information, including non-public financial forecasts, prepared, and furnished to SHEUMACK GMA, by Vahanna and Roadzen for purposes of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion, was prepared on a reasonable basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the respective managements of Vahanna and Roadzen. SHEUMACK GMA expressed no opinion in respect of such forecasts or projections or the assumptions upon which they are based.
SHEUMACK GMA did not undertake any independent legal analysis of the merger agreement, the merger or any of the transaction or transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, merger or any legal or regulatory proceedings pending or threatened related to Vahanna, Roadzen or affiliates thereof. SHEUMACK GMA was not
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asked to (nor did it directly or indirectly) express any opinion as to the after-tax consequences of receipt of the proposed Total Merger Consideration by Vahanna or Roadzen. No opinion, counsel or interpretation was intended regarding matters that require legal, regulatory, accounting, tax, executive compensation or other similar professional advice. SHEUMACK GMA assumed that such opinions, counsel, interpretations or advice were or would be obtained from the appropriate professional advisers. SHEUMACK GMA also assumed that the executed merger agreement will conform in all material respects to the draft merger agreement, dated January 28, 2023, reviewed by SHEUMACK GMA, and that the transaction or transactions thereto will be consummated on the terms described in the draft merger agreement, without any material delay or waiver of any material terms or conditions by Vahanna or Roadzen. SHEUMACK GMA assumed that all governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the merger and all transactions related thereto will be obtained without any adverse effect on Vahanna and Roadzen. The issuance of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion was approved by SHEUMACK GMA’s fairness opinion and valuation committee in accordance with SHEUMACK GMA’s customary practice.
SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the information made available to SHEUMACK GMA as of the date of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion. SHEUMACK GMA assumed no responsibility for updating, revising or reaffirming its opinion based on circumstances, developments or events occurring after the date of its opinion. Furthermore, SHEUMACK GMA did not express any opinion as to the impact of the merger or any transactions related thereto or on the solvency or viability of Vahanna or on Roadzen or the ability of Vahanna or Roadzen to fund their respective obligations when they come due.
SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion did not address or make any recommendation as to the merits of the underlying decision by Vahanna to enter into the merger agreement and/or to complete the merger as compared to other business strategies that might be available to Vahanna. SHEUMACK GMA expressed no opinion as to whether any alternative transaction may result in terms, conditions or financial or strategic impact more favorable to Vahanna or its stockholders than the merger contemplated by the merger agreement. In addition, SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion did not in any manner address the prices at which the Vahanna ordinary shares will trade following consummation of the merger agreement and merger or the prices at which the Vahanna ordinary shares will trade at any time and SHEUMACK GMA expressed no opinion or recommendation as to how the shareholders of Vahanna should vote or act with respect to the merger agreement. SHEUMACK GMA did not express any opinion regarding the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation or other such remuneration relating to retention agreements to any of Vahanna or Roadzen’s officers, employees, directors, or any class of such persons, relative to the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be received by the equity holders of Roadzen. SHEUMACK GMA expressed no opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of view to Vahanna and the Vahanna Unaffiliated Shareholders of any consideration paid in connection with the merger agreement to the holders of any specific class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of Roadzen. In rendering its opinion, SHEUMACK GMA performed a variety of financial analyses.
The following is a summary of the material analyses performed by SHEUMACK GMA in connection with the preparation of its opinion and reviewed with the Vahanna Audit Committee on February 10, 2023, but does not purport to be a complete description of all the analyses underlying SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion. The summary includes information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand the financial analyses, these tables must be read together with the accompanying text. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving subjective judgments as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analyses and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances. The process, therefore, is not necessarily susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description. SHEUMACK GMA believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the factors and analyses to be considered without considering all factors and analyses or attempting to ascribe relative weights to some or all such factors and analyses, could create an incomplete view of the evaluation process underlying its opinion.
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Implied Value of the Proposed Total Merger Consideration. SHEUMACK GMA assumed, with Roadzen’s and the Vahanna Audit Committee’s consent, that the implied value of the proposed Total Merger Consideration of 68.3 million New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (including the portion of such New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance upon the future exercise of certain derivative securities of Roadzen assumed by New Roadzen after the merger in accordance with the merger agreement) to be paid by Vahanna in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement is equal to $683.0 million. The multiples of revenues implied by the proposed Total Merger Consideration based on Roadzen’s forecast and projected revenues for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively, are 11.4x and 5.8x, respectively.
Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) Analysis.
SHEUMACK GMA performed a DCF analysis in order to estimate the present value of Roadzen’s issued and outstanding common shares (on a fully diluted basis) assuming a period of operating independence followed by a sale of one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding Roadzen common shares (on a fully diluted basis). In performing its DCF analysis, SHEUMACK GMA utilized Roadzen’s Pro Forma Financial Forecast for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024. Further, SHEUMACK GMA assumed a sale of all of the Roadzen common shares on a fully diluted basis (“Roadzen Sale”) on March 31, 2014. Among other assumptions made and applied, SHEUMACK GMA assumed (i) a zero Roadzen dividend policy; (ii) zero long term corporate debt; (iii) a Roadzen Sale transaction resulting in immediately available non-contingent cash consideration to all Roadzen common shareholders, and; (iv) no working capital adjustment at the time of the Roadzen Sale. To estimate the value of one hundred percent (100%) of Roadzen’s common shares (on a fully diluted basis) at the time of the Roadzen Sale, SHEUMACK GMA applied a multiple of 6.4x to Roadzen’s projected revenues for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, a multiple equivalent to the median revenue multiple of a selected group of precedent comparable merger and acquisition transactions selected and employed by SHEUMACK GMA as part of its guideline precedent comparable merger and acquisition transaction analysis. SHEUMACK GMA estimated an unlevered equity discount rate (“UEDR”) of 12.52% and employed and applied this UEDR to estimate the net present value of future cash flows available to Roadzen’s common equity shareholders as a result of the assumptions referend herein. In estimating the UEDR, SHEUMACK GMA employed a methodology consistent with that of the capital asset pricing model (“CAPM”) inclusive of (i) a risk- free rate of 3.49% (equal to the implied interest rate payable, based on market prices on January 26, 2023, on the 10-year U.S. Treasury Bond); (ii) a market risk premium of 7.19%; (iii) a small company size premium of 1.88%; and (iv) an unlevered beta factor of approximately 1.00. This analysis resulted in the implied equity value for Roadzen of approximately $661.2 million, as compared to the implied value of the Total Merger Consideration of 68.3 million New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (including the portion of such New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance upon the future exercise of any derivative securities of Roadzen assumed by New Roadzen after the merger in accordance with the merger agreement) to be paid by Vahanna in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement of $683.0 million.
Guideline Comparable Public Company Analysis.
SHEUMACK GMA reviewed certain financial and stock market information relating to the following publicly traded companies in comparable financial and technology industries (collectively, the “selected companies”). Although none of the selected companies is directly comparable to Roadzen, the selected companies were chosen because they have or exhibit certain attributes that, for purposes of SHEUMACK GMA’s analysis and based on its experience and professional judgment, may be considered similar or comparable to certain attributes of Roadzen based on industry, sector, business, operational, performance, growth and or profitability metrics. The quantitative information used in this analysis, to the extent that it is based on market data, was based on market data as of January 26, 2023.
For each of the selected companies, SHEUMACK GMA calculated and reviewed, among other information, total enterprise value as a multiple of (i) projected revenues for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, and (ii) projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for
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the fiscal years ending March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, and compared such observed valuation multiples to the comparable multiples of revenues and EBITDA implied by the Total Merger Consideration. The results of this review, in summary format, are presented as follows:
Selected Companies |
Total Enterprise Value / Projected 2023 Revenues(1) |
Total Merger Consideration / Projected 2023 Roadzen Revenues |
Total Enterprise Value / Projected 2024 Revenues(2) |
Total Merger Consideration / Projected 2024 Roadzen Revenues |
||||||||||||
Global Insurance Technology and Related Companies(3) |
|
2.4x (Median) 10.8x (Maximum) |
|
11.4x | |
2.5x (Median) 7.4x (Maximum) |
|
5.8x | ||||||||
Paradigm Shifting Big Data Technologies Companies(4) |
|
8.6x (Median) 28.8x (Maximum) |
|
11.4x | |
7.1x (Median) 20.1x (Maximum) |
|
5.8x |
(1) | For the period from April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023 |
(2) | For the period from April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024 |
(3) | Include CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc., Duck Creek Technologies, Inc., Ebix, Inc., eHealth, Inc., FINEOS Corporation Holdings plc, Guidewire Software, Inc., MultiPlan Corporation, Sapiens International Corporation N.V., EverQuote, Inc., GoHealth, Inc., Goosehead Insurance, Inc., Hagerty, Inc., PB Fintech Limited, SelectQuote, Inc., Bright Health Group, Inc., Clover Health Investments, Corp., Root, Inc., Hippo Holdings Inc., Oscar Health, Inc., Lemonade, Inc., and ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance Co., Ltd. |
(4) | Include Altair Engineering Inc., Alteryx, Inc., C. E. Info Systems Limited, DXC Technology Company, FiscalNote Holdings, Inc., MicroStrategy Incorporated, Mobileye Global Inc., PagerDuty, Inc., Samsara Inc., TomTom N.V. and Verisk Analytics, Inc. |
Selected Companies |
Total Enterprise Value / Projected 2023 EBITDA |
Total Merger Consideration / Projected 2023 Roadzen EBITDA |
Total Enterprise Value / Projected 2024 EBITDA |
Total Merger Consideration / Projected 2024 Roadzen EBITDA |
||||||||||||
Global Insurance Technology and Related Companies |
|
15.9x (Median) 107.2x (Maximum) |
|
(Neg) | (1) | |
14.5x (Median) 59.6x (Maximum) |
|
NM | |||||||
Paradigm Shifting Big Data Technologies Companies |
|
45.5x (Median) 132.8x (Maximum) |
|
(Neg) | |
46.0x (Median) 117.8x (Maximum) |
|
NM |
(1) | SHEUMACK GMA deemed all valuation multiples greater than 200 times as not meaningful (“NM”). |
Notably, in its Guideline Comparable Public Company Analysis, SHEUMACK GMA prioritized the relevance, use and reasonable prioritization of revenue-based valuation multiples due to the high growth nature of Roadzen and SHEUMACK GMA’s conclusions, based on interactions with both Vahanna and Roadzen in the period leading up to the delivery by SHEUMACK GMA of its opinion, that during the period inclusive of Roadzen’s Pro Forma Financial Forecast, Roadzen will be actively managing its business to maximize revenue growth and certain other performance indicators such as imputed market share growth and market share statistics while subordinating other operating priorities, including but not necessarily limited to the achievement of optimal long-term EBITDA and other profitability margins. All financial performance data attributable to the selected companies were based on Wall Street research analysts’ estimates and other publicly available information and calendarized when necessary.
Guideline Precedent Comparable Transaction Analysis.
Using publicly available information, SHEUMACK GMA reviewed valuation multiples implied by a selected group of precedent comparable merger and acquisition transactions announced between December 15,
2017 and January 9, 2023 and as included herein that SHEUMACK GMA considered generally and reasonably relevant as transactions involving target companies operating generally in comparable and or relevant financial services industry and or financial technology and or technology industries or sectors therein (the “selected transactions”).
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Announcement Date |
Target |
Acquiror | ||
January 2023 | Duck Creek Technologies, Inc. | Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC | ||
November 2022 | Benefitfocus, Inc. | Voya Financial, Inc. | ||
July 2022 | Metromile, Inc. | Lemonade, Inc. | ||
June 2022 | LifeWorks Inc. | TELUS Corporation February 2022 | ||
The Floow Limited | Otonomo Technologies Ltd. | |||
December 2021 | Keystone Risk Partners, LLC | Ryan Specialty Group Holdings Inc. | ||
December 2021 | Hastings Group Holdings Limited | Sampo Oyj | ||
September 2021 | Next Gear Solutions, Inc. | CoreLogic, Inc. | ||
September 2021 | Jacobson, Goldfarb & Scott, Inc. | Baldwin Risk Partners, LLC | ||
May 2021 | Utilant, LLC | Majesco | ||
March 2021 | The Capital Markets Company (UK) Limited (“CAPCO”) | Wipro Limited | ||
February 2021 | Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp. | CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. | ||
November 2020 | Insurance Technologies Corporation | Zywave, Inc. | ||
November 2020 | TIA Technology A/S | Sapiens International Corporation N.V. | ||
September 2020 | Zywave, Inc. | Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. | ||
August 2020 | Vertafore, Inc. | Roper Technologies, Inc. | ||
July 2020 | Majesco | Thoma Bravo, LP | ||
September 2019 | Assurance IQ | Prudent Financial, Inc. | ||
August 2019 | GoHealth, Inc. | Centerbridge Partners, L.P. | ||
August 2019 | Health, Wealth and Life Advisors, LLC | eHealth, Inc. | ||
September 2018 | Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. | Carlyle Group L.P. | ||
January 2018 | Isalud Health Services, SL | CNP Partners de Sequros y Reaseguros, S.A. | ||
January 2018 | Validus Holdings, Ltd. | American International Group, Inc. | ||
December 2017 | Bracht Deckers & Mackelbert | Navigators Group, Inc. |
Although none of the target companies involved in the selected transactions is directly comparable to Roadzen, these transactions were selected, among other reasons and based on SHEUMACK GMA’s experience and professional judgment, principally as a result of the target companies involved in these transactions sharing certain similar business, operating, financial performance or other characteristics or attributes to Roadzen based on industry, market or sector participation, and or business and operational characteristics and or financial metrics.
For each of the selected transactions, SHEUMACK GMA calculated the revenue and EBITDA valuation multiples implied by the announced transaction value for each of the following periods: (a) the twelve months leading up to the transaction announcement (“Last Twelve Months”) and (b) the projected financial performance for the twelve months following the transaction announcement (“Next Twelve Months”). Using this data set,
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SHEUMACK GMA compared the median and maximum multiples implied by the selected transactions to the comparable multiples implied by the proposed Total Merger Consideration. The results of this review were as follows:
Median | Maximum | Multiples Implied By Proposed Total Merger Consideration |
||||||||||
Revenues Last Twelve Months |
6.4x | 14.1x | 11.4x | (1) | ||||||||
Revenues Next Twelve Months |
7.9x | 11.1x | 5.8x | (2) | ||||||||
EBITDA Last Twelve Months |
31.5x | 89.4x | (Neg) | |||||||||
EBITDA Next Twelve Months |
20.0x | 43.7x | NM | (3) |
Notes:
(1) | Based on Roadzen’s projected revenues for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. |
(2) | Based on Roadzen’s projected revenues for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. |
(3) | SHEUMACK GMA’s deemed all valuation multiples greater than 200 times as not meaningful (“NM”). Additionally, the Vahanna Audit Committee and Vahanna Board of Directors considered these not meaningful and negative valuation multiples and disregarded these valuation multiples in making a decision to proceed with the proposed transaction. |
Other Matters
SHEUMACK GMA is a professional services organization specializing in the rendering of strategic and financial advice to financial services companies and institutional investors who are active in the financial services industry. SHEUMACK is not a regulated financial institution nor is SHEUMACK GMA a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Certain employees of SHEUMACK GMA are registered securities representatives and registered securities principals of SGMA Capital Markets Limited (“SGMA CM”), an affiliated entity under common ownership and a member in good standing of FINRA and SIPC. As part of SGMA CM’s investment banking business, SGMA CM is regularly engaged in the business of providing financial advisory services in connection with corporate mergers and acquisitions, asset acquisitions and divestitures and other corporate actions and transactions. Neither SHEUMACK GMA nor SGMA CM have previously provided financial advisory services to Vahanna, Roadzen or affiliates thereof and has not theretofore received remuneration for such services. Other than as set forth above, SHEUMACK GMA and SGMA CM and their respective affiliates did not provide any additional services to Vahanna in connection with transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. In respect of the delivery of its opinion, SHEUMACK GMA received a one-time fee of $150,000 for its services that was not contingent upon consummation of the merger or transactions related thereto and/or contemplated by the merger agreement, $125,000 of which was paid as a retainer fee upon SHEUMACK GMA’s retention and the balance of which is payable in full upon the disclosure of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion in a public filing by Vahanna. Vahanna also agreed to reimburse SHEUMACK GMA for reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and to indemnify SHEUMACK GMA against certain liabilities that may arise out of the engagement, including the rendering of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion, in each case subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in that certain engagement agreement, dated November 28, 2022.
Background of the Merger
The terms of the merger agreement are the result of extensive arms’ length negotiations between Vahanna, Roadzen and their respective representatives. The following is a brief description of the background of these negotiations and summarizes the key meetings and events that led to the signing of the merger agreement. The following chronology does not purport to catalog every conversation among the parties to the merger agreement or their representatives.
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Vahanna is a blank check company incorporated on April 22, 2021 in the British Virgin Islands as a business company, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
On May 6, 2021, the Sponsor received 5,750,000 of the Class B Ordinary Shares in exchange for the payment of $25,000 of deferred offering costs. Prior to the initial investment in Vahanna of $25,000 by the Sponsor, Vahanna had no assets, tangible or intangible. On October 28, 2021, the Sponsor surrendered and forfeited 1,437,500 Class B Ordinary Shares for no consideration, following which the Sponsor held 4,312,500 Class B Ordinary Shares. On November 22, 2021, Vahanna issued 690,000 Class B Ordinary Shares to the Sponsor with such issue being made by way of a bonus share issue for no consideration, following which the Sponsor held an aggregate of 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares. On November 26, 2021, Vahanna completed its IPO of 20,010,000 Vahanna units, at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $200 million (before underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses). Each Vahanna unit consists of one (1) Class A Ordinary Share, and one-half (1/2) of one Vahanna public warrant. Each whole Vahanna public warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain adjustments.
Concurrently with the completion of the IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 8,116,500 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant, or $8,116,500 in the aggregate. Each whole Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain adjustments.
A total of $204,102,000 of the net proceeds from the IPO and the private placement with the Sponsor was deposited in the Trust Account established for the benefit of holders of Class A Ordinary Shares.
Prior to the consummation of the IPO, neither Vahanna, nor anyone on its behalf, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to a business combination with Vahanna.
Roadzen and NAC executed a non-disclosure agreement in September 2021 and negotiated a non-binding letter of intent between November and December 2021. The parties thereto undertook diligence beginning in January 2022 and negotiated a definitive acquisition agreement from late January 2022 through August 2022. Negotiations were principally between Mr. Malhotra and NAC’s chief executive officer, Shanon Duthie. W&S served as Roadzen’s counsel and the Employee Benefits Law Group PC served as seller’s counsel for NAC. Vahanna was not involved in the transaction with NAC or the negotiations related to the transaction with NAC; however, in evaluating a potential business combination with Roadzen, Vahanna considered the acquisition by Roadzen of NAC an integral part of the business combination and assumed the closing by Roadzen of such acquisition would be a condition to the closing of the business combination. NAC did not participate in any negotiations relating to a potential business combination between Vahanna and Roadzen.
Roadzen first sent GIM a non-binding offer in January 2021 and the parties executed a non-binding term sheet in December 2021. The parties thereto undertook diligence beginning in January 2022 and negotiated a definitive acquisition agreement from late January 2022 through June 2022. Negotiations were principally between Mr. Malhotra and Mark Williams and certain other members of the management team of AXA Assistance, the owners of GIM. W&S served as Roadzen’s counsel and DAC Beachcroft LLP served as seller’s counsel for GIM. Vahanna was not involved in the transaction with GIM or the negotiations related to the transaction with GIM; however, in evaluating a potential business combination with Roadzen, Vahanna considered the acquisition by Roadzen of GIM an integral part of the business combination and assumed the closing by Roadzen of such acquisition would be a condition to the closing of the business combination. GIM did not participate in any negotiations relating to a potential business combination between Vahanna and Roadzen.
After the completion of the IPO in November 2021, Vahanna commenced an active search for prospective businesses and assets to acquire. Vahanna’s management reviewed an initial list of over 50 potential target
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candidates, all companies with strong connections to India across a number of industry verticals within the technology sector. Representatives of Vahanna contacted individuals and representatives of a number of the entities included in this initial list of potential target candidates, and were also contacted by representatives of other companies who had learned of Vahanna’s IPO. Vahanna management, after extensive discussions and review, held preliminary conversations with respect to a potential business combination with approximately 11 prospective acquisition targets across a number of categories within the technology sector including Software/ SaaS, Healthcare IT services, Health Tech, IT and software services, Insurance Tech, Telecom/Network, FinTech/ Financial services, Logistic/Warehouse tech and Automobile tech. Vahanna representatives and advisors met with management teams, board members or other representatives of these 11 prospective acquisition targets. Following the application of certain initial screening criteria, including geographic nexus to India, location of the asset base, size and growth and profit profile, from this universe of 11 prospective acquisition targets, Vahanna and its representatives reduced the candidates list and executed non-disclosure agreements with 8 prospective targets in order to conduct further in-depth review of each of the companies.
Vahanna conducted due diligence to varying degrees on the prospective targets, including review of the targets’ management, stockholders, business model, valuation, balance sheet and historical financials and certain projections, in each case to the extent made available, among other diligence reviews. During this period, Vahanna management further evaluated eight prospective targets based on additional criteria, such as the anticipated transaction structuring, tax considerations, prima facie public company readiness and short-term interest, short and long term capital requirements and valuation expectation from the business combination compared to prevailing public market peers. On January 31, 2022, Vahanna management apprised the Vahanna board of directors of the target screening process and the potential target pipeline.
Following the discussion with the Vahanna board of directors, between January 31, 2022 and March 17, 2022, Vahanna management and its advisors focused its due diligence on five (5) potential targets, while continuing to search for additional business combination targets. On March 21, 2022, Vahanna management and representatives of the Sponsor presented the Vahanna board of directors with a further revised target list of three potential target candidates. These included (1) Roadzen, Inc., (2) a Healthcare ITES company (“Target B”), and (3) an IT and software services company (“Target C”). The board received details regarding the financials, projected growth and profit potential, industry and sector trends, the origin of the opportunity, and the relationship between each potential target and the various principals and advisors of Vahanna. Following an extensive review, and only after due consideration to the targets’ sector, growth potential, likely execution and structure complexity, industry and sector attractiveness and other relevant factors, the Vahanna board of directors decided not proceed with Target B or Target C as discussed below.
• | Target B is a healthcare ITES company resulting from the proposed combination of two leading healthcare outsourcing service and solutions providers and an ITES company. Between December 7, 2021 and December 9, 2021, representatives of Target B contacted representatives of Vahanna regarding a potential business combination between Vahanna and Target B. Karan Puri and other representatives of Vahanna met with representatives of Target B in Delhi, India on December 20, 2021. On December 21, 2021, Vahanna and Target B signed a non-disclosure agreement, and on January 13, 2022 a Target B management presentation was sent to Vahanna. In the days that followed, representatives of Vahanna and Target B engaged in discussions regarding Target B’s business overview of the three companies that comprised the proposed business combination, the strategy to merge these three synergistic businesses, management teams, growth potential, stake holders and financial information. On February 9, 2022, the stakeholders and representatives of Target B and Vahanna management and other representatives of Vahanna met in New York to discuss the transaction perimeter, structure, valuation expectation, as well as potential acquisition target of Target B in the proposed combination. |
• | Target C is an IT and software services, with primary business in digital and enterprise software services specializing in enterprise data management, data analytics, cloud, middleware integration & enterprise infrastructure solutions. On February 2, 2022, management and other representatives of Target C were introduced to Vahanna management to discuss a potential business combination between |
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Vahanna and Target C. On February 9, 2022, management and other representatives of Target C and Vahanna management met virtually on a video conference to discuss Target C’s business. On February 17, 2022, Vahanna and Target C signed a non-disclosure agreement, and thereafter, Vahanna reviewed certain confidential information disclosed by Target C. In the days that followed the initial meeting, representatives of Vahanna and Target C engaged in discussions regarding Target C’s business overview, strategy and growth plans, management teams, expansion opportunities, legal structure, ownership and financial information. Vahanna management’s focus of discussion centered on Target C’s margins and growth profile and anticipated transaction structuring and tax considerations. |
On November 10, 2021, prior to the consummation of the IPO, Saurav Adhikari, the chairman of Vahanna’s board of directors introduced Vinode Ramgopal, the chairman of the Sponsor and an advisor to Roadzen at that time, and Rohan Malhotra, founder and CEO of Roadzen, to Ambit Pvt. Ltd., an Indian investment bank, in connection with Roadzen’s efforts to conduct a capital raise. Vahanna had not started its search for prospective business combination targets at that time and therefore was not viewed as a potential source for Roadzen’s capital raising efforts. In connection with Vahanna’s evaluation of prospective acquisition targets, Mr. Ramgopal, in a conversation with Mr. Adhikari, presented Roadzen to Vahanna on December 9, 2021, as an additional potential candidate to conduct initial review and screening. On December 14, 2021, during the course of Vahanna’s review of potential business combination targets, at the request of Mr. Adhikari, Mr. Ramgopal introduced Mr. Malhotra via e-mail to Karan Puri, the Sponsor and its advisors.
On December 17, 2021, Mr. Malhotra and Vahanna management had an introductory meeting over video conference in which Mr. Malhotra discussed Roadzen’s business and the Vahanna management team explained to Mr. Malhotra the SPAC business combination process.
Following the introductory meeting, Roadzen management became familiar with the general opportunities of potential business combinations with special purpose acquisition companies and consulted with Winston & Strawn LLP (“W&S”), its primary outside legal counsel for the past several years, regarding the structuring and potential benefits and risks associated with a transaction of that nature. Roadzen management also provided updates on its strategic process to the Roadzen board of directors during this period.
On January 3, 2022, Vahanna and Roadzen entered into a non-disclosure agreement with respect to the sharing of confidential information and subsequently, on January 13, 2022, Roadzen provided representatives of Vahanna with access to a data room and began to share confidential information regarding its business with Vahanna over the course of the ensuing weeks.
On January 18, 2022, Vahanna sent Roadzen a detailed information request list, including, but not limited to, financial items, competitive dynamics, business operations and end markets.
Between January 18, 2022 and March 20, 2022, Roadzen and Vahanna management teams and advisors had extensive interactions and conducted further due diligence of the Roadzen business. A business presentation was made via video conference by Roadzen management explaining how the existing business in India was functioning and also on some of the potential business areas and acquisition targets which were being considered by Roadzen. Specifically, on February 16, 2022, Mr. Adhikari, Vahanna’s Chairman, and Mr. Puri, CEO of Vahanna, met with Mr. Malhotra in person to discuss Roadzen’s growth and expansion strategy, which included Roadzen’s plans to execute a number of anticipated strategic acquisitions in the immediate future.
On March 21, 2022, Vahanna management and the Vahanna board of directors met to discuss the three potential transactions with Roadzen, Target B, and Target C. During these discussions, the Vahanna board of directors and management considered for each of the three potential targets, among other things, the maturity of the business, a near-term path to profitability, valuation, state of financial systems and/or controls, transaction structuring, tax considerations, impact of COVID-19, and growth potential. Following such discussions, the Vahanna board of directors and management concluded that a potential business combination with either of
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Target B (a transaction structure requiring three concurrent mergers of equals with disparate shareholders) or Target C (a transaction with a foreign entity) would be structurally complex and that Target B and Target C had lower growth potential than Roadzen. At the time of evaluation, in contrast, Roadzen had substantially progressed proposed acquisition agreements with GIM and NAC, with the closings thereof subject to regulatory approval, and was in the process of negotiating an additional acquisition of a leading technology communications company (the “Additional RZ Target”). The Vahanna board of directors reviewed an initial internal draft of a letter of intent (the “Initial LOI”), with a proposed total consideration of $1.1 billion, assuming all contemplated acquisitions were executed prior to the business combination, assumed the closing of such acquisitions by Roadzen would be conditions precedent and occur prior to Vahanna’s consummation of a potential business combination, commented on its terms, approved a resolution to submit the Initial LOI to Roadzen and further instructed the Chairman, the management team and the Sponsor to continue discussions with Roadzen and the due diligence of Roadzen and to negotiate, finalize and submit a letter of intent setting forth the principal terms of the proposed business combination. As a result, Vahanna discontinued conversations with Target B and Target C as Vahanna continued its review of Roadzen.
Between March 21, 2022 and April 29, 2022, Vahanna management and its advisors discussed and negotiated with Roadzen the terms upon which an offer for a business combination could be made. Specifically, the conversations centered on (i) the valuation of Roadzen’s business, with varying assumptions as to the completion of the acquisitions of GIM, NAC and the Additional RZ Target, (ii) the required cash needs for Roadzen to implement its growth strategy and the path to secure resources to ensure the plan could be accomplished, and (iii) the required exclusivity periods and the consequential damages attached to a breach thereof. On March 27, 2022, Vahanna submitted the Initial LOI. The Initial LOI set forth Vahanna’s proposal to acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of Roadzen for total consideration of $1.1 billion, assuming all contemplated acquisitions were executed prior to the business combination. In addition to setting forth the proposed valuation, the Initial LOI proposed (a) an unspecified PIPE or alternative financing arrangement, which together with the Trust Account proceeds (after giving effect to redemptions and transaction expenses) would provide the post-closing company with $150 million, and (b) a 12-month lockup for Roadzen securityholders.
Between March 22, 2022 through April 29, 2022, Vahanna performed additional in-depth due diligence on Roadzen, including Roadzen’s existing businesses, intellectual property and the strategic acquisitions being negotiated by Roadzen. Concurrent with Vahanna’s legal and business due diligence, Roadzen and Vahanna continued to negotiate the terms of the Initial LOI. These negotiations were led by Mr. Malhotra and Messrs. Adhikari and Puri, respectively. Mr. Ramgopal helped to facilitate these negotiations. Throughout this period, the parties continued to discuss closing conditions regarding minimum cash, PIPE and alternative financing arrangements, transaction expense caps, Roadzen and Sponsor lockup terms, and share reservations of the post-closing company’s incentive plan and employee stock participation plan, which terms would be included in the definitive documents for the proposed business combination. In particular, following Roadzen’s decision not to proceed with the acquisition of the Additional RZ Target, the parties decided to reduce the target size of the contemplated PIPE investment from $150 million to $58 million. Additionally, the parties agreed to a lock-up period of 12 months consistent with the lock-up terms that applied to the Founder Shares. The parties also agreed that as a condition to the closing of the proposed business combination, Roadzen would have effectuated awards of restricted stock units not to exceed 14.5% of the fully diluted equity securities of Roadzen immediately prior to the closing of the proposed business combination.
On April 12, 2022, Vahanna entered into a formal engagement letter with DMD Advocates (“DMD”) to serve as its legal advisor with respect to Indian law and the proposed transaction with Roadzen.
On April 19, 2022, subject to a formal engagement letter executed on July 6, 2022, Vahanna engaged Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (“Gibson Dunn”) to serve as its as its mergers and acquisitions and capital markets counsel with respect to a proposed business combination. Prior to such engagement, W&S represented Vahanna in connection with the IPO and served as outside counsel following the IPO. Following such engagement with Gibson Dunn, W&S continued to represent Vahanna with respect to its periodic securities filings and administration.
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On April 21, 2022, Vahanna sent Roadzen a revised draft of the Initial LOI (the “Interim LOI”), which revised the $1.1 billion valuation to reflect only the equity value of Roadzen following the acquisition of the Additional RZ Target (without any customary purchase price adjustments) and the consummation of a bridge financing (in lieu of a traditional PIPE) by Roadzen of $120-150 million of convertible debt to be issued prior to the execution of the definitive business combination agreement. The Interim LOI also (a) proposed the execution of a customary support agreement by the Sponsor, (b) proposed total cash proceeds of $150 million after giving effect to transaction expenses, redemptions and the bridge financing, with a corresponding closing condition for the benefit of Roadzen, (c) clarified that the Roadzen securityholders’ lockup would be commensurate with the duration of the Sponsor’s lockup, (d) proposed share reservations for the post-closing incentive plan and employee stock purchase plan of 10% and 2% of the outstanding common stock at closing, respectively, and (e) proposed a $15 million cap on Vahanna transaction expenses.
On April 29, 2022, Mr. Adhikari and Mr. Malhotra executed the final Letter of Intent (the “LOI”). The LOI set forth Vahanna’s proposal to acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of Roadzen for total consideration of $1.1 billion, assuming all contemplated acquisitions of GIM, NAC and the Additional RZ Target were executed prior to the business combination, the completion of a $120-150 million bridge financing in lieu of a traditional PIPE, and the current Roadzen management team would continue as the management team of the post-business combination company. In arriving at the proposed total consideration, Vahanna took into consideration Roadzen’s future outlook and pro forma projections. These projections included the contemplated acquisitions provided by Roadzen management on January 28, 2022. Financial and business data regarding Roadzen, GIM, NAC and the Additional RZ Target was received from Roadzen via the data room, access for which was provided on January 13, 2022. The Roadzen business, including contemplated acquisitions, its future business model, financials and pro forma projections provided by Roadzen management were reviewed by Vahanna management and the Sponsor, through various virtual and in-person meetings with Roadzen leaders between January 18, 2022 and March 20, 2022 including meetings on February 16, 2022 and February 25, 2022.
On May 3, 2022, Roadzen countersigned the LOI, delivering it to Vahanna. Roadzen and Vahanna agreed to a mutual exclusivity period of 90 business days following the execution of the LOI. Furthermore, the LOI contemplated that, Vahanna would assist Roadzen in raising between $120 million to $150 million in convertible debt in connection with one of the strategic acquisitions being contemplated by Roadzen, in advance of the execution of the definitive merger agreement with Vahanna. Being on substantially similar terms to the Initial LOI shared with the Board of Directors, the LOI was shared with the Board of Directors of Vahanna on May 6, 2022, and no further approval was deemed necessary. The LOI was further reviewed by the Board of Directors at its June 20, 2022 meeting.
Throughout the months of May, June and July 2022, Vahanna, Roadzen and their respective advisors participated in a number of due diligence telephone calls and exchanged due diligence materials, including in the areas of legal, financial, market, information technology, software, tax, insurance, employee benefits and industry trends. During this time, Roadzen entered into definitive acquisition agreements for the acquisitions of Global Insurance Management Limited and National Automobile Club, with the closing of each acquisition subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including regulatory approval. The acquisition of National Automobile Club closed on June 6, 2023. Additionally, extensive diligence was conducted on a third potential acquisition by both Roadzen, its advisors and Vahanna.
Through the months of May through October 2022, the Vahanna board of directors, members of Vahanna’s management team, and the Sponsor and its representatives conducted internal videoconferences discussing the contemplated transaction with Roadzen.
On May 4, 2022, Vahanna commenced confirmatory business due diligence along with legal, financial, accounting, technology as well as insurance industry trends and participated in various discussions with representatives of Roadzen. These were also done with the help of vendors for industry and platform reviews.
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On June 20, 2022, the audit committee of the Vahanna board of directors (the “Vahanna Audit Committee”) held a meeting with management and Gibson Dunn to discuss, among other things, certain conflicts and independence issues arising from a proposed engagement of Mizuho as a financial advisor and certain financial interests arising from the Sponsor’s relationship with Roadzen. Following such meeting, the Vahanna board of directors and the Vahanna Audit Committee held a joint meeting with management, representatives of the Sponsor, and Gibson Dunn to further discuss such perceived conflicts and independence issues. The Vahanna Audit Committee then recommended to the Vahanna Board that Vahanna engage a third-party independent advisor to advise the Audit Committee and the Board in connection with the Proposed Business Combination and deliver a fairness opinion. The Audit Committee further added that it should be involved in the selection process. At this joint meeting, the management also discussed the potential transaction with Roadzen and certain financial and financing considerations. In light of the above relationships with Roadzen, pursuant to Section 41.3 of the Existing Charter governing the review and approval of potential related party transactions by the Vahanna Audit Committee, the week prior to the June 20, 2022 meeting, Vahanna management determined that formal approval of a proposed transaction with Roadzen would require the prior approval of the Vahanna Audit Committee, a committee of the Vahanna board of directors comprised solely of independent directors.
On June 22, 2022, Vahanna entered into formal engagement letters with Mizuho and Marco Polo to advise Vahanna with regards to a potential business combination with Roadzen, pursuant to which Mizuho and Marco Polo are each entitled to receive a $2.5 million success fee upon consummation of the merger and customary expense reimbursements. Upon consummation of the merger, pursuant to the underwriting agreement executed at the time of the IPO, Mizuho also will be entitled to receive $6,525,000 in deferred underwriting fees. Mizuho was engaged by Roadzen in August 2022 as a financial advisor and placement agent in connection with a proposed capital raising transaction for Roadzen. Under its engagement letter with Roadzen, Mizuho has certain rights of first refusal to participate in future securities offerings of Roadzen or a successor entity. Marco Polo was also engaged by Roadzen in 2022 as a financial advisor in connection with a proposed strategic acquisition that has since been abandoned. Marco Polo is owned by Magellan, a financial services holding company, which in turn is owned by Mr. Ramgopal and Mr. Carlson. Each of Mr. Ramgopal and Mr. Carlson are co-chairman of Magellan and 50% owners of Magellan. Mr. Carlson is anticipated to serve as a director of New Roadzen following the merger.
On July 7, 2022, members of Roadzen’s management team presented to the Vahanna board of directors regarding the Roadzen business and representatives of Mizuho presented to the Vahanna board of directors and management regarding the state of the SPAC market. At such time, the Vahanna board of directors was provided the opportunity to discuss with Roadzen management the business, its growth strategy and terms of a proposed transactions.
On August 24, 2022, the Vahanna board of directors met with Vahanna management and its advisors to discuss, among other things, an update on the current state of the SPAC market, a business and diligence update regarding Roadzen, and timing considerations regarding a proposed transaction with Roadzen.
On September 23, 2022, in a privately negotiated transaction, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, LP, an entity beneficially owned and controlled by Ajay Shah, a director of Vahanna, and his wife, acquired an interest in Roadzen, which, at the time, represented approximately 0.7% interest in Roadzen (on a fully diluted basis) from an existing Roadzen investor for an aggregate purchase price of $1.5 million, which valued Roadzen at a pre-money valuation of $200 million.
On September 27, 2022, the Vahanna board of directors met with Vahanna management and its advisors to discuss, among other things, an update on the current state of the SPAC market, developments regarding Roadzen’s anticipated strategic acquisitions, including that it would not proceed with the third contemplated strategic acquisition at this time, financial modeling regarding the Roadzen business, and the desirability of obtaining a fairness opinion from a third-party financial advisor. Members of Roadzen’s management team
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presented to the Vahanna board of directors regarding Roadzen’s financial outlook without the third contemplated strategic acquisition and representatives of Mizuho presented to the Vahanna board of directors and management regarding the state of the SPAC market.
During the period from the last week of September 2022 to the first week of October 2022, representatives of the Roadzen and Vahanna management teams led by Mr. Malhotra and Messrs. Adhikari and Puri, respectively, discussed revisions to the valuation proposed in the Initial LOI and the LOI. Mr. Ramgopal helped to facilitate discussions between Roadzen and Vahanna. Specifically, following Roadzen’s ongoing discussions with the Additional RZ Target, and discussions amongst the Roadzen and Vahanna management teams, Roadzen and Vahanna mutually concluded that the proposed acquisition of the Additional RZ Target presented significant complexities (e.g., high capital expenditures, asset-heavy negative cash flow, and timing that would have implied significant delay) and would not provide adequate accretive earnings to Roadzen in the short term. As a result of discussions between Roadzen and Vahanna, and following discussions with Vahanna’s financial advisors and Vahanna management’s analysis of comparable public and private companies to Roadzen (which, in all cases, were analyzed assuming that the GIM and NAC acquisitions would be completed prior to closing), parties discussed the need to reduce the amount of total consideration in light of Roadzen declining to pursue the Additional RZ Target and further revisions to the financial projections by Roadzen management. As a result of these negotiations and revised financial projections, the parties agreed to proceed with a revised preliminary valuation of approximately $650 million to $750 million. In lieu of executing an amendment to the LOI, the parties proceeded to negotiate the transaction terms via proposed definitive documents.
On October 9, 2022, W&S provided to Gibson Dunn an initial draft of the proposed merger agreement between Vahanna and Roadzen.
On October 11, 2022, Gibson Dunn was provided access by representatives of Roadzen to the legal diligence data room of Roadzen. After receiving data room access and through the signing of the merger agreement, Gibson Dunn, W&S and Roadzen held weekly calls to address and review outstanding diligence items with respect to Roadzen and its proposed strategic acquisitions.
On November 17, 2022, the Vahanna board of directors met with representatives of Mizuho and Vahanna management and its advisors to discuss, among other things, the valuation framework to be used to evaluate Roadzen, as well as current business and diligence updates regarding Roadzen.
On November 20, 2022, the Audit Committee met with Sheumack and CO GMA LLC (d/b/a SHEUMACK GMA) and SGMA Capital Markets LTD. (“SGMA CM”), who were shortlisted from among other fairness opinion vendors, to present the Audit Committee with their credentials and share their approach and timelines.
On November 28, 2022, Vahanna entered into an agreement with Sheumack and CO GMA LLC (d/b/a SHEUACK GMA) and SGMA CM to provide a fairness opinion to the Vahanna Audit Committee and to assist it in evaluating certain financial aspects of the proposed transaction with Roadzen, Inc., as part of the directors’ efforts to (i) inform themselves with respect to all material information reasonably available to them and (ii) act with appropriate care in considering the proposed transaction with Roadzen on behalf of the board of directors.
On December 20, 2022, the Vahanna board of directors met with Vahanna management and its advisors to discuss, among other things, the status of the due diligence review of Roadzen, engagement of a third-party financial advisor to deliver a fairness opinion, the status of the merger agreement and transaction documentation, and overall transaction timing.
On January 4, 2023, Gibson Dunn provided W&S its initial comments to the merger agreement. The revised draft generally addressed open business and legal issues, which were not included in the LOI and had not previously been agreed to by the parties, tailored the initial merger agreement draft to the proposed transaction contemplated by the LOI, and reflected additional diligence done to date by Vahanna and its advisors. Material
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revisions to the initial draft merger agreement included the deletion of a proposed earn-out structure for post-closing Roadzen shareholders intended to address certain tax considerations arising from the Domestication, reallocation of certain shared transaction expenses (e.g., transfer taxes, HSR fees, and SEC filing fees), conforming the treatment of equity securities of Roadzen to the terms of the LOI to ensure that consideration paid was for Roadzen on a fully diluted basis (e.g., inclusive of incentive awards, options and warrants), a minimum cash condition of Roadzen of $20 million, and that all existing Roadzen holders execute a lock-up agreement with respect to their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
On January 17, 2023, Gibson Dunn provided W&S with an updated draft of the merger agreement, reflecting provisions with respect to the proposed transaction structure. The transaction structure continued to evolve throughout the negotiation process and the parties agreed to structure the transaction as currently proposed (e.g., Domestication or continuation as a BVI company).
On January 20, 2023, Gibson Dunn provided W&S with a further updated draft of the merger agreement, reflecting additional revisions to representations and warranties, covenants and closing conditions, in each case, arising from further diligence done by DMD with respect to certain risks and business considerations related to Roadzen’s operations in India. Specifically, the proposed draft included revisions to certain compliance with sanctions and export laws, related party transactions, and certain pre-closing actions of Roadzen with respect to its operations in India.
On January 23, 2023, Vahanna management, Roadzen management, W&S and Gibson Dunn had a conference call and exchanged several emails to discuss and resolve certain outstanding items in the draft merger agreement with respect to, among other things, representations and warranties, covenants and closing conditions.
On January 24, 2023, W&S provided Gibson Dunn with a revised draft of the merger agreement, reflecting the discussions and correspondence of January 23, 2023, as well as additional revisions to certain legal matters concerning representations and warranties of the parties. Specifically, the revised draft merger agreement proposed a $700 million valuation, proposed a mutual closing condition that Vahanna have $150 million in cash at closing (after redemptions and expenses), removed Roadzen’s $20 million minimum cash closing condition, proposed a closing condition in favor of Roadzen that Vahanna have at least $50 million in cash, and proposed that lock-up agreements for existing Roadzen holders only be for those with 5% or more of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
On January 26, 2023, Gibson Dunn provided W&S with a revised draft of the merger agreement, which revised the minimum cash closing conditions at issue (removing the closing condition in favor of Roadzen that Vahanna have at least $50 million in cash and proposing a mutual closing cash condition that Vahanna have $50 million in cash at closing after redemptions), proposed the expansion of lock-up agreements for existing Roadzen holders (in addition to those with 5% or more of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, Roadzen executives and those holding certain Roadzen derivative securities), clarified certain closing conditions with respect to the operations of Roadzen and its subsidiaries in India and revised the expected timing of the delivery of certain ancillary agreements.
On January 29, 2023, W&S provided Gibson Dunn with a revised draft of the merger agreement, which reverted to their January 24, 2023 position with respect to lock-up agreement for existing Roadzen holders, revised certain closing bring-down standards with respect to the parties’ representations and warranties and revised certain interim operating covenants with respect to Vahanna’s ability to seek to reverse shareholder elections to redeem their Vahanna ordinary shares in connection with the proposed merger.
During the month of January 2023, various representatives of Vahanna, the Sponsor and Roadzen management held conversations regarding the evolution of the market, valuation of comparable public peers, the evolving reports coming from certain financial advisors to Vahanna, the updated Roadzen, GIM and NAC financials adapted to US GAAP, and updated financial projections from Roadzen. Vahanna management shared
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an estimated Roadzen valuation of $700 million at a meeting of the Vahanna Audit Committee and separately at a full meeting of the board of directors of Vahanna, each held on January 30, 2023. Following these conversations, Mr. Saurav Adhikari, Chairman of Vahanna, and Mr. Rohan Malhotra, CEO of Roadzen, agreed, in a conversation held on January 31, 2023, to a final valuation for Roadzen of $683 million, which would be calculated after giving effect to all existing options, management stock option programs and equity conversions. This agreement was then communicated to the management teams by e-mail.
From January 31, 2023, through February 9, 2023, Gibson Dunn and W&S exchanged drafts of the merger agreement with respect to the intended treatment of certain outstanding Roadzen equity securities and certain contemplated pre-Closing awards to Roadzen management so that such securities and contemplated awards were taken into account in the total merger consideration issuable to Roadzen equity holders.
On February 2, 2023, representatives of Mizuho, its counsel, and SHEUMACK GMA held a customary bring-down diligence call with the Roadzen management team and W&S.
On February 10, 2023, SHEUMACK GMA presented its final financial analyses regarding the proposed transaction and orally conveyed its opinion to the Vahanna Audit Committee, concluding that the Total Merger Consideration to be paid to the equityholders of Roadzen is fair, from a financial point of view, to Vahanna and the Vahanna Unaffiliated Shareholders. At the meeting of the Vahanna Audit Committee, the Vahanna Audit Committee unanimously approved, and recommended that the Vahanna board of directors approve, the entry into the merger agreement and consummation the transactions contemplated thereby. Following the meeting, SHEUMACK GMA delivered its written opinion to the Vahanna Audit Committee and the Vahanna board of directors. Following the meeting of the Vahanna Audit Committee, the Vahanna board of directors convened a meeting, whereby the Vahanna board of directors adopted unanimous written resolutions (i) determining that it is in the best interests of Vahanna for Vahanna to enter into the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) adopting the merger agreement and approving Vahanna’s execution and delivery of the merger agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, and (iii) recommending that its shareholders vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
On February 10, 2023, the Roadzen board of directors adopted written resolutions (i) determining that it is in the best interests of Roadzen for Roadzen to enter into the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and (ii) adopting the merger agreement and approving Roadzen’s execution and delivery of the merger agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.
On February 10, 2023, the parties entered into the merger agreement, the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Support Agreement, and certain Lock-up Agreements.
On June 29, 2023, the parties to the merger agreement entered into a first amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Amendment”) to update and clarify the terms of the Incentive Plan and the ESPP.
Recommendation of the Roadzen Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger
After consideration, the Roadzen board of directors adopted resolutions determining that the merger, the merger agreement the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement were advisable and in the best interests of Roadzen and its stockholders, authorizing and approving the merger, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, directing that the merger agreement be submitted to the holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock for consideration. The Roadzen board of directors recommends that the holders of Roadzen capital stock accept and approve the merger and adopt the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
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In reaching its decision to authorize and approve, and declare advisable, the merger agreement and resolving to recommend that Roadzen stockholders adopt and approve the merger agreement and thereby accept and approve the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the Roadzen board of directors consulted with Roadzen’s management, as well as its financial and legal advisors, and considered a number of factors, including its knowledge of Roadzen’s business, operations, financial condition, earnings and prospects, and its knowledge of the financial and capital markets and the risks associated with funding the business plan through other means, including a potential IPO of Roadzen. Among the various factors that the Roadzen board of directors considered in favor of its decision are:
• | Other Alternatives. It is the belief of the Roadzen board of directors, after considering alternative opportunities from time to time, that the proposed merger represents the best potential transaction for Roadzen to execute its business plan, create greater value for Roadzen’s stockholders. |
• | Advantages Over a Traditional IPO. Prior to executing the merger agreement, the Roadzen board of directors considered the alternative of a traditional IPO. The Roadzen board of directors considered that the merger provided certain advantages over a traditional IPO. In particular, the Roadzen board of directors considered that, based on available information at the time, including with respect to the conditions of the IPO market for companies of a similar size and industry as Roadzen, the merger with Vahanna was likely to provide for a more time- and cost-effective means to capital with a higher likelihood of completion in light of the committed equity investments, greater valuation certainty and less dilution to Roadzen’s existing stockholders and would provide potential investors with more extensive information about the prospects of Roadzen. |
• | Terms of the Merger Agreement. The Roadzen board of directors considered the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, including but not limited to the nature and scope of the closing conditions and the likelihood of obtaining any necessary regulatory approval, in addition to the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. |
• | Size of Post-Combination Company. The Roadzen board of directors considered the equity value of approximately $683 million for Roadzen, providing Roadzen’s stockholders with the opportunity to go forward with ownership in a public company with a larger market capitalization. |
• | Access to Capital. The Roadzen board of directors expects that the merger will be a more time-and cost-effective means to access capital, repay a portion of its existing indebtedness and reduce leverage than other options considered, including an IPO. |
• | Benefit from Being a Public Company. The Roadzen board of directors believes that under new public ownership it will have the flexibility and financial resources to pursue and execute a growth strategy to increase revenues and stockholder value and will benefit from being publicly traded, and can effectively utilize the broader access to capital and public profile that are associated with being a publicly traded company. |
• | Letter Agreement. The Roadzen board of directors considered that, pursuant to the Letter Agreement entered into with Vahanna, the Sponsor and each of Vahanna’s officers and directors, among other things, agreed to vote any Founder Shares held by them and any other Vahanna ordinary shares purchased during or after the IPO in favor of a proposed initial business combination and not to redeem such shares in connection with such a transaction and that the Sponsor and its permitted transferees own at least 19.4% of its outstanding common stock entitled to vote thereon. Vahanna’s directors and officers do not own any Vahanna ordinary shares. |
• | Support Agreement. The Roadzen board of directors considered that, concurrent with the execution of the merger agreement, certain holders representing the requisite number of outstanding shares of (a) Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock (determined on an as-converted basis) voting together as a single class and (b) Roadzen Preferred Stock voting together as a separate class entered into the Support Agreement with Vahanna. Under the Support Agreement, the supporting holders agreed, among other things, to execute and deliver certain written consents within three (3) business days after this proxy statement/prospectus is declared effective by the SEC, adopting the |
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merger agreement, approving the merger and converting the Roadzen Preferred Stock to Existing Roadzen Common Stock effective immediately prior to, and conditioned upon, the Effective Time. |
• | Sponsor Lock-up Agreement. In addition, the Sponsor and the holders of the Founder Shares have agreed to be subject to a lock-up of up to one (1) year in respect of their Founder Shares. |
For a more detailed description of the Letter Agreement, the Support Agreement and the Sponsor Lock-up Agreement, see the section titled “Other Agreements.”
The Roadzen board of directors also considered the following negative factors:
• | Risk that the Merger may not be Completed. The Roadzen board of directors considered the risk that the merger might not be consummated in a timely manner or at all, due to a lack of stockholder approval or failure to satisfy various conditions to closing. |
• | Impact on Reputation and Business if the Merger is not Completed. The Roadzen board of directors considered the possibility that the merger might not be completed and that there may be an adverse effect of the public announcement of the merger on Roadzen’s reputation and business in the event the merger is not completed. |
• | Expenses and Challenges. The Roadzen board of directors considered the expenses to be incurred in connection with the merger and related administrative challenges associated with combining the companies. |
• | Costs of being a Public Company. The Roadzen board of directors considered the additional public company expenses and obligations that Roadzen’s business will be subject to following the merger that it has not previously been subject to. |
• | Restrictions on Operations of Roadzen’s Business. The Roadzen board of directors considered the fact that, although Roadzen will continue to exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, control and supervision over its operations prior to the completion of the merger, the merger agreement generally obligates Roadzen, subject to Vahanna’s prior consent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and in accordance with specified restrictions, which might delay or prevent Roadzen from undertaking certain business opportunities that might arise pending completion of the merger. |
• | Interests of Roadzen Executive Officers and Directors. The Roadzen board of directors considered the fact that certain executive officers and directors of Roadzen have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Roadzen stockholders generally, including the manner in which they would be affected by the merger, and the other matters disclosed in the section titled “The Merger — Interests of Roadzen Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.” |
• | Other Risks. The Roadzen board of directors considered various other risks associated with the combined organization and the merger, including the risks described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” |
The foregoing discussion of the factors considered by the Roadzen board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but, rather, includes the material factors considered by the Roadzen board of directors. In reaching its decision to adopt and approve, and declare advisable, the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the Roadzen board of directors did not quantify or assign any relative weights to the factors considered, and individual directors may have given different weights to different factors. The Roadzen board of directors considered all these factors as a whole, including discussions with, and questioning of, Roadzen’s management and financial and legal advisors, and, overall, considered these factors to be favorable to, and to support, its determination.
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The Roadzen board of directors concluded that the potentially negative factors associated with the merger were outweighed by the potential benefits that it expected Roadzen stockholders would receive as a result of the merger, including the belief of the Roadzen board of directors that the merger would maximize the immediate value of shares of Roadzen common stock and preferred stock and eliminate the risk and uncertainty affecting the future prospects of Roadzen, including the potential execution risks associated with an IPO of Roadzen common stock and preferred stock and pursuing its business plan as a public company. Accordingly, the Roadzen board of directors determined that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Roadzen and its stockholders, and authorizing and approving, and declaring advisable, the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The Roadzen board of directors recommends that Roadzen stockholders consent to the merger agreement and the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger
The Vahanna board of directors, in evaluating the merger, consulted with Vahanna’s management and financial and legal advisors. In reaching its unanimous written resolution (i) that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are advisable and in the best interests of Vahanna and its shareholders and (ii) to recommend that the shareholders adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby, the Vahanna board of directors considered a range of factors, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below. The Vahanna board of directors viewed its decision as being based on all of the information available and the factors presented to and considered by it. This explanation of Vahanna’s reasons for the merger and all other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under “Forward-Looking Statements; Market, Ranking and Other Industry Data.”
The Vahanna board of directors considered a number of factors pertaining to the merger as generally supporting its decision to enter into the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including, but not limited to, the following material factors:
• | Large Addressable Market. Insurance is a $5.5 trillion industry and one of the global markets that is most subject to technological disruption. Within the broader insurance market, global auto insurance is a substantial part and projected to grow. Furthermore, the autonomous driving and telematics growth in the automotive space would enhance the potential addressable market. |
• | Growth Prospects. Roadzen is perceived by Vahanna as a growth company at the crossroads of auto insurance, mobility and artificial intelligence. Roadzen’s platforms, set up as a vertically integrated “insurance-as-a-service” offering, allows Roadzen to capture revenues through the larger insurance value chain, from data capture from the vehicles themselves, to broking policies to managing claims and payments. Roadzen has multiple areas of potential growth, including, but not limited to, fleet management, insurance brokerage, OEM equipment agreements, RSA, claims processing both through existing customer relations and through strategic acquisitions. |
• | Economics. Some of the factors the Vahanna board of directors considered include Roadzen’s business model of being paid a commission as a percentage of gross transaction value. Thus, through cross- selling and upselling existing clients, both car manufacturers and insurance companies, Roadzen is poised to capture an increasing percentage of the insurance value chain, without incurring significant additional expenses, through the use of its artificial intelligence centered business model; |
• | Due Diligence. Due diligence examinations of Roadzen and discussions with Roadzen’s management and Vahanna’s financial and legal advisors concerning Vahanna’s due diligence examination of Roadzen; |
• | Financial Condition. The Vahanna board of directors also considered factors such as Roadzen’s historical financial results, outlook, financial plan and debt structure, as well as the financial profiles of private and publicly traded peer companies in the insurance space (both in auto insurance as well as other specialty insurance segments such as property and casualty, health, term life, travel, homeowners, |
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etc.), and software and hardware telematics markets and certain relevant information with respect to companies that had been acquisition targets or received equity financings in transactions similar to the merger. In reviewing these factors, the Vahanna board of directors noted that Roadzen was well- positioned in its industry for strong future growth; |
• | Experienced and Proven Management Team. Roadzen has a strong management team and the senior management of Roadzen intend to remain with Roadzen, which will provide helpful continuity in advancing Roadzen’s strategic and growth goals; |
• | Lock Up. Pursuant to the merger agreement, all Roadzen equity holders (on a fully diluted basis) are expected to enter into certain restrictions on transfer for up to 12 months from the date of the consummation of the merger; |
• | Other Alternatives. The Vahanna board of directors believes, after a thorough review of other business combination opportunities reasonably available to Vahanna, that the proposed merger represents the best potential business combination for Vahanna and the most attractive opportunity for Vahanna’s management to accelerate its business plan based upon its evaluation and assessment of other potential acquisition targets; |
• | Negotiated Transaction. The financial and other terms of the merger agreement and the fact that such terms and conditions are reasonable and were the product of arm’s length negotiations between Vahanna and Roadzen; and |
• | Opinion of Vahanna’s Financial Advisor. The Vahanna board of directors took into account the financial analysis reviewed by SHEUMACK GMA with the Vahanna Audit Committee as well as the oral opinion of SHEUMACK GMA rendered to the members of Vahanna Audit Committee on February 10, 2023 (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of SHEUMACK GMA’s written opinion addressed to the Vahanna board of directors and the Vahanna Audit Committee dated February 10, 2023), that the Total Merger Consideration to be paid to the equityholders of Roadzen is fair, from a financial point of view, to Vahanna and the Vahanna Unaffiliated Shareholders, as more fully described in the section titled “— Opinion of SHEUMACK GMA.” SHEUMACK GMA did not express an opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of view to Vahanna and the Vahanna Unaffiliated Shareholders of any consideration paid in connection with the merger agreement to the holders of any specific class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of Roadzen. |
The Vahanna board of directors also considered a variety of uncertainties, risks and other potentially negative factors concerning the merger including, but not limited to, the following:
• | Macroeconomic Risks. Macroeconomic uncertainty and the effects it could have on the combined company’s revenues; |
• | Redemption Risk. The potential that a significant number of Vahanna shareholders elect to redeem their shares prior to the consummation of the merger and pursuant to Vahanna’s Existing Charter, which would potentially make the merger more difficult or impossible to complete; |
• | Shareholder Vote. The risk that Vahanna’s shareholders may fail to provide the respective votes necessary to effect the merger; |
• | Closing Conditions. The fact that the completion of the merger is conditioned on the satisfaction of certain closing conditions that are not within Vahanna’s control; |
• | Litigation. The possibility of litigation challenging the merger or that an adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin consummation of the merger; |
• | Listing Risks. The challenges associated with preparing Roadzen, a private entity, for the applicable disclosure and listing requirements to which New Roadzen will be subject to as a publicly traded company on Nasdaq; |
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• | Benefits May Not Be Achieved. The risks that the potential benefits of the merger may not be fully achieved or may not be achieved within the expected timeframe; |
• | Liquidation of Vahanna. The risks and costs to Vahanna if the merger is not completed, including the risk of diverting management focus and resources from other business combination opportunities, which could result in Vahanna being unable to effect a business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination); |
• | Costs Savings and Growth Initiatives May Not be Achieved. The risk that the cost savings and growth initiatives may not be fully achieved or may not be achieved within the expected timeframe; |
• | Vahanna shareholders Receiving a Minority Position in Roadzen. The risk that Vahanna shareholders may hold a minority position in New Roadzen; and |
• | Fees and Expenses. The fees and expenses associated with completing the merger. |
• | In addition to considering the factors described above, the Vahanna board of directors also considered other factors including, without limitation: |
• | Interests of Certain Persons. Some officers and directors of Vahanna and the Sponsor may have interests in the merger. For more information, see the section titled “Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger.” |
• | Other Risk Factors. Various other risk factors associated with the business of Roadzen, as described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” |
The Vahanna board of directors concluded that the potential benefits that it expected Vahanna and its shareholders to achieve as a result of the merger outweighed the potentially negative and other factors associated with the merger. Accordingly, the Vahanna board of directors unanimously determined that the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, were advisable and in the best interests of Vahanna and its shareholders.
Certain Engagement in Connection with the Merger
Mizuho is acting as a financial advisor to Vahanna in connection with the merger. In connection with such engagement, Mizuho will receive fees and expense reimbursement customary for a financial advisory engagement (subject to the terms and conditions of its engagement letter with Vahanna).
Mizuho (together with its affiliates) is a full-service financial institution engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, wealth management, investment research, principal investment, lending, financing, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. In addition, Mizuho and its affiliates may provide investment banking services and other commercial dealings to Roadzen, New Roadzen and their respective affiliates in the future, for which they would expect to receive customary compensation. In the ordinary course of their business activities, Mizuho and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of Roadzen, New Roadzen or their respective affiliates. Mizuho and its affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments. Mizuho, as the underwriter of the Vahanna IPO, is entitled, pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement, to receive a deferred underwriting commission of $6,525,000, and to receive a fee of $2,500,000 pursuant to the terms of its financial advisory engagement letter with Vahanna, in each case payable upon completion of the merger.
Opinion of SHEUMACK GMA
On February 10, 2023, SHEUMACK GMA rendered its oral opinion to the Vahanna Audit Committee (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of SHEUMACK GMA’s written opinion addressed to
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the Vahanna board of directors and the Vahanna Audit Committee dated February 10, 2023) to the effect that, as of such date and subject to the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by SHEUMACK GMA as set forth in its written opinion, the Total Merger Consideration to be paid to the equity holders of Roadzen is fair, from a financial point of view, to Vahanna and the Vahanna Unaffiliated Shareholders.
SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion was directed to the Vahanna board of directors and the Vahanna Audit Committee (in their respective capacities as such) and only addressed the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Total Merger Consideration to be paid by Vahanna pursuant to the merger agreement, and did not address any other terms, aspects or implications of the merger, or any agreements, arrangements or understandings entered into in connection with the merger. The summary of SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of its written opinion, which is attached as Annex G to this proxy statement/prospectus and which describes the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by SHEUMACK GMA in connection with the preparation of its opinion. Neither SHEUMACK GMA’s opinion nor the summary of its opinion and the related analyses set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus are intended to be, and do not constitute, advice or a recommendation to the Vahanna board of directors, Vahanna or any security holder as to how to act or vote on any matter relating to the merger or otherwise.
February 10, 2023
The Audit Committee of The Board of Directors and the Board of Directors
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.
1230 Avenue Of the Americas
Floor 16
New York, NY 10020
USA
Attention: Ms. Diane Glossman, Chair of the Audit Committee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made herein to the proposed business combination of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. (herein “Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.” or “Vahanna” or the “Purchaser”), a corporation organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, with Roadzen, Inc. (herein “Roadzen” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in and pursuant to the draft of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) dated February 9, 2023.
We understand that Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. proposes to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) providing for a business combination (the “Business Combination”) with Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Roadzen,” the “Company” or the “Target”). To effect the Business Combination: (a) Purchaser will form Vahanna Merger Sub Corp. (“Merger Sub”) as a Delaware corporation and wholly- owned special purpose subsidiary of Purchaser; (b) Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, immediately following which the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease; (c) the Company will be the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vahanna, and; (d) upon the Effective Time (as defined herein) of the Merger (as defined herein), all issued and outstanding equity interest of the Company will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined herein) at or following the consummation of the Merger.
As consideration for the Merger, the Purchaser proposes to pay the number of Vahanna Common Shares for each Company Common Share equal to the Exchange Ratio. The Fully-Exercised Vahanna Share Count, as defined, means to the number of Vahanna common shares equal to the quotient of (a) the Total Equity Value, divided by (b) $10.00, and; the Company Outstanding Shares being defined pursuant to Article I of the Agreement, which treats issued and outstanding equity of the Company on an as-converted to common stock, fully diluted basis (“Vahanna Common Shares”). For the purposes of Advisor’s analyses and with the authorization of the Audit
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Committee, the Exchange Ratio is fixed at 29.7594 Vahanna Common Shares for each Company Outstanding Share. Pursuant to the definition thereof, notably the application of a fixed as compared to variable Purchaser share price, the proposed consideration shall be a fixed amount. Based on and consistent with the application of the foregoing, Advisor hereby and herein assumes that the proposed Total Merger Consideration, as defined, is equal to 68,300,000 Vahanna Common Shares in aggregate, equivalent to $683,000,000.
Advisor Engagement and Scope of Advisor Engagement.
On November 28, 2022, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Purchaser engaged us as an advisor (herein, “Advisor”) in respect of the proposed Agreement and Plan of Merger and asked us to render an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the Purchaser and the unaffiliated stockholders of the Purchaser of the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the Agreement, as of the date hereof (the “Opinion”).
Limitations on Scope of Advisor Engagement.
Analyses underlying our Opinion and on which our Opinion is based and our resulting Opinion address only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid by the Purchaser pursuant to the Agreement and we do not express any views nor have we conducted any financial or other analyses whatsoever of any other terms, aspects or implications of the Agreement or the Business Combination including, without limitation (i) any term of the Agreement that is not subject to financial analyses; (ii) the Redemption obligations of the Purchaser; (iii) the capital structure of the Purchaser and the Company; (iv) any capital raising transaction of the Purchaser or the Company, and; (v) any terms and conditions associated with the Ancillary Documents including the (a) Support Agreement; (b) Sponsor Support Agreement, and; (c) Lock Up Agreement, among other.
Summary of Financial Analyses Undertaken and Performed by Advisor
Advisor has, among other things, reviewed the draft Agreement (dated February 9, 2023) and reviewed certain publicly available and non-public business and financial information relating to the Purchaser and the Company. Among other important assumptions on which the financial analyses contained herein are based, the Purchaser and the Company acknowledge and agree that:
(i) | the Company financial statements have been calculated, assembled and presented to Advisor in accordance with U.S. GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated audited financial statements. |
(ii) | all Company consolidated historical partial year and forecast financial statements as provided to Advisor are unaudited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and representing the Company’s best internal estimates of (i) partial-year actual financial performance and financial condition and; (ii) forecast financial performance and financial condition; |
(iii) | unaudited financial information may differ from audited financial information, and; |
(iv) | past financial performance is not representative of future performance and as such there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve the financial forecasts provided by the Company. |
Advisor reviewed certain non-public internal financial and business information in respect of the past and current business, operations, financial condition, financial performance and prospects of the Company as furnished to Advisor by the Company and or by the Purchaser, including certain financial forecasts relating to the businesses of the Company prepared by the executive management of the Company. Advisor understands that the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized such information to be used by Purchaser for the purpose of negotiating and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and by Advisor for the purpose or purposes of the analyses contained herein.
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As part of its analyses, Advisor also has:
(i) | reviewed certain publicly available financial and business information in respect of the past and current business, operations, financial performance, financial condition and prospects of the Purchaser and the Company including the Purchaser’s Form S-1 (as amended) as first filed with the SEC on November 4, 2021; |
(ii) | compared the historical and forecast financial condition, financial performance and results of operations of the Company to those of other publicly traded companies considered to be reasonably comparable; |
(iii) | compared the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Agreement by the Purchaser to the Company to the imputed estimated fair market equity market capitalization of the Company resulting from the Advisor’s discounted cash flow analyses; |
(iv) | compared the valuation multiples implied by the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Agreement by the Purchaser to the Company to valuation multiples implied by the equity market capitalization (“EMC”) valuation of selected publicly-traded financial services companies considered reasonably comparable; and |
(v) | compared the valuation multiples implied by the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Agreement by the Purchaser to the Company to the valuation multiples implied by the transaction value paid by acquirers of other selected comparable North American companies, and; performed such other financial studies, analyses and investigations and considered such other factors, as deemed reasonably appropriate. |
This Opinion has been prepared utilizing public information and non-public information provided by the Purchaser and the Company.
Advisor has relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing information and has not assumed any responsibility for any independent verification of such information. Advisor has not made any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities, solvency or fair value of the Purchaser or the Company.
In respect of the Company, to the extent any forward-looking financial information appears herein, Advisor has relied upon the Purchaser and the management and the Board of Directors of the Company in the provision of same and as to the reasonableness and achievability of such forward-looking information (including the assumptions thereof and bases therefor). Advisor has assumed that such forecast or forecasts reflects the best currently available estimate and judgment of the Company as approved and authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, and that such forecast or forecasts will be realized in the amounts and in conformance with the time period currently estimated by the Company. Advisor assumes no responsibility for and expresses no view as to any forward-looking financial information or the assumptions on which it is or they are based. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward- looking financial information. The information set forth herein is based upon the information made available to Advisor as of the date hereof, unless indicated otherwise. Portions of the information herein may be based upon certain estimates provided directly to Advisor by the Company and the Purchaser, in which case Advisor has assumed said endorsement has been expressly received by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Advisor assumes no responsibility for, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information contained in these materials. Advisor expressly disclaims any liability for any statements, express or implied, contained in, or omissions from, these materials. The past performance information concerning the Purchaser and the Company are not necessarily indicative of future results and there can be no assurance that any party will achieve comparable results in the future.
Advisor is acting as financial advisor to the Audit Committee (from time to time referred to as “AC”) of the Board of Directors of the Purchaser and to no other party. The information herein has been prepared for the AC
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and the Board of Directors, only. Advisor expressly disclaims responsibility for and will not authorize distribution of this information to any other party except as expressly authorized in writing by Advisor. Nothing contained in this work product constitutes tax, accounting, actuarial, legal, regulatory, executive compensation or other professional advice. Nothing contained herein, either in whole or part, is intended to be a recommendation and as such, no party is authorized by Advisor to interpret or represent any such content as a recommendation. This letter and only this letter, duly authorized by us, may be interpreted to be and may be represented as our Opinion.
Nothing whatsoever contained herein, including but not limited to financial analyses in whole or in part, constitutes in any way an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any U.S. state or other jurisdiction. This letter, in part and in its entirety, represents proprietary intellectual property of the Advisor and is provided on a confidential basis solely for the information of the AC and the Board of Directors of the Company so that it may consider the information described herein, and is not to be reproduced, shared or used for any other purpose. Furthermore, recipients of this work product are not to construe its contents as legal or financial advice nor advocacy in favor of the proposed Agreement, Merger, Business Combination or any other transaction related to or dependent on the Agreement. No attorney-client privilege or other similar relationship with any person shall be created by the transmittal or review of this work product.
In preparing our Opinion, with your consent, we have not assumed any responsibility for independent verification of, and have not verified, any of the foregoing information. We have, with your consent, assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness, in all material respects, of all of the financial, accounting, legal, tax and other information provided to, discussed with or reviewed by us. We have not been requested to make, and have not made, an independent evaluation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Purchaser or the Company or any of their respective affiliates, and we have not been furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal, nor have we made any physical inspection of the properties or assets of the Purchaser, the Company or any affiliate thereof. Further, we have assumed, with your consent, that all of the information, including non-public financial forecasts, prepared by and furnished to us by the Purchaser and the Company for purposes of this Opinion, was prepared on a reasonable basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the respective managements of the Purchaser and the Company. We express no opinion in respect of such forecasts or projections or the assumptions upon which they are based.
We have not undertaken any independent legal analysis of the Agreement, the Merger or any of the transaction or transactions contemplated by the Agreement, Merger or the Business Combination or any legal or regulatory proceedings pending or threatened related to the Purchaser, the Company or affiliates thereof. We have not been asked to (nor do we directly or indirectly) express any opinion as to the after-tax consequences of receipt of the proposed Total Merger Consideration by the Purchaser or the Company. No opinion, counsel or interpretation is intended regarding matters that require legal, regulatory, accounting, tax, executive compensation or other similar professional advice. It is assumed that such opinions, counsel, interpretations or advice have been or will be obtained from the appropriate professional advisers. We also have assumed that the executed Agreement will conform in all material respects to the draft Agreement reviewed by us, and that the transaction or transactions thereto will be consummated on the terms described in the draft Agreement, without any material delay or waiver of any material terms or conditions by the Purchaser or the Company. We have assumed that all governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Merger and all transactions related thereto will be obtained without any adverse effect on the Purchaser and the Company. The issuance of this Opinion was approved by our Fairness Opinion committee in accordance with our customary practice.
Our Opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the information made available to us as of the date hereof. We assume no responsibility for updating, revising or reaffirming this Opinion based on circumstances, developments or events occurring after the date hereof. Furthermore, we do not express any opinion as to the impact of the Merger or any transactions related thereto or on the solvency or viability of the Purchaser or on the Company or the ability of the Purchaser or the Company to fund their respective obligations when they come due.
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Our Opinion does not address or make any recommendation as to the merits of the underlying decision by the Purchaser to enter into the Agreement and/or to complete the Business Combination as compared to other business strategies that might be available to the Purchaser. We express no opinion as to whether any alternative transaction may result in terms, conditions or financial or strategic impact more favorable to the Purchaser or its stockholders than the Business Combination contemplated by the Agreement. In addition, our Opinion does not in any manner address the prices at which the Common Stock of the Purchaser will trade following consummation of the Agreement and Business Combination or the prices at which the Common Stock of the Purchaser will trade at any time and we express no opinion or recommendation as to how the shareholders of the Purchaser should vote or act with respect to the Agreement. We are not expressing any opinion regarding the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation or other such remuneration relating to retention agreements to any of the Purchaser or Company’s officers, employees, directors, or any class of such persons, relative to the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be received by the Company stockholders. We express no opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of view to the Purchaser and the unaffiliated shareholders of the Purchaser of any consideration paid in connection with the Agreement to the holders of any specific class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company.
This Opinion is for the use and benefit of the Board of Directors of the Purchaser including the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and is rendered to the Board of Directors in connection with its consideration of the Agreement and Business Combination. This letter is not to be used for any other purpose, or reproduced, disseminated, quoted or referred to at any time or in any manner, in whole or in part, without our written consent; provided, however, that this letter may be included in its entirety in any registration statement, report, proxy statement or other filing made by the Purchaser with any United States regulatory authorities or in any such documents or similar documents disseminated to stockholders of the Purchaser in accordance with applicable securities law and may be referred to in such filings or documents as being included therein.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid to the Company stockholders is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Purchaser and the unaffiliated stockholders of the Purchaser.
Very truly yours,
SHEUMACK GMA
Interests of Roadzen Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger
Certain of Roadzen’s executive officers and directors may have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Roadzen’s stockholders. The members of the Roadzen board of directors were aware of and considered these interests to the extent that such interests existed at the time, among other matters, when they approved the merger agreement and recommended that Roadzen stockholders consent to the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby. These interests include, among other things:
Roadzen’s executive officers are expected to become the executive officers of New Roadzen upon consummation of the merger. Specifically, the following individuals who are currently executive officers of Roadzen will become officers of New Roadzen upon the consummation of the merger, serving in the offices set forth opposite their names:
Name |
Office | |||
Rohan Malhotra |
Chief Executive Officer | |||
Mohit Pasricha |
Chief Financial Officer | |||
Ankur Kamboj |
Chief Operating Officer |
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Interests of Vahanna Directors and Executive Officers and the Sponsor in the Merger
Vahanna’s Existing Charter provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Vahanna renounces its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any director or officer unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of Vahanna and such opportunity is one that Vahanna is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for Vahanna to pursue, and to the extent the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to Vahanna without violating another legal obligation. We believe there were no such corporate opportunities that were not presented as a result of these provisions in our Existing Charter. Accordingly, this provision in the Existing Charter did not impact our search for a business combination target.
In considering the recommendation of the board of directors of Vahanna to vote in favor of approval of the proposals to be presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting, shareholders should keep in mind that certain members of the board of directors and executive officers of Vahanna and the Sponsor, including their directors and executive officers, have interests in such proposals that are different from, or in addition to, those of Vahanna shareholders generally. In particular:
• | Certain of the directors and officers of Vahanna have interests in the Sponsor and a pecuniary interest in the Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants that the Sponsor holds. Each of Vahanna’s three independent directors and Vahanna’s Chief Financial Officer has been granted certain non-voting units in the Sponsor representing an equivalent of 25,000 Founder Shares (which would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $250,000 assuming a trading price of $10.00 per New Roadzen Ordinary Share upon consummation of the merger); however, each has disclaimed beneficial ownership of such Founder Shares as they are held and controlled by the Sponsor. The Sponsor entered into a services agreement with Indus LLP, which is controlled by Vahanna’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The terms of the agreement require the Sponsor to pay a fixed monthly retainer fee in the amount of $10,000 to formulate an investment and marketing strategy and explore potential targets for a business combination on behalf of Vahanna. In addition, the Sponsor provided for a success fee that would entitle Indus LLP to distributions attributable to certain non-voting class of units of the Sponsor which makes up 11.24% of the total fully diluted units of the Sponsor upon a successful business combination (which would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $11.3 million assuming trading prices of $10.00 per New Roadzen Ordinary Share and $1.00 per New Roadzen Private Warrant upon consummation of the merger). |
• | On September 23, 2022, in a privately negotiated transaction whereby parties agreed to value Roadzen at a pre-money valuation of $200 million, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, LP, an entity beneficially owned and controlled by Ajay Shah, a director of Vahanna, and his wife, acquired an interest in Roadzen from an existing Roadzen investor for an aggregate purchase price of $1,500,000, which investment would represent approximately 389,375 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the consummation of the proposed merger. Mr. Ramgopal helped to facilitate this transaction between Roadzen and Mr. Shah. On April 28, 2023, Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, LP, acquired 3,226 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of Roadzen for an aggregate purchase price of $500,030, which investment would represent approximately 88,873 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the consummation of the proposed merger. Assuming that no Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger, Mr. Shah’s aggregate interest in Roadzen currently would represent approximately 478,248 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (which would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $4,782,480 assuming a trading price of $10.00 per New Roadzen Ordinary Share upon the consummation of the proposed merger), being equal to approximately 0.6% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the closing of the proposed merger. Mr. Shah indirectly owns, through Krishnan-Shah Family Partners, LP, certain non-voting units of the Sponsor (which would have an aggregate implied value of approximately $6,200,000 assuming trading prices of $10.00 per New Roadzen Ordinary Share and $1.00 per New Roadzen Private Warrant upon the consummation of the proposed merger). |
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• | If the merger or another business combination is not consummated within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination), Vahanna will cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, redeeming 100% of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares for cash and, subject to the approval of its remaining shareholders and its board of directors, dissolving and liquidating. In such event, the (a) 4,852,500 Founder Shares held by the Sponsor, which were acquired prior to the IPO for $25,000 and (b) 150,000 Class B Ordinary Shares held by Mizuho, which were acquired for $500,000, would be worthless because the holder is not entitled to participate in any redemption or distribution with respect to such shares. Such shares had an estimated aggregate market value of $[●] based upon the closing price of $[●] per Class A Ordinary Share on Nasdaq on the Record Date. |
• | The Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants from Vahanna for an aggregate purchase price of $8,638,500 (or $1.00 per warrant) in a private placement. These purchases took place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. A portion of the proceeds Vahanna received from these purchases was placed in the Trust Account. Such warrants had an estimated aggregate value of $[●] based on the closing price of $[●] per public warrant on Nasdaq on the Record Date. The Private Placement Warrants will become worthless if Vahanna does not consummate a business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). |
• | If Vahanna is unable to complete a business combination within the required time period, the Sponsor will be personally liable under certain circumstances described herein to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by Vahanna for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to Vahanna. If Vahanna consummates a business combination, however, Vahanna will be liable for all such claims. |
• | Vahanna’s officers and directors, and their affiliates are entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on Vahanna’s behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations. However, if Vahanna fails to consummate a business combination within the required period, they will not have any claim against the Trust Account for reimbursement. Accordingly, Vahanna may not be able to reimburse these expenses if the merger or another business combination, are not completed within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are no out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Vahanna’s officers and directors that are subject to reimbursement. |
• | Following the closing of the merger, the Sponsor will be entitled to the repayment of any working capital loans and extension loans that have been made to Vahanna and remain outstanding. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the Sponsor has loaned Vahanna $975,000 for working capital expenses with respect to the Convertible Note and $1,320,660 for purposes of the Extensions with respect to the Extension Note. The Extension Note was issued with an original issue discount of ten percent (10.0%) and a principal amount of $1,452,726, and bears interest at a rate of twenty percent (20.0%) per annum. If Vahanna does not complete an initial business combination within the required period, Vahanna may use a portion of its working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the Convertible Note and the Extension Note, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Convertible Note or the Extension Note. The Convertible Note may be converted, in whole or in part, at the option of the Sponsor into warrants of Vahanna at a price of $1.00 per warrant, which warrants will be identical to the Private Placement Warrants; however, the merger agreement requires 50% of the aggregate amount outstanding under the Convertible Note to be repaid in cash and the remainder in warrants (at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant) if the merger closes. |
• | If Vahanna is able to complete a business combination within the required time period, the Sponsor and certain Vahanna directors and officers holding Founder Shares may receive a positive return on the |
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4,852,500 Founder Shares, which were acquired by Sponsor for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 prior to the IPO, and/or the 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants, which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8.6 million concurrently with completion of the IPO, even if the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares experience a negative return on their investment in the Class A Ordinary Shares after consummation of the merger. |
• | As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the Sponsor’s aggregate at risk capital is $10,959,160, comprised of Founder Shares ($25,000), Private Placement Warrants ($8,638,500), and amounts outstanding under the Convertible Note ($975,000) and the Extension Note ($1,320,660, which does not include any interest accrued pursuant thereto). Such Founder Shares had an estimated aggregate market value of $[●] based upon the closing price of $[●] per Class A Ordinary Share on Nasdaq on the Record Date. Such warrants (assuming that the aggregate amount outstanding under the Convertible Note are converted into warrants) had an estimated aggregate value of $[●] based on the closing price of $[●] per public warrant on Nasdaq on the Record Date. If Vahanna is unable to complete a business combination within the required time period, the Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless, and the Convertible Note and the Extension Note may only be repaid with working capital held outside the Trust Account and not with proceeds held in the Trust Account. The Sponsor and the directors and officers of Vahanna do not otherwise have any amounts otherwise owed or payable by Vahanna. The Sponsor does not hold any interest in Roadzen. |
• | Certain of Vahanna’s officers and directors may continue to serve as officers and directors of New Roadzen after the closing. As such, in the future they will determine the compensation paid to New Roadzen’s directors and officers. |
• | The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to their Founder Shares if Vahanna fails to complete a business combination by within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). |
• | The continued indemnification of current directors and officers and the continuation of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. |
• | In addition to having an interest in and providing advisory services to Vahanna, the Sponsor and its controlling interest holders and affiliates have certain interests in and provide advisory services to Roadzen. Current and historical relationships and interests of the Sponsor and its affiliates in Roadzen and Vahanna include: |
• | Vinode Ramgopal is the chairman and one of the two managers of the Sponsor. From January 2020 until the consummation of the IPO, Mr. Ramgopal was an advisor to Roadzen, acting in his personal capacity, via his personal and professional relationship with certain of Roadzen’s executive officers and board members. Specifically, Mr. Ramgopal has known (a) Aashish Kalra, the chairman of Roadzen, for more than two decades and (b) Rohan Malhotra, the chief executive officer of Roadzen, since 2017. Mr. Ramgopal is a managing partner of Pi Capital International LLC, a global advisory firm (“Pi Capital”), that has served as an M&A and capital markets advisor to Roadzen since 2017. Mr. Ramgopal does not serve as a director or an officer with Messrs. Kalra or Malhotra. |
• | Mr. Ramgopal introduced Roadzen to Vahanna. |
• | Each of Mr. Ramgopal and Steven Carlson (Mr. Carlson is anticipated to serve as a director of New Roadzen following the merger) is a co-chairman and a 50% owner of Magellan Global, Inc., a financial services holding company (“Magellan”). Magellan is an approximately 15% interest holder in and serves as an advisor to Avacara PTE, Ltd (“Avacara”), a majority investor in Roadzen. Immediately prior to Closing, Avacara’s pre-closing interest in Roadzen is expected to represent approximately 25.3% of Roadzen on a fully diluted basis and, following the consummation of the merger, it is expected that Magellan’s interest in Avacara will be |
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approximately 15% of Avacara on a fully diluted basis. Assuming that no Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger, Magellan’s interest in Avacara would represent approximately 3.1% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the closing of the merger (assuming a No Redemption Scenario). |
• | Magellan is the sole interest holder in (a) Pi Capital, and (b) Marco Polo Securities Inc., a registered broker dealer (“Marco Polo”) each of which have provided certain financial advisory services to Roadzen. Mr. Ramgopal and Mr. Carlson are each 50% owners, co-chairmen of Magellan and co-chairmen of Pi Capital. Mr. Carlson is also a managing partner of Pi Capital. |
• | Magellan has served as an advisor to Roadzen since 2020 and received a one-time payment of approximately $150,000 for such consulting services on January 12, 2021. |
• | Pi Capital has served as an advisor to Roadzen since 2017, serving as an M&A and capital markets advisor to Roadzen in certain of its proposed strategic acquisitions. Pi Capital has not received any compensation for its advisory services. |
• | Marco Polo has served as an advisor to Roadzen since 2019 and has received aggregate fees of approximately $660,000 for services including strategic advisory and capital raising engagements, and an engagement in 2019 to advise on a private placement of $16.5 million of certain of Roadzen’s convertible preferred securities. Marco Polo was also engaged by Roadzen in 2022 as a financial advisor in connection with a proposed strategic acquisition that has since been abandoned, and no fee was paid by Roadzen as a result thereof. On June 22, 2022, Marco Polo entered into a formal engagement letter with Vahanna to serve as an M&A advisor to Vahanna in connection with the proposed transaction with Roadzen, whereby Marco Polo would be entitled to a $2.5 million success fee upon consummation of the merger. |
• | Each of Mr. Ramgopal and Mr. Carlson hold aggregate indirect pre-closing interests in Roadzen (via their interest in Magellan and Magellan’s interest in Avacara) of approximately 1.9% on a fully diluted basis. Assuming that no Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the proposed merger, we expect that these interests would each represent approximately 1.6% of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately following the closing of the merger (assuming a No Redemption Scenario). |
In consideration of certain of the interests set forth above, the Vahanna Board engaged an independent investment banking firm that rendered an opinion with respect to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid by Vahanna to the equity holders of Roadzen pursuant to the merger Agreement. For more information regarding the opinion, see the section titled “Proposal No. 1 — The Business Combination Proposal — Opinion of SHEUMACK GMA.” Nevertheless, in light of foregoing interests, including investments in Roadzen by certain of our officers and directors and other members of the Sponsor who are not officers or directors of the Vahanna, as well as investments in Vahanna, such persons may have interests in the merger that are different from or are in addition to those of other shareholders and, as a result, the terms of the merger may not be as advantageous to such other shareholders as they would be absent such interests.
Shareholders should take these interests into account in deciding whether to approve the merger. The Vahanna Board was aware of and did consider these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the transaction and the transaction agreements and in making the recommendation to the shareholders of Vahanna that they vote in favor of the proposals presented at the Vahanna Special Meeting, including the Business Combination Proposal.
Satisfaction of 80% Test
It is a requirement under Vahanna’s Existing Charter that any business acquired by Vahanna have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the Trust Account (excluding the amount of any deferred
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underwriting discounts and commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for an initial business combination. Based on the financial analysis of Roadzen generally used to approve the transaction, as discussed under the sections titled “Certain Financial Analyses” and “Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of Roadzen” above, the Vahanna board of directors determined that this requirement was met. The Vahanna board determined that the consideration being paid in the merger, which amount was negotiated at arms-length, was fair to and in the best interests of Vahanna and its shareholders and appropriately reflected Roadzen’s value. The Vahanna board believes that the financial skills and background of its members qualify it to conclude that the acquisition of Roadzen met this requirement.
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ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The merger will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Vahanna will be treated as the “acquired” company for accounting purposes and the business combination will be treated as the equivalent of Roadzen issuing stock for the net assets of Vahanna, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Vahanna will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
Roadzen has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:
• | Roadzen’s existing equityholders will have the greatest voting interest in the combined entity after giving effect to the merger under the no redemption and maximum redemption scenarios with over 70.0% voting interest in the No Redemption Scenario and 92.1% voting interest in the Maximum Redemption Scenario, in each case; |
• | After giving effect to the merger, the largest individual minority shareholder of the combined entity will be an existing stockholder of Roadzen; |
• | Roadzen’s existing directors and individuals designed by existing Roadzen stockholders will represent the majority of the New Roadzen board of directors; |
• | Roadzen’s senior management will be the senior management of New Roadzen; and |
• | Roadzen is the larger entity based on historical revenue and has the larger employee base. |
Other factors were considered, including the purpose and intent of the merger, noting that the preponderance of evidence as described above is indicative that Roadzen is the accounting acquirer in the merger.
PUBLIC TRADING MARKETS
Vahanna’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants are publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbols “VHNAU”, “VHNA” and “VHNAW”, respectively. New Roadzen intends to apply to list the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and New Roadzen Public Warrants on Nasdaq under the symbols “RDZN” and “RDZNW”, respectively, upon the closing of the merger. Vahanna will not have units traded following the closing of the merger.
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THE MERGER AGREEMENT
This section describes the material terms of the merger agreement. The description in this section and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete and may not contain all of the information about the merger agreement that is important to you. You are encouraged to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety. This section is not intended to provide you with any factual information about Vahanna or Roadzen. Such information can be found elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Effects of the Merger
As a result of the merger, Merger Sub will merge with and into Roadzen, with Roadzen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna. The certificate of incorporation attached to the certificate of merger which is attached as Annex L to this proxy statement/prospectus will be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving company, Roadzen. The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of Vahanna (or the Proposed Charter) will be in the form as set forth in Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus.
Merger Consideration
Under the terms of the merger agreement, immediately prior to the Effective Time, each share of Roadzen Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into a number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock in accordance with the Roadzen charter (the “Roadzen Preferred Conversion”).
At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis, including common stock held by prior owners of Roadzen Preferred Stock and shares underlying Roadzen RSUs, Roadzen Additional Securities), in each case, other than shares owned by Roadzen as treasury stock and dissenting shares, will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive (x) the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in a ratio (the “Exchange Ratio”) equal to: (a)(i) $683,000,000 divided by (ii) $10.00 divided by (b) the total number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, expressed on a fully-diluted basis (including the number of Existing Roadzen Common Stock issued or issuable upon the Roadzen Preferred Conversion and the shares underlying Roadzen RSUs, Roadzen Additional Securities). A portion of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares comprising the merger consideration will be reserved for issuance upon the vesting, settlement, exercise or conversion of New Roadzen RSUs and New Roadzen Assumed Additional Securities. Any resulting fractional New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will instead be rounded to the nearest whole share.
Closing and Effective Time of the Merger
The closing of the merger will take place at 11:00 a.m., New York time, (i) at the offices of Winston & Strawn LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166 or (ii) by electronic exchange of executed documents, on the date which is three (3) business days after the first date on which all of the closing conditions have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof) or such other time and place as Vahanna and Roadzen may mutually agree. See the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to the Merger” for a more complete description of the conditions that must be satisfied prior to closing.
On the date of the closing Vahanna, Merger Sub and Roadzen will effect the merger by filing a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and the merger will become effective at the time the certificate of merger has been accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be agreed by Vahanna, Merger Sub and Roadzen in writing and specified in such certificate of
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merger in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL. The time at which the merger becomes effective is sometimes referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the “Effective Time.”
As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the parties expect that the merger will be effective during the third quarter of 2023. However, there can be no assurance as to when or if the merger will occur.
If the merger is not completed by August 26, 2023 (the “termination date”) (subject to certain extensions required as a result of delays related to obtaining consents or approvals from government authorities or the Nasdaq), the merger agreement may be terminated by either Vahanna or Roadzen unless the parties mutually agree to extend the termination date. A party may not terminate the merger agreement pursuant to the provision described in this paragraph if the failure of the closing to occur by the termination date is due primarily to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement to fulfil any obligations of such party set forth in the merger agreement. See the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Termination.”
Covenants and Agreements
Conduct of Businesses Prior to the Completion of the Merger. Roadzen has agreed that, from and after the date of the merger agreement until the earlier of its closing or termination, it shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, except as set forth in the merger agreement, but only to the extent reasonable and prudent in light of the business of Roadzen and its subsidiaries (collectively “the Group Companies”) and, where applicable, the circumstances giving rise to COVID-19 Changes (as defined in the merger agreement), operate their respective business in the ordinary course and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact the business and goodwill of the Group Companies.
In addition to the general covenants above, Roadzen has agreed that from and after the date of the merger agreement until the earlier of its closing or termination, subject to specified exceptions set forth in the merger agreement, it shall not, and shall cause its subsidiaries not to, without the written consent of Vahanna (which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):
• | declare, set aside, make or pay a dividend on, or make any other distribution or payment in respect of any Group Company’s equity securities, or repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, any outstanding equity securities of any Group Company; |
• | acquire (whether by merging or consolidating with, purchasing any equity security in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner) any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity or organization or division thereof if such transaction would require the financial statements of the acquired, merged or consolidated entity to be included in this proxy statement/prospectus; provided that, among other things, Roadzen survives any such acquisition, merger or consolidation; |
• | adopt any amendments, supplements, restatements or modifications to or otherwise terminate any Group Company’s governing documents or the Company Shareholder Agreements (as defined in the merger agreement); |
• | (A) sell, assign, abandon, let lapse, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any material assets or properties of the Group Companies (including any material intellectual property); (B) create, subject or incur any lien on any material assets or properties of the Group Companies; or (C) disclose any trade secrets of the Group Companies or any source code; |
• | (A) transfer, issue, sell, grant or otherwise directly or indirectly dispose of, or subject to a lien, (1) any equity securities of any Group Company or (2) any options, warrants, rights of conversion or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments obligating any Group Company to issue, deliver or sell any equity securities of any Group Company, or (B) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any equity securities of any Group Company or other rights exercisable therefor or convertible into; |
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• | incur, create or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money except pursuant to agreements existing as of the execution date, other than pursuant to (A) existing contracts and (B) indebtedness not exceeding $5,000,000 in the aggregate; |
• | enter into, amend, modify, extend renew or terminate (A) any material contract or real property lease or (B) waive any material benefit or right under any material contract or real property lease. |
• | make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or guarantees for the benefit of, or any equity or other investments in, any person; |
• | except as required by any disclosed Company Plan (as defined in the merger agreement) of the Group Companies, (A) adopt, enter into, materially amend or materially modify or terminate any material Company Plan (as defined in the merger agreement), (B) decrease, increase or agree to increase the compensation or benefits payable to, or grant any new compensation or benefits payable to, any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, individual independent contractor or other service providers of the Group Companies whose annual base compensation is less than $300,000, (C) take any action to accelerate any payment, right to payment, or benefit, or the funding of any payment, right to payment (including the vesting of any equity or equity-based award) or benefit, payable or to become payable to any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, individual independent contractor or other service provider of the Group Companies, (D) hire or engage or transfer or terminate (other than for cause), furlough or temporarily layoff any director, manager, officer, employee, individual independent contractor or other service provider of the Group Companies whose annual base compensation exceeds or would exceed $250,000, (E) amend, modify, negotiate, adopt, enter into, extend, renew or terminate any collective bargaining agreement or other contract with any labor organization, works council or labor union, employee delegate, representative or other employee collective group, (F) recognize or certify any labor organization, works council, labor union or group of employees of the Group Companies as the bargaining representative for any employees of a Group Company, (G) implement, engage in or announce any employee layoffs, furloughs, reductions in force, reductions in compensation, hours or benefits, work schedule changes or similar actions outside of the ordinary course of business or that could implicate the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act of 1988, (H) with respect to a Group Company or any workers, implement, engage in or announce any employee layoffs, furloughs, reductions in force, redundancies, reductions in compensation, hours or benefits, work schedule changes or similar actions, or (I) waive or release any noncompetition, non-solicitation, no-hire, nondisclosure, or other restrictive covenant obligation of any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, individual independent contractor or other service providers of the Group Companies; |
• | make, change or revoke any material election concerning taxes, adopt or change any accounting method concerning taxes, change any tax accounting period, materially amend any material tax return, enter into any material tax closing agreement, settle or surrender any material tax proceeding, fail to pay any material tax when due (including any material estimated Tax payments (as defined in the merger agreement)), or claim any Tax credits under Section 2301 of the Cares Act, enter into any Tax sharing, Tax allocation or Tax indemnity agreement or surrender any right to claim any refund of a material amount of Taxes; |
• | take any action or knowingly fail to take any action that would reasonably prevent or impede the Intended Tax Treatment (as defined in the merger agreement); |
• | change any member of the Group Companies’ methods of accounting or accounting practices, except as required by GAAP; |
• | (A) enter into any settlement, conciliation or similar contract, in respect of a proceeding (1) the performance of which involves or could reasonably involve at any point in the future the payment by the Group Companies (or Vahanna or any of its affiliates after the closing) in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate (determined net of any insurance coverage), (2) that imposes, or could reasonably impose at |
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any point in the future, any non-monetary obligations (including injunctive relief) on any Group Company (or Vahanna or any of its affiliates after the closing), (3) that involves any criminal misconduct or any admission or wrongdoing or other misconduct by any Group Company (or Vahanna or any of its affiliates after the closing), or (4) that is brought by or on behalf of any Pre-Closing Holder or (B) commence any lawsuit, litigation, action, demand, examination, hearing, claim, charge, complaint, suit or arbitration; |
• | authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt, or otherwise effect, a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction involving any of the Group Companies; |
• | with respect to a Group Company, commit or authorize any capital commitment or capital expenditure (or series of capital commitments or capital expenditures), other than those capital expenditures in the aggregate contemplated by the Group Companies’ capital expenditure budget or unbudgeted capital expenditures not to exceed 10% of the current aggregate capital expenditure budget; |
• | other than with respect to any Company Plan in the ordinary course of business, change any insurance policy or plan of a Group Company in effect as of the date of the merger agreement or allow such policy or plan to lapse, in each case without using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a reasonable replacement thereof; |
• | enter into, amend, waive or terminate any Pre-Closing Holder related party transactions; |
• | (A) change in any material respect any cash management practices and policies or practices regarding the collection of accounts receivable, the payment of accounts payable, establishment of reserves for uncollectible accounts or otherwise seek to generate revenue outside the ordinary course of business, (B) accelerate the collection of accounts receivable or defer any accounts payable, outside the ordinary course of business, (C) change, modify, or write-off as uncollectible any notes or accounts receivable of the Group Companies, or (D) take any other material action outside the ordinary course of business with respect to the working capital of the Group Companies; |
• | with respect to any Group Company, amend, modify terminate or waive any right under any material contract of such Group Company; or |
• | enter into any contract to take any of the actions set forth under the foregoing. |
Vahanna has agreed to a more limited set of restrictions on its business prior to the Effective Time. Specifically, Vahanna has agreed that except as expressly contemplated or permitted by the merger agreement or as required by law and subject to certain specified exceptions, it shall not, without the written consent of Roadzen (which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):
• | adopt any amendments, supplements, restatements or modifications to the Trust Agreement or the Existing Agreement or the governing documents of any Vahanna subsidiaries or form any subsidiary; |
• | declare, set aside, make or pay a dividend on, or make any other distribution or payment in respect of, any equity securities of Vahanna or any of its subsidiaries, or repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any outstanding equity securities of Vahanna or any of its affiliates; |
• | split, combine or reclassify any capital stock (or warrant), effect a recapitalization or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any capital stock or warrant, or effect any like change in capitalization; |
• | incur, create or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money, or issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Vahanna, as applicable, enter into any “keep well” or other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing, in each case, other than the working capital loans, which shall be repaid by Vahanna, 50% in cash and 50% in Conversion Warrants, at or prior to the Closing; |
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• | make any loans, advances to, or capital contributions in, any other person (other than to, or in, Vahanna or any of its subsidiaries); |
• | except for the issuance of any Vahanna Warrants (as defined in the merger agreement) upon the conversion of any working capital loans as, transfer, issue, sell, grant, directly or indirectly dispose of, or subject to a lien, (1) any equity securities of Vahanna or any of its subsidiaries or (2) any options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, rights of conversion or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments to issue any equity securities of Vahanna or its subsidiaries; |
• | (A) merge, consolidate, combine or amalgamate with any person or (B) purchase or otherwise acquire (whether by merging or consolidating with, purchasing any equity security in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner) any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity or organization or division thereof; |
• | make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or guarantees for the benefit of, or any equity or other investments in, any person, other than the reimbursement of expenses of employees in the ordinary course of business, or pursuant to obligations under existing contracts; |
• | enter into, renew, modify or revise in any respect, any transaction or contract with an affiliate of Vahanna (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Sponsor), other than in connection with any working capital loans; |
• | authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution; |
• | take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act was intended to, and would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Intended Tax Treatment (as defined in the merger agreement); |
• | commence or settle any material proceeding, excluding any proceeding arising out of the merger agreement, any ancillary document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; |
• | take any action that would reasonably be expected to significantly delay or impair (A) the timely filing of any of its public filings with the SEC, (B) its compliance in all material respects with applicable securities laws or (C) the listing of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq; or |
• | enter into any contract to take any of the actions set forth under the foregoing. |
Efforts to Consummate, HSR Act and Regulatory Approvals. Each of Vahanna and Roadzen have agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to take all action to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and to use reasonable best efforts to obtain consents of all governmental entities necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and ancillary documents thereto.
Vahanna and Roadzen have agreed to (i) make an appropriate filing or take any required actions pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement within ten (10) business days after the date of the merger agreement and (ii) respond as promptly as practicable to any requests by any governmental entity for additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act. Vahanna and Roadzen also agreed to promptly inform each other of any material communication each has with any governmental entity regarding any of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Vahanna and Roadzen and their respective affiliates also agreed not to extend any waiting period, review period or comparable period under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with any governmental entity not to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, except with the prior written consent of Vahanna and Roadzen. Vahanna agreed to take all actions required by any governmental entity in connection with the filing pursuant to the HSR Act to expeditiously consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including to (i) sell, license or otherwise dispose of, or hold separate and agree to sell, license
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or otherwise dispose of, any entities, assets or facilities of any Group Company or any entity, facility or asset, (ii) terminate, amend or assign existing relationships and contractual rights or obligations, (iii) amend, assign or terminate existing licenses or other agreements, or (iv) enter into new licenses or other agreements.
In addition, from and after the date of the merger agreement until the earlier of its closing or termination, Vahanna and Roadzen agreed to give each other’s counsel a reasonable opportunity to review in advance, and consider in good faith the views of the other in connection with, any proposed written communication to any governmental entity relating to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Vahanna and Roadzen have agreed to not participate in any substantive meeting or discussion, either in person or by telephone with any governmental entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement unless they consult with one another in advance and, to the extent reasonably practicable and not prohibited by such governmental entity, give each other the opportunity to attend and participate in such meeting or discussion.
Roadzen also has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, prior to the closing of the merger agreement, written consents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna, from certain persons set forth on the disclosure schedules to the merger agreement delivered to Vahanna by Roadzen (the “Company Schedules”).
Preparation of Registration Statement / Proxy Statement. Vahanna has agreed to, as promptly as practicable after the date of the merger agreement, with the assistance of Roadzen, to prepare and file with the SEC, the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part to be used for the purpose of soliciting proxies from the shareholders of Vahanna at the Vahanna Special Meeting to adopt and approve the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, in which Vahanna shall (a) provide the shareholders of Vahanna with the opportunity to redeem the Vahanna ordinary shares, (b) solicit proxies from the shareholders of Vahanna to vote at the Vahanna Special Meeting in favor of the transaction proposals set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus, (c) register under the Securities Act the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and ancillary documents thereto and (d) file with the SEC financial and other information about the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Vahanna has agreed to give Roadzen and its counsel reasonable opportunity to review, comment on and approve in writing each of the preliminary and final proxy statement/prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto prior to its filing with the SEC. Vahanna shall not file any such documents with the SEC without the prior written consent of Roadzen. Vahanna has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) have this proxy statement/prospectus declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable after it is filed with the SEC; (ii) keep the proxy statement/prospectus effective through the closing in order to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and, (iii) promptly respond to any comments, requests to amend or requests for additional information with respect to this proxy statement/prospectus by the SEC. Vahanna shall file the definitive proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC and cause the proxy statement/prospectus to be mailed to its shareholders of record, as of the record date to be established by the board of directors of Vahanna, as promptly as practicable following the earlier to occur of: (Y) in the event the proxy statement/prospectus is not reviewed by the SEC, the expiration of the waiting period in Rule 14a-6(a) under the Exchange Act; or (Z) in the event the proxy statement/ prospectus is reviewed by the SEC, receipt of oral or written notification of the completion of the review by the SEC.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing (1) Vahanna and Merger Sub (the “Vahanna Parties”) have also agreed not to, have or participate in any substantive meetings or other substantive discussions with any governmental entity or Nasdaq regarding the proxy statement/prospectus without first consulting with Roadzen and providing Roadzen the opportunity to participate in such meetings or discussion and (2) Roadzen has agreed not to have or participate in any substantive meetings or other substantive discussions with any governmental entity or Nasdaq regarding the proxy statement/prospectus without first consulting with Vahanna and providing Vahanna the opportunity to participate in such meetings or discussions. Each of the parties to the merger agreement have agreed to use reasonable best efforts to ensure that none of the information related to it or any of its representatives, supplied by or on its behalf for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the proxy statement/
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prospectus will, at the time it is filed with the SEC 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 are made, not misleading.
Domestication. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in the event that public holders of Class A Ordinary Shares have elected to redeem less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares at the time of its IPO), then at least one (1) business day prior to the merger, Vahanna will domicile by way of continuation out of the British Virgin Islands, as a business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, and into the State of Delaware to become a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”).
Vahanna Party Approvals. Vahanna has agreed to, as promptly as practicable after the proxy statement/ prospectus is declared effective under the Securities Act and, in any event within thirty (30) days of its effectiveness, to (i) give notice of and (ii) convene and hold the Vahanna Special Meeting, for the purposes of obtaining the shareholder approvals of the proposals contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. Vahanna has agreed to, through its board of directors, recommend to its shareholders the: (A) adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the merger); (B) adoption and approval of the Domestication and Interim Charter in accordance with applicable law and regulations (to the extent required pursuant to Section 2.6 of the merger agreement), (C) approval of the issuance of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares constituting the Total Merger Consideration pursuant to the merger agreement and applicable Nasdaq listing rules; (D) adoption and approval of the Incentive Plan, in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna and Roadzen; (E) adoption and approval of the ESPP, in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna and Roadzen; (F) adoption and approval of the Proposed Charter; (G) adoption and approval of the Proposed Delaware Charter (if applicable); (H) adoption and approval of any other proposals as either the SEC or Nasdaq (or the respective staff members thereof) may indicate are necessary in its comments to the proxy statement/ prospectus or in correspondence related thereto, and of any other proposals reasonably agreed by Vahanna and Roadzen as necessary or appropriate in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and ancillary documents thereto; and (I) adjournment of the Vahanna Special Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies because there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt any of the foregoing. Vahanna has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the foregoing proposals at the Vahanna Special Meeting, including by soliciting proxies as promptly as practicable in accordance with applicable law for the purpose of seeking the approval of the foregoing. Vahanna has agreed to, as promptly as practicable after the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part is declared effective under the Securities Act and, in any event within thirty (30) days of its effectiveness, to (i) give notice of and (ii) convene and hold the Vahanna Special Meeting, for the purposes of obtaining the shareholder approvals of the proposals contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. Vahanna has agreed to, through its board of directors, recommend to its shareholders the (A) the approval of the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and to include such recommendation in this proxy statement/prospectus; (B) approval of the merger; (C) approval of the issuance of the merger consideration; (D) adoption and approval of the Incentive Plan and the ESPP in the forms attached as exhibits to the merger agreement; (E) adoption and approval of amendments to the governing documents of Vahanna; (F) adoption and approval of any other proposals as either the SEC or Nasdaq may indicate are necessary in its comments to this proxy statement/prospectus or in correspondence related thereto, and of any other proposals reasonably agreed by Vahanna and Roadzen as necessary or appropriate in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and ancillary documents thereto; and (G) adjournment of the Vahanna Special Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies because there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt any of the foregoing proposals. Vahanna has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the foregoing proposals at the Vahanna Special Meeting, including by soliciting proxies as promptly as practicable in accordance with applicable law for the purpose of seeking the approval of the foregoing.
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As promptly as practicable after this proxy statement/prospectus is declared effective under the Securities Act and, in any event within five (5) days of its effectiveness, Vahanna has agreed to take all actions necessary to obtain, and deliver as promptly as practicable thereafter to Roadzen, the approval of Vahanna, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, of the merger agreement and ancillary documents thereto and the transactions contemplated therein.
Roadzen Consent. Roadzen has agreed to, as promptly as practicable after the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part is declared effective under the Securities Act and, in any event within five (5) business days of its effectiveness, (a) cause to be mailed to each Pre-Closing Holder a notice, which shall include copies of the merger agreement, a consent solicitation statement, the proposed form of written consents approving the merger agreement and ancillary documents thereto in the form set forth as an exhibit to the merger agreement (the “Written Consents”), and, as applicable, a letter of transmittal (the “Company Stockholder Package”), stating (i) unless the board of directors has changed its recommendation in accordance with the merger agreement, that the board of directors of Roadzen recommends that each Pre-Closing Holder approve the Merger by execution of such Written Consents and (ii) the timeline for returning executed copies of such documents included as part of the Company Stockholder Package and (b) take all actions necessary to obtain a Written Consents from the Pre-Closing Holders, who, collectively, hold a the requisite number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock to consent to the actions thereto, in accordance with Section 228(a) and 251(c) of the DGCL, Roadzen’s governing documents and Roadzen’s stockholders agreement, prior to the closing. Roadzen has agreed to take all actions necessary pursuant to its governing documents and the stockholder agreements to provide all required notices to the Pre-Closing Holders entitled thereto in connection with obtaining the required approval of Roadzen stockholders, including notice of the conversion of the Roadzen Preferred Stock designated in Roadzen’s charter pursuant to the written consent of the holders. Upon receipt of the Written Consents, Roadzen has agreed to promptly deliver a copy thereof to Vahanna within five (5) business days of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part.
Exclusive Dealing. Roadzen has agreed that from the date of the merger agreement until the earlier of its closing or termination, it shall not, directly or indirectly: (i) accept, initiate, respond to, encourage, solicit, negotiate, provide information with respect to or discuss other offers for the direct or indirect sale, merger, transfer, IPO, debt or equity refinancing or recapitalization of a Group Company, or any securities, business, properties or assets of a Group Company, in each case, that would require Roadzen to abandon the transactions contemplated hereby (each such transaction prohibited by this sentence, an “Acquisition Proposal”); (ii) furnish or disclose any non-public information of the Group Companies to any Person in connection with, or that would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal; (iii) issue or execute any contract, indication of interest, memorandum of understanding, letter of intent, or any other similar agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal; (iv) commence, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way in connection with an Acquisition Proposal; (v) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding an Acquisition Proposal; (vi) prepare, or take any steps in connection with, a public offering of any equity securities of any Group Company (or any successor to or parent company of any Group Company); or (vii) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, or facilitate or knowingly encourage any effort or attempt by any Person to do or seek to do any of the foregoing or seek to circumvent this provision or further an Acquisition Proposal; provided, that the these restrictions allow for a customary “fiduciary out” with respect to the Roadzen board of directors’ ability to change its recommendation with respect to the proposed; provided, further, that Roadzen (to the extent lawful and reasonably practicable) shall first provide Vahanna at least forty-eight (48) hours prior written notice of any such change in recommendation. Roadzen also agreed to (A) notify Vahanna promptly upon receipt (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours after receipt) of any request for non-public information of, or an Acquisition Proposal for, it or any other Group Company, and to describe the terms and conditions of any such request or Acquisition Proposal in reasonable detail (including the identity of the persons making such Acquisition Proposal), (B) keep Vahanna reasonably informed on a reasonably current basis of any modifications to such request, offer or information and (C) not (and to cause its representatives not to) conduct any further discussions with, provide any information to, or enter into negotiations with such persons.
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Roadzen has further agreed (A) not to execute or enter into any agreement in principle, confidentiality agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, term sheet, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other written arrangement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, (B) to remain subject to the terms of the merger agreement, including taking all actions necessary to cause the Written Consents to be duly executed and delivered and (C) not to release any third party from, or waive, amend or modify any standstill or confidentiality provision with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, and, with respect to any Acquisition Proposal involving the sale of more than 50% of the voting securities of Roadzen or 50% or more the consolidated net revenue, net income or assets of Roadzen.
From the date of the merger agreement until the earlier of its closing or termination, the Vahanna Parties have agreed not to, directly and indirectly: (i) accept, initiate, respond to, knowingly encourage, solicit, negotiate, provide information with respect to or discuss other offers with respect to any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, recapitalization or similar business combination with any person (each, a “Vahanna Proposal”), (ii) issue or execute any contract, indication of interest, memorandum of understanding, letter of intent, or any other similar agreement with respect to a Vahanna Proposal, (iii) commence, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way in connection with a Vahanna Proposal, or (iv) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding a Vahanna Proposal. Vahanna further agreed to (A) notify Roadzen promptly upon receipt (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours after receipt) of any Vahanna Proposal that it receives and to describe the terms and conditions of any such Vahanna Proposal in reasonable detail (including the identity of the persons making such Vahanna Proposal), (B) keep Roadzen reasonably informed on a reasonably current basis of any modifications to such offer or information and (C) not (and to cause its representatives not to) conduct any further discussions with, provide any information to, or enter into negotiations with such persons.
Vahanna further agreed (A) not to enter into any agreement in principle, confidentiality agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, term sheet, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other written arrangement relating to any Vahanna Proposal or terminate the merger agreement in connection therewith and (B) to remain subject to the terms of the merger agreement, including to use reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the proposals included in this proxy statement/prospectus at the Vahanna Special Meeting.
Indemnification and Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance. From and after the Effective Time, Vahanna has agreed that (i) all rights to indemnification or exculpation now existing in favor of (x) the present and former directors and officers of each Group Company and (y) the present and former directors and officers of Vahanna and each of its Subsidiaries, in each case, as provided in their respective governing documents or otherwise in effect as of the date of the merger agreement, and in either case, solely with respect to any matters occurring on or prior to the closing, shall survive the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and shall continue in full force and effect from and after the closing for a period of six (6) years, and (ii) the Group Companies and Vahanna and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, will perform and discharge all obligations to provide such indemnity and exculpation during such six (6) year period. During such six (6) year period, the Group Companies and Vahanna and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, shall advance expenses in connection with such indemnification as provided in such party’s governing documents or other applicable agreements. The indemnification and liability limitation or exculpation provisions of the governing documents of the Group Companies or Vahanna Parties shall not, during such six (6) year period, be amended, repealed or otherwise modified after the closing in any manner that would materially and adversely affect the rights thereunder of individuals who, as of, or prior to, the closing, were directors or officers of any Group Company or Vahanna Party to be so indemnified, have their liability limited or be exculpated with respect to any matters occurring prior to closing and relating to the fact that any such individual was a director or officer of any Group Company or Vahanna Party prior to the closing, unless such amendment, repeal or other modification is required by applicable law.
In addition, Roadzen has agreed to cause the Group Companies to purchase, at or prior to the closing, and New Roadzen shall cause the Group Companies to maintain in effect for a period of six (6) years after the date of the closing, a “tail” policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage for the benefit of those persons who are currently covered by any comparable insurance policies of the Group
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Companies as of the date of the merger agreement. Such “tail” policy shall provide coverage on terms (with respect to coverage and amount) that are substantially the same as the coverage provided under the Group Companies’ directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies as of the date of the merger agreement; provided that the Group Companies shall not pay a premium for such “tail” policy in excess of 300% of the most recent annual premium paid by the Group Companies prior to the date of the merger agreement and, in such event, the Group Companies shall purchase the maximum coverage available for 300% of the most recent annual premium paid by the Group Companies prior to the date of the merger agreement.
Furthermore, Vahanna has agreed to purchase, at or prior to the closing, and New Roadzen shall maintain in effect for a period of six (6) years after the date of the closing, a “tail” policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage for the benefit of those persons who are currently covered by any comparable insurance policies of Vahanna as of the date of the merger agreement. Such “tail” policy will provide the same or substantially similar coverage as agreed to for such tail policy by Vahanna in connection with its initial public offering; provided that Vahanna will not pay a premium for such “tail” policy in excess of 300% of the most recent annual premium paid by the Group Companies prior to the date of the merger agreement.
Other Covenants and Agreements. The merger agreement contains other covenants and agreements, including covenants related to:
• | Roadzen and Vahanna providing, subject to certain specified restrictions and conditions, to the other party and its respective representatives reasonable access to Roadzen’s and Vahanna’s (as applicable) and its subsidiary’s properties, records, systems, contracts and commitments; |
• | Roadzen waiving claims to the Trust Account in the event that the merger does not consummate; |
• | Roadzen and Vahanna agreeing to take all actions necessary or appropriate to cause certain appointments to the Vahanna board of directors; |
• | Roadzen and Vahanna cooperating on the preparation and efforts to make effective this proxy statement/prospectus; |
• | Vahanna making certain disbursements from the Trust Account; |
• | Vahanna keeping current and timely filing all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise complying in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable securities laws and using its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Vahanna units, Class A Ordinary Shares and the Vahanna Warrants on Nasdaq; |
• | Roadzen taking all reasonable best efforts to cause certain affiliate agreements to be terminated at or prior to the closing; |
• | agreement relating to the intended tax treatment of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
• | confidentiality and publicity relating to the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby: |
• | Roadzen using reasonable best efforts to cause the Pre-Closing Holders to enter into Lock-Up Agreements; |
• | Roadzen using reasonable best efforts to cause to be paid off or otherwise convert the Roadzen Additional Securities prior to the Effective Time; and |
• | Roadzen appointing a Holder Representative to act on behalf of the Roadzen Pre-Closing Holders (as described in greater detail below). |
Representations and Warranties
The merger agreement contains representations and warranties made by Roadzen to Vahanna relating to a number of matters, including the following:
• | corporate organization, qualification to do business, good standing and corporate power; |
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• | capitalization; |
• | requisite corporate authority to enter into the merger agreement and to complete the contemplated transactions; |
• | financial statements; |
• | absence of undisclosed liabilities; |
• | consents and requisite governmental approvals; |
• | permits; |
• | material contracts; |
• | absence of a material adverse effect and absence of certain other changes; |
• | litigation; |
• | legal proceedings and absence of governmental orders; |
• | compliance with applicable law; |
• | employee plans; |
• | environmental matters; |
• | intellectual property and information technology systems; |
• | labor matters; |
• | insurance; |
• | tax matters; |
• | brokers; |
• | real and personal property; |
• | transactions with affiliates; |
• | material customers and suppliers; |
• | data privacy and security requirements; |
• | compliance with international trade and anti-corruption laws; |
• | compliance with applicable food and seed laws |
• | accuracy of Roadzen’s information provided in this proxy statement/prospectus; and |
• | investigation of business. |
Certain of these representations and warranties are qualified as to “materiality” or “material adverse effect.” For purposes of the merger agreement, a “material adverse effect” with respect to Roadzen means any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other change, event, effect, development or occurrence, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets, or results of operations of the Group Companies, taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of any Group Company to timely perform any of its or their respective covenants or obligations under the merger agreement or any ancillary document thereto or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or any ancillary document; provided, however, that, in the case of clause (a), none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur: any adverse change, event, effect, development or occurrence arising from or related to (i) conditions affecting the United States or the global economy generally, (ii) any
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national or international political or social conditions in the United States or any other country, (iii) changes in conditions of the financial, banking or securities markets generally, (iv) changes in any applicable Laws or GAAP first publicly announced or enacted after the date of the merger agreement, (v) any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that is generally applicable to the industries or markets in which the Group Companies operate, (vi) the public announcement or pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (provided that the exception in this clause (vi) shall not apply to the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.5 of the merger agreement (consents and requisite governmental approvals) to the extent that its purpose is to address the consequences resulting from the public announcement or pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or certain closing conditions to the extent it relates to such representations and warranties), (vii) the taking of any action expressly required to be taken by the terms and conditions of the merger agreement by Roadzen (other than as set forth in the covenants relating to conduct of business), (viii) any failure, in and of itself, by the Group Companies to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts, estimates or predictions in respect of revenues, earnings or other financial or operating metrics for any period ending before, on or after the date of the merger agreement (although the underlying facts and circumstances resulting in such failure may be taken into account to the extent not otherwise excluded from this definition pursuant to clauses (i) through (vii)), (ix) the effects of any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, tsunami, natural disaster, act of God, epidemic, disease outbreak, pandemic (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any effect resulting from, arising in connection with or otherwise related to COVID-19), public health emergency, widespread occurrence of infectious disease or other comparable events, or (x) any loss of customers, suppliers, orders, contracts or other business relationships resulting from, or in connection with, COVID-19; provided, however, that any change, event, effect, development or occurrence resulting from a matter described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) and clause (x) may be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur to the extent such change, event, effect, development or occurrence has a disproportionate effect on the Group Companies, taken as a whole, relative to other participants operating in the industries or markets in the geographies in which the Group Companies operate.
The merger agreement also contains representations and warranties made by Vahanna and Merger Sub to Roadzen relating to a number of matters, including the following:
• | corporate organization, qualification to do business, good standing and corporate power; |
• | requisite corporate authority to enter into the merger agreement and to complete the contemplated transactions; |
• | consents and requisite government approvals; |
• | brokers; |
• | financing; |
• | information supplied; |
• | capitalization; |
• | proper filing of documents with the SEC, the accuracy of information contained in the documents filed with the SEC and Sarbanes-Oxley certifications; |
• | trust account; |
• | litigation and proceedings; |
• | compliance with laws; permits; |
• | internal controls; listing; financial statements; |
• | absence of undisclosed liabilities; |
• | tax matters; |
• | business activities; |
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• | board approval; stockholder vote; |
• | certain contracts; and |
• | investigation of business. |
Certain of these representations and warranties are qualified as to “materiality” or “material adverse effect.” For purposes of the merger agreement, a “material adverse effect” with respect to Vahanna means any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other change, event, effect, development or occurrence, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of a Vahanna Party to timely consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or any ancillary document; provided, however, none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether a material adverse effect with respect to Vahanna has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur: (a) changes in any applicable laws or GAAP first publicly announced or enacted after the date of the merger agreement; (b) any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that is generally applicable to special purpose acquisition companies and/or blank check companies first publicly announced or enacted after the execution date of the merger agreement; (c) conditions affecting the United States or the global economy generally; (d) any national or international political or social conditions in the United States or any other country; (e) changes in conditions of the financial, banking or securities markets generally; or (f) the effects of any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, tsunami, natural disaster, act of God, epidemic, disease outbreak, pandemic (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any effect resulting from, arising in connection with or otherwise related to COVID-19), public health emergency, widespread occurrence of infectious disease or other comparable events.
The representations and warranties in the merger agreement shall not survive the Effective Time and, as described below under “— Termination,” if the merger agreement is validly terminated, there will be no liability under the representations and warranties of the parties, or otherwise under the merger agreement, unless (i) a party willfully and materially breached the merger agreement or (ii) fraud.
This summary and the copy of the merger agreement attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A are included solely to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the merger agreement. They are not intended to provide factual information about the parties or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The merger agreement contains representations and warranties by Vahanna and Roadzen, which were made only for purposes of that agreement and as of specific dates. The representations, warranties and covenants in the merger agreement were made solely for the benefit of the parties to the merger agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the merger agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those generally applicable to investors. Investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the merger agreement, and in reviewing the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the merger agreement or any descriptions thereof in this summary, it is important to bear in mind that such representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof were not intended by the parties to the merger agreement to be characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of Vahanna, Roadzen or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of the merger agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures.
Conditions to the Merger
Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations. The respective obligations of each of Roadzen and Vahanna to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are subject to the satisfaction, or waiver, of the following conditions:
• | the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act in respect of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the ancillary documents thereto and any agreement with any governmental entity not to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the ancillary documents, shall have expired, been terminated or obtained; |
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• | there shall not be in effect, threatened or pending any governmental order, statute, rule or regulation enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the ancillary documents thereto; |
• | the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order or threat thereof from the SEC; |
• | the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement shall be listed on Nasdaq upon the closing and shall otherwise satisfy the applicable listing requirements; |
• | Vahanna Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained and remain in full force and effect; |
• | the approval by the Roadzen stockholders of the Business Combination Proposal shall have been obtained and remain in full force and effect; |
• | the Minimum Cash Condition; |
• | Vahanna shall have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following the exercise of the redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares (as defined below) in accordance with Vahanna’s governing documents; |
• | the consummation of the Domestication, if applicable; and |
• | the consummation of Roadzen’s acquisitions of Global Insurance Management and National Automobile Club. |
Conditions to Obligations of Vahanna Parties. The obligation of the Vahanna Parties to complete the merger is also subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by Vahanna, of the following conditions:
• | the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Roadzen as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the date of the closing of the merger (subject to customary materiality qualifiers); |
• | each of the covenants of Roadzen to be performed or complied with at or prior to the closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects; |
• | no material adverse effect with respect to Roadzen shall have occurred which is continuing and uncured; |
• | the receipt by Vahanna of, among other required deliverables: (i) a certificate signed by an officer of Roadzen certifying that the three preceding conditions have been satisfied; (ii) good standing certificates; (iii) a copy of the duly executed exchange agent agreement; and (iv) duly executed copies of the Lock-Up Agreements from Pre-Closing Holders; |
• | Roadzen’s board shall have obtained Company Conversion Consents as defined in the merger agreement; |
• | evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Vahanna that all equity rights to Roadzen’s subsidiaries have been terminated; |
• | the conversion of the Roadzen Preferred Stock shall have occurred; |
• | Roadzen obtaining certain scheduled consents and taking certain scheduled actions prior to the closing; and |
• | Roadzen having effectuated awards of Roadzen RSUs in an amount not to exceed 14.5% of the fully diluted equity securities of Roadzen immediately prior to the closing. |
Conditions to Obligations of Roadzen. The obligation of Roadzen to complete the merger is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Roadzen of the following conditions:
• | the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Vahanna as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the date of the closing of the merger (subject to customary materiality qualifiers); |
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• | each of the covenants of Vahanna to be performed or complied with at or prior to the closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects; |
• | there shall not have occurred any amendment or modification to the waiver agreement, other than as consented to in writing by Roadzen; and |
• | the receipt by Roadzen of, among other required deliverables: (i) a certificate signed by an officer of Vahanna certifying that the first two preceding conditions have been satisfied; (ii) good standing certificates; (iii) a copy of the duly executed exchange agent agreement; (iv) evidence that the Amended and Restated Charter of Vahanna in the form included as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus has been registered by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the BVI; and (v) duly executed copies of the Lock-Up Agreements from Pre-Closing Holders. |
Termination
Mutual termination rights. The merger agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned at any time prior to the closing:
• | by written consent of Roadzen and Vahanna; |
• | by written notice from either Roadzen or Vahanna to the other if the Vahanna Special Meeting has been held (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), has concluded, Vahanna’s shareholders have duly voted, and the approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are not obtained; |
• | by written notice from either Roadzen or Vahanna to the other if the closing has not occurred on or prior to August 26, 2023 (subject to a two-month extension as a result in delays in obtaining necessary regulatory or stock exchange approvals) for any reason other than delay and/or nonperformance of the party seeking such termination; or |
• | by written notice from either Roadzen or Vahanna to the other if a governmental authority has issued an order or taken an action permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or any ancillary document and such order has become final and nonappealable; or |
• | by either Vahanna or Roadzen if the Vahanna Special Meeting has been held (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) and has concluded, Vahanna’s shareholders have duly voted, and the Vahanna Shareholder Approval was not obtained. |
Roadzen termination rights. The merger agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned if prior to the closing, by written notice to Vahanna from Roadzen, Roadzen is not in breach of the closing conditions applicable to it in the merger agreement and if the representations and warranties of either of Vahanna or Merger Sub are not true and correct or if either of Vahanna or Merger Sub has failed to perform any covenant or agreement to be performed by Vahanna or Merger Sub, as applicable, in such a way that the conditions to closing in the merger agreement would not be satisfied and such breach or breaches are not or cannot be cured before the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after written notice of any such breach is delivered to Vahanna and (ii) August 26, 2023 (subject to a two-month extension as a result in delays in obtaining necessary regulatory or stock exchange approvals).
Vahanna termination rights. The merger agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned:
• | by written notice to Roadzen from Vahanna, if neither Vahanna nor Merger Sub is in breach of the closing conditions applicable to Vahanna in the merger agreement and if the representations and warranties of Roadzen are not true and correct or if Roadzen has failed to perform any covenant or agreement to be performed by Roadzen in such a way that the conditions to closing in the merger agreement would not be satisfied and such breach or breaches are not or cannot be cured before the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after written notice of any such breach is delivered to Roadzen and |
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(ii) August 26, 2023 (subject to a two-month extension as a result in delays in obtaining necessary regulatory or stock exchange approvals); or |
• | if the Written Consent and Company Conversion Consents are not received by Roadzen within five (5) business days after the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC. |
Effect of Termination
With the exceptions provided by the merger agreement, if the agreement is validly terminated, it will become void without any termination fee payable or any other liability on the part of any of the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the termination of the merger agreement shall not affect any liability on the part of any party for (i) a willful and material breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in the merger agreement prior to such termination or (ii) fraud. However, the confidentiality, Trust Account waiver, fees and expenses and certain other technical provisions will continue in effect notwithstanding termination of the merger agreement.
Amendments
The merger agreement may only be amended or modified by a written agreement executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of Vahanna (prior to the closing) or the Sponsor (after the closing), on the one hand, and Roadzen, on the other hand and will otherwise be void, ab initio.
Remedies
The parties to the merger agreement agree that they shall be entitled to seek an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent breaches of the merger agreement and to enforce specifically the terms of provisions thereof prior to valid termination of the merger agreement, without posting a bond or undertaking and without proof of damages, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties have agreed not to oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief when expressly available pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement on the basis that the other parties have an adequate remedy at law or an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or equity.
Stock Market Listing
Application will be made by Vahanna to have the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to be issued in the merger approved for listing on Nasdaq, which is the principal trading market for existing Class A Ordinary Shares. It is a condition to both parties’ obligation to complete the merger that such approval is obtained.
Fees and Expenses
Except as otherwise set forth in the merger agreement, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the merger agreement, the ancillary documents thereto and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the fees and disbursements of a party’s representatives, will be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses.
Holder Representative
In accordance with the merger agreement, the Pre-Closing Holders will appoint, authorize and empower the Holder Representative to act as a representative for the benefit of the Pre-Closing Holders, as the sole and exclusive agent and attorney-in-fact to act on behalf of each Pre-Closing Holder for purposes of merger agreement. The Holder Representative will be given the full power and authority to take any and all actions on behalf of the Pre-Closing Holders that are necessary, appropriate or desirable to carry out all of the duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Holder Representative under the merger agreement. Any action taken or
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not taken or decisions, communications or writings made, given or executed by the Holder Representative with respect to all such matters, for or on behalf of any Pre-Closing Holder, will be deemed to be an action taken or not taken or decisions, communications or writings made, given or executed by such Pre-Closing Holder, and any notice or communication delivered to the Holder Representative under the merger agreement is deemed to have been delivered to all the Pre-Closing Holders. The Holder Representative may be removed from his, her or its position by the Pre-Closing Holders holding a majority of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time by providing written notice to the then-serving Holder Representative and Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or the Sponsor (after the Closing), and the Holder Representative may resign as the Holder Representative at any time by providing written notice to Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or the Sponsor (after the Closing), which resignation will become effective upon appointment of a successor Holder Representative. Any vacancy of the Holder Representative (whether resulting from resignation, death or removal) shall be filled by a successor Holder Representative appointed by the Pre-Closing Holders holding a majority of the Existing Roadzen Company Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided that such successor Holder Representative must be reasonably acceptable to Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or the Sponsor (after the Closing). Following the Closing, the Holder Representative shall be reimbursed by Vahanna for any and all reasonable and documented expenses, disbursements, costs and advances incurred by the Holder Representative in his, her or its capacity as such. Liability for the Holder Representative is waived for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by him, her or it in good faith except to the extent that a final adjudication of a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Holder Representative’s gross negligence or willful misconduct was the cause of any loss to the Pre-Closing Holders. The Pre-Closing Holders agreed to indemnify and hold the Holder Representative harmless from and against any losses arising out of or attributable to the Holder Representative’s duties under the merger agreement, except to the extent that such losses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a result of the Holder Representative’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by final adjudication of a court of competent jurisdiction).
Deferred Underwriting Fees
Mizuho, as the underwriter of the IPO, is entitled to deferred underwriting fees of approximately $6.5 million at the closing of the business combination. The deferred underwriting fees are not subject to adjustment based on the number of Class A Ordinary Shares with respect to which the holders exercise their redemption rights in connection with the merger. The table below expresses each of the total underwriting fees and deferred underwriting fees paid or payable as a percentage of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares based on different levels of redemptions of Class A Ordinary Shares.
No Redemptions Scenario |
50% Redemptions Scenario |
Maximum Redemption Scenario |
||||||||||
Total underwriting fees |
$ | 10,005,000 | $ | 10,005,000 | $ | 10,005,000 | ||||||
Total Class A Ordinary Shares |
20,010,000 | 10,005,000 | — | |||||||||
Total underwriting fees as a percentage of the initial balance of the Trust Account |
4.9 | % | 9.8 | % | — | %(1) | ||||||
Deferred underwriting fees |
$ | 6,525,000 | $ | 6,525,000 | $ | 6,525,000 | ||||||
Total Class A Ordinary Shares |
20,010,000 | 10,005,000 | — | |||||||||
Deferred underwriting fees as a percentage of the initial balance of the Trust Account |
3.2 | % | 6.4 | % | — | %(2) |
(1) | Because the total underwriting fee is not subject to adjustment based on redemptions by Vahanna’s public shareholders, the effective total underwriting fee will not vary based on the amount of redemptions in connection with the merger. In a no redemption scenario, the effective total underwriting fee would be approximately 4.9%, based on approximately $204.1 million in the Trust Account as of November 26, 2021 (the date Vahanna consummated its IPO). In a maximum redemption scenario, the total underwriting fees |
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would be payable to Mizuho, notwithstanding that all Class A Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders will have been redeemed and the balance of the Trust Account after redemptions will have been reduced to approximately $0. Note that $3,480,000 of the total underwriting fee was paid to Mizuho at the closing of the IPO and the remaining $6,525,000 is payable upon consummation of the merger as the deferred underwriting fee. |
(2) | Because the deferred underwriting fee is not subject to adjustment based on redemptions by Vahanna’s public shareholders, the effective deferred underwriting fee will not vary based on the amount of redemptions in connection with the merger. In a no redemption scenario, the effective deferred underwriting fee would be approximately 3.2%, based on approximately $204.1 million in the Trust Account as of November 26, 2021 (the date Vahanna consummated its IPO). In a maximum redemption scenario, the entire amount of the approximately $6.5 million deferred underwriting fees would be payable to Mizuho, notwithstanding that all Class A Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders will have been redeemed and the balance of the Trust Account after redemptions will have been reduced to approximately $0. |
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OTHER AGREEMENTS
Letter Agreement
In connection with the IPO, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s officers and directors (collectively, the “Letter Agreement Parties”) entered into the Letter Agreement with Vahanna, pursuant to which they have agreed (and their permitted transferees will agree) to vote shares representing approximately 19.4% of the aggregate voting power of the Vahanna ordinary shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. In addition, the Letter Agreement Parties agreed to waive (i) their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares and any Class A Ordinary Shares held by them in connection with the completion of an initial business combination or any other tender offer made by Vahanna to purchase Vahanna ordinary shares and (ii) their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares held by them if Vahanna fails to complete an initial business combination within the time period prescribed by its Existing Charter.
The Letter Agreement Parties also agreed that they will not propose any amendment to the Existing Charter (i) that would modify the substance or timing of Vahanna’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with its initial business combination or to redeem 100% of the Class A Ordinary Shares if it does not complete an initial business combination within the time period prescribed in its Existing Charter or (ii) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity, unless Vahanna provides its public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to Vahanna to pay its taxes, divided by the number of then-outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares.
The Letter Agreement also provides that (i) the Founder Shares (and any Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) held by the Letter Agreement Parties shall be subject to a one (1) year lock-up restriction following an initial business combination (subject to certain exceptions) and (ii) the Private Placement Warrants (and any Class A Ordinary Shares underlying such warrants) held by the Letter Agreement Parties shall be subject to a 30-day lock-up restriction following an initial business combination. The Letter Agreement is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus from Exhibit 10.1 to the Vahanna Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41094), filed by Vahanna on November 29, 2021. You are encouraged to read the Letter Agreement in its entirety.
Mizuho Subscription Agreement
In connection with the IPO, Mizuho entered into a subscription agreement (the “Mizuho Subscription Agreement”) with Vahanna, pursuant to which Mizuho purchased 150,000 Class B Ordinary Shares for $500,000. Pursuant to the Mizuho Subscription Agreement, Mizuho agreed to vote such shares, representing approximately 0.6% of the aggregate voting power of the Vahanna ordinary shares, in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. In addition, Mizuho agreed to waive (i) its redemption rights with respect to any Class B Ordinary Shares held by it (and any Class A Ordinary Shares into which the Class B Ordinary Shares are convertible) in connection with the completion of an initial business combination or any other tender offer made by Vahanna to purchase Vahanna ordinary shares prior to an initial business combination, (ii) its rights to liquidation distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Class B Ordinary Shares held by it if Vahanna fails to complete an initial business combination within the time period prescribed by its Existing Charter and (iii) its redemption rights in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to the Existing Charter (A) to modify the substance or timing of Vahanna’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Class A Ordinary Shares if it does not complete an initial business combination within the time period prescribed in its Existing Charter or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity.
The Mizuho Subscription Agreement also provides that the Class B Ordinary Shares held by Mizuho (and any Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion thereof) shall be subject to a one (1) year lock-up
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restriction following an initial business combination (subject to certain exceptions). The Mizuho Subscription Agreement is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus from Exhibit 10.7 to the Vahanna Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41094), filed by Vahanna on November 29, 2021. You are encouraged to read the Mizuho Subscription Agreement in its entirety.
Support Agreement
Concurrent with the execution of the merger agreement, certain holders (a) representing approximately 51% of the outstanding shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock (determined on an as-converted basis) and (b) representing at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Roadzen Preferred Stock entered into the Support Agreement with Vahanna. Under the Support Agreement, the supporting holders agreed, among other things, to execute and deliver a written consents adopting the merger agreement, approving the merger and converting the Roadzen Preferred Stock to Existing Roadzen Common Stock effective immediately prior to the Effective Time of, and conditioned upon, the merger within three (3) business days after the date on which this proxy statement/prospectus is declared effective by the SEC. As of the execution date of the merger agreement, the current directors and executive officers of Roadzen held the requisite number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock required by the contemplated written consents and entered into the Support Agreement with respect to such shares. The Support Agreement is attached hereto as Annex C and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. You are encouraged to read the Support Agreement in its entirety.
Sponsor Support Agreement
Concurrent with the execution of the merger agreement, Vahanna entered into a support agreement with the Sponsor pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to, among other things, (i) vote any ordinary shares owned by it in favor of (a) the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and (b) any proposals made by Vahanna to facilitate or in furtherance of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, (ii) appear at any Vahanna shareholder meetings called regarding the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement for purposes of constituting a quorum, (iii) vote against any proposals that would materially impede the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and (iv) waive certain of its anti-dilution and conversion rights. The Sponsor Support Agreement is attached hereto as Annex D and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.
Lock-Up Agreements
Pursuant to the merger agreement, it is expected that all equityholders of Roadzen’s will enter into the Lock-Up Agreements, whereby, the equityholders of Roadzen, subject to certain exceptions, will agree not to transfer or dispose of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares until the earlier of (x) the one (1) year anniversary of consummation of the merger, (y) the date that the closing price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 (as adjusted for share recapitalizations, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), for twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period following the 150th day following the merger and (z) the consummation of a liquidation, merger, capital share exchange, reorganization, tender or exchange offer as the first step of a two-step transaction or other similar transaction that results in all of New Roadzen’s shareholders having the right to exchange their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property; provided that certain equityholders of Roadzen that held less than 5% of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) immediately prior to the Closing will be permitted to transfer and/or sell up to 25% of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the date that is six (6) months following the consummation of the merger.
Note Purchase Agreement
On June 30, 2023, Roadzen entered into the Note Purchase Agreement with Mizuho, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain purchasers that may become party thereto from time to time, as purchasers of the senior secured notes (together with Mizuho, the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Purchasers purchased
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an aggregate principal amount of $7,500,000 of senior secured notes (the “Mizuho Notes”) issued by Roadzen. The Mizuho Notes are a secured obligation of Roadzen, Vahanna (upon close of the merger), and the Note Parties. Except as otherwise permitted under the Note Purchase Agreement, the obligations of each of the Note Parties under the Mizuho Notes constitute direct and unconditional senior obligations of each such Note Party and will at all times rank at least equal in right of payment with all other present and future indebtedness and other obligations of each Note Party.
The Mizuho Notes bear interest at a rate of fifteen percent (15.0%) per annum, which will automatically be increased by five percent (5.0%) if Roadzen fails to prepay the Mizuho Notes upon the occurrence of certain mandatory prepayment events as set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement. The Mizuho Notes mature one (1) year from the date of issuance; however, Roadzen may prepay all or any portion of the Mizuho Notes prior to maturity at its option without penalty. As a condition precedent to closing under the Note Purchase Agreement, Roadzen entered into a Security Agreement, pursuant to which each current Note Party granted a first priority lien on substantially all of its assets to Mizuho, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Purchasers.
Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, if the Mizuho Notes have not been repaid in full by the date that is six (6) months after the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement, Roadzen has agreed to issue to the noteholders warrants to purchase collectively the number of shares of common stock of Roadzen or New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, depending on whether the merger has been consummated at the time the warrants are issued, equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the interests of the issuer on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued (the “Mizuho Warrants”). The shares underlying the Mizuho Warrants shall be referred to herein as the “Mizuho Warrant Shares.”
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will vest as follows until the full repayment of the Mizuho Notes: 40% upon issuance of the Mizuho Warrants, approximately six and two-thirds percent (6.67%) on each of the five (5) consecutive months thereafter, and 26.67% on the date that is six (6) months after the issuance date of the Mizuho Warrants.
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent vested, will be exercisable at a purchase price of $0.001 per share and may be exercised on a cashless basis. In the event of an acquisition of the issuer or similar transaction, the Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent unexercised, will be deemed to have been automatically exercised on a cashless basis immediately prior to such acquisition or similar transaction. The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will expire five (5) years after issuance or earlier upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the issuer. The number of Mizuho Warrant Shares underlying and the applicable exercise price of the Mizuho Warrants are subject to customary adjustment for dividends, splits, reclassifications and other modifications. The Purchasers will also receive registration rights and other customary protections with respect to the Mizuho Warrant Shares.
Roadzen anticipates that the merger will close within six (6) months of the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement and that, upon the consummation of the merger, the Mizuho Notes will be repaid in full from proceeds from the consummation of the merger and no Mizuho Warrants will be issued. The Note Purchase Agreement contains certain covenants that restrict the Note Parties’ ability to, among other things, transfer or sell assets, create liens, incur indebtedness, make payments and investments and transact with affiliates. Additionally, the Note Parties are collectively required to maintain a cash reserve of at least $1 million in the aggregate to satisfy the minimum liquidity condition as set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement.
The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default, if not cured or waived, would result in the acceleration of substantially all of the outstanding debt and interest owed under the Mizuho Notes (and any other debt containing a cross-default or cross-acceleration provision), and default interest of an additional two percent (2.0%) for so long as an event of default is continuing.
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Roadzen intends to use the proceeds of the Mizuho Notes to support general corporate and working capital requirements of its Indian subsidiaries, to pay a portion of the purchase price of GIM, and for other general corporate purposes.
The Note Purchase Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registration Statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1 — THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL
Holders of Vahanna ordinary shares are being asked to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. Vahanna shareholders should read carefully this proxy statement/ prospectus in its entirety for more detailed information concerning the merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. Please see the sections entitled “The Merger” and “The Merger Agreement” in this proxy statement/prospectus for additional information regarding the merger and a summary of certain terms of the merger agreement. You are urged to read carefully the merger agreement in its entirety before voting on this proposal.
Vahanna may consummate the merger only if it is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Vote Required for Approval
This Business Combination Proposal (and consequently, the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger) will be approved and adopted only if the holders of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present, vote “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal.
Under the Existing Charter, failure to vote proxy or to vote online at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as well as an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the Business Combination Proposal.
The merger is conditioned upon the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, subject to the terms of the merger agreement. If the Business Combination Proposal is not approved, the other proposals (except the Adjournment Proposal, as described below) will not be presented to the shareholders for a vote.
Mizuho, the Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote their Class B Ordinary Shares (representing approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) in favor of the Business Combination Proposal.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2 — THE CHARTER PROPOSAL
Vahanna is asking its shareholders to consider and vote upon and to adopt the Proposed Charter in the form attached to this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus as Annex B, which, in the judgment of Vahanna’s board of directors, is necessary to adequately address the needs of New Roadzen. If the Business Combination Proposal and the Charter Proposal are approved, the Proposed Charter would replace the Existing Charter.
Comparison of Current Charter to Proposed Charter
The following is a summary of the key changes effected by the Proposed Charter relative to the Existing Charter. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Proposed Charter, a copy of which is included as Annex B. All shareholders are encouraged to read the Proposed Charter in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms.
1. | Name Change: Change Vahanna’s name to “Roadzen Inc.”. |
2. | Authorized Shares: Provide for one (1) class of ordinary shares entitled to one (1) vote for each ordinary share held of record by such holder on all matters on which shareholders generally are entitled to vote (other than certain amendments relating to preference shares). The authorized capital structure of Vahanna will be changed from (i) 200,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, 20,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares and 1,000,000 preference shares to (ii) 220,000,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and 60,000,000 New Roadzen preference shares. |
3. | Removal of Directors: Provide that any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of all then outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Directors may also be removed by the unanimous approval of all other directors. |
4. | Provisions Related to Status as a Blank Check Company: Provide for certain amendments to better reflect New Roadzen’s existence as an operating company. For example, the Proposed Charter would remove the requirement to dissolve New Roadzen and allow it to continue as a corporate entity with perpetual existence following consummation of the business combination. |
Reason for Proposed Charter Amendments
Vahanna’s board of directors’ reasons for proposing the Charter Proposal are set forth below.
1. | Name Change: Our name is Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. Our board believes the name of the post-combination company should more closely align with the name of the post-business combination operating business and therefore has proposed the name change. |
2. | Authorized Shares: The principal purpose of this proposal is to provide for an authorized capital structure of New Roadzen that will enable it to continue as an operating company governed by the BVI Companies Act. The Vahanna board believes that it is important for New Roadzen to have available for issuance a number of authorized ordinary shares and preference shares sufficient to support its growth and to provide flexibility for future corporate needs. |
3. | Removal of Directors: The Existing Charter provides that before a business combination, only holders of Vahanna’s Class B ordinary shares may elect or remove any director, and that after a business combination, shareholders may, by resolution of a simple majority of shareholders, remove any director. The Proposed Charter permits the removal of a director only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. The Vahanna board believes that such a standard will (i) increase board continuity and the likelihood that experienced board members with familiarity of New Roadzen’s business operations would serve on the board at any given time and (ii) make it more difficult for a potential acquiror or other person, group or entity to gain control of the New Roadzen board of directors. |
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4. | Provisions Related to Status as a Blank Check Company: Vahanna’s board of directors believes that making corporate existence perpetual is desirable to reflect the business combination with Roadzen. |
The elimination of certain provisions related to Vahanna’s status as a blank check company is desirable because these provisions will serve no purpose following the business combination. For example, the Proposed Charter does not include the requirement to dissolve New Roadzen and allows it to continue as a corporate entity with perpetual existence following consummation of the business combination. Perpetual existence is the usual period of existence for public corporations, and Vahanna’s board believes it is the most appropriate period for New Roadzen following the business combination. In addition, certain other provisions in Vahanna’s Existing Charter require that proceeds from the IPO be held in the Trust Account until a business combination or liquidation of Vahanna has occurred. These provisions cease to apply once the business combination is consummated and are therefore not included in the Proposed Charter.
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of the Charter Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which quorum is present. The merger is conditioned upon the approval of the Charter Proposal, subject to the terms of the merger agreement. Notwithstanding the approval of the Charter Proposal, if the merger is not consummated for any reason, the actions contemplated by the Charter Proposal will not be effected.
A failure to vote proxy or to vote online at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as well as an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the Charter Proposal. The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of the Charter Proposal.
A copy of the Proposed Charter, as will be in effect assuming approval of the Charter Proposal and upon consummation of the merger and registered by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the BVI, is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE CHARTER PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSALS NO. 3A THROUGH NO. 3D — THE GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS
Our shareholders are also being asked to vote on four separate proposals with respect to certain governance provisions in the Existing Charter, which are being presented separately in order to give Vahanna shareholders the opportunity to present their separate views on important corporate governance procedures and which will be voted upon on a non-binding advisory basis. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote on these proposals, Vahanna and Roadzen intend that the Proposed Charter in the form attached to this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus as Annex B will take effect at the Closing of the business combination, assuming approval of the Charter Proposal (Proposal 2). In the judgment of the Vahanna board of directors, these provisions are necessary to adequately address the needs of New Roadzen.
The Proposed Charter differs materially from the Existing Charter. The following table sets forth a summary of the principal, material changes proposed to be made between the Existing Charter and the Proposed Charter. This summary is qualified by reference to the complete text of the Existing Charter, the complete text of the Proposed Charter, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus as Annex B. All shareholders are encouraged to read the Proposed Charter in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms.
Existing Charter |
Proposed Charter | |||
Elimination of Class B Ordinary Shares (Proposal No. 3A) |
Vahanna’s Existing Charter contains provisions regarding the conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares and anti-dilution protections in respect of Class B Ordinary Shares. Vahanna’s Existing Charter also requires written consent of the holders of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the Class B Ordinary Shares in order to make any amendment that would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or other rights of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares. |
The Proposed Charter will eliminate Class B Ordinary Shares and any rights of holders thereof. | ||
Ability to Bring Matters for Discussion before a General Meeting (Proposal No. 3B) |
Vahanna may, but shall not be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and, where called, shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. Any annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the directors shall appoint.
Under the Existing Charter, shareholders seeking to bring business before a meeting must provide written notice of such business to the board. The requisitioning shareholder(s) must represent not less than 10% of Vahanna’s issued shares. |
New Roadzen may, but shall not be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and, where called, shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. Any annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the directors shall appoint.
A valid requisition notice must include items for which a written request has been given to the board by one (1) or more shareholders representing 30% or more of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
Only those matters set forth in the notice of the general meeting or, |
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Existing Charter |
Proposed Charter | |||
solely with respect to an annual general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting convened upon a shareholder requisition, properly requested in accordance with Article 18.8, may be considered or acted upon at a general meeting. In addition to the other requirements set forth in the Proposed Charter, for any proposal of business to be considered at a general meeting, it must be a proper subject for action by New Roadzen shareholders under the BVI Companies Act.
For nominations of candidates for appointment as director (“Director Nominations”) or other business to be properly brought (x) by a shareholder before an annual general meeting (“AGM”) or (y) by requisitioning shareholders before an extraordinary general meeting (“EGM”) convened upon a shareholders’ requisition, the Director Nomination or other business must be (i) specified in the notice of the general meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the directors by resolution thereof, (ii) brought before the general meeting by the person presiding over the meeting or (iii) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the meeting by a shareholder or by the requisitioning shareholders, as applicable, in accordance with Article 18.8. For Director Nomination or other business to be properly requested to be brought (x) by a shareholder before an AGM or (y) by requisitioning shareholders before an EGM convened upon a shareholders’ requisition, the shareholder or requisitioning shareholders must (i) be shareholder(s) of record of New |
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Existing Charter |
Proposed Charter | |||
Roadzen at the time of the giving of the notice, (ii) be entitled to vote at such general meeting, (iii) have given Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing to any director addressed to New Roadzen’s registered office, (iv) have provided any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by the Proposed Charter and (v) together with the beneficial owner(s), if any, on whose behalf the nomination or business proposal is made, have acted in accordance with the representations set forth in the Solicitation Statement (as defined in the Proposed Charter) required by the Proposed Charter. To be timely, a shareholder’s written notice in respect of an AGM must be received by any director at the registered office not later than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the preceding year’s AGM; provided, however, that in the event the AGM is first convened more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, or if no AGM was held in the preceding year, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be received by any director at the registered office not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such AGM and not later than the close of business on tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made (such notice within such time periods shall be referred to as “Timely Notice”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided |
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Existing Charter |
Proposed Charter | |||
herein, (x) for the first AGM, a shareholder’s notice shall be timely (and be considered a Timely Notice) if received by any director at the registered office not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the scheduled date of such AGM or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such AGM is first made or sent by New Roadzen and (y) for any EGM convened upon shareholders’ requisition, the requisitioning shareholders’ notice shall be timely (and be considered a Timely Notice) if received by any director at the registered office on the date of delivery of the shareholders’ requisition. Any such Timely Notice must set forth, as to each matter the shareholder or requisitioning shareholders propose to bring before the general meeting, the items enumerated in Article 18.8 of the Proposed Charter. | ||||
Removal of Directors (Proposal No. 3C) |
The Existing Charter provides that prior to the initial business combination, a vote of the majority of the issued and outstanding Class B Ordinary Shares entitled to vote and voting will be required to remove a director. After an initial business combination, a vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares entitled to vote and voting will be required to remove any person as a director. | The Proposed Charter will provide that a director may be removed only for cause and by either i) a resolution of all New Roadzen directors (except for the director to be removed) or ii) a resolution of New Roadzen shareholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting for the election of directors. | ||
Quorum (Proposal No. 3D) |
Under the Existing Charter, no business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. The holders of one-third (1/3) of the Vahanna ordinary shares present in person, by proxy or authorized representative shall constitute a quorum. | Under the Proposed Charter, no business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. The holders of fifty percent (50%) of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares present in person, by proxy or authorized representative shall constitute a quorum. |
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Reasons for Proposed Charter Amendments
Elimination of Class B Ordinary Shares (Proposal No. 3A)
Vahanna’s Existing Charter contains provisions regarding the conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares and anti-dilution protections in respect of Class B Ordinary Shares. Vahanna’s Existing Charter also requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two thirds of the Class B Ordinary Shares in order to make any amendment that would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or other rights of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares. The Proposed Charter eliminates Class B Ordinary Shares and any rights of holders thereof. Following the merger, all Class B Ordinary Shares will have converted into Class A Ordinary Shares and the protections afforded the Class B Ordinary Shares while Vahanna was a special purpose acquisition company will no longer be necessary. Vahanna’s board of directors believes that the provisions relating to the Class B Ordinary Shares will no longer be relevant to New Roadzen and should be eliminated.
Ability to Bring Matters for Discussion before a General Meeting (Proposal No. 3B)
Pursuant to the Proposed Charter, a notice of a general meeting of shareholders must include items for which a written request has been given by one or more shareholders representing 30% or more of New Roadzen issued shares. This ensures that only those shareholders who together hold a significant interest in New Roadzen are able to requisition a general meeting.
Removal of Directors (Proposal No. 3C)
Pursuant to the Proposed Charter, only (i) a resolution by all of the directors (except for the director to be removed) (with cause) or (ii) a resolution by shareholders of New Roadzen representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting for the election of directors (with cause) may remove a director. Vahanna believes that this will promote board continuity and make it more difficult for a potential acquirer or other person, group or entity to gain control of the New Roadzen’s board of directors.
Quorum (Proposal No. 3D)
The Proposed Charter will provide that no business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. The holders of fifty percent (50%) of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares present in person, by proxy or authorized representative shall constitute a quorum. Vahanna believes that this will make it more difficult for a potential acquirer or other person, group or entity to gain control of New Roadzen’s board of directors. Vahanna also believes that increasing the quorum threshold will ensure that action taken by shareholders will more closely reflect the preference of all shareholders as a group.
Anti-Takeover Effects of the Proposed Charter
The BVI Companies Act does not currently provide anti-takeover measures, similar to some jurisdictions in the U.S.
Some provisions of the Proposed Charter may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
• | authorize the New Roadzen board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our members; |
• | limit the ability of shareholders to demand and convene general meetings of shareholders; |
• | require advance notice procedures with which shareholders must comply to nominate candidates to the New Roadzen board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a shareholders’ meeting, |
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which could preclude shareholders from bringing matters before annual or special meetings and delay changes in the New Roadzen board of directors and also may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise from attempting to obtain control of New Roadzen; |
• | provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the unanimous approval of all other directors then in office or shareholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting for the election of directors; and |
• | permit the New Roadzen board of directors to fill vacancies created by the expansion of the New Roadzen board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director. |
However, under British Virgin Islands law, New Roadzen’s directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under the Proposed Charter for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of New Roadzen.
The Proposed Charter will contain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, reduce our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of the board of directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire New Roadzen. However, these provisions may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of New Roadzen by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or other takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for the ordinary shares held by shareholders. For more information, see “Description of New Roadzen Capital Stock — Anti-Takeover Effects of The Proposed Charter.”
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of the Governance Proposals requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which quorum is present. The approval of each Governance Proposal is not conditioned on any other proposal. A vote to approve a Governance Proposal is an advisory vote, and therefore, is not binding on Vahanna. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote, Vahanna intends that the Proposed Charter, in the form set forth in Annex B of the proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus, and containing the provisions noted above, will take effect at consummation of the business combination, assuming adoption of the Charter Proposal. The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of each of the Governance Proposals.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS.
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PROPOSAL NO. 4 — THE DOMESTICATION PROPOSAL
Overview
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, Vahanna will continue out of the British Virgin Islands and re-domicile as a Delaware corporation and will no longer be considered a British Virgin Islands business company. The ability to redomicile Vahanna out of the British Virgin Islands to another jurisdiction is expressly provided for in our Existing Charter (subject to obtaining the requisite approval).
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, this proposal will only be presented and voted upon in the event that elections to redeem Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting are less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares).
In connection with the Domestication, Vahanna will adopt the Interim Charter which will replace or remove certain provisions of the Existing Charter which are no longer valid or otherwise applicable as a result of the Domestication (but without substantively changing such ongoing rights) and file the same with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. You should note that not only will the Interim Charter preserve the existing rights of Class A Ordinary Shares, but also that the existing provisions of the Existing Charter (including protective provisions with respect to the Trust Account and redemption rights) will be replicated or substantively replicated in the Interim Charter. The following table sets forth a summary of the principal changes proposed to be made between the Existing Charter and the Interim Charter. This summary is qualified by reference to the complete text of the Interim Charter, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex I. All shareholders are encouraged to read the Interim Charter in its entirety for a more complete description of its terms.
Existing Charter |
Interim Charter | |||
Provisions Specific to a British Virgin Islands Company | A Director or Alternate Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of Auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the Directors may determine.
A Director or Alternate Director may act by himself or by, through or on behalf of his firm in a professional capacity for the Company and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director or Alternate Director. Any notice that a Director or Alternate Director is a shareholder, director, officer or employee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company shall be |
Not applicable. |
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Existing Charter |
Interim Charter | |||
deemed a general notice of such interest for the purposes of the Statute and be sufficient disclosure for the purposes of voting on a Resolution of Directors in respect of a contract or transaction in which he has an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give a general or special notice relating to any particular transaction.
Any Director (but not an Alternate Director) may appoint any other Director, or any other person willing to act, to be his Alternate Director. |
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Capitalization | Vahanna is authorized to issue 200,000,000 class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share, 20,000,000 convertible class B ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 preference shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share.
The Preference Shares shall have such rights as specified by the board of Directors pursuant to the Resolution of Directors approving the issue of such Preference Share(s), and in any such Resolution of Directors the board of Directors shall agree to amend and restate the Memorandum and Articles to fully set out such rights and instruct the registered agent of the Company to file the amended Memorandum and Articles with the Registrar. For the avoidance of doubt, the Directors shall not require any approval of the Members in respect of the issuance of Preference Shares and the related amendments to the Memorandum and Articles. |
Vahanna is authorized to issue 200,000,000 Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 20,000,000 shares of convertible Class B common stock, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
The Board is expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any |
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Existing Charter |
Interim Charter | |||
such resolution or resolutions. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one | ||||
Directors’ Interests | No person shall be disqualified from the office of Director or Alternate Director or prevented by such office from contracting with the Company, either as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or any contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director or Alternate Director shall be in any way interested be or be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director or Alternate Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realized by or arising in connection with any such contract or transaction by reason of such Director or Alternate Director holding office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established. A Director (or his Alternate Director in his absence) shall be at liberty to vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he is interested provided that the nature of the interest of any Director or Alternate Director in any such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote thereon. | or more of its directors or officers, or any stockholder, or between the Corporation and any individual, corporation, partnership, association, firm. trust, joint venture, political subdivision, instrumentality or other organization in which one or more of its directors, officers or any stockholder are directors, officers or stockholders, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his, her or their votes are counted for such purpose if: (i) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board or committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; (ii) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to any shareholder entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of all shareholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee thereof or all shareholders. Common or |
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Existing Charter |
Interim Charter | |||
interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction. | ||||
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers | No director and officer of Vahanna (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include auditors), together with every former director and former officer of Vahanna (each an “Indemnified Person”), shall be liable to Vahanna for any loss or damage incurred by Vahanna as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or willful default of such Indemnified Person. No person shall be found to have committed actual fraud or willful default under the Existing Articles unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect. | A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal. | ||
Indemnification of Directors and Officers | Subject to the BVI Companies Act, every director and officer of Vahanna (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include auditors), together with every former director and former officer of Vahanna, shall be indemnified out of the assets of Vahanna against any liability, action, proceeding, claim, demand, costs, damages or expenses, including legal expenses, whatsoever which they or any of them may incur as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out their functions other than such liability (if any) that they may incur by reason of their own actual fraud or willful default. | To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an |
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Existing Charter |
Interim Charter | |||
“indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding.
Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.02 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Section 8.02, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. |
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Applicable to the Domestication
For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of Class A Ordinary Shares with respect to the Domestication, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — The Domestication” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders — The Domestication.”
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Reasons for the Domestication
Vahanna believes that it would be in the best interests of Vahanna, in the event that elections to redeem Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting are less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares), to effect the Domestication. Because New Roadzen will operate within the United States following the merger, it is Vahanna’s view that New Roadzen should be structured as a corporation in the United States. Further, Vahanna believes that any direct benefit that the DGCL provides to a corporation also indirectly benefits its stockholders, who are the owners of the corporation.
In addition, Vahanna believes that the Domestication would, among other things: provide legal, administrative, and other similar efficiencies; relocate Vahanna’s jurisdiction of organization to one that is the choice of domicile for many publicly traded corporations, as there is an abundance of case law to assist in interpreting the DGCL, and the Delaware legislature frequently updates the DGCL to reflect current technology and legal trends; and provide a favorable corporate environment which will help Vahanna compete more effectively with other publicly traded companies in raising capital and in attracting and retaining skilled and experienced personnel.
Vote Required for Approval
The approval of the Domestication Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which quorum is present. A failure to vote proxy or to vote online at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as well as an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on Domestication Proposal.
The merger is conditioned upon the approval of the Domestication Proposal, subject to the terms of the merger agreement. Notwithstanding the approval of the Domestication Proposal, if the merger is not consummated for any reason, the actions contemplated by the Domestication Proposal will not be effected.
The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of the Domestication Proposal.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE DOMESTICATION PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL NO. 5 — THE DELAWARE CHARTER PROPOSAL
Our shareholders are being asked to adopt the Proposed Delaware Charter in the form attached to this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus as Annex J, which, in the judgment of Vahanna’s board of directors, is necessary to adequately address the needs of New Roadzen if the Domestication occurs.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the Delaware Charter Proposal will only be presented and voted upon in the event that elections to redeem Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting are less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares. If brought to a vote and approved by the shareholders, Vahanna intends that the Proposed Delaware Charter will take effect as soon as possible following the Effective Time, in connection with the consummation of the business combination.
Comparison of Current Charter to Proposed Delaware Charter
The following is a summary of the key amendments effected by the Proposed Delaware Charter, but this summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Proposed Delaware Charter, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus as Annex J, and the complete text of the Proposed Bylaws, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/ prospectus as Annex K:
1. | Name Change: Change Vahanna’s name to “Roadzen Inc.”. |
2. | Authorized Shares: Provide for one class of common stock entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote (other than certain amendments relating to preference shares). The authorized capital structure of Vahanna will be changed from (i) 200,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, $0.0001 par value per share, 20,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, $0.0001 par value per share, and 1,000,000 preference shares, $0.0001 par value per share to (ii) 220,000,000 shares of New Roadzen common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 60,000,000 shares of New Roadzen preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share. |
3. | Removal of Directors: Provide that any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause. Directors may be removed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of all then outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Directors may also be removed by the unanimous approval of all other directors. |
4. | Provisions Related to Status as a Blank Check Company: Provide for certain amendments to better reflect New Roadzen’s existence as an operating company. For example, the Proposed Delaware Charter would remove the requirement to dissolve New Roadzen and allow it to continue as a corporate entity with perpetual existence following consummation of the business combination. |
Reason for Proposed Charter Amendments
Vahanna’s board of directors’ reasons for proposing the Delaware Charter Proposal are set forth below:
1. | Name Change: Our name is Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. Our board believes the name of the post-combination company should more closely align with the name of the post-business combination operating business and therefore has proposed the name change. |
2. | Authorized Shares: The principal purpose of this proposal is to provide for an authorized capital structure of New Roadzen that will enable it to continue as an operating company governed by the DGCL. The Vahanna board believes that it is important for New Roadzen to have available for issuance a number of authorized ordinary shares and preference shares sufficient to support its growth and to provide flexibility for future corporate needs. |
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3. | Removal of Directors: The Existing Charter provides that before a business combination, only holders of Vahanna’s Class B ordinary shares may elect or remove any director, and that after a business combination, shareholders may, by resolution passed by a simple majority, remove any director. The Proposed Delaware Charter permits the removal of a director only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at an election of directors. The Vahanna board believes that such a standard will (i) increase board continuity and the likelihood that experienced board members with familiarity of New Roadzen’s business operations would serve on the board at any given time and (ii) make it more difficult for a potential acquiror or other person, group or entity to gain control of the New Roadzen board of directors. |
4. | Provisions Related to Status as a Blank Check Company: Vahanna’s board of directors believes that making corporate existence perpetual is desirable to reflect the business combination with Roadzen. The elimination of certain provisions related to Vahanna’s status as a blank check company is desirable because these provisions will serve no purpose following the business combination. For example, the Proposed Delaware Charter does not include the requirement to dissolve New Roadzen and allows it to continue as a corporate entity with perpetual existence following consummation of the business combination. Perpetual existence is the usual period of existence for public corporations, and Vahanna’s board believes it is the most appropriate period for New Roadzen following the business combination. In addition, certain other provisions in Vahanna’s Existing Charter require that proceeds from the IPO be held in the Trust Account until a business combination or liquidation of Vahanna has occurred. These provisions cease to apply once the business combination is consummated and are therefore not included in the Proposed Delaware Charter. |
Vote Required for Approval
The approval of the Delaware Charter Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which quorum is present. The merger is conditioned upon the approval of the Delaware Charter Proposal, subject to the terms of the merger agreement. Notwithstanding the approval of the Delaware Charter Proposal, if the merger is not consummated for any reason, the actions contemplated by the Delaware Charter Proposal will not be effected.
A failure to vote proxy or to vote online at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as well as an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the Delaware Charter Proposal.
The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of each of the Delaware Charter Proposal.
Copies of the Proposed Delaware Charter and Proposed Bylaws, as will be in effect assuming approval of the Delaware Charter Proposal and upon consummation of the merger and filing with the Delaware secretary of state, are attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex J and Annex K, respectively.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE DELAWARE CHARTER PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSALS NO. 6A THROUGH NO. 6D — THE DELAWARE GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS
Our shareholders are also being asked to vote on four separate proposals with respect to certain governance provisions in the Interim Charter (assuming the Domestication Proposal is approved), which are being presented separately in order to give Vahanna shareholders the opportunity to present their separate views on important corporate governance procedures and which will be voted upon on a non-binding advisory basis (collectively, the “Delaware Governance Proposals”). Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote on these proposals, Vahanna and Roadzen intend that the Proposed Delaware Charter in the form attached to this proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus as Annex J will take effect at the Closing of the business combination, assuming approval of the Delaware Charter Proposal (Proposal No. 5). In the judgment of the Vahanna board of directors, these provisions are necessary to adequately address the needs of New Roadzen.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, these proposals will only be presented and voted upon in the event that elections to redeem Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting are less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares). If brought to a vote and approved by the shareholders, Vahanna intends that the Proposed Delaware Charter will take effect concurrent with the consummation of the merger.
The Existing Charter, which will be in large part replicated in the Interim Charter, includes certain provisions applicable to the rights of shareholders (such as the right to have their shares redeemed if Vahanna fails to consummate a business combination by a particular date or if Vahanna seeks to amend the Existing Charter to extend that date) and the conduct of management and affairs prior to a business combination. Upon the closing of the business combination, such provisions will terminate or cease to be applicable.
The following table sets forth a summary of the principal changes proposed to be made between the Interim Charter and the Proposed Delaware Charter. This summary is qualified by reference to the complete text of the proposed Interim Charter, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex I, the complete text of the Proposed Delaware Charter, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex J, and the complete text of the Proposed Bylaws, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/ prospectus as Annex K. All stockholders are encouraged to read each of the proposed Interim Charter, Proposed Delaware Charter, and Bylaws in their entirety for a more complete description of their terms.
Interim Charter |
Proposed Delaware Charter | |||
Elimination of Class A Shares and Class B Shares (Proposal No. 6A) |
The Interim Charter will have two classes of common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. | The Proposed Delaware Charter will have one single class of common stock. | ||
Ability to Bring Matters for Discussion before a General Meeting (Proposal No. 6B) |
The interim Charter will provide that a special meeting may be called by the board of directors of Vahanna pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board of directors, or upon the request of holders of not less than 10% of the voting power of the outstanding stock entitled to vote at the meeting. | The Proposed Delaware Charter will provide clear instructions as to how a stockholder may bring matters before a general meeting. A special meeting of stockholders may be called by the New Roadzen Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the New Roadzen Board, or upon the written request of holders of not less than 30% of the voting power of the outstanding stock entitled to vote at the meeting. |
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Interim Charter |
Proposed Delaware Charter | |||
Removal of Directors (Proposal No. 6C) |
The Interim Charter will provide that Vahanna may by resolution of the holders of shares of Class B common stock remove directors. | The Proposed Delaware Charter will provide that directors may be removed only for cause and by stockholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of New Roadzen’s voting power. | ||
Quorum (Proposal No. 6D) |
The Interim Charter will require stockholders of at least one-third (1/3) of Vahanna’s shares to constitute a quorum. | The Proposed Delaware Charter will require stockholders representing at least 50% of New Roadzen’s voting power to constitute a quorum. |
Reasons for Proposed Delaware Charter Amendments
Elimination of Class A Shares and Class B Shares (Proposal No. 6A)
The Existing Charter and Interim Charter contain provisions regarding the conversion of Class B ordinary shares (in the case of the Existing Charter) and shares of Class B common stock (in the case of the Interim Charter) and anti-dilution protections in respect of such Class B shares. The Existing Charter and Interim Charter also require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Class B shares in order to make any amendment that would alter or change the powers, preferences or other rights of the holders of Class B shares. The Proposed Delaware Charter eliminates Class B shares and any rights of holders thereof. Following the merger, all shares of Class B common stock will have converted into shares of Class A common stock and the protections afforded to the Class B shares while Vahanna was a special purpose acquisition company will no longer be necessary. Vahanna’s board of directors believes that the provisions relating to the Class B shares will no longer be relevant to New Roadzen and should be eliminated.
Ability to Bring Matters for Discussion before a General Meeting (Proposal No. 6B)
Pursuant to the Proposed Delaware Charter, a notice of a general meeting of stockholders must include items for which a written request has been given by one or more stockholders representing 30% or more of New Roadzen’s common stock. This ensures that only those stockholders who together hold a significant interest in New Roadzen are able to requisition a general meeting.
Removal of Directors (Proposal No. 6C)
Pursuant to the Proposed Delaware Charter, only (i) a resolution by all of the directors (except for the director to be removed) (with cause) or (ii) a resolution by stockholders of New Roadzen representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the shares of New Roadzen common stock entitled to vote at a meeting for the election of directors (with cause) may remove a director. Vahanna believes that this will promote board continuity and make it more difficult for a potential acquirer or other person, group or entity to gain control of the New Roadzen’s board.
Quorum (Proposal No. 6D)
The Proposed Delaware Charter will provide that no business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. The holders of fifty percent (50%) of the shares of New Roadzen common stock present in person, by proxy or authorized representative shall constitute a quorum. Vahanna believes that this will make it more difficult for a potential acquirer or other person, group or entity to gain control of the New Roadzen’s board. Vahanna also believes that increasing the quorum threshold will ensure that action taken by stockholders will more closely reflect the preference of all stockholders as a group.
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Anti-Takeover Effects of the Proposed Delaware Charter
The Proposed Delaware Charter will contain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, reduce our vulnerability to a hostile change of control and enhance the ability of the board of directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire New Roadzen. However, these provisions may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a merger or acquisition of New Roadzen by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or other takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for the ordinary shares held by shareholders. For more information, see “Description of New Roadzen Capital Stock — Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Proposed Delaware Charter, the Proposed Bylaws and Applicable Law.”
Vote Required for Approval
The approval of each of the Delaware Governance Proposals requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which quorum is present. The approval of each Delaware Governance Proposal is not conditioned on any other proposal. A vote to approve a Delaware Governance Proposal is an advisory vote, and therefore, is not binding on Vahanna. Accordingly, regardless of the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote, Vahanna intends that the Proposed Delaware Charter, in the form set forth in Annex J of the proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus, and containing the provisions noted above, will take effect at consummation of the business combination, assuming adoption of the Delaware Charter Proposal.
The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of each of the Delaware Governance Proposals.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE DELAWARE GOVERNANCE PROPOSALS.
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PROPOSAL NO. 7 — THE NASDAQ PROPOSAL
Overview
For purposes of complying with Rule 5635(a), (b) and (d) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, Vahanna shareholders are being asked to approve the issuance of (i) 68,300,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with the business combination and (ii) 5,530,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with the PIPE Investment.
Reasons for the Approval for Purposes of Nasdaq Rule 5635
We are seeking shareholder approval in order to comply with Nasdaq Rule 5635.
As described above, Vahanna will issue (i) 68,300,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with the business combination and (ii) 5,530,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with the PIPE Investment.
Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(a), shareholder approval is required prior to the issuance of securities in connection with the acquisition of another company if such securities are not issued in a public offering and (1) have, or will have upon issuance, voting power equal to or in excess of 20% of the voting power outstanding before the issuance of ordinary shares (or securities convertible into or exercisable for such securities) or (2) the number of ordinary shares to be issued is or will be equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of ordinary shares outstanding before the issuance of the shares or securities. Collectively, the consideration to be paid in connection with the business combination agreement will exceed 20% or more of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares and 20% or more of the voting power, in each case outstanding before the issuance of such ordinary shares in connection with the business combination.
Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(b), shareholder approval is required when any issuance or potential issuance will result in a “change of control” of the issuer. Although Nasdaq has not adopted any rule on what constitutes a “change of control” for purposes of Rule 5635(b), Nasdaq has previously indicated that the acquisition of, or right to acquire, by a single investor or affiliated investor group, as little as 20% of the ordinary shares (or securities convertible into or exercisable for ordinary shares) or voting power of an issuer could constitute a change of control. Under Nasdaq Rule 5635(b), the issuance of Vahanna ordinary shares in the business combination will result in a “change of control” of Vahanna. Roadzen stockholders will own or control 68,300,000 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, or approximately 73.2% of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares outstanding following the business combination (assuming that no Class A Ordinary Shares are redeemed).
Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), shareholder approval is required for a transaction other than a public offering involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by an issuer of ordinary shares (or securities convertible into or exercisable for ordinary shares) at a price that is less than the lower of (1) the closing price immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement or (2) the average closing price of the ordinary shares for the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement, if the number of ordinary shares (or securities convertible into or exercisable for ordinary shares) to be issued equals 20% or more of the ordinary shares, or 20% or more of the voting power, outstanding before the issuance. Because New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be issued in exchange for all of the equity interests of Roadzen at a deemed issuance price of $10 per share and sold at $10 per share in connection with the PIPE Investment and (a) the average five trading day closing price of Class A Ordinary Shares immediately preceding the signing of the merger agreement was $10.35, (b) the expected per share redemption value of a Class A Ordinary Share is $[●] (based on the amount in the Trust Account as of the Record Date) and (c) the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable will exceed 20% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares, the Nasdaq Listing Rules require that Vahanna obtain shareholder approval of the issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with the consummation of the business combination.
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As a result of the foregoing, Vahanna is required to obtain shareholder approval pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635. Vahanna shareholders should read carefully this entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the financial statements and annexes attached hereto and the other documents referred to herein. Shareholder approval of the Nasdaq Proposal is also a condition to the closing under the merger agreement.
Vote Required for Approval
The approval of the Nasdaq Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which quorum is present. A failure to vote proxy or to vote online at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as well as an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the Nasdaq Proposal.
The merger is conditioned upon the approval of the Nasdaq Proposal, subject to the terms of the merger agreement. Notwithstanding the approval of the Nasdaq Proposal, if the merger is not consummated for any reason, the actions contemplated by the Nasdaq Proposal will not be effected.
The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of each of the Nasdaq Proposal.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE NASDAQ PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL NO. 8 — THE INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL
Assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, and the Nasdaq Proposal are approved at the Vahanna Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve the New Roadzen 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). The board of directors of Vahanna adopted the Incentive Plan on June 28, 2023, subject to its approval by the shareholders of Vahanna. If the shareholders approve the Incentive Plan, it will become effective upon the closing of the merger. The board of directors of Vahanna unanimously recommends that the shareholders vote “for” approval of the Incentive Plan.
Overview
The Incentive Plan is described in more detail below. A copy of the Incentive Plan is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex F. If approved by Vahanna shareholders, and assuming that the Business Combination Proposal is approved, the Incentive Plan will become effective and will be administered by the New Roadzen board of directors or by a committee that our board of directors designates for this purpose (referred to below as the plan administrator), which will have the authority to make awards under the Incentive Plan.
After careful consideration, the board of directors of Vahanna believes that approving the Incentive Plan is in the best interests of New Roadzen. The Incentive Plan promotes ownership in New Roadzen by its employees, nonemployee directors and consultants, and aligns incentives between these service providers and shareholders by permitting these service providers to receive compensation in the form of awards denominated in, or based on the value of, New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. Therefore, the board of directors of Vahanna recommends that the Vahanna shareholders approve the Incentive Plan.
Summary of the Material Features of the Incentive Plan
The following is a summary of the material features of the Incentive Plan. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Incentive Plan attached as Annex F to this proxy statement/ prospectus.
Purpose; Types of Awards
The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to attract, retain and appropriately reward employees, directors, and consultants in order to motivate their performance in the achievement of New Roadzen’s business objectives and align their interests with the long-term interests of New Roadzen’s shareholders. To accomplish this purpose, the Incentive Plan permits the granting of awards in the form of incentive share options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, nonqualified share options, share appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted shares, restricted share units, performance-based awards (including performance shares, performance units and performance bonus awards), and other share-based or cash-based awards.
Shares Subject to the Incentive Plan
The Incentive Plan will reserve for issuance a number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equal to ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares as of the Closing. Assuming no public shareholders exercise their redemption rights and without giving effect to the PIPE Investment, and subject to the assumptions set forth under the “Basis of Presentation and Glossary”, it is expected that a total of 8,340,900 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be reserved and available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. Assuming all public shareholders exercise their redemption rights and without giving effect to the PIPE Investment, and subject to the assumptions set forth under the “Basis of Presentation and Glossary”, it is expected that a total of 6,339,900 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be reserved and available for issuance under the Incentive Plan.
The maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to options intended to be incentive share options is 6,000,000 shares. The aggregate grant date fair value of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares subject to
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awards granted during any fiscal year to any non-employee director, when taken together with the cash fees paid to such non-employee director during the fiscal year (in each case, with respect to his or her service as a non-employee director), shall not exceed $500,000.
The total number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares that will be reserved and may be issued under the Incentive Plan will automatically increase on the first trading day of each calendar year, by a number of shares equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares outstanding on the last day of the prior calendar year. The plan administrator may act prior to January 1 of a given year to provide that there will be no increase in the share reserve for that year, or that the increase in the share reserve will be smaller than as provided in the Incentive Plan. In addition, as previously disclosed elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, outstanding Roadzen RSUs awarded prior to the closing of the Business Combination by Roadzen will be exchanged for Merger Consideration as provided in the merger agreement and be reissued as New Roadzen RSUs. The New Roadzen RSUs will be treated as Substitute Awards under the Incentive Plan. The New Roadzen Ordinary Shares underlying the New Roadzen RSUs will come from the Merger Consideration and will not deplete the Incentive Plan’s initial share reserve described above.
If, after the closing of the Business Combination, an award granted under the Incentive Plan (including a New Roadzen RSU) is forfeited, canceled, settled, or otherwise terminated without a distribution of shares, the shares underlying that award will again become available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. The following shares will not be available for issuance under the Incentive Plan: (i) shares delivered to or withheld to pay withholding taxes or any applicable exercise price, and (ii) shares subject to any exercised share-settled SAR or options. In addition, any shares tendered to exercise outstanding options or other awards or repurchased on the open market using exercise price proceeds will not be available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. Any Substitute Awards shall not reduce the shares authorized for grant under the Incentive Plan.
Administration of the Incentive Plan
The Incentive Plan will be administered by the plan administrator, who is the board of directors of New Roadzen or a committee that the board of directors of New Roadzen designates. The plan administrator has the power to determine the terms of the awards granted under the Incentive Plan, including the exercise price, the number of shares subject to each award, and the exercisability and vesting terms of the awards. The plan administrator also has the power to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which awards will be made and to make all other determinations and take all other actions advisable for the administration of the Incentive Plan. All decisions made by the administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Incentive Plan will be final, conclusive and binding.
Participation
Participation in the Incentive Plan will be open to employees, non-employee directors, or consultants, who have been selected as an eligible recipient under the Incentive Plan by the plan administrator. Awards of incentive share options, however, will be limited to employees eligible to receive such form of award under the Code. Following the consummation of the merger, it is expected that approximately 400 employees, 20 consultants and six (6) of our non-employee directors will be eligible to participate in the Incentive Plan.
Types of Awards
The types of awards that may be made under the Incentive Plan are described below. All of the awards described below are subject to the conditions, limitations, restrictions, vesting and forfeiture provisions determined by the plan administrator, subject to the Incentive Plan. To the extent that an award contains a right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents while the award remains unvested, the dividends and dividend equivalents will be accumulated and paid once and to the extent that the underlying award vests.
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Share Options
The Incentive Plan provides for grants of both nonqualified and incentive share options. A nonqualified share option entitles the recipient to purchase New Roadzen Ordinary Shares at a fixed exercise price. The exercise price per share will be determined by the compensation committee but such price will never be less than 100% of the fair market value of an ordinary share on the date of grant. Fair market value will generally be the closing price of a share of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq on the date of grant. Nonqualified share options under the Incentive Plan generally must be exercised within ten (10) years from the date of grant. A nonqualified share option is an option that does not meet the qualifications of an incentive share option as described below.
An incentive share option is a share option that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Incentive share options may be granted only to employees and the aggregate fair market value of a share of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares determined at the time of grant with respect to incentive share options that are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. No incentive share option may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own shares possessing more than 10% of New Roadzen’s total combined voting power or that of any of New Roadzen’s affiliates unless (i) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the shares subject to the option on the date of grant and (ii) the term of the incentive share option does not exceed five (5) years from the date of grant.
Unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator, each vested and outstanding option granted under the Incentive Plan will automatically be exercised on the last business day of the applicable option term, to the extent that, as of such date, (i) the exercise price of such option is less than the fair market value of a share, and (ii) the holder of such option remains actively in service.
Share Appreciation Rights
A SAR entitles the holder to receive an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of a share of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares on the exercise date and the exercise price of the SAR (which may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares on the grant date), multiplied by the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares subject to the SAR (as determined by the plan administrator). Unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator, each vested and outstanding SAR granted under the Incentive Plan will automatically be exercised on the last business day of the applicable SAR term, to the extent that, as of such date, (i) the exercise price of such SAR is less than the fair market value of a share, and (ii) the holder of such SAR remains actively in service.
Restricted Shares
A restricted share award is an award of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares that vest in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the plan administrator.
Restricted Share Units
A restricted share unit is a right to receive shares or the cash equivalent of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares at a specified date in the future, subject to forfeiture of such right. If the restricted share unit has not been forfeited, then on the date specified in the restricted share unit grant, New Roadzen must deliver to the holder of the restricted share unit unrestricted New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (or, in the plan administrator’s sole discretion, cash equal to the shares that would otherwise be delivered, or partly in cash and partly in shares).
Other Share-Based Awards
We may grant or sell to any participant a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, New Roadzen Ordinary Shares,
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including unrestricted New Roadzen Ordinary Shares under the Incentive Plan or a dividend equivalent. A dividend equivalent is a right to receive payments, based on dividends with respect to New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
Other Cash-Based Awards
We may grant cash awards under the Incentive Plan, including cash awards as a bonus or upon the attainment of certain performance goals.
Performance-Based Awards
We may grant an award conditioned on satisfaction of certain performance criteria. Such performance-based awards include performance-based restricted shares and restricted share units. Any dividends or dividend equivalents payable or credited to a participant with respect to any unvested performance-based award will be subject to the same performance goals as the shares or units underlying the performance-based award.
Performance Goals
If the plan administrator determines that an award under the Incentive Plan will be earned subject to the achievement of performance goals, the plan administrator may select one or more performance criteria upon which to grant such award, which may include, but are not limited to, any one or more of the following: earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; net operating profit after tax; cash flow; revenue; net revenues; sales; days sales outstanding; income; net income; operating income; net operating income, operating margin; earnings; earnings per share; return on equity; return on investment; return on capital; return on assets; return on net assets; total shareholder return; economic profit; market share; appreciation in the fair market value, book value or other measure of value of an ordinary share; expense/cost control; working capital; customer satisfaction; employee retention or employee turnover; employee satisfaction or engagement; environmental, health, or other safety goals; individual performance; strategic objective milestones; any other criteria specified by the plan administrator in its sole discretion; or, as applicable, any combination of, or a specified increase or decrease in, any of the foregoing.
Equitable Adjustments
In the event of a merger, consolidation, reclassification, recapitalization, spin-off, spin-out, repurchase or other reorganization or corporate transaction or event, extraordinary dividend, bonus share issue, share capitalization or subdivision, combination or exchange of shares, or other change in corporate structure or payment of any other distribution, the maximum number and kind of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance or with respect to which awards may be granted under the Incentive Plan will be adjusted to reflect such event, and the plan administrator will make such adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable in the number, kind and exercise price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares covered by outstanding awards made under the Incentive Plan, and in any other matters that relate to awards and that are affected by the changes in the shares referred to in this section.
Change in Control
In the event of any proposed change in control (as defined in the Incentive Plan), the plan administrator will take any action as it deems appropriate and equitable to effectuate the purposes of the Incentive Plan and to protect the participants who hold outstanding awards under the Incentive Plan, which action may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the continuation of any award, if New Roadzen is the surviving corporation; (ii) the assumption of any award by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary; (iii) the substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary of equivalent awards for any award, provided, however, that any such substitution with respect to options and SARs shall occur in accordance with the requirements of
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Section 409A of the Code; or (iv) settlement of any award for the change in control price (less, to the extent applicable, the per share exercise or grant price), or, if the per share exercise or grant price equals or exceeds the change in control price or if the plan administrator determines that the award cannot reasonably become vested pursuant to its terms, such award shall terminate and be canceled without consideration.
Amendment and Termination
The plan administrator may alter, amend, modify, or terminate the Incentive Plan at any time, provided that the approval of our shareholders will be obtained for any amendment to the Incentive Plan that requires shareholder approval under the rules of the stock exchange(s) on which the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares is then listed or in accordance with other applicable law, including, but not limited to, an increase in the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance, a reduction in the exercise price of options or other entitlements, an extension of the maximum term of any award, or an amendment that grants the plan administrator additional powers to amend the Incentive Plan. In addition, no modification of an award will, without the prior written consent of the participant, adversely alter or impair any rights or obligations under any award already granted under the Incentive Plan, unless the plan administrator expressly reserved the right to do so at the time of the award.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Effects
The following discussion of certain relevant United States federal income tax effects applicable to certain awards granted under the Incentive Plan is only a summary of certain of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to United States residents under the Incentive Plan, and reference is made to the Code for a complete statement of all relevant federal tax provisions. No consideration has been given to the effects of foreign, state, local and other laws (tax or other) on the Incentive Plan or on a participant, which laws will vary depending upon the particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions involved. In particular, participants who are stationed outside the United States may be subject to foreign taxes as a result of the Incentive Plan.
Nonqualified Share Options
An optionee subject to United States federal income tax will generally not recognize taxable income for United States federal income tax purposes upon the grant of a nonqualified share option. Rather, at the time of exercise of the nonqualified share option, the optionee will recognize ordinary income, subject to wage and employment tax withholding, and New Roadzen will be entitled to a deduction, in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price. If the shares acquired upon the exercise of a nonqualified share option are later sold or exchanged, then the difference between the amount received upon such sale or exchange and the fair market value of such shares on the date of such exercise will generally be taxable as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss (if the shares are a capital asset of the optionee), depending upon the length of time such shares were held by the optionee.
Incentive Share Options
An optionee subject to United States federal income tax will generally not recognize taxable income for United States federal income tax purposes upon the grant of an incentive share option (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) and New Roadzen will not be entitled to a deduction at that time. If the incentive share option is exercised during employment or within ninety (90) days following the termination thereof (or within one (1) year following termination, in the case of a termination of employment due to death or disability, as such terms are defined in the Incentive Plan), the optionee will not recognize any income and New Roadzen will not be entitled to a deduction. The excess of the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date over the exercise price, however, is includible in computing the optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income. Generally, if an optionee disposes of shares acquired by exercising an incentive share option either within two (2) years after the date of grant or one year after the date of exercise, the optionee will recognize ordinary income, and New
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Roadzen will be entitled to a deduction, in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise (or the sale price, if lower) over the exercise price. The balance of any gain or loss will generally be treated as a capital gain or loss to the optionee. If the shares are disposed of after the two-year and one-year periods described above, New Roadzen will not be entitled to any deduction, and the entire gain or loss for the optionee will be treated as a capital gain or loss.
SARs
A participant subject to United States federal income tax who is granted a SAR will not recognize ordinary income for United States federal income tax purposes upon receipt of the SAR. At the time of exercise, however, the participant will recognize ordinary income, subject to wage and employment tax withholding, equal to the value of any cash received and the fair market value on the date of exercise of any shares received. New Roadzen will not be entitled to a deduction upon the grant of a SAR, but generally will be entitled to a deduction for the amount of income the participant recognizes upon the participant’s exercise of the SAR. The participant’s tax basis in any shares received will be the fair market value on the date of exercise and, if the shares are later sold or exchanged, then the difference between the amount received upon such sale or exchange and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise will generally be taxable as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss (if the share is a capital asset of the participant) depending upon the length of time such shares were held by the participant.
Restricted Shares
A participant subject to United States federal income tax generally will not be taxed upon the grant of a restricted share award, but rather will recognize ordinary income for United States federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time the restricted share is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning of the Code). New Roadzen generally will be entitled to a deduction at the time when, and in the amount that, the participant recognizes ordinary income on account of the lapse of the restrictions. A participant’s tax basis in the shares will equal the fair market value of those shares at the time the restrictions lapse, and the participant’s holding period for capital gains purposes will begin at that time. Any cash dividends paid on the shares before the restrictions lapse will be taxable to the participant as additional compensation (and not as dividend income). Under Section 83(b) of the Code, a participant may elect to recognize ordinary income at the time the restricted shares are awarded in an amount equal to their fair market value at that time, notwithstanding the fact that such shares are subject to restrictions and a substantial risk of forfeiture. If such an election is made, no additional taxable income will be recognized by such participant at the time the restrictions lapse, the participant will have a tax basis in the restricted shares equal to their fair market value on the date of their award, and the participant’s holding period for capital gains purposes will begin at that time. New Roadzen generally will be entitled to a tax deduction at the time when, and to the extent that, ordinary income is recognized by such participant.
Restricted Share Units
A participant subject to United States federal income tax who is granted a restricted share unit will not recognize ordinary income for United States federal income tax purposes upon the receipt of the restricted share unit, but rather will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time the award is settled into shares, subject to wage and employment tax withholding, and New Roadzen will have a corresponding deduction at that time.
Other Share-Based and Other Cash-Based Awards
In the case of other share-based and other cash-based awards, depending on the form of the award, a participant subject to United States federal income tax will not be taxed upon the grant of such an award, but, rather, will recognize ordinary income for United States federal income tax purposes when such an award vests
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or otherwise is free of restrictions. In any event, New Roadzen will be entitled to a deduction at the time when, and in the amount that, a participant recognizes ordinary income.
Tax Effects for New Roadzen
In addition to the tax impact to New Roadzen described above, New Roadzen’s deduction may also be limited by Section 280G or Section 162(m) of the Code. In general, Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly held corporation a deduction for United States federal income tax purposes for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 per year per covered employee.
New Plan Benefits
As of the date hereof, no awards have been granted under the Incentive Plan. The aggregate number of shares and aggregate total dollar value of potential future awards under the Incentive Plan that may be made to any of our named executive officers or to our executive officers, non-executive officer employees or non-executive directors as a group are not yet determinable because the types and amounts of awards and selection of participants are subject to the plan administrator’s future determination.
Registration with the SEC
If the Incentive Plan is approved by our shareholders and becomes effective, New Roadzen is expected to file a registration statement on Form S-8 registering the shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming eligible to use such form.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Vahanna did not maintain, or have any securities authorized for issuance under, any equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2022.
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present. A failure to vote proxy or to vote online at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as well as an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the Incentive Plan Proposal.
The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of each of the Incentive Plan Proposal.
A copy of the Incentive Plan is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex F.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL NO. 9 — THE ESPP PROPOSAL
Assuming the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, and the Nasdaq Proposal are approved at the Vahanna Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve the New Roadzen 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The board of directors of Vahanna adopted the ESPP on June 28, 2023, subject to its approval by the shareholders of Vahanna. If the shareholders approve the ESPP, it will become effective upon the closing of the merger. The board of directors of Vahanna unanimously recommends that the shareholders vote “for” approval of the ESPP.
Overview
The ESPP is described in more detail below. A copy of the ESPP is attached to this proxy statement/ prospectus as Annex H. If approved by Vahanna shareholders, and assuming that the Business Combination Proposal is approved, the ESPP will become effective and will be administered by the New Roadzen board of directors or by a committee that our board of directors designates for this purpose (referred to below as the plan administrator), which will have the authority to make offerings under the ESPP.
After careful consideration, the board of directors of Vahanna believes that approving the ESPP is in the best interests of New Roadzen. We are seeking shareholder approval of the ESPP (i) to qualify the ESPP as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code and the related regulations and (ii) in order to comply with the Nasdaq listing rules.
The purpose of the ESPP is to encourage employee share ownership, thus aligning employee interests with those of our shareholders, and to enhance the ability of New Roadzen to attract, motivate and retain qualified employees. We believe that the ESPP will offer a convenient means for our employees who might not otherwise own our Ordinary Shares to purchase and hold shares. Therefore, the board of directors of Vahanna recommends that the Vahanna shareholders approve the ESPP.
Summary of Material Terms of the ESPP
The following is a summary of the material features of the ESPP. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the ESPP attached as Annex H to this proxy statement/ prospectus.
Shares Subject to the ESPP
The ESPP will reserve for issuance a number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equal to two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares as of the Closing. Assuming no public shareholders exercise their redemption rights and without giving effect to the PIPE Investment, and subject to the assumptions set forth under the “Basis of Presentation and Glossary”, it is expected that the ESPP will cover 1,668,180 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. Assuming all public shareholders exercise their redemption rights and without giving effect to the PIPE Investment, and subject to the assumptions set forth under the “Basis of Presentation and Glossary”, it is expected that the ESPP will cover 1,267,980 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
The total number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares that will be reserved and that may be issued under the ESPP will automatically increase on the first trading day of each calendar year, beginning with calendar year 2023, by a number of shares equal to one percent (1%) of the total number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares outstanding on the last day of the prior calendar year. The plan administrator may act prior to January 1 of a given year to provide that there will be no increase in the share reserve for that year, or that the increase in the share reserve will be smaller than as provided in the ESPP.
To prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants under the ESPP, appropriate adjustments will be made if any change is made to our outstanding Ordinary Shares by reason of any merger, reorganization,
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consolidation, bonus share issue, recapitalization, dividend or distribution, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting our Ordinary Shares or their value.
ESPP Participants
Generally, all of our employees will be eligible to participate if they are customarily employed by us, or any participating subsidiary, for at least 20 hours per week and more than five (5) months in any calendar year. However, the plan administrator has certain discretion to vary the eligibility requirements. Specifically, the plan administrator may, prior to an enrollment date for all options granted on such enrollment date in an offering, determine that any of the following is or is not eligible to participate in such offering period: an employee who (i) has not completed at least two (2) years of service (or a lesser period of time determined by the plan administrator) since his or her last hire date, (ii) customarily works not more than 20 hours per week (or a lesser period of time determined by the plan administrator), (iii) customarily works not more than five (5) months per calendar year (or a lesser period of time determined by the plan administrator), (iv) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code or (v) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code with compensation above a certain level or is an officer or subject to disclosure requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. Following the consummation of the Business Combination, it is expected that approximately 400 employees, 0 non-employee directors and 0 consultants will be eligible to participate in the ESPP.
However, an employee may not be granted rights to purchase New Roadzen Ordinary Shares under the ESPP if such employee immediately after the grant would own capital stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of our capital stock; or holds rights to purchase New Roadzen Ordinary Shares under all of our employee stock purchase plans that accrue at a rate that exceeds $25,000 worth of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for each calendar year.
Administration
The ESPP will be administered by the Board or any committee designated by the Board. The plan administrator has broad power to make determinations under the ESPP, to interpret the terms of the ESPP and to establish rules and regulations for its administration. The plan administrator determines whether offers will be made and the beginning and ending dates of the related purchase periods. The plan administrator will have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe, interpret and apply the terms of the ESPP, delegate ministerial duties to any of our employees, supply omissions or correct defects in the ESPP, designate separate offerings under the ESPP, designate our subsidiaries and affiliates as participating in the ESPP, determine eligibility, adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the ESPP and establish procedures that it deems necessary for the administration of the ESPP. The plan administrator’s findings, decisions and determinations are final and binding on all participants to the full extent permitted by law.
Purchases Under ESPP
The plan administrator will determine the length of each offering period. An offering period may be more than 27 months. The plan administrator determines the purchase price at which shares may be purchased by participants, which will not be less than the lesser of 85% of the fair market value per New Roadzen Ordinary Share on the first day of the purchase period or 85% of the fair market value per share on the last day of the purchase period. The plan administrator will determine whether the participants will be subject to any minimum holding period for the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares purchased under the ESPP.
Prior to the first day of each offering period, each participant will make an election to participate during the offering period. At the end of each purchase period, the participant will receive a number of shares, determined on the last day of the purchase period, equal to the payroll deductions credited during the purchase period divided
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by the applicable purchase price, except that no fractional shares may be purchased under the ESPP. We intend to initially set the purchase price at a 15% discount from the lesser of the closing price on the first day of the offering period and the closing price on the purchase date. A participant may not purchase shares with a fair market value greater than $25,000 under the ESPP in any calendar year. The plan administrator may, however, modify at its discretion the discount, purchase period, purchase date and other aspects of the ESPP design within the ESPP parameters from time to time.
Participants may purchase shares only by submitting an election form during the election period established by the plan administrator prior to the beginning of each offering period, stating the participant’s election to have after-tax payroll deductions made for the purpose of participating in the ESPP. After initial enrollment in the ESPP, payroll deductions will continue from offering period to offering period unless the participant makes another election to terminate his or her payroll deductions, terminates his or her employment with New Roadzen or becomes ineligible to participate in the ESPP. The amounts deducted will be credited to the participant’s account under the ESPP until the purchase date, but we will not pay any interest on the deducted amounts.
Participants may end their participation at any time during an offering period in accordance with any applicable insider trading policies by submitting to New Roadzen’s stock administration office a written notice of withdrawal in the form determined by the plan administrator or by following an electronic or other withdrawal procedure determined by the plan administrator. In such case, participants will be paid their accrued contributions that have not yet been used to purchase New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. Additionally, participation ends automatically upon termination of employment with us. If sufficient shares are not available in any purchase period under the ESPP, the available shares will be allocated pro rata among the participants in that purchase period in a uniform manner as determined by the plan administrator for that purchase period. Any amounts not applied to the purchase of shares will be refunded to the participants after the end of the purchase period without interest.
Restriction on Transfer
The right to acquire shares under the ESPP is not transferable.
Change in Control
If there is a change in control of New Roadzen, each right to purchase shares under the ESPP will be assumed or an equivalent right to purchase shares will be substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such corporation. If the successor corporation fails to assume or substitute for the ESPP purchase rights, the plan administrator will shorten the offering period covered by such ESPP purchase right by setting a new exercise date on which such offering period will end. The new exercise date will occur before the change in control. The plan administrator will notify each participant in writing or electronically prior to the new exercise date, that the exercise date for the participant’s purchase rights has been changed to the new exercise date and the participant’s purchase rights will be exercised automatically on the new exercise date, unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the offering period.
Amendment and Termination of the ESPP
The plan administrator has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the ESPP unless the amendment requires shareholder approval pursuant to Section 423 of the Code, other applicable laws or stock exchange rules. No amendment or termination will adversely affect any right to purchase shares that has been granted under the ESPP without the consent of the participant. The 2021 ESPP shall continue in effect for ten (10) years after the date of shareholder approval.
Application of Funds
We may use the proceeds from the sale of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares pursuant to the ESPP for any corporate purpose.
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion of certain relevant United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the purchase of shares under the ESPP is only a summary of certain of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to United States residents under the ESPP as of the date hereof, and reference is made to the Code for a complete statement of all relevant federal tax provisions. No consideration has been given to the effects of foreign, state, local and other laws (tax or other) on the ESPP or on a participant, which laws will vary depending upon the particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions involved. In particular, participants who are stationed outside the United States may be subject to foreign taxes as a result of the ESPP.
No taxable income will be recognized by a participant, and no deductions will be allowable to New Roadzen, upon either the grant or the exercise of rights to purchase shares. A participant only will recognize income when the shares acquired under the ESPP are sold or otherwise disposed of.
The tax due upon sale or other disposition of the acquired shares depends on the length of time that the participant holds the shares.
If the participant sells or otherwise disposes of the purchased shares within two (2) years after the start date of the offering period pursuant to which the shares were acquired or within one (1) year after the actual purchase date of those shares, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares. New Roadzen will be entitled to a corresponding income tax deduction for the amount of income recognized for the taxable year in which such disposition occurs. The amount of this ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or loss recognized upon the sale or disposition will be a capital gain or loss. If the shares have been held for more than one year since the date of purchase, the gain or loss will be long-term capital gain.
If the participant sells or disposes of the purchased shares more than two (2) years after the start date of the offering period pursuant to which the shares were acquired and more than one year after the actual purchase date of those shares, then the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the lesser of (i) the amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the sale or disposition date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares, or (ii) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the start date of that offering period. Any additional gain upon the disposition will be taxed as a long-term capital gain. Alternatively, if the fair market value of the shares on the date of the sale or disposition is less than the purchase price, there will be no ordinary income and any loss recognized will be a long-term capital loss. New Roadzen will not be entitled to an income tax deduction with respect to such disposition.
The tax consequences to a participant may vary depending upon the participant’s individual situation. In addition, various state laws may provide for tax consequences that vary significantly from those described above.
New Plan Benefits
Participation in the ESPP is entirely within the discretion of the eligible employees. Because we cannot presently determine the participation levels by employee, the rate of contributions by employees and the eventual purchase price under the ESPP, it is not possible to determine the value of benefits which may be obtained by executive officers and other employees under the ESPP. Non-employee directors are not eligible to participate in the ESPP.
Registration with the SEC
If the ESPP is approved by our shareholders and becomes effective, New Roadzen is expected to file a registration statement on Form S-8 registering the shares reserved for offerings under the ESPP as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming eligible to use such form.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
Vahanna did not maintain, or have any securities authorized for issuance under, any equity compensation plans, including employee stock purchase plans as of December 31, 2022.
Vote Required for Approval
Approval of the ESPP Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present. A failure to vote proxy or to vote online at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as well as an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the ESPP Proposal.
The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of each of the ESPP Proposal.
A copy of the ESPP is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex H.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ESPP PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSAL NO. 10 — THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
The Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow Vahanna’s board of directors to adjourn the Vahanna Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Vahanna Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the ESPP Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal or the Incentive Plan Proposal, or holders of Class A Ordinary Shares have elected to redeem an amount of Class A Ordinary Shares such that Vahanna would have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets or the Minimum Cash Condition would not be satisfied or waived by Roadzen. In no event will Vahanna’s board of directors adjourn the Vahanna Special Meeting or consummate the merger beyond the date by which it may properly do so under its Existing Charter and BVI law.
Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved
If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by Vahanna’s shareholders, Vahanna’s board of directors may not be able to adjourn the Vahanna Special Meeting to a later date in the event that there are insufficient votes for the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, the Charter Proposal, the Domestication Proposal, the Delaware Charter Proposal, the ESPP Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal or the Incentive Plan Proposal, or holders of Class A Ordinary Shares have elected to redeem an amount of Class A Ordinary Shares such that Vahanna would have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets or the Minimum Condition would not be satisfied or waived by Roadzen, and may be unable to consummate the merger. If Vahanna does not consummate the merger and fails to complete an initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination) (subject to the requirements of law), it will be required to dissolve and liquidate its Trust Account by returning the then remaining funds in such account to the public shareholders.
Vote Required for Approval
The approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of Vahanna ordinary shares, voting together as a single class, at a meeting in which a quorum is present.
A failure to vote by proxy or to vote online at the Vahanna Special Meeting, as well as an abstention from voting or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.
The merger is not conditioned upon the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.
The Sponsor and Vahanna’s directors and officers have agreed to vote the Founder Shares (representing approximately 19.4% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares as of the date hereof) and any Class A Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of each of the Adjournment Proposal.
Recommendation of the Vahanna Board of Directors
VAHANNA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT ITS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to beneficial owners (“Holders”) of Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants immediately prior to the merger (collectively, “Vahanna Securities”) with respect to the (i) Deemed Domestication (as defined below) or the Domestication, as applicable (each as defined below), and (ii) the exercise of redemption rights, and the ownership and disposition of Vahanna Securities following the merger.
This discussion applies only to Vahanna Securities that are held as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). This discussion is based on the provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury Regulations, administrative rules, and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change or differing interpretation could affect the accuracy of the statements set forth herein. Vahanna has not sought, and will not seek, any rulings from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the positions or conclusions described in this summary. Such statements, positions and conclusions are not free from doubt, and there can be no assurance that your tax advisor, the IRS or a court will agree with such statements, positions and conclusions.
The following discussion does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects resulting from the completion of the merger and does not address the tax treatment of any other transactions occurring in connection with the merger. Furthermore, it does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular Holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, this summary does not address the Medicare tax on certain investment income, U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, any U.S. state, local, or non-U.S. tax laws, any tax treaties or tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:
• | banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions; |
• | tax-exempt or governmental organizations; |
• | “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code (or any entities all of the interests of which are held by a qualified foreign pension fund); |
• | dealers in securities or foreign currencies; |
• | persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
• | traders in securities that use the mark-to-market method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
• | specified foreign corporations (including “controlled foreign corporations”), PFICs, and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; |
• | persons deemed to sell Vahanna Securities under the constructive sale provisions of the Code; |
• | persons that acquired Vahanna Securities through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan; |
• | persons that hold Vahanna Securities as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction, or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction; |
• | certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
• | accrual method taxpayers that file applicable financial statements as described in Section 451(b) of the Code; |
• | except as specifically provided below, persons that actually or constructively hold 5% or more (by vote or value) of any class of shares of Vahanna; |
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• | the Sponsor and the Holders of Founder Shares; or S-corporations, partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or holders of interests therein. |
If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Vahanna Securities, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner, upon the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partners in partnerships (including entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holding Vahanna Securities should consult with, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them relating to the matters discussed below.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a Holder that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:
• | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; |
• | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or |
• | a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) that has made a valid election under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
If a Holder is not described as a U.S. Holder and is not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass- through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such owner will be considered a “Non-U.S. Holder.” The U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to Non-U.S. Holders are described below under the heading “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders.”
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Mizuho Warrants are treated as equivalent to ownership of Existing Roadzen Common Stock or New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, as applicable. Therefore, for a discussion of the tax considerations applicable to the ownership of the Mizuho Warrants, the holder of a Mizuho Warrant should refer to the discussion of the treatment of Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares after the merger.
ALL HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS (INCLUDING ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE CHANGES THERETO) TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY U.S. STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.
Tax Residency of Vahanna for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes
Although Vahanna is incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, we expect it will be treated as a U.S. corporation (and therefore a U.S. tax resident) for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 7874 of the Code if (i) public holders of Vahanna’s Class A Ordinary Shares elect to redeem at least 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or at least approximately 48% of the issued and outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares) in connection with the Vahanna Special Meeting and (ii) the merger is completed. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a corporation is generally considered a U.S. or “domestic” corporation (or U.S. tax resident) if it is organized in the United States, and a corporation is generally considered a “foreign” or non-U.S. corporation (or non-U.S. tax resident) if it is not organized in the United States. Because Vahanna is an entity incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, it would generally be classified as a non-U.S. corporation (or non-U.S. tax resident) absent the merger. Section 7874 of the Code provides an exception under which a corporation organized outside the U.S. may, in certain circumstances, be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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Under Section 7874 of the Code, a corporation created or organized outside the United States will nevertheless be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if the following conditions are met: (i) the non-U.S. corporation directly or indirectly acquires substantially all of the assets held directly or indirectly by a U.S. corporation, including the indirect acquisition of assets of the U.S. corporation by acquiring the outstanding shares of the U.S. corporation (the consummation of the merger will satisfy this requirement), (ii) the shareholders of the acquired U.S. corporation hold, by vote or value, at least 80% of the shares of the non-U.S. acquiring corporation after the acquisition by reason of holding shares in the U.S. acquired corporation, and (iii) the non-U.S. corporation’s “expanded affiliated group” does not have substantial business activities in the country in which the non-U.S. corporation is created or organized relative to such expanded affiliated group’s worldwide activities (a transaction that satisfies all the requirements (i) through (iii) is referred to herein as an “80% Inversion”).
As noted above, an 80% Inversion will not occur if, after the acquisition, the “expanded affiliated group” which includes the non-U.S. acquiring corporation has “substantial business activities” in the foreign country in which, or under the law of which, the non-U.S. corporation is created or organized when compared to the total business activities of such expanded affiliated group (the “Substantial Business Activities Exception”). In order to satisfy the Substantial Business Activities Exception, at least 25% of the employees (by headcount and compensation), real and tangible assets and gross income of the non-U.S. acquiring corporation’s “expanded affiliated group” must be based, located and derived, respectively, in the country in which the non-U.S. acquiring corporation is a tax resident after the acquisition. We believe that Vahanna will not satisfy the Substantial Business Activities Test because it is a blank check company without substantial business activities in the British Virgin Islands, and the subsidiaries of the Companies that will comprise the “expanded affiliated group” of Vahanna do not have substantial business activities in the British Virgin Islands.
Based upon the terms of the merger and the expected number of redemptions of Class A Ordinary Shares by public shareholders, we believe that the merger will result in an 80% Inversion. In the event that public holders of Vahanna’s Class A Ordinary Shares elect to redeem less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares) by the date and time described in the subsection of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders — Redemption Rights,” it is a requirement under the merger agreement that Vahanna will continue out of the British Virgin Islands and become domesticated as a corporation in the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 184 of the British Virgin Islands Business Companies Act and Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law in a transaction that, like the Deemed Domestication, is expected to constitute an F Reorganization (the “Domestication”). Accordingly, Vahanna is expected to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, either under Section 7874 of the Code if the merger is completed, or via the Domestication.
The remainder of this discussion assumes that Vahanna will be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER BEING TREATED AS AN 80% INVERSION AND THE DOMESTICATION.
Subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations set forth below and in the opinion attached as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, the statements of law and legal conclusions set forth below under the headings “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — The Deemed Domestication” and “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — The Domestication” constitute the opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of (i) the Deemed Domestication to the Holders of Vahanna Securities, (ii) an exercise of redemption rights generally applicable to Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares following the Deemed Domestication, (iii) the ownership and disposition of Vahanna Securities following the Deemed Domestication, (iv) the Domestication to the Holders of Vahanna Securities, (v) an exercise of redemption rights generally applicable to Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares following the Domestication, and (vi) the ownership and disposition of Vahanna Securities following the Domestication.
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U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
The Deemed Domestication
As a result of the 80% Inversion, pursuant to the U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 7874 of the Code, Vahanna will be deemed to convert from a non-U.S. corporation to a U.S. corporation in an F Reorganization that occurs at the end of the day immediately preceding the merger (the “Deemed Domestication”). Therefore, subject to certain rules discussed under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Effects of Section 367(b)” and “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” the following should be deemed to occur for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
• | Vahanna should be deemed to (i) transfer all of its assets and liabilities to a newly-formed U.S. corporation in exchange for all of the outstanding common stock and warrants of the newly-formed U.S. corporation, and then (ii) distribute such common stock and warrants to the shareholders of Vahanna in a deemed liquidation of Vahanna, and the taxable year of Vahanna should end on the day immediately preceding the merger; |
• | a U.S. Holder that is deemed to exchange its Vahanna Securities in the Deemed Domestication should not recognize any gain or loss on such exchange; |
• | the tax basis of a security deemed to have been received by a U.S. Holder in the Deemed Domestication should be equal to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Vahanna Security deemed to be surrendered in exchange therefor; and |
• | the holding period for a security deemed to have been received by a U.S. Holder should include such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Vahanna Security deemed to be surrendered in exchange therefor. |
The Deemed Domestication is mandated by Section 7874 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder in connection with an 80% Inversion but will only happen for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Vahanna will not actually issue new securities in connection with the Deemed Domestication. Therefore, for all purposes (other than U.S. federal income tax purposes), the Holders will continue to hold the same Vahanna Securities held before the Deemed Domestication, subject to the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed above and references to Class A Ordinary Shares, public warrants and Vahanna Securities in the remainder of this discussion will include the securities in Vahanna (as a U.S. corporation) deemed issued in the Deemed Domestication, as applicable, and references to the treatment after the merger of Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants in the remainder of this discussion will be deemed to refer to the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and the New Roadzen Public Warrants, respectively, where applicable.
Because the Deemed Domestication will occur prior to the redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares described in the subsection of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders — Redemption Rights,” U.S. Holders exercising their redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares deemed to have been received in the Deemed Domestication will be subject to the potential tax consequences of the Deemed Domestication. All U.S. Holders considering exercising their redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares should consult with, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors with respect to the potential tax consequences to them of the Deemed Domestication and exercise of redemption rights.
The Domestication
In the event that public holders of Vahanna’s Class A Ordinary Shares elect to redeem less than 12,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (or less than approximately 48% of the outstanding Vahanna ordinary shares) by the date and time described in the subsection of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders — Redemption Rights,” Vahanna will undergo the Domestication. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Domestication, if applicable, will depend primarily upon whether the Domestication qualifies as an F Reorganization.
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The Domestication generally should qualify as an F Reorganization. Assuming the Domestication so qualifies, and to the extent the Domestication is employed in connection with the merger, subject to certain rules discussed under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Effects of Section 367(b)” and “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” the following should be deemed to occur for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
• | Vahanna should be deemed to (i) transfer all of its assets and liabilities to a newly-formed U.S. corporation in exchange for all of the outstanding common stock and warrants of the newly-formed U.S. corporation, and then (ii) distribute such common stock and warrants to the shareholders of Vahanna in a deemed liquidation of Vahanna, and the taxable year of Vahanna should end on the day the certificate of domestication is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, which in all events will be at least one (1) business day before the merger; |
• | a U.S. Holder that is deemed to exchange its Vahanna Securities in the Domestication should not recognize any gain or loss on such exchange, except as required by Section 367(b) of the Code; |
• | the tax basis of a security deemed to have been received by a U.S. Holder in the Domestication should be equal to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Vahanna Security deemed to be surrendered in exchange therefor; and |
• | the holding period for a security deemed to have been received by a U.S. Holder should include such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Vahanna Security deemed to be surrendered in exchange therefor. |
If the Domestication fails to qualify as an F Reorganization, subject to the rules discussed under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” a U.S. Holder generally would recognize gain or loss with respect to a Class A Ordinary Share or public warrant in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the fair market value of the corresponding Class A Ordinary Share or public warrant received in the Domestication and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Share or public warrant surrendered in exchange therefor. In such event, such U.S. Holder’s basis in any Class A Ordinary Share or public warrant would be equal to the fair market value of such Class A Ordinary Share or public warrant on the date of the Domestication and such U.S. Holder’s holding period for such Class A Ordinary Share or public warrant would begin on the day following the date of the Domestication.
Because the Domestication will occur prior to the redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares described in the subsection of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders — Redemption Rights,” U.S. Holders exercising their redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares deemed to have been received in the Domestication will be subject to the potential tax consequences of the Domestication. All U.S. Holders considering exercising their redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares should consult with, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors with respect to the potential tax consequences to them of the Domestication and exercise of redemption rights.
In addition, in connection with the merger, Vahanna will approve and adopt the Proposed Charter changing the name of the company to Roadzen Inc. The adoption of the Proposed Charter in connection with the merger and the name change are not expected to have any U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders.
THE RULES GOVERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF THE DEEMED DOMESTICATION AND THE DOMESTICATION ARE COMPLEX. U.S. HOLDERS OF VAHANNA SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE DEEMED DOMESTICATION AND THE DOMESTICATION.
Effects of Section 367(b)
Section 367(b) of the Code applies to certain non-recognition transactions involving non-U.S. corporations, including the Deemed Domestication and the Domestication. When it applies, Section 367(b) imposes U.S.
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federal income tax on certain U.S. persons in connection with transactions that otherwise would generally be tax-free. Section 367(b) may apply with respect to U.S. Holders on the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable. Because the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, will occur prior to the redemption of U.S. Holders that exercise redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares, U.S. Holders exercising such redemption rights may also be subject to the potential tax consequences of Section 367(b) of the Code as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable.
U.S. Holders that Own More than 10 Percent (by Vote or Value) of Vahanna
A U.S. Holder who on the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, beneficially owns (actually or constructively, including by taking into account a U.S. Holder’s ownership of public warrants) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all Class A Ordinary Shares entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of Vahanna stock (a “10% Shareholder”) must include in income as a dividend the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to the Class A Ordinary Shares it directly owns, within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code. Complex attribution rules apply in determining whether a U.S. Holder is a 10% Shareholder. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding such attribution rules.
A 10% Shareholder’s “all earnings and profits amount” with respect to its Class A Ordinary Shares is the net positive earnings and profits of Vahanna (as determined under U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code) attributable to such Class A Ordinary Shares (as determined under U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code) but without regard to any gain that would be realized on a sale or exchange of such Class A Ordinary Shares. U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 367 of the Code provide that the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to a shareholder’s stock is determined according to the principles of Section 1248 of the Code. In general, Section 1248 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder provide that the amount of earnings and profits attributable to a block of stock in a foreign corporation is the ratably allocated portion of the foreign corporation’s earnings and profits generated during the period the shareholder held the block of stock.
Vahanna does not expect to have significant cumulative net earnings and profits, if any, on the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable. If Vahanna’s cumulative net earnings and profits through the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, is less than or equal to zero, then a 10% Shareholder should not be required to include in gross income an “all earnings and profits amount” with respect to its Class A Ordinary Shares. It is possible, however, that the amount of Vahanna’s cumulative net earnings and profits may be greater than expected through the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, in which case a U.S. Holder that is a 10% Shareholder would be required to include its “all earnings and profits amount” in income as a deemed dividend as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable.
U.S. Holders that Own Less than 10 Percent (by Vote and Value) of Vahanna
A U.S. Holder who, on the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, beneficially owns (actually or constructively, including by taking into account a U.S. Holder’s ownership of public warrants) Class A Ordinary Shares with a fair market value of $50,000 or more but is not a 10% Shareholder, will recognize gain (but not loss) with respect to the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, or, in the alternative, may elect to recognize the “all earnings and profits” amount attributable to such U.S. Holder, as described below.
Unless a U.S. Holder makes the “all earnings and profits” election described below, such U.S. Holder generally must recognize gain (but not loss) in the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of such securities deemed to be received in the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, over the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Class A Ordinary
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Shares deemed to be surrendered in exchange therefor. Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, such gain would be capital gain, and would be long-term capital gain if the U.S. Holder held the Class A Ordinary Shares for longer than one year (subject to the suspension of the applicable holding period for the reasons described in “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger” below).
In lieu of recognizing any gain as described in the preceding paragraph, a U.S. Holder may elect to include in income the “all earnings and profits amount” attributable to its Class A Ordinary Shares under Section 367(b) of the Code. There are, however, strict conditions for making this election. The election must comply with applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations and generally must include, among other things:
• | a statement that the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, is a Section 367(b) exchange (within the meaning of the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations); |
• | a complete description of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable; |
• | a description of any stock, securities or other consideration that is deemed to be transferred or received in the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable; |
• | a statement describing the amounts required to be taken into account for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
• | a statement that the U.S. Holder is making the election that includes (A) a copy of the information that the U.S. Holder received from Vahanna establishing and substantiating the U.S. Holder’s “all earnings and profits amount” with respect to the U.S. Holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares and (B) a representation that the U.S. Holder has notified Vahanna that the U.S. Holder is making the election; and |
• | certain other information required to be furnished with the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax return or otherwise furnished pursuant to the Code or the U.S. Treasury Regulations. |
The election must be attached by the electing U.S. Holder to such U.S. Holder’s timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which it realizes income from the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, and the U.S. Holder must send notice that it is making the election to Vahanna no later than the date such tax return is filed.
Vahanna does not expect to have significant cumulative earnings and profits, if any, on the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable.
EACH U.S. HOLDER SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF AND THE CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF MAKING THE ELECTION DESCRIBED HEREIN AND THE APPROPRIATE FILING REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH ELECTION.
U.S. Holders that Own Vahanna Securities with a Fair Market Value of Less than $50,000
A U.S. Holder that is not a 10% Shareholder and who, on the date of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, beneficially owns (actually or constructively) Class A Ordinary Shares with a fair market value of less than $50,000 generally should not be required to recognize any gain or loss under Section 367(b) of the Code in connection with the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, or to include any part of the “all earnings and profits amount” in income.
ALL U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE EFFECT OF SECTION 367(b) OF THE CODE TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
In addition to the discussion under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Effects of Section 367(b),” the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, may also be a taxable event for U.S. Holders under the PFIC provisions of the Code to the extent Vahanna is treated as a PFIC.
PFIC Status of Vahanna
In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either: (i) at least 75% of its gross income for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, rents (other than rents derived from the active conduct of a trade or business), and gains from the disposition of passive assets) or (ii) the average percentage (ordinarily averaged quarterly over the year) by value of its assets during such taxable year that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%.
Based upon the composition of income and assets of Vahanna and because Vahanna is a blank check company with no current business activities, we believe that Vahanna likely would be considered a PFIC unless the “start-up exception” applies. Under the start-up exception, a non-U.S. corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income (the “start-up year”), if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the two (2) taxable years following the start-up year; and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. Vahanna has determined that its start-up year is 2021 because Vahanna first realized gross income in 2021. The Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, will cause the taxable year of Vahanna to end either on the day immediately preceding the merger in the event of the Deemed Domestication, or on the date that the certificate of domestication is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, in all events at least one business day before the merger, in the event of the Domestication, and we expect Vahanna to be a PFIC during such short taxable year. Therefore, we do not believe that the start-up exception applies to prevent Vahanna from being treated as a PFIC. Accordingly, we believe that Vahanna was a PFIC for its 2021, 2022 and 2023 taxable years and expect it to be a PFIC for the taxable year which ends as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable.
The following discussion assumes that Vahanna is a PFIC and summarizes the effect of the PFIC rules on the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, to U.S. Holders
Effects of PFIC Rules on the Deemed Domestication or Domestication
As discussed above, Vahanna believes that it will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Section 1291(f) of the Code requires that, to the extent provided in the U.S. Treasury Regulations, a U.S. Holder that disposes of stock of a PFIC (including for this purpose exchanging warrants of a PFIC for newly issued warrants in connection with a domestication transaction) recognizes gain notwithstanding any other provision of the Code. No final U.S. Treasury Regulations are currently in effect under Section 1291(f) of the Code. However, proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code have been promulgated, with a retroactive effective date once they become final. Assuming finalized in their proposed form, those proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations may require taxable gain recognition by a U.S. Holder with respect to its deemed exchange of Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants in the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, if:
• | Vahanna were classified as a PFIC at any time during such U.S. Holder’s holding period for such Class A Ordinary Shares and public warrants; and |
• | the U.S. Holder had not timely made (a) a QEF Election (as defined below) for the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder owned such Class A Ordinary Shares or in which Vahanna was a PFIC, whichever is later (or a QEF Election along with a purging election), or (b) an MTM Election (as defined below) with respect to such Class A Ordinary Shares for the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder owned such Class A Ordinary Shares or in which Vahanna was a PFIC, whichever is later. Generally, regulations provide that neither election applies to warrants. |
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The U.S. tax on any such recognized gain would be imposed based on a complex set of computational rules. Under these rules:
• | the U.S. Holder’s gain would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s aggregate holding period for such U.S. Holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares or public warrants; |
• | the amount of gain allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder realized the gain, or to the portion of the U.S. Holder’s holding period prior to the first day of Vahanna’s taxable year in which Vahanna was a PFIC, would be taxed as ordinary income; and |
• | the amount of gain allocated to each of the other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the U.S. Holder for that year; and |
• | an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year (or portion thereof). |
The proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations provide coordinating rules with Section 367(b) of the Code whereby, if the gain recognition rule of the proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code applies to a disposition of PFIC stock that results from a transfer with respect to which Section 367(b) of the Code requires the shareholder to recognize gain or include an amount in income as discussed under “— Effects of Section 367(b),” the gain realized on the transfer is taxable under the PFIC rules discussed above, and the excess, if any, of the amount to be included in income under Section 367(b) of the Code over the gain realized under Section 1291 of the Code is taxable as provided under Section 367(b) of the Code.
It is difficult to predict whether such proposed regulations will be finalized and, as a result, the impact of such proposed regulations is unclear. Therefore, U.S. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares that have not made a timely and effective QEF Election (or a QEF Election along with a purging election) or an MTM Election (each as defined below) may, pursuant to the proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations, be subject to taxation under the PFIC rules on the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares under the PFIC rules in the manner set forth above. A U.S. Holder that made a timely and effective QEF Election (or a QEF Election along with a purging election) or an MTM Election with respect to its Class A Ordinary Shares is referred to herein as an “Electing Shareholder” and a U.S. Holder that is not an Electing Shareholder is referred to herein as a “Non-Electing Shareholder.”
The application of the PFIC rules to U.S. Holders of public warrants is unclear. A proposed U.S. Treasury Regulation issued under the PFIC rules generally treats an “option” (which would include a public warrant) to acquire the stock of a PFIC as stock of the PFIC, while a final U.S. Treasury Regulation issued under the PFIC rules provides that the QEF Election does not apply to options and no MTM Election (each as defined below) is currently available with respect to options. Therefore, it is possible that the proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations if finalized in their proposed form would apply to cause gain recognition on the deemed exchange of public warrants for warrants pursuant to the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable. Any gain recognized by a Non-Electing Shareholder of Class A Ordinary Shares or a U.S. Holder of public warrants as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, pursuant to the PFIC rules would be taxable income to such U.S. Holder, taxed under the PFIC rules in the manner set forth above, with no corresponding receipt of cash.
ALL U.S. HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE EFFECTS OF THE PFIC RULES ON THE DEEMED DOMESTICATION AND DOMESTICATION, INCLUDING THE IMPACT OF ANY PROPOSED OR FINAL U.S. TREASURY REGULATIONS.
QEF Election and MTM Election
The impact of the PFIC rules on a U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares will depend on whether the U.S. Holder has made a timely and effective election to treat Vahanna as a “qualified electing fund” under Section 1295 of the Code for the taxable year that is the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period of Class A
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Ordinary Shares during which Vahanna qualified as a PFIC (a “QEF Election”) or if, in a later taxable year, the U.S. Holder made a QEF Election along with a purging election. A purging election creates a deemed sale of the U.S. Holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares at their then fair market value and requires the U.S. Holder to recognize gain pursuant to the purging election subject to the special PFIC tax and interest charge rules described above. As a result of any such purging election, the U.S. Holder would increase the adjusted tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares by the amount of the gain recognized and, solely for purposes of the PFIC rules, would have a new holding period in its Class A Ordinary Shares. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the application of the rules governing purging elections to their particular circumstances.
A U.S. Holder’s ability to make a timely and effective QEF Election (or a QEF Election along with a purging election) with respect to Vahanna is contingent upon, among other things, the provision by Vahanna of a “PFIC Annual Information Statement” to such U.S. Holder. As discussed further above, a U.S. Holder is not able to make a QEF Election with respect to public warrants under applicable final U.S. Treasury Regulations. An Electing Shareholder generally would not be subject to the adverse PFIC rules discussed above with respect to its Class A Ordinary Shares. As a result, such an Electing Shareholder generally should not recognize gain or loss as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, except to the extent described above under “— Effects of Section 367,” but rather would include annually in gross income its pro rata share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of Vahanna, whether or not such amounts are actually distributed, for each taxable year in which Vahanna is a PFIC.
The impact of the PFIC rules on a U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares may also depend on whether the U.S. Holder has made a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code. U.S. Holders who hold (actually or constructively) stock of a foreign corporation that is classified as a PFIC may annually elect to mark such stock to its fair market value if such stock is “marketable stock” (generally, stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the SEC, including Nasdaq) (an “MTM Election”). No assurance can be given that the Class A Ordinary Shares are (or have been) considered to be marketable stock for purposes of the MTM Election or whether the other requirements of this election are satisfied. If such an election is available and has been made, such U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to the special taxation rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed herein with respect their Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income for each year in which Vahanna is a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its Class A Ordinary Shares at the end of its taxable year over its adjusted tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares. The U.S. Holder also will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares over the fair market value of its Class A Ordinary Shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the MTM Election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of its Class A Ordinary Shares will be treated as ordinary income. However, if the MTM Election was not made by a U.S. Holder with respect to the first taxable year of its holding period for the PFIC stock, then the Section 1291 rules discussed above will apply to certain dispositions of, distributions on and other amounts taxable with respect to Class A Ordinary Shares, including in connection with the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable. An MTM Election is not available with respect to warrants, including the public warrants.
THE PFIC RULES (INCLUDING THE RULES WITH RESPECT TO THE QEF ELECTION AND THE MTM ELECTION) ARE VERY COMPLEX, ARE AFFECTED BY VARIOUS FACTORS IN ADDITION TO THOSE DESCRIBED ABOVE, AND THEIR APPLICATION IS UNCERTAIN. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE APPLICATION OF THE PFIC RULES TO THEM IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND ANY RESULTING TAX CONSEQUENCES.
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Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger
In the event that a U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares is redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the subsection of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders — Redemption Rights,” the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of Class A Ordinary Shares under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of Class A Ordinary Shares, the consequences to a U.S. Holder will be similar to those described under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger” below. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Class A Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a distribution from Vahanna with tax consequences similar to those described below under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions with Respect to Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger.” Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of shares of our stock treated as held by the U.S. Holder relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after the redemption. The redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares held by a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as a sale of Class A Ordinary Shares (rather than as a distribution from Vahanna) if the redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in Vahanna or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder. These tests are explained more fully below.
In determining whether any of the foregoing tests is satisfied, a U.S. Holder takes into account not only stock actually owned by the U.S. Holder, but also shares of our stock that are constructively owned by it. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition to stock owned directly, stock owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. Holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. Holder, as well as any stock the U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option.
In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of Vahanna’s outstanding voting stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption of our Class A Ordinary Shares must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the outstanding voting stock of Vahanna that is actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption. Prior to the merger, the Class A Ordinary Shares may not be treated as voting stock for this purpose and, consequently, this substantially disproportionate test may not be applicable.
There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all of the shares of our Class A Ordinary Shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of the shares of our Class A Ordinary Shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed, the U.S. Holder is eligible to waive (and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules) the attribution of stock owned by certain family members, and the U.S. Holder does not constructively own any other shares of our stock.
The redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if a U.S. Holder’s redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in Vahanna. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in Vahanna will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. Holder should consult with, and rely solely upon, its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.
If none of the foregoing tests is satisfied, the redemption will be treated as a distribution from Vahanna and the tax considerations will be similar to those described under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions with Respect to Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger” below. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the redeemed Class A Ordinary Shares
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will be added to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining stock, or, if it has none, to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in possibly its other shares of our stock constructively owned by it.
U.S. Holders who actually or constructively own five percent (5%) (or, if the Class A Ordinary Shares are not then publicly traded, one percent) or more of our stock (by vote or value) may be subject to special reporting requirements with respect to a redemption of the Class A Ordinary Shares, and such U.S. Holders should consult with, and rely solely upon, their own tax advisors with respect to their reporting requirements.
As discussed above under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — The Deemed Domestication”, “— The Domestication” and “— Effects of Section 367(b),” because the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable, will be deemed to occur prior to the redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares described in the subsection of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders — Redemption Rights,” U.S. Holders exercising their redemption rights will be subject to the potential tax consequences of the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable. All U.S. Holders considering exercising redemption rights with respect to their Class A Ordinary Shares should consult with, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors with respect to the potential tax consequences to them of the Deemed Domestication, the Domestication and exercise of redemption rights.
Taxation of Distributions with Respect to Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger
If New Roadzen pays distributions of cash or other property to U.S. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares following the merger, such distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from New Roadzen’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares, that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares and will be treated as described under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger” below.
Distributions treated as dividends that New Roadzen pays to a U.S. Holder that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally will qualify for the dividends-received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied. With certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends New Roadzen pays to a non-corporate U.S. Holder generally are expected to constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the preferential tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains. If the holding period requirements are not satisfied, a corporate U.S. Holder may not be able to qualify for the dividends-received deduction and would have taxable income equal to the entire dividend amount, and a non-corporate U.S. Holder may be subject to tax on such dividend at regular ordinary income tax rates instead of the preferential rate that applies to qualified dividend income. It is unclear whether the redemption rights that applied with respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares prior to the merger may prevent a U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares following the merger from taking the holding period of its Class A Ordinary Shares prior to the merger into account when determining whether it has satisfied the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the dividends-received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income, as the case may be, with respect to such U.S. Holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares held after the merger. U.S. Holders should consult with, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors regarding the availability of the dividends-received deduction or the lower preferential rate for qualified dividend income, as the case may be, for any dividends paid with respect to Class A Ordinary Shares following the merger.
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Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger
Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of Vahanna Securities (which, in general, would include a redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares) following the merger, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Vahanna Securities. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Vahanna Securities so disposed of exceeds one year.
It is unclear whether the redemption rights that applied with respect to the Vahanna Securities prior to the merger may prevent a U.S. Holder of Vahanna Securities following the merger from taking the holding period of its Vahanna Securities prior to the merger into account when determining whether it has satisfied the applicable holding period with respect to its Vahanna Securities held after the merger for this purpose. If the one-year holding period requirement is not satisfied, any gain on a sale or other taxable disposition of the Vahanna Securities would be subject to short-term capital gain treatment and would be taxed at regular ordinary income tax rates. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Generally, the amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Vahanna Securities so disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Vahanna Securities following the merger generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost of the Vahanna Securities deemed to be exchanged in the Deemed Domestication or the Domestication, as applicable (see the tax basis discussion above under the caption “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — The Deemed Domestication” and “— The Domestication”).
Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of Public Warrants Following the Merger
Except as discussed below with respect to the cashless exercise of a warrant, a U.S. Holder will generally not recognize gain or loss upon the exercise of a public warrant for cash following the merger. Class A Ordinary Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a public warrant for cash will generally have a tax basis equal to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant, increased by the amount paid to exercise the warrant. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A Ordinary Shares will commence on the date of exercise of the warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the warrant; in either case, the holding period will not include the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the public warrant. If a public warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. Holder that has otherwise received no proceeds with respect to such public warrant will generally recognize a capital loss equal to such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the public warrant. Such loss generally will be long-term if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such public warrant is more than one year. U.S. Holders should consult, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of public warrants, including when a U.S. Holder’s holding period would commence with respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares received upon exercise.
Because of the absence of authority specifically addressing the treatment of a cashless exercise of warrants under U.S. federal income tax law, the treatment of such a cashless exercise is unclear. A cashless exercise may not be taxable, either because the exercise is not a realization event or because the exercise is treated as a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class A Ordinary Shares received would generally equal the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the public warrants exercised. If a cashless exercise is not treated as a realization event, it is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A Ordinary Shares received on exercise will be treated as commencing on the date of exercise of the public warrant or the following day. If a cashless exercise is treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the Class A Ordinary Shares received will generally include the holding period of the public warrants exercised.
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It is also possible that a cashless exercise may be treated as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. Holder could be deemed to have surrendered a number of public warrants having an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price for the total number of public warrants to be exercised. In this case, the U.S. Holder would recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the warrants deemed surrendered and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such public warrants. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Class A Ordinary Shares received would equal the sum of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the public warrants exercised and the exercise price of such public warrants. It is unclear whether a U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A Ordinary Shares received would commence on the date of exercise of the public warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the public warrant; in either case, the holding period will not include the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the public warrant.
We expect a U.S. Holder’s cashless exercise of our public warrants (including after we provide notice of our intent to redeem warrants for cash) to be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of public warrants, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise of public warrants.
If we redeem public warrants for cash pursuant to the redemption provisions of the warrants or if we purchase public warrants for cash in an open market transaction, such redemption or purchase will generally be treated as a taxable disposition by the U.S. Holder, treated as described above under “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger.”
Possible Constructive Distributions Following the Merger
The terms of each public warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of Class A Ordinary Shares for which the warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the warrant in certain events. An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. The U.S. Holders of the warrants would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from New Roadzen if, for example, such an adjustment increases such U.S. Holders’ proportionate interest in New Roadzen’s assets or earnings and profits as a result of a distribution of cash or other property to the Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares following the merger. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax as described under “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions with Respect to Class A Ordinary Shares” in the same manner as if the U.S. Holders of the public warrants received a cash distribution from us equal to the fair market value of such increased interest and would increase a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its warrants to the extent that such distribution is treated as a dividend.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Following the Merger
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to dividends paid to a U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares and to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of New Roadzen securities following the merger, unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient and certifies to such exempt status. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number or a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability (if any) of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund generally may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
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U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
The Deemed Domestication
We do not expect the Deemed Domestication to result in any material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of Vahanna Securities.
The Domestication
We do not expect the Domestication to result in any material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of Vahanna Securities.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE DEEMED DOMESTICATION AND THE DOMESTICATION.
Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger
As discussed in “— Tax Residency of Vahanna for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes,” Vahanna will be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes as of the end of the day immediately preceding the merger in the event of the Deemed Domestication or on the date that the certificate of domestication is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, in all events at least one (1) business day before the merger, in the event of the Domestication. Therefore, the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a Non-U.S. Holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the redemption provisions described in the subsection of proxy statement/prospectus titled “Vahanna Special Meeting of Shareholders — Redemption Rights,” generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of such a redemption of a U.S. Holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares, as described under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger” above, and the consequences of the redemption to the Non-U.S. Holder will be similar to those described above in “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Taxation of Distributions with Respect to Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger” and “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger,” as applicable. Due to the possibility of the redemption being treated as a distribution, which then may be subject to U.S. withholding at 30%, if a Non-U.S. Holder receives cash in redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares, such Non-U.S. Holder should expect that an applicable withholding agent may apply withholding at the rate of 30% to the cash proceeds paid upon such redemption (unless otherwise reduced by an applicable income tax treaty).
Taxation of Distributions with Respect to Class A Ordinary Shares Following the Merger
Because New Roadzen will be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, distributions (including constructive distributions) of cash or property on Class A Ordinary Shares following the merger, if any, will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of New Roadzen’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). To the extent those distributions exceed New Roadzen’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distributions will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the Non-U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such Class A Ordinary Shares. See “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders — Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger” below. Subject to the withholding requirements under FATCA (as defined below) and with respect to effectively connected dividends, each of which is discussed below, any distribution made to a Non-U.S. Holder on its Class A Ordinary Shares that constitutes a dividend generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a Non-U.S. Holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or
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successor form) certifying qualification for the reduced rate. In the case of any constructive dividend, it is possible that this tax would be withheld from any amount owed to a Non-U.S. Holder by the applicable withholding agent, including cash distributions on other property or other property subsequently paid or credited to such Holder.
Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are treated as attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States) generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons. Such effectively connected dividends will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder satisfies certain certification requirements by providing the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI certifying eligibility for exemption. If the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which will include effectively connected dividends.
Gain on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger
As discussed, in “— Tax Residency of Vahanna for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes,” New Roadzen will be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the merger. Subject to the discussion below under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders — Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Following the Merger,” a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of Vahanna Securities following the merger unless:
• | the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met; |
• | the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States); or |
• | such Vahanna Securities constitute United States real property interests by reason of New Roadzen’s status as a “United States real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and as a result such gain is treated as effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. |
A Non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount of such gain, which generally may be offset by U.S. source capital losses.
A Non-U.S. Holder whose gain is described in the second bullet point above or, subject to the exceptions described in the next paragraph, the third bullet point above, generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. If the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes whose gain is described in the second bullet point above, such gain would also be included in its effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which may be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the event that New Roadzen were to be a USRPHC, as long as the Class A Ordinary Shares continue to be “regularly traded on
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an established securities market” (within the meaning of the U.S. Treasury Regulations, referred to herein as “regularly traded”), only a Non-U.S. Holder that actually or constructively owns, or owned at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for the applicable security, more than 5% of the Vahanna Securities will be treated as disposing of a United States real property interest and will be taxable on gain realized on the disposition thereof as a result of New Roadzen’s status as a USRPHC. We cannot provide assurance as to New Roadzen’s future status as a USRPHC or as to whether the Class A Ordinary Shares will be treated as regularly traded. If New Roadzen were to become a USRPHC and its Class A Ordinary Shares were not considered to be regularly traded, a Non-U.S. Holder (regardless of the percentage of Vahanna Securities owned) would be treated as disposing of a United States real property interest and, generally, would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a taxable disposition of Vahanna Securities, and a 15% withholding tax would apply to the gross proceeds from such disposition.
Non-U.S. Holders should consult with, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences related to ownership in a USRPHC.
Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of Public Warrants Following the Merger
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. Holder’s exercise of a public warrant, or the lapse of a public warrant held by a Non-U.S. Holder following the merger, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of a warrant held by a U.S. Holder, as described above under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Exercise, Lapse or Redemption of Public Warrants Following the Merger,” although to the extent a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described above under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger.” If New Roadzen redeems public warrants for cash or if it purchases public warrants in an open market transaction, such redemption or purchase generally will be treated as a disposition to the Non-U.S. Holder, the consequences of which would be similar to those described above under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders — Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Vahanna Securities Following the Merger.”
Possible Constructive Distributions Following the Merger
As described above under “— U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders — Possible Constructive Distributions Following the Merger,” certain adjustments with respect to the public warrants following the merger can give rise to a constructive distribution. Any constructive distribution received by a Non-U.S. Holder would be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including any applicable withholding) in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. Holder received a cash distribution from New Roadzen equal to the fair market value of such increased interest. If withholding applies to any constructive distribution received by a Non-U.S. Holder, it is possible that the tax would be withheld from any amount paid to or held on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder by the applicable withholding agent. The rules governing constructive distributions as a result of certain adjustments with respect to public warrants are complex, and Non-U.S. Holders should consult with, and rely solely upon, their tax advisors on the tax consequences any such constructive distribution with respect to a public warrant.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Following the Merger
Because New Roadzen will be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder must be reported annually to the IRS and to the Non-U.S. Holder following the merger. Copies of these information returns may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.
Payments of dividends to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding if the Non-U.S. Holder establishes an exemption by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or
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IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form). Payments of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder of Class A Ordinary Shares effected by or through a U.S. office of a broker following the merger generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (at the applicable rate) unless the Non-U.S. Holder establishes an exemption by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) and certain other conditions are met. Information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to any payment of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares effected outside the United States by a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, unless such broker has documentary evidence in its records that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a United States person and certain other conditions are met, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption, information reporting will apply to a payment of the proceeds of the disposition of Class A Ordinary Shares effected outside the United States by such a broker if it has certain relationships within the United States.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability (if any) of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund generally may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THEIR OWNERSHIP OF VAHANNA SECURITIES FOLLOWING THE MERGER.
Additional Withholding Requirements under FATCA Following the Merger
Because New Roadzen will be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation as a result of the Deemed Domestication or Domestication, as applicable, Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (“FATCA”) will impose a 30% withholding tax on any dividends (including constructive dividends) paid on Class A Ordinary Shares following the merger if paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code) (including, in some cases, when such foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity is acting as an intermediary), unless (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments, and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are non-U.S. entities with U.S. owners), (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity certifies that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or provides the applicable withholding agent with a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial United States owners of the entity (in either case, generally on an IRS Form W-8BEN-E), or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules and provides appropriate documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN-E). Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing these rules may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a Holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Holders should consult with, and rely solely upon, their own tax advisors regarding the effects of FATCA on their ownership of Class A Ordinary Shares.
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION OF ALL OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO HOLDERS OF VAHANNA SECURITIES. SUCH HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH, AND RELY SOLELY UPON, THEIR TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE MERGER (INCLUDING THE DEEMED DOMESTICATION, THE DOMESTICATION AND ANY EXERCISE OF THEIR REDEMPTION RIGHTS) AND, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, OF OWNING VAHANNA SECURITIES FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, OR NON-U.S. TAX LAWS AND TAX TREATIES (AND ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE CHANGES THERETO).
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COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS
Set forth below is a summary comparison of material differences among the rights of Vahanna’s shareholders under Vahanna’s Existing Charter (left column), Roadzen stockholders under the Roadzen certificate and bylaws (right column), and the rights of New Roadzen shareholders under forms of The Proposed Charter (center column). The summary set forth below is not intended to be complete or to provide a comprehensive discussion of each company’s governing documents.
This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Vahanna’s Existing Charter, Roadzen’s certificate and bylaws, and form of the Proposed Charter, which is attached as Annex B, as well as the relevant provisions of the BVI Companies Act and the DGCL.
Vahanna |
New Roadzen |
Roadzen | ||
Authorized Shares / Capital Stock | ||||
Vahanna ordinary shares. Vahanna is currently authorized to issue 200,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share, and 20,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share. As of March 31, 2023, there were 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding.
Vahanna Preference Shares. Vahanna is currently authorized to issue 1,000,000 undesignated preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. |
New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. New Roadzen will be authorized to issue 220,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share. As of June 15, 2023, we expect there will be approximately 83,409,001 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (assuming no redemptions) issued and outstanding following consummation of the merger.
New Roadzen Preference Shares. New Roadzen will be authorized to issue 60,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. Following consummation of the merger, New Roadzen is not expected to have any New Roadzen Preference Shares outstanding. |
Existing Roadzen Common Stock. Roadzen is currently authorized to issue 4,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of March 31, 2023, there were 606,425 shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock outstanding.
Roadzen Preferred Stock. Roadzen is currently authorized to issue 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which 200,000 shares are designated as Series A Preferred Stock and 2,800,000 shares are designated as Series A-1 Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2023, there were 200,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 886,722 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock outstanding. | ||
Rights of Preferred Stock | ||||
The preference shares shall have such rights as specified by the board of directors of Vahanna pursuant to a resolution of the directors of Vahanna approving the issuance of such preference shares, and in any such resolution of Vahanna’s directors, the Vahanna directors shall agree to amend and restate the Existing Charter to fully set out such rights. |
Any series of preference shares shall have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such preferences, designations and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as specified by the board of directors of New Roadzen pursuant to the resolutions of the New Roadzen’s board of directors approving the |
The rights of the Roadzen Preferred Stock are established under Roadzen’s certificate. |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
issuance of such series of preference shares, and in any such resolution of New Roadzen directors, the directors of New Roadzen shall agree to amend and restate the Proposed Charter to fully set out such rights. | ||||
Number and Qualification of Directors | ||||
The Vahanna board of directors shall consist of one or more members. The Company may by a resolution passed by the holders of a majority of the shares which are entitled to vote and are voted at the general meeting increase or reduce the limits in the number of Directors. Vahanna’s board of directors consists of five (5) directors, with each director serving a two-year term. | There shall be a board of directors consisting of not less than one person. However, New Roadzen may, by resolution of directors, increase or reduce the limits on the number of directors.
All directors shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation (pursuant to written notice thereof delivered to the Company), disqualification or removal from office. A director appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation, disqualification or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified. |
The Roadzen board of directors shall consist of not less than one (1) and not more than six (6) members.
Each director will be elected to serve until the next annual meeting or until his successor will have been elected and qualified, unless sooner removed or until Roadzen has received a written resignation from a director. | ||
Election of Directors | ||||
Prior to the consummation of a business combination, Vahanna may by resolution of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares appoint any person to be a director or may by resolution of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares remove any director. For the avoidance of doubt, prior to the consummation of a business combination, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares shall have no right to vote on the appointment or removal of any director. | The Proposed Charter provides that New Roadzen shareholders shall nominate directors for appointment.
Director appointments shall require the affirmative vote of holders of a simple majority of the voting power of all then outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. |
The Roadzen board of directors shall be elected as follows: (i) the holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to elect one (1) member of the Roadzen board of directors and (ii) the holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock will be entitled to elect five (5) members of the Roadzen board of directors. |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
Removal of Directors | ||||
Prior to the consummation of a business combination, Vahanna may by resolution of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares remove any director. For the avoidance of doubt, prior to the consummation of a business combination, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares shall have no right to vote on the removal of any director. | Directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause. Directors may be removed for cause by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of all then outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Directors may also be removed for cause by the unanimous approval of all other directors. | Any or all of the directors of Roadzen may be removed with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that whenever the holders of any class, classes, or series of capital stock are entitled to elect one or more directors under the Roadzen certificate, only the holders of the outstanding shares of the class, classes, or series entitled to elect such director, and not the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole, may remove such directors without cause. | ||
Voting | ||||
Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares, voting together as a single class, have the right to vote on all matters properly submitted to a vote of the shareholders, except as required by law; provided, that holders of Class B Ordinary Shares will have the right to appoint all of Vahanna’s directors prior to its initial business combination. | Except as otherwise required by law, the Proposed Charter, each holder of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be entitled to cast one vote per share on any matter that is submitted to a vote of shareholders. | Holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock shall be entitled, with respect to each outstanding share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock held by such holder, to cast one vote on any matter presented to the stockholders of Roadzen for their action or consideration at any meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Roadzen certificate that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Roadzen Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Roadzen certificate or the DGCL.
Holders of Roadzen Preferred Stock shall be entitled, with respect to the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock held by such holder, to cast the number of votes |
310
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
equal to the number of whole shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock held by such holder are convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter or, if no such record date is established, the date such vote is taken or any written or electronic consent of stockholders is solicited. Except as provided by law or other provisions of the Roadzen certificate, the holders of Roadzen Preferred Stock (on an as-converted to Existing Roadzen Common Stock basis) shall vote together with the holders of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock as a single class. | ||||
Cumulative Voting | ||||
There is nothing under the BVI Companies Act which specifically prohibits or restricts the creation of cumulative voting rights for the appointment of directors. The Existing Charter does not provide for cumulative voting for such appointments. | Same as Vahanna and Roadzen. | Delaware law allows for cumulative voting only if provided for in a corporation’s charter; however, Roadzen’s certificate does not authorize cumulative voting. | ||
Vacancies on the Board of Directors | ||||
Except as the BVI Companies Act or applicable law may require, prior to the consummation of a business combination, in the interim between the appointment of a director in accordance with Article 28 of the Existing Charter and/or the removal of one or more directors and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, additional directors and any vacancies in the board of directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum (as defined in the Existing Charter), or by the sole remaining director. | Except as the BVI Companies Act or applicable law may require, in the interim between annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings call for the appointment of directors and / or the removal of one or more directors and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, additional directors and any vacancies in the New Roadzen board of directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause or vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors and newly created director seats, shall be filled solely and exclusively by the vote of a majority of the remaining | Any vacancies on the Roadzen board of directors resulting from the death, resignation, or upon the failure of stockholders to elect directors to fill the unexpired terms of any directors removed in accordance with the provisions of the Roadzen bylaws and any newly created directorships on the Roadzen board of directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be only filled by the holders of the class, classes, or series of stock entitled to elect such director or by any remaining director or directors elected by the holders of such class, classes, or series of stock. |
311
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director (without requiring any approval of the shareholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been appointed, or until their earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office. | ||||
Shareholder Action by Written Consents | ||||
A resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by or on behalf of all of the holders of Vahanna ordinary shares for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or, being corporations or other non-natural persons, signed by their duly authorized representatives) shall, without the need for any advance notice, be as valid and effective as if the resolution had been passed at a general meeting of Vahanna shareholders duly convened and held. | A resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by or on behalf of an absolute majority of the holders of New Roadzen ordinary shares for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or, being corporations or other non-natural persons, signed by their duly authorized representatives) or, in the case of a resolution in writing relating to the removal of any director for cause, two-thirds (2/3) of the holders of New Roadzen ordinary shares entitled to vote, shall, without the need for any advance notice, be as valid and effective as if the resolution had been passed at a general meeting of New Roadzen shareholders duly convened and held. | Any action which may be taken at a special or annual meeting of the stockholders of Roadzen may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent in writing or by electronic communication, setting forth the action so taken, has been given by all of the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes which would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. | ||
Amendments to Constitutional Documents | ||||
Subject to the provisions of the BVI Companies Act, Vahanna may from time to time amend the Memorandum and Articles of Association by resolution of shareholders or resolution of directors.
Prior to the consummation of a business combination, Article 28.1 (Appointment and Removal of Directors) may only be amended by a resolution of shareholders passed by at least a majority of such shareholders (which shall include an absolute majority of the holders of |
Subject to the provisions of the BVI Companies Act, New Roadzen may from time to time amend the Memorandum and Articles of Association by resolution of shareholders or resolution of directors.
Subject to Article 3.2 (Issue of Shares and other Securities), if at any time the authorized shares of New Roadzen are divided into different classes, all or any of the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of |
Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, and of a majority of each class entitled to vote is required to amend the Roadzen certificate.
Subject to any additional vote required by the Roadzen certificate, the Roadzen board of directors may make, repeal, alter, amend or rescind any or all of the Roadzen bylaws. |
312
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
Class B Ordinary Shares) as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution has been given.
Subject to Article 3.2 (Issue of Shares and other Securities), if at any time the authorized shares of Vahanna are divided into different classes, all or any of the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may, whether or not Vahanna is being wound up, be varied without the consent of the holders of the issued shares of that class where such variation is considered by Vahanna’s directors not to have a material adverse effect upon such rights; otherwise, any such variation shall be made only with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the issued shares of that class (other than with respect to a waiver of the provisions of Article 18 (Class B Ordinary Share Conversion), which as stated therein shall only require the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class), or with the approval of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. |
issue of the shares of that class) may, whether or not New Roadzen is being wound up, be varied without the consent of the holders of the issued shares of that class where such variation is considered by New Roadzen’s directors not to have a material adverse effect upon such rights; otherwise, any such variation shall be made only with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the issued shares of that class, which as stated therein shall only require the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class, or with the approval of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. | |||
Quorum | ||||
Board of Directors. The quorum for the transaction of the business of Vahanna directors may be fixed by the directors, and unless so fixed shall be a majority of the directors then in office. A person who holds office as an Alternate Director (as defined in the BVI Companies Act) shall, if his appointor is not present, be counted in the quorum. A director | Board of Directors. The quorum for the transaction of the business of New Roadzen directors may be fixed by the directors, and unless so fixed shall be a majority of the directors then in office.
Shareholders. The holders of at least a fifty percent (50%) of the shares being individuals present in |
Board of Directors. At all meetings of the Roadzen board of directors (except in the case of a meeting convened for the purpose of filling a vacancy on the board of directors), a majority of the members of the board of directors will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. |
313
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
who also acts as an Alternate Director shall, if his appointor is not present, count twice towards the quorum.
Shareholders. The holders of one-third (1/3) of the shares being individuals present in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy shall be a quorum. |
person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy shall be a quorum. |
Stockholders. At any meeting of Roadzen stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. | ||
Special Shareholder Meetings | ||||
Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Extraordinary general meetings may be called by a majority of Vahanna’s directors or its chairman or upon a requisition of shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than ten percent in par value (if all the issued shares have a par value), or otherwise by number of the issued shares which as at that date carry the right to vote in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. | Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Extraordinary general meetings may be called by a majority of New Roadzen’s directors or its chairman or upon a requisition of shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than thirty percent (30%) in par value (if all the issued shares have a par value), or otherwise by number of the issued shares which as at that date carry the right to vote in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. | Special meetings of Roadzen stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by the Roadzen chief executive officer or the board of directors, and will be called by the Roadzen chief executive officer or secretary at the written request of the Roadzen stockholders owning twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Roadzen entitled to vote at such meeting. | ||
Notice of Shareholder Meetings | ||||
At least ten clear days’ notice shall be given of any general meeting. Every notice shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be conducted at the general meeting and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by Vahanna, provided that | Same as Vahanna. | Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting shall be given that shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such |
314
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
a general meeting of Vahanna shall, whether or not the notice has been given and whether or not the provisions regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed:
a) in the case of an annual general meeting, by all of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote thereat; and
b) in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, by a majority in number of shareholders having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, together holding not less than ninety-five per cent (95%) in par value (if all the issued shares have a par value), or
otherwise by number of the shares giving that right. |
meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Roadzen certificate or the Roadzen bylaws, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting; except that where the matter to be acted on is a merger or consolidation of the corporation or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of its assets, such notice shall be given not less than twenty (20) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. | |||
Annual and Special Meeting Proposals | ||||
Vahanna may, but shall not be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and, where called, shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. Any annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the directors shall appoint.
The directors, or the chairman of the board, may call general meetings, and the directors shall on a shareholders’ requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.
The Members’ requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several |
New Roadzen may, but shall not be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and, where called, shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. Any annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the directors shall appoint.
The directors, or the chairman of the board, may call general meetings, and the directors shall on a shareholders’ requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company. Only those matters set forth in the notice of the general meeting or, solely with respect to an annual general meeting or an extraordinary |
N/A. |
315
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.
A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by directors.
Shareholders seeking to bring business before the annual general meeting or to nominate candidates for appointment as directors at the annual general meeting must deliver notice to the principal executive offices of the Company not less than one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days before the date of Vahanna’s proxy statement released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual general meeting or, if Vahanna did not hold an annual general meeting the previous year, or if the date of the current year’s annual general meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date of the previous year’s annual general meeting, then the deadline shall be set by the board of directors with such deadline being a reasonable time before Vahanna begins to print and send its related proxy materials. |
general meeting convened upon a shareholder requisition, properly requested in accordance with Article 18.8, may be considered or acted upon at a general meeting. In addition to the other requirements set forth in the Proposed Charter, for any proposal of business to be considered at a general meeting, it must be a proper subject for action by New Roadzen shareholders under the BVI Companies Act. The shareholders’ requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at New Roadzen’s registered office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.
A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors.
For nominations of candidates for appointment as director (“Director Nominations”) or other business to be properly brought (x) by a shareholder before an annual general meeting (“AGM”) or (y) by requisitioning shareholders before an extraordinary general meeting (“EGM”) convened upon a shareholders’ requisition, the Director Nomination or other business must be (i) specified in the notice of the general meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the directors, (ii) brought before the general meeting by the person presiding over the meeting or (iii) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the meeting by a shareholder or by the requisitioning shareholders, as |
316
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
applicable, in accordance with Article 18.8. For Director Nomination or other business to be properly requested to be brought (x) by a shareholder before an AGM or (y) by requisitioning shareholders before an EGM convened upon a shareholders’ requisition, the shareholder or requisitioning shareholders must (i) be shareholder(s) of record of New Roadzen at the time of the giving of the notice, (ii) be entitled to vote at such general meeting, (iii) have given Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing to any director addressed to New Roadzen’s registered office, (iv) have provided any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by the Proposed Charter and (v) together with the beneficial owner(s), if any, on whose behalf the nomination or business proposal is made, have acted in accordance with the representations set forth in the Solicitation Statement (as defined in the Proposed Charter) required by the Proposed Charter. To be timely, a shareholder’s written notice in respect of an AGM must be received by any director at the registered office not later than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the preceding year’s AGM; provided, however, that in the event the AGM is first convened more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, or if no AGM was held in the preceding year, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be received by any |
317
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
director at the registered office not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such AGM and not later than the close of business on tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made (such notice within such time periods shall be referred to as “Timely Notice”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, (x) for the first AGM, a shareholder’s notice shall be timely (and be considered a Timely Notice) if received by any director at the registered office not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the scheduled date of such AGM or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such AGM is first made or sent by New Roadzen and (y) for any EGM convened upon shareholders’ requisition, the requisitioning shareholders’ notice shall be timely (and be considered a Timely Notice) if received by any director at the registered office on the date of delivery of the shareholders’ requisition. Any such Timely Notice must set forth, as to each matter the shareholder or requisitioning shareholders propose to bring before the general meeting, the items enumerated in Article 18.8 of the Proposed Charter. | ||||
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers | ||||
No director and officer of Vahanna (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include auditors), together with every former director and former officer of Vahanna (each an “Indemnified Person”), shall be liable to Vahanna for any loss or damage | Same as Vahanna. | No director of the Company shall be personally liable to the Company or any of its stockholders for monetary damages arising out of such director’s breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a director of the |
318
Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
incurred by Vahanna as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or willful default of such Indemnified Person. No person shall be found to have committed actual fraud or willful default under the Existing Article unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect. | Company, except to the extent that the elimination or limitation of such liability is not permitted by the DGCL. A member of the board of directors, or a member of any committee designated by the board of directors, shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the board of directors, or by any other person as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with treasonable care by or on behalf of the corporation, as to the value and amount of assets, liabilities and/or net profits of the corporation or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared and paid, or with which the corporation’s stock might properly be purchased or redeemed. If the DGCL or any other applicable law of the State of Delaware is amended after the date of the Roadzen certificate to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of Roadzen shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or other applicable law of the State of Delaware, as so amended. | |||
Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Agents | ||||
Subject to the BVI Companies Act, every Indemnified Person shall be indemnified out of the assets of Vahanna against any liability, action, | Same as Vahanna. | To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, Roadzen is authorized |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
proceeding, claim, demand, costs, damages or expenses, including legal expenses, whatsoever which they or any of them may incur as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out their functions other than such liability (if any) that they may incur by reason of their own actual fraud or willful default. | to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers, employees and agents of Roadzen (and any other persons to whom the DGCL permits Roadzen to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses) through Roadzen bylaw provisions, agreements with such persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement expenses otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL. Roadzen shall be required to indemnify an officer or director in connection with an action, suit or proceeding initiated by such person only if such action, suit or proceeding is authorized by the corporation. | |||
Dividends, Distributions and Share Repurchases | ||||
Subject to the BVI Companies Act and the Existing Charter, Vahanna’s directors may declare dividends at a time and amount they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after distribution of the dividend, the value of Vahanna’s assets will exceed its liabilities and Vahanna will be able to pay its debts as they fall due. No dividend shall carry interest against Vahanna.
As permitted by the BVI Companies Act and the Existing Charter, shares may be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by Vahanna. Depending on the circumstances of the redemption or repurchase, Vahanna’s directors may need to determine that immediately following the redemption or repurchase Vahanna will be able to satisfy its debts as they fall due and the value of its assets exceeds its liabilities. Vahanna’s directors may only exercise this power on Vahanna’s behalf, subject to the BVI Companies |
Same as Vahanna. | Subject to applicable law, dividends upon the outstanding stock of Roadzen may be declared by the Roadzen board of directors. Roadzen shall not declare, pay or set aside any dividends on shares of any other class or series of capital stock of Roadzen (other than a dividend on shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock payable in shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock) unless (in addition to obtaining any consents required by the Roadzen certificate) all accrued but unpaid dividends on the Roadzen Preferred Stock has been paid or declared and set apart, and an additional dividend is paid with respect to all outstanding Roadzen Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis, subject to the terms set forth in Roadzen’s certificate. |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
Act, the Existing Charter and to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by the SEC, Nasdaq or any other stock exchange on which Vahanna’s securities are listed. | ||||
Liquidation | ||||
If Vahanna shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of Vahanna in satisfaction of creditors’ claims in such manner and order as such liquidator thinks fit. Subject to the rights attaching to any shares, each share will rank pari passu with each other share in relation to the distribution of surplus assets on a winding up.
If Vahanna shall be wound up the liquidator may, subject to the rights attaching to any shares and subject to contrary direction by the shareholders, divide amongst the shareholders in kind the whole or any part of the assets of Vahanna (whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may, subject to contrary direction by the shareholders, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the shareholders as the liquidator, subject to contrary direction by the shareholders, shall think fit, but so that no shareholder shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.
Failure to Consummate a Business Combination. If Vahanna is unable to consummate its initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of |
Same as Vahanna, with the exception that the liquidation provisions concerning the failure to consummate a business combination has been deleted. | In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Roadzen or deemed liquidation event (as defined in the Roadzen certificate), the holders of Roadzen Preferred Stock are entitled to a liquidation preference over holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock, under the terms set forth in the Roadzen certificate. In the event of any liquidation or deemed liquidation event, after the payment of the full amount that the Roadzen Preferred Holders are entitled to, the remaining available assets shall be distributed to the holders of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock on a pro rata basis according to the number of shares held by each such holder. |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
time to consummate a business combination), Vahanna will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five (5) business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to its public shareholders by way of redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of its affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the Trust Account shall be effected as required by function of the Existing Charter and prior to any voluntary winding up, although at all times subject to the BVI Companies Act. | ||||
Conversion | ||||
Class B Ordinary Shares shall be convertible into Class A Ordinary Shares on a one-for-one basis automatically on the closing of the business combination subject to the terms and conversion ratios set forth in the Existing Charter. | There will be no conversion rights relating to the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. | The Roadzen Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, into shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to the terms and conversion ratios set forth in Roadzen’s certificate.
The Roadzen Preferred Stock shall automatically, and without any further action on the part of the holders thereof, be converted into shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock at the conversion ratios set forth in Roadzen’s certificate upon (i) the closing of a firmly underwritten public offering of common stock or (ii) upon the approval of the holders of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Roadzen Preferred Stock. | ||
Anti-Takeover Provisions and other Shareholder Provisions | ||||
Some provisions of the Existing Charter may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of Vahanna or its management that | Some provisions of the Proposed Charter may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of New Roadzen or its management | Roadzen is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
• authorize Vahanna’s board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by Vahanna’s shareholders; and
• limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders. However, under BVI law, Vahanna’s directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under the Existing Charter for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of Vahanna. |
that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that
• authorize the New Roadzen board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our members;
• limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders;
• require advance notice procedures with which shareholders must comply to nominate candidates to the New Roadzen board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a shareholders’ meeting, which could preclude shareholders from bringing matters before annual or special meetings and delay changes in the New Roadzen board of directors and also may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise from attempting to obtain control of New Roadzen;
• provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the unanimous approval of all other directors then in office or shareholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting for the election of directors; and |
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Roadzen | ||
• permit the New Roadzen board of directors to fill vacancies created by the expansion of the New Roadzen board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director. |
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Shareholder Rights Plans | ||||
The Existing Charter does not provide for any shareholder rights plan. | Same as Vahanna. | While Delaware law does not include a statutory provision expressly validating stockholder rights plans, such plans have generally been upheld by court decisions applying Delaware law.
Roadzen does not have a stockholder rights plan currently in effect, but under the DGCL, Roadzen’s board of directors could adopt such a plan without stockholder approval. | ||
Preemptive Rights | ||||
There are no preemptive rights relating to Vahanna’s ordinary shares. | Same as Vahanna. | Each holder of Roadzen Preferred Stock has a right of first offer on any offer or sale of new equity securities or any securities which may be convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities by Roadzen. | ||
Choice of Forum | ||||
There is no specific designation of a choice of forum in Vahanna’s charter. | Same as Vahanna. | N/A. |
If the Domestication occurs, New Roadzen will be a Delaware corporation governed by the Proposed Delaware Charter and the DGCL. Set forth below is a summary comparison of material differences among the rights of Vahanna’s shareholders under Vahanna’s Existing Charter (left column), Roadzen stockholders under the Roadzen certificate and bylaws (right column), and, if the Domestication occurs, the rights of New Roadzen shareholders under forms of the Proposed Delaware Charter (center column). The summary set forth below is not intended to be complete or to provide a comprehensive discussion of each company’s governing documents.
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This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Vahanna’s Existing Charter, Roadzen’s certificate and bylaws, and forms of The Proposed Delaware Charter, which is attached as Annex J, as well as the relevant provisions of the BVI Companies Act and the DGCL.
Vahanna |
New Roadzen |
Roadzen | ||
Authorized Capital Stock | ||||
Vahanna ordinary shares. Vahanna is currently authorized to issue 200,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share, and 20,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share. As of March 31, 2023, there were 20,010,000 Class A Ordinary Shares and 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding.
Vahanna Preference Shares. Vahanna is currently authorized to issue 1,000,000 undesignated preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. |
New Roadzen Common Stock. New Roadzen will be authorized to issue shares of 220,000,000 common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of June 15, 2023, we expect there will be approximately 83,409,001 New Roadzen common stock (assuming no redemptions) issued and outstanding following consummation of the merger.
New Roadzen Preferred Stock. New Roadzen will be authorized to issue shares of 60,000,000 preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Following consummation of the merger, New Roadzen is not expected to have any shares of New Roadzen preferred stock outstanding. |
Existing Roadzen Common Stock. Roadzen is currently authorized to issue 4,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share. As of March 31, 2023, there were 606,425 shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock outstanding.
Roadzen Preferred Stock. Roadzen is currently authorized to issue 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which 200,000 shares are designated as Series A Preferred Stock and 2,800,000 shares are designated as Series A-1 Preferred Stock. As of March 31, 2023, there were 200,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 886,722 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock outstanding. | ||
Rights of Preferred Stock | ||||
The preference shares shall have such rights as specified by the board of directors of Vahanna pursuant to a resolution of the directors of Vahanna approving the issuance of such preference shares, and in any such resolution of Vahanna’s directors, the Vahanna directors shall agree to amend and restate the Existing Charter to fully set out such rights. | The New Roadzen board of directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in series and establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof. | The rights of the Roadzen Preferred Stock are established under Roadzen’s certificate. | ||
Number and Qualification of Directors | ||||
The Vahanna board of directors shall consist of one or more members. The Company may by a resolution passed by the holders of a majority of the shares which are entitled to vote and are voted at the general meeting | The number of directors of New Roadzen, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of preferred stock voting separately by class or series, will be fixed from time to | The Roadzen board of directors shall consist of not less than one (1) and not more than six (6) members.
|
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
increase or reduce the limits in the number of Directors. Vahanna’s board of directors consists of five (5) directors, with each director serving a two-year term. | time pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of New Roadzen’s board.
All directors shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. A director appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified. |
Each director will be elected to serve until the next annual meeting or until his successor will have been elected and qualified, unless sooner removed or until Roadzen has received a written resignation from a director. | ||
Election of Directors | ||||
Prior to the consummation of a business combination, Vahanna may by resolution of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares appoint any person to be a director or may by resolution of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares remove any director. For the avoidance of doubt, prior to the consummation of a business combination, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares shall have no right to vote on the appointment or removal of any director. | The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that New Roadzen shareholders shall elect directors to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor will have been elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation (pursuant to written notice thereof delivered to New Roadzen), disqualification or removal from office.
Director appointments shall require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease is apportioned among the classes to maintain an equal number of directors in each class as nearly as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy will hold office for the remaining term of that class, but |
The Roadzen board of directors shall be elected as follows: (i) the holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be entitled to elect one (1) member of the Roadzen board of directors and (ii) the holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock will be entitled to elect five (5) members of the Roadzen board of directors. |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
in no case will a decrease in the number of directors remove or shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of preferred stock, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. |
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Removal of Directors | ||||
Prior to the consummation of a business combination, Vahanna may by resolution of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares remove any director. For the avoidance of doubt, prior to the consummation of a business combination, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares shall have no right to vote on the removal of any director. | Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause. Directors may be removed by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of all then outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Directors may also be removed by the unanimous approval of all other directors. |
Any or all of the directors of Roadzen may be removed with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that whenever the holders of any class, classes, or series of capital stock are entitled to elect one or more directors under the Roadzen certificate, only the holders of the outstanding shares of the class, classes, or series entitled to elect such director, and not the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole, may remove such directors without cause. | ||
Voting | ||||
Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and holders of the Class B Ordinary Shares, voting together as a single class, have the right to vote on all matters properly submitted to a vote of the shareholders, except as required by law; provided, that holders of Class B Ordinary Shares will have the right to appoint all of Vahanna’s directors prior to its initial business combination. | Except as otherwise required by law, the Proposed Delaware Charter, each holder of New Roadzen common stock will be entitled to cast one vote per share on any matter that is submitted to a vote of stockholders. | Holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock shall be entitled, with respect to each outstanding share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock held by such holder, to cast one vote on any matter presented to the stockholders of Roadzen for their action or consideration at any meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Roadzen certificate that relates solely to the |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
terms of one or more outstanding series of Roadzen Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Roadzen certificate or the DGCL.
Holders of Roadzen Preferred Stock shall be entitled, with respect to the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock held by such holder, to cast the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock held by such holder are convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter or, if no such record date is established, the date such vote is taken or any written or electronic consent of stockholders is solicited. Except as provided by law or other provisions of the Roadzen certificate, the holders of Roadzen Preferred Stock (on an as-converted to Existing Roadzen Common Stock basis) shall vote together with the holders of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock as a single class. | ||||
Cumulative Voting | ||||
There is nothing under the laws of the BVI Companies Act which specifically prohibits or restricts the creation of cumulative voting rights for the appointment of directors. The Existing Charter does not provide for cumulative voting for such appointments. | Same as Vahanna and Roadzen. | Delaware law allows for cumulative voting only if provided for in a corporation’s charter; however, Roadzen’s certificate does not authorize cumulative voting. | ||
Vacancies on the Board of Directors | ||||
Except as the BVI Companies Act or applicable law may require, prior to the consummation of a business | Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, any vacancies occurring on the | Any vacancies on the Roadzen board of directors resulting from the death, resignation, or upon the |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
combination, in the interim between the appointment of a director in accordance with Article 28 of the Existing Charter and/or the removal of one or more directors and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, additional directors and any vacancies in the board of directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum (as defined in the Existing Charter), or by the sole remaining director. | New Roadzen board of directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors, shall be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by shareholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. | failure of stockholders to elect directors to fill the unexpired terms of any directors removed in accordance with the provisions of the Roadzen bylaws and any newly created directorships on the Roadzen board of directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be only filled by the holders of the class, classes, or series of stock entitled to elect such director or by any remaining director or directors elected by the holders of such class, classes, or series of stock. | ||
Stockholder Action by Written Consents | ||||
A resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by or on behalf of all of the holders of Vahanna ordinary shares for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or, being corporations or other non-natural persons, signed by their duly authorized representatives) shall, without the need for any advance notice, be as valid and effective as if the resolution had been passed at a general meeting of Vahanna shareholders duly convened and held. | Under the Proposed Delaware Charter, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of New Roadzen may be effected by written consent of the stockholders. | Any action which may be taken at a special or annual meeting of the stockholders of Roadzen may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent in writing or by electronic communication, setting forth the action so taken, has been given by all of the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes which would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. | ||
Amendments to Constitutional Documents | ||||
Subject to the provisions of the BVI Companies Act, Vahanna may from time to time amend the Memorandum and Articles of Association by resolution of shareholders or resolution of directors.
Prior to the consummation of a business combination, Article 28.1 (Appointment and Removal of Directors) may only be amended by a resolution of shareholders passed by |
New Roadzen reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in the Proposed Delaware Charter, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute.
The New Roadzen board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Proposed Bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors. |
Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock and Roadzen Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, and of a majority of each class entitled to vote is required to amend the Roadzen certificate.
Subject to any additional vote required by the Roadzen certificate, the Roadzen board of |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
at least a majority of such shareholders (which shall include an absolute majority of the holders of Class B Ordinary Shares) as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution has been given.
Subject to Article 3.2 (Issue of Shares and other Securities), if at any time the authorized shares of Vahanna are divided into different classes, all or any of the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may, whether or not Vahanna is being wound up, be varied without the consent of the holders of the issued shares of that class where such variation is considered by Vahanna’s directors not to have a material adverse effect upon such rights; otherwise, any such variation shall be made only with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the issued shares of that class (other than with respect to a waiver of the provisions of Article 18 (Class B Ordinary Share Conversion), which as stated therein shall only require the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of that class), or with the approval of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. |
The Proposed Bylaws may also be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the New Roadzen stockholders representing at least majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of New Roadzen entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. |
directors may make, repeal, alter, amend or rescind any or all of the Roadzen bylaws. | ||
Quorum | ||||
Board of Directors. The quorum for the transaction of the business of Vahanna directors may be fixed by the directors, and unless so fixed shall be a majority of the directors then in office. A person who holds office as an Alternate Director (as | Board of Directors. The quorum for the transaction of the business of New Roadzen directors may be fixed by the directors, and unless so fixed shall be a majority of the directors then in office. | Board of Directors. At all meetings of the Roadzen board of directors (except in the case of a meeting convened for the purpose of filling a vacancy on the board of directors), a majority of the members of the board of directors |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
defined in the BVI Companies Act) shall, if his appointor is not present, be counted in the quorum. A director who also acts as an Alternate Director shall, if his appointor is not present, count twice towards the quorum.
Shareholders. The holders of one-third (1/3) of the shares being individuals present in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy shall be a quorum. |
Stockholders. The holders of at least a fifty percent (50%) of the shares being individuals present in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy shall be a quorum. |
will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Stockholders. At any meeting of Roadzen stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the outstanding voting power of the shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. | ||
Special Shareholder Meetings | ||||
Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Extraordinary general meetings may be called by a majority of Vahanna’s directors or its chairman or upon a requisition of shareholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than ten percent in par value (if all the issued shares have a par value), or otherwise by number of the issued shares which as at that date carry the right to vote in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. | Special meetings of Roadzen stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by the Roadzen chief executive officer or a majority of the board of directors, and will be called by the Roadzen chief executive officer or secretary at the written request of the Roadzen stockholders owning thirty percent (30%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Roadzen entitled to vote at such meeting. | Special meetings of Roadzen stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by the Roadzen chief executive officer or the board of directors, and will be called by the Roadzen chief executive officer or secretary at the written request of the Roadzen stockholders owning twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Roadzen entitled to vote at such meeting. | ||
Notice of Stockholder Meetings | ||||
At least ten clear days’ notice shall be given of any general meeting. Every notice shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be conducted at the general meeting and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by Vahanna, provided that | Written notice stating the place, if any, date and hour of each meeting of New Roadzen’s stockholders, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the purpose of the meeting in the case of a special meeting, and the | Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting shall be given that shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
a general meeting of Vahanna shall, whether or not the notice has been given and whether or not the provisions regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed:
c) in the case of an annual general meeting, by all of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote thereat; and
d) in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, by a majority in number of shareholders having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, together holding not less than ninety-five per cent (95%). in par value (if all the issued shares have a par value), or
otherwise by number of the shares giving that right. |
record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) must be delivered not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, unless otherwise required by law.
Whenever notice is required to be given to any New Roadzen stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. |
meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Roadzen certificate or the Roadzen bylaws, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting; except that where the matter to be acted on is a merger or consolidation of the corporation or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of its assets, such notice shall be given not less than twenty (20) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. | ||
Annual and Special Meeting Proposals | ||||
Vahanna may, but shall not be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and, where called, shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. Any annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the directors shall appoint.
The directors, or the chairman of the board, may call general meetings, and the directors shall on a shareholders’ requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.
The Members’ requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several |
No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of New Roadzen stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in New Roadzen’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to the Proposed Bylaws, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the New Roadzen Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any New Roadzen stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice procedures set forth in the Proposed Bylaws and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of New Roadzen. |
N/A. |
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Roadzen | ||
documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.
A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by directors.
Shareholders seeking to bring business before the annual general meeting or to nominate candidates for appointment as directors at the annual general meeting must deliver notice to the principal executive offices of the Company not less than one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days before the date of Vahanna’s proxy statement released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual general meeting or, if Vahanna did not hold an annual general meeting the previous year, or if the date of the current year’s annual general meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date of the previous year’s annual general meeting, then the deadline shall be set by the board of directors with such deadline being a reasonable time before Vahanna begins to print and send its related proxy materials. |
The New Roadzen stockholder must (i) give timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of New Roadzen and (ii) the business must be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a New Roadzen stockholder’s notice must be received at the principal executive offices of New Roadzen not less than the 90th or more than the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice must be received not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the scheduled date of such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting will not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice. Additionally, the stockholder must provide information pursuant to the advance notice provisions in the Proposed Bylaws. |
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Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers | ||||
No director and officer of Vahanna (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include auditors), together with every former director and former officer of Vahanna (each an “Indemnified Person”), shall be liable to Vahanna for any loss or damage incurred by Vahanna as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or willful default of such Indemnified Person. No person shall | The DGCL permits limiting or eliminating the monetary liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders, except with regard to breaches of the duty of loyalty, intentional misconduct, unlawful repurchases or dividends, or improper personal benefit. In addition, the DGCL was amended to permit limiting or eliminating the monetary liability of an officer to a corporation or its stockholders, except with regard | No director of the Company shall be personally liable to the Company or any of its stockholders for monetary damages arising out of such director’s breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a director of the Company, except to the extent that the elimination or limitation of such liability is not permitted by the DGCL. A member of the board of directors, or a member of any committee designated by the |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
be found to have committed actual fraud or willful default under the Existing Articles unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect. | to breaches of the duty of loyalty, intentional misconduct, improper personal benefit or an action by or in the right of the corporation.
The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that no director will be personally liable, except to the extent an exemption from liability or limitation is not permitted under the DGCL |
board of directors, shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the board of directors, or by any other person as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with treasonable care by or on behalf of the corporation, as to the value and amount of assets, liabilities and/or net profits of the corporation or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared and paid, or with which the corporation’s stock might properly be purchased or redeemed. If the DGCL or any other applicable law of the State of Delaware is amended after the date of the Roadzen certificate to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of Roadzen shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or other applicable law of the State of Delaware, as so amended. | ||
Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Agents | ||||
Subject to the BVI Companies Act, every Indemnified Person shall be indemnified out of the assets of Vahanna against any liability, action, proceeding, claim, demand, costs, damages or expenses, including legal expenses, whatsoever which they or any of them may incur as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying | The DGCL generally permits a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers acting in good faith. Under the DGCL, the corporation through its stockholders, directors or independent legal counsel, will determine that the conduct of the person seeking indemnity | To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, Roadzen is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers, employees and agents of Roadzen (and any other persons to whom the DGCL |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
out their functions other than such liability (if any) that they may incur by reason of their own actual fraud or willful default. | conformed with the statutory provisions governing indemnity.
The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that New Roadzen will indemnify each director and officer to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. |
permits Roadzen to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses) through Roadzen bylaw provisions, agreements with such persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement expenses otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL. Roadzen shall be required to indemnify an officer or director in connection with an action, suit or proceeding initiated by such person only if such action, suit or proceeding is authorized by the corporation. | ||
Dividends, Distributions and Share Repurchases | ||||
Subject to the Existing Charter, Vahanna’s directors may declare dividends at a time and amount they think fit if they are satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that, immediately after distribution of the dividend, the value of Vahanna’s assets will exceed its liabilities and Vahanna will be able to pay its debts as they fall due. No dividend shall carry interest against Vahanna.
As permitted by the BVI Companies Act and the Existing Charter, shares may be repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired by Vahanna. Depending on the circumstances of the redemption or repurchase, Vahanna’s directors may need to determine that immediately following the redemption or repurchase Vahanna will be able to satisfy its debts as they fall due and the value of its assets exceeds its liabilities. Vahanna’s directors may only exercise this power on Vahanna’s behalf, subject to the BVI Companies Act, the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and to any applicable requirements imposed from time to time by the SEC, Nasdaq or any other stock exchange on which Vahanna’s securities are listed. |
The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock or the holders of the shares of common stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of New Roadzen) when, as and if declared thereon by the New Roadzen Board from time to time out of
any assets or funds of New Roadzen legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions. |
Subject to applicable law, dividends upon the outstanding stock of Roadzen may be declared by the Roadzen board of directors.
Roadzen shall not declare, pay or set aside any dividends on shares of any other class or series of capital stock of Roadzen (other than a dividend on shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock payable in shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock) unless (in addition to obtaining any consents required by the Roadzen certificate) all accrued but unpaid dividends on the Roadzen Preferred Stock has been paid or declared and set apart, and an additional dividend is paid with respect to all outstanding Roadzen Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis, subject to the terms set forth in Roadzen’s certificate. |
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Vahanna |
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Roadzen | ||
Liquidation | ||||
If Vahanna shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of Vahanna in satisfaction of creditors’ claims in such manner and order as such liquidator thinks fit. Subject to the rights attaching to any shares, each share will rank pari passu with each other share in relation to the distribution of surplus assets on a winding up.
If Vahanna shall be wound up the liquidator may, subject to the rights attaching to any shares and subject to contrary direction by the shareholders, divide amongst the shareholders in kind the whole or any part of the assets of Vahanna (whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the shareholders or different classes of shareholders. The liquidator may, subject to contrary direction by the shareholders, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the shareholders as the liquidator, subject to contrary direction by the shareholders, shall think fit, but so that no shareholder shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.
Failure to Consummate a Business Combination. If Vahanna is unable to consummate its initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination), Vahanna will, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than five (5) business days thereafter, distribute the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account (net of taxes payable, and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), pro rata to its public shareholders by way of |
Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of preferred stock, the Proposed Delaware Charter provides that following the payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of New Roadzen in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of New Roadzen, the holders of New Roadzen common stock will be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of New Roadzen available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of New Roadzen shares held by them. | In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Roadzen or deemed liquidation event (as defined in the Roadzen certificate), the holders of Roadzen Preferred Stock are entitled to a liquidation preference over holders of Existing Roadzen Common Stock, under the terms set forth in the Roadzen certificate. In the event of any liquidation or deemed liquidation event, after the payment of the full amount that the Roadzen Preferred Holders are entitled to, the remaining available assets shall be distributed to the holders of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock on a pro rata basis according to the number of shares held by each such holder. |
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Vahanna |
New Roadzen (Proposed Delaware Charter) |
Roadzen | ||
redemption and cease all operations except for the purposes of winding up of its affairs. This redemption of public shareholders from the Trust Account shall be effected as required by function of Vahanna’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and prior to any voluntary winding up, although at all times subject to the BVI Companies Act. | ||||
Conversion | ||||
Class B Ordinary Shares shall be convertible into Class A Ordinary Shares on a one-for-one basis automatically on the closing of the business combination subject to the terms and conversion ratios set forth in the Existing Charter. | There will be no conversion rights relating to the New Roadzen common stock. | The Roadzen Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, into shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to the terms and conversion ratios set forth in Roadzen’s certificate.
The Roadzen Preferred Stock shall automatically, and without any further action on the part of the holders thereof, be converted into shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock at the conversion ratios set forth in Roadzen’s certificate upon (i) the closing of a firmly underwritten public offering of common stock or (ii) upon the approval of the holders of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Roadzen Preferred Stock. | ||
Anti-Takeover Provisions and other Shareholder Provisions | ||||
Some provisions of the Existing Charter may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of Vahanna or its management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
• authorize Vahanna’s board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by Vahanna’s shareholders; and |
The anti-takeover provisions and other stockholder protections in the Proposed Delaware Charter include blank check preferred stock. Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” (i.e., a stockholder owning 15% or more of Vahanna voting stock) for three (3) years following the time that the “interested stockholder” becomes such, subject to certain exceptions. | Roadzen is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. |
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Roadzen | ||
• limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders. However, under BVI law, Vahanna’s directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under the Existing Charter for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of Vahanna. |
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Shareholder Rights Plans | ||||
The Existing Charter does not provide for any shareholder rights plan. | Same as Roadzen. | While Delaware law does not include a statutory provision expressly validating stockholder rights plans, such plans have generally been upheld by court decisions applying Delaware law.
Roadzen does not have a stockholder rights plan currently in effect, but under the DGCL, Roadzen’s board of directors could adopt such a plan without stockholder approval. | ||
Preemptive Rights | ||||
There are no preemptive rights relating to Vahanna’s ordinary shares. | There are no preemptive rights relating to the shares of New Roadzen common stock. | Each holder of Roadzen Preferred Stock has a right of first offer on any offer or sale of new equity securities or any securities which may be convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities by Roadzen. | ||
Choice of Forum | ||||
There is no specific designation of a choice of forum in Vahanna’s charter. | The Proposed Delaware Charter generally designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of New Roadzen, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of New Roadzen to New Roadzen or New Roadzen’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against New Roadzen, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or Proposed | N/A. |
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Vahanna |
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Roadzen | ||
Delaware Charter or Proposed Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against New Roadzen, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel, subject to certain exceptions. | ||||
Fiduciary Duties of Directors | ||||
Under British Virgin Islands law, the directors owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute, including a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. When exercising powers or performing duties as a director, the director is required to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation, the nature of the company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. In exercising the powers of a director, the directors must exercise their powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the company acting in a manner that contravenes our memorandum and articles of association or the BVI Act. | Under Delaware law, the standards of conduct for directors have developed through Delaware court case law. Generally, directors must exercise a duty of care and duty of loyalty and good faith to the company and its stockholders. Members of the board of directors or any committee designated by the board of directors are similarly entitled to rely in good faith upon the records of the corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports and statements presented to the corporation by corporate officers, employees, committees of the board of directors or other persons as to matters such member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence, provided that such other person has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the corporation. Such appropriate reliance on records and other information protects directors from liability related to decisions made based on such records and other information.
The New Roadzen Board may exercise all such authority and powers of New Roadzen and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or the Proposed Delaware Charter or Proposed Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done solely by the stockholders. |
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DESCRIPTION OF NEW ROADZEN CAPITAL STOCK
As a result of the merger, Vahanna shareholders and Roadzen stockholders who receive New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in the merger will become shareholders of New Roadzen. The following summary details the material terms of our securities based on whether the Domestication occurs.
Capital Stock under the Proposed Charter
If the Domestication does not occur, your rights as New Roadzen shareholders will be governed by BVI law and the Proposed Charter. The following summary of the material terms of our securities is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities. We urge you to read the applicable provisions of BVI law and the Proposed Charter carefully and in their entirety because they describe your rights as a holder of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
New Roadzen is a BVI business company limited by shares and its affairs will be governed by the Proposed Charter and the BVI Companies Act (each as amended or modified from time to time). As provided in the Proposed Charter, subject to the BVI Companies Act, New Roadzen has full capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity, do any act or enter into any transaction, and, for such purposes, full rights, powers and privileges. The registered office of New Roadzen is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, Kingston Chambers, P.O. Box 173, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Concurrently with the Effective Time, pursuant to the terms of the Existing Charter, (i) each Class B Ordinary Share that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted, on a one-for-one basis, into one New Roadzen Ordinary Share; and (ii) each share of Existing Roadzen Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to the conversion of any shares of Roadzen Preferred Stock into Existing Roadzen Common Stock in accordance with the terms of Roadzen’s Certificate of Incorporation), other than any dissenting shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock, shall be canceled and converted into and New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement.
As a result, following the Effective Time the outstanding equity securities of New Roadzen will consist of 83,409,001 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (assuming no redemptions), 10,050,000 New Roadzen Public Warrants and 8,638,500 New Roadzen Private Warrants (assuming the Convertible Note is repaid in cash at closing).
Authorized shares
Following the consummation of the business combination, the authorized shares of New Roadzen will consist of 220,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares), and 60,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
Ordinary shares
Following the closing of the merger, approximately 83,409,001 New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be issued and outstanding (under the No Redemption Scenario). All of the outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Preference shares
Following consummation of the merger, New Roadzen is not expected to have any New Roadzen Preference Shares outstanding. The issuance of New Roadzen Preference Shares in the future could have the effect of decreasing the trading price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, restricting dividends on New Roadzen’s issued shares, diluting the voting power of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, impairing the liquidation rights of New Roadzen’s shares, or delaying or preventing a change in control of New Roadzen.
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Rights attaching to New Roadzen shares
Rights attaching to New Roadzen Ordinary Shares
Each New Roadzen Ordinary Share confers upon the shareholder:
a. | the right to one vote at a meeting of the New Roadzen shareholders or on any resolution of the New Roadzen shareholders; |
b. | subject to any rights that may be granted to holders of New Roadzen Preference Shares in the future, the right to an equal share in any distribution paid by New Roadzen in accordance with the BVI Companies Act; and |
c. | subject to any rights that may be granted to holders of New Roadzen Preference Shares in the future, the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of New Roadzen on its liquidation in accordance with the BVI Companies Act. |
New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably and be identical in all respect to all matters.
Rights attaching to New Roadzen Preference Shares
Each series of New Roadzen Preference Shares shall have such designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as specified by the New Roadzen board pursuant to resolutions approving the issuance of such series of preference shares and related amendments to the Proposed Charter; provided, however, that prior to such issuance, the New Roadzen board shall determine the designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each series of preference shares, including, if applicable: (a) the designation and number of shares and the subscription price thereof; (b) the voting rights; (c) the dividends rights; (d) whether such shares will be subject to redemption by New Roadzen and the conditions of such redemption; (e) the rights to receive distribution upon liquidation and the terms thereof; (f) the rights to convert or exchange such series; (g) any limitations and restrictions upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by New Roadzen of, such shares; and (h) any conditions or restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of New Roadzen or upon the issue of any additional shares.
The New Roadzen board shall not be required to obtain any approval of the shareholders in respect of the issuance of New Roadzen preference shares and the related amendments to the Proposed Charter and, accordingly, will be able to issue preference shares with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of holders of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of the New Roadzen board of directors to issue New Roadzen Preference Shares without shareholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of New Roadzen or the removal of existing management. Vahanna has no preference shares issued and outstanding at the date hereof. Although New Roadzen does not currently intend to issue any New Roadzen Preference Shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future. No New Roadzen Preference Shares are being issued or registered in connection with the merger.
Election of the New Roadzen Board of Directors
Under the Proposed Charter, there shall be a board of directors consisting of not less than one person, provided, however, that New Roadzen may by resolution of directors increase or reduce the limits on the number of directors. Pursuant to the Proposed Charter, the directors of the New Roadzen board will be nominated by New Roadzen shareholders at New Roadzen’s annual meeting of shareholders (except for situations in which the New Roadzen board fills a vacancy, as discussed below). There is no prohibition under the Proposed Charter which requires the positions of chairman of the New Roadzen board and chief executive officer to be held by different persons.
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In addition, the Proposed Charter allows the New Roadzen board to appoint by resolution of the New Roadzen board any person to be a director either to fill (i) a vacancy resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes or (ii) any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the number of directors. Where the New Roadzen board appoints a person as a director to fill such vacancy or newly created directorship, the term will not exceed the term that remained when the director whose departure from the New Roadzen board created such vacancy ceased to hold office or, in the case of newly created directorship, until the next annual general meeting.
Distribution and Liquidation Rights
The New Roadzen board may authorize a dividend to be paid to the holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, as well as to the holders of New Roadzen Preference Shares, as may be issued, with distribution and liquidation rights, in proportion to their respective shareholdings and subject to any preferential rights held by holders of New Roadzen Preference Shares. Dividends may be paid in money, shares or other property. Notice of any dividend that may have been declared will be given to each New Roadzen shareholder, and all dividends unclaimed for six (6) years after having been declared may be forfeited for the benefit of New Roadzen. No dividend will bear interest as against New Roadzen and no dividend will be paid on the treasury shares of New Roadzen.
The New Roadzen board may authorize a distribution by adopting a resolution in favor of the distribution if the New Roadzen board is satisfied that New Roadzen satisfies a solvency test, meaning that, on reasonable grounds, immediately after such distribution, the value of New Roadzen’s assets will exceed its liabilities and New Roadzen will be able to pay its debts as they fall due. In order that New Roadzen may determine the New Roadzen shareholders entitled to receive payment of any distribution, the New Roadzen board may fix a record date. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining shareholders for any such purpose will be at the close of the calendar day on which the New Roadzen board adopts the resolution relating to the distribution.
In the event of New Roadzen’s liquidation, its surplus assets will be distributed to the holders of New Roadzen shares in the order of liquidation preference attached to each series of New Roadzen Preference Shares or New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, as applicable, and in proportion to their respective shareholdings.
The distribution and liquidation rights of New Roadzen Preference Shares shall be determined for each series of New Roadzen Preference Shares prior to authorizing the issuance of such series of New Roadzen Preference Shares. Therefore, New Roadzen common shareholders’ liquidation right, as well as the right to receive dividends, may be affected by the grant of preferential dividend, distribution or liquidation preference rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights which may be authorized in the future.
Redemption Rights
The BVI Companies Act and the Proposed Charter permit New Roadzen to purchase its own shares with the prior written consent of the relevant members, on such terms and in such manner as may be determined by its board of directors and by a resolution of directors and in accordance with the BVI Companies Act.
Shareholder Meetings
Under the Proposed Charter, New Roadzen may, but is not obligated to, hold an annual general meeting each year. The New Roadzen board or the chair, if in office, may call an annual general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting upon not less than ten (10) days’ notice unless such notice is waived in accordance with the Proposed Charter. A meeting notice must specify the place, day and hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be conducted at such meeting. At any general meeting of New Roadzen shareholders, the holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the votes of the New Roadzen shares entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum. Subject to the requirements of the BVI Companies Act, only those matters set forth in
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the notice of the general meeting or (solely in the case of a meeting convened upon a Members’ Requisition (as defined below)) properly requested in connection with a Members’ Requisition may be considered or acted upon at a meeting of New Roadzen shareholders.
Each general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be an extraordinary general meeting. Under the Proposed Charter, shareholders will have the right to call extraordinary general meetings of shareholders (a “Members’ Requisition”). To properly call an extraordinary general meeting pursuant to a Members Requisition, (a) the request of shareholders representing not less than 30% of the voting power represented by all issued and outstanding shares of New Roadzen in respect of the matter for which such meeting is requested must be deposited at the registered office of New Roadzen and (b) the requisitioning shareholders must comply with certain information requirements specified in the Proposed Charter.
Voting Rights
Each New Roadzen Ordinary Share confers upon the shareholder the right to one vote at a meeting of the New Roadzen shareholders or on any resolution of the New Roadzen shareholders. The voting rights of New Roadzen Preference Shares shall be determined for each series of New Roadzen Preference Shares prior to authorizing the issuance of such series of New Roadzen Preference Shares. Therefore, New Roadzen ordinary shareholders’ voting rights may be affected by the grant of preferential voting rights to shareholders of a new class of shares which may be authorized in the future.
Transfer of shares
All New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be issued in registered form and may be freely transferred under the Proposed Charter, unless any such transfer is restricted or prohibited by another instrument, Nasdaq rules or applicable securities laws.
Under the BVI Companies Act shares that are listed on a recognized exchange may be transferred without the need for a written instrument of transfer if the transfer is carried out in accordance with the laws, rules, procedures and other requirements applicable to shares listed on the recognized exchange and subject to the Proposed Charter.
Among other things, certain equity holders of Roadzen and certain key shareholders of Vahanna, including the Sponsor, have agreed, pursuant to the Lock-Up Agreements and the Sponsor Support Agreement, not to transfer their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares during the 12 month period (as applicable) following the closing of the merger. Additionally, any New Roadzen Ordinary Shares received in connection with the merger by persons who are or become affiliates of New Roadzen for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be resold only in transactions permitted by Rule 144, or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act. Persons who may be deemed affiliates of New Roadzen generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by or are under common control with, New Roadzen and may include the directors and executive officers of New Roadzen, as well as its significant shareholders.
Quorum
A meeting of New Roadzen shareholders is duly constituted if, at the commencement of the meeting, there are present in person or by proxy at least fifty percent (50%) of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on resolutions of shareholders to be considered at the meeting. A quorum may comprise a single shareholder or proxy, and such person may pass a resolution of shareholders and a certificate signed by such person accompanied where such person be a proxy by a copy of the proxy instrument will constitute a valid resolution of the New Roadzen shareholders.
Vote Requirements
Save as provided below, the Proposed Charter provides that all shareholder resolutions require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of New Roadzen ordinary shares, voting together as a
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single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Further, the Proposed Charter provides that action by written consent may be approved by the written consent of holders of a majority of the New Roadzen ordinary shares entitled to vote.
New Roadzen may amend the Proposed Charter by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of New Roadzen ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present or by the written consent of holders of a majority of the New Roadzen ordinary shares entitled to vote by way of written consent or by resolution of directors.
The Proposed Charter provides that the removal of any director from office requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by holders of New Roadzen ordinary shares, voting together as a single class at a meeting at which a quorum is present or the written consent of holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the New Roadzen ordinary shares entitled to vote by way of written consent.
Access to Corporate Records
Under the BVI Companies Act, each New Roadzen shareholder is entitled, on giving written notice to New Roadzen, to inspect the (i) Proposed Charter; (ii) register of members; (iii) register of directors; and (iv) minutes of meetings and resolutions of members and of those classes of members of which such person is a member. However, the New Roadzen board may, if they are satisfied that it would be contrary to New Roadzen’s interests to allow a member to inspect any document listed above (or any part thereof), refuse the member to inspect the document or limit the inspection of the document.
Where a company fails or refuses to permit a member to inspect a document or permits a member to inspect a document subject to limitations, that member may apply to the BVI High Court for an order that he should be permitted to inspect the document or to inspect the document without limitation.
A company is required to keep at the office of its registered agent: its memorandum and articles of association of the company; the register of members or a copy of the register of members; the register of directors or a copy of the register of directors; and copies of all notices and other documents filed by the company in the previous ten (10) years.
Transfer Agent, Warrant Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares will be Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, located at One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004.
Takeover Provisions
The BVI Act does not currently provide anti-takeover measures, similar to some jurisdictions in the U.S.
Some provisions of the Proposed Charter may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that:
• | authorize the New Roadzen board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our members; |
• | limit the ability of shareholders to requisition and convene general meetings of shareholders; |
• | require advance notice procedures with which shareholders must comply to nominate candidates to the New Roadzen board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a shareholders’ meeting, which could preclude shareholders from bringing matters before annual or special meetings and delay changes in the New Roadzen board of directors and also may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise from attempting to obtain control of New Roadzen; |
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• | provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the unanimous approval of all other directors then in office or shareholders representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting for the election of directors; and |
• | permit the New Roadzen board of directors to fill vacancies created by the expansion of the New Roadzen board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director. |
However, under BVI law, New Roadzen’s directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under the Proposed Charter for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of New Roadzen.
Register of Members
Under the BVI Companies Act, New Roadzen Ordinary Shares are deemed to be issued when the name of the shareholder is entered in our register of members. Our register of members will be maintained by our transfer agent Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. If (a) information that is required to be entered in the register of members is omitted from the register or is inaccurately entered in the register, or (b) there is unreasonable delay in entering information in the register, a shareholder of New Roadzen, or any person who is aggrieved by the omission, inaccuracy or delay, may apply to the BVI Court for an order that the register be rectified, and the Court may either refuse the application or order the rectification of the register, and may direct New Roadzen to pay all costs of the application and any damages the applicant may have sustained.
Listing and Purpose
Upon the consummation of the merger, New Roadzen Ordinary Shares are expected to be listed and traded on Nasdaq under the trading symbol “RDZN.” New Roadzen’s purpose under the Proposed Charter will include every lawful purpose or activity.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
Under the BVI Companies Act, two or more BVI companies or a BVI company and non-BVI company, each a “constituent company”, may merge or consolidate. The BVI Companies Act provides for slightly different procedures depending on the nature of the parties to the merger.
A merger involves the merging of two or more companies into one of the constituent companies (to the merger) with one constituent company continuing in existence to become the surviving company post-merger. A consolidation involves two or more companies consolidating into a new company.
A merger is effective on the date that the articles of merger (as described below) are registered by the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the BVI, or on such later date, not exceeding thirty (30) days from the date of registration as is stated in the articles of merger.
As soon as a merger becomes effective:
a) | the surviving company (so far as is consistent with its memorandum and articles, as amended by the articles of merger) has all rights, privileges, immunities, powers, objects and purposes of each of the constituent companies; |
b) | the memorandum and articles of the surviving company are automatically amended to the extent, if any, that changes to its memorandum and articles are contained in the articles of merger; |
c) | assets of every description, including choses in action and the business of each of the constituent companies, immediately vest in the surviving company; |
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d) | the surviving company is liable for all claims, debts, liabilities and obligations of each of the constituent companies; |
e) | no conviction, judgment, ruling, order, claim, debt, liability or obligation due or to become due, and no cause existing, against a constituent company or against any member, director, officer or agent thereof, is released or impaired by the merger; and |
f) | no proceedings, whether civil or criminal, pending at the time of a merger by or against a constituent company, or against any member, director or officer, or agent thereof, are abated or discontinued by the merger; but |
a. | the proceedings may be enforced, prosecuted, settled or compromised by or against the surviving company or against the member, director, officer or agent thereof, as the case may be; or |
b. | the surviving company may be substituted in the proceedings for a constituent company. |
The registrar shall strike off the Register of Companies a constituent company that is not the surviving company in the merger.
The BVI Companies Act provides that any member of New Roadzen is entitled to payment of the fair value of his shares upon dissenting from a merger, unless New Roadzen is the surviving company of the merger and the member continues to hold the same or similar shares. The following is a summary of the position with respect to dissenters’ rights in the event of a merger under the BVI Companies Act.
A dissenter is, in most circumstances, required to give to New Roadzen written objection to the merger, which must include a statement that the dissenter proposes to demand payment for his/her shares if the merger takes place. This written objection must be given before the meeting of members at which the merger is submitted to a vote, or at the meeting but before the vote. However, no objection is required from a member to whom New Roadzen did not give notice of the meeting of members or where the proposed merger is authorized by written consent of the members without a meeting.
Within twenty (20) days immediately following the written consent, or the meeting at which the merger was approved, New Roadzen shall give written notice of the consent or resolution to each member who gave written objection or from whom written objection was not required, except those members who voted for, or consented in writing to, the proposed merger.
A member to whom New Roadzen was required to give notice who elects to dissent shall, within twenty (20) days immediately following the date on which the copy of the plan of merger or an outline of the merger is given to him, give to New Roadzen a written notice of his decision to elect to dissent, stating:
a) | his name and address; |
b) | the number and classes of shares in respect of which he dissents (which must be all shares that he holds in New Roadzen); and |
c) | a demand for payment of the fair value of his shares. |
Upon the giving of a notice of election to dissent, the dissenter ceases to have any of the rights of a member except the right to be paid the fair value of his shares, and the right to institute proceedings to obtain relief on the ground that the action is illegal.
New Roadzen shall make a written offer to each dissenter to purchase his shares at a specified price that New Roadzen determines to be their fair value. Such offer must be given within seven (7) days immediately following the date of the expiration of the period within which members may give their notices of election to dissent, or within seven (7) days immediately following the date on which the merger is put into effect, whichever is later.
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If New Roadzen and the dissenter fail, within thirty (30) days immediately following the date on which the offer is made, to agree on the price to be paid for the shares owned by the dissenter, then within twenty (20) days:
a) | New Roadzen and the dissenter shall each designate an appraiser; |
b) | the two designated appraisers together shall designate an appraiser; |
c) | the three appraisers shall fix the fair value of the shares owned by the dissenter as of the close of business on the day prior to the date of the meeting or the date on which the resolution was passed, excluding any appreciation or depreciation directly or indirectly induced by the action or its proposal, and that value is binding on New Roadzen and the dissenter for all purposes; and |
d) | New Roadzen shall pay to the dissenter the amount in money upon the surrender by him of the certificates representing his shares, and such shares shall be cancelled. |
Shareholders’ Suits
Under the provisions of the BVI Companies Act, the memorandum and articles of association of a company are binding as between the company and its shareholders and between the shareholders.
If the majority shareholders have infringed a minority member’s rights, the minority may seek to enforce its rights either by derivative action or by personal action. A derivative action concerns the infringement of the company’s rights where the wrongdoers are in control of the company and are preventing it from taking action, whereas a personal action concerns the infringement of a right that is personal to the particular member concerned.
The BVI Companies Act provides for a series of remedies available to shareholders. Where a company incorporated under the BVI Companies Act conducts some activity which breaches the BVI Companies Act or the company’s memorandum and articles of association, the BVI High Court can issue a restraining or compliance order. Shareholders can now also bring derivative, personal and Representative Actions under certain circumstances.
Generally, any other claims against a company by its shareholders must be based on the general laws of contract or tort applicable in the BVI or their individual rights as members as established by the company’s memorandum and articles of association.
In certain circumstances, a shareholder has the right to seek various remedies against the company in the event the directors are in breach of their duties under the BVI Companies Act. Pursuant to Section 184B of the BVI Companies Act, if a company or director of a company engages in, proposes to engage in or has engaged in, conduct that contravenes the provisions of the BVI Companies Act or the memorandum or articles of association of the company, the courts of the British Virgin Islands may, on application of a shareholder or director of the company, make an order directing the company or director to comply with, or restraining the company or director from engaging in conduct that contravenes the BVI Companies Act or the memorandum or articles. Furthermore, pursuant to Section 184I(1) of the BVI Companies Act, a shareholder of a company who considers that the affairs of the company have been, are being or likely to be, conducted in a manner that is, or any acts of the company have been, or are likely to be oppressive, unfairly discriminatory, or unfairly prejudicial to him in that capacity, may apply to the courts of the British Virgin Islands for an order which, inter alia, can require the company or any other person to pay compensation to the shareholders.
Squeeze-out Provisions
Members of a company holding 90% of the votes of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and members of a company holding 90% of the votes of the outstanding shares of each class of shares entitled to vote as a class, may give a written instruction to the company directing it to redeem the shares held by the remaining members.
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Enforcement of Civil Liabilities
There is no statutory enforcement in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the U.S., however, the courts of the British Virgin Islands will in certain circumstances recognize such a foreign judgment and treat it as a cause of action in itself which may be sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary, provided that:
• | the U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and the company either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; |
• | the judgment is final and for a liquidated sum; |
• | the judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; |
• | in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court; |
• | recognition or enforcement of the judgment in the British Virgin Islands would not be contrary to public policy; and |
• | the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice. |
The British Virgin Islands courts are unlikely:
• | to recognize or enforce against New Roadzen, judgments of courts of the U.S. predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S.; and |
• | to impose liabilities against New Roadzen, predicated upon the certain civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S. so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. |
Conflicts of Interest
Under BVI law, the directors owe fiduciary duties at both common law and under statute, including a statutory duty to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. When exercising powers or performing duties as a director, the director is required to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable director would exercise in the circumstances taking into account, without limitation, the nature of the company, the nature of the decision and the position of the director and the nature of the responsibilities undertaken by him. In exercising the powers of a director, the directors must exercise their powers for a proper purpose and shall not act or agree to the company acting in a manner that contravenes our post-offering memorandum and articles of association or the BVI Companies Act.
In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge skill and experience which that director has.
BVI law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant members, however it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority members. New Roadzen has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which requires employees to fully disclose any situations that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest, and sets forth relevant restrictions and procedures when a conflict of interest arises to ensure the best interest of New Roadzen.
As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position.
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Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, the directors of New Roadzen may have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the above-listed criteria to multiple entities. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise when the board of New Roadzen evaluates a particular business opportunity with respect to the above-listed criteria. New Roadzen cannot assure you that any of the above-mentioned conflicts will be resolved in their favor. Furthermore, each of the directors of New Roadzen may have pre-existing fiduciary obligations to other businesses of which they are officers or directors.
Anti-Money Laundering
In order comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, BVI companies are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures and may require members to provide evidence to verify their identity. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, BVI companies may also delegate the maintenance of its anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
If any person resident in the BVI knows or suspects that another person is engaged in money laundering or terrorist financing and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their business the person will be required to report his belief or suspicion to the Financial Investigation of the BVI, pursuant to the Proceeds of Criminal Conduct Act (As Revised). Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
BVI law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the BVI High Court to be contrary to public policy (e.g., for purporting to provide indemnification against the consequences of committing a crime). An indemnity will be void and of no effect and will not apply to a person unless the person acted honestly and in good faith and in what he/she believed to be in the best interests of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. The Proposed Charter permits indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty or fraud of such directors or officers. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, New Roadzen will enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in the Proposed Charter.
New Roadzen Warrants
On November 26, 2021, Vahanna consummated its IPO of 20,010,000 units, including the issuance of 2,610,000 units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option. Each unit consists of one (1) Class A ordinary share and one-half (1/2) of one redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. Simultaneously with the closing of IPO, pursuant to the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement, the Company completed the private sale (the “Private Placement Warrants”) to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant.
As of [●], 2023, the record date, Vahanna had approximately 10,050,000 public warrants and 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants outstanding. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, if the Domestication does not occur, at the Effective Time, each Vahanna public warrant shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Public Warrant to acquire one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share, par value $0.0001 per share, and each Private Placement Warrant shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Private Warrant to acquire one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share, par value $0.0001 per share.
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Immediately after the Effective Time, New Roadzen anticipates that there will be approximately 8,638,500 New Roadzen Private Warrants and 10,050,000 New Roadzen Public Warrants outstanding.
Each New Roadzen Warrant will represent the right to purchase one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share in cash. The New Roadzen Warrants will become exercisable thirty (30) days after the date on which the merger occurs and will expire upon the earlier of (a) the date that is five (5) years after the on which the merger occurs and (b) a liquidation of New Roadzen.
Each New Roadzen Warrant will entitle the registered holder to purchase one (1) New Roadzen Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing thirty (30) days after the completion of the business combination, provided in each case that New Roadzen has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), covering the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available and such shares are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities, or blue sky, laws of the state of residence of the holder (or we permit holders to exercise their New Roadzen Warrants on a cashless basis under the circumstances specified in the warrant agreement). Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrantholder may exercise its New Roadzen Warrants only for a whole number of New Roadzen Ordinary Share. This means that only a whole New Roadzen Warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrantholder. The New Roadzen Warrants will expire five (5) years after the completion of the business combination, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We will not be obligated to issue any New Roadzen Ordinary Shares pursuant to the exercise of a New Roadzen Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such New Roadzen Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares underlying the New Roadzen Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No New Roadzen Warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their New Roadzen Warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the exercising holder, or an exemption is available.
In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a New Roadzen Warrant, the holder of such New Roadzen Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such New Roadzen Warrant and such New Roadzen Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will we be required to net cash settle any warrant. New Roadzen Private Warrants may not be exercised by, or securities issued to, any registered holder in any state in which such exercise would be unlawful.
We have agreed that as soon as practicable, we will use our best efforts to file a registration statement covering the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Private Warrants. We will use our best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the New Roadzen Warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. No New Roadzen Warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants and a current prospectus relating to such New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of the initial business combination, warrantholders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise New Roadzen Warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their New Roadzen Warrants on a cashless basis.
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Redemption of New Roadzen Warrants for cash
Once the New Roadzen Warrants become exercisable, we may call them for redemption for cash:
• | in whole and not in part; |
• | at a price of $0.01 per New Roadzen Warrant; |
• | upon not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of |
• | redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and |
• | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equal or exceed $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, rights issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date we send to the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
We will not redeem the New Roadzen Warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those New Roadzen Ordinary Shares is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the New Roadzen Warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If and when the New Roadzen Warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for sale under all applicable state securities laws. We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the New Roadzen Warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the New Roadzen Warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its New Roadzen Warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination) as well as the $11.50 New Roadzen Warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
Redemption procedures and cashless exercise
If we call the New Roadzen Warrants for redemption, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his, her or its New Roadzen Warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their New Roadzen Warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our shareholders of issuing the maximum number of ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of our New Roadzen Warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of New Roadzen Warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their New Roadzen Warrants for that number of ordinary shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of ordinary shares underlying the New Roadzen Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” of our ordinary shares (defined below) over the exercise price of the New Roadzen Warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” will mean the average reported closing price of the ordinary shares as reported during the ten (10) trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of New Roadzen Warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of ordinary shares to be received upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner
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will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a New Roadzen Warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants after our initial business combination.
A holder of a New Roadzen Warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such New Roadzen Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
If the number of issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares is increased by a capitalization payable in New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, or by a sub-division of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such capitalization, sub-division or similar event, the number of New
Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable on exercise of each New Roadzen Warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. A rights offering to holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares entitling holders to purchase New Roadzen Ordinary Shares at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined below) will be deemed a capitalization of a number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equal to the product of (i) the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per New Roadzen Ordinary Share paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the historical fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, in determining the price payable for New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “historical fair market value” means the volume weighted average price of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the New Roadzen Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares on account of such New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (or other ordinary shares into which the New Roadzen Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) certain ordinary cash dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution, does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable on exercise of each New Roadzen Warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with a proposed initial business combination, or (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares in connection with a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, then the New Roadzen Warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each New Roadzen Ordinary Share in respect of such event.
If the number of issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share split or reclassification of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share split, reclassification or similar event, the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares issuable on exercise of each New Roadzen Warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares.
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Whenever the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants is adjusted, as described above, the New Roadzen Warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares so purchasable immediately thereafter.
In addition, if, prior to the closing of the business combination, (x) Vahanna issue’s additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by Vahanna’s board and, in the case of any such issuance to our Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of Vahanna’s Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the New Roadzen Warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares (other than those described above), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our issued and outstanding New Roadzen Ordinary Shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the New Roadzen Warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the New Roadzen Warrants and in lieu of our New Roadzen Ordinary Shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the New Roadzen Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their New Roadzen Warrants immediately prior to such event.
The New Roadzen Warrants are governed by a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. Holders should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the New Roadzen Warrants. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the New Roadzen Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding New Roadzen Public Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of New Roadzen Public Warrants.
The New Roadzen Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. After the issuance of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
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New Roadzen Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants. If, upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares to be issued to the warrant holder.
Mizuho Warrants
On , 2023, Roadzen entered into a Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with Mizuho Securities USA LLC (“Mizuho”), as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain purchasers that may become party thereto from time to time, as purchasers of the senior secured notes (the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $7,500,000 of senior secured notes (the “Mizuho Notes”) issued by Roadzen. The Mizuho Notes are a secured obligation of Roadzen, Vahanna (upon close of the Business Combination), and each subsidiary of Roadzen serving as a guarantor under, and as identified in, the Note Purchase Agreement (individually a “Note Party” and, together, the “Note Parties”).
Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, if the Mizuho Notes have not been repaid in full by the date that is six (6) months after the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement, Roadzen has agreed to issue to the noteholders warrants to purchase collectively the number of shares of common stock of Roadzen or New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, depending on whether the Business Combination has been consummated at the time the warrants are issued, equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the interests of the issuer on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued (the “Mizuho Warrants”). The shares underlying the Mizuho Warrants shall be referred to herein as the “Mizuho Warrant Shares.”
Roadzen anticipates that the Business Combination will close within six (6) months of the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement and that, upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the Mizuho Notes will be repaid in full from proceeds from the consummation of the Business Combination and no Mizuho Warrants will be issued.
Exercise Price
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will have an exercise price of $0.001 per Mizuho Warrant Share.
Cashless Exercise
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent vested, may be exercised on a cashless basis. In the event of an acquisition of the issuer or similar transaction, the Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent unexercised, will be deemed to have been automatically exercised on a cashless basis immediately prior to such acquisition or similar transaction.
Maturity
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will expire five (5) years after issuance or earlier upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the issuer.
Anti-Dilution
The number of Mizuho Warrant Shares underlying, and the applicable exercise price of, the Mizuho Warrants are subject to customary adjustment for dividends, splits, reclassifications and other modifications.
Warrant Holder Rights
The holders of the Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will be entitled to receive registration rights and other customary protections with respect to their vested Mizuho Warrant Shares.
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Vesting
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will vest as follows until the full repayment of the Mizuho Notes: 40% upon issuance of the Mizuho Warrants, approximately six and two-thirds percent (6.67%) on each of the five (5) consecutive months thereafter, and 26.67% on the date that is six (6) months after the issuance date of the Mizuho Warrants.
Capital Stock under the Proposed Delaware Charter
In the event of a Domestication, your rights as New Roadzen shareholders will be governed by Delaware law and the Proposed Delaware Charter. The following summary of the material terms of our securities is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities. We urge you to read the applicable provisions of Delaware law and the Proposed Delaware Charter carefully and in their entirety because they describe your rights as a securityholder of New Roadzen.
Authorized shares
If the Domestication occurs, following the consummation of the business combination, the Proposed Delaware Charter will authorize the issuance of 280,000,000 shares, of which 220,000,000 shares will be shares of New Roadzen common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 60,000,000 shares will be shares of New Roadzen preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
Common Stock
As of [ ], 2023, the record date, Vahanna had approximately 20,010,000 Class A ordinary shares, and 5,002,500 Class B ordinary shares outstanding. Vahanna has also issued warrants consisting of 10,050,000 public warrants and 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants. If the Domestication occurs, Vahanna will first adopt the Interim Charter prior to closing of the merger. In connection with the business combination, and in accordance with the terms of the Interim Charter, all outstanding shares of Class A common stock of Vahanna and all outstanding shares of Class B common stock of Vahanna will automatically be converted into New Roadzen common stock, and all outstanding public warrants and Private Placement Warrants will automatically be converted into New Roadzen Warrants.
Following the closing of the merger, approximately 83,409,001 shares of New Roadzen common stock will be issued and outstanding (under the No Redemption Scenario). All of the outstanding shares of New Roadzen common stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Preferred Stock
Following consummation of the merger, New Roadzen is not expected to have any shares of New Roadzen preferred stock outstanding. The issuance of New Roadzen preferred stock in the future could have the effect of decreasing the trading price of New Roadzen’s common stock, restricting dividends on New Roadzen’s issued shares, diluting the voting power of New Roadzen’s common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of New Roadzen’s shares, or delaying or preventing a change in control of New Roadzen.
Rights attaching to New Roadzen Shares
Rights attaching to New Roadzen Common Stock
Holders of New Roadzen common stock will be entitled to cast one vote per share of New Roadzen common stock on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Unless specified in the Proposed Delaware Charter, or as required by applicable provisions of the DGCL or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of the New Roadzen common stock that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by stockholders. Holders of New Roadzen common stock will not be entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.
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Rights attaching to New Roadzen Preferred Stock
The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that the New Roadzen Board has the authority, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series, and the number of shares constituting any such class or series, and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of each class or series of preferred stock, including, without limitation, dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, exchange rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, dissolution preferences, and treatment in the case of a merger, business combination transaction, or sale of New Roadzen’s assets, which rights may be greater than the rights of the holders of the New Roadzen common stock.
The purpose of authorizing the New Roadzen Board to issue preferred stock and determine the rights and preferences of any classes or series of preferred stock is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The simplified issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of New Roadzen outstanding voting stock. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the holders of New Roadzen common stock by restricting dividends on the New Roadzen common stock, diluting the voting power of the New Roadzen common stock or subordinating the dividend or liquidation rights of the New Roadzen common stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of preferred stock could have an adverse impact on the market price of New Roadzen common stock.
Election of the New Roadzen Board of Directors
Under the Proposed Delaware Charter, there shall be a board of directors consisting of not less than one person, provided, however, that New Roadzen may by resolution of directors increase or reduce the limits on the number of directors. Pursuant to the Proposed Delaware Charter, the directors of the New Roadzen board will be elected by New Roadzen shareholders at New Roadzen’s annual meeting of shareholders (except for situations in which the New Roadzen board fills a vacancy, as discussed below). There is no prohibition under the Proposed Delaware Charter which requires the positions of chairman of the New Roadzen board and chief executive officer to be held by different persons. The election of directors will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon and cumulative voting is not permitted.
In addition, the Proposed Delaware Charter allows the New Roadzen board to appoint by resolution of the New Roadzen board any person to be a director either to fill (i) a vacancy resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes or (ii) any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the number of directors. Where the New Roadzen board appoints a person as a director to fill such vacancy or newly created directorship, the term will not exceed the term that remained when the director whose departure from the New Roadzen board created such vacancy ceased to hold office or, in the case of newly created directorship, until the next annual general meeting.
Dividend, Distribution and liquidation rights
On the liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of New Roadzen, each holder of New Roadzen common stock will be entitled, pro rata on a per share basis, to all assets of New Roadzen of whatever kind that are available for distribution to the holders of New Roadzen common stock, subject to the designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of any other class or series of preferred stock of New Roadzen then outstanding.
Holders of New Roadzen common stock will share ratably (based on the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock held) if and when any dividend is declared by the New Roadzen Board out of funds legally available therefor, subject to restrictions, whether statutory or contractual (including with respect to any
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outstanding indebtedness), on the declaration and payment of dividends and to any restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the terms of any outstanding preferred stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over, or the right to participate with, the New Roadzen common stock with respect to the payment of dividends.
Exclusive Forum
The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless New Roadzen otherwise consents in writing, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on New Roadzen’s behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of, or claim based on, breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any of its current or former directors, officers, employees, agents or stockholders, to New Roadzen or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against New Roadzen or any of its current or former directors, officers, employees, agents or stockholders arising under the DGCL, the Proposed Delaware Charter or the Proposed Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time) or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of New Roadzen’s Proposed Delaware Charter and Proposed Bylaws, or (v) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim related to or involving New Roadzen that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any action, suit or proceeding asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or to any claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
New Roadzen Warrants
On November 26, 2021, Vahanna consummated its IPO of 20,010,000 units, including the issuance of 2,610,000 units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option. Each unit consists of one (1) Class A ordinary share and one-half (1/2) of one (1) redeemable warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. Simultaneously with the closing of IPO, pursuant to the Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement, the Company completed the private sale of 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant.
As of [●], 2023, the record date, Vahanna had approximately 10,050,000 public warrants and 8,638,500 Private Placement Warrants outstanding. If the Domestication occurs pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, (i) following the Domestication Effective Time, but prior to the Effective Time, each Vahanna Warrant, pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent public warrant or Private Placement Warrant (as applicable), to acquire one share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna and (ii) following the Effective Time, each Vahanna Warrant shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent New Roadzen Public Warrant or New Roadzen Private Warrant (as applicable), to acquire one share of New Roadzen common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
Immediately after the Effective Time, New Roadzen anticipates that there will be approximately 18,688,500 New Roadzen Warrants outstanding.
Each New Roadzen Warrant will represent the right to purchase one share of New Roadzen common stock at a price of $11.50 per share in cash. The New Roadzen Warrants will become exercisable thirty (30) days after the date on which the merger occurs and will expire upon the earlier of (a) the date that is five (5) years after the on which the merger occurs and (b) a liquidation of New Roadzen.
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Each New Roadzen Warrant will entitle the registered holder to purchase one share of New Roadzen common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing thirty (30) days after the completion of the business combination, provided in each case that New Roadzen has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), covering the shares of New Roadzen common stock issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available and such shares are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities, or blue sky, laws of the state of residence of the holder (or we permit holders to exercise their New Roadzen Warrants on a cashless basis under the circumstances specified in the warrant agreement). Pursuant to the warrant agreement, a warrantholder may exercise its New Roadzen Warrants only for a whole number of shares of New Roadzen common stock. This means that only a whole New Roadzen Warrant may be exercised at any given time by a warrantholder.
We will not be obligated to issue any shares of New Roadzen common stock pursuant to the exercise of a New Roadzen Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such New Roadzen Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of New Roadzen common stock underlying the New Roadzen Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No New Roadzen Warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and we will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their New Roadzen Warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the exercising holder, or an exemption is available. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a New Roadzen Warrant, the holder of such New Roadzen Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such New Roadzen Warrant and such New Roadzen Warrant may have no value and expire worthless.
In no event will we be required to net cash settle any New Roadzen Warrant. In the event that a registration statement is not effective for the exercised New Roadzen Warrants, the purchaser of a public unit containing such New Roadzen Warrant will have paid the full purchase price for the unit solely for the shares of New Roadzen common stock underlying such unit. New Roadzen Private Warrant may not be exercised by, or securities issued to, any registered holder in any state in which such exercise would be unlawful.
We have agreed that as soon as practicable, we will use our best efforts to file a registration statement covering the shares of New Roadzen common stock issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Private Warrants. We will use our best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the New Roadzen Warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. No New Roadzen Warrants will be exercisable for cash unless we have an effective and current registration statement covering shares of New Roadzen common stock issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of New Roadzen common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering shares of New Roadzen common stock issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of the initial business combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise New Roadzen Warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their New Roadzen Warrants on a cashless basis.
Redemption of New Roadzen Warrants for cash
Once the New Roadzen Warrants become exercisable, we may call them for redemption for cash:
• | in whole and not in part; |
• | at a price of $0.01 per New Roadzen Warrant; |
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• | upon not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and |
• | if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the New Roadzen common stock equal or exceed $18.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, rights issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of New Roadzen common stock and equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date we send to the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
We will not redeem the New Roadzen Warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of shares of New Roadzen common stock issuable upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to the shares of New Roadzen common stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the New Roadzen Warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.
If and when the New Roadzen Warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying shares of New Roadzen common stock for sale under all applicable state securities laws. We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the New Roadzen Warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the New Roadzen Warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its New Roadzen Warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the New Roadzen common stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like and for certain issuances of New Roadzen common stock and equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of our initial business combination) as well as the $11.50 New Roadzen Warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.
Redemption procedures and cashless exercise
If we call the New Roadzen Warrants for redemption, our management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise his, her or its New Roadzen Warrant to do so on a “cashless basis.” In determining whether to require all holders to exercise their New Roadzen Warrants on a “cashless basis,” our management will consider, among other factors, our cash position, the number of New Roadzen Warrants that are outstanding and the dilutive effect on our shareholders of issuing the maximum number of shares of New Roadzen common stock issuable upon the exercise of our New Roadzen Warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, all holders of New Roadzen Warrants would pay the exercise price by surrendering their New Roadzen Warrants for that number of shares of New Roadzen common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock underlying the New Roadzen Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” of our shares of New Roadzen common stock (defined below) over the exercise price of the New Roadzen Warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” will mean the average reported closing price of the shares of New Roadzen common stock as reported during the ten (10) trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of New Roadzen Warrants. If our management takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock to be received upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case. Requiring a cashless exercise in this manner will reduce the number of shares to be issued and thereby lessen the dilutive effect of a New Roadzen Warrant redemption. We believe this feature is an attractive option to us if we do not need the cash from the exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants after our initial business combination.
A holder of a New Roadzen Warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such New Roadzen Warrant, to the extent that
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after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% of the New Roadzen common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.
If the number of issued and outstanding New Roadzen common stock is increased by a capitalization payable in New Roadzen common stock, or by a stock split of New Roadzen common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such capitalization, stock split or similar event, the number of New Roadzen common stock issuable on exercise of each New Roadzen Warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the issued and outstanding New Roadzen common stock. A rights offering to holders of New Roadzen common stock entitling holders to purchase shares of New Roadzen common stock at a price less than the “historical fair market value” (as defined below) will be deemed a capitalization of a number of shares of New Roadzen common stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for New Roadzen common stock) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of New Roadzen common stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the historical fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for New Roadzen common stock, in determining the price payable for New Roadzen common stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “historical fair market value” means the volume weighted average price of New Roadzen common stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the New Roadzen common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.
In addition, if we, at any time while the New Roadzen Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of New Roadzen common stock on account of such New Roadzen common stock (or other shares into which the New Roadzen Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above, (b) certain ordinary cash dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the New Roadzen common stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution, does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock issuable on exercise of each New Roadzen Warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share, (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of New Roadzen common stock in connection with a proposed initial business combination, or (d) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of New Roadzen common stock in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Proposed Delaware Charter with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our shares of New Roadzen common stock, then the New Roadzen Warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of New Roadzen common stock in respect of such event.
If the number of issued and outstanding shares of New Roadzen common stock is decreased by a reverse stock split, reorganization, or recapitalization of New Roadzen common stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such reverse stock split, reorganization, or recapitalization or similar event, the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock issuable on exercise of each New Roadzen Warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in issued and outstanding shares of New Roadzen common stock.
Whenever the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants is adjusted, as described above, the New Roadzen Warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the New Roadzen Warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock so purchasable immediately thereafter.
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In addition, if, prior to the closing of the business combination, (x) Vahanna issue’s additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by Vahanna’s board and, in the case of any such issuance to our Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any founder shares held by our Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance) (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of Vahanna’s Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day after the day on which we consummate our initial business combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the New Roadzen Warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price described above will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.
In case of any recapitalization or reorganization of the issued and outstanding shares of New Roadzen common stock (other than those described above), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our issued and outstanding shares of New Roadzen common stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the New Roadzen Warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the New Roadzen Warrants and in lieu of our shares of New Roadzen common stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the New Roadzen Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their New Roadzen Warrants immediately prior to such event.
The New Roadzen Warrants are governed by a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. Holders should review a copy of the warrant agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the New Roadzen Warrants. The warrant agreement provides that the terms of the New Roadzen Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding New Roadzen Public Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of New Roadzen Public Warrants.
The New Roadzen Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of New Roadzen Warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of shares of New Roadzen common stock and any voting rights until they exercise their New Roadzen Warrants and receive shares of New Roadzen common stock. After the issuance of shares of New Roadzen common stock upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.
New Roadzen Warrants may be exercised only for a whole number of shares of New Roadzen common stock. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants. If, upon exercise of the New Roadzen Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of New Roadzen common stock to be issued to the warrant holder.
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Mizuho Warrants
On , 2023, Roadzen entered into a Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with Mizuho Securities USA LLC (“Mizuho”), as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain purchasers that may become party thereto from time to time, as purchasers of the senior secured notes (the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $7,500,000 of senior secured notes (the “Mizuho Notes”) issued by Roadzen. The Mizuho Notes are a secured obligation of Roadzen, Vahanna (upon close of the Business Combination), and each subsidiary of Roadzen serving as a guarantor under, and as identified in, the Note Purchase Agreement (individually a “Note Party” and, together, the “Note Parties”).
Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, if the Mizuho Notes have not been repaid in full by the date that is six (6) months after the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement, Roadzen has agreed to issue to the noteholders warrants to purchase collectively the number of shares of common stock of Roadzen or New Roadzen Ordinary Shares, depending on whether the Business Combination has been consummated at the time the warrants are issued, equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the interest of the issuer on a fully diluted basis as of the date the warrants are issued (the “Mizuho Warrants”). The shares underlying the Mizuho Warrants shall be referred to herein as the “Mizuho Warrant Shares.”
Roadzen anticipates that the Business Combination will close within six (6) months under the closing date under the Note Purchase Agreement and that, upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the Mizuho Notes will be repaid in full from proceeds from the consummation of the Business Combination and no Mizuho Warrants will be issued.
Exercise Price
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will have an exercise price of $0.001 per Mizuho Warrant Share.
Cashless Exercise
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent vested, may be exercised on a cashless basis. In the event of an acquisition of the issuer or similar transaction, the Mizuho Warrants, if issued and to the extent unexercised, will be deemed to have been automatically exercised on a cashless basis immediately prior to such acquisition or similar transaction.
Maturity
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will expire five (5) years after issuance or earlier upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the issuer.
Anti-Dilution
The number of Mizuho Warrant Shares underlying, and the applicable exercise price of, the Mizuho Warrants are subject to customary adjustment for dividends, splits, reclassifications and other modifications.
Warrant Holder Rights
The holders of the Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will be entitled to receive registration rights and other customary protections with respect to their vested Mizuho Warrant Shares.
Vesting
The Mizuho Warrants, if issued, will vest as follows until the full repayment of the Mizuho Notes: 40% upon issuance of the Mizuho Warrants, approximately six and two-thirds percent (6.67%) on each of the five (5) consecutive months thereafter, and 26.67% on the date that is six (6) months after the issuance date of the Mizuho Warrants.
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Lock-Up
Certain holders of New Roadzen common stock issued as consideration pursuant to the merger have entered into lock-up agreements and may not, with limited exceptions, transfer New Roadzen common stock until the earlier of (x) the (1) year anniversary of consummation of the merger, (y) the date that the closing price of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 (as adjusted for share recapitalizations, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like), for twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period following the 150th day following the merger and (z) the consummation of a liquidation, merger, capital share exchange, reorganization, tender or exchange offer as the first step of a two-step transaction or other similar transaction that results in all of New Roadzen’s shareholders having the right to exchange their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property; provided that certain equityholders of Roadzen that held less than 5% of the Existing Roadzen Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis) immediately prior to the Closing will be permitted to transfer and/or sell up to 25% of their New Roadzen Ordinary Shares after the date that is six (6) months following the consummation of the merger.
Other Matters
Holders of shares of New Roadzen common stock do not have subscription, redemption or conversion rights. Upon completion of the business combination, all the outstanding shares of New Roadzen common stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Proposed Delaware Charter, the Proposed Bylaws and Applicable Law
Certain provisions of the Proposed Delaware Charter, the Proposed Bylaws, and laws of the State of Delaware, where New Roadzen would be incorporated if the Domestication occurred, may discourage or make more difficult a takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in his or her best interest. These provisions may also adversely affect prevailing market prices for the shares of New Roadzen common stock. New Roadzen believes that the benefits of increased protection give New Roadzen the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure New Roadzen and outweigh the disadvantage of discouraging those proposals because negotiation of the proposals could result in an improvement of their terms. For additional information, see the section titled “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to the Potential Domestication — Some provisions of the Proposed Delaware Charter and Delaware law may have anti- takeover effects that could discourage an acquisition of New Roadzen by others, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to New Roadzen’s stockholders, and may prevent attempts by New Roadzen’s stockholders to replace or remove New Roadzen’s current management.”
Authorized but Unissued Shares
The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that certain shares of authorized but unissued New Roadzen common stock and New Roadzen preferred stock will be available for future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital, or to facilitate acquisitions. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of New Roadzen by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger, or otherwise.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Meetings, Nominations and Proposals
The Proposed Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the New Roadzen Board or a committee of the New Roadzen Board. In order to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide New Roadzen with certain
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information. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at New Roadzen’s principal executive offices not less than ninety (90) days nor more than twenty (20) days prior to the first anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders.
The Proposed Bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. Specifically, a stockholder’s notice must include: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting (including the text of any proposal or resolution), (ii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, in such business (including any anticipated benefit), (iii) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, if any, (iv) the class or series and number of shares of that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the date of such notice, including all shares as to which such stockholder or beneficial owner has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future, (v) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (vi) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (vii) a representation that such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting, and (viii) a representation as to whether such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of the corporation’s voting shares to bring such business. These notice requirements will be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified New Roadzen of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Exchange Act, and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by us to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The Proposed Bylaws also allow the chairman of the meeting at a meeting of the stockholders to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed.
These provisions may also defer, delay, or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of New Roadzen.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that, subject to the terms of any series of preferred stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of New Roadzen may be effected by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Special Meeting of Stockholders
The Proposed Delaware Charter and Proposed Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by the New Roadzen Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the New Roadzen Board, or upon the written request of holders of not less than 30% of the voting power of the outstanding stock entitled to vote at the meeting.
Amendment of the Proposed Delaware Charter and Proposed Bylaws
The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage.
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The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that it may be amended by New Roadzen in the manner provided therein or prescribed by statute. The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of New Roadzen entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, will be required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provision of the Proposed Delaware Charter providing for the capital stock of New Roadzen, amendment of the charter, amendment of the bylaws, board of directors, election of directors, limitation of director liability, indemnification and special meetings of the stockholders.
The Proposed Bylaws also provide that the New Roadzen Board will have the power to adopt, amend, alter, or repeal the Proposed Bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or the Proposed Delaware Charter. The stockholders of New Roadzen are prohibited from adopting, amending, altering, or repealing the Proposed Bylaws, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with the Proposed Bylaws, unless such action is approved, in addition to any other vote required by the Proposed Delaware Charter, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of New Roadzen entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Business Combinations
Under Section 203 of the DGCL, a corporation will not be permitted to engage in a business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that such interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
(1) | prior to such time the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
(2) | upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
(3) | at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns, or within the previous three years owned, 15% or more of New Roadzen’s outstanding voting stock. For purposes of this section only, “voting stock” has the meaning given to it in Section 203 of the DGCL.
Cumulative Voting
Under Delaware law, the right to vote cumulatively does not exist unless the charter specifically authorizes cumulative voting. The Proposed Delaware Charter does not authorize cumulative voting.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors of corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain
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exceptions. The Proposed Delaware Charter includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director where, in civil proceedings, the person acted in good faith and in a manner that person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of New Roadzen or, in criminal proceedings, where the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
The Proposed Bylaws provide that New Roadzen must indemnify and advance expenses to New Roadzen’s directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. New Roadzen also is expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for New Roadzen directors, officers, and certain employees for some liabilities. New Roadzen believes that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability, advancement and indemnification provisions in the Proposed Delaware Charter and Proposed Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit New Roadzen and its stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent New Roadzen pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officer pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of New Roadzen’s directors, officers, or employees for which indemnification is sought.
Stockholders’ Derivative Actions
Under the DGCL, any of New Roadzen’s stockholders may bring an action in New Roadzen’s name to procure a judgment in New Roadzen’s favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of New Roadzen’s shares at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The Transfer Agent for New Roadzen capital stock will be Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Listing of Common Stock
Vahanna will file a listing application for New Roadzen common stock and New Roadzen Public Warrants with Nasdaq, and it believes that New Roadzen will satisfy all criteria for initial listing prior to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. If the application is approved, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, it is expected that the New Roadzen common stock and public warrants will trade on Nasdaq under the symbols “RDZN” and “RDZNW”, respectively. New Roadzen will not have units traded following closing of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Vahanna
Founder Shares
On May 6, 2021, the Sponsor received 5,750,000 of Vahanna’s Class B Ordinary Shares in exchange for the payment of $25,000 of deferred offering costs. On October 28, 2021, the Sponsor surrendered and forfeited 1,437,500 Class B Ordinary Shares for no consideration, following which the Sponsor held 4,312,500 Class B Ordinary Shares. On November 22, 2021, Vahanna issued 690,000 Class B Ordinary Shares to the Sponsor with such issue being made by way of a bonus share issue for no consideration, following which the Sponsor holds an aggregate of 5,002,500 Class B Ordinary Shares.
The Sponsor surrendered and forfeited 150,000 Class B Ordinary Shares at no cost, and Mizuho purchased 150,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, for an aggregate purchase price of $500,000, in connection with the closing of Vahanna’s initial public offering (“IPO”).
On June 30, 2021, the Sponsor granted units to three of Vahanna’s directors equivalent to 75,000 Class B Ordinary Shares which will be convertible into New Roadzen Ordinary Shares following the consummation of the merger.
Services Agreement
The Sponsor entered into a services agreement with Indus Global Techventures LLP (“Indus LLP”), which is controlled by Vahanna’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The terms of the agreement require the Sponsor to pay a fixed monthly retainer fee in the amount of $10,000 to formulate an investment and marketing strategy and explore potential targets for a business combination on behalf of Vahanna. In addition, the Sponsor provided for a success fee that would entitle Indus LLP to distributions attributable to 11.24% of the total fully diluted units of the Sponsor upon a successful business combination.
General and Administrative Services
Commencing on the date Vahanna’s public units are first listed on the Nasdaq, Vahanna has agreed to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support for up to 18 months (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if Vahanna extends the period of time to consummate a business combination). Upon completion of the initial business combination or Vahanna’s liquidation, Vahanna will cease paying these monthly fees. On March 11, 2022, the monthly fee was increased to $20,000 in consideration of certain analytical services performed by the Sponsor. This change was applied retroactively for the months of November and December 2021. As such, $40,000 was incurred for the period ended December 31, 2021 related to these services. The analytical services performed by the Sponsor are provided through an entity controlled by Vahanna’s Chairman and Vahanna’s Chief Executive Officer.
Promissory Note
On May 6, 2021, the Sponsor issued an unsecured promissory note to Vahanna (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which Vahanna may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the consummation of the IPO. As of December 31, 2021, there was $0 outstanding under the Promissory Note.
Convertible Note and Extension Note
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a business combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of Vahanna’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan Vahanna funds
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as may be required, with such loans evidenced by promissory notes. On June 30, 2022, the Sponsor and Vahanna entered into the Convertible Note for up to $1,500,000, which may be converted upon completion of a business combination into Conversion Warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. In the event that a business combination does not close, Vahanna may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Convertible Note but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Convertible Note. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $975,000 and $300,000, respectively, of borrowings under the Convertible Note. See Note 5 — Related Parties to the notes to Vahanna’s financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus for more information.
On each of May 24, 2023 and June 22, 2023, pursuant to the Existing Charter, the Sponsor caused to be deposited an aggregate amount of $660,330 into the Trust Account to extend the deadline by which Vahanna must consummate an initial business combination from May 26, 2023 to June 26, 2023 and June 26, 2023 to July 26, 2023, respectively. In connection therewith, Vahanna issued to the Sponsor the Extension Note on May 24, 2023, from which $1,320,660 was drawn down as of June 22, 2023. The Extension Note was issued with an original issue discount of ten percent (10.0%) and a principal amount of $1,452,726, and bears interest at a rate of twenty percent (20.0%) per annum. The Extension Note is due and payable (subject to the waiver against trust provisions) on the earlier of (i) the date on which an initial business combination is consummated and (ii) the date of the liquidation of the Vahanna. In the event that a business combination does not close, Vahanna may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Extension Note but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Extension Note.
Director and Officer Indemnification
The Proposed Charter that will be in effect upon completion of the merger will provide for indemnification and advancement of expenses for its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under BVI law, subject to certain limited exceptions. In connection with closing of the merger, New Roadzen intends to enter into indemnification agreements with each post-closing director and executive officer of New Roadzen.
Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions
Effective upon the closing of the merger, New Roadzen’s board of directors will adopt a written related person transaction policy that will set forth the following policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. A “related person transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship in which New Roadzen or any of its subsidiaries was, is or will be a participant, the amount of which involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A “related person” means:
• | any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was, one of New Roadzen’s executive officers or directors; |
• | any person who is known by New Roadzen to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares; |
• | any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother in- law or sister-in-law of a director, executive officer or a beneficial owner of more than 5% of New Roadzen’s Ordinary Shares, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of New Roadzen’s Ordinary Shares; and |
• | any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a partner or principal, or in a similar position, or in which such person has a 10% or greater beneficial ownership interest. |
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New Roadzen will have policies and procedures designed to minimize potential conflicts of interest arising from any dealings it may have with its affiliates and to provide appropriate procedures for the disclosure of any real or potential conflicts of interest that may exist from time to time. Specifically, pursuant to its audit committee charter, the audit committee will have the responsibility to review related party transactions.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the period from April 22, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021 appearing in this proxy statement/prospectus have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein and have been included herein (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements). Such financial statements are included in reliance upon such report and given on authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Roadzen, Inc. and Subsidiaries at March 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2023, included in the proxy statement/prospectus, have been audited by ASA & Associates LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of National Automobile Club as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2022 have been audited by SingerLewak LLP, an independent auditor, as stated in their report thereon and included in this proxy statement/prospectus and Registration Statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Global Insurance Management as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, included in the proxy statement/ prospectus, have been audited by KNAV P.A., independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
LEGAL MATTERS
The legality of the New Roadzen Ordinary Shares offered by this proxy statement/prospectus will be passed upon for Vahanna by Maples & Calder.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the Vahanna board of directors does not know of any matters that will be presented for consideration at the Vahanna Special Meeting other than as described in this proxy statement/prospectus. If any other matters properly come before the Vahanna Special Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and are voted upon, the enclosed proxy will be deemed to confer discretionary authority on the individuals that it names as proxies to vote the shares represented by the proxy as to any of these matters.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Holders of Vahanna ordinary shares are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the merger under British Virgin Islands law.
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DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, Vahanna and services that it employs to deliver communications to its shareholders are permitted to deliver to two or more shareholders sharing the same address a single copy of each of Vahanna’s annual report to shareholders and Vahanna’s proxy statement. Upon written or oral request, Vahanna will deliver a separate copy of the annual report to shareholder and/or proxy statement to any shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of each document was delivered and who wishes to receive separate copies of such documents. Shareholders receiving multiple copies of such documents may request that Vahanna deliver single copies of such documents in the future. Shareholders may notify Vahanna of their requests by calling Vahanna at (347) 745-6448 or writing Vahanna at its principal executive offices at Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10020. Following the business combination, such requests should be made by calling or writing New Roadzen at [●].
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Vahanna files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC as required by the Exchange Act. You may access information on Vahanna at the SEC web site containing reports, proxy statements and other information at: http://www.sec.gov.
Information and statements contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or any annex to this proxy statement/prospectus are qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of the relevant contract or other annex filed as an exhibit to this proxy statement/prospectus.
All information contained in this document relating to Vahanna has been supplied by Vahanna, and all such information relating to Roadzen has been supplied by Roadzen. Information provided by one entity does not constitute any representation, estimate or projection of the other entity.
If you would like additional copies of this document or if you have questions about the business combination, you should contact via phone or in writing:
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Tel. (347) 745-6448
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER U.S. SECURITIES LAWS
There is no statutory enforcement in the British Virgin Islands of judgments obtained in the U.S., however, the courts of the British Virgin Islands will in certain circumstances recognize such a foreign judgment and treat it as a cause of action in itself which may be sued upon as a debt at common law so that no retrial of the issues would be necessary, provided that:
• | the U.S. court issuing the judgment had jurisdiction in the matter and the company either submitted to such jurisdiction or was resident or carrying on business within such jurisdiction and was duly served with process; |
• | the judgment is final and for a liquidated sum; |
• | the judgment given by the U.S. court was not in respect of penalties, taxes, fines or similar fiscal or revenue obligations of the company; |
• | in obtaining judgment there was no fraud on the part of the person in whose favor judgment was given or on the part of the court; |
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• | recognition or enforcement of the judgment in the British Virgin Islands would not be contrary to public policy; and |
• | the proceedings pursuant to which judgment was obtained were not contrary to natural justice. |
The British Virgin Islands courts are unlikely:
• | to recognize or enforce against the Company, judgments of courts of the U.S. predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S.; and |
• | to impose liabilities against the Company, predicated upon the certain civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S. so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. |
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Page No. |
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VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP. |
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Financial Statements of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. as of March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 |
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F-3 |
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F-4 |
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F-5 |
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F-6 |
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F-7 |
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Audited Financial Statements of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, for the year ended December 31, 2022 and for the period from April 22, 2021 (inception) to December 31, 2021 |
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F-27 |
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F-28 |
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F-29 |
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F-30 |
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F-31 |
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F-32 |
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ROADZEN, INC. |
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Audited Financial Statements of Roadzen, Inc. as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 |
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F-52 |
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F-53 |
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F-54 |
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F-55 |
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F-56 |
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F-57 |
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GLOBAL INSURANCE MANAGEMENT LIMITED |
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Unaudited Financial Statements of Global Insurance Management Limited as of March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 |
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F-89 |
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F-90 |
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F-91 |
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F-92 |
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F-93 |
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Audited Financial Statements of Global Insurance Management Limited as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 |
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F-110 |
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F-112 |
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F-113 |
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F-114 |
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F-115 |
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F-116 |
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NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB |
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Unaudited Financial Statements of National Automobile Club as of March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 |
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F-132 |
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F-134 |
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F-135 |
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F-136 |
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F-137 |
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Audited Financial Statements of National Automobile Club as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 |
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F-147 |
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F-149 |
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F-151 |
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F-152 |
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F-153 |
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F-154 |
March 31, 2023 |
December 31, |
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(unaudited) |
2022 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash |
$ |
$ |
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Prepaid expenses |
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Total current assets |
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Investments held in Trust Account |
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Total Assets |
$ |
$ |
||||||
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Convertible Note – related party |
$ |
$ |
||||||
Accrued expenses |
||||||||
Total Current Liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred underwriting fee |
||||||||
Total Liabilities |
||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) |
||||||||
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption; shares at redemption value |
||||||||
Shareholders’ Deficit: |
||||||||
Preference shares, $ par value; shares authorized; ne issued and outstanding |
||||||||
Class A ordinary shares, $ par value; shares authorized; ne issued and outstanding (excluding shares subject to redemption) |
||||||||
Class B ordinary shares, $ par value; shares authorized; shares issued and Outstanding |
||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
( |
) |
( |
) | ||||
Total Shareholders’ Deficit |
( |
) |
( |
|||||
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Shares and Shareholders’ Deficit |
$ |
$ |
||||||
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
General and administrative expenses |
$ |
$ |
||||||
Administration fee – related part y |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total expenses |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other Income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized and realized gains on investments held in Trust Account |
||||||||
Other investment income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
$ |
( |
) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A ordinary shares – weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
$ |
|||||||
Class A ordinary shares – Basic and diluted net loss per share |
$ |
( |
) | |||||
Class B ordinary shares – weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
||||||||
Class B ordinary shares – Basic and diluted net loss per share |
$ |
$ |
( |
) |
Class B Ordinary Shares |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total Shareholders’ Deficit |
|||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2023 |
$ |
$ |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net income |
— |
— |
— |
|||||||||||||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
— |
— |
— |
( |
) |
( |
) | |||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2023 |
$ |
$ |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class B Ordinary Shares |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total Shareholders’ Deficit |
|||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2022 |
$ |
$ |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
— |
— |
— |
( |
) |
( |
) | |||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2022 |
$ |
$ |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ |
$ |
( |
) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||
Unrealized and realized gains on investments held in the Trust |
( |
) |
( |
) | ||||
Change in operating assets and liabilities |
||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
||||||||
Accrued offering costs |
( |
) | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
( |
) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
( |
) |
( |
) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Proceeds from convertible note – related party |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net change in cash |
( |
) | ||||||
Cash at beginning of period |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash at end of period |
$ |
$ |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Non-cash financing activities: |
||||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
$ |
$ |
||||||
|
|
|
|
• |
each share of Class A common stock (as converted from Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the Domestication) will convert automatically, on a share of common stock, par value $ per share, of New Roadzen (“New Roadzen Common Stock”); |
• |
each share of Class B common stock (as converted from Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the Domestication) of the Company will convert automatically, on a share of New Roadzen Common Stock; |
• |
each Private Placement Warrant previously sold by the Company to the sponsor (as defined below) in connection with its Public Offering will convert automatically, on a share of New Roadzen Common Stock; |
• |
each redeemable warrant sold as part of the units offered in the Company’s public warrant will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent warrant of New Roadzen to acquire share of New Roadzen Common Stock; and |
• |
each unit sold in the Company’s Public Offering will automatically be separated into its underlying shares of New Roadzen Common Stock and public warrants, with any fractional public warrant being forfeited for no consideration. |
• |
each existing Roadzen restricted stock unit (“Roadzen RSU”), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be assumed and converted into a restricted stock unit of New Roadzen with respect to a pro rata portion (on a fully-diluted basis) of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares based on the number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to such Roadzen RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time. |
• |
each existing warrant representing a right to acquire Existing Roadzen Common Stock (“Roadzen Warrant”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be assumed and converted into an equivalent warrant to acquire a pro rata portion (on a fully-diluted basis) of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares based on the number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to such Roadzen Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time. |
• |
each equity security of Roadzen (other than Existing Roadzen Common Stock, Existing Roadzen Preferred Stock, Roadzen Warrants and Roadzen RSUs) (“Roadzen Additional Equity Security”), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be assumed and converted into an equivalent security with respect to a pro rata portion (on a fully-diluted basis) of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares based on the number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to such Roadzen Additional Equity Security immediately prior to the Effective Time. |
Gross proceeds |
$ |
|||
Less: |
||||
Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants |
( |
) | ||
Offering costs related to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption |
( |
) | ||
Plus: |
||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
||||
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption – December 31, 2022 |
||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
||||
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption – March 31, 2023 |
$ |
|||
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Class A Ordinary Shares |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Class B Ordinary Shares |
|||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
||||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||
Allocation of net income |
||||||||
Denominator: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
||||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share |
$ |
$ |
||||||
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Class A Ordinary Shares |
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Class B Ordinary Shares |
|||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
||||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||
Allocation of net loss |
( |
) |
( |
) | ||||
Denominator: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
||||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) | ||
• |
Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets; |
• |
Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and |
• |
Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. |
• |
at a price of $ per warrant; |
• |
upon not less than days’ prior written notice of redemption given after the warrants become exercisable (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and |
• |
if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $ per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any trading days within a |
Description |
Level |
March 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
|||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||
Marketable securities held in the Trust Account |
1 |
$ |
$ |
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash |
$ | $ | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
||||||||
Due from Sponsor |
||||||||
Total current assets |
||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
||||||||
Investments held in Trust Account |
||||||||
Total Assets |
$ |
$ |
||||||
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE SHARES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT |
||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accrued offering costs |
$ | $ | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
||||||||
Convertible Note – related party |
||||||||
Total Current Liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred underwriting fee |
||||||||
Total Liabilities |
||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) |
||||||||
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption; shares at redemption value ($ |
||||||||
Shareholders’ Deficit: |
||||||||
Preference shares, $ |
||||||||
Class A ordinary shares, $ (excluding |
||||||||
Class B ordinary shares, $ |
||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
Total Shareholders’ Deficit |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Shares and Shareholders’ Deficit |
$ |
$ |
||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
For the period April 22, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Administrative fee – related party |
$ | $ | ||||||
General and administrative expenses |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total expenses |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other Income |
||||||||
Realized and unrealized gains on investments held in the Trust Account |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total other income |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income (loss) |
$ |
$ |
( |
) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Class A ordinary shares – weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Class A ordinary shares – Basic and diluted net income (loss) per shares |
$ |
$ |
( |
) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Class B ordinary shares – weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Class B ordinary shares – Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share |
$ |
$ |
( |
) | ||||
|
|
|
|
Class B Ordinary Shares |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total Shareholders’ Deficit |
|||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2022 |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net income |
— | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
— | — | — | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 |
$ |
$ |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class B Ordinary Shares |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total Shareholders’ Deficit |
|||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance – April 22, 2021 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class B ordinary shares to Sponsor |
||||||||||||||||||||
Surrender of Class B ordinary shares |
( |
) | ( |
) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of Class B ordinary shares |
( |
) | ( |
) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of Private Placement Warrants |
— | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Fair Value of Public Warrants |
— | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Fair Value of Underwriter Shares in excess of cost |
— | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Underwriter Shares |
— | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance costs |
— | — | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
— | — | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net loss |
— | — | — | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance – December 31, 2021 (as revised, see Note 2) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
For the period April 22, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | $ | ( |
) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and unrealized gains on investments held in the Trust Account |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
( |
) | ||||||
Accrued offering costs |
( |
) | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
( |
) |
( |
) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Funds deposited into the Trust Account |
— | ( |
) | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
— | ( |
) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of units |
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of warrants |
— | |||||||
Offering costs |
— | ( |
) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of Representative Shares |
— | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to Sponsor |
— | |||||||
Proceeds from Sponsor note |
— | |||||||
Repayment of Sponsor note |
— | ( |
) | |||||
Proceeds from related party funding |
||||||||
Repayment of related party funding |
— |
( |
) | |||||
Proceeds from convertible note – related party |
— | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
||||||||
Net change in cash |
( |
) |
||||||
Cash at beginning of period |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash at end of period |
$ |
$ |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash financing activities: |
||||||||
Deferred underwriting commissions |
$ | $ | ||||||
Initial classification of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption |
$ | $ | ||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
$ | $ |
Total Shareholders |
||||||||||||
Deficit (as previously presented) |
Adjustments |
Total Shareholders’ Deficit (as revised) |
||||||||||
Balance – April 22, 2021 |
||||||||||||
Issuance of Class B ordinary shares to Sponsor |
— | |||||||||||
Surrender of Class B ordinary shares |
— | — | — | |||||||||
Issuance of Class B ordinary shares |
— | — | — | |||||||||
Issuance of Private Placement Warrants |
||||||||||||
Fair Value of Public Warrants |
||||||||||||
Fair Value of Underwriter Shares in excess of cost |
— | |||||||||||
Issuance of Underwriter shares |
— | |||||||||||
Issuance costs |
— | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
Net loss |
( |
) | — | ( |
) | |||||||
Balance – December 31, 2021 |
$ | ( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||
Gross proceeds |
$ |
|||
Less: |
||||
Proceeds allocated to Public Warrants |
( |
) | ||
Offering costs related to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption |
( |
) | ||
Plus: |
||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
||||
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption – December 31, 2021 |
||||
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption value |
||||
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption – December 31, 2022 |
$ |
|||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 Class A |
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022 Class B |
For the Period from April 22, 2021 through December 31, 2021 |
For the Period from April 22, 2021 through December 31, 2021 |
|||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share |
||||||||||||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||||||||||
Allocation of net income (loss) |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Denominator: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||||||
• | Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets; |
• | Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and |
• | Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. |
• | at a price of $ |
• | upon not less than “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and |
• |
if, and only if, the reported last sale pri ce of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $ per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any trading days within a ending three business days before we send the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. |
Description |
Level |
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||
Marketable securities held in the Trust Account |
1 |
$ |
$ |
• | each share of Class A Common Stock (as converted from Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Domestication) will convert automatically, on a |
• | each share of Class B Common Stock (as converted from Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Domestication) of the Company will convert automatically, on a |
• | each Private Placement Warrant previously sold by the Company to the sponsor (as defined below) in connection with its Public Offering will convert automatically, on a |
• | each redeemable warrant sold as part of the units offered in the Company’s public warrant will convert automatically, on a |
• | each unit sold in the Company’s Public Offering will automatically be separated into its underlying shares of New Roadzen Common Stock and public warrants, with any fractional public warrant being forfeited for no consideration. |
• | each existing Roadzen restricted stock unit (“Roadzen RSU”), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be assumed and converted into a restricted stock unit of New Roadzen with respect to a pro rata portion (on a fully- diluted basis) of s immediately prior to the Effective Time. |
• | each existing warrant representing a right to acquire Existing Roadzen Common Stock (“Roadzen Warrant”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be assumed and converted into an equivalent warrant to acquire a pro rata portion (on a fully- diluted basis) of |
• |
each equity security of Roadzen (other than Existing Roadzen Common Stock, Existing Roadzen Preferred Stock, Roadzen Warrants and Roadzen RSUs) (“Roadzen Additional Equity Security”), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be assumed and converted into an equivalent security with respect to a pro rata portion (on a fully-diluted basis) of New Roadzen Ordinary Shares based on the number of shares of Existing Roadzen Common Stock subject to such Roadzen Additional Equity Security immediately prior to the E ffective T ime. |
As of March 31, |
||||||||
Particulars |
2023 |
2022 |
||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
589,340 |
913,636 |
||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
1,535,985 |
674,151 |
||||||
Inventories |
59,897 |
55,208 |
||||||
Prepayments and other current assets |
3,181,936 |
3,172,453 |
||||||
Total current assets |
5,3 67,158 |
4,8 15,448 |
||||||
Restricted cash |
542,490 |
172,782 |
||||||
Non marketable securities |
4,910,030 |
4,910,030 |
||||||
Property and equipment, net |
232,493 |
158,992 |
||||||
Goodwill |
996,441 |
1,725,293 |
||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
545,988 |
— |
||||||
Intangible assets, net |
2,469,158 |
3,752,290 |
||||||
Other long term assets |
117,484 |
339,598 |
||||||
Total assets |
15,18 1,242 |
15,874,433 |
||||||
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficit |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Current portion of long-term borrowings |
2,852,528 |
63,983 |
||||||
Short term borrowings |
4,875,801 |
531,040 |
||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
6,241,066 |
2,925,664 |
||||||
Preferred share warrants |
— |
68,675 |
||||||
Short-term operating lease liabilities |
208,697 |
— |
||||||
Other current liabilities |
2,503,893 |
2,126,069 |
||||||
Total current liabilities |
16, 681,985 |
5,715,431 |
||||||
Long term borrowings |
653,269 |
23,127,970 |
||||||
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
360,306 |
— |
||||||
Other long term liabilities |
294,301 |
286,849 |
||||||
Total liabilities |
17,989,861 |
29,130,250 |
||||||
Commitments and contingencies (refer note 19) |
||||||||
Mezzanine equity |
||||||||
Series A and A1 Preferred stock and additional paid in capital, $.0001 par value per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized (Series A 200,000 and Series A1 2,800,000); 1,465,100 shares and 947,163 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively |
48,274,279 |
23,696,228 |
||||||
Stockholders’ deficit |
||||||||
Common stock and additional paid in capital, $.0001 par value per share, 4,000,000 shares authorized; 606,425 shares and 606,425 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively |
303,213 |
303,213 |
||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(51,448,299 |
) |
(37,057,245 |
) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) |
(66,903 |
) |
(124,036 |
) | ||||
Other components of equity |
366,786 |
— |
||||||
Total stockholders’ deficit |
( 50,845,203 |
) |
(36,878,068 |
) | ||||
Non controlling interest |
(237,695 |
) |
(73,977 |
) | ||||
Total deficit |
( 51,082,898 |
) |
(36,952,045 |
) | ||||
Total liabilities, Mezzanine equity and Stockholders’ deficit, Non controlling interest |
15, 181,242 |
15,874,433 |
||||||
Particulars |
For the year ended March 31, |
|||||||
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
Revenue |
13,560,498 |
9,988,728 |
||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately) |
5,413,686 |
4,806,018 |
||||||
Research and development |
2,670,333 |
1,307,209 |
||||||
Sales and marketing |
10,736,173 |
7,123,074 |
||||||
General and administrative |
4,648,242 |
1,621,180 |
||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,624,208 |
1,370,143 |
||||||
Total costs and expenses |
25,09 2,642 |
16,227,624 |
||||||
Loss from operations |
(11,53 2,144 |
) |
(6,238,896 |
) | ||||
Interest income/(expense) |
(776,023 |
) |
(44,929 |
) | ||||
Fair value gains/(losses) in financial instruments carried at fair value |
(1,009,374 |
) |
(3,392,971 |
) | ||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangibles with definite life |
(919,517 |
) |
— |
|||||
Other income/(expense) net |
(6,358 |
) |
(104,825 |
) | ||||
Loss before income tax expense |
(1 4,243,416 |
) |
(9,781,621 |
) | ||||
Less: Income tax (benefit)/expense |
(42,265 |
) |
24,957 |
|||||
Net Loss |
(1 4,201,151 |
) |
(9,806,578 |
) | ||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax |
(176,883 |
) |
(64,746 |
) | ||||
Net loss attributable to Roadzen, Inc. |
( 14,024,268 |
) |
(9,741,832 |
) | ||||
Net loss per share attributable to Roadzen, Inc. common stockholders |
||||||||
Basic and diluted |
(23.32 |
) |
(16.21 |
) | ||||
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding used to compute net loss per share attributable to Roadzen, Inc. common stockholders |
||||||||
Basic and diluted |
606,425 |
606,425 |
||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
||||||||
Changes in foreign currency translation reserve |
70,298 |
(38,063 |
) | |||||
Less: Changes in foreign currency translation reserve attributable to non-controlling interest |
13,165 |
2,290 |
||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Roadzen, Inc. common stockholders |
57,133 |
(40,353 |
) | |||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to Roadzen, Inc. common stockholders |
( 13,967,135 |
) |
(9,782,185 |
) | ||||
For the year ended |
||||||||
Particulars |
2023 |
2022 |
||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||
Net loss including non controlling interest |
( 14,201,150 |
) |
(9,806,578 |
) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,624,208 |
1,370,143 |
||||||
Accretion of interest on convertible note |
— |
— |
||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
— |
263,082 |
||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(131,378 |
) |
(37,090 |
) | ||||
Unrealised foreign exchange loss/(profit) |
9,184 |
23,170 |
||||||
Gain/(Loss) on Fair valuation of instruments |
1,009,374 |
3,392,971 |
||||||
Profit on sale of property and equipment |
(625 |
) |
(173 |
) | ||||
Lease equalisation reserve |
(9,675 |
) |
1,952 |
|||||
Impairment loss |
919,517 |
101,578 |
||||||
Balances written off/(back) |
7,164 |
38,217 |
||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from acquisitions: |
||||||||
Inventories |
(9,352 |
) |
(55,989 |
) | ||||
Income taxes, net |
(55,766 |
) |
86,898 |
|||||
Accounts receivables, net |
(943,470 |
) |
(318,885 |
) | ||||
Prepayments and other assets |
(529,692 |
) |
(1,237,401 |
) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
4,193,438 |
1,998,781 |
||||||
Other liabilities |
571,519 |
113,271 |
||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
( 7,546,704 |
) |
(4,066,053 |
) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill |
(842,045 |
) |
(1,081,295 |
) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment |
686 |
782 |
||||||
Acquisition of business |
— |
(72,088 |
) | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(8 41,359 |
) |
(1,152,601 |
) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
||||||||
Proceeds from issue of preferred stock |
458,000 |
— |
||||||
Proceeds from exercise of preferred share warrants |
9,996 |
544,170 |
||||||
Proceeds from long-term borrowings |
4,107,029 |
71,169 |
||||||
Repayments of long-term borrowings |
(612,645 |
) |
(40,439 |
) | ||||
Net proceeds/(payments) from short-term borrowings |
4,398,343 |
277,036 |
||||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
8,360,72 3 |
851,936 |
||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
72,752 |
(2,808 |
) | |||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) |
45,412 |
(4,369,526 |
) | |||||
Cash acquired in business combination |
— |
703,097 |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year (including restricted cash) |
1,086,418 |
4,752,847 |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year (including restricted cash) |
1,131,830 |
1,086,418 |
||||||
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
589,340 |
913,636 |
||||||
Restricted cash |
542,490 |
172,782 |
||||||
Total cash and cash equivalents |
1,131,830 |
1,086,418 |
||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
||||||||
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized |
457,177 |
16,824 |
||||||
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds |
141,228 |
65,831 |
||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities |
||||||||
Exercise of warrant for issuance of convertible preferred stock |
103,159 |
10,804,399 |
||||||
Convertible preferred stock issued on conversion of convertible notes |
24,006,892 |
117,012 |
||||||
Consideration payable in connection with acquisitions |
243,036 |
1,032,633 |
||||||
Interest accrued on borrowings |
257,188 |
— |
Stockholders’ deficit |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible preferred stock and additional paid in capital |
Common stock and additional paid in capital |
Accumulated deficit |
Debenture Redemption Reserve |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
Total stockholders’ deficit |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Amount |
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of April 1, 2021 |
805,401 |
12,230,712 |
606,425 |
303,213 |
(27,315,413 |
) |
(83,683 |
) |
(27,095,883 |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of convertible preferred stock on conversion of convertible notes |
1,512 |
117,138 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of preferred share warrants |
140,250 |
11,348,378 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net profit attributable to common stockholders |
— |
— |
— |
— |
(9,741,832 |
) |
— |
— |
(9,741,832 |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
(40,353 |
) |
(40,353 |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 |
947,163 |
23,696,228 |
606,425 |
303,213 |
(37,057,245 |
) |
— |
(124,036 |
) |
(36,878,068 |
) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of April 1, 2022 |
947,163 |
23,696,228 |
606,425 |
303,213 |
(37,057,245 |
) |
— |
(124,036 |
) |
(36,878,068 |
) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of convertible preferred stock on conversion of convertible notes |
514,028 |
24,006,892 |
— |
— |
— |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of Series A1 stock during the year through rights issue |
2,956 |
458,000 |
— |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of preferred share warrants |
953 |
113,159 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net profit attributable to common stockholders |
— |
— |
— |
(14,024,268 |
) |
— |
— |
(14,024,268 |
) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
57,133 |
57,133 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impact of issuance of debenture |
— |
— |
— |
(366,786 |
) |
366,786 |
— |
— |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2023 |
1,465,100 |
48,274,279 |
606,425 |
303,213 |
(51, 448,299 |
) |
366,786 |
( 66,903 |
) |
(50,845,203 |
) | |||||||||||||||||||||
1. |
Organization |
2. |
Summary of significant accounting policies |
a) |
Basis of presentation and consolidation |
b) |
Use of estimates |
c) |
Revenue |
- | Insurance policy distribution in form of commissions, brokerage and other fees; and |
- | Insurance support services comprising of pre-inspection and risk assessment, roadside assistance, claim processing using the Company’s IaaS platform. |
d) |
Cost of services |
e) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
f) |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
March 31, 2023 |
March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
589,340 |
$ |
913,636 |
||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents—current |
— |
— |
||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents—non-current |
542,490 |
172,782 |
g) |
Concentration of credit risk |
h) |
Accounts receivable, net |
i) |
Property and equipment |
Assets |
Useful lives (years) | |
Office and electrical equipment |
3-5 years | |
Computers |
3 years | |
Furniture and fixtures |
10 years |
j) |
Intangible assets, net (including Intangibles under development) |
k) |
Leases |
l) |
Fair value measurements and financial instruments |
m) |
Business combination |
n) |
Foreign currency |
o) |
Employee benefit plans |
p) |
Inventories |
q) |
Income taxes |
r) |
Income/loss per share attributable to common shareholders |
s) |
Investments |
t) |
Commitments and contingencies |
u) |
Expenses |
i. |
Sales, Marketing and Business development expense |
ii. |
General and administrative expenses |
iii |
Research and Development expense |
v) |
Recently issued accounting pronouncements and not yet adopted |
i. | In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments which significantly changes the way entities recognize impairment of many financial assets by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over their remaining life, instead of when incurred. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments–Credit Losses, which amends Subtopic 326-20 (created by ASU 2016-13) to explicitly state that operating lease receivables are not in the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Additionally, in April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments; in May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief; in November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates, and ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses; and in March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments, to provide further clarifications on certain aspects of ASU 2016-13 and to extend the nonpublic entity effective date of ASU 2016-13. The changes (as amended) are effective for the Company for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The entity may early adopt ASU 2016-13, as amended, for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. While the Company expects its allowance for credit losses to increase upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-13 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. |
ii. |
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, “Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity,” which signifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liability and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The standard reduces the number of models used to account for convertible instruments, removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and requires the if-converted method for calculation of diluted earnings per share for all convertible instruments. The ASU is effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements. |
iii |
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (Topic 805). This ASU requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities (deferred revenue) from acquired contracts using the revenue recognition guidance in Topic 606. At the acquisition date, the acquirer applies the revenue model as if it had originated the acquired contracts. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of the ASU should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is also permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If early adopted, the amendments are applied retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurred during the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on its consolidated financial statements. |
3 |
Accounts receivables, net |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Accounts receivable |
1,549,711 |
689,035 |
||||||
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts |
(13,726 |
) |
(14,884 |
) | ||||
1,535,985 |
674,151 |
|||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
14,884 |
— |
||||||
Additions charged |
— |
15,115 |
||||||
Bad debts written off |
— |
— |
||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes |
(1,158 |
) |
(231 |
) | ||||
Balance, end of period |
13,726 |
14,884 |
||||||
4 |
Prepayments and other current assets |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Balance with statutory authorities |
1,189,787 |
1,159,501 |
||||||
Unbilled revenue |
868,382 |
1,264,837 |
||||||
Advances given (net of doubtful advances of $225,495 as of March 31, 2023 and $244,540 as of March 31, 2022) |
922,380 |
553,879 |
||||||
Other receivables |
126,928 |
129,732 |
||||||
Prepayments |
22,091 |
27,554 |
||||||
Deposits |
52,368 |
36,950 |
||||||
3,181,936 |
3,172,453 |
|||||||
5 |
Non-marketable securities |
a) |
Moonshot - Internet SAS ("Moonshot") |
b) |
Daokang (Beijing) Data Science Company Ltd. ("Daokang") |
6 |
Property and equipment, net |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Computers |
370,516 |
375,786 |
||||||
Office equipment |
153,432 |
97,825 |
||||||
Furniture & fixtures |
69,338 |
57,768 |
||||||
Electrical equipment |
6,312 |
6,845 |
||||||
Leasehold improvements |
21,381 |
23,187 |
||||||
Total |
620,979 |
561,411 |
||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
(388,486 |
) |
(402,419 |
) | ||||
Property and equipment, net |
232,493 |
158,992 |
||||||
7. |
Intangible assets, net |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Software for internal use |
7,292,101 |
6,456,377 |
||||||
Customer contracts - (refer note 16) |
682,399 |
743,309 |
||||||
Intangible assets under development |
196,174 |
737,637 |
||||||
Intellectual property |
112,176 |
65,957 |
||||||
Trademark |
55 |
60 |
||||||
Total |
8,282,905 |
8,003,340 |
||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(5,569,048 |
) |
(4,251,050 |
) | ||||
Less: Impairment loss |
(244,699 |
) |
— |
|||||
Intangible assets, net |
2,469,158 |
3,752,290 |
||||||
Particulars |
Amount |
|||
Year ending March 31, 2024 |
1,193,105 |
|||
Year ending March 31, 2025 |
960,104 |
|||
Year ending March 31, 2026 |
61,426 |
|||
Year ending March 31, 2027 |
40,048 |
|||
Year ending March 31, 2028 |
18,300 |
8. |
Other long term assets |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Advances (net of doubtful advances of $92,244 as of March 31, 2023 and $100,036 as of March 31, 2022) |
— |
216,291 |
||||||
Deposits |
25,890 |
18,065 |
||||||
Interest accrued |
9,249 |
14,624 |
||||||
Balances with statutory authorities |
— |
20,516 |
||||||
Deferred tax assets (refer note 21) |
82,345 |
70,102 |
||||||
117,484 |
339,598 |
|||||||
9. |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Accounts payable |
2,008,731 |
1,531,713 |
||||||
Accrued expenses |
3,575,445 |
1,109,314 |
||||||
Amounts due to employees |
656,890 |
284,637 |
||||||
6,241,066 |
2,925,664 |
|||||||
10. |
Other current liabilities |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Statutory liabilities |
1,417,751 |
658,834 |
||||||
Deferred revenue |
108,442 |
292,031 |
||||||
Advance from customers |
52,227 |
— |
||||||
Provision for income tax |
83,054 |
137,862 |
||||||
Retirements benefits |
3,008 |
4,706 |
||||||
Other payables |
839,411 |
1,032,636 |
||||||
2,503,893 |
2,126,069 |
|||||||
11. |
Borrowings |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
A Long term borrowings consist of the following: |
||||||||
Convertible notes (note a) |
— |
23,032,002 |
||||||
Secured debentures (note b) |
3,198,569 |
— |
||||||
Loans from banks (note c) |
307,228 |
159,951 |
||||||
Less: current portion of long-term borrowings |
(2,852,528 |
) |
(63,983 |
) | ||||
653,269 |
23,127,970 |
|||||||
a |
Convertible Note |
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Convertible Note 2019 |
— |
5,379,110 |
||||||
Convertible Note 2020 |
— |
17,652,892 |
||||||
— |
23,032,002 |
|||||||
b. |
Secured debentures: |
Particulars |
Interest rate |
Maturity date |
Amount outstanding |
|||||||||
Secured debentures |
19.50 |
% |
31-May-24 |
1,494,126 |
||||||||
19.25 |
% |
31-May-24 |
792,145 |
|||||||||
20.00 |
% |
31-Jan-24 |
912,298 |
|||||||||
3,198,569 |
||||||||||||
c. |
Loan from banks: |
Particulars |
Interest rate |
Maturity date |
Amount outstanding |
|||||||||
Long term borrowings from banks |
||||||||||||
18.00 |
% |
5-Sep-25 |
26,403 |
|||||||||
16.00 |
% |
5-Mar-24 |
9,295 |
|||||||||
16.50 |
% |
5-Mar-24 |
11,639 |
|||||||||
15.50 |
% |
6-Sep-25 |
26,265 |
|||||||||
13.50 |
% |
5-Oct-25 |
54,063 |
|||||||||
16.00 |
% |
9-Apr-24 |
19,120 |
|||||||||
18.50 |
% |
2-Nov-25 |
21,265 |
|||||||||
19.50 |
% |
2-Oct-25 |
16,387 |
|||||||||
15.50 |
% |
6-Sep-25 |
26,265 |
|||||||||
14.75 |
% |
5-Jun-24 |
18,294 |
|||||||||
17.00 |
% |
5-Oct-24 |
24,786 |
|||||||||
15.85 |
% |
23-Feb-26 |
53,446 |
|||||||||
307,228 |
||||||||||||
Period ending March 31, 2024 |
2,852,528 |
|||
Period ending March 31, 2025 |
588,439 |
|||
Period ending March 31, 2026 |
61,232 |
|||
3,502,199 |
||||
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||||
B |
Short term borrowings |
|||||||||
Loan from banks (note a) |
84,587 |
107,528 |
||||||||
Loan from related parties |
485,747 |
156,215 |
||||||||
Loan from others (note a) |
4,305,467 |
267,297 |
||||||||
4,875,801 |
531,040 |
|||||||||
a) |
Loan from banks and others |
Particulars |
Weighted average borrowing rate |
|||
Short term borrowings from banks and others |
16.40 | % |
12 |
Other long term liabilities |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Retirement benefits |
294,301 |
159,037 |
||||||
Deferred tax liability |
— |
117,729 |
||||||
Lease equalisation reserve |
— |
10,083 |
||||||
294,301 |
286,849 |
|||||||
13. |
Employee benefit plans |
Change in benefit obligation |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year |
163,744 |
92,473 |
||||||
Interest costs |
11,610 |
6,181 |
||||||
Service costs |
124,010 |
67,258 |
||||||
Actuarial (gain) loss |
16,627 |
11,317 |
||||||
Benefits paid |
— |
(9,508 |
) | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes |
(18,682 |
) |
(3,977 |
) | ||||
Projected benefit obligation at the end of the year |
297,309 |
163,744 |
||||||
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of: |
||||||||
Current liabilities (recorded under accrued expenses and other current liabilities) |
3,008 |
4,706 |
||||||
Non-current liabilities (recorded under other liabilities) |
294,301 |
159,038 |
||||||
Unfunded amount recognized |
— |
— |
||||||
297,309 |
163,744 |
|||||||
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Interest costs |
11,610 |
6,181 |
||||||
Service costs |
124,010 |
67,258 |
||||||
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit |
— |
— |
||||||
Actuarial (gain) loss |
16,627 |
11,317 |
||||||
Curtailment |
— |
— |
||||||
Total |
152,247 |
84,756 |
||||||
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 | |||
Discount rate |
7.39% |
7.18-7.26% | ||
Rate of increase in compensation per annum |
10% |
5.5-10% | ||
Retirement age (in years) |
60 |
60 |
Year ending March 31 |
Amounts |
|||
2024 |
7,404 |
|||
2025 |
8,822 |
|||
2026 |
16,239 |
|||
2027 |
30,756 |
|||
2028 |
39,932 |
|||
2029-2033 |
381,364 |
|||
484,517 |
||||
14. |
Mezzanine equity |
Shares issued and outstanding |
Per share original issue price |
Aggregate conversion amount |
Carrying value |
|||||||||||||
Series A |
200,000 |
0.5 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
||||||||||||
Series A1 |
1,265,100 |
1.5 |
1,897,650 |
48,174,279 |
||||||||||||
1,465,100 |
1,997,650 |
48,274,279 |
||||||||||||||
Shares issued and outstanding |
Per share original issue price |
Aggregate conversion amount |
Carrying value |
|||||||||||||
Series A |
200,000 |
0.5 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
||||||||||||
Series A1 |
747,163 |
1.5 |
1,120,745 |
23,596,228 |
||||||||||||
947,163 |
1,220,745 |
23,696,228 |
||||||||||||||
15 |
Revenue |
For the year ended March 31, 2023 |
For the year ended March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Revenue from services |
||||||||
Commission and Distribution Income |
9,173,671 |
7,002,438 |
||||||
Income from Insurance as a Service |
4,386,827 |
2,986,290 |
||||||
13,560,498 |
9,988,728 |
|||||||
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Deferred revenue |
108,442 |
292,031 |
||||||
Total contract liabilities |
108,442 |
292,031 |
||||||
Contract assets |
||||||||
Unbilled revenue |
868,382 |
1,264,837 |
||||||
Total contract assets |
868,382 |
1,264,837 |
||||||
16 |
Business combinations |
a) |
Coverzen Technologies Private Limited and its subsidiaries |
Cash and cash equivalents |
258,299 |
|||
Intangible assets |
27,159 |
|||
Other assets |
265,978 |
|||
Other liabilities |
(242,020 |
) | ||
Net assets |
309,416 |
|||
Purchase consideration |
4,482,659 |
|||
Goodwill (Refer Note 16(e)) |
173,243 |
|||
b) |
Kintsugi Innovation Labs Private Limited (“Kintsugi”) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
323,029 |
|||
Acquired Customer Contract (Refer Note 7) |
118,366 |
|||
Other assets |
870,208 |
|||
Other liabilities |
(1,869,055 |
) | ||
Net assets |
(557,452 |
) | ||
Purchase consideration |
41,344 |
|||
Goodwill (Refer Note 16(e)) |
558,796 |
|||
Amount |
Weighted average life |
|||||||
Acquired customer contracts |
118,366 |
3 Years |
c) |
Peoplebay Consultancy Services Private Limited (“Peoplebay”) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
42,688 |
|||
Acquired customer contracts (Refer Note 7) |
217,127 |
|||
Other assets |
210,680 |
|||
Other liabilities |
(394,133 |
) | ||
Net assets |
76,362 |
|||
Purchase consideration |
134,862 |
|||
Goodwill (Refer Note 16(e)) |
58,500 |
|||
Amount |
Weighted average life |
|||||||
Acquired customer contracts |
217,127 |
3 years |
d) |
FA Events and Media Private Limited (“FA Events”) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
79,082 |
|||
Intangible assets |
77,461 |
|||
Acquired customer contracts (refer Note 7) |
293,999 |
|||
Other assets |
22,368 |
|||
Other liabilities |
(427,747 |
) | ||
Net assets |
45,163 |
|||
Purchase consideration |
134,862 |
|||
Goodwill (Refer Not 16(e)) |
89,699 |
|||
Amount |
Weighted average life |
|||||||
Acquired customer contracts |
293,999 |
3 years |
e) |
Goodwill |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Opening balance |
1,725,293 |
859,587 |
||||||
Goodwill relating to acquisitions consummated during the year (refer note 16 (a) to (d)) |
— |
880,238 |
||||||
Less: Impairment recognized on goodwill during the year |
(664,903 |
) |
— |
|||||
Effect of exchange rate changes |
(63,948 |
) |
(14,532 |
) | ||||
Closing balance |
996,441 |
1,725,293 |
||||||
17. |
Preferred share warrants |
18. |
Financial instruments |
March 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Measured using |
Total |
|||||||||||||||
Particulars |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|||||||||||||
Financial liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Share warrants |
— | — | 68,675 | 68,675 |
||||||||||||
Convertible notes |
— | — | 23,032,002 | 23,032,002 |
||||||||||||
— |
23,100,677 |
23,100,677 |
||||||||||||||
Warrants |
Convertible notes |
|||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 |
68,675 |
23,032,002 |
||||||
Change in fair value |
34,484 |
974,890 |
||||||
Conversion of convertible notes into preferred stock |
— |
24,006,892 |
||||||
Exercise of share warrants |
103,159 |
— |
||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2023 |
— |
— |
||||||
19 |
Commitments and contingencies |
Particulars |
For the year ended March 31, 2023 |
|||
Lease: |
||||
Operating lease cost |
221,166 |
|||
Short-term lease cost |
41,212 |
|||
Total lease cost |
262,378 |
|||
Particulars |
For the year ended March 31, 2023 |
|||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |
||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases |
206,823 |
|||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: |
||||
Operating Assets |
732,658 |
Particulars |
March 31, 2023 |
|||
Operating Leases: |
— |
|||
Operating Lease ROU Asset, net |
545,988 |
|||
Other current liabilities |
208,697 |
|||
Operating lease liabilities |
360,306 |
|||
Total operating lease liabilities |
569,003 |
|||
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2023 |
|||
Operating Leases: |
5.71 |
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2023 |
|||
Operating Leases: |
15.26 |
% |
Particulars |
Lease Liabilities (USD) |
|||
For Year Ended March 31: |
||||
2024 |
224,770 |
|||
2025 |
180,959 |
|||
2026 |
130,928 |
|||
2027 |
129,542 |
|||
2028 |
47,418 |
|||
Thereafter |
56,313 |
|||
Total Lease Payments |
769,930 |
|||
Less: Imputed Interest |
(200,928 |
) | ||
Total |
569,00 3 |
|||
c) |
Litigation and loss contingencies |
d) |
Indemnifications |
20 |
Net loss per share |
Particulars |
For the year ended March 31, 2023 |
For the year ended March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Numerator: |
||||||||
Net Loss |
(14,024,268 |
) |
(9,741,832 |
) | ||||
Less: dividend attributable to preferred stockholders for the current year |
119,216 |
90,700 |
||||||
Net loss attributable to Roadzen, Inc. common stockholders |
(1 4,143,484 ) |
(9,832,532 |
) | |||||
Denominator: |
||||||||
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Roadzen, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted |
606,425 |
606,425 |
||||||
Net loss per share attributable to Roadzen, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted |
(23.32 |
) |
(16.21 |
) | ||||
Particulars |
For the year ended March 31, 2023 |
For the year ended March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Share warrants |
— |
83,382 |
||||||
Convertible notes |
— |
523,654 |
||||||
Preferred stock |
1,125,376 |
888,786 |
||||||
Total |
1,125,376 |
1,495,822 |
||||||
21 |
Income taxes |
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Domestic |
(8,917,510 |
) |
(8,311,979 |
) | ||||
Foreign |
(5,325,906 |
) |
(1,469,642 |
) | ||||
Total |
(14,243,416 |
) |
(9,781,621 |
) | ||||
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Current: |
||||||||
Domestic |
— |
— |
||||||
Foreign |
86,420 |
114,422 |
||||||
86,420 |
114,422 |
|||||||
Deferred: |
||||||||
Domestic |
— |
(32,778 |
) | |||||
Foreign |
(128,685 |
) |
(56,687 |
) | ||||
(128,685 |
) |
(89,465 |
) | |||||
Total provision for income taxes |
(42,265 |
) |
24,957 |
|||||
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Federal statutory income tax rate |
21.00 |
% |
21.00 |
% | ||||
Non-deductible expenses |
(4.08 |
%) |
1.57 |
% | ||||
Valuation allowance |
(17.65 |
%) |
(21.04 |
%) | ||||
Foreign rate differential |
1.24 |
% |
1.20 |
% | ||||
Share warrants |
(0.05 |
%) |
(3.66 |
%) | ||||
Other |
(0.17 |
%) |
0.68 |
% | ||||
Total provision for income taxes |
0.30 |
% |
(0.26 |
%) | ||||
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards |
8,480,316 |
5,742,033 |
||||||
Unabsorbed depreciation carryforwards |
54,438 |
9,174 |
||||||
Retirement benefits |
56,603 |
53,656 |
||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
50,918 |
25,232 |
||||||
Fair value changes on convertible notes |
— |
3,967 |
||||||
Others |
5,965 |
288,348 |
||||||
Total deferred tax assets |
8,648,240 |
6,122,410 |
||||||
Less: valuation allowance |
(8,565,895 |
) |
(6,052,307 |
) | ||||
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance |
82,345 |
70,103 |
||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||||||
Intangibles on account of business combination |
— |
(117,729 |
) | |||||
Net deferred tax assets/ (liabilities) |
82,345 |
(47,626 |
) | |||||
As of March 31, 2022 |
Recognised/ reversed through statements of operations |
Impact of currency translation and acquisitions |
As of March 31, 2023 |
|||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Net operating loss carry forwards |
5,742,033 |
2,738,283 |
— |
8,480,316 |
||||||||||||
Unabsorbed depreciation carry forwards |
9,174 |
45,264 |
— |
54,438 |
||||||||||||
Retirement benefits |
3,656 |
2,947 |
— |
56,603 |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
25,232 |
25,686 |
— |
50,918 |
||||||||||||
Fair value changes on convertible notes |
3,967 |
-3,967 |
— |
— |
||||||||||||
Others |
288,348 |
(282,383 |
) |
— |
5,965 |
|||||||||||
Less: valuation allowance |
(6,052,307 |
) |
(2,513,588 |
) |
— |
(8,565,895 |
) | |||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Intangibles on account of business combination |
(117,729 |
) |
117,729 |
— |
— |
|||||||||||
Currency translation |
— |
-1,286 |
1,286 |
— |
||||||||||||
Net deferred tax assets/ (liabilities) |
(47,626 |
) |
128,685 |
1,286 |
82,345 |
|||||||||||
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2021 |
Recognised/ reversed through statements of operations |
Impact of currency translation and acquisitions |
As of March 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Net operating loss carry forwards |
3,921,905 |
1,820,128 |
— |
5,742,033 |
||||||||||||
Unabsorbed depreciation carry forwards |
8,399 |
775 |
— |
9,174 |
||||||||||||
Retirement benefits |
27,311 |
26,344 |
— |
53,656 |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
15,919 |
9,314 |
— |
25,232 |
||||||||||||
Fair value changes on convertible notes |
— |
— |
— |
— |
||||||||||||
Fair value changes on convertible notes |
— |
3,967 |
— |
3,967 |
||||||||||||
Others |
55,267 |
233,081 |
— |
288,348 |
||||||||||||
Less: valuation allowance |
(3,994,222 |
) |
(2,058,085 |
) |
— |
(6,052,307 |
) | |||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Intangibles on account of business combination |
(11,039 |
) |
(106,690 |
) |
— |
(117,729 |
) | |||||||||
Gain on convertible notes |
(32,778 |
) |
32,778 |
— |
— |
|||||||||||
Currency translation |
— |
(1,131 |
) |
1,131 |
— |
|||||||||||
Acquisitions |
— |
128,985 |
(128,985 |
) |
— |
|||||||||||
(9,238 |
) |
89,466 |
(127,854 |
) |
(47,626 |
) | ||||||||||
22 |
Segment reporting |
23 |
Going Concern |
23 |
Subsequent events |
As of |
||||||||
Particulars |
March 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
16,664,663 |
17,270,108 |
||||||
Accounts receivables, net |
1,680,161 |
3,786,232 |
||||||
Other current assets |
242,170 |
199,110 |
||||||
Total current assets |
18,586,994 |
21,255,450 |
||||||
Property and equipment, net |
25,989 |
31,550 |
||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
242,234 |
252,196 |
||||||
Deferred tax asset, net |
14,338 |
14,052 |
||||||
Total assets |
18,869,555 |
21,553,248 |
||||||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
1,612,178 |
1,420,822 |
||||||
Due to insurers |
8,763,819 |
11,517,806 |
||||||
Income taxes |
— |
3,369 |
||||||
Short-term operating lease liabilities |
13,828 |
26,963 |
||||||
Other current liabilities |
3,265,844 |
3,244,158 |
||||||
Total current liabilities |
13,655,669 |
16,213,118 |
||||||
Contract liabilities |
752,863 |
831,048 |
||||||
Total liabilities |
14,408,532 |
17,044,166 |
||||||
Stockholders’ equity |
||||||||
Common stock of Ordinary A and B shares, $1.326 (£1) par value per share, 250,000 shares authorized (1,400 Ordinary A shares and 248,600 Ordinary B shares); 250,000 shares (1,400 Ordinary A shares and 248,600 Ordinary B shares) issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively |
331,500 |
331,500 |
||||||
Retained earnings |
4,435,323 |
4,569,971 |
||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(305,800 |
) |
(392,389 |
) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
4,461,023 |
4,509,082 |
||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
18,869,555 |
21,553,248 |
||||||
For the three month period ended |
||||||||
Particulars |
March 31, 2023 |
March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Revenue |
7,861,057 |
9,246,990 |
||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||
Cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization expense) |
502,211 |
584,805 |
||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
6,740,189 |
8,164,080 |
||||||
General and administrative expenses |
630,189 |
593,286 |
||||||
Depreciation and amortization expenses |
7,739 |
7,872 |
||||||
Total costs and expenses |
7,880,328 |
9,350,043 |
||||||
Loss from operations |
(19,271 |
) |
(103,053 |
) | ||||
Interest expense |
699 |
8,192 |
||||||
Other expense |
(114,676 |
) |
(159,372 |
) | ||||
Loss before income tax expense |
(134,646 |
) |
(270,617 |
) | ||||
Income tax expense |
— |
— |
||||||
Net loss attributable to stockholder |
(134,646 |
) |
(270,617 |
) | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes: |
||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
86,589 |
(199,945 |
) | |||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
86,589 |
(199,945 |
) | |||||
Net loss |
(48,057 |
) |
(470,562 |
) | ||||
Common stock |
Retained earnings |
Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss) |
Total stockholder’s equity |
|||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2022 |
250,000 |
331,500 |
6,422,603 |
366,634 |
7,120,737 |
|||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
— |
— |
(270,617 |
) |
— |
(270,61 7 |
) | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
— |
— |
— |
(199,945 |
) |
(199,94 5 |
) | |||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 |
250,000 |
331,500 |
6,151,98 6 |
166,68 9 |
6,650,175 |
|||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2023 |
250,000 |
331,500 |
4,569,971 |
(392,389 |
) |
4,509,082 |
||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
— |
(134,646 |
) |
— |
(134,646 |
) | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
— |
— |
— |
86,589 |
86,589 |
|||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2023 |
250,000 |
331,500 |
4,435,325 |
(305,800 |
) |
4,461,025 |
||||||||||||||
For three months period ended |
||||||||
March 31, 2023 |
March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||
Net loss |
(134,646 |
) |
(270,617 |
) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
7,739 |
7,872 |
||||||
Foreign exchange (gain)/loss |
(134,970 |
) |
318,699 |
|||||
Liabilities no longer required written back |
— |
159,295 |
||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities |
||||||||
Income taxes |
(3,403 |
) |
(295 |
) | ||||
Accounts receivables |
2,144,764 |
(5,748,717 |
) | |||||
Other current assets |
(35,318 |
) |
(59,665 |
) | ||||
Due to insurers |
(2,942,413 |
) |
(243,756 |
) | ||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and liabilities |
32,087 |
3,118,083 |
||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(1,066,160 |
) |
(2,719,101 |
) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
||||||||
Purchase of equipment |
14,836 |
(3,364 |
) | |||||
Net cash generated/ (used in) investing activities |
14,836 |
(3,364 |
) | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
445,879 |
(888,581 |
) | |||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
(605,445 |
) |
(3,611,046 |
) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period |
17,270,108 |
21,424,677 |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
16,664,663 |
17,813,631 |
||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
||||||||
Cash paid for interest; net of amounts capitalized |
— |
— |
||||||
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds |
— |
— |
1. |
Organization and nature of operations |
2. |
Significant accounting policies |
a) |
Basis of presentation and consolidation |
b) |
Use of estimates |
c) |
Revenue |
• |
Distribution fee from underwriting, pricing and distribution |
• |
Administration fee from insurance support services & service plan administration |
d) |
Contract liabilities |
e) |
Cost of services |
f) |
Sales and marketing expenses |
g) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
h) |
Accounts receivable, net |
i) |
Property and equipment |
Assets |
Useful life in years |
|||
Computers |
3-5 years |
|||
Furniture and fixtures |
3-5 years |
|||
Office equipment |
3-5 years |
j) |
Intangibles, net |
k) |
Impairment of long-lived assets |
l) |
Concentration of credit risk |
m) |
Leases |
n) |
Fair value measurements and financial instruments |
o) |
Foreign currency |
1. |
Functional currency |
2. |
Functional currency translation |
p) |
Employee defined contribution plan |
q) |
Operating Segments |
r) |
Income/(loss) per share attributable to common shareholders |
s) |
Income taxes |
t) |
Commitments and contingencies |
u) |
Recently issued accounting pronouncements and not yet adopted |
i. |
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets by requiring an allowance to be recorded as an offset to the amortized cost of such assets. ASU 2016-13 will become effective for the Company on April 1, 2023, and the modified retrospective approach is the only available option, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to accumulated earnings (deficit) as of the date of the adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements. |
ii. |
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires acquiring entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination. ASU 2021-08 will become effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, to be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the ASU, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard will have no impact to the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements. |
3. |
Cash and cash equivalents |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Balances with banks in current accounts |
16,664,271 |
17,269,878 |
||||||
Cash in hand |
392 |
230 |
||||||
Total |
16,664,663 |
17,270,108 |
||||||
4. |
Accounts receivables, net |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Accounts receivable |
1,680,161 |
3,786,232 |
||||||
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts |
— |
— |
||||||
Accounts receivables, net |
1,680,161 |
3,786,232 |
||||||
5. |
Other current assets |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Prepaid expenses |
238,019 |
195,533 |
||||||
Balances with government authorities |
3,788 |
— |
||||||
Other advances |
363 |
3,577 |
||||||
Total |
242,170 |
199,110 |
||||||
6. |
Property and equipment, net |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Computer |
187,880 |
183,802 |
||||||
Furniture & Fixtures |
104,532 |
102,449 |
||||||
Total |
292,412 |
286,251 |
||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(266,423 |
) |
(254,701 |
) | ||||
Property and equipment, net |
25,989 |
31,550 |
||||||
7. |
Intangible assets, net |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Computer Software |
247,432 |
240,542 |
||||||
Less: Accumulated amortization |
(247,432 |
) |
(240,542 |
) | ||||
Intangible assets, net |
0 |
(0 |
) | |||||
8. |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Accounts Payable |
1,066,237 |
705,714 |
||||||
Accrued Expenses |
545,941 |
715,108 |
||||||
Total |
1,612,178 |
1 ,420 , 82 2 |
||||||
9. |
Due to insurers |
10. |
Provision for income tax |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Provision for income tax |
— |
3,369 |
||||||
Total |
— |
3,369 |
||||||
11. |
Other current liabilities |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Statutory liabilities |
155,464 |
128,869 |
||||||
Dividend payable |
1,971,102 |
1,931,821 |
||||||
Deferred revenue |
1,139,278 |
1,183,468 |
||||||
Total |
3,265,844 |
3,244,158 |
||||||
12. |
Contract liabilities |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Deferred revenue—non current |
752,863 |
831,048 |
||||||
Total |
752,863 |
831,048 |
||||||
13. |
Revenue |
Revenue from services |
For the period ended March 31, 2023 |
For the period ended March 31, 2022 |
||||||
Commission income from underwriting, pricing and distribution* |
7,241,720 |
8,467,520 |
||||||
Administration Fee from insurance support services & service plan administration |
619,337 |
779,470 |
||||||
Total |
7,861,057 |
9,246,990 |
||||||
* |
During the year 2022, the Company has modified the existing arrangement with the insurer where the Company can distribute insurance products directly to customers or through wholesale insurance intermediaries. The Company acts as a principal in the new arrangement with the insurer and has the right to determine the commission payable to intermediaries within the permissible limits prescribed by the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) rules and regulations. The distribution fee has been accounted as per the agreed contractual terms with the insurer. |
For the period ended March 31, 2023 |
For the period ended March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Commission income—Point in time |
7,241,720 |
8,467,520 |
||||||
Administration Fee—Over time |
619,337 |
779,470 |
||||||
Total |
7,861,057 |
9,246,990 |
||||||
14. |
Contract balances |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Contract liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred revenue—current |
1,139,278 |
1,183,468 |
||||||
Deferred revenue—non current |
752,863 |
831,048 |
||||||
Total contract liabilities |
1,892,141 |
2,014,516 |
||||||
15. |
Interest expense |
For the period ended March 31, 2023 |
For the period ended March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Other interest costs |
(699 |
) |
(8,192 |
) | ||||
(699 |
) |
(8,192 |
) | |||||
16. |
Other income/(expense) net |
For the period ended March 31, 2023 |
For the period ended March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Interest Income |
— |
32 |
||||||
Miscellaneous income* |
— |
159,295 |
||||||
Foreign exchange fluctuation gain/(loss) |
(114,676 |
) |
(318,699 |
) | ||||
Total |
(114,676 |
) |
(159,372 |
) | ||||
* |
Miscellaneous income for the period ended March 31, 2022 includes following – |
17. |
Deferred Tax |
Particulars |
As of March 31, 2023 |
As of December 31, 2022 |
||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
Net operating loss carry forwards |
100,950 |
73,565 |
||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,073 |
31,129 |
||||||
Deferred revenue |
(68,838 |
) |
(89,465 |
) | ||||
Balances written back |
345,855 |
338,962 |
||||||
Others |
43,005 |
18,671 |
||||||
Total deferred tax assets |
452,045 |
372,862 |
||||||
Less: valuation allowance |
(437,707 |
) |
(358,810 |
) | ||||
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance |
14,338 |
14,052 |
18. |
Commitments and contingencies |
Particulars |
Period Ended March 31, 2023 (USD) |
Year Ended December 31, 2022 (USD) |
||||||
Lease: |
||||||||
Operating lease cost |
13,880 |
58,359 |
||||||
Short-term lease cost |
2,514 |
10,536 |
||||||
Total lease cost |
16,394 |
68,895 |
||||||
Particulars |
Period Ended March 31, 2023 (USD) |
Year Ended December 31, 2022 (USD) |
||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |
||||||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases |
13,749 |
57,668 |
||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: |
||||||||
Operating Assets |
26,309 |
88,588 |
Particulars |
Period Ended March 31, 2023 (USD) |
Year Ended December 31, 2022 (USD) |
||||||
Operating Leases: |
||||||||
Operating Lease ROU Asset, net |
13,028 |
26,310 |
||||||
Leased Buildings |
229,209 |
225,886 |
||||||
Total operating lease right-of-use assets |
242,234 |
252,196 |
||||||
Other current liabilities |
13,828 |
26,963 |
||||||
Operating Lease Liabilities |
— |
— |
||||||
Total operating lease liabilities |
13,828 |
26,963 |
Period Ended March 31, 2023 (USD) |
Year Ended December 31, 2022 (USD) |
|||||||
Operating Leases |
0.23 |
0.48 |
Period Ended March 31, 2023 (USD) |
Year Ended December 31, 2022 (USD) |
|||||||
Operating Leases |
4.25 |
% |
4.25 |
% |
Particulars |
Lease Liabilities (USD) |
|||||||
For Year Ended December 31: |
Period Ended March 31, 2023 (USD) |
Year Ended December 31, 2022 (USD) |
||||||
2023 |
13,888 |
27,221 |
||||||
Thereafter |
— |
— |
||||||
Total Lease Payments |
13,888 |
27,221 |
||||||
Less: Imputed Interest |
(60 |
) |
(258 |
) | ||||
Total |
13,828 |
26,963 |
* |
The lease liabilities are translated into USD using the closing rate for the period ended March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively |
19. |
Related party transactions |
1) |
Related parties with whom transactions have taken place during the period: |
Party name |
Relationship | |
AXA Partners Holding SA |
Parent company | |
AXA UK PLC |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA France IARD |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Assistance Italy |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Assistance Singapore |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Assistance Russia |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA General Insurance Hongkong Limited |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Assistance Turkey |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Assistance UK Limited |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA France VIE |
Affiliate of the entity | |
IPA Partner Assistance S.A |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad |
Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA SA |
Ultimate parent company |
2) |
Summary of the transactions with related parties as follows: |
For the period ended March 31, 2023 |
For the period ended March 31, 2022 |
|||||||
AXA Services |
||||||||
Expense incurred on behalf of the Company |
(458 |
) |
1,501 |
|||||
AXA UK PLC |
||||||||
Expense incurred on behalf of the Company |
587 |
— |
||||||
Expense incurred on behalf of AXA UK PLC |
— |
27,538 |
||||||
Services rendered |
— |
33,350 |
||||||
AXA France |
||||||||
Services rendered |
6,292 |
5,840 |
||||||
Commission income from underwriting, pricing, and distribution |
384,572 |
303,440 |
||||||
AXA Assistance Italy |
||||||||
Services rendered |
7,347 |
4,695 |
||||||
AXA Assistance Singapore |
||||||||
Services rendered |
2,936 |
7,148 |
||||||
AXA Assistance Malaysia |
||||||||
Services rendered |
20,896 |
1,036 |
3) |
Balance at the period ended |
As of |
||||||||
March 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
- in respect of transactions with related parties |
||||||||
AXA UK PLC |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
11,249 |
11,025 |
||||||
AXA Services |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
(926 |
) |
(5,081 |
) | ||||
AXA France |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
22,785 |
20,061 |
||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
202,367 |
39,503 |
||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net (covered in due to insurer) |
(14,374,007 |
) |
(11,331,788 |
) | ||||
AXA Assistance Malaysia |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
70,276 |
68,876 |
||||||
AXA Assistance Italy |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
7,422 |
1,877 |
||||||
AXA Assistance Singapore |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
1,729 |
1,694 |
||||||
AXA France VIE |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
770 |
755 |
||||||
IPA Belgium |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
(1,156 |
) |
(1,133 |
) | ||||
AXA Assistance UK |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
— |
(145 |
) |
20. |
Litigation and loss contingencies |
21. |
Indemnifications |
22. |
Material events |
22. |
Subsequent events |
• | Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. |
• | Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such |
procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. |
• | Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed. |
• | Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. |
• | Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. |
As of |
||||||||
Particulars |
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 (restated) |
||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
17,270,108 | 21,424,677 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
3,786,232 | 6,819,792 | ||||||
Other current assets |
199,110 | 206,612 | ||||||
Total current assets |
21,255,450 |
28,451,081 |
||||||
Property and equipment, net |
31,550 | 295,995 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use |
252,196 | — | ||||||
Deferred tax asset, net |
14,052 | 15,717 | ||||||
Other assets |
— | 3,654 | ||||||
Total assets |
21,553,248 |
28,766,447 |
||||||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
1,420,822 | 1,932,516 | ||||||
Due to insurers |
11,517,806 | 16,306,256 | ||||||
Income taxes |
3,369 | 4,459 | ||||||
Short-term operating lease liabilities |
26,963 | — | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
3,244,158 | 2,041,685 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
16,213,118 |
20,284,916 |
||||||
Contract liabilities |
831,048 | 1,360,793 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
17,044,166 |
21,645,709 |
||||||
Stockholders’ equity |
||||||||
Common stock of Ordinary A and B shares, $ 1.326 (£1) par value per share, 250,000 shares authorized (Ordinary A, 1,400 shares and Ordinary B, 248,600 shares) ; 250,000 shares (Ordinary A 1,400 shares and Ordinary B 248,600) issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 respectively |
331,500 | 331,500 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
4,569,971 | 6,422,604 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
(392,389 | ) | 366,634 | |||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
4,509,082 |
7,120,738 |
||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
21,553,248 |
28,766,447 |
||||||
For the year ended |
||||||||
Particulars |
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
||||||
Revenue |
32,683,052 | 4,896,121 | ||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||
Cost of services (excluding depreciation and amortization expense) |
1,855,878 | 1,438,575 | ||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
28,382,202 | — | ||||||
General and administrative expenses |
3,379,709 | 4,221,685 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization expenses |
29,512 | 30,022 | ||||||
Total costs and expenses |
33,647,301 |
5,690,282 |
||||||
Loss from operations |
(964,904 |
) |
(794,161 |
) | ||||
Finance expense |
(17,623 | ) | (5,721 | ) | ||||
Other income/(expense) net |
1,061,716 | (42,639 | ) | |||||
Profit/(loss) before income tax expense |
79,844 |
(842,521 |
) | |||||
Income tax expense |
655 | 1,292 | ||||||
Net profit/(loss) |
79,189 |
(843,813 |
) | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes: |
||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(759,023 | ) | (79,704 | ) | ||||
Total comprehensive loss |
(679,834 |
) |
(923,517 |
) | ||||
Common stock |
Retained earnings |
Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss) |
Total stockholders’ equity |
|||||||||||||||||
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2021 |
250,000 |
331,500 |
7,594,821 |
446,338 |
8,372,659 |
|||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
— |
— |
(843,813 | ) | — |
(843,813 |
) | |||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
— |
— |
— |
(79,704 | ) | (79,704 |
) | |||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 |
250,000 |
331,500 |
6,751,008 |
366,634 |
7,449,142 |
|||||||||||||||
Dividends declared: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Dividend declared during the year (refer note 23) |
— | — | (328,405 | ) | — | (328,405 |
) | |||||||||||||
Restated balance as of December 31, 2021 |
250,000 |
331,500 |
6,422,603 |
366,634 |
7,120,737 |
|||||||||||||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net profit |
79,189 | 79,189 |
||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(759,023 | ) | (759,023 |
) | ||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Dividend declared during the year |
(1,931,821 | ) | (1,931,821 |
) | ||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 |
250,000 |
331,500 |
4,569,971 |
(392,389 |
) |
4,509,082 |
||||||||||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2022 |
For the year ended December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||
Net profit /(loss) after tax |
79,190 | (843,813 | ) | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net profit/ (loss) to net (cash used)/ generated from operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
29,512 | 30,022 | ||||||
Foreign exchange loss/(gains) |
(1,116,808 | ) | 497,126 | |||||
Liabilities no longer required written back |
(153,026 | ) | (636,584 | ) | ||||
Changes in assets and liabilities |
||||||||
Income taxes |
(655 | ) | (49,400 | ) | ||||
Accounts receivable |
3,893,417 | (2,848,500 | ) | |||||
Other current assets |
(83,792 | ) | (29,401 | ) | ||||
Due to insurers |
(3,606,842 | ) | 10,153,973 | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(679,298 | ) | (3,862,526 | ) | ||||
Net cash (used in)/ generated from operating activities |
(1,638,302 |
) |
2,410,897 |
|||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
||||||||
Purchase of equipment |
(60,357 | ) | (25,586 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(60,357 |
) |
(25,586 |
) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
||||||||
Dividend paid |
(309,404 | ) | — | |||||
Net cash (used in)/ generated from financing activities |
(309,404 |
) |
— |
|||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(2,146,506 | ) | (124,193 | ) | ||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
(4,154,569 |
) |
2,261,118 |
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
21,424,677 | 19,163,559 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
17,270,108 |
21,424,677 |
||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
||||||||
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds |
655 | — |
1. |
Organization and nature of operations |
2. |
Significant accounting policies |
a) |
Basis of presentation and consolidation |
b) |
Use of estimates |
c) |
Revenue |
• | Distribution fee from underwriting, pricing and distribution |
• | Administration fee from Insurance support services & Service plan administration |
d) |
Contract liabilities |
e) |
Cost of services |
f) |
Sales and marketing expenses |
g) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
h) |
Accounts receivable, net |
i) |
Property and equipment |
Assets |
Useful life in years | |
Computers |
3-5 years | |
Furniture and fixtures |
3-5 years | |
Office equipment |
3-5 years |
j) |
Intangibles, net |
k) |
Impairment of long-lived assets |
l) |
Leases |
m) |
Fair value measurements and financial instruments |
n) |
Foreign currency |
o) |
Employee defined contribution plan |
p) |
Operating Segments |
q) |
Income/(loss) per share attributable to common shareholders |
r) |
Income taxes |
s) |
Commitments and contingencies |
t) |
Recently issued accounting pronouncements and not yet adopted |
i. | In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets by requiring an allowance to be recorded as an offset to the amortized cost of such assets. ASU 2016-13 will become effective for the Company on April 1, 2023, and the modified retrospective approach is the only available option, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to accumulated earnings (deficit) as of the date of the adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated carve-out financial statements. |
ii. | In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires acquiring entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination. ASU 2021-08 will become effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, to be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the ASU, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard will have no impact to the Company’s historical consolidated carve-out financial statements. |
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Balances with banks in current accounts |
17,269,878 | 21,424,342 | ||||||
Cash in hand |
230 | 335 | ||||||
Total |
17,270,108 |
21,424,677 |
||||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Accounts receivable |
3,786,232 | 6,819,792 | ||||||
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts |
— | — | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
3,786,232 |
6,819,792 |
||||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Prepaid expenses |
195,533 | 167,490 | ||||||
Other advances |
3,577 | 39,122 | ||||||
Total |
199,110 |
206,612 |
||||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Computer |
183,802 | 131,411 | ||||||
Leased building |
— | 279,183 | ||||||
Furniture & Fixtures |
102,449 | 19,312 | ||||||
Total |
286,251 |
429,906 |
||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation |
(254,701 | ) | (133,911 | ) | ||||
Property and equipment, net |
31,550 |
295,995 |
||||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Computer Software |
240,542 | 269,054 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated amortisation |
(240,542 | ) | (269,054 | ) | ||||
Intangible assets, net |
(0 |
) |
(0 |
) | ||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Accounts Payable |
705,714 | 1,627,462 | ||||||
Accrued Expenses |
715,108 | 305,054 | ||||||
Total |
1,420,822 |
1,932,516 |
||||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Provision for income tax |
3,369 | 4,459 | ||||||
Total |
3,369 |
4,459 |
||||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Statutory liabilities |
128,869 | 159,081 | ||||||
Dividend Payable (restated)—refer note 23 |
1,931,821 | 326,715 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
1,183,468 | 1,555,889 | ||||||
Total |
3,244,158 |
2,041,685 |
||||||
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Deferred revenue—Non current |
831,048 | 1,360,793 | ||||||
Total |
831,048 |
1,360,793 |
||||||
Revenue from services |
For the year ended December 31, 2022 |
For the year ended December 31, 2021 |
||||||
Distribution fee from underwriting, pricing and distribution* |
29,327,067 | 1,556,155 | ||||||
Administration fee from Insurance support services & Service plan administration |
3,355,985 | 3,339,966 | ||||||
Total |
32,683,052 |
4,896,121 |
||||||
* | During the current year, the Company has modified the existing arrangement with the insurer where the Company can distribute insurance products directly to customers or through wholesale insurance intermediaries. The Company acts as a principal in the new arrangement with the insurer and has the right to determine the commission payable to intermediaries within the permissible limits prescribed Financial Services Authority (FSA) rules and regulations. The distribution fee has been accounted as per the agreed contractual terms with the insurer. |
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Distribution fee—Point in time |
29,327,067 | 1,556,155 | ||||||
Administration fee—Over time |
3,355,985 | 3,339,966 | ||||||
Total |
32,683,052 |
4,896,121 |
||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2022 |
For the year ended December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Contract liabilities |
||||||||
Deferred revenue—current |
1,183,468 | 1,555,889 | ||||||
Deferred revenue—Non current |
831,048 | 1,360,793 | ||||||
Total contract liabilities |
2,014,516 |
2,916,682 |
||||||
For the year ended December 31, 2022 |
For the year ended December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Interest Income |
62 | 150 | ||||||
Miscellaneous income* |
153,026 | 636,584 | ||||||
Foreign exchange fluctuation gain/(loss) |
908,628 | (679,373 | ) | |||||
Total |
1,061,716 |
(42,639 |
) | |||||
* | (Miscellaneous income includes write back of trade payable balances $285,400 and $651,113 during the year December 2022 and December 2021 respectively which were outstanding for a longer period and trade receivable balance of $132,374 and $15,383 which were written off during the year December 2022 and December 2021 respectively.) |
Particulars |
For the year ended December 31, 2022 |
For the year ended December 31, 2021 |
||||||
Current taxes |
655 | — | ||||||
Deferred taxes |
— | 1,292 | ||||||
Total provision for income taxes |
655 |
1,292 |
||||||
Particulars |
As of December 31, 2022 |
As of December 31, 2021 |
||||||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||||||
Net operating loss carry forwards |
73,565 | 88,611 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,129 | 38,512 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
(89,465 | ) | (195,248 | ) | ||||
Balance written back |
338,962 | 278,097 | ||||||
Others |
18,671 | 17,224 | ||||||
Total deferred tax assets |
372,862 |
227,196 |
||||||
Less: valuation allowance |
(358,810 | ) | (211,479 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance |
14,052 |
15,717 |
Particulars |
For the period ended December 31, 2022 |
For the period ended December 31, 2021 |
||||||
Federal statutory income tax rate |
19.00 |
% |
19.00 |
% | ||||
Valuation allowance |
184.52 | % | (2.36 | %) | ||||
Other |
(202.70 | %) | (16.79 | %) | ||||
Total provision for income taxes |
0.82 |
% |
(0.15 |
%) | ||||
Particulars |
Year Ended 31 December 2022 (USD) |
|||
Lease: |
||||
Operating lease cost |
58,359 | |||
Short-term lease cost |
10,536 | |||
Total lease cost |
68,895 |
|||
Particulars |
Year Ended 31 December 2022 (USD) |
|||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |
||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases |
57,668 | |||
Right-of-use |
||||
Operating Assets |
88,588 |
Particulars |
Year Ended 31 December 2022 (USD) |
|||
Operating Leases: |
||||
Operating Lease ROU Asset, net |
252,196 | |||
Other current liabilities |
26,963 | |||
Operating Lease Liabilities* |
— | |||
Total operating lease liabilities |
26,963 |
Year Ended 31 December 2022 |
||||
Operating Leases |
0.48 |
Year Ended 31 December 2022 |
||||
Operating Leases |
4.25 | % |
Particulars |
Lease Liabilities (USD) |
|||
For Year Ended 31 st December: |
||||
2023 |
27,221 | |||
Thereafter |
— | |||
Total Lease Payments |
27,221 |
|||
Less: Imputed Interest |
(258 | ) | ||
Total |
26,963 |
* |
The lease liabilities are translated into USD using the closing rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 |
Party name |
Relationship | |
AXA Partners Holding SA | Parent company | |
AXA Services Ltd | Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA UK Plc | Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA France IARD S.A | Affiliate of the entity | |
Inter Partner Assistance Company | Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Insurance Pte Ltd | Affiliate of the entity | |
Societe Generale Insurance Russia | Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA General Insurance Hong Kong Limited | Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Sigorta | Affiliate of the entity | |
AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad | Affiliate of the entity | |
IPA Partner Assistance S.A | Ultimate parent company |
Transactions during the year |
For the year ended |
|||||||
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
AXA Services Ltd |
||||||||
Expense incurred on behalf of the Company |
3,845 | — | ||||||
AXA UK PLC |
||||||||
Expense incurred on behalf of the Company |
32,941 | — | ||||||
Services rendered |
64,075 | 68,010 | ||||||
AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad |
||||||||
Services rendered |
68,876 | 71,240 | ||||||
AXA France IARD SA |
||||||||
Services rendered |
21,911 | — | ||||||
Distribution fee from underwriting, pricing and distribution |
29,327,066 | 1,556,156 | ||||||
Services received during the year |
— | 350,962 |
As at |
||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
- in respect of transactions with related parties |
||||||||
AXA Partners Holding SA |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
— | 131,954 | ||||||
AXA Services Ltd |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
(5,081 | ) | — | |||||
AXA France IARD SA |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
59,564 | 61,077 | ||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net (covered in due to insurer) |
(11,331,788 | ) | (17,154,996 | ) | ||||
AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
68,876 | 71,240 | ||||||
AXA Assistance UK Plc |
||||||||
-(Payable) / Receivable, net |
(145 | ) | — |
Impact of correction of error |
||||||||||||
As at December 31, 2021 (In USD) |
As previously reported |
Adjustments |
As restated |
|||||||||
Total Assets |
28,766,447 |
— |
28,766,447 |
|||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
1,932,516 | — |
1,932,516 | |||||||||
Due to insurers |
16,306,256 | — |
16,306,256 | |||||||||
Income taxes |
4,459 | — |
4,459 | |||||||||
Other current liabilities |
1,714,970 | 326,715 | 2,041,685 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities |
19,958,201 |
326,715 |
20,284,916 |
|||||||||
Contract liabilities |
1,360,793 | — | 1,360,793 | |||||||||
Total liabilities |
21,318,994 |
326,715 |
21,645,709 |
|||||||||
Common Stock |
331,500 | — | 331,500 | |||||||||
Retained earnings |
6,751,009 | (328,405 | ) | 6,422,604 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
364,944 | 1,690 | 366,634 | |||||||||
Total equity |
7,447,453 |
— |
7,120,738 |
|||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
28,766,447 |
326,715 |
28,766,447 |
|||||||||
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
Current assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
372,727 |
$ |
2,917,521 |
||||
Investments |
3,600,000 |
1,000,000 |
||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $37,917 and $32,122, respectively |
1,607,385 |
1,449,318 |
||||||
Income taxes receivable |
10,370 |
10,370 |
||||||
Other receivable |
73,959 |
39,005 |
||||||
Prepaid expenses |
9,207 |
21,291 |
||||||
Total current assets |
5,673,648 |
5,437,505 |
||||||
Noncurrent assets |
||||||||
Software, net of accumulated amortization of $1,438,619 and $1,429,565, respectively |
16,384 |
25,438 |
||||||
Right-of-use asset |
18,081 |
44,904 |
||||||
Other assets |
9,077 |
9,077 |
||||||
Total noncurrent assets |
43,542 |
79,419 |
||||||
Total assets |
$ |
5,717,190 |
$ |
5,516,924 |
||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ |
289,028 |
$ |
427,125 |
||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
399,087 |
272,217 |
||||||
Lease liability |
18,649 |
45,520 |
||||||
Deferred revenues |
128,389 |
125,871 |
||||||
Total current liabilities |
835,153 |
870,733 |
||||||
Stockholders’ equity |
||||||||
Common stock, no par value, 5,000 shares authorized, 4,509 shares issued and outstanding |
123,500 |
123,500 |
||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
446,104 |
389,683 |
||||||
Unearned ESOP shares (1,938 and 2,000 shares, respectively) |
(57,274 |
) |
(57,274 |
) | ||||
Retained earnings |
4,369,707 |
4,190,282 |
||||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
4,882,037 |
4,646,191 |
||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ |
5,717,190 |
$ |
5,516,924 |
||||
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
Operating revenue |
||||||||
Commercial revenue |
$ |
3,522,537 |
$ |
2,308,127 |
||||
Membership dues |
57,293 |
63,639 |
||||||
Total operating revenue |
3,579,830 |
2,371,766 |
||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||
Cost of revenue |
2,940,098 |
1,897,862 |
||||||
Sales and marketing |
63,247 |
55,822 |
||||||
General and administrative |
423,350 |
385,492 |
||||||
Total operating expenses |
3,426,695 |
2,339,176 |
||||||
Income from operations |
153,135 |
32,590 |
||||||
Financial income (expense) |
||||||||
Interest expense |
— |
(720 |
) | |||||
Unrealized loss on investments |
(21,724 |
) |
(197,080 |
) | ||||
Loss on pension plan settlement |
— |
(910,753 |
) | |||||
Investment income, net |
50,729 |
9,894 |
||||||
Total financial income (expense), net |
29,005 |
(1,098,659 |
) | |||||
Income (loss) before income tax expense |
182,140 |
(1,066,069 |
) | |||||
Income tax expense |
(2,715 |
) |
— |
|||||
Net income (loss) |
$ |
179,425 |
$ |
(1,066,069 |
) | |||
Net income (loss) |
$ |
179,425 |
$ |
(1,066,069 |
) | |||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
||||||||
Change in pension liability |
— |
554,343 |
||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
$ |
179,425 |
$ |
(511,726 |
) | |||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional Paid-In Capital |
Unearned ESOP Shares |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Retained Earnings |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 |
$ |
123,500 |
$ |
166,236 |
$ |
(59,507 |
) |
$ |
5,070,861 |
$ |
(554,343 |
) |
$ |
4,746,747 |
||||||||||
Net loss |
— |
— |
— |
(1,066,069 |
) |
— |
(1,066,069 |
) | ||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
— |
— |
— |
— |
554,343 |
554,343 |
||||||||||||||||||
ESOP shares allocated |
— |
55,863 |
558 |
— |
— |
56,421 |
||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2022 |
$ |
123,500 |
$ |
222,099 |
$ |
(58,949 |
) |
$ |
4,004,792 |
$ |
— |
$ |
4,291,442 |
|||||||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional Paid-In Capital |
Unearned ESOP Shares |
Retained Earnings |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 |
$ |
123,500 |
$ |
389,683 |
$ |
(57,274 |
) |
$ |
4,190,282 |
$ |
— |
$ |
4,646,191 |
|||||||||||
Net income |
— |
— |
— |
179,425 |
— |
179,425 |
||||||||||||||||||
ESOP shares allocated |
— |
55,863 |
558 |
— |
— |
56,421 |
||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2023 |
$ |
123,500 |
$ |
445,546 |
$ |
(56,716 |
) |
$ |
4,369,707 |
$ |
— |
$ |
4,882,037 |
|||||||||||
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ |
179,425 |
$ |
(1,066,069 |
) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
9,054 |
16,287 |
||||||
Non-cash lease operating expense |
27,184 |
27,184 |
||||||
Unrealized losses on investments, net |
— |
197,080 |
||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts |
6,000 |
— |
||||||
Allocation of ESOP shares |
56,421 |
56,421 |
||||||
Noncash pension plan income |
— |
(6,544 |
) | |||||
Loss on pension plan settlement |
— |
910,753 |
||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(164,067 |
) |
(118,121 |
) | ||||
Other receivable |
(34,954 |
) |
— |
|||||
Prepaid expenses |
12,084 |
(24,014 |
) | |||||
Accounts payable |
(138,097 |
) |
40,736 |
|||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
126,870 |
20,685 |
||||||
Operating lease liabilities |
(27,232 |
) |
(26,425 |
) | ||||
Deferred revenues |
2,518 |
5,723 |
||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
55,206 |
33,696 |
||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
||||||||
Purchases of investments |
(2,600,000 |
) |
— |
|||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(2,600,000 |
) |
— |
|||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(2,544,794 |
) |
33,696 |
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning |
2,917,521 |
1,004,409 |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, ending |
$ |
372,727 |
$ |
1,038,105 |
||||
• |
Identification of the contract or contracts with a customer – For commercial revenue, the Company’s contracts with customers are based on roadside assistance plans with specified fees. For membership revenue, the Company’s contracts with customers are subscription-based contracts. |
• |
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract – For commercial revenue, the Company provides roadside assistance to customers. For membership revenue, the Company makes available defined limited road assistance services to its members for a specified contract period, generally one year. |
• |
Determination of the transaction price – For commercial revenue, the Company charges its customers for different types of roadside assistance. For membership revenue, the Company charges its members annual membership fees. |
• |
Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract – The Company’s commercial and membership revenues have one performance obligation. Accordingly, there is no allocation required. |
• |
Recognition of revenue when or as the Company satisfies the performance obligation – For commercial revenue, the Company recognizes revenue when services have been provided to its customers. For membership revenue, the Company recognizes membership fees ratably over the membership period and unearned membership fees are deferred on the balance sheet. |
2023 |
2022 |
|||||||
Commercial revenue – point in time |
$ |
3,522,537 |
$ |
2,308,127 |
||||
Membership revenue – over time |
57,293 |
63,639 |
||||||
$ |
3,579,830 |
$ |
2,371,766 |
|||||
Level 1 – |
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | |||
Level 2 – |
Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. | |||
Level 3 – |
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. |
• |
not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are/or contain leases, not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases; |
• |
apply exemption for short-term leases with lease term of less than 12 months. Short-term leases are not recorded in the balance sheet, and related lease expense are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. |
Gross Unrealized |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Cost |
Gains |
Losses |
Net |
|||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2023 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Mutual funds |
$ |
3,600,000 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
3,600,000 |
Gross Unrealized |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Cost |
Gains |
Losses |
Net |
|||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Mutual funds |
$ |
1,000,000 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
1,000,000 |
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year |
$ |
2,644,220 |
||
Interest cost |
16,222 |
|||
Actuarial loss (gain) |
118,156 |
|||
Benefits paid |
(73,320 |
) | ||
Settlements |
(2,705,278 |
) | ||
Projected benefit obligation at the end of the year |
$ |
— |
||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |
$ |
2,994,086 |
||
Employer contributions |
— |
|||
Actual return on plan assets |
(215,488 |
) | ||
Benefits paid |
(73,320 |
) | ||
Settlements |
(2,705,278 |
) | ||
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year |
$ |
— |
||
Funded status |
$ |
— |
||
Unrecognized net actuarial loss |
— |
|||
Net prior service cost |
— |
|||
Prepaid benefit cost |
$ |
— |
||
Amounts recognized on the balance sheet: |
||||
Prepaid benefit cost |
$ |
— |
||
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss |
— |
|||
Prepaid asset |
$ |
— |
||
Reconciliation of prepaid benefit cost |
||||
Prepaid benefit cost, beginning of year |
$ |
904,209 |
||
Employer contributions |
— |
|||
Pension expense |
6,544 |
|||
Loss on pension plan settlement |
(910,753 |
) | ||
Prepaid benefit cost, end of year |
$ |
— |
||
Interest cost |
$ |
16,222 |
||
Expected return on assets |
(31,523 |
) | ||
Amortization of prior service cost |
146 |
|||
Amortization of actuarial loss |
8,611 |
|||
Net pension income |
($ |
6,544 |
) | |
Remaining lease term |
1.42 years |
|||
Discount rate |
5.25 |
% |
Period from December 31, 2022 to May 31, 2023 |
$ |
18,690 |
||
Less interest |
(41 |
) | ||
Lease liability |
$ |
18,649 |
||
March 31, 2023 |
December 31, 2022 |
|||||||
Suspense (unallocated) shares |
1,938 |
2,000 |
||||||
Allocated shares |
2,471 |
2,509 |
||||||
Total ESOP shares |
4,509 |
4,509 |
||||||
• | Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. |
• | Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. |
• | Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed. |
• | Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements. |
• | Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. |
2022 |
2021 |
|||||||
Current assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 2,917,521 | $ | 1,004,409 | ||||
Investments |
1,000,000 | 3,407,847 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $32,122 and $29,608, respectively |
1,449,318 | 869,539 | ||||||
Income taxes receivable |
10,370 | — | ||||||
Other receivable |
39,005 | — | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
21,291 | 27,398 | ||||||
Total current assets |
5,437,505 | 5,309,193 | ||||||
Noncurrent assets |
||||||||
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $41,214 and $75,295, respectively |
— | 2,491 | ||||||
Software, net of accumulated amortization of $1,429,565 and $1,382,848, respectively |
25,438 | 77,082 | ||||||
Pension asset |
— | 349,866 | ||||||
Right-of-use |
44,904 | — | ||||||
Other assets |
9,077 | 12,744 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ |
5,516,924 |
$ |
5,751,376 |
||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||
2022 |
2021 |
|||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Notes payable |
$ | — | $ | 284,995 | ||||
Accounts payable |
427,125 | 291,963 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
272,217 | 292,824 | ||||||
Lease liability |
45,520 | — | ||||||
Deferred revenues |
125,871 | 134,847 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
870,733 | 1,004,629 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity |
||||||||
Common stock, no par value, 5,000 shares authorized, 4,509 shares issued and outstanding |
123,500 | 123,500 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
389,683 | 166,236 | ||||||
Unearned ESOP shares (2,000 and 2,250 shares, respectively) |
(57,274 | ) | (59,507 | ) | ||||
Retained earnings |
4,190,282 | 5,070,861 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
— | (554,343 | ) | |||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
4,646,191 | 4,746,747 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ |
5,516,924 |
$ |
5,751,376 |
||||
2022 |
2021 |
|||||||
Operating revenue: |
||||||||
Commercial revenue |
$ | 12,108,791 | $ | 8,300,739 | ||||
Membership dues |
244,816 | 272,439 | ||||||
12,353,607 | 8,573,178 | |||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||
Cost of revenue |
9,832,498 | 6,682,997 | ||||||
Sales and marketing |
350,310 | 230,498 | ||||||
General and administrative |
1,899,795 | 1,390,929 | ||||||
12,082,603 | 8,304,424 | |||||||
Operating income |
271,004 | 268,754 | ||||||
Financial income (expense): |
||||||||
Interest income (expense) |
2,030 | (154 | ) | |||||
Unrealized loss on investments |
(458,277 | ) | (37,325 | ) | ||||
Forgiveness of PPP loan |
284,995 | 284,997 | ||||||
Loss on pension plan settlement |
(910,753 | ) | — | |||||
Investment (loss) income, net |
(68,139 | ) | 585,410 | |||||
(1,150,144 | ) | 832,928 | ||||||
(Loss) Income before income tax expense |
(879,140 | ) | 1,101,682 | |||||
Income tax expense |
(1,439 | ) | (8,906 | ) | ||||
Net (loss) income |
$ |
(880,579 |
) |
$ |
1,092,776 |
|||
Net (loss) income |
$ | (880,579 | ) | $ | 1,092,776 | |||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: |
||||||||
Change in pension liability |
554,343 | 102,611 | ||||||
Comprehensive (loss) income |
$ |
(326,236 |
) |
$ |
1,195,387 |
|||
Common Stock |
Additional Paid-In Capital |
Unearned ESOP Shares |
Retained Earnings |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance—January 1, 2021 |
$ | 123,500 | $ | 94,487 | $ | (74,100 | ) | $ | 3,978,085 | $ | (656,954 | ) | $ | 3,465,018 | ||||||||||
Net income |
— | — | — | 1,092,776 | — | 1,092,776 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
— | — | — | — | 102,611 | 102,611 | ||||||||||||||||||
ESOP shares allocated |
— | 71,749 | 14,593 | — | — | 86,342 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance—December 31, 2021 |
123,500 | 166,236 | (59,507 | ) | 5,070,861 | (554,343 | ) | 4,746,747 | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
— | — | — | (880,579 | ) | — | (880,579 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
— | — | — | — | 554,343 | 554,343 | ||||||||||||||||||
ESOP shares allocated |
— | 223,447 | 2,233 | — | — | 225,680 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance—December 31, 2022 |
$ |
123,500 |
$ |
389,683 |
$ |
(57,274 |
) |
$ |
4,190,282 |
$ |
— |
$ |
4,646,191 |
|||||||||||
2022 |
2021 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||
Net (loss) income |
$ | (880,579 | ) | $ | 1,092,776 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Bad debt expense |
43,000 | — | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
54,135 | 101,530 | ||||||
Non-cash lease operating expense |
108,733 | — | ||||||
Unrealized loss on investments, net |
458,277 | 37,325 | ||||||
Realized loss (gain) on investments, net |
114,844 | (543,305 | ) | |||||
Gains from PPP loan forgiveness |
(284,995 | ) | (284,997 | ) | ||||
Allocation of ESOP shares |
225,680 | 86,342 | ||||||
Noncash pension plan benefit |
(6,544 | ) | (40,881 | ) | ||||
Loss on pension plan settlement |
910,753 | — | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(622,779 | ) | (373,797 | ) | ||||
Income tax receivable |
(10,370 | ) | — | |||||
Other receivable |
(39,005 | ) | — | |||||
Prepaid expenses |
6,107 | 5,137 | ||||||
Other assets |
3,667 | — | ||||||
Accounts payable |
135,162 | 11,017 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
(20,607 | ) | 82,694 | |||||
Operating lease liabilities |
(108,117 | ) | — | |||||
Deferred revenues |
(8,976 | ) | (17,890 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
78,386 | 155,951 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities |
||||||||
Proceeds from sales of investments |
2,834,726 | 2,027,431 | ||||||
Purchases of investments |
(1,000,000 | ) | (2,313,650 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
1,834,726 | (286,219 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities |
||||||||
Proceeds from notes payable |
— | 284,995 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
— | 284,995 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
1,913,112 | 154,727 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents: |
||||||||
Beginning |
1,004,409 | 849,682 | ||||||
Ending |
$ |
2,917,521 |
$ |
1,004,409 |
||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information |
||||||||
Cash payments for income taxes |
$ |
22,486 |
$ |
800 |
||||
• | Identification of the contract(s) with a customer – For commercial revenue, the Company’s contracts with customers are based on roadside assistance plans with specified fees. For membership revenue, the Company’s contracts with customers are subscription-based contracts. |
• | Identification of the performance obligations in the contract – For commercial revenue, the Company provides roadside assistance to customers. For membership revenue, the Company makes available defined limited road assistance services to its members for a specified contract period, generally one year. |
• | Determination of the transaction price – For commercial revenue, the Company charges its customers for different types of roadside assistance. For membership revenue, the Company charges its members annual membership fees. |
• | Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract – The Company’s commercial and membership revenues, respectively, have one performance obligation; accordingly, no allocation is required. |
• | Recognition of revenue when or as the Company satisfies the performance obligation – For commercial revenue, the Company recognizes revenue when services have been provided to its customers. For membership revenue, the Company recognizes membership fees ratably over the membership period and unearned membership fees are deferred on the balance sheet. |
2022 |
2021 |
|||||||
Commercial revenue – point in time |
$ | 12,108,791 | $ | 8,300,739 | ||||
Membership revenue – over time |
244,816 | 272,439 | ||||||
$ |
12,353,607 |
$ |
8,573,178 |
|||||
Level 1 – | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | |||
Level 2 – | Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. | |||
Level 3 – | Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. |
• | not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are/or contain leases, not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases; |
• | apply exemption for short-term leases with lease terms of less than 12 months. Short-term leases are not recorded in the balance sheet, and related lease expense are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. |
Gross Unrealized |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Cost |
Gains |
Losses |
Net |
|||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Mutual funds |
$ | 1,000,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,000,000 |
Gross Unrealized |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||||||||||||||||
Cost |
Gains |
Losses |
Net |
|||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2021 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities |
$ | 2,949,609 | $ | 474,945 | ($ | 16,707 | ) | $ | 458,238 | $ | 3,407,847 |
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year |
$ | 2,644,220 | $ | 2,918,666 | ||||
Interest cost |
16,222 | 56,535 | ||||||
Actuarial loss (gain) |
118,156 | (30,123 | ) | |||||
Benefits paid |
(73,320 | ) | (300,858 | ) | ||||
Settlements |
(2,705,278 | ) | — | |||||
Projected benefit obligation |
$ |
— |
$ |
2,644,220 |
||||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |
$ | 2,994,086 | $ | 3,125,040 | ||||
Employer contributions |
— | — | ||||||
Actual return on plan assets |
(215,488 | ) | 169,904 | |||||
Benefits paid |
(73,320 | ) | (300,858 | ) | ||||
Settlements |
(2,705,278 | ) | — | |||||
Fair value of plan assets |
$ |
— |
$ |
2,994,086 |
||||
Funded status |
$ | — | $ | 349,866 | ||||
Unrecognized net actuarial loss |
— | 542,652 | ||||||
Net prior service cost |
— | 11,691 | ||||||
Prepaid benefit cost |
$ |
— |
$ |
904,209 |
||||
Amounts recognized on the balance sheet: |
||||||||
Prepaid benefit cost |
$ | — | $ | 904,209 | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss |
— | (554,343 | ) | |||||
Prepaid asset |
$ |
— |
$ |
349,866 |
||||
Reconciliation of prepaid benefit cost |
||||||||
Prepaid benefit cost, beginning of year |
$ | 904,209 | $ | 863,329 | ||||
Employer contributions |
— | — | ||||||
Pension expense |
6,544 | 40,880 | ||||||
Loss on pension plan settlement |
(910,753 | ) | — | |||||
Prepaid benefit cost |
$ |
— |
$ |
904,209 |
||||
Weighted average assumptions as of December 31, 2021: |
||||||||
Discount rate |
2.00 | % | ||||||
Long-term rate of return on assets |
4.50 | % | ||||||
Average rate of compensation increases |
N/A |
Equity securities |
37.0 | % | ||
Debt securities |
57.0 | % | ||
Real estate |
5.2 | % | ||
Cash |
0.8 | % | ||
Total |
100.0 |
% | ||
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Interest cost |
$ | 16,222 | $ | 56,535 | ||||
Expected return on assets |
(31,523 | ) | (133,745 | ) | ||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
146 | 582 | ||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss |
8,611 | 35,747 | ||||||
Net pension income |
($ | 6,544 | ) | ($ | 40,881 | ) | ||
Remaining lease term |
1.42 years | |||
Discount rate |
5.25 | % |
Period from December 31, 2022 to May 31, 2023 |
$ | 45,921 | ||
Less interest |
(402 | ) | ||
Lease liability |
$ | 45,519 | ||
December 31, 2022 |
December 31, 2021 |
|||||||
Suspense (unallocated) shares |
2,000 | 2,250 | ||||||
Allocated shares |
2,509 | 2,259 | ||||||
Total ESOP shares |
4,509 | 4,509 | ||||||
Annex A
Execution Version
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP.,
VAHANNA MERGER SUB CORP.
AND
ROADZEN, INC.
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
ii
Page | ||||||||
|
Section 8.9 |
Parties in Interest | A-78 | |||||
Section 8.10 |
Severability | A-78 | ||||||
Section 8.11 |
Counterparts; Electronic Signatures | A-78 | ||||||
Section 8.12 |
Knowledge of Company; Knowledge of Vahanna | A-78 | ||||||
Section 8.13 |
No Recourse | A-79 | ||||||
Section 8.14 |
Extension; Waiver | A-79 | ||||||
Section 8.15 |
Waiver of Jury Trial | A-79 | ||||||
Section 8.16 |
Jurisdiction | A-80 | ||||||
Section 8.17 |
Remedies | A-80 | ||||||
Section 8.18 |
Legal Representation | A-80 | ||||||
Section 8.19 |
Trust Account Waiver | A-81 | ||||||
Section 8.20 |
Holder Representative | A-82 |
EXHIBITS | ||
Exhibit A | Form of Support Agreement | |
Exhibit B | Form of Lock-Up Agreement | |
Exhibit C | Form of Sponsor Support Agreement | |
Exhibit D | Form of Written Consent — Pre-Closing Holders | |
Exhibit E | Form of Amended Governing Documents of Vahanna | |
Exhibit F | Form of Domestication Governing Documents of Vahanna |
iii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”), dated as of February 10, 2023, is made by and among Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”), Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Vahanna (“Merger Sub”), and Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Vahanna, Merger Sub and the Company shall be referred to herein from time to time collectively as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in Section 1.1.
WHEREAS, (a) Vahanna is a blank check company incorporated as a British Virgin Islands business company on April 22, 2021 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses and (b) Merger Sub is, as of the date hereof, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Vahanna that was formed for purposes of consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Governing Documents of Vahanna, Vahanna is required to provide an opportunity for its shareholders to have their outstanding Vahanna Class A Shares redeemed on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein in connection with obtaining the Vahanna Shareholder Approvals;
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (the “DGCL”), at the Closing, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will be the surviving company and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Vahanna, and, upon the Effective Time (as defined below) of the Merger (as defined below), all shares of Company Stock (as defined below) will be converted into the right to receive the consideration set forth in Article 2 of this Agreement;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, certain Pre-Closing Holders (as defined below) are entering into a Support Agreement with Vahanna, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Support Agreement”);
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, certain Pre-Closing Holders and expected executives of Vahanna following the Closing (as defined below) are entering into certain Lock-Up Agreements with Vahanna and the Company, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Vahanna shall file a registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and containing a proxy statement of Vahanna (the “Registration Statement / Proxy Statement”) and it is a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that the Vahanna Shareholder Approvals have been obtained;
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement and immediately prior to giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Sponsor owns 4,852,500 Vahanna Class B Shares and 8,638,500 Vahanna Private Warrants;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Sponsor is entering into that certain Sponsor Support Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), whereby in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, Sponsor, as a shareholder of Vahanna, shall (a) agree not to form a group to vote against any directors nominated by the Pre-Closing Holders, (b) vote in favor of (i) the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) any proposals made by Vahanna to facilitate or in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) appear at any Vahanna shareholder meetings called regarding the transactions contemplated hereby for purposes of constituting a quorum, (d) vote against any proposals that would materially impede the transactions contemplated hereby and (e) agree not to redeem any Vahanna Shares held by Sponsor;
A-1
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Vahanna has (a) approved this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger), (b) determined that this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger) are in the best interests of Vahanna and the shareholders of Vahanna, and declared it advisable to enter into this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which Vahanna is or will be a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger) and (c) recommended, among other things, acceptance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Merger) and the Ancillary Documents and the approval of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents by the holders of Vahanna Shares entitled to vote thereon;
WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has (a) approved this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger), (b) determined that this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger) are in the best interests of the Company and the holders of Company Stock entitled to vote thereon, and declared it advisable to enter into this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which the Company is or will be a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger) and (c) recommended, among other things, the approval of this Agreement and the Merger by the holders of Company Stock entitled to vote thereon;
WHEREAS, the board of directors of Merger Sub has unanimously (a) approved this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger), (b) determined that this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger) is in the best interests of Merger Sub and Vahanna, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, and declared it advisable to enter into this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger) and (c) recommended, among other things, the approval of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and acceptance of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger) by Vahanna, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Company’s entry into this Agreement, certain Pre-Closing Holders who, collectively, constitute at least the Requisite Threshold have agreed in the Support Agreement to deliver an irrevocable written consent in the form set forth on Exhibit D (the “Written Consent”) in order to (i) effect a conversion of all of the Company Preferred Stock to Company Common Stock in accordance with Article IV, Section D.6(b)(i)(A) of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Roadzen, Inc., as amended (the “Company Charter”), with the effective time for such conversion to be conditioned upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article 6 (other than those which will be satisfied or waived as of the Closing) or waiver of such conditions in accordance therewith and will occur on the Closing Date but prior to the Effective Time (the “Company Preferred Conversion”) and (ii) deliver the Required Company Shareholder Approval; and
WHEREAS, each of the Parties intends for U.S. federal income Tax purposes that (a) this Agreement constitutes, and hereby is, adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for the purposes of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) and (b) the Merger shall constitute a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, each intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below.
A-2
“280G Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.19.
“Accounting Principles” means GAAP as in effect at the date of the financial statement to which it refers or if there is no such financial statement, then as of the Closing Date, using and applying the same accounting principles, practices, procedures, policies and methods (with consistent classifications, judgments, elections, inclusions, exclusions and valuation and estimation methodologies) used and applied by the Group Companies in the preparation of the latest audited Financial Statements.
“Acquisition Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a).
“Additional Vahanna SEC Reports” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person who directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlled” and “controlling” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Affiliated Group” means an affiliated group as defined in Section 1504 of the Code (or any analogous combined, consolidated or unitary group defined under state, local or non-U.S. Law relating to income Tax).
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
“Allocation Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(e).
“Ancillary Documents” means this Agreement, each Lock-Up Agreement, the Support Agreement, the Sponsor Support Agreement and each other agreement, document, instrument and/or certificate contemplated by this Agreement to be executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
“Anti-Corruption Laws” means, collectively: (a) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), (b) the UK Bribery Act 2010 and (c) any other anti-bribery or anti-corruption Laws related to combatting bribery, corruption and money laundering.
“Audited Financials” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).
“Available Cash” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(g).
“Beneficially Own” and correlative terms such as “Beneficial Ownership” and “Beneficial Owners” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and shall be calculated in accordance therewith.
“Business” means the business of the design, development and commercialization of technology, computer vision, artificial intelligence and augmented data processes and the application of the same to the insurance value chain, including, without limitation, the provision of dynamic pre-inspection underwriting capabilities, application programming interface-led distribution and real-time claims processing through the combination of machine learning, computer vision and advanced analytics.
“Business Combination Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10.
“Business Data” means all business information and all Personal Data (whether of employees, contractors, consultants, customers, consumers, or other Persons and whether in electronic or any other form or medium) that is accessed, collected, used, processed, stored, shared, distributed, transferred, disclosed, destroyed, or disposed of by any of the Company IT Systems or otherwise in connection with the business of the Group Companies.
A-3
“Business Day” means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks in New York, New York are open for the general transaction of business.
“Business Intellectual Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(b).
“BVIBCA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as signed into Law by the President of the United States on March 27, 2020, as amended by subsequent legislation, including the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 as signed into Law by the President of the United States on March 11, 2021.
“CBA” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(i).
“Certificate of Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Certificates” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).
“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“Closing Filing” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(b).
“Closing Press Release” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(b).
“COBRA” means Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, Section 4980B of the Code and any similar state Law.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Companies Act” means the BVI Business Companies Act, as revised and amended.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
“Company Additional Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b)(iii).
“Company Board” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Company Change in Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a).
“Company Charter” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Company Common Share” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
“Company Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share.
“Company Common Stock Warrants” means the warrants issued by the Company to purchase Company Common Stock.
“Company D&O Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a).
“Company D&O Tail Policy” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(c).
A-4
“Company Directors” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.17(c).
“Company Equity Plan” means any plan that provides for the award of rights of any kind to receive Equity Securities of any Group Company or benefits measured in whole or in part by reference to Equity Securities of any Group Company.
“Company Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.1(a) and (b) (Organization and Qualification), Section 3.2(a) through (f) (Capitalization of the Company), 3.3 (Authority), 3.5(i) and (iii) (No Violations) and 3.17 (Brokers).
“Company IT Systems” means all computer systems, Software (including Company Products) and hardware, communication systems, servers, and all other information technology or network equipment and related items of automated, computerized or Software systems, and related documentation, in each case, currently used by or for a Group Company in the Business and owned, licensed or leased by, or otherwise provided under contract to, a Group Company.
“Company Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other change, event, effect, development or occurrence, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets, or results of operations of the Group Companies, taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of any Group Company to timely perform any of its or their respective covenants or obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; provided, however, that, in the case of clause (a), none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would be reasonably expected to occur: any adverse change, event, effect, development or occurrence arising from or related to (i) conditions affecting the United States or the global economy generally, (ii) any national or international political or social conditions in the United States or any other country, (iii) changes in conditions of the financial, banking or securities markets generally, (iv) changes in any applicable Laws or GAAP first publicly announced or enacted after the date hereof, (v) any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that is generally applicable to the industries or markets in which the Group Companies operate, (vi) the public announcement or pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (provided that the exception in this clause (vi) shall not apply to the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.5 to the extent that its purpose is to address the consequences resulting from the public announcement or pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) to the extent it relates to such representations and warranties), (vii) the taking of any action expressly required to be taken by the terms and conditions of this Agreement by the Company (or expressly permitted to be taken as set forth in Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b) of the Company Schedules or that is otherwise consented to in writing by Vahanna), (viii) any failure, in and of itself, by the Group Companies to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts, estimates or predictions in respect of revenues, earnings or other financial or operating metrics for any period ending before, on or after the date of this Agreement (although the underlying facts and circumstances resulting in such failure may be taken into account to the extent not otherwise excluded from this definition pursuant to clauses (i) through (vii)), or (ix) the effects of any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, tsunami, natural disaster, act of God, epidemic, disease outbreak, pandemic (including COVID-19) or public health emergency (as declared by the World Health Organization or the Health and Human Services Secretary of the United States); provided, however, that any change, event, effect, development or occurrence resulting from a matter described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) and clause (ix) shall be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would be reasonably likely to occur to the extent such change, event, effect, development or occurrence has a disproportionate effect on the Group Companies, taken as a whole, relative to other participants operating in the industries or markets in the geographies in which the Group Companies operate.
“Company Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, expressed on a fully-diluted and as-converted to Company Common
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Stock basis, and including, without duplication, (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock issued or issuable upon the Company Preferred Conversion, (ii) the aggregate number of Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of all Company Warrants, whether exercisable or unexercisable, outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time in accordance with their respective terms, (iii) the aggregate number of Company Common Stock issuable upon the vesting and settlement of all Company RSUs, whether vested or unvested, outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time in accordance with their respective terms and (iv) the the aggregate number of Company Common Stock issuable upon the vesting, settlement, conversion or exercise and settlement of all Company Additional Securities, whether vested or unvested, outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time in accordance with their respective terms.
“Company Owned Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by any Group Company.
“Company Plan” means each Employee Benefit Plan that is maintained, sponsored or contributed to or required to be contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or under or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any present or future liability, including on account of an ERISA Affiliate.
“Company Preferred Conversion” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Company Preferred Stock” means the preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company designated as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” in the Company Charter, consisting of Series A Stock and Series A1 Stock.
“Company Preferred Stock Warrants” means the warrants issued by the Company to purchase Company Preferred Stock.
“Company Products” means all Software and other products relating to the Business from which any of the Group Companies are currently deriving revenue from the sale, license, support, development, maintenance or other provision thereof.
“Company Registered Intellectual Property” means all of the following owned by, or filed by or in the name of, any Group Company: issued Patents, pending Patent applications, registered Marks, pending applications for registration of Marks, registered copyrights, and pending applications for registration of copyrights.
“Company RSUs” means the restricted stock units of the Company awarded pursuant to a Company Equity Plan, to be adopted by the Company following the Closing.
“Company Sale” means (i) any transaction or series of related transactions (including by merger, consolidation, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction) that results in any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) acquiring Equity Securities that represent more than 50% of the total voting power of Vahanna, (ii) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Vahanna and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, or (iii) any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Vahanna, in each case of clauses (i) through (iii), other than a transaction or series of related transactions which results in at least 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Vahanna (or any successor to Vahanna) immediately following the closing of such transaction (or series of related transactions) being Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by individuals and entities (or Affiliates of such individuals and entities) who were the Beneficial Owners, respectively, of at least 50% of the Equity Securities of Vahanna immediately prior to such transaction (or series of related transactions).
“Company Schedules” means the disclosure schedules to this Agreement delivered to Vahanna by the Company on the date hereof.
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“Company Shareholder Agreements” means each of Contracts set forth on Section 1.1(a) of the Company Schedules.
“Company Stock” means the Company Common Stock and the Company Preferred Stock.
“Company Stockholder Package” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.15.
“Company Transaction Expenses” means, without duplication, the aggregate amount payable by any Group Company that is unpaid as of any time of determination, for (a) out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of the letter of intent between Vahanna and the Company and this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the fees and expenses of outside legal counsel, accountants, advisors, investment bankers, brokers, consultants or other agents), (b) the cost of the Company D&O Tail Policy to be obtained pursuant to Section 5.5(c), (c) the costs and expenses of any consultant or advisor engaged to prepare a compensation study in connection with implementation of the New Incentive Plan, (d) 50% of the filing fee to be paid pursuant to the HSR Act, (e) 50% of all applicable filing fees to be paid to the SEC for the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, (f) 50% of the Transfer Taxes, and (g) any other fees, expenses, commissions or other amounts that are expressly allocated to any Group Company pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, in each case as of such determination time.
“Company Warrants” means the Company Common Stock Warrants and the Company Preferred Stock Warrants.
“Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of January 3, 2022, by and between Vahanna and the Company.
“Consent” means any notice, authorization, qualification, registration, filing, notification, waiver, Order, consent or approval to be obtained from, filed with or delivered to, a Governmental Entity or other Person.
“Constituent Corporations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Contracts” means any agreement, contract, license, lease, obligation, undertaking or other commitment, understanding or arrangement, whether written or oral, that is legally binding upon a Person or any of his, her, or its properties or assets.
“COVID-19” means the COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 virus (or any mutation or variation thereof or related health condition).
“COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place”, “stay at home”, workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure or sequester Order, guideline, recommendation or Law, or any other applicable Laws, guidelines or recommendations by any Governmental Entity in connection with or in response to COVID-19.
“D&O Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a).
“Data” means data, databases, data repositories, data lakes and collections of data.
“Data Privacy and Security Requirements” means, collectively, all of the following to the extent relating to the Processing of Personal Data or otherwise relating to data protection, privacy, security, data breach notification requirements for Data and Business Data and applicable to any Group Company, to the conduct of the Business, or to any of the Company IT Systems, sending solicited or unsolicited electronic mail and text messages, cookies, trackers: (i) all applicable Laws and guidelines from Governmental Entities, including the
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European General Data Protection Regulation of April 27, 2016 (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and/or any implementing or equivalent national Laws, the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and the GDPR as incorporated into UK Law pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as well as U.S. federal and state Laws, in particular the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, the California Privacy Rights Act, when applicable (and no later than as of January 1, 2023), and the New York SHIELD Act, and the Indian Information Technology Act, 2000 and the rules and regulations issued thereunder (including the Information Technology (Reasonable security practices and procedures and sensitive personal data or information) Rules, 2011) (in each case as amended, consolidated, re-enacted or replaced from time to time), (ii) if applicable to the Business, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and any other industry or self-regulatory standard to which the Group Companies are bound by Law or Contract or publicly hold themselves out to the public as being in compliance with and (iii) applicable provisions of Contracts into which any Group Company has entered or by which it is otherwise legally bound.
“DGCL” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Dissenting Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(f).
“Dissenting Stockholder” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(f).
“Domestication” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Domestication Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Domestication Governing Documents of Vahanna” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
“Employee Benefit Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA), each pension, retirement, profit-sharing, savings, health, welfare, bonus, incentive, commission, stock option, equity or equity-based, deferred compensation, severance, redundancy, retention, accident, disability, ill-health, death, employment, change of control, equity purchase, restricted equity, separation, consulting, salary continuation, post-termination or post-employment health or welfare, supplemental retirement, vacation, paid time off, fringe benefit and each other benefit or compensatory plan, program, policy, Contract or other arrangement.
“Environmental Laws” means all Laws and Orders concerning pollution, protection of the environment, natural resources, or worker health and safety (as applicable to exposure to Hazardous Substances).
“Equity Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b).
“Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, any share, share capital, capital stock, partnership, membership, joint venture or similar interest in any form whatsoever in such Person (including any stock appreciation, restricted stock unit, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights), and any option, warrant, right or security (including debt securities) convertible, exchangeable or exercisable therefor.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any Person that, together with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is (or at any relevant time has been or would be) treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
“ESPP” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b)(iii).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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“Exchange Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).
“Exchange Agent Agreement” means a paying and exchange agent agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna and the Company.
“Exchange Ratio” means the following ratio (rounded to four decimal places): (i) the Fully-Exercised Vahanna Share Count divided by (ii) the Company Outstanding Shares.
“FDA” means the United States Food and Drug Administration.
“Federal Securities Laws” means U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq promulgated thereunder.
“Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).
“Form F-1” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b).
“FTC” means the United States Federal Trade Commission.
“Fully-Exercised Vahanna Share Count” means a number of Vahanna Common Shares equal to the quotient of (a) the Total Equity Value divided by (b) $10.00.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
“Governing Documents” means the legal document(s) by which any Person (other than an individual) establishes its legal existence or which govern its internal affairs. For example, the “Governing Documents” of a U.S. corporation are its certificate or articles of incorporation and by-laws, the “Governing Documents” of a U.S. limited partnership are its limited partnership agreement and certificate of limited partnership, and the “Governing Documents” of a U.S. limited liability company are its operating or limited liability company agreement and certificate of formation.
“Governmental Entity” means any United States or non-United States (a) transnational, federal, state, local, municipal or other government, (b) governmental or quasi-governmental entity of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or entity and any court or other tribunal) or (c) body exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power of any nature, including any arbitral body or tribunal (public or private) or commission.
“Group Companies” means, collectively, the Company and its Subsidiaries.
“Group Company” means, individually, any of the Group Companies.
“Group Company Permits” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6.
“Hazardous Substance” means any substance, material, or waste which is regulated by, or for which standards of conduct or liability have been imposed pursuant to, any Environmental Law, including any petroleum products or byproducts, asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, per- and poly-fluoroakyl substances, toxic mold, dust, or radiation.
“Holder Representative” shall mean any Person appointed by the Company in accordance with Section 8.20.
“HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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“Immediate Family Member” means, with respect to any Person, his or her “Child” (defined as biological, adopted, or foster child, legal ward or child of such Person standing in loco parentis), grandchild, spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, a Child or parent of such Person’s spouse or domestic partner, or sibling (including a half, adopted, or step sibling), or any trust or foundation for the benefit of any of the foregoing Persons.
“Indebtedness” means, as of any time, without duplication, with respect to any Person, all amounts arising under any obligations of such Person and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) for, or in respect to, (a) indebtedness for borrowed money or indebtedness issues or incurred in substitution or exchange for borrowed money, (b) other obligations evidenced by any note, bond, debenture or other debt security, (c) obligations (contingent or otherwise) for the deferred purchase price of property, assets or a business, including “earn-outs”, “seller notes”, contingent or deferred consideration or purchase price adjustments (but, with respect to the Group Companies, excluding any trade payables and amounts related to deferred accrued acquisition compensation), (d) reimbursement and other obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments, in each case, solely to the extent drawn, (e) derivative, hedging, swap, foreign exchange or similar arrangements, including swaps, caps, collars, hedges or similar arrangements, (f) indebtedness evidenced by letters of credit, assurances against loss, bankers’ acceptances or surety bonds (in each case, only to the extent drawn or cash collateralized prior to and as of the Closing Date), (g) unfunded or underfunded liabilities under any defined benefit pension, supplemental retirement or post-employment welfare plan or arrangement, (h) with respect to the Group Companies, any and all liabilities for amounts of Taxes that any Group Company has deferred pursuant to Section 2302 of the CARES Act and all Taxes (including withholding Taxes) deferred pursuant to Internal Revenue Service Notice 2020-65 or any related or similar Order or declaration from any Governmental Entity (including without limitation the Presidential Memorandum, dated August 8, 2020, issued by the President of the United States), (i) all liabilities with respect to unfunded deferred compensation, and any liability in respect of accrued but unpaid bonuses for the prior fiscal year and for the period commencing on the first day of the current fiscal year and ending on the Closing Date, and any employment, withholding, payroll, social security, unemployment or similar Taxes imposed on such amounts, (j) any “single trigger” stay, retention, transaction, change of control or other similar bonuses, compensation or amounts paid or payable solely in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the employer portion of any employment, withholding, payroll, social security, unemployment or similar Taxes imposed on such amounts, determined assuming (A) such amounts are payable as of the Closing Date, and (B) no deferral of such Taxes has occurred under clause (h), and without duplication of any amounts taken into account under clause (j)), (k) with respect to Vahanna, any Affiliate payables or amounts payable to any Affiliate under any management or similar agreement or pursuant to termination of any Contract with any Affiliate at Closing or with respect to the Company, any payables under any Pre-Closing Holder Related Party Transactions or any amounts payable to any Affiliate under any management or similar agreement or pursuant to the termination of any Pre-Closing Holder Related Party Transactions, (l) the items identified in Section 1.1(b) (Identified Indebtedness) of the Company Schedules and (m) any of the obligations of any other Person of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (l) above directly or indirectly guaranteed by such Person or secured by any assets of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person, and with respect to clauses (a) through (m), including all accrued and unpaid interest, fees, expenses and other payment obligations (including any prepayment penalties, premiums, costs, breakage or other amounts payable upon the discharge thereof) arising under or in respect of such Indebtedness.
“Independent Director” means any director of a corporation who meets the requirements of “independent director” for all purposes under the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq.
“Intellectual Property” means any intellectual property or proprietary right arising under the Laws of any jurisdiction throughout the world, including any of the following to the extent protected under applicable Law: (a) patents and patent applications, industrial designs and design patent rights, including any continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part and provisional applications and any patents issuing on any of the foregoing and any reissues, reexaminations, substitutes and extensions of any of the foregoing (collectively, “Patents”),
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(b) trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, brand names, trade dress rights, logos, Internet domain names, corporate names and other source or business identifiers, together with the goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, and all applications, registrations, extensions and renewals of any of the foregoing, (collectively, “Marks”), (c) copyrights, copyrightable works, database and design rights, mask work rights and moral rights, whether or not registered or published, and all registrations, applications, renewals, extensions and reversions of any of any of the foregoing and (d) trade secrets, know-how and confidential and proprietary information, processes and techniques, research and development information, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, proposals, financial and marketing plans and customer and supplier lists and information, formulae, algorithms, compositions, industrial models, architectures, plans, proposals, technical Data, source code, in each case, to the extent any of the foregoing are protected as trade secrets under applicable Law (collectively, “Trade Secrets”), including any of the foregoing rights in clauses (a) through (d) that protect or are embodied in Software, or Data, Data classifications and Data analysis, enrichment, measurement and management tools.
“Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a).
“Interim Charter” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940.
“IPO” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.19.
“Latest Balance Sheet” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).
“Law” means any federal, state, local, foreign, national or supranational statute, law (including common law), act, statute, ordinance, treaty, rule, code, regulation or other binding directive promulgated or enforced by a Governmental Entity having competent jurisdiction over a given matter, as well as any Order.
“Leased Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.18(b).
“Letter of Transmittal” means a letter of transmittal in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna and the Company.
“Liability” or “liability” means any liability, debt, obligation, deficiency, interest, Tax, penalty, fine, demand, judgment, claim, cause of action or other loss, cost or expense of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether asserted or unasserted, whether or not contingent, known or unknown, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether due or become due and regardless of when asserted.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, license, encumbrance, financing statement, lien, charge, trust, option, warrant, purchase right, preemptive right, right of first offer or refusal, easement, servitude, restriction (whether voting, transfer or otherwise), encroachment or other similar encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever.
“Lock-Up Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“LTIP” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b)(iii).
“Marks” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Intellectual Property.
“Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a).
“Material Customers” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20.
“Material Data Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.21(i).
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“Material Suppliers” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20.
“Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Merger Sub” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
“Merger Sub Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(c).
“Merger Sub Sole Stockholder Approval” means the approval of Vahanna, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which Vahanna is a party, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger).
“Minimum Cash Condition” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(g).
“Multiemployer Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Stock Market.
“New Incentive Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(a).
“Nonparty Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.13.
“Open Source Software” means any Software that is licensed pursuant to: (a) any license that is a license now or in the future approved by the Open Source Initiative and listed at http://www.opensource.org/licenses, which licenses include all versions of the GNU General Public License (GPL), the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), the GNU Affero GPL, the MIT license, the Eclipse Public License, the Common Public License, the CDDL, the Mozilla Public License (MPL), the Artistic License, the Netscape Public License, the Sun Community Source License (SCSL), the Sun Industry Standards License (SISL) and the Server Side Public License (SSPL) or (b) any license to Software that is classified as “free” or “open source software” by the Open Source Foundation or the Free Software Foundation or that otherwise self-identifies as “freeware” or “open source software” and is licensed under terms comparable to licenses of any of the Software that is classified as “free” or “open source software” by the Open Source Foundation or the Free Software Foundation (as those terms are generally understood in the Software industry).
“Order” means any writ, order, judgment, injunction, settlement, decision, determination, award, ruling, subpoena, verdict or decree entered, issued, made or rendered by any Governmental Entity.
“Owned Real Property” means the real property owned by the Group Companies, together with all buildings, fixtures, and other structures, facilities or improvements located thereon and all easements, licenses, rights and appurtenances thereto, owned by the Group Companies.
“Parties” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
“Patents” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Intellectual Property.
“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
“PCAOB Financials” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.16(a).
“Permits” means any approvals, authorizations, waivers, exemptions, consents, clearances, licenses, registrations, determinations, notifications, confirmations, permits or certificates of a Governmental Entity that possesses competent jurisdiction.
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“Permitted Liens” means (a) mechanic’s, materialmen’s, carriers’, repairers’ and other similar statutory Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business for amounts that are not yet due and payable or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which sufficient reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (b) statutory Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable as of the Closing Date or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and, in each case, for which sufficient reserves have been established on the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP, (c) encumbrances and restrictions of record on real property (including easements, covenants, conditions, rights of way and similar restrictions) that do not or would not prohibit or materially interfere with the Group Companies’ use or the value or occupancy of such real property or the operation of the business of the Group Companies, taken as a whole, (d) zoning, building codes and other land use Laws regulating the use or occupancy of real property or the activities conducted thereon which are imposed by any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over such real property and which are not violated by the use or occupancy of such real property or the operation of the businesses of the Group Companies and do not prohibit or materially interfere with any of the Group Companies’ use or the value or the occupancy of such real property or the operation of the business of the Group Companies, (e) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business, (f) Liens described on Section 1.1(c) of the Company Schedules, (g) other than with respect to Intellectual Property, any right, interest, Lien or title of a licensor, sublicensor, licensee, sublicensee, lessor or sublessor under any license, lease or other similar agreement or in the property being leased or licensed, (h) Liens on equity or debt securities resulting from applicable Securities Laws and (i) Liens incurred in connection with capital lease obligations of any of the Group Companies.
“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock company, unincorporated organization or association, trust, joint venture, association or other similar entity, whether or not a legal entity.
“Personal Data” means all Data or information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular individual, household or an individual or household’s device, including Data or information otherwise subject to a Data Privacy and Security Requirement (including if it constitutes “personal information”, “personally identifiable information”, “personal data” or any other functional equivalent of these terms under applicable Data Privacy and Security Requirements).
“Pre-Closing Holder Related Parties” means (a) any officer, director, partner, member, or manager of any Group Company, or any Immediate Family Member of any such Person known to the Company, (b) any direct or (to the knowledge of the Company) indirect holder of Equity Securities of any Group Company, including any Pre-Closing Holder, or any Immediate Family Member of any such equityholder who is the record or (to the knowledge of the Company) beneficial owner of Equity Securities representing, or exercisable for or convertible into, more than 2% of the outstanding shares of any class of equity of a Group Company or (c) any Affiliate of any Group Company, or any Immediate Family Member of any such Person.
“Pre-Closing Holder Related Party Transactions” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.19.
“Pre-Closing Holders” means all Persons who hold one or more Company Common Shares, Company Preferred Stock, Company RSUs, Company Additional Securities, or Company Warrants immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Pre-Closing Vahanna Holders” means the holders of Vahanna Shares at any time prior to the Closing.
“Privileged Communications” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.18.
“Proceeding” means any lawsuit, litigation, action, audit, dispute, demand, examination, hearing, claim, charge, complaint, enquiry, audit, investigation, inquiry, proceeding, right, suit, or arbitration (in each case,
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whether civil, criminal or administrative and whether public or private) pending by or before or otherwise involving any Governmental Entity.
“Process” (or “Processing” or “Processes”) means the collection, use, storage, processing, recording, distribution, transfer, exchange, import, export, protection (including security measures), disposal, de-identification, sanitization, cleansing, sharing, sale or disclosure or other activity regarding Data (whether electronically or in any other form or medium).
“Project Genepi” means the Company’s acquisition of Global Insurance Management Limited, a company incorporated and registered in England and Wales, pursuant to that certain Share Purchase Agreement dated as of June 8, 2022.
“Project Ninja” means the Company’s acquisition of National Automobile Club, Inc., a California Corporation, pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of August 5, 2022.
“Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.19.
“Proxy Clearance Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(a).
“Public Shareholders” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.19.
“Real Property” means, collectively, Leased Real Property and Owned Real Property.
“Real Property Leases” means all leases, sub-leases, licenses or other agreements, in each case, pursuant to which any Group Company leases or sub-leases any real property.
“Registration Statement / Proxy Statement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and its and such Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees, accountants, consultants, advisors, attorneys, agents and authorized representatives.
“Required Company Shareholder Approval” means the approval of this Agreement and the Merger by at least the Requisite Threshold following the consummation of the Company Preferred Conversion.
“Requisite Threshold” means the approval of holders of a majority of the shares of the Company Common Stock and the Company Preferred Stock, consenting and voting as a single class on an “as-converted to Common Stock basis” as contemplated by the Company Charter.
“Roadzen Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.18.
“Sanctions and Export Control Laws” means any Law in any part of the world related to (a) import and export controls, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, (b) economic sanctions, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, any European Union Member State, the United Nations, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, and Reserve Bank of India or Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India or Ministry of Finance, Government of India or (c) anti-boycott measures.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.
“Schedules” means, collectively, the Company Schedules and the Vahanna Schedules.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securities Law” means Federal Securities Law and other applicable foreign and domestic securities or similar Laws.
“Security Incident” means any cyber or security incident that has, had or reasonably would be expected to have an impact on the security, confidentiality, integrity or availability of a Company IT System (including any Data Processed thereby or contained therein), any Trade Secret or any Business Data, including an occurrence that jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of Personal Data (including a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, Personal Data Processed) or that requires notification to any Person or Governmental Entity under applicable Data Privacy and Security Requirements.
“Signing Filing” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(b).
“Signing Press Release” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(b).
“Software” shall mean any and all: (a) computer programs, including any and all software implementations of algorithms, applications, utilities, development tools, models, embedded systems and methodologies, whether in source code, object code or executable code, (b) descriptions, flowcharts and other work product used with or to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons and (c) documentation, including user manuals and other training documentation related to any of the foregoing.
“Sponsor” means Vahanna LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Sponsor Directors” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.17(b).
“Sponsor Support Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other legal entity of which (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof, or the right to appoint a majority of the directors or to control the management or policy decisions, is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, including by virtue of shareholders agreements, voting agreements or in any other manner, or (b) if a limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof and for this purpose, a Person or Persons own a majority ownership interest in such a business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of such business entity’s gains or losses or shall be a, or control any, managing director or general partner of such business entity (other than a corporation). The term “Subsidiary” shall include all Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary.
“Subsidiary Equity Rights” means any (x) convertible debt, equity appreciation, phantom equity, or profit participation rights or (y) options, restricted stock units, phantom stock, warrants, purchase rights, subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, calls, puts, rights of first refusal or first offer or other Contracts that would require the applicable Subsidiary to issue, sell or otherwise cause to become outstanding or to acquire, repurchase or redeem any Equity Securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Securities of the applicable Subsidiary.
“Superior Proposal” means any Acquisition Proposal (A) on terms which the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and financial advisors, to be more
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favorable from a financial point of view to the holder of Company Common Stock than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, taking into account all the terms and conditions of such proposal, and this Agreement and (B) that the Company Board believes is reasonably capable of being completed, taking into account all financial, regulatory, legal and other aspects of such proposal.
“Support Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Surviving Corporation” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Tax” means any taxes, charges, duties, fees, levies or other governmental charges of any kind whatsoever in the nature of a tax, including federal, state, local or non-United States income, gross receipts, franchise, estimated, alternative minimum, sales, use, transfer, value added, excise, stamp, customs, duties, ad valorem, real property, personal property (tangible and intangible), capital stock, social security, unemployment, payroll, wage, employment, severance, occupation, registration, environmental, communication, mortgage, profits, license, lease, service, goods and services, withholding, premium, turnover, windfall profits, escheatment or unclaimed property, whether computed on a separate or combined, unitary or consolidated basis or in any other manner, together with any interest, deficiencies, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts imposed by any Governmental Entity with respect thereto, whether disputed or not.
“Tax Authority” means any Governmental Entity responsible for the imposition, collection or administration of Taxes or Tax Returns.
“Tax Proceeding” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.16(c).
“Tax Return” means any returns, information returns, statements, declarations, claims for refund, estimates, schedules, attachments, reports or any other document, in each case relating to Taxes, filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Entity in respect of Taxes (including any attachments or amendments thereto).
“Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(d).
“Total Equity Value” means six hundred and eighty-three million dollars ($683,000,000).
“Total Merger Consideration” means 68,300,000 Vahanna Common Shares in the aggregate, consisting of (a) Vahanna Common Shares issuable at Closing in consideration for Company Stock (after giving effect to the Company Preferred Conversion), and (b) Vahanna Derivative Shares, in each case, as allocated in accordance with Section 2.2(e).
“Trade Secrets” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Intellectual Property.
“Trading Day” means any day on which the Vahanna Common Shares are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Vahanna Common Shares are then traded.
“Transaction Proposals” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(a).
“Transfer” means any direct or indirect sale, transfer, gift, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of any interest (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of Law).
“Transfer Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(d).
“Trust Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.19.
“Trust Account Released Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.19.
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“Trust Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8.
“Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8.
“USDA” means the United States Department of Agriculture.
“Vahanna” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
“Vahanna Board” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.17(a).
“Vahanna Class A Shares” means, at all times prior to the Effective Time, Vahanna’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share; provided that, if there is a Domestication pursuant to Section 2.6, each Vahanna Class A Share shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna (after its domestication as a corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware).
“Vahanna Class B Shares” means, at all times prior to the Effective Time, Vahanna’s Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share, each of which shall automatically convert into one Vahanna Class A Share at the Effective Time; provided that, if there is a Domestication pursuant to Section 2.6, each Vahanna Class B Share shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna (after its domestication as a corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware).
“Vahanna Common Shares” means, at or at all times immediately prior to the Effective Time, the ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna, including Vahanna Derivative Shares; provided that, if there is a Domestication pursuant to Section 2.6, Vahanna Common Shares shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna (after its domestication as a corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware).
“Vahanna Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(c).
“Vahanna Converted Warrant” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b)(i).
“Vahanna Derivative Shares” means the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the Vahanna Converted RSUs, Vahanna Converted Additional Securities and the Vahanna Converted Warrants.
“Vahanna D&O Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a).
“Vahanna Financial Statements” means all of the financial statements of Vahanna included in the Vahanna SEC Reports (including any notes thereto).
“Vahanna Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1 (Organization and Qualification), 4.2 (Authority), 4.3(i) and (iii) (No Violations), 4.4 (Brokers) and Section 4.6 (Capitalization of the Vahanna Parties).
“Vahanna Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other change, event, effect, development or occurrence, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of a Vahanna Party to timely consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document; provided, however, none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would be reasonably expected to occur: (a) changes in any applicable Laws or GAAP first publicly announced or enacted after the date hereof; (b) any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that is generally applicable to special purpose acquisition companies and/or blank check companies that first arises after
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the date of this Agreement; (c) conditions affecting the United States or the global economy generally; (d) any national or international political or social conditions in the United States or any other country; (e) changes in conditions of the financial, banking or securities markets generally; or (f) the effects of any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, tsunami, natural disaster, act of God, epidemic, disease outbreak, pandemic (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any effect resulting from, arising in connection with or otherwise related to COVID-19) or public health emergency (as declared by the World Health Organization or the Health and Human Services Secretary of the United States).
“Vahanna Parties” means, collectively, Vahanna and Merger Sub.
“Vahanna Preference Shares” means Vahanna’s preference shares, no par value per share.
“Vahanna Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(c).
“Vahanna Schedules” means the disclosure schedules to this Agreement delivered to the Company by Vahanna on the date hereof.
“Vahanna SEC Reports” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
“Vahanna Shareholder Approvals” means the approval of the Closing Proposals by the requisite consent of the Pre-Closing Vahanna Holders entitled to vote on such matters under the Companies Act and the Governing Documents of Vahanna.
“Vahanna Shareholder Redemption” means the right of the holders of Vahanna Class A Shares to redeem all or a portion of their Class A Shares (in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise) as set forth in the Governing Documents of Vahanna.
“Vahanna Shareholders Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(a).
“Vahanna Shares” means, collectively, the Vahanna Class A Shares, the Vahanna Class B Shares and the Vahanna Preference Shares.
“Vahanna Tail Policy” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(d).
“Vahanna Transaction Expenses” means, as of any determination time, without duplication, the aggregate amount payable by or on behalf of Vahanna, Sponsor or any of their respective Affiliates for (a) commitment fees, commissions, original issue discounts or other fees, costs and expenses (including out of pocket expenses) relating to any third party financing in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any backstop commitment or debt financing), (b) the deferred underwriting fees in connection with Vahanna’s initial public offering, (c) the Vahanna Tail Policy, (d) 50% of the filing fee to be paid pursuant to the HSR Act, (e) 50% of all applicable filing fees to be paid to the SEC for the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, (f) 50% of the Transfer Taxes and (g) out-of-pocket fees, commissions, costs and expenses (whether or not invoiced) incurred by or on behalf of Vahanna in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Document and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, in each case, as of such determination time, including any such fees or expenses in respect of Vahanna’s outside legal counsel, accountants, advisors, investment bankers or consultants engaged in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. For the avoidance of doubt, Vahanna Transaction Expenses shall not include the Vahanna Class B Shares, the Vahanna Warrants or any Company Transaction Expenses.
“Vahanna Warrants” means each publicly traded warrant (“Vahanna Public Warrant”) and private warrant (“Vahanna Private Warrant”) to purchase one (1) Vahanna Class A Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject
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to adjustment, as described in the Warrant Agreement, with such warrants converting at the Closing automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into warrants to purchase one (1) Vahanna Common Share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, as described in the Warrant Agreement; provided that, if there is a Domestication pursuant to Section 2.6, each Vahanna Warrant, pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent Vahanna Public Warrant or Vahanna Private Warrant (as applicable), to acquire one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Vahanna (after its domestication as a corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware).
“Waived 280G Benefits” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.19.
“Waiving Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.18.
“WARN” means the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act of 1988 as amended, as well as analogous applicable foreign, state or local Laws.
“Warrant Agreement” means the Warrant Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021, between Vahanna and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
“Warrant Shares” means the shares of Company Common Stock issuable pursuant to a Company Warrant in accordance with terms of such Company Warrant.
“Working Capital Loans” means any loan made to Vahanna or any of its Subsidiaries by the Sponsor or its Affiliate, and evidenced by a promissory note, to finance transaction costs and expenses incurred in connection with a business combination (as defined in Vahanna’s Governing Documents as in effect on the date of this Agreement), including, but not limited to, any loan under the convertible promissory notes entered into by the Sponsor and Vahanna on June 20, 2022.
“Worker” means any employee, director, officer, worker, contract labor or self-employed contractor or consultant of any Group Company.
“Written Consent” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“W&S” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.18.
ARTICLE 2
PURCHASE AND SALE
Section 2.1 Merger; Closing.
(a) Subject to Section 2.6, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Vahanna, Merger Sub and the Company (Merger Sub and the Company sometimes being referred to herein as the “Constituent Corporations”) shall cause Merger Sub to be merged with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). The Merger shall be consummated as of the Effective Time in accordance with this Agreement and the DGCL and evidenced by a certificate of merger (with such modifications, amendments or supplements thereto as may be required to comply with the DGCL, the “Certificate of Merger”) filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in such form as is required by, and executed by the Company and Merger Sub in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the DGCL and mutually agreed by the Parties. Upon consummation of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company, as the surviving corporation of the Merger (hereinafter referred to for the periods at and after the Effective Time as the “Surviving Corporation”), shall continue its corporate existence under the DGCL, as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Vahanna.
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(b) At and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall thereupon and thereafter possess all of the assets, properties rights, privileges, powers and franchises, of a public as well as a private nature, of the Constituent Corporations, and shall become subject to all the debts, liabilities, restrictions, disabilities, obligations and duties of each of the Constituent Corporations in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
(c) In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, (i) at the offices of Winston & Strawn LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 or (ii) by electronic exchange of executed documents, on the date which is three (3) Business Days after the first date on which all conditions set forth in Article 6 shall have been satisfied or duly waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or due waiver thereof) or such other time and place as Vahanna and the Company may mutually agree. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date”. On the Closing Date, Vahanna and the Company shall cause the Certificate of Merger to be executed and duly submitted for filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided in Section 251 of the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective at the time when the Certificate of Merger has been accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be agreed by Vahanna and the Company in writing and specified in the Certificate of Merger in accordance with the DGCL (the “Effective Time”).
(d) At the Effective Time, the Governing Documents of Merger Sub shall be the Governing Documents of the Surviving Corporation, in each case, until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.
(e) From and after the Effective Time, until successors are duly elected or appointed in accordance with applicable Law, (i) the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the individuals set forth on Section 2.1(e) of the Company Schedules and (ii) the officers of the Company at the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 2.2 Effect of the Merger; Allocation of Total Merger Consideration.
(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Party or any other Person, (i) each share of Company Common Stock (a “Company Common Share”) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (for the avoidance of doubt, after giving effect to the Company Preferred Conversion), other than Dissenting Shares, shall be canceled and converted into and become the right to receive the number of Vahanna Common Shares equal to the Exchange Ratio as set forth on the Allocation Schedule and (ii) each share of Company Stock, if any, held in the treasury of the Company shall be canceled for no consideration.
(b) Treatment of Outstanding Equity Securities.
(i) Company Warrants. As of the Effective Time, each Company Warrant, whether exercisable or unexercisable, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the occurrence of the Effective Time and without any action on the part of the Company, Vahanna or the Pre-Closing Holder thereof, be assumed and converted into a warrant (a “Vahanna Converted Warrant”) with respect to a number of Vahanna Common Shares equal to the number of Company Common Shares subject to such Company Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, and rounded down to the nearest whole share set forth on the Allocation Schedule and at an exercise price per Vahanna Common Share equal to the exercise price per Company Common Share subject to such Company Warrant divided by the Exchange Ratio, and rounded up to the nearest whole cent set forth on the Allocation Schedule.
(ii) Company RSUs. As of the Effective Time, each Company RSU, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the occurrence of the
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Effective Time and without any action on the part of the Company, Vahanna or the Pre-Closing Holder thereof, be assumed and converted into a restricted stock unit (a “Vahanna Converted RSU”) with respect to a number of Vahanna Common Shares equal to the number of Company Common Shares subject to such Company RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, and rounded down to the nearest whole share set forth on the Allocation Schedule. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.2(b)(ii), each Vahanna Converted RSU shall continue to be subject to terms and conditions consistent with the Company Equity Plan and the applicable Company RSU award agreement, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, including with respect to vesting and forfeiture.
(iii) Company Additional Securities. As of the Effective Time, as applicable, each Equity Security of the Company (other than Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock and Company Warrants) (“Company Additional Securities”), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the occurrence of the Effective Time and without any action on the part of the Company, Vahanna or the Pre-Closing Holder thereof, be assumed and converted into a an equivalent Equity Security of Vahanna (a “Vahanna Converted Additional Security”) with respect to a number of Vahanna Common Shares equal to the number of Company Common Shares subject to such Company Additional Security immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, and rounded down to the nearest whole share set forth on the Allocation Schedule and at an exercise price per Vahanna Common Share equal to the exercise price per Company Common Share subject to such Company Additional Security divided by the Exchange Ratio, and rounded up to the nearest whole cent set forth on the Allocation Schedule. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.2(b)(iii), as applicable, each Vahanna Converted Additional Security shall continue to be subject to terms and conditions consistent with the Company Equity Plan and the applicable Company Additional Security award agreement, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, including with respect to vesting and forfeiture.
(iv) Company Board Consents. Subject to Section 5.21, prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board (or appropriate committee thereof) shall pass resolutions and take such other actions as are necessary to provide for the treatment of the Company RSUs, Company Additional Securities, and Company Warrants as contemplated by this Section 2.2(b), including the consent of the holders thereof to the actions set forth in this Section 2.2(b) (such consents, the “Company Conversion Consents”).
(v) New Incentive Plan. The Parties shall reserve certain shares of Vahanna Common Shares for issuance under an incentive plan (the “New Incentive Plan”), which shall consist of two components: (x) a long-term incentive plan, pursuant to which Vahanna may grant cash and equity incentive awards and compensation to officers, directors, employees and other eligible service providers (the “LTIP”), and (y) an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”). With respect to the LTIP component of the New Incentive Plan, the Parties shall reserve a number of Vahanna Common Shares equal to fourteen percent (14%) of the Vahanna Common Shares outstanding immediately following the Closing. With respect to the ESPP component of the New Incentive Plan, the Parties shall reserve a number of Vahanna Common Shares equal to two percent (2%) of the Vahanna Common Shares outstanding immediately following the Closing. As soon as practicable following the expiration of the sixty (60) day period following the date Vahanna has filed current Form 10 information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company, Vahanna shall file an effective registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form, or if Form S-8 is not available, other appropriate forms) with respect to (A) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the Vahanna Converted RSUs, (B) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the LTIP, and (C) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the ESPP and shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement or registration statements (and maintain the current status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as the Vahanna Converted RSUs, the LTIP and the ESPP remain outstanding.
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(c) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no certificate or scrip representing fractional Vahanna Common Shares shall be issued pursuant to this Section 2.2, and such fractional share interests (once aggregated with all other Vahanna Common Shares issuable to a Pre-Closing Holder) shall be rounded up to the nearest whole Vahanna Common Share.
(d) Adjustment to Total Merger Consideration. The Total Merger Consideration shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or other distribution of securities convertible into Vahanna Common Shares), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to the number of Vahanna Common Shares outstanding after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time so as to provide the Pre-Closing Holders with the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event and as so adjusted shall, from and after the date of such event, be the Total Merger Consideration.
(e) Allocation Schedule. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Total Merger Consideration is being allocated among the Pre-Closing Holders pursuant to the schedule in the form set forth on Section 2.2(e) of the Company Schedules and delivered by the Company to Vahanna at least five (5) Business Days prior to the anticipated Closing Date (the “Allocation Schedule”) and such allocation (i) is and will be in accordance with the Governing Documents of the Company, the Company Shareholder Agreements and applicable Law, (ii) does and will set forth (A) the mailing addresses and email addresses, for each Pre-Closing Holder, (B) the number and class of Equity Securities owned by each Pre-Closing Holder and the number of shares of Company Common Stock owned by each Pre-Closing Holder (after giving effect to the Company Preferred Conversion), (C) the portion of the Total Merger Consideration allocated to each Pre-Closing Holder, (D) the portion of the Total Merger Consideration allocated to to each Pre-Closing Holder of Company RSUs, and the number of Vahanna Common Shares subject to each Vahanna Converted RSU, (E) the portion of the Total Merger Consideration allocated to each Pre-Closing Holder of Company Warrants, and the number of Vahanna Common Shares subject to and the exercise price per, each Vahanna Converted Warrant, and (F) the portion of the Total Merger Consideration allocated to to each Pre-Closing Holder of Company Additional Securities, and the number of Vahanna Common Shares subject to each Vahanna Converted Additional Securities and (iii) is and will otherwise be accurate in all respects (except for de minimis inaccuracies that are not material); provided further that the Company shall furnish such other information with respect to the Pre-Closing Holders as reasonably requested by Vahanna’s transfer agent. For illustrative purposes only, set forth on Section 2.2(e) of the Company Schedules is the Allocation Schedule as it would have been prepared if the Closing Date were the date hereof (it being understood that such illustrative Allocation Schedule set forth on Section 2.2(e) of the Company Schedules is illustrative only and not binding in any manner on the parties hereto); provided that, the Parties agree that such illustrative Allocation Schedule shall not be required to set forth the mailing addresses and email addresses for the Pre-Closing Holders. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, upon delivery, issuance, and reservation for issuance (including as reserved in respect of the Vahanna Derivative Shares) pursuant to Section 2.2(b)(v)) or any other treatment of the Total Merger Consideration on the Closing Date in accordance with the Allocation Schedule, Vahanna and its respective Affiliates shall be deemed to have satisfied all obligations with respect to the payment of consideration under this Agreement (including with respect to (x) any Equity Security of the Company and (y) the Total Merger Consideration), and none of them shall have (I) any further obligations to the Company, any Pre-Closing Holder or any other Person with respect to the payment of any consideration under this Agreement (including with respect to the Total Merger Consideration), or (II) any liability with respect to the allocation of the consideration under this Agreement, and the Company hereby irrevocably waives and releases Vahanna and its Affiliates (but excluding, on and after the Closing, the Company and its Affiliates) from all claims arising from or related to such Allocation Schedule and the allocation of the Total Merger Consideration, as the case may be, among each Pre-Closing Holder as set forth in such Allocation Schedule. The Allocation Schedule shall reflect any such adjustments.
(f) Dissenting Stockholders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any share of Company Stock for which the holder (a “Dissenting Stockholder”) thereof (i) has not voted in favor of
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the Merger or consented to it in writing and (ii) has demanded the appraisal of such shares in accordance with, and has complied in all respects with, Section 262 of the DGCL (collectively, the “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into the right to receive the portion of the Total Merger Consideration applicable to such Dissenting Shares in accordance with the Allocation Schedule and the terms of this Agreement; provided that any such amounts that would otherwise be payable in respect of such Dissenting Shares shall remain the property of Vahanna. From and after the Effective Time, (x) all Dissenting Shares shall be cancelled and cease to exist and (y) Dissenting Stockholders shall be entitled only to such rights as may be granted to them under Section 262 of the DGCL and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the voting rights or other rights of a stockholder of the Surviving Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Dissenting Stockholder effectively withdraws or loses such appraisal rights (through failure to perfect such appraisal rights or otherwise), then that Dissenting Stockholder’s shares (i) shall no longer be deemed to be Dissenting Shares and (ii) shall be treated as if they had been converted automatically at the Effective Time into the right to receive the portion of the Total Merger Consideration applicable to such Dissenting Shares in accordance with the Allocation Schedule upon delivery of a duly completed and validly executed Letter of Transmittal and the surrender of Certificates (if any) in accordance with Section 2.3(b). Each Dissenting Stockholder who becomes entitled to payment for his, her or its Dissenting Shares pursuant to the DGCL shall receive payment thereof from the Exchange Agent in accordance with the DGCL. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of determining the Allocation Schedule and the other related definitions and terms that are affected by the total number of Company Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, any and all Dissenting Shares shall be included in all such determinations as if such Dissenting Shares were participating in the Merger and were entitled to receive the applicable payments under this Agreement. The Company shall give Vahanna prompt notice of any written demands for appraisal of any shares of Company Stock, attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant to the DGCL and received by the Company relating to stockholders’ rights of appraisal in accordance with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL, and Vahanna shall have the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to all such demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or Sponsor (after the Closing), make any payment with respect to, settle or offer or agree to settle any such demands. Any portion of the Total Merger Consideration made available to the Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 2.3(a) to pay for Dissenting Shares shall be returned to Vahanna upon demand.
Section 2.3 Deposit of Vahanna Common Shares; Other Closing Date Payments.
(a) Deposit with Exchange Agent. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, Vahanna shall deposit with an exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”) mutually selected by Vahanna and the Company, the aggregate number of Vahanna Common Shares to be issued as Total Merger Consideration.
(b) Letter of Transmittal. Prior to the Closing Date and in accordance with Section 5.15 of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to each Pre-Closing Holder a Letter of Transmittal, together with a request to have such Pre-Closing Holder deliver an executed Letter of Transmittal to the Company and the Exchange Agent no less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing. At the Effective Time, (i) each Pre-Closing Holder of an outstanding certificate or certificates for Company Stock (collectively, the “Certificates”), who has surrendered such Certificates to the Company and the Exchange Agent (together with a properly completed Letter of Transmittal) in accordance with the above timelines prior to the Closing shall be entitled to receive the applicable portion of the Total Merger Consideration in accordance with the Allocation Schedule on the Closing Date following the Effective Time. Promptly after the Effective Time, Vahanna shall send, or shall cause the Exchange Agent to send, to each Pre-Closing Holder that did not receive a Company Stockholder Package pursuant to Section 5.15, a Letter of Transmittal for use in such exchange. Following surrender of Certificates (to the extent certificated) to the Company and the Exchange Agent (together with a properly completed Letter of Transmittal) in the case of Pre-Closing Holders of Company Stock, such Pre-Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive the applicable portion of the Total Merger Consideration in accordance with the Allocation Schedule. No interest or dividends will be paid or accrued on the consideration payable upon delivery of a Letter of Transmittal. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent the shares of Company
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Stock held by a Pre-Closing Holder of Company Stock are not certificated or are represented by electronic certificates, the requirement to deliver physical Certificates as set forth herein shall not apply.
(c) No Further Transfers. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers of any Company Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, any Company Stock is presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Section 2.3.
Section 2.4 Exchange Agent. Promptly following the date that is one year after the Effective Time, Vahanna shall instruct the Exchange Agent to deliver to Vahanna all certificates and other documents in its possession relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Exchange Agent’s duties shall terminate. Thereafter, each Pre-Closing Holder who has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal may surrender such Certificate (to the extent such shares are certificated) or deliver such Letter of Transmittal to Vahanna and (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat and similar Laws) receive in consideration therefor, and Vahanna shall promptly issue, the portion of the Total Merger Consideration deliverable in respect thereof as determined in accordance with this Article 2 without any interest thereon. None of Vahanna, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any Person in respect of any Total Merger Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to and in accordance with any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws. If any Certificate shall not have been surrendered immediately prior to such date on which any amounts payable pursuant to this Article 2 would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity, any such amounts shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
Section 2.5 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, Vahanna, the Company, and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold (or cause to be deducted and withheld) from any amount otherwise payable with respect to this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted and withheld therefrom or with respect thereto under the Code or any provision of applicable Law; provided that, except as a result of a change in applicable Law after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, before making any deduction or withholding pursuant to this Section 2.5 other than with respect to compensatory payments or as a result of the Company failing to deliver the certification required by Section 5.6(b), Vahanna shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) give the Company at least two (2) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention to make such deduction or withholding (together with any legal basis thereof) to provide the Company with reasonable opportunity to (a) provide any forms or other documentation from the applicable Pre-Closing Holder(s) or (b) take such other steps in order to avoid such deduction or withholding and (ii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order to accommodate any reasonable request by the Company to minimize or eliminate, to the extent permissible under applicable Law, the amount of any such deduction or withholding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that amounts are so deducted or withheld, such amounts (i) shall be timely remitted to the applicable Tax Authority and (ii) shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.
Section 2.6 Domestication. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the holders of less than 12,000,000 of the then-outstanding Vahanna Class A Shares have validly elected to redeem such shares pursuant to the Vahanna Shareholder Redemption as of two (2) Business Days immediately prior to the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting, and following (and subject to) receipt of the Closing Approvals, prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Vahanna will continue out of the British Virgin Islands and become domesticated as a corporation in the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 184 of the BVI Business Companies Act (the “BVIBCA”) and Section 388 of the DGCL (the “Domestication”), including by (a) filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (i) a Certificate of Domestication and an interim certificate of incorporation of Vahanna (the “Interim Charter”), in each case with respect to the Domestication and in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna and the Company
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and (ii) following the Domestication Effective Time, an amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Vahanna to replace the Interim Charter substantially in the form attached as Exhibit F hereto, in each case, in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable Law, (b) adopting the bylaws of Vahanna in substantially the form attached as Exhibit F hereto (together with the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Vahanna, the “Domestication Governing Documents of Vahanna”), (c) causing the directors and officers immediately prior to the Domestication to be the directors and officers of Vahanna immediately following the Domestication until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed in accordance with applicable Law and the Domestication Governing Documents of Vahanna or their earlier death, resignation or removal, (d) completing and making and procuring all advertisements and filings required to be made in the British Virgin Islands in connection with the Domestication, and (e) effecting such other transactions as may be necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the Domestication; provided that, the date and effective time of the Domestication (the “Domestication Effective Time”), as determined by Vahanna, will in all events be at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date. Following the Domestication Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Vahanna, Merger Sub and the Company shall effectuate the Merger. The Domestication will be treated, and will qualify as, a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code. None of the Vahanna Parties shall agree to reverse an otherwise valid election to redeem Vahanna Class A Shares pursuant to the Vahanna Shareholder Redemption, other than to the extent necessary or required to achieve the Minimum Cash Condition, without the prior written consent of the Company.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING
TO THE GROUP COMPANIES
Except as set forth in the Company Schedules (but subject to the terms of Section 8.8), the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Vahanna Parties as follows:
Section 3.1 Organization and Qualification.
(a) Each Group Company is a corporation, limited liability company or other applicable business entity duly organized or formed, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing (or the equivalent thereof, if applicable, in each case, with respect to the jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing or any equivalent thereof) under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation or organization (as applicable), except where the failure to be in good standing (or the equivalent thereof) would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Group Company is duly qualified or licensed to transact business in each jurisdiction in which the property and assets owned, leased or operated by it, or the nature of the business conducted by it, makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good standing would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each Group Company has the requisite corporate, limited liability company or other applicable business entity power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as presently conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority would not be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies taken as a whole. True, correct and complete copies of the Governing Documents of each Group Company and the Company Shareholder Agreements have been provided to Vahanna, in each case, as amended and in effect as of the date hereof. The Governing Documents of each Group Company and the Company Shareholder Agreements are in full force and effect and none of the Group Companies, or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party thereto, are in breach or violation of any provision set forth in their respective Governing Documents or the Company Shareholder Agreements. Each Jurisdiction in which a Group Company is so qualified or licensed is listed in Section 3.1(a) of the Company Schedules.
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Section 3.2 Capitalization of the Group Companies.
(a) Section 3.2(a) of the Company Schedules sets forth, as of the date hereof, a true, correct and complete statement of (i) the number and class or series (as applicable) of all of the Equity Securities of the Company issued and outstanding, (ii) the identity of the Persons that are the record owners thereof and the country of residence of each such Person, and (iii) with respect to any Equity Rights, (1) the date of grant, (2) the strike price (where applicable), (3) any applicable vesting schedule and expiration date, and (4) the type of Equity Right.
(b) Except for the Equity Rights set forth on Section 3.2(b) of the Company Schedules (which such Equity Rights shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to the transactions contemplated by Section 2.2) or as is set forth in the Company’s or the Subsidiaries’ Governing Documents or the Company Shareholder Agreements, as of the date hereof, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has no outstanding (x) convertible debt, equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation rights or other similar rights, or (y) options, restricted stock, phantom stock, warrants, purchase rights (including preemptive rights), subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, calls, puts, rights of first refusal or first offer or other Contracts that would require the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, to issue, sell, accelerate, extend, grant, enter into or otherwise cause to become outstanding or to acquire, repurchase or redeem any Equity Securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Securities of the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be (collectively, “Equity Rights”).
(c) All of the Equity Securities of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and, if applicable, non-assessable. The Equity Securities of the Company (A) were not issued in violation of the Governing Documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries or the Company Shareholder Agreements or any other Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is party or bound, (B) are not subject to any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal or first offer, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right of any Person granted pursuant to a Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are a party or bound or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other Contract, and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights, call option, right of first refusal or first offer, subscription rights, transfer restrictions or similar rights of any Person granted pursuant to a Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are a party or bound or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other Contract, (C) have been, in connection with their initial sale, offered, sold and issued (as applicable) in compliance with applicable Law, including Securities Laws, and foreign exchange control regulations in respect of issuance of Equity Securities, and (D) to the knowledge of the Company, are free and clear of all Liens (other than transfer restrictions under applicable Securities Law or as set forth under the Governing Documents of the Company or the Company Shareholder Agreements).
(d) all Company RSUs will be issued in compliance with a Company Equity Plan and all applicable Laws and properly accounted for in all material respects in accordance with the Accounting Principles.
(e) Except for the Company’s Governing Documents and the Company Shareholder Agreements, there are no voting trusts, proxies, or other Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are a party or bound, or to the Company’s knowledge, under any other Contract, with respect to the voting or transfer of the Company’s Equity Securities. The Equity Securities set forth on the Allocation Schedule will, as of immediately prior to the Closing, constitute all of the issued and outstanding Equity Securities of the Company.
(f) Except as set forth on Section 3.2(f) of the Company Schedules, as of the date hereof, all of the outstanding Equity Securities of each Subsidiary of the Company are owned directly by the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of all Liens (other than transfer restrictions under applicable Securities Law or Permitted Liens), and are set forth on Section 3.2(f) of the Company Schedules opposite the name of each Subsidiary of the Company. There are no Equity Rights that would require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, sell, accelerate, extend, grant, enter into an agreement to or otherwise cause to become outstanding or to acquire, repurchase or redeem any Equity Securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Securities of the Company’s Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in the Governing
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Documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries, there are no voting trusts, proxies or other Contracts with respect to the voting or transfer of any Equity Securities of, or control of, any Subsidiaries of the Company.
(g) Except as is set forth on Section 3.2(g) of the Company Schedules, as of the date hereof, none of the Group Companies owns or holds (of record, beneficially or otherwise), directly or indirectly, any Equity Securities in or debt of any other Person or the right to acquire any such Equity Security or debt, and none of the Group Companies are a partner, manager or member, or acting in similar capacity, of any partnership, limited liability company or joint venture.
(h) Section 3.2(h) of the Company Schedules sets forth a list of all Indebtedness of the Group Companies (as described in clauses (a) through (j) of the definition of Indebtedness only) as of the date hereof, including, if applicable, the principal amount of such Indebtedness, the outstanding balance as of the date of this Agreement of such Indebtedness and the debtor and the issuer thereof.
Section 3.3 Authority. The Company has the requisite corporate, limited liability company or other similar power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to which it is or will be a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, subject to obtaining the Required Company Shareholder Approval. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which the Company is or will be a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been (or, in the case of any Ancillary Document entered into after the date of this Agreement, will be upon execution thereof) duly authorized by all necessary corporate and shareholder (or other similar) action on the part of the Company, subject to obtaining the Required Company Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Company is or will be a party has been or will be upon execution thereof, as applicable, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes or will constitute, upon execution and delivery thereof, as applicable, a valid, legal and binding agreement of the Company (assuming that this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which the Company is or will be a party are or will be upon execution thereof, as applicable, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other Persons party hereto and thereto), enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity).
Section 3.4 Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities.
(a) Attached hereto as Section 3.4(a) of the Company Schedules are true, correct and complete copies of the following financial statements (such financial statements, the “Financial Statements”): (i) audited consolidated balance sheets of the Group Companies as of March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, and the related audited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Group Companies for the fiscal years then ended (the “Audited Financials”) and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Group Companies as of December 31, 2022 (the “Latest Balance Sheet”), and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Group Companies for the nine months then ended (the “Unaudited Financials” and together with the Audited Financials, the “Financial Statements”).
(b) The Financial Statements (i) have been prepared from, and reflect in all material respects, the books and records of the Group Companies, (ii) have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, except as may be indicated in the notes thereto and subject, in the case of unaudited Financial Statements, to the absence of footnotes and normal year-end adjustments, none of which are material, and (iii) fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group Companies as of the dates thereof and their consolidated results of operations for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited Financial Statements, to the absence of footnotes and normal year-end adjustments.
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(c) Except for liabilities (i) specifically reflected and adequately reserved against in the Latest Balance Sheet, (ii) incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet (none of which is a liability for breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, misappropriation, dilution or violation of Law), (iii) incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents, the performance of their respective covenants and agreements in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (iv) disclosed in Section 3.4(c) of the Company Schedules, or (v) that are not and would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, no Group Company has any liabilities that would be required to be set forth on a consolidated balance sheet of the Group Companies prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles. No Group Company is a party to any “off-balance sheet arrangement” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC).
(d) Each Group Company has established and maintains systems of internal accounting controls. To the knowledge of the Company, such internal controls are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, and (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for the Group Companies’ assets. Except as set forth on Section 3.4(d) of the Company Schedules, (i) since March 31, 2020, no Group Company has received any written complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that there is (x) a “significant deficiency” in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Group Companies, or (y) a “material weakness” in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Group Companies; and (ii) no Group Company has received any complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, in each case, in writing, that there is fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees of the Group Companies who have a significant role in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Group Companies.
Section 3.5 Consents and Requisite Governmental Approvals; No Violations. Assuming the truth and accuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.3 (and assuming all Consents referred to in such sections (or required to be disclosed in the corresponding sections of the Vahanna Schedules) are made or obtained), no Consent of any Governmental Entity is necessary in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which the Company is or will be party or bound or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, except for (a) compliance with and filings under the HSR Act, (b) filings and other obligations set forth on Section 3.5 of the Company Schedules, (c) compliance with and filings under any applicable Securities Laws, including the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, (d) the Required Company Shareholder Approval or (e) those the failure of which to obtain or make would not have, or be reasonably expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except for Consents set forth on Section 3.5 of the Company Schedules, neither the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement nor the Ancillary Documents to which the Company is or will be a party nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by hereby and thereby will, directly or indirectly (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of any (x) the Company’s Governing Documents or (y) any of the Company’s Subsidiaries Governing Documents, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default or give rise to any right of termination, consent, cancelation, materially adverse amendment, materially adverse modification, suspension, revocation or acceleration under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or the loss of any benefits under (A) any Contract to which any Group Company is a party or by which it or its properties or assets are bound, (B) any Group Company Permits or (C) any Data Privacy and Security Requirement, (iii) violate, or constitute breach under, in each case, in any material respect, any Order or applicable Law to which any Group Company or any of its properties or assets are bound, or (iv) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the assets or properties (other than any Permitted Liens) or Equity Securities (other than Liens under applicable Securities Laws or Liens created by Vahanna) of any Group Company, except, in the case of any of clauses (ii) and (iv) above, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 3.6 Permits. The Group Companies and agents acting on its behalf hold all Permits necessary or required for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses (including as necessary or required to import, export, move interstate, release into the environment, test, grow, manufacture, distribute, and sell their products (whether commercialized or under development)) or necessary or required to own, lease or operate any of the properties or assets of the Group Companies, other than any such Permits which if not held by the Group Companies, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Group Company Permits”). Each Group Company Permit is valid and in full force and effect either pursuant to its terms or by operation of law. Except as is not, and would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole: (a) each Group Company is, and since March 31, 2020, has been, in compliance with the terms of all Group Company Permits held by such Group Company and (b) to the Company’s knowledge, no event, circumstance, or state of facts has occurred which (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) would reasonably be expected to result in the failure of a Group Company to be in compliance with the terms of any Group Company Permit.
Section 3.7 Material Contracts.
(a) Section 3.7(a) of the Company Schedules sets forth a list of all Contracts to which a Group Company is a party or by which it or its assets or properties are bound (each Contract required to be set forth on Section 3.7(a) of the Company Schedules, the “Material Contracts”) that is:
(i) any Contract relating to the components of Indebtedness of the Group Companies set forth in clauses (a) through (g), (i), (j), (l) and (m) of the definition thereof;
(ii) any material equity joint venture or investment, partnership, or other similar Contract;
(iii) any Contract or group of Contracts with a common counterparty, or among counterparties sharing the same ultimate parent company, with consideration paid or payable to or by any one or more Group Companies of more than $250,000, in the aggregate, over any rolling 12-month period since March 31, 2020;
(iv) any Contract or group of Contracts with a common counterparty, or among counterparties sharing the same ultimate parent company, with a remaining term of more than 24 months and that creates an obligation or a right of the Company or any Group Company to be paid or make payments of more than $250,000, as forecasted, over any rolling 12-month period starting March 31, 2020;
(v) any Contract for the disposition of any material portion of the assets or business of any Group Company or for the acquisition by any Group Company of the assets or business of any other Person (other than purchases of inventory or services in the ordinary course of business) under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any material continuing monetary obligations, including with respect to an “earn-out”, contingent purchase price or other contingent or deferred payment obligation;
(vi) any Contract with any Governmental Entity to which any Group Company is a party that involve payments by or to the Group Companies in excess of $250,000;
(vii) any Contract required to be disclosed on Section 3.19 of the Company Schedules;
(viii) any settlement, conciliation or similar Contract relating to a Proceeding of a Group Company that have been entered into on or after March 31, 2020 and (1) contemplate payment by any Group Company of any amount in excess of $500,000 or (2) were brought by an equityholder or Affiliate of a Group Company;
(ix) any Contract that materially limits, or purports to materially limit, the ability of any Group Company to compete in any line of business or with any person or entity or in any geographic area or during any period of time, excluding customary confidentiality agreements and agreements that contain customary confidentiality clauses;
(x) any Contract that results in any person or entity holding a power of attorney from any Group Company that relates to the Group Companies or their respective business;
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(xi) any Contract under which any Group Company has agreed to purchase goods or services from a vendor, supplier or other person on a preferred supplier or “most favored supplier” basis;
(xii) any Contract which involves the license to or grant of rights in Intellectual Property by any Person to a Group Company that is material to the conduct of the Business (other than: (A) non-exclusive licenses for commercially-available, off-the-shelf software licensed on standard terms and procured for aggregate fees of less than $250,000; (B) assignments granted by Group Company employees and contractors to a Group Company on the Company’s standard terms; and (C) non-exclusive licenses which are not the primary purpose of, or a material component of, the Contract);
(xiii) any Contract which involves the license or grant of rights by any Group Company to a third party of Company Owned Intellectual Property for fees in excess of $100,000, including any Contract involving the use of any Company Registered Intellectual Property required to be listed in Section 3.13(a) of the Company Schedules, but excluding any non-exclusive licenses granted to customers, contractors or distributors in the ordinary course of business on the Company’s standard terms;
(xiv) any Contract for the development of (A) material Company Owned Intellectual Property that is embodied in or distributed with any products or services or is otherwise material Company Owned Intellectual Property (other than Contracts with any employee or contractor on a standard form of agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business under which such employee or contractor presently assigns all right, title and interest in and to any developed Intellectual Property to a Group Company), and (B) any Intellectual Property for any Person by a Group Company under which Contract a Group Company has any material unperformed obligations;
(xv) any Contract relating to the purchase of engineering or design services that involve more than $250,000, other than those Contracts and agreements under which no material services are remaining to be performed;
(xvi) all Real Property Leases;
(xvii) any Contract relating to the advancement to or loaning any other Person any amount or Contract under which any Person would be deemed to owe Indebtedness to any Group Company, other than advances to Workers of any Group Company for travel and other expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xviii) any Contract providing for payment or acceleration of equity or equity-based awards, benefits or any transaction, sale or change in control bonuses in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(xix) any Contract that provides for the indemnification by any Group Company of any Person outside the ordinary course of business or the assumption of any Tax, environmental or other liability of any Person;
(xx) all CBAs;
(xxi) Contracts granting to any Person (other than a Group Company) a right of first refusal, first offer or similar preferential right to purchase or acquire equity interests of a Group Company; and
(xxii) any employment, severance, retention, change of control, separation or individual consulting Contract with any Worker (A) providing for total annual compensation in excess of $150,000 (excluding any Contract that is terminable at will without payment of any severance, transaction bonus, Tax gross-up or similar payment obligation), or (B) that would result in monetary liability in excess of $100,000 to any Group Company if terminated.
(b) Each Material Contract is in full force and effect and is a valid, legal and binding obligation of the applicable Group Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms against such Group Company and, to the
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Company’s knowledge, each other party thereto (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity). There is no breach or default by any Group Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any third party under any Material Contract, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. To the Company’s knowledge, (A) no event has occurred which (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) would constitute a breach or default or would permit termination of, or a modification or acceleration thereof by any party thereto, of such Material Contract, (B) there is no event or circumstance that is reasonably expected to result in (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a material breach or default or permit termination of, or a modification or acceleration thereof by any party to such Material Contract, and (C) no party to a Material Contract has claimed a force majeure (or similar excuse in performance due to COVID-19) with respect thereto, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. Since March 31, 2020 through the date hereof, no Group Company has received notice of (i) any breach or default under any Material Contract or (ii) the intention of any third party under any Material Contract to cancel, terminate or modify in any respect the terms of any such Material Contract, or accelerate the obligations of any Group Company thereunder, in each case, except as has not been and would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. True, correct and complete copies of all Material Contracts as in effect as of the date hereof have been made available to Vahanna.
Section 3.8 Absence of Changes. Except as set for the Section 3.8 of the Company Schedules, during the period beginning on March 31, 2022 and ending on the date of this Agreement, (a) no Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur, and (b) except as expressly required by this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (or in connection with any prior process related to any extraordinary business transaction involving the Company or its businesses and assets), and except for any actions taken or not taken, or any plans, procedures and practices adopted (and compliance therewith) related to COVID-19, (i) each Group Company has conducted its business in the ordinary course and (ii) no Group Company has taken any action that, if taken during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Closing, would require the consent of Vahanna pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(iii), Section 5.1(b)(iv) or Section 5.1(b)(v).
Section 3.9 Litigation. Except as set forth on Section 3.9 of the Company Schedules and except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, there is (and since March 31, 2020 there has been) no Proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against or involving (a) any Group Company, (b) any of their respective properties, products or assets or (c) any of their respective managers, officers, directors or employees (in their capacities as such) (in each case with respect to clauses (a)-(c), seeking material non-monetary relief, involving criminal liability or involving an amount in controversy in excess of $250,000 individually). Neither the Group Companies nor any of their respective properties, products or assets is subject to any outstanding Order that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. Except as set forth on Section 3.9 of the Company Schedules, there are no material Proceedings by a Group Company pending, or which a Group Company has commenced preparations to initiate, against any other Person.
Section 3.10 Compliance with Applicable Law.
(a) Each Group Company is (and since March 31, 2018 has been) in compliance in all respects with all Laws applicable to it or its business, operations, products or assets or properties, in each case, except as was not and would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies taken as a whole. No Group Company or agent acting on its behalf has, since March 31, 2018 through the date hereof, received any notice or communication from any Governmental Entity, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such notice or communication from any Governmental Entity is threatened against any of the Group Companies, in each case, regarding any actual or alleged violation of, or a failure to comply with, any
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applicable Law, in each case, except as has not been and would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. No Group Company has conducted any internal investigation with respect to any actual, alleged or potential violation of applicable Law by any of its Representatives, individual independent contractors or other service providers or concerning any actual or alleged fraud.
Section 3.11 Employee Plans.
(a) Section 3.11(a) of the Company Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of each material Company Plan (excluding any employment agreement or offer letter that does not (A) contain severance payments or benefits, transaction, change in control or retention-based bonuses and (B) deviate in any material respect from the form of offer letter provided to Vahanna prior to the date hereof). With respect to each Company Plan, the Group Companies have provided Vahanna with correct and complete copies of the following documents, to the extent applicable: (i) the most recent determination or opinion letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code; (ii) the current plan and trust documents, and all amendments thereto (and for any unwritten plan, a summary of the material terms); (iii) the most recent summary plan description and all summaries of material modification thereto; (iv) the three most recent Form 5500 annual reports (with all schedules and attachments thereto); and (v) any non-routine correspondence with any Governmental Entity. Each Company Plan is in writing. No proposal or announcement has been made to any Worker of any Group Company about the introduction, continuance, increase or improvement of, or the payment of a contribution towards, any Employee Benefit Plan.
(b) Within the preceding six years, no Group Company or ERISA Affiliate maintains, sponsors, participates in, contributes to or has any obligation to contribute to or has any liability with respect to or under: (i) a Multiemployer Plan; (ii) a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA or to which section 75 of the Pensions Act 1995 applies, has applied or can apply) or a plan that is or was subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or 430 of the Code; (iii) a “multiple employer plan” within the meaning of Section of 413(c) of the Code or Section 210 of ERISA; or (iv) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA. No Company Plan provides, and no Group Company has any liability to provide, any retiree, post-employment or post-termination health or life insurance or other welfare-type benefits to any Person, other than health continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA or similar Law and for which the recipient pays the full cost of premiums for such coverage. No Group Company has any liabilities by reason of being considered a single employer under Section 414 of the Code with any other Person other than another Group Company.
(c) Each Company Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has timely received a favorable determination or opinion or advisory letter from the Internal Revenue Service on which it can rely and, to the Company’s knowledge, no events have occurred or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect such qualified status. None of the Group Companies has incurred (whether or not assessed), or is reasonably expected to incur or to be subject to, any penalty or Tax under Section 4980H, 4980B, 4980D, 6721 or 6722 of the Code.
(d) There are no pending, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened Proceedings with respect to any Company Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) or with respect to any other fiduciary thereof. Each Company Plan (and each related trust, insurance Contract, or fund) has been established, maintained, funded and administered in accordance with its terms and in compliance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of ERISA, the Code, and other applicable Laws. With respect to any Company Plan, no Group Company or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or, to the Company’s knowledge, any other “disqualified person” or “party in interest” (as such terms are defined in Section 4975 of the Code and Section 3(14) of ERISA, respectively) as to any such Company Plan, has breached the fiduciary rules of ERISA or has engaged in any “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA
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that are not otherwise exempt under Section 408 of ERISA. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has performed all obligations required to be performed by it and is not in any respect in default under or in violation under any Company Plan, nor does the Company have any knowledge of any such default or violation by any other party to any Company Plan. With respect to each Company Plan, all contributions (including all employer contributions and employee salary reduction contributions), distributions, reimbursements and premium payments that are due have been timely made in accordance with the terms of the Company Plan and in compliance with the requirements of applicable Law, and, to the extent not yet due, have been properly accrued in accordance with GAAP.
(e) The Company and its ERISA Affiliates do not maintain any Company Plan which is a “group health plan,” as such term is defined in Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code, that has not been administered and operated in all respects in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 601 of ERISA, Section 4980B(b) of the Code, the applicable provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1986 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Company is not subject to any liability, including additional contributions, fines, penalties or loss of tax deduction as a result of such administration and operation.
(f) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement could not (alone or in combination with any other event) (i) result in any payment or benefit becoming due to or result in the forgiveness of any indebtedness of any current or former Worker, (ii) increase the amount or value of any compensation or benefits payable to any current or former Worker, or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting, or trigger any payment or funding of any compensation or benefits to any current or former Worker.
(g) No amount that could be received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) by any “disqualified individual” of any of the Group Companies under any Employee Benefit Plan or otherwise in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (alone or in combination with any other event) is reasonably expected, separately or in the aggregate, to be nondeductible under Section 280G of the Code or subject to an excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code.
(h) Each Company Plan that is a “non-qualified deferred compensation plan” (as such term is defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code), has been maintained in form and operation in material compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance issued thereunder and no amount under any such Employee Benefit Plan has been subject to the interest or additional Tax set forth under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code.
(i) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(i) of the Company Schedules, the Group Companies have no current or contingent obligation to make a “gross-up” or similar payment in respect of any Taxes that may become payable under Section 4999 or 409A of the Code.
(j) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has amended its Employee Benefits Plans in response to COVID-19. No Company Plan has experienced a partial plan termination as the result of any employee reductions.
Section 3.12 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth on Section 3.12 of the Company Schedules:
(a) The Group Companies are, and at all times since March 31, 2020 have been, operating in compliance in all respects with all Environmental Laws, which includes obtaining, maintaining and complying with all Permits required in connection with the Business under Environmental Laws, except in each case as would not be material to the Group Companies.
(b) No Group Company has received since March 31, 2020 (or earlier if unresolved) any written notice, Order, or warning letter from a Governmental Entity or any other Person regarding any actual or alleged violation in any material respect of, or a failure to comply in any material respect with any Environmental Laws, except for any such notice, Order or warning letter that has been resolved.
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(c) There is (and since March 31, 2020 there has been) no Proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened in writing against any Group Company or that otherwise pertains to the Business pursuant to any Environmental Laws, except for any Proceeding that has been resolved.
(d) Since March 31, 2020, there has been no manufacture, sale, distribution, marketing, design, release, treatment, storage, disposal, arrangement for disposal, transport or handling of, contamination by, or exposure of any Person to, any Hazardous Substances, in each case by any Group Company (or any other Person to the extent giving rise to liability of any Group Company), that has resulted or, to the knowledge of the Company, would reasonably be expected to result in liability under Environmental Laws for any Group Company, except in each case as would not be material to the Group Companies.
(e) The Group Companies have not assumed in writing or provided an indemnity with respect to any liability of any other Person under Environmental Laws.
(f) The Group Companies have made available to Vahanna copies of all material environmental reports, audits, or assessments (including Phase I environmental site assessment reports, and Phase II reports) pertaining to any current or former real property owned or leased by any Group Company and any other material documents pertaining to any pending or threatened Proceeding under Environmental Law, that, in each case, are within the Group Companies’ possession or reasonable control.
Section 3.13 Intellectual Property.
(a) Section 3.13(a) of the Company Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Company Registered Intellectual Property. The Company Registered Intellectual Property is valid and subsisting and, in the case of such Company Registered Intellectual Property that has issued or is registered, to the Company’s knowledge, is enforceable. A Group Company exclusively owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to all Company Owned Intellectual Property that is material to the conduct of the Business, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).
(b) A Group Company exclusively owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to, or has a valid and enforceable and sufficient written license to, all Intellectual Property that is used in or otherwise necessary for the operation of the Business, free and clear of all Liens or obligations to others (other than Permitted Liens) (together with the Company Owned Intellectual Property, the “Business Intellectual Property”), which Business Intellectual Property will, immediately after the Closing, be owned by, licensed to or available for use by the Group Companies on terms and conditions that are the same in all material respects to those immediately prior to the Closing; provided that nothing in this Section 3.13(b) constitutes a representation and warranty of noninfringement of Intellectual Property owned by a third party. Section 3.13(b) of the Company Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all material Business Intellectual Property. No Group Company has granted any exclusive license with respect to any Company Owned Intellectual Property (including any Company Product) to any other Person.
(c) All Persons who independently or jointly have materially contributed to the authorship, invention, creation, improvement, modification or development of any material Intellectual Property for or on behalf of, or under the supervision of, any Group Company have executed and delivered to the Group Company a valid and enforceable written assignment (by way of a present grant of assignment) to a Group Company of all such Intellectual Property authored, invented, created, improved, modified or developed by such Person in the course of their employment or other engagement with such Group Company for which ownership does not automatically vest in such Group Company by operation of law. Each Group Company has taken commercially reasonable steps to safeguard and maintain the secrecy of any Trade Secrets owned or used by each Group Company, including ensuring that third parties who have had access to such Trade Secrets are subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such Trade Secrets. To the Company’s knowledge, there has been (i) no violation or unauthorized access to or disclosure of any Trade Secrets of or in the possession of each Group Company, or
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(ii) no material breach of any written contract containing non-disclosure obligations with respect to such Trade Secrets.
(d) (i) The operation of the Business as conducted by the Group Companies, including the design, development, manufacturing, reproduction, use, marketing, offer for sale, sale, importation, exportation, distribution or maintenance of Company Products by any of the Group Companies, does not infringe, misappropriate or violate, and has not since December 31, 2019, infringed, misappropriated, or violated any Intellectual Property of any other Person, except in each case as would not have, or not be reasonably expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (ii) there is not, and there has not been since December 31, 2019, any Proceeding pending or other material claim sent or received in writing (including unsolicited offers, demands, or requests to license or cease and desist letters) by or against any Group Company with respect to any Intellectual Property (including any infringement, misappropriation, dilution, violation, enforceability, use (including any assertion of misuse), ownership, scope, licensing, or validity thereof), and (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, no Person is infringing, misappropriating, or violating any Company Owned Intellectual Property in any material respect.
(e) The Group Companies possess all source code and other material documentation necessary to compile and operate the Company Products (excluding any third party Software licensed in object code that is distributed with Company Products) and no Group Company has disclosed, delivered, licensed or otherwise made available, and no Group Company has a duty or obligation (whether present, contingent or otherwise) to disclose, deliver, license or otherwise make available, any material source code for any Company Products or any material source code otherwise included in the Company Owned Intellectual Property to any Person other than third parties engaged by a Group Company to provide development, support or maintenance services to such Group Company (each of which is subject to agreements with reasonable Intellectual Property assignment and confidentiality provisions), and no event has occurred, and no circumstance or condition exists, that (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) will, or could reasonably be expected to, result in the delivery, license, or disclosure of any such source code by any Group Company to any Person who is not, as of the date the event occurs or circumstance or condition comes into existence, a current employee, contractor or service provider of a Group Company subject to confidentiality obligations with respect thereto.
(f) Each Group Company is in compliance in all material respects with all obligations under any Contract pursuant to which such Group Company has obtained the right to use any third party Software, including Open Source Software, that is currently used in the operation of the Business and in particular the Group Companies have purchased a sufficient number of seat licenses or other required permissions or use rights for the Company IT Systems. The Company IT Systems are sufficient for the current needs of, and are sufficient to effectively perform all information technology operations necessary for, the operation of the Business. The Group Companies use and have used commercially reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of the Company IT Systems and to prevent any unauthorized use, access, interruption, or modification of the Company IT Systems. The Group Companies do not use and have not used any Open Source Software or any modification or derivative thereof with any Company Product or otherwise in connection with the operation of the Business (A) in a manner that would grant or purport to grant to any Person any rights to or immunities under any of the Company Owned Intellectual Property, or (B) under any license requiring any Group Company to disclose or distribute any source code to any of the Company Products or otherwise included in any Company Owned Intellectual Property (other than the Open Source Software itself), to license or provide any such source code for the purpose of making derivative works, or to make available for redistribution to any Person any such source code at no or minimal charge.
Section 3.14 Labor Matters.
(a) Section 3.14(a) of the Company Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list as of a date within five (5) days preceding the date hereof of all individuals who are employees of each Group Company, including any employee who is on a leave of absence of any nature, paid or unpaid, and sets forth for each such
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individual the following: (i) name, (ii) title or position (including whether full or part time), (iii) hire date and continuous employment date (if different), (iv) current annual base compensation rate or hourly wage rate, as applicable, (v) commission, bonus or other incentive based compensation, (vi) jurisdiction and location of employment, (vii) employing entity, (viii) whether working under an employment visa (and, if so, type of visa, expiry date and status), and (ix) notice period and all particulars which are required to be provided under section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. No Group Company has offered, promised or agreed to any future variation of the terms of employment or engagement of any Worker.
(b) Copies of all standard terms and conditions, handbooks, policies and other documents which apply to all Workers, identifying which Worker in each case, and any material variations from the standard terms and conditions, have been provided in Section 3.14(b) of the Company Schedules.
(c) Since March 31, 2020, (i) none of the Group Companies (A) has or has had any material liability for any arrears of wages, salaries, premiums, commissions, bonuses, fees, expenses, holiday pay or other compensation for services, or any penalty or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing in relation to current and former Workers, and (B) has or has had any material liability for any payment to any trust or other fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any Governmental Entity, or to any Governmental Entity, with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security, social insurances or any other obligations for any Workers of any Group Company (other than routine payments to be made in the ordinary course of business); and (ii) the Group Companies have withheld all amounts required by applicable Law or by agreement to be withheld from wages, salaries, and other payments to current and former Workers.
(d) Since March 31, 2020, there has been no “mass layoff” or “plant closing” as defined by WARN related to any Group Company, and the Group Companies have not incurred any material liability under WARN nor have the taken any action that could reasonably be expected to result in the Group Companies incurring any material liability under WARN, including as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as set forth on Section 3.14(d) of the Company Schedules, no Group Company has taken any material action with respect to its employees, including implementing any employee layoff, redundancy, facility closure or shutdown (whether voluntary or by Order), reduction-in-force, furlough, temporary layoff, material work schedule change or reduction in hours, or reduction in benefits, salary or wages, or other workforce changes affecting Workers has occurred since March 31, 2020 or is currently contemplated, planned or announced, including as a result of COVID-19 or any COVID-19 Measures. The Group Companies have not otherwise experienced any employment-related liability with respect to COVID-19 that has been, or would reasonably be expected to be, material to the Group Companies taken as a whole.
(e) There are no material Proceedings existing, pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by or on behalf of any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, contract labor, individual independent contractor or other service providers or government or administrative authority, including any claims relating to actual or alleged harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, or similar improper conduct, breach of contract, wrongful termination, defamation, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, interference with contract or interference with actual or prospective economic disadvantage, salary differences, and social security contributions and Taxes, nor is there are any basis for any of the foregoing. No Group Company is bound by any Order or material consent decree with, or citation by, any Governmental Entity relating to any employees or employment practices.
(f) Since March 31, 2020, (i) no allegations of workplace sexual harassment, discrimination or other misconduct have been made, initiated, filed or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against any of the Group Companies or any of their respective current or former directors, officers or senior level management employees, (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, no incidents of any such workplace sexual harassment, discrimination or other misconduct have occurred, and (iii) none of the Group Companies have entered into any settlement agreement related to allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination or other misconduct by any of their current or former directors, officers or senior level management employees.
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(g) The Group Companies have promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated all material allegations of sexual harassment or other types of discrimination prohibited by applicable Laws of which any of the Group Companies are or were made aware. With respect to each such material allegation with potential merit, the Group Companies have taken prompt corrective action that is reasonably calculated to prevent further improper action.
(h) Since March 31, 2020, the Group Companies have been and are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws respecting labor, employment and employment practices, including, without limitation, all Laws respecting terms and conditions of employment, employment practices, health and safety, wages and hours (including the classification of independent contractors and exempt and non-exempt employees), contract labor, immigration (including the completion of Forms I-9 for all employees and the proper confirmation of employee visas), employee privacy, employment harassment, discrimination or retaliation, whistleblowing, disability rights or benefits, equal opportunity, plant closures and layoffs (including the WARN Act), employee trainings and notices, workers’ compensation, labor relations, employee leave issues, COVID-19, affirmative action and unemployment insurance. No Group Company is engaged in any unfair labor practice, as defined in the National Labor Relations Act or other applicable Laws. No unfair labor practice or labor charge or complaint is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to any Group Company before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other Governmental Authority.
(i) No Group Company has been a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreements or other Contracts with any labor organization, staff association, staff council, works council, labor union or other employee representative (collectively, “CBA”), and no Workers are represented by any labor union, works council, or other labor organization with respect to their employment with the Group Companies. Since March 31, 2020, there has been no actual or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened unfair labor practice charges, grievances, arbitrations, strikes, lockouts, work stoppages, slowdowns, picketing, handbilling or other labor disputes against or affecting any Group Company, nor is there any basis for any of the foregoing. To the Company’s knowledge, since March 31, 2020, there have been no labor organizing activities with respect to any Workers. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement will require consent by, notification to or consultation with any CBA.
(j) There has not been, and no Group Company anticipates or has any reason to believe that there will be, any adverse change in relations with the Workers as a result of the announcement of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. To the knowledge of each Group Company, no officer or senior management employee of any Group Company intends, or is expected, to terminate his or her employment following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No Worker has given notice to terminate their contract of employment (which has not yet terminated) or is under notice of dismissal nor is any such notice pending, outstanding or threatened and, to the Company’s knowledge, there are no circumstances likely to give rise to such notice.
(k) No offer of employment or engagement has been made by any Group Company that is outstanding for acceptance or that has been accepted but not yet commenced.
(l) Each Group Company is in compliance with all COVID-19 Measures applicable to any location in which the applicable Group Company operates. No Group Company has received any complaints or concerns (i) from employees regarding leaves of absence, paid sick time, or similar matters related to COVID-19, (ii) regarding the Group Company’s reporting, or failure to report, to employees, contractors, customers, vendors or the public, the presence of employees or contractors who have tested positive for, or exhibited symptoms of, COVID-19, or other potential means of exposure to COVID-19 or (iii) alleging that the Group Company failed to provide a safe working environment, appropriate equipment or accommodation in relation to COVID-19.
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(m) To the Company’s knowledge, no current or former Worker of any Group Company is in any material respect in violation of any term of any employment agreement, nondisclosure agreement, common law nondisclosure obligation, fiduciary duty, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant or other similar obligation: (i) owed to any Group Company or (ii) owed to any third party with respect to such Person’s right to be employed or engaged by the applicable Group Company.
(n) No Group Company within the two (2) years preceding the date hereof entered into any agreement which involved or may involve any Group Company (and no event has occurred which may involve any Group Company in the future) acquiring or disposing of any undertaking or part of one such that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment Regulations) 2006/246 (as amended) applied or may apply thereto which affected or may affect any Group Company or any Worker.
Section 3.15 Insurance. Section 3.15 of the Company Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list as of the date hereof of all insurance policies of each Group Company (including fire, liability, workers’ compensation, property, cyber, casualty and other forms of insurance owned or held by any Group Company). Each such insurance policy is in full force and effect and adequately covers the relevant business and operations of each Group Company, all premiums due and payable thereon as of the date hereof have been paid in full as of the date hereof, and no claim by any Group Company is pending under any such policies as to which coverage has been denied or disputed, or rights reserved to do so, by the underwriters thereof, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Company, taken as a whole. No Group Company is in material breach or default under the terms of any such insurance policy (including any such breach or default with respect to the giving of notice of claims) and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred which (with or without notice or the lapse of time or both) would constitute a material breach or material default. No written or, to the Company’s knowledge, oral notice of pending material premium increase, cancelation, termination or non-renewal has been received by any Group Company with respect to any such policy, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Company, taken as a whole. All insurance policies required to be maintained by each Group Company pursuant to applicable Law or Contract have been procured and are sufficient and valid.
Section 3.16 Tax Matters.
Each Group Company has prepared and timely filed all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to it, all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects and prepared in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, and each Group Company has timely paid all income and all other material Taxes required to have been paid, including all installments on account of Taxes for the current year, due and owing by it regardless of whether or not such Taxes are related to, shown on or required to be shown on any such Tax Return. Each Group Company has made available to Vahanna correct and complete copies of all Tax Returns for all Tax periods beginning from and after March 31, 2018.
(b) Each Group Company has timely withheld or deducted and paid to the appropriate Tax Authority all material amounts required to have been withheld or deducted from amounts paid or owing or deemed paid or owing or benefits given to any employee, individual independent contractor, other service providers, equity interest holder, creditor, or other third party, including for services performed outside the city, state, province or country where any employee is based, and has otherwise complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to such withholding, collection and payment of Taxes.
(c) No Group Company is currently the subject of a Tax audit, examination, assessment, administrative or judicial claim, Proceeding, or investigation with respect to material Taxes (a “Tax Proceeding”), nor are there any matters under discussion, audit or appeal with any Tax Authority with respect to the Taxes of any Group Company, and no Tax Proceeding with respect to any Group Company is pending or has been threatened in writing. No Group Company has been informed in writing of any deficiency, proposed adjustment, or assessment, in each case with respect to material Taxes, that has not been fully paid or finally resolved. All
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material deficiencies for Taxes asserted or assessed in writing against any Group Company have been fully and timely (taking into account applicable extensions) paid, settled or withdrawn, and no such deficiency has been threatened or proposed in writing against any Group Company.
(d) No Group Company has consented to extend or waive the time in which any material Tax may be assessed or collected by any Tax Authority which waiver or extension of time is currently outstanding. No Group Company has waived any statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes of any Group Company or is the beneficiary of any extension of time (other than an automatic extension of time not requiring the consent of the applicable Governmental Entity) within which to file any material Tax Return of any Group Company.
(e) No “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law), private letter rulings, technical advice memoranda or similar agreements or rulings have been requested, entered into or issued by any Tax Authority with respect to a Group Company which agreement or ruling would be effective after the Closing Date. No Group Company has requested or received a written ruling from any Tax Authority or signed any binding agreement with any Tax Authority or made or filed any election, designation or similar filing with respect to Taxes of any Group Company. The amount of Tax chargeable on any Group Company does not depend, and has not depended, to any material extent, on any concession, agreement or other formal or informal arrangement with any Tax Authority.
(f) No Group Company is or has been a party to any “listed transaction” within the meaning of Sections 6111 and 6112 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) or any “tax shelter” within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law).
(g) There are no Liens for material Taxes on any of the assets of any Group Company that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax, other than Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
(h) During the two-year period ending on the date of this Agreement, no Group Company (or any predecessor thereof) has distributed stock of another Person, or has had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 or 361 of the Code.
(i) No Group Company (i) has been a member of an Affiliated Group (other than an Affiliated Group the common parent of which was a Group Company) or (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person other than itself under Section 1.1502-6 of the Treasury Regulations (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract, by operation of applicable Law or otherwise.
(j) No written claim has ever been made by any Tax Authority in a jurisdiction where any Group Company does not file Tax Returns that a Group Company is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction, which claims have not been resolved or withdrawn, and no Group Company has a taxable presence or nexus other than in the jurisdictions in which it currently files Tax Returns.
(k) No Group Company (i) is a party to or bound by or has any obligations under any Tax allocation, Tax sharing or Tax indemnity or similar agreement (other than such Contract entered into in the ordinary course of business and the principal purpose of which is not the allocation or sharing of Taxes), and no charge to Tax will arise to any Group Company as a result of any Group Company ceasing to be a member of any Affiliated Group in connection with this Agreement, (ii) is party to any Contract or arrangement to pay, indemnify or make any payment with respect to any Tax liabilities of any stockholder, member, manager, director, officer or other employee or contractor of any Company Group and (iii) is a party to any joint venture, partnership or other arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.
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(l) No Group Company has taken, or intends to take, any action that could reasonably be expected to prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment. To the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts, circumstances, or plans that, either alone or in combination, could reasonably be expected to prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.
(m) No Group Company has filed any amended Tax Return or other claim for a refund as a result of, or in connection with, the carry back of any net operating loss or other attribute to a year prior to the taxable year including the Closing Date under Section 172 of the Code, as amended by Section 2303 of the CARES Act, or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law.
(n) Each Group Company has (i) to the extent applicable, complied with all legal requirements in order to defer the amount of the employer’s share of any “applicable employment taxes” deferred by any Group Company under Section 2302 of the CARES Act, (ii) to the extent applicable, complied with all legal requirements and duly accounted for any available Tax credits claimed by any Group Company under Sections 7001 through 7005 of the Families First Act and (iii) has not received or claimed any Tax credits under Section 2301 of the CARES Act.
(o) No Group Company will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date (determined with and without regard to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) as a result of (i) an installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) a disposition occurring before the Closing reported as an open transaction for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (or any similar doctrine under state, local, or non-U.S. Laws); (iii) any prepaid amounts received on or prior to the Closing Date or deferred revenue realized, accrued or received outside the ordinary course of business on or prior to the Closing Date; (iv) a change in method of accounting under Section 481 of the Code that occurs or was requested prior to the Closing (or as a result of an impermissible method used prior to Closing); (v) an agreement entered into with any Governmental Entity (including a “closing agreement” under Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law)) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (vi) intercompany transactions or any excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law); (vii) any election under Section 108(i) of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law); or (viii) “global intangible low-taxed income” within the meaning of Section 951A of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of Law) of any Group Company attributable to a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date. No Group Company will be required to make any payments after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 965 of the Code, including as a result of an election made pursuant to Section 965(h) of the Code.
(p) No Group Company is or has been a resident for Tax purposes in any jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction of its formation, or is or has had, any branch, agency, permanent establishment or other taxable presence in any jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction of its formation.
(q) The unpaid Taxes of any Group Company with respect to any pre-Closing period (i) did not, as of the date of the Latest Balance Sheet, exceed the accrued liability for Taxes (rather than any accrued liability for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the Latest Balance Sheet (rather than in any notes thereto) and (ii) will not exceed that accrued liability as adjusted for operations and transactions through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of the applicable Group Company in filing their Tax Returns.
(r) None of the Company’s non-U.S. Subsidiaries has, or at any time has had, an investment in “United States property” within the meaning of Section 956(b) of the Code.
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(s) None of the Company’s non-U.S. Subsidiaries is, or at any time has been, a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code and none of the Group Companies is a stockholder, directly or indirectly, in a passive foreign investment company.
(t) None of the Company’s non-U.S. Subsidiaries is, or at any time has been, engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within the United States within the meaning of Section 864(b) or Section 882(a) of the Code, or considered to be so engaged under Section 882(d) or Section 897 of the Code or otherwise.
(u) The Company is not, nor has been, a “U.S. real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. None of the Company’s non-U.S. Subsidiaries holds, or at any time has held, a “United States real property interest” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(1) of the Code.
(v) No Group Company is or has been a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.
(w) No Group Company is, or at any time has been, subject to (i) the dual consolidated loss provisions of Section 1503(d) of the Code, (ii) the overall foreign loss provisions of Section 904(f) of the Code or (iii) the recharacterization provisions of Section 952(c)(2) of the Code.
(x) No Person holds shares of Company Common Stock that are non-transferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code with respect to which a valid election under Section 83(b) of the Code has not been made.
(y) Section 3.16(y) of the Company Schedules sets forth a list of the jurisdictions of formation and entity classification of each Group Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and, unless otherwise noted on Schedule 3.16(y) of the Company Schedules, each entity has had such classification at all times since its incorporation or formation, as applicable.
(z) The prices and terms for the provision of any property or services undertaken among the Group Companies are arm’s length for purposes of the relevant transfer pricing Laws, and all related documentation required by such Laws has been timely prepared or obtained and, if necessary, retained.
(aa) Each Group Company has duly and timely collected all material amounts on account of any sales or transfer Taxes, including goods and services, harmonized sales and state, provincial or territorial sales Taxes, required by applicable Laws to be collected by it and has duly and timely remitted to the appropriate Tax Authority any such amounts required by Law to be remitted by it.
(bb) The existence, amount or usability of the Tax attributes of any Group Company (such as net operating losses, capital loss carry forwards, foreign tax credit carry forwards, asset bases, research and development credit, and depreciation periods) for Tax periods (or portions thereof) are not currently subject to limitation under any Section of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder, or any applicable provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law, and will not be subject to any limitation for any period beginning on or after the Closing Date.
(cc) Each Group Company has obtained all official receipts from non-U.S. Governmental Entities or other evidence of payments sufficient to support any claimed foreign Tax credits for any Taxes paid by it to any non-U.S. Tax Authorities.
(dd) Each Group Company has provided reasonable documentation or other proof of compliance with any applicable Tax holiday or other similar incentives, and such compliance shall not be negatively affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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Section 3.17 Brokers. Except as set forth on Section 3.17 of the Company Schedules, no investment banker, financial advisor, broker, or finder has acted for or on behalf of the Company or any Affiliate in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Company has not entered into any agreement with any Person which will result in the obligation of the Company to pay any finder’s fee, brokerage fees, commission, or similar compensation in connection with the with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.
Section 3.18 Real and Personal Property.
(a) Owned Real Property. No Group Company owns any real property.
(b) Leased Real Property. Section 3.18(b) of the Company Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list (including street addresses) of all real property leased or sub-leased by any of the Group Companies (the “Leased Real Property”) and all Real Property Leases pursuant to which any Group Company is a tenant or landlord as of the date of this Agreement. The Company has delivered to Vahanna a true and complete copy of each such Real Property Lease. Except in each case as would not be, or would not be reasonably expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, each Real Property Lease is in full force and effect and is a valid, legal and binding obligation of the applicable Group Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms against such Group Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, each other party thereto (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity), and each Real Property Lease has been adequately stamped and validly registered with applicable Law. Except in each case as would not be, or would not be reasonably expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, there is no breach or default by any Group Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any third party under any Real Property Lease, and, to the Company’s knowledge, (i) no event has occurred which (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) would constitute, and (ii) there is no event or circumstance that is reasonably expected to result in (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a breach or default or would permit termination of, or a modification or acceleration thereof by any party to such Real Property Leases. No Group Company has subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy such Leased Real Property or any portion thereof. The Group Company’s possession and quiet enjoyment of the Leased Real Property under the applicable Real Property Lease has not been disturbed, and to the Company’s knowledge, there are no disputes with respect to any Real Property Lease, except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole.
(c) The Real Property comprises all of the real property used or intended to be used in, or otherwise related to, the Business. All buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures, building systems and equipment, and all components thereof included in the Real Property are in good condition and repair, free of any structural deficiencies or latent defects, and sufficient for the operation of the Business.
(d) Personal Property. Each Group Company has good, marketable and indefeasible title to, or a valid leasehold interest in or license or right to use, all of the assets and properties of the Group Companies reflected in the Latest Balance Sheet or thereafter acquired by the Group Companies, except for assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business or as would not be, or would be reasonably expected not to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. The tangible assets and properties of the Group Companies are in good operating condition in all respects (normal wear and tear excepted) and are fit, in all respects, for use in the ordinary course of business, and no uninsurable damage has, since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet, occurred with respect to such assets and properties, except in each case as would not be, or would not be reasonably expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole.
Section 3.19 Transactions with Affiliates. Section 3.19 of the Company Schedules sets forth all Contracts between any Group Company, on the one hand, and any Pre-Closing Holder Related Parties or Group Company,
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on the other hand, other than (i) Contracts with respect to a Pre-Closing Holder Related Party’s employment or services with (including with respect to benefit plans and other ordinary course compensation from) any of the Group Companies, (ii) any Ancillary Document, and (iii) any Governing Documents of the Company or the Company Shareholder Agreements (all such Contracts set forth in Section 3.19 of the Company Schedules, “Pre-Closing Holder Related Party Transactions”). Each Pre-Closing Holder Related Party Transaction has been entered into in accordance with applicable Law and is at arm’s length. No Pre-Closing Holder Related Party owns (x) any interest in any asset used in the Business or in any competitor of the Business, or (y) owes any amount to, or is owed any amount by, any Group Company (other than as set forth in Section 3.19 of the Company Schedules). To the knowledge of the Company, there are no Contracts relating to any Group Company between (A) any officer, director, partner, member or manager of any Group Company, or any Affiliate of the foregoing, on the one hand, and (B) any direct or indirect equityholder of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, on the other hand. To the knowledge of the Company, no Pre-Closing Holder Related Party has been a party to any transaction with any Group Company since March 31, 2020, that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the Company were a registrant as described therein.
Section 3.20 Material Customers and Suppliers. Section 3.20 of the Company Schedules sets forth as of the date of this Agreement (i) the top 20 customers of the Group Companies (x) for the year ended March 31, 2022 and (y) for the nine months ended December 31, 2022 (in each case based upon aggregate consideration paid to the Group Companies for goods or services rendered during such period) (collectively, the “Material Customers”), and (ii) the top 10 suppliers and unaffiliated contractors or subcontractors of the Group Companies (x) for the year ended March 31, 2022 and (y) for the nine months ended December 31, 2022 (based upon the aggregate consideration paid by the Group Companies for goods or services rendered during such period) (collectively, the “Material Suppliers”). To the knowledge of the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, no Material Customer or Material Supplier intends to discontinue or materially alter its relationship with the Group Companies, and the Group Companies have not received written (or, to the knowledge of the Company, oral) notice of any such intent.
Section 3.21 Data Privacy and Security Requirements.
(a) The Group Companies, their officers, employees, and any processors acting on their behalf are and, since March 31, 2020 have been, in material compliance in all material respects with all Data Privacy and Security Requirements.
(b) The Group Companies have in place policies and procedures for the proper Processing of Personal Data that comply with Data Privacy and Security Requirements. The Group Companies have in accordance with Data Privacy and Security Requirements: (i) provided individuals with relevant information; (ii) obtained, where required, individuals’ valid consent in relation to the Processing of their Personal Data; (iii) implemented and complied with their audit, training and, where required, data protection impact assessment procedures; (iv) where the Group Companies have instructed another party to Process Personal Data, entered into data processing agreements which comply with Data Privacy and Security Requirements; (v) entered into data processing agreements which comply with Data Privacy and Security Requirements and complied with all contractual obligations; and (vi) stored Personal Data for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which Personal Data is Processed pursuant to a data retention policy implemented in accordance with Data Privacy and Security Requirements.
(c) To the knowledge of the Company, except as set forth in Section 3.21 of the Company Schedules, the Group Companies have not experienced any Security Incident, including with respect to any Company IT Systems, Business Data, or Company Products or otherwise related to the Business, and the Group Companies are not aware of any facts suggesting the likelihood of the foregoing, including any breach of security. No circumstance has arisen in which Data Privacy and Security Requirements would require the Group Companies to notify a Person or Governmental Entity of a data security breach or security incident.
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(d) No Group Company has, since March 31, 2019, been nor is currently: (i) subject to any written notice, notification, claim, demand, audit or action from any Person in relation to Personal Data, including a notification, a claim, a demand, or an action alleging that any of the Group Company has Processed Personal Data in violation of applicable Data Privacy and Security Requirements, (ii) under audit or subject to any Proceeding, including regarding Processing of Personal Data, or (iii) required by applicable Law or Contract to give any notice to any Person, or been subject to any Proceeding, in each case with respect to any Security Incident or otherwise with respect to any breach or purported breach of any Data Privacy and Security Requirements.
(e) The Group Companies have implemented and maintain appropriate technical, physical, and organizational measures and security systems and technologies in compliance with all Data Privacy and Security Requirements to ensure the integrity and security of Personal Data and all Business Data and to prevent any Security Incident in compliance with Data Privacy and Security Requirements, including security, disaster recovery and business continuity plans, procedures and facilities, including by implementing systems and procedures to encrypt the transmission of material Business Data on or from Company IT Systems.
(f) The performance of this Agreement will not violate any Data Privacy and Security Requirements. Upon execution of this Agreement, the Group Companies shall continue to have the right to Process any Personal Data Processed by them before the signature date of this Agreement in order to be able to conduct the ordinary course of business.
(g) Since March 31, 2019, there has not been any material failure with respect to any of the Company IT Systems that has not been remedied or replaced in all material respects. The Group Companies have taken commercially reasonable steps designed to ensure that the Company IT Systems do not contain, and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company IT Systems do not contain, any material unauthorized feature (including any worm, bomb, Trojan Horse, backdoor, clock, timer or other disabling device, code, design or routine) or material defects, technical concerns or problems that would cause any Company IT System to be erased, inoperable or otherwise incapable of being used, or any computer code designed to disrupt, disable or harm in any manner the operation of any Software or hardware, either automatically, with the passage of time or upon command, or otherwise that would prevent the same from performing substantially in accordance with their user specifications or functionality descriptions.
(h) The Group Companies (i) engage and have engaged in Processing only with respect to such Data as they are authorized to so engage (or to cause such Processing, as applicable) by Law and, in the case of Data obtained from third parties, Contract, and (ii) have implemented reasonable safeguards designed to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of such Data. The Group Companies have, with respect to all such Data that is subjected to any Processing directly in connection with the Business, all rights necessary to conduct such Processing as then-currently conducted, in all material respects.
(i) None of the Group Companies has received any written communication from any Person since March 31, 2019 from whom it licenses, acquires or purchases any material Data (such arrangements, “Material Data Supply Agreements”) to the effect that any, and to the Company’s knowledge no, Person will stop or decrease the rate of, or materially alter the terms of, the business it conducts with (or the Data it provides under any Material Data Supply Agreements to) any Group Company. No Group Company is in material breach of any Material Data Supply Agreements.
Section 3.22 Compliance with International Trade & Anti-Corruption Laws.
(a) Neither the Group Companies, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of their shareholders or members or Representatives or any other Persons in each case to the extent acting for or on behalf of any of the Group Companies is or has been, since March 31, 2018, (i) a Person identified or named in any Sanctions and Export Control Laws, including any person identified in Sanctions and Export Control Laws-related list of
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designated Persons maintained by a Governmental Entity; (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory which is itself the subject of or target of any Sanctions and Export Control Laws; (iii) an entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, fifty percent or more by one or more Persons described in clauses (i) or (ii) or that may be subject to Sanctions and Export Control Laws; (iv) otherwise engaging in dealings with or for the benefit of any Person described in clauses (i) – (iii) or any country or territory which is or has been the subject of or target of any Sanctions and Export Control Laws (at the time of this Agreement, including the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Sudan and Syria); or (v) otherwise in violation of Sanctions and Export Control Laws.
(b) Neither the Group Companies nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of their Representatives or any other Persons in each case to the extent acting for or on behalf of any of the Group Companies has, (i) made, offered, promised, paid or received any unlawful bribes, kickbacks or other similar payments to or from any Person, (ii) made or paid any contributions, directly or indirectly, to a domestic or foreign political party or candidate, or (iii) otherwise made, offered, received, authorized, promised or paid any improper payment under any Anti-Corruption Laws.
(c) There have not been any Proceedings, filings, disclosures, Orders, inquiries or governmental investigations alleging any such violations of Anti-Corruption Laws or Sanctions and Export Control Laws by the Group Companies or any of their Representatives or, to the Company’s Knowledge, any other Persons in each case to the extent acting for or on behalf of any of the Group Companies, and to the Company’s Knowledge, no such Proceedings, filings, disclosures, Orders, inquiries or governmental investigations have been threatened or are pending and there are no circumstances that are reasonably expected to give rise to any such Proceedings, filings, disclosures, Orders, inquiries or governmental investigations.
Section 3.23 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Group Companies expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference: (a) prior to the Closing in the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement will, when the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is declared effective or when the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is mailed to shareholders of Vahanna, and in the case of any amendment thereto, at the time of such amendment, contain any 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 are made, not misleading; or (b) after the Closing in the current report filed on Form 6-K or Form 8-K will contain any false or misleading statement in light of the circumstances under which they are made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of Vahanna or its Affiliates.
Section 3.24 Sufficiency of Assets. Except as would not be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole, the tangible and intangible assets owned, licensed or leased by the Group Companies constitute all of the assets that are reasonably necessary for the continued conduct of the Business after the Closing in the ordinary course.
Section 3.25 Investigation; No Other Representations.
(a) The Company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Representatives, acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees that (i) it has conducted its own independent review and analysis of, and, based thereon, has formed an independent judgment concerning, the business, assets, condition, operations and prospects of the Vahanna Parties and (ii) it has been furnished with or given access to such documents and information about the Vahanna Parties and their respective businesses and operations as it and its Representatives have deemed necessary to enable it to make an informed decision with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(b) In entering into this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party, the Company has relied solely on its own investigation and analysis and the representations and warranties expressly set forth
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in Article 4 (including the Vahanna Schedules) and in the Ancillary Documents and no other representations or warranties of any Vahanna Party or any other Person, either express or implied, and the Company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Representatives, acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article 4 (as modified by the Vahanna Schedules) and in the Ancillary Documents, no Vahanna Party or any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty, either express or implied, in connection with or related to this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
Section 3.26 EXCLUSIVITY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; DISCLAIMER OF OTHER WARRANTIES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE TO THE VAHANNA PARTIES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION (INCLUDING ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA), EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE 3 AND IN THE ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS, NONE OF THE COMPANY, ANY GROUP COMPANY OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAKES, AND THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS (ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP COMPANIES AND ITS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES) ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE CONDITION, VALUE OR QUALITY OF THE COMPANY STOCK OR BUSINESSES OR ASSETS OF ANY OF THE GROUP COMPANIES, AND THE COMPANY SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS, ON ITS BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH OF THE GROUP COMPANIES, ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANT OF MERCHANTABILITY, USAGE, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO ITS OR THEIR ASSETS, ANY PART THEREOF, THE WORKMANSHIP THEREOF, AND THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFECTS THEREIN, WHETHER LATENT OR PATENT, IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT SUCH SUBJECT ASSETS ARE BEING ACQUIRED IN THEIR PRESENT CONDITION, AND EACH OF THE VAHANNA PARTIES SHALL RELY SOLELY ON ITS OWN EXAMINATION AND INVESTIGATION THEREOF AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE 3 (AS MODIFIED BY THE COMPANY SCHEDULES) AND IN THE ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE VAHANNA PARTIES
Except as set forth (a) subject to Section 8.8, on the Vahanna Schedules or (b) in any Vahanna SEC Reports (excluding any disclosures in any “risk factors” section or in any forward-looking statements or similar disclaimers and other disclosures that are generally cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature) (it being understood, however, that nothing disclosed in any Vahanna SEC Report will qualify or be deemed to qualify the Vahanna Fundamental Representations), each Vahanna Party hereby represents and warrants on behalf of itself to the Company as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification. Such Vahanna Party is a corporation, limited liability company or other business entity duly organized or formed, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing (or the equivalent thereof, if applicable, in each case, with respect to the jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing or any equivalent thereof) under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation or organization (as applicable), except where the failure to be in good standing (or the equivalent thereof) would not have, or be reasonably expected to have, a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.2 Authority. Such Vahanna Party has the requisite corporate, limited liability company or other similar power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, each of the Ancillary Documents to which such Vahanna Party is or will be a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Subject to the receipt of the Vahanna Shareholder Approvals and the Merger Sub Sole Stockholder Approval, the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which such Vahanna Party is or will be a
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party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been (or, in the case of any Ancillary Document entered into after the date of this Agreement, will be upon execution thereof) duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Vahanna Party. This Agreement has been and each Ancillary Document to which such Vahanna Party is or will be a party has been or will be upon execution thereof, duly and validly executed and delivered by such Vahanna Party and constitutes or will constitute, upon execution thereof, as applicable, a valid, legal and binding agreement of such Vahanna Party (assuming this Agreement has been and the Ancillary Documents to which such Vahanna Party is or will be a party are or will be upon execution thereof, as applicable, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other Persons party hereto or thereto, as applicable), enforceable against such Vahanna Party in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity).
Section 4.3 Consents and Requisite Government Approvals; No Violations. Assuming the truth and accuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.5 (and assuming all Consents referred to in such sections (or required to be disclosed in the corresponding sections of the Company Schedules) are made or obtained), no Consent of any Governmental Entity is necessary for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents to which such Vahanna Party is or will be a party or bound, or the consummation by such Vahanna Party of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for (a) compliance with and filings under the HSR Act, (b) the Domestication in compliance with applicable Law (to the extent required by Section 2.6), (c) compliance with and filings under any applicable Securities Laws, including the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, (d) the Vahanna Shareholder Approvals or (e) those the failure of which to obtain or make would not have, or be reasonably expected to have, a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect. Neither the execution, delivery and performance by such Vahanna Party of this Agreement nor the Ancillary Documents to which such Vahanna Party is or will be a party nor the consummation by such Vahanna Party of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will, directly or indirectly (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the Governing Documents of such Vahanna Party, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default or give rise to any right of termination, cancelation, amendment, modification, suspension, revocation or acceleration under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or the loss of any benefits under, any Contract to which such Vahanna Party is a party or by which any such Vahanna Party or any of its properties or assets are bound, (iii) violate, or constitute a breach under, any Order or applicable Law to which any such Vahanna Party or any of its properties or assets are bound or (iv) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the (x) assets or properties (other than any Permitted Liens) of such Vahanna Party or (y) the Vahanna Common Shares issued as part of the Total Merger Consideration hereunder, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iv)(x) above, as would not have, or be reasonably expected to have, a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.4 Brokers. Except as set forth on Section 4.4 of the Vahanna Schedules, no investment banker, financial advisor, broker, or finder has acted for or on behalf of Vahanna or any Affiliate in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby, and Vahanna has not entered into any agreement with any Person which will result in the obligation of Vahanna to pay any finder’s fee, brokerage fees, commission, or similar compensation in connection with the with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.
Section 4.5 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of such Vahanna Party expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference (a) prior to the Closing in the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement will, when the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is declared effective or when the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is mailed to the Pre-Closing Vahanna Holders, and in the case of any amendment thereto, at the time of such amendment, contain any 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 are made, not misleading; or (b) after the Closing in the current report filed on Form 6-K or Form 8-K will contain any false or misleading statement in light of the circumstances under which they are made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Vahanna Party makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates.
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Section 4.6 Capitalization of the Vahanna Parties.
(a) Section 4.6(a) of the Vahanna Schedules sets forth as of the date hereof a true, correct, and complete statement of the number and class or series (as applicable) of the issued and outstanding Vahanna Shares and Vahanna Warrants. All outstanding Vahanna Shares, Vahanna Warrants and shares of Merger Sub Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. Such Equity Securities of Vahanna and Merger Sub (i) were not issued in violation of applicable Law or the Governing Documents of Vahanna or Merger Sub and (ii) are not subject to any preemptive rights, call option, right of first refusal, subscription rights, transfer restrictions or similar rights of any Person (other than transfer restrictions under applicable Securities Law or under the Governing Documents of Vahanna) and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights, call option, right of first refusal, subscription rights, transfer restrictions or similar rights of any Person. Except for this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents, as set forth in Vahanna’s Governing Documents (including the Vahanna Shareholder Redemption) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, there are no outstanding (A) equity appreciation, phantom equity, profit participation rights or other similar rights, or (B) options, restricted stock, phantom stock, warrants, purchase rights (including preemptive rights), subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, calls, puts, rights of first refusal or first offer or other Contracts that could require Vahanna to issue, sell, accelerate, extend, grant, enter into or otherwise cause to become outstanding or to acquire, repurchase or redeem any Vahanna Shares or Vahanna Warrants or other Equity Securities of Vahanna or Merger Sub or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Vahanna Shares, Vahanna Warrants or other Equity Securities of Vahanna or Merger Sub, and, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and Vahanna’s Governing Documents, there is no obligation of Vahanna or Merger Sub, to issue, sell or otherwise cause to become outstanding or to acquire, repurchase or redeem any Vahanna Shares or Vahanna Warrants or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Vahanna Shares or Vahanna Warrants.
(b) As of the date hereof, Vahanna has no Subsidiaries other than Merger Sub and does not own, directly or indirectly, any Equity Securities in any Person other than Merger Sub.
(c) The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 100 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Merger Sub Common Stock”). As of the date hereof, 100 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock are issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of Merger Sub Common Stock have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and are non-assessable and are not subject to preemptive rights, and are held by Vahanna.
(d) Subject to receipt of the Vahanna Shareholder Approvals, the Vahanna Common Shares to be issued by Vahanna in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and will not be subject to any preemptive rights of any other shareholder of Vahanna and will be capable of effectively vesting in each holder of Company Common Stock title to all such securities, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens arising pursuant to applicable Securities Law).
Section 4.7 SEC Filings. Vahanna has timely filed or furnished all statements, prospectuses, registration statements, forms, reports and documents required to be filed or furnished by it prior to the date of this Agreement with the SEC pursuant to Federal Securities Laws since its incorporation (collectively, and together with any exhibits and schedules thereto and other information incorporated therein, and as they have been supplemented, modified or amended since the time of filing, the “Vahanna SEC Reports”), and, as of the Closing, will have filed or furnished all other statements, prospectuses, registration statements, forms, reports and other documents required to be filed or furnished by it subsequent to the date of this Agreement with the SEC pursuant to Federal Securities Laws through the Closing (collectively, and together with any exhibits and schedules thereto and other information incorporated therein, and as they have been supplemented, modified or amended since the time of filing, but excluding the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, the “Additional Vahanna SEC Reports”). Vahanna has heretofore furnished to the Company true and correct copies of all
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material amendments and modifications, if any, that have not been filed by Vahanna with the SEC to all material agreements, documents and other instruments that previously had been filed by Vahanna with the SEC and are currently in effect. Each of the Vahanna SEC Reports, as of their respective dates of filing, and as of the date of any amendment or filing that superseded the initial filing, complied, and each of the Additional Vahanna SEC Reports, as of their respective dates of filing, and as of the date of any amendment or filing that superseded the initial filing, will comply, in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Federal Securities Laws (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) applicable to the Vahanna SEC Reports or the Additional Vahanna SEC Reports. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters received from the SEC with respect to the Vahanna SEC Reports. The Vahanna SEC Reports did not at the time they were filed with the SEC (except to the extent that information contained in any Vahanna SEC Report has been superseded by a later timely filed Vahanna SEC Report) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no representation or warranty is made as to the accounting treatment of the issued and outstanding Vahanna Warrants, or as to any deficiencies in disclosure (including with respect to accounting and disclosure controls) arising from the accounting treatment of such Vahanna Warrants, in any Vahanna SEC Reports.
Section 4.8 Trust Account. The funds held in the Trust Account are invested in U.S. government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act and held in trust pursuant to that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2021 (the “Trust Agreement”), by and between Vahanna and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”). There are no separate agreements, side letters or other arrangements or understandings (whether written or unwritten, express or implied) that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Vahanna SEC Reports to be inaccurate in any material respect or, to Vahanna’s knowledge, that would entitle any Person to any portion of the funds in the Trust Account (other than (a) in respect of deferred underwriting commissions or Taxes, (b) Pre-Closing Vahanna Holders who shall have elected to redeem their Vahanna Class A Shares pursuant to the Governing Documents of Vahanna or (c) if Vahanna fails to complete a business combination as contemplated by a Business Combination Proposal within the allotted time period and liquidates the Trust Account, subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, Vahanna (in limited amounts to permit Vahanna to pay the expenses of the Trust Account’s liquidation and dissolution) and then Vahanna’s public shareholders). Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account are permitted to be released, except in the circumstances described in the Governing Documents of Vahanna and the Trust Agreement. The Trust Agreement is valid, binding and in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms and has not been amended or modified. Vahanna has complied in all material respects with the terms of the Trust Agreement and is not in breach thereof or default thereunder and there does not exist under the Trust Agreement any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default by Vahanna or, to knowledge of Vahanna, the Trustee. As of December 31, 2022, the Trust Account consists of no less than $207,091,906. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except for the matters described in the second sentence of Section 8.19. There are no Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Vahanna, threatened in writing with respect to the Trust Account.
Section 4.9 Litigation. There is (and since its incorporation there has been) no Proceeding pending or, to Vahanna’s knowledge, threatened against or involving (a) any Vahanna Party, (b) any of its respective properties or assets, or (c) any of its respective managers, officers, directors or employees (in their capacities as such), except as would not have, or be reasonably expected to have, a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect. No Vahanna Party is subject to any outstanding Order that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, material to the Vahanna Parties.
Section 4.10 Compliance with Applicable Law. Each Vahanna Party is (and since its incorporation or formation, as applicable, has been) in compliance with all applicable Laws, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 4.11 Internal Controls; Listing; Financial Statements.
(a) Except as not required in reliance on exemptions from various reporting requirements by virtue of Vahanna’s status as an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, or a “smaller reporting company” within the meaning of the Exchange Act, since its incorporation, (i) Vahanna has established and maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of Vahanna’s financial reporting and the preparation of Vahanna’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and (ii) Vahanna has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that material information relating to Vahanna is made known to Vahanna’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within Vahanna.
(b) Vahanna has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(c) Vahanna is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of Nasdaq. The Vahanna Class A Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq. There is no Proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Vahanna, threatened against Vahanna by Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister Vahanna Shares or Vahanna Warrants or prohibit or terminate the listing of Vahanna Shares or Vahanna Warrants on Nasdaq. Vahanna has not taken any action that is designed to terminate the registration of Vahanna Shares or Vahanna Warrants under the Exchange Act.
(d) The Vahanna SEC Reports contain true, correct, and complete copies of the applicable Vahanna Financial Statements. The Vahanna Financial Statements (i) fairly present in all material respects the financial position of Vahanna as at the respective dates thereof, and the results of its operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the respective periods then ended (subject, in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments (none of which is reasonably expected to be material) and the absence of footnotes), (ii) were prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except, in the case of any audited financial statements, as may be indicated in the notes thereto and subject, in the case of any unaudited financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments (none of which is reasonably expected to be material) and the absence of footnotes), (iii) in the case of the audited Vahanna Financial Statements, were audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and (iv) comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act in effect as of the respective dates thereof (including Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable).
(e) Since its incorporation, Vahanna has not received any written notification, complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that there is any (a) “significant deficiency” in the internal controls over financial reporting of Vahanna, (b) “material weakness” in the internal controls over financial reporting of Vahanna or (c) fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees of Vahanna who have a significant role in the internal controls over financial reporting of Vahanna.
Section 4.12 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for liabilities (a) set forth in Section 4.12 of the Vahanna Schedules, (b) incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents, the performance of its respective covenants and agreements in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (c) set forth or disclosed in the Vahanna Financial Statements, (d) that have arisen since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Vahanna SEC Reports in the ordinary course of business (none of which is a liability for breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement, misappropriation, dilution or violation of Law), (e) incurred in accordance with Section 5.5(d) or Section 5.13, or (f) that are not and would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to Vahanna, Vahanna has no liabilities.
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Section 4.13 Tax Matters. For purposes of this Section 4.13, any reference to “Vahanna” shall also include Merger Sub. Except as has not had or would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect:
(a) Vahanna has filed (taking into account any extension of time within which to file) all material Tax Returns required by applicable Law to have been filed by it, all such Tax Returns were correct and complete in all material respects, and Vahanna has paid all material Taxes required by applicable Law to have been paid by it, other than Taxes not yet due and payable or otherwise being contested in good faith regardless of whether or not shown on any such Tax Return.
(b) Vahanna has withheld or collected and paid to the appropriate Tax Authority all material amounts required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, other service providers, equity interest holder, or other third party and has otherwise complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to such withholding, collection and payment of Taxes.
(c) Vahanna is not currently the subject of any material Tax Proceeding, and no Tax Proceeding with respect to Vahanna has been threatened in writing.
(d) Vahanna has not consented to extend or waive the time in which any material Tax may be assessed or collected by any Tax Authority, other than any such extensions or waivers that are no longer in effect or that were extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business. Vahanna is not the beneficiary of any extension of time (other than an automatic extension of time not requiring the consent of the applicable Governmental Entity) within which to file any material Tax Return not previously filed.
(e) Vahanna has not been a party to or bound by any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law), private letter rulings, technical advice memoranda or similar agreements or rulings have been entered into with or issued by any Tax Authority in respect of which Vahanna would have any material Tax liability after the Closing. Vahanna does not have any request for a ruling in respect of Taxes pending between Vahanna and any Tax Authority.
(f) Vahanna has not been a party to any “listed transaction” required to be disclosed pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b).
(g) There are no Liens for material Taxes on any assets of Vahanna other than Permitted Liens.
(h) During the two-year period ending on the date of this Agreement, Vahanna was not a distributing corporation or a controlled corporation in a transaction purported or intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code.
(i) Vahanna (i) has not been a member of an Affiliated Group (other than an Affiliated Group the common parent of which is Vahanna) and (ii) does not have any material liability for the Taxes of any Person under Section 1.1502-6 of the Treasury Regulations (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) as a transferee or successor, by Contract, by operation of applicable Law or otherwise.
(j) Each of Vahanna and Merger Sub is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(k) Vahanna has not taken, and does not intend to take, any action that could reasonably be expected to prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment. To the knowledge of Vahanna, there are no facts, circumstances, or plans that, either alone or in combination, could reasonably be expected to prevent the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.
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(l) Vahanna will not be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of (i) an installment sale or open transaction disposition made prior to the Closing, (ii) any prepaid amounts received on or prior to the Closing or deferred revenue realized, accrued or received outside the ordinary course of business on or prior to the Closing. (iii) a change in method of accounting under Section 481 of the Code that occurs or was requested prior to the Closing (or as a result of an impermissible method used prior to Closing) or (v) an agreement entered into with any Governmental Entity (including a “closing agreement” under Section 7121 of the Code) prior to the Closing.
(m) This Section 4.13 contains the exclusive representations and warranties of Vahanna and Merger Sub with respect to Tax matters. Nothing in this Section 4.13 shall be construed as providing a representation or warranty with respect to (i) any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Effective Time or (ii) the existence, amount, expiration date or limitations on (or availability of) any Tax attribute.
Section 4.14 Business Activities. Since their respective incorporation, neither Vahanna nor Merger Sub has conducted any business activities other than activities: (a) in connection with its organization or (b) directed toward the accomplishment of a business combination in accordance with its Governing Documents.
Section 4.15 Board Approval; Shareholder Vote. The board of directors of Vahanna (including any required committee or subgroup of the board of directors of Vahanna) has, as of the date of this Agreement, unanimously: (a) approved and declared the advisability of this Agreement, the other Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger and the issuance of the Vahanna Common Shares constituting the Total Merger Consideration pursuant to Article 2); and (b) determined that the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger and the issuance of the Vahanna Common Shares constituting the Total Merger Consideration pursuant to Article 2) is in the best interest of the shareholders of Vahanna. Other than the approval of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents, the Merger and the issuance of the Vahanna Common Shares constituting the Total Merger Consideration pursuant to Article 2 and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement by the board of directors and/or shareholders of Vahanna and Merger Sub, as applicable, no other corporate or equivalent proceedings on the part of Vahanna are necessary to approve this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the Merger and the issuance of the Vahanna Common Shares contemplated hereby).
Section 4.16 Investigation; No Other Representations.
(a) Such Vahanna Party, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Representatives, acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees that (i) it has conducted its own independent review and analysis of, and, based thereon, has formed an independent judgment concerning, the business, assets, condition, operations and prospects of the Group Companies (including the Business) and (ii) it has been provided with certain documents and certain information about the Group Companies and their respective businesses and operations to enable it to make an informed decision with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(b) In entering into this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which it is a party, such Vahanna Party has relied solely on its own investigation and analysis and the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article 3 and in the Ancillary Documents and no other representations or warranties of the Company or any other Person, either express or implied, and such Vahanna Party, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Representatives, acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article 3 (as modified by the Company Schedules) and in the Ancillary Documents, none of the Company or any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty, either express or implied, in connection with or related to this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
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Section 4.17 EXCLUSIVITY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE TO THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION (INCLUDING ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA), EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE 4 AND IN THE ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS, NO VAHANNA PARTY OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAKES, AND EACH VAHANNA PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS (ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ITS REPRESENTATIVES) ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE CONDITION, VALUE OR QUALITY OF THE EQUITY SECURITIES, BUSINESSES OR ASSETS OF ANY VAHANNA PARTY, AND THE COMPANY SHALL RELY SOLELY ON ITS OWN EXAMINATION AND INVESTIGATION THEREOF AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE 4 (AS MODIFIED BY THE VAHANNA SCHEDULES) AND IN THE ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS.
ARTICLE 5
COVENANTS
Section 5.1 Conduct of Business of the Group Companies.
(a) From and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall, and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries to, except (i) as expressly required by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, (ii) as required by applicable Law, (iii) as set forth on Section 5.1(a) of the Company Schedules, (iv) as required to comply with COVID-19 Measures, or (v) as consented to in writing by Vahanna (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), (A) operate the business of the Group Companies in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; provided that, any action taken, or omitted to be taken, that is required by applicable Law shall be deemed to be in the ordinary course of business and (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact the Business and goodwill of the Group Companies.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, from and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall, and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries to, except as required by this Agreement, as required by applicable Law, as required by the COVID-19 Measures, as set forth on Section 5.1(b) of the Company Schedules, or as consented to in writing by Vahanna (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), not do any of the following:
(i) declare, set aside, make or pay a dividend on, or make any other distribution or payment in respect of, any Group Company’s Equity Securities, or repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, any outstanding Equity Securities of any Group Company, other than any redemptions of outstanding Equity Securities of any Group Company held by an employee thereof in connection with his or her termination of employment, but solely to the extent such redemption is contemplated pursuant to the terms of such individual’s employment agreement or award agreement(s) issued under a Company Equity Plan;
(ii) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing any equity interest in or a material portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association, or other business organization or division thereof, to the extent that any such transaction (or series of related transactions) would require the financial statements of the acquired, merged or consolidated entity to be included in the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the Company engage in any transaction in which it is not the surviving entity of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;
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(iii) adopt any amendments, supplements, restatements or modifications to or otherwise terminate any Group Company’s Governing Documents or the Company Shareholder Agreements;
(iv) (A) sell, assign, abandon, let lapse, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any material assets or properties of the Group Companies (including any material Company Owned Intellectual Property), other than non-exclusive licenses granted to customers or distributors of Company Products in the ordinary course of business, or inventory or obsolete equipment in the ordinary course of business, (B) create, subject or incur any Lien on any material assets or properties of the Group Companies (other than Permitted Liens), or (C) disclose any Trade Secrets of the Group Companies (other than pursuant to a written confidentiality agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business with reasonable protections of such Trade Secrets and other confidential information) or any source code (except to contractors or service providers providing development, support or maintenance services to any Group Company that are subject to agreements with reasonable Intellectual Property assignment and confidentiality provisions);
(v) (A) transfer, issue, sell, grant or otherwise directly or indirectly dispose of, or subject to a Lien, (1) any Equity Securities of any Group Company or (2) any options, warrants, rights of conversion or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments obligating any Group Company to issue, deliver or sell any Equity Securities of any Group Company or (B) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any Equity Securities of any Group Company or other rights exercisable therefor or convertible into;
(vi) incur, create or assume any Indebtedness for borrowed money (including any loan pursuant to the provisions of the CARES Act), except pursuant to (a) Contracts existing as of the date hereof and (b) Indebtedness that does not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate;
(vii) (A) enter into, amend, modify, extend, renew or terminate any Material Contract or any Real Property Lease (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any expiration or automatic extension or renewal of any Material Contract or any Real Property Lease pursuant to its terms), or (B) waive any material benefit or right under any Material Contract or Real Property Lease;
(viii) with respect to a Group Company, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or guarantees for the benefit of, or any equity or other investments in, any Person, other than any capital contributions by a Group Company in another wholly-owned Group Company in the ordinary course of business, the reimbursement of expenses of employees in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to obligations under existing Contracts;
(ix) except as required pursuant to the terms of any Company Plan that is set forth on Section 3.11(a) of the Company Schedules, (A) adopt, enter into, materially amend or materially modify, or terminate any Company Plan or any benefit or compensation plan, policy, program or Contract that would be a Company Plan if in effect as of the date hereof (other than as required by applicable Law), (B) decrease, increase, or agree to increase, the compensation or benefits payable to, or grant any new compensation or benefits payable to, any current or former Worker, other than annual base compensation increases in the ordinary course of business for Workers (other than executive officers) whose annual base compensation is less than $300,000 (which, in the case of any such increase, is determined prior to such increase), (C) take any action to accelerate any payment, right to payment (including the vesting of any equity or equity-based award), or benefit, or the funding of any payment, right to payment (including any equity or equity-based award) or benefit, payable or to become payable to any current or former Worker, (D) hire or engage any Worker whose annual base compensation exceeds or would exceed $250,000, (E) transfer, terminate (other than for cause), furlough or temporarily layoff any Worker whose total annual cash compensation exceeds or would exceed $250,000, (F) except as required by Law, with respect to a Group Company or any Workers, amend, modify, negotiate, adopt, enter into, extend, renew or terminate any CBA or other Contract with any labor organization, works council or labor union, employee delegate, representative or other employee collective group, (G) except as required by Law, recognize or certify any labor organization,
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works council, labor union or group of Workers as the bargaining representative for any Workers, (H) with respect to a Group Company or any Workers, implement, engage in or announce any employee layoffs, furloughs, reductions in force, redundancies, reductions in compensation, hours or benefits, work schedule changes or similar actions, or (I) waive or release any noncompetition, nonsolicitation, no-hire, nondisclosure, or other restrictive covenant obligation of any current or former Worker;
(x) make, change or revoke any material election concerning Taxes; adopt or change any accounting method concerning Taxes; change any Tax accounting period; file any amended Tax Return in respect of income or other material Taxes; enter into any closing agreement regarding a material amount of tax; settle, compromise, concede, or surrender any Tax Proceeding in respect of a material amount of Taxes relating to any Group Company; consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax Proceeding in respect of a material amount of Taxes relating to any Group Company; fail to pay any income or other material Tax when due (including any estimated Tax payments) or claim any Tax credits, including under Section 2301 of the CARES Act; enter into any Tax sharing, Tax allocation, Tax indemnity agreement or any other similar agreement (other than commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business that are not primarily related to Taxes); surrender any right to claim any material refund of any Taxes; or take any other similar action relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the payment of any Tax;
(xi) take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent the Intended Tax Treatment;
(xii) change any member of the Group Companies’ methods of accounting or accounting practices, except as required by GAAP;
(xiii) (A) enter into any settlement, conciliation or similar Contract, in each case, in respect of a Proceeding (1) the performance of which involves or could reasonably involve at any point in the future the payment by the Group Companies (or Vahanna or any of its Affiliates after the Closing) in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate (in each case with respect to any Proceeding, determined net of any insurance coverage in respect of such Proceeding), (2) that imposes, or could reasonably impose at any point in the future, any non-monetary obligations (including injunctive relief) on any Group Company (or Vahanna or any of its Affiliates after the Closing), (3) that involves any criminal misconduct or any admission or wrongdoing or other misconduct by any Group Company (or Vahanna or any of its Affiliates after the Closing), or (4) that is brought by or on behalf of any Pre-Closing Holder, or (B) commence any lawsuit, litigation, action, demand, examination, hearing, claim, charge, complaint, suit or arbitration;
(xiv) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt, or otherwise effect, a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction involving any of the Group Companies;
(xv) with respect to a Group Company, commit or authorize any capital commitment or capital expenditure (or series of capital commitments or capital expenditures), other than those capital expenditures contemplated by the Group Companies’ capital expenditure budget set forth on Section 5.1(b)(xv) of the Company Schedules or unbudgeted capital expenditures in the aggregate not to exceed 10% of the current aggregate capital expenditure budget set forth on Section 5.1(b)(xv) of the Company Schedules;
(xvi) other than with respect to any Company Plan in the ordinary course of business, change any insurance policy or plan of a Group Company in effect as of the date hereof or allow such policy or plan to lapse, in each case without using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a reasonable replacement thereof;
(xvii) enter into, amend, waive or terminate (other than terminations in accordance with their terms or as contemplated by Section 5.11) any Pre-Closing Holder Related Party Transactions;
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(xviii) (A) change in any material respect any cash management practices and policies or practices regarding the collection of accounts receivable, the payment of accounts payable, establishment of reserves for uncollectible accounts or otherwise seek to generate revenue outside the ordinary course of business, (B) accelerate the collection of accounts receivables or defer any accounts payable, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business (C) change, modify, or write-off as uncollectible any notes or accounts receivable of the Group Companies, except write-offs in the ordinary course of business, or (D) take any other material action outside the ordinary course of business with respect to the working capital of the Group Companies;
(xix) amend, modify, terminate, extend or waive any right under those Contracts set forth on Section 5.1(b)(xix) of the Company Schedules; or
(xx) enter into any Contract to take, or cause to be taken, any of the actions set forth in this Section 5.1.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.1 or this Agreement to the contrary, nothing set forth in this Agreement shall give Vahanna, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the Group Companies prior to the Closing.
Section 5.2 Efforts to Consummate.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective as promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the satisfaction, but not waiver, of the Closing conditions set forth in Article 6 and, in the case of any Ancillary Document to which such Party will be a party to upon the execution thereof, the execution and delivery of such Ancillary Document). Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain consents of all Governmental Entities necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents.
(b) Each Party shall (i) make, or cause to be made, an appropriate filing or take, or cause to be taken, any required actions, as applicable, pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement promptly (and in any event, within ten (10) Business Days) after the date of this Agreement and (ii) respond as promptly as practicable to any requests by any Governmental Entity for additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act. All filing fees in connection with the HSR Act be allocated equally between the Company Transaction Expenses and the Vahanna Transaction Expenses. Each Party shall promptly inform the other Parties of any material communication between such Party and any Governmental Entity regarding any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party and their respective Affiliates shall not extend any waiting period, review period or comparable period under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Entity not to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Ancillary Documents, except with the prior written consent of Vahanna and the Company. Each of the Parties agrees to take all actions that are required by any Governmental Entity in connection with the filing pursuant to the HSR Act to expeditiously consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including to agree to (i) sell, license or otherwise dispose of, or hold separate and agree to sell, license or otherwise dispose of, any entities, assets or facilities of any Group Company or any entity, facility or asset of such Party, (ii) terminate, amend or assign existing relationships and contractual rights or obligations, (iii) amend, assign or terminate existing licenses or other agreements, or (iv) enter into new licenses or other agreements, provided that any such action: (x) is conditioned upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) does not require such Party to agree to take, any action if such action would have, or would be reasonably expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Nothing in this Section 5.2 obligates any Affiliate of Vahanna (other than any Subsidiary of Vahanna) to agree to (1) sell, license or otherwise dispose of, or hold separate and agree to sell, license or otherwise dispose of, any entities, assets or facilities of such Affiliate, (2) terminate, amend or assign
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existing relationships and contractual rights or obligations, (3) amend, assign or terminate existing licenses or other agreements, or (4) enter into new licenses or other agreements.
(c) From and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Vahanna Parties, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall give counsel for the Company (in the case of any Vahanna Party) or Vahanna and its counsel (in the case of the Company), a reasonable opportunity to review in advance (subject to appropriate redactions for confidentiality and attorney-client privilege concerns), and consider in good faith the views of the other in connection with, any proposed written communication to any Governmental Entity relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document. Each of the Parties agrees not to participate in any substantive meeting or discussion, either in person or by telephone with any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement unless it consults with, in the case of any Vahanna Party, the Company, or, in the case of the Company, Vahanna, in advance and, to the extent reasonably practicable and not prohibited by such Governmental Entity, gives, in the case of any Vahanna Party, the Company, or, in the case of the Company, Vahanna, the opportunity to attend and participate in such meeting or discussion (which, at the request of Vahanna, will be limited to outside antitrust counsel only).
(d) In furtherance of, and without limiting the Parties’ obligations pursuant to, Section 5.2(a), the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, prior to the Closing, written consents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna, from each of the counterparties to the agreements set forth on Section 5.2(d) of the Company Schedules; provided that nothing herein shall require a Party or any of its respective Affiliates to expend money, commence any Proceeding or offer or grant any accommodation (financial or otherwise) to any third party. All costs incurred in connection with obtaining such consents shall be Company Transaction Expenses.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, in the event that this Section 5.2 conflicts with any other covenant or agreement in this Article 5 that is intended to specifically address any subject matter, then such other covenant or agreement shall govern and control solely to the extent of such conflict.
Section 5.3 Access to Information. Solely for the purposes of consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, from and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, upon reasonable advance written notice, the Company shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Vahanna and its Representatives during normal business hours reasonable access to all of the employees, properties, Contracts, and books and records of the Group Companies (in a manner so as to not interfere with the normal business operations of the Group Companies). All of such information shall be treated as “Confidential Information” (or the applicable equivalent term) pursuant to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the provisions of which are by this reference hereby incorporated herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Group Companies shall be required to disclose to Vahanna or any of its Representatives any information (i) if and to the extent doing so (A) would violate any applicable Law, (B) could, as reasonably determined upon the advice of outside legal counsel, result in the loss of the ability to successfully assert any attorney-client or work product privilege (provided that, in case of each of (A) and (B), the Company shall, and shall cause the other Group Companies to, use commercially reasonable efforts to provide (x) such access as can be provided (or otherwise convey such information regarding the applicable matter as can be conveyed) or (y) such information in a manner without violating such privilege, Contract or Law), (ii) if any Group Company, on the one hand, and Vahanna or any of its Representatives, on the other hand, are adverse parties in a litigation and such information is reasonably pertinent thereto; provided that the Company shall, in the case of clause (i) or (ii), provide prompt written notice of the withholding of access or information on any such basis, or (iii) that is a Trade Secret. The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Confidentiality Agreement shall be automatically terminated effective as of the Closing without any further action by any Party or any other Person.
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Section 5.4 Public Announcements.
(a) Subject to Section 5.4(b), Section 5.9 and Section 5.10, none of the Parties nor any of their respective Representatives shall issue any press releases or make any public announcements with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the Company and Vahanna, prior to the Closing; provided, however, that each Party may make any such announcement or other communication (i) if such announcement or other communication is required by applicable Law or the rules of any stock exchange, in which case the disclosing Party shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, first allow the Company, if the disclosing party is a Vahanna Party, or Vahanna, if the disclosing party is the Company (prior to the Closing), to review such announcement or communication and the opportunity to comment thereon and the disclosing Party shall consider such comments in good faith, (ii) to the extent such announcements or other communications contain only information previously disclosed in a public statement, press release or other communication previously approved in accordance with this Section 5.4, and (iii) to Governmental Entities in connection with any Consents required to be made under this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.4 or otherwise in this Agreement, the Parties agree that Sponsor, Vahanna and their respective Representatives may provide general information about the subject matter of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby to any direct or indirect current or prospective investor, or in connection with normal fund raising or related marketing or informational or reporting activities. Furthermore, between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Company shall not, and each shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, make any broad-based announcements or disclosures regarding the transactions contemplated hereby or any Ancillary Document to any of their respective employees, customers, suppliers or other business relationships without the prior written consent of Vahanna (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).
(b) The initial press release concerning this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be a joint press release in the form agreed by the Company and Vahanna prior to the execution of this Agreement and such initial press release (the “Signing Press Release”) shall be released as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement (but in any event within four (4) Business Days thereafter). Promptly after the execution of this Agreement (but in any event within four (4) Business Days thereafter), Vahanna shall file a current report on Form 6-K or Form 8-K (the “Signing Filing”) with the Signing Press Release and a description of this Agreement as required by Securities Laws, which the Company shall have the opportunity to review and comment upon prior to filing and Vahanna shall consider such comments in good faith. The Company, Vahanna and Sponsor shall mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by any of them) and, as promptly as practicable after the Closing (but in any event within four (4) Business Days thereafter), issue a press release announcing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing Press Release”). Promptly after the Closing (but in any event within four (4) Business Days after the Closing), Vahanna shall file a current report on Form 8-K (the “Closing Filing”) with the Closing Press Release and a description of the Closing as required by Securities Laws, which Sponsor shall have the opportunity to review and comment upon prior to filing and Vahanna shall consider in good faith such comments. In connection with the preparation of the Signing Press Release, the Signing Filing, the Closing Press Release or the Closing Filing, each Party shall, upon written request by any other Party, furnish such other Party with all information concerning itself, its directors, officers and equityholders, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary for such press release or filing.
(c) Without limiting the foregoing, from and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall maintain, and shall cause its Affiliates who are in possession of any material non-public information, written or oral, it or they may have to the extent regarding Vahanna or any of its Affiliates, including this Agreement and its terms and conditions (“Vahanna Confidential Information”), to maintain such Vahanna Confidential Information, in confidence, and such information shall not be disclosed or used by the Company or its Affiliates for any purpose without Vahanna’s prior written consent, unless such information: (i) is or becomes otherwise publicly available through no breach by the Company or its Affiliates of this Section 5.4(c), (ii) is required to be disclosed by
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applicable Law or the rules of any stock exchange, in which case the disclosing Party shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, notify Vahanna in advance of such disclosure, (iii) is requested or required to be disclosed by a Governmental Entity in connection with any Proceeding, audit or investigation of any Group Company, in which case the disclosing Party shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, notify Vahanna in advance of such disclosure (provided that such notice shall not be required in connection with any routine audit or examination not targeting Vahanna or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement), (iv) is disclosed to the Company’s Representatives and agents solely for the purposes of evaluating, negotiating, executing and consummating the transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, or (v) is disclosed or used in connection with any Proceeding to enforce the rights of the Company or its Affiliates under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document.
Section 5.5 Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, Vahanna agrees that it shall indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of (x) the Group Companies (in each case, solely to the extent acting in their capacity as such and to the extent such activities are related to the Business) (the “Company D&O Persons”) and (y) Vahanna and each of its Subsidiaries (in each case, solely to the extent acting in their capacity as such and to the extent such activities are related to the business of Vahanna and its Subsidiary) (the “Vahanna D&O Persons” and together with the Company D&O Persons, the “D&O Persons”) against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any Proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent that the Company, Vahanna or their respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be, would have been permitted under applicable Law and its respective Governing Documents in effect as of the date of this Agreement to indemnify such D&O Persons (including the advancing of expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law and its respective Governing Documents in effect as of the date of this Agreement). Without limiting the foregoing, Vahanna further agrees that (i) all rights to indemnification or exculpation now existing in favor of the D&O Persons, as provided in a Group Company’s or Vahanna’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Governing Documents, as applicable, or otherwise in effect as of the date of this Agreement and set forth on Section 5.5(a) of the Company Schedules, in either case, solely with respect to any matters occurring on or prior to the Closing, shall survive the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect from and after the Closing for a period of six (6) years, and (ii) Vahanna, its Subsidiaries and the Group Companies will perform and discharge all obligations to provide such indemnity and exculpation during such six (6) year period. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, during such six (6) year period, Vahanna shall, and shall cause any of its Subsidiaries and any Group Company to, advance expenses in connection with such indemnification as provided in Vahanna’s, such Subsidiary’s or such Group Company’s Governing Documents or other applicable agreements. The indemnification and liability limitation or exculpation provisions of Vahanna’s or such Subsidiary’s or such Group Company’s Governing Documents shall not, during such six (6) year period, be amended, repealed or otherwise modified after the Closing in any manner that would materially and adversely affect the rights thereunder of individuals who, as of the Closing or at any time prior to the Closing, were the D&O Persons to be so indemnified, have their liability limited or be exculpated with respect to any matters occurring prior to Closing and relating to the fact that such D&O Person was a director or officer of any Group Company, Vahanna or any Subsidiary of Vahanna prior to the Closing, unless such amendment, repeal or other modification is required by applicable Law.
(b) Neither Vahanna nor any Group Company shall have any obligation under this Section 5.5 to any D&O Person when and if a court of competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine (and such determination shall have become final and non-appealable) that the indemnification of such D&O Person in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicable Law.
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(c) The Company shall cause the Group Companies to purchase, at or prior to the Closing, and Vahanna shall cause the Group Companies to maintain in effect for a period of six (6) years after the Closing Date, without lapses in coverage, a “tail” policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage for the benefit of those Persons who are currently covered by any comparable insurance policies of the Group Companies as of the date hereof (the “Company D&O Tail Policy”). Such Company D&O Tail Policies shall provide coverage on terms (with respect to coverage and amount) that are substantially the same as (and no less favorable in the aggregate to the insured than) the coverage provided under the Group Companies’ directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies as of the date hereof; provided that the Group Companies shall not pay a premium for the Company D&O Tail Policy in excess of 300% of the most recent annual premium paid by the Group Companies, as applicable, prior to the date of this Agreement and, in such event, the Group Companies shall purchase the maximum coverage available for 300% of the most recent annual premium paid by the Group Companies prior to the date of this Agreement.
(d) Prior to the Effective Time, Vahanna shall purchase a prepaid “tail” policy (a “Vahanna Tail Policy”) with respect to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage for the benefit of those Persons who are currently covered by any comparable insurance policies of Vahanna’s as of the date hereof, which Vahanna Tail Policy shall be on the same or substantially similar terms agreed to for such tail policy by Vahanna in connection with its initial public offering; provided that Vahanna shall not pay a premium for a Vahanna Tail Policy in excess of 300% of the most recent annual premium paid by Vahanna prior to the date of this Agreement and, in such event, Vahanna shall purchase the maximum coverage available for 300% of the most recent annual premium paid by Vahanna prior to the date of this Agreement.
(e) If Vahanna, any Group Company or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) shall merge or consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or entity and shall not be the surviving or continuing corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) shall transfer all or substantially all of their respective properties and assets as an entity in one or a series of related transactions to any Person, then in each such case, proper provisions shall be made so that the successors or assigns of Vahanna or such Group Company shall assume all of the obligations set forth in this Section 5.5 unless otherwise assumed by operation of Law.
(f) The D&O Persons entitled to the indemnification, liability limitation, exculpation and insurance set forth in this Section 5.5 are intended to be third party beneficiaries of this Section 5.5. This Section 5.5 shall survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall be binding on all successors and assigns of Vahanna and the Group Companies. The rights of each D&O Person hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights such Person may have under the Governing Documents of Vahanna or any of its Subsidiaries or any Group Company, any other indemnification arrangement, any applicable Law or otherwise.
Section 5.6 Tax Matters.
(a) Tax Treatment. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the transactions pursuant to this Agreement are intended to be treated for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (and any applicable U.S. state or local income Tax purposes that follow the U.S. federal income tax treatment) in the manner set forth in this Section 5.6(a) (the “Intended Tax Treatment”), and each of the Parties agrees to, and will cause their respective Affiliates to, use best efforts to cause the transactions pursuant to this Agreement to qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment. The Parties will, and will cause their respective Affiliates to, prepare and file all Tax Returns consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment and will not take any inconsistent position on any Tax Return or during the course of any Tax Proceeding or other proceeding with respect to Taxes, except as otherwise required by a determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any similar or corresponding provision of state or local Law). Each of the Parties agrees to promptly notify all other Parties of any challenge to the Intended Tax Treatment by any Governmental Entity. The Parties shall not take or cause to be taken any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent the transactions pursuant to this Agreement from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.
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(i) Each of the Parties intend that the Merger shall constitute a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(ii) The Vahanna Parties and the Company hereby adopt, and will cause any Affiliates to adopt, as necessary, this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a).
(iii) Each of the Parties agree that for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is intended that (a) Vahanna will convert to a domestic corporation either (1) by reason of Section 7874(b) of the Code as of the end of the day immediately preceding the Closing Date in a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.7874-2(j)(1) or (2) via the Domestication in a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and, in either case, (b) this Agreement is intended to constitute, and is hereby adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) with respect to the transaction described in Section 5.6(a)(iii)(a) or (b), as applicable, above, and (c) Vahanna will be a party to the transaction described in Section 5.6(a)(iii)(1) or (2), as applicable, above within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
(b) FIRPTA Certificate. Vahanna hereby requests, and the Company shall deliver to Vahanna prior to the Closing, in a form reasonably acceptable to Vahanna, (i) a properly executed certification that the equity interests in the Company are not “United States real property interests” in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1445-2(c)(3) and 1.897-2(h), dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, (ii) a copy of the notice provided to the Internal Revenue Service, along with proof of filing, regarding such certificate, in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2), which shall be filed by the Company with the Internal Revenue Service at or following the Closing, and (iii) a duly executed and properly completed IRS Form W-9 from the Company.
(c) Tax Matters Cooperation. Each of the Parties shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to) cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by another Party, in connection with the filing of relevant Tax Returns and any Tax Proceeding or to determine the Tax treatment of any aspect of the transactions in this Agreement. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the other Party’s request) the provision (with the right to make copies) of records and information reasonably relevant to any Tax Proceeding, making employees reasonably available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder (to the extent such information or explanation is not publicly or otherwise reasonably available).
(d) Transfer Taxes. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other excise, sales, use, value-added, transfer (including real property transfer), stamp, documentary, excise, registration, filing, recordation and other such Taxes and fees incurred in connection with this Agreement, together with any interest, additions or penalties with respect thereto, (“Transfer Taxes”) shall be paid by the Company when due, and the Company will, at its own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all such Transfer Taxes, and, if required by applicable Law, Vahanna shall join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation. To the extent that any such Tax is by applicable Law payable by Vahanna rather than any Group Company, the Company shall, within twenty (20) days after the Closing, transfer the amount due in immediately available funds to an account designated by Vahanna.
Section 5.7 Financing. Vahanna may utilize deposits, proceeds or any other amounts from the Trust Account and, to the extent acceptable to the Company, any additional third-party financing to satisfy its financing obligations hereunder (including to satisfy the Minimum Cash Condition).
Section 5.8 Exclusive Dealing.
(a) From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, except as set forth on Section 5.8(a) Section 5.8of the Company
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Schedules, the Company shall not, and shall cause its controlled Affiliates, and its and such controlled Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees, accountants, consultants, advisors, attorneys and agents acting on behalf of the Group Companies not to, directly or indirectly: (i) accept, initiate, respond to, encourage, solicit, negotiate, provide information with respect to or discuss other offers for the direct or indirect sale, merger, transfer, IPO, debt or equity refinancing or recapitalization of the Company or any or all of its Subsidiaries, or any securities, business, properties or assets of the Company or any or all of its Subsidiaries, in each case, that would require the Company to abandon the transactions contemplated hereby (each such transaction prohibited by this sentence, an “Acquisition Proposal”, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, neither this Agreement, nor any of the Ancillary Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any of the matters set forth on Section 5.8(a) of the Company Schedules shall constitute an “Acquisition Proposal” for the purposes of this Section 5.8(a) or otherwise); (ii) furnish or disclose any non-public information of the Group Companies to any Person in connection with, or that would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal; (iii) issue or execute any Contract, indication of interest, memorandum of understanding, letter of intent, or any other similar agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal; (iv) commence, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way in connection with an Acquisition Proposal; (v) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding an Acquisition Proposal; (vi) prepare, or take any steps in connection with, a public offering of any Equity Securities of any Group Company (or any successor to or parent company of any Group Company); or (vii) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, or facilitate or knowingly encourage any effort or attempt by any Person to do or seek to do any of the foregoing or seek to circumvent this Section 5.8(a) or further an Acquisition Proposal; provided, that nothing herein shall restrict the Company Board from changing its recommendation to the Pre-Closing Holders of Company Stock in favor of the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger prior to the date on which the Written Consent is delivered if, following the receipt of a Superior Proposal by the Company, the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to so change its recommendation as a result of such Superior Proposal would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the stockholders of the Company under applicable Law (a “Company Change in Recommendation”); provided, further, that the Company (to the extent lawful and reasonably practicable) shall first provide Vahanna at least forty-eight (48) hours prior written notice of any such Company Change in Recommendation. The Company agrees to (A) notify Vahanna promptly upon receipt (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours after receipt) of any request for non-public information of, or an Acquisition Proposal for, it or any other Group Company, and to describe the terms and conditions of any such request or Acquisition Proposal in reasonable detail (including the identity of the Persons making such Acquisition Proposal), (B) keep Vahanna reasonably informed on a reasonably current basis of any modifications to such request, offer or information and (C) not (and to cause its Representatives not to) conduct any further discussions with, provide any information to, or enter into negotiations with such Persons. The Company shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any discussions or negotiations with any Persons (other than Vahanna and its Representatives) that may be ongoing with respect to an Acquisition Proposal as of the date hereof and terminate any such Person’s and such Person’s Representative’s access to any electronic data room.
(b) Notwithstanding (i) any Company Change in Recommendation, (ii) the making of any Acquisition Proposal or (iii) anything to the contrary contained herein, unless this Agreement has been validly terminated in accordance with Section 7.1 prior to taking any of the following actions, (A) in no event shall the Company or any of the Group Companies execute or enter into any agreement in principle, confidentiality agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, term sheet, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other written arrangement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, (B) the Company shall otherwise remain subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the Company’s obligation to take all actions necessary to cause the Written Consent to be duly executed and delivered and to otherwise solicit the Required Company Shareholder Approval in accordance with Section 5.15, and (C) the Company shall not release any third party from, or waive, amend or modify any standstill or confidentiality provision with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, in any agreement to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, and, with respect to any Acquisition Proposal involving the sale of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of the Company or fifty percent (50%) or more the consolidated net revenue, net
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income or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, shall as promptly as practicable following the date hereof send a written request (email being sufficient) to any Person to whom the Company or any of its Representatives provided confidential information of a Group Company in connection with such an Acquisition Proposal in the last two years, which written request shall instruct such Person to return or confirm (in writing) destruction of all such confidential information.
(c) From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Vahanna Parties shall not, and each of them shall cause their Representatives not to on behalf of the Vahanna Parties, directly or indirectly: (i) accept, initiate, respond to, knowingly encourage, solicit, negotiate, provide information with respect to or discuss other offers with respect to any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, recapitalization or similar business combination with any Person other than the Company and its Representatives (each, a “Vahanna Proposal”), (ii) issue or execute any Contract, indication of interest, memorandum of understanding, letter of intent, or any other similar agreement with respect to a Vahanna Proposal, (iii) commence, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way in connection with a Vahanna Proposal, or (iv) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding a Vahanna Proposal. Vahanna agrees to (A) notify the Company promptly upon receipt (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours after receipt) of any Vahanna Proposal that it receives and to describe the terms and conditions of any such Vahanna Proposal in reasonable detail (including the identity of the Persons making such Vahanna Proposal), (B) keep the Company reasonably informed on a reasonably current basis of any modifications to such offer or information and (C) not (and to cause its Representatives not to) conduct any further discussions with, provide any information to, or enter into negotiations with such Persons. Vahanna shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any discussions or negotiations with any Persons (other than the Company and its Representatives) that may be ongoing with respect to a Vahanna Proposal as of the date hereof and terminate Vahanna’s and its Representatives’ access to any electronic data room. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the foregoing shall not restrict Vahanna’s Affiliates (including Affiliates of Sponsor) in any way with respect to the pursuit of any transaction by such Affiliates not related to Vahanna.
(d) Notwithstanding (i) the making of any inquiry or proposal with respect to a Vahanna Proposal or (ii) anything to the contrary contained herein, unless this Agreement has been validly terminated in accordance with Section 7.1, (A) in no event shall Vahanna or Merger Sub execute or enter into any agreement in principle, confidentiality agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, term sheet, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other written arrangement relating to any Vahanna Proposal or terminate this Agreement in connection therewith, and (B) Vahanna and Merger Sub shall otherwise remain subject to the terms of this Agreement, including Vahanna’s obligation to use reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the Transaction Proposals at the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting in accordance with Section 5.10.
Section 5.9 Preparation of Registration Statement / Proxy Statement.
(a) As promptly as reasonably practicable after the date hereof, Vahanna shall, with the assistance of the Company pursuant to this Section 5.9, prepare and, following delivery of the PCAOB Financials to Vahanna pursuant to Section 5.16(a) (but in no event later than fifteen (15) days following such delivery), file with the SEC, the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement (it being understood that the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement shall include a proxy statement / prospectus which will be used for the purpose of soliciting proxies from the shareholders of Vahanna at the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting to adopt and approve the Transaction Proposals and other matters reasonably related to the Transaction Proposals, all in accordance with and as required by Vahanna’s Governing Documents, applicable Law, and any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq) in which Vahanna shall (i) provide the shareholders of Vahanna with the opportunity to redeem the Vahanna Class A Shares pursuant to a Vahanna Shareholder Redemption, (ii) solicit proxies from the shareholders of Vahanna to vote at the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting in favor of the Transaction Proposals, (iii) register under the Securities Act the Vahanna Common Shares to be issued in connection with the
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transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and (iv) file with the SEC financial and other information about the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, each in accordance with and as required by Vahanna’s Governing Documents, applicable Law and any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. The Registration Statement / Proxy Statement will include a recommendation of the board of directors of Vahanna to adopt the Transaction Proposals. The Registration Statement / Proxy Statement will comply as to form and substance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Company and its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review, comment on and approve in writing each of the preliminary and final Registration Statement / Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto prior to its filing with the SEC (to which comments reasonable and good faith consideration shall be given by Vahanna). Vahanna shall not file any such documents with the SEC (including in response to any comments from the SEC with respect thereto) without the prior written consent (email being sufficient) of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Vahanna shall use commercially reasonable efforts to: (A) have the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable after it is filed with the SEC; (B) keep the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement effective through the Closing in order to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (C) with the assistance of the other Parties hereto, promptly respond to any comments, requests to amend or requests for additional information with respect to the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement by the SEC. Vahanna shall file the definitive Registration Statement / Proxy Statement with the SEC and cause the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement to be mailed to its stockholders of record, as of the record date to be established by the board of directors of Vahanna, as promptly as practicable following the earlier to occur of: (x) in the event the preliminary Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is not reviewed by the SEC, the expiration of the waiting period in Rule 14a-6(a) under the Exchange Act; or (y) in the event the preliminary Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is reviewed by the SEC, receipt of oral or written notification of the completion of the review by the SEC (such earlier date, the “Proxy Clearance Date”).
(b) Vahanna shall promptly advise the Company of (i) the time when Vahanna has filed the preliminary Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, (ii) the SEC’s determination whether to review the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, (iii) in event the preliminary Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is reviewed by the SEC, receipt of oral or written notification of the completion of the review by the SEC, (iv) the filing of any supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, (v) the issuance of any stop Order relating thereto or the suspension of the qualification of the Vahanna Class A Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction (it being understood that Vahanna shall use its reasonable best efforts to have any such stop Order or suspension lifted, reversed or otherwise terminated), (vi) any request by the SEC for amendment of the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, (vii) any oral or written comments from the SEC relating to the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement and responses thereto, (viii) requests by the SEC for additional information and (ix) the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (A) the Vahanna Parties shall not, and shall cause their respective Representatives not to, have or participate in any substantive meetings or other substantive discussions with any Governmental Entity or Nasdaq regarding the matters contemplated by this Section 5.9 without first consulting with the Company and providing the Company the opportunity to participate in such meetings or discussion and (B) the Company shall not, and shall cause its Representatives not to, have or participate in any substantive meetings or other substantive discussions with any Governmental Entity or Nasdaq regarding the matters contemplated by this Section 5.9 without first consulting with Vahanna and providing Vahanna the opportunity to participate in such meetings or discussions. Each of the Parties hereto shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that none of the information related to it or any its Representatives, supplied by or on its behalf for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is filed with the SEC, at each time at which it is amended, or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act 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 are made, not misleading.
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(c) Each Party shall promptly provide to the others all financial and other information as the Company or Vahanna may reasonably request for the preparation of the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement.
Section 5.10 Vahanna Party Approvals.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the Proxy Clearance Date, in any event within thirty (30) days following the Proxy Clearance Date, Vahanna shall (i) duly give notice of and (ii) duly convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the “Vahanna Shareholders Meeting”), in each case in accordance with the Governing Documents of Vahanna, applicable Law and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq, for the purposes of obtaining the Vahanna Shareholder Approvals and, if applicable, any approvals related thereto and providing its shareholders with the opportunity to elect to effect a Vahanna Shareholder Redemption. Vahanna shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the approval of the Transaction Proposals at the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting, including by soliciting proxies as promptly as practicable in accordance with applicable Law for the purpose of seeking the approval of the Transaction Proposals. Vahanna shall, through its board of directors, recommend to its shareholders the (A) adoption and approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger) and include such recommendation in the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement (the “Business Combination Proposal”); (B) adoption and approval of the Domestication and Interim Charter in accordance with applicable Law and regulations (to the extent required pursuant to Section 2.6), (C) approval of the issuance of the Vahanna Common Shares constituting the Total Merger Consideration pursuant to Article 2 and applicable Nasdaq listing rules; (D) adoption and approval of the LTIP, in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna and the Company; (E) adoption and approval of the ESPP, in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Vahanna and the Company; (F) adoption and approval of amendments to the Governing Documents of Vahanna in substantially the form attached as Exhibit E hereto (the “Amended Governing Documents of Vahanna”); (G) adoption and approval of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Vahanna to replace the Interim Charter in substantially the form attached as Exhibit F hereto (to the extent required by Section 2.6); (H) adoption and approval of any other proposals as either the SEC or Nasdaq (or the respective staff members thereof) may indicate are necessary in its comments to the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement or in correspondence related thereto, and of any other proposals reasonably agreed by Vahanna and the Company as necessary or appropriate in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents; and (I) the adjournment of the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies because there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt any of the foregoing (such proposals in clauses (A) through (I) together, the “Transaction Proposals”, and such proposals in clauses (A), (B), (C), (E) and (F), together, the “Closing Proposals”)); provided that Vahanna may postpone or adjourn the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting (x) to solicit additional proxies for the purpose of obtaining the approval of the Transaction Proposals, (y) for the absence of a quorum or (z) to allow reasonable additional time for the filing or mailing of any supplemental or amended disclosures that Vahanna has determined based on advice of outside legal counsel is reasonably likely to be required under applicable Law and for such supplemental or amended disclosure to be disseminated and reviewed by the shareholders of Vahanna prior to the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting; provided that, in the event of a postponement or adjournment pursuant to clauses (y) or (z) above, the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting shall be reconvened as promptly as practicable following such time as the matters described in such clauses have been resolved.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act and, in any event within five (5) days of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, Vahanna shall take all actions necessary under applicable law to obtain, and then deliver as promptly as practicable thereafter to the Company, the Merger Sub Sole Stockholder Approval by irrevocable written consent pursuant to Section 228(a) and 251(c) of the DGCL and the Merger Sub’s Governing Documents.
(c) From the date hereof through the Closing, Vahanna shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) remain listed as a public company on Nasdaq, (ii) prepare and submit to Nasdaq a listing application under Nasdaq rules and regulations, as promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, covering the Vahanna Common
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Shares and Vahanna Public Warrants, and (iii) obtain approval for the listing of such Vahanna Common Shares and Vahanna Public Warrants. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Vahanna with respect to such listing.
Section 5.11 Pre-Closing Holder Related Party Transactions. The Company shall (and shall cause the Group Companies to) take all reasonable best efforts to terminate (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Vahanna) at or prior to the Closing all Pre-Closing Holder Related Party Transactions set forth on Section 5.11 of the Company Schedules, with no further liability or other obligations to the Group Companies or any of their respective Affiliates (including, after the Closing, Vahanna) with respect thereto.
Section 5.12 No Trading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it is aware, and that the Company’s Representatives are aware, or upon receipt of any material nonpublic information will be advised, of the restrictions imposed by Securities Laws on a Person possessing material nonpublic information about a publicly traded company. The Company hereby agrees that, while it is in possession of such material nonpublic information, it shall not purchase or sell any securities of Vahanna (other than engaging in the transactions described herein), communicate such information to any third party, take any other action with respect to Vahanna in violation of such Laws, or cause or encourage any third party to do any of the foregoing.
Section 5.13 Conduct of Business of Vahanna. From and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, Vahanna shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, as applicable, (x) keep current and timely file all of its public filings with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with applicable Securities Laws and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Vahanna Common Shares and the Vahanna Warrants on Nasdaq and (y) except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, as required by applicable Law, as set forth on Section 5.13 of the Vahanna Schedules, or as consented to in writing by the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), not do any of the following:
(a) adopt any amendments, supplements, restatements or modifications to the Trust Agreement or the Governing Documents of Vahanna or any of its Subsidiaries or form any Subsidiary;
(b) declare, set aside, make or pay a dividend on, or make any other distribution or payment in respect of, any Equity Securities of Vahanna or any of its Subsidiaries, or repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any outstanding Equity Securities of Vahanna or any of its Affiliates, other than, for the avoidance of doubt, for the Vahanna Shareholder Redemption;
(c) split, combine or reclassify any capital stock (or warrant), effect a recapitalization or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any capital stock or warrant, or effect any like change in capitalization;
(d) incur, create or assume any Indebtedness for borrowed money, or issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Vahanna, as applicable, enter into any “keep well” or other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing, in each case, other than the Working Capital Loans, which Working Capital Loans shall be repaid by Vahanna, 50% in cash and 50% in Vahanna Warrants, at or prior to the Closing;
(e) make any loans or advances to, or capital contributions in, any other Person, other than to, or in, Vahanna or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f) except for the issuance of any Vahanna Warrants upon the conversion of any Working Capital Loans as described in the Vahanna SEC Reports, transfer, issue, sell, grant, directly or indirectly dispose of, or subject to a Lien, (i) any Equity Securities of Vahanna or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, rights of conversion or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments to issue any Equity Securities of Vahanna or its Subsidiaries;
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(g) (i) merge, consolidate, combine or amalgamate with any Person or (ii) purchase or otherwise acquire (whether by merging or consolidating with, purchasing any Equity Security in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner) any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity or organization or division thereof;
(h) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, guarantees for the benefit of, or any equity or other investments in, any Person (other than Vahanna or any of its Subsidiaries), other than the reimbursement of expenses of employees in the ordinary course of business, or pursuant to obligations under existing Contracts;
(i) enter into, renew, modify or revise in any respect, any transaction or Contract with an Affiliate of Vahanna (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Sponsor), other than in connection with any Working Capital Loans;
(j) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution;
(k) take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act was intended to, and would reasonably be expected to prevent the Intended Tax Treatment;
(l) commence or settle any material Proceeding, excluding any Proceeding arising out of this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby;
(m) take any action that would reasonably be expected to significantly delay or impair (i) the timely filing of any of its public filings with the SEC (giving effect to any permitted extensions), (ii) its compliance in all material respects with applicable Securities Laws or (iii) the listing of the Vahanna Class A Shares on Nasdaq;
(n) amend or modify the Trust Agreement; or
(o) enter into any Contract to take, or cause to be taken, any of the actions set forth in this Section 5.13.
Section 5.14 Trust Account. Upon satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 6 and provision of notice thereof to the Trustee, (a) at the Closing, Vahanna shall (i) cause the documents, opinions and notices required to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement to be so delivered, and (ii) use reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to (x) pay as and when due all amounts, if any, payable to the Public Shareholders of Vahanna pursuant to the Vahanna Shareholder Redemption, (y) pay the amounts due to the underwriters of Vahanna’s initial public offering for their deferred underwriting commissions as set forth in the Trust Agreement and (z) immediately thereafter, pay all remaining amounts then available in the Trust Account to Vahanna in accordance with the Trust Agreement, and (b) thereafter, the Trust Account shall terminate, except as otherwise provided therein.
Section 5.15 Company Consents.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is declared effective, the Company shall (i) cause to be mailed to each Pre-Closing Holder a notice, which shall include copies of this Agreement, the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, the Written Consent in the form set forth on Exhibit D, and, as applicable, the Letter of Transmittal and Lock-Up Agreement (the “Company Stockholder Package”), stating (x) unless the Board of Directors has changed its recommendation in accordance with Section 5.8, that the Board of Directors recommends that each Pre-Closing Holder approve the Merger by execution of the Written Consent in the form set forth on Exhibit D and (y) the timeline for returning executed copies of the documents included as part of the Company Stockholder Package, and (ii) take all actions necessary to obtain the Written Consent from the Pre-Closing Holders, who, collectively, constitute a Requisite
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Threshold, evidencing the Required Company Shareholder Approval and the Company Preferred Conversion, in accordance with Section 228(a) and 251(c) of the DGCL, the Company’s Governing Documents and the Company Shareholder Agreements, prior to the Closing. The Company shall take all actions necessary pursuant to the Company’s Governing Documents and the Company Shareholder Agreements to provide all required notices to the Pre-Closing Holders entitled thereto in connection with obtaining the Required Company Shareholder Approval, including notice of the Company Preferred Conversion. Upon receipt of the Written Consent, the Company shall promptly deliver a copy thereof to Vahanna.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is declared effective, the Company shall (i) cause to be mailed to each Pre-Closing Holder of Company RSUs, Company Additional Securities and Company Warrants a notice, which shall include copies of this Agreement, the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, and form of written consent to effectuate Company Conversion Consents, and, as applicable, the Lock-Up Agreement (the “Company Derivative Holder Package”), stating the timeline for returning executed copies of the documents included as part of the Company Derivative Holder Package, and (ii) take all actions necessary to obtain the Company Conversion Consents prior to the Closing. Upon receipt of the Company Conversion Consents, the Company shall promptly deliver a copy thereof to Vahanna.
Section 5.16 PCAOB Financials.
(a) The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to deliver to Vahanna as promptly as practicable, and in no event later than fifteen (15) days after the date hereof (the “PCAOB Delivery Deadline”), the Audited Financials, audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and containing an unqualified report of the Company’s auditors (the “PCAOB Financials”). All costs incurred in connection with preparing and obtaining the PCAOB Financials shall be Company Transaction Expenses.
(b) The Company shall (and shall cause each Group Company to) use reasonable best efforts (i) to assist Vahanna and its Representatives, upon advance written notice, during normal business hours and in a manner such as to not unreasonably interfere with the normal operation of the applicable Group Company, in causing to be prepared in a timely manner any other financial information or statements (including customary pro forma financial statements) that is reasonably required to be included in the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement and any other filings to be made by Vahanna with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and (ii) to obtain the consents of the Company’s auditors with respect thereto as may be required by applicable Law.
(c) From and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall deliver to Vahanna unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows (but excluding any notes thereto) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter ending after the date hereof within 30 days following the end of each such fiscal quarter (as applicable). Such financial statements (i) will be prepared from, and reflect in all material respects, the books and records of the Group Companies, (ii) will be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Financial Statements, and (iii) will fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Group Companies as of the dates thereof and their consolidated results of operations for the periods then ended. Upon delivery of any financial statement pursuant to this Section 5.16(c), the representations and warranties with respect to the Financial Statements. set forth in Section 3.4 shall be deemed to apply to such financial statements, mutatis mutandis, with the same force and effect as if made on the date of this Agreement.
Section 5.17 Post-Closing Directors and Officers.
(a) The Parties shall take all such action within their power as may be necessary or appropriate such that effective as of the Closing: (i) the board of directors of Vahanna (the “Vahanna Board”) shall be structured
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to consist of a single class of seven (7) total directors; (ii) the initial members of the Vahanna Board are the individuals determined in accordance with Section 5.17(b) and Section 5.17(c), as applicable; (iii) the initial members of the compensation committee and audit committee of the Vahanna Board are the individuals determined in accordance with Section 5.17(d); and (iv) the officers of Vahanna are the individuals determined in accordance with Section 5.17(e).
(b) Within forty-five (45) days of the date hereof, Vahanna shall provide to the Company a list of three (3) Persons who shall be directors on the Vahanna Board effective as of the Closing (the “Sponsor Directors”). Vahanna may, with the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), replace any such individual with any other individual prior to the filing of the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement with the SEC by amending such list to include such replacement individual. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at least one of the individuals designated to the Vahanna Board pursuant to this Section 5.17(b) must be an Independent Director, and in each case if the requirements set forth in this sentence are not met, Vahanna shall omit from the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement any such nominee, and such nomination shall be disregarded and no vote on such nominee will occur, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by Vahanna.
(c) Within forty-five (45) days of the date hereof, the Company shall provide to Vahanna a list of four (4) Persons who shall be directors on the Vahanna Board effective as of the Closing (the “Company Directors”). The Company may, with the prior written consent of Vahanna (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), replace any such individual with any other individual prior to the filing of the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement with the SEC by amending such list to include such replacement individual. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) at least one of the individuals designated to the Vahanna Board pursuant to this Section 5.17(c) must be Independent Directors and such individual must also qualify as independent under the audit committee independence requirements set forth in the rules of any stock exchange applicable to Vahanna, and in each case if the requirements set forth in this sentence are not met, Vahanna shall omit from its proxy materials any such nominee, and such nomination shall be disregarded and no vote on such nominee will occur, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by Vahanna and (ii) one of the Company Directors designated to the Vahanna Board pursuant to this Section 5.17(c) must be the chief executive officer of the Company.
(d) Vahanna and the Company shall mutually agree (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed by either the Company or Vahanna) on the directors to be appointed to the audit, compensation and nominating committees prior to the filing of the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement with the SEC; provided that unless otherwise consented to by Vahanna, there shall be at least one Sponsor appointed to each committee.
(e) The Persons identified on Section 5.17(e) of the Company Schedules shall be the officers of Vahanna immediately after the Closing, with each such individual holding the title set forth opposite his or her name. Vahanna and the Company may mutually agree (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by either the Company or Vahanna) to replace any individual set forth on Section 5.17(e) of the Company Schedules with any individual prior to the filing of the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement with the SEC by amending such Schedule to include such replacement individual.
Section 5.18 Certain Other Covenants. From and after the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Parties shall promptly notify the other Parties hereto after becoming aware of (a) any breach of any covenant of such Party set forth herein or in any Ancillary Document, or (b) any event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to (i) with respect to the Company, be a Company Material Adverse Effect or, with respect to Vahanna, be a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect or (ii) otherwise cause or result in any of the conditions set forth in Article 6 not being satisfied or the satisfaction of those conditions being materially delayed. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall (A) as promptly as practicable inform Vahanna in the event any Proceeding is
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brought against any Group Company by or on behalf of any Pre-Closing Holder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document or any Pre-Closing Holder provides notice to a Group Company that it is or may be in violation or breach of any of their respective Governing Documents or the Company Shareholder Agreements as a result of its execution, deliver and performance of this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, and (B) keep Vahanna reasonably apprised of the status of any such pending Proceeding. Vahanna shall (x) as promptly as practicable inform the Company in writing the event any Proceeding is brought by any Person other than a Group Company against Vahanna or its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document and (y) keep the Company reasonably apprised of the status of any such pending Proceeding. No such notice shall constitute an acknowledgement or admission by the Party providing the notice regarding whether or not any of the conditions to the Closing have been satisfied or in determining whether or not any of the representations, warranties, or covenants contained in this Agreement have been breached.
Section 5.19 Section 280G. To the extent Vahanna and the Company agree in good faith that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Company shall (a) prior to the Closing Date, solicit and use reasonable best efforts to obtain from each “disqualified individual” (within the meaning of Section 280G(c) of the Code) who could receive or retain any payment or benefits that could constitute a “parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) a waiver of such disqualified individual’s rights to some or all of such payments or benefits (the “Waived 280G Benefits”) so that no payments and/or benefits shall be deemed to be “excess parachute payments” (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) and (b) prior to the Closing Date submit to a Company shareholder vote (along with adequate disclosure intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 280G(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder) the right of any such “disqualified individual” to receive the Waived 280G Benefits. Prior to soliciting such waivers and approval materials, the Company shall provide drafts of the parachute payment calculations, form of waiver and shareholder consent (including adequate disclosure intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 280G(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) to Vahanna for its review and comment no later than five (5) days prior to soliciting such waivers and soliciting such approval, and the Company shall consider in good faith any comments provided by Vahanna. If any of the Waived 280G Benefits fail to be approved in accordance with the requirements of Section 280G(b)(5)(B) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder as contemplated above, such Waived 280G Benefits shall not be made or provided. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver to Vahanna evidence that a vote of the Company shareholders was solicited in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.19 and that either (i) the requisite number of votes of the Company shareholders was obtained with respect to the Waived 280G Benefits (the “280G Approval”) or (ii) the 280G Approval was not obtained, and, as a consequence, the Waived 280G Benefits shall not be retained or provided.
Section 5.20 Lock-Up Agreements. Between the date of this Agreement and the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause all Pre-Closing Holders (including holders of Company Warrants, Company Additional Securities and Company RSUs) that have not executed a Lock-Up Agreement on or prior to the date hereof to enter into a Lock-Up Agreement with Vahanna and the Company; provided, that a Pre-Closing Holder that holds only Company RSUs (and no other Equity Security of the Company) shall not be required to execute a Lock-Up Agreement to the extent that the terms and conditions of such Company RSUs held by the Pre-Closing Holder do not provide for the possibility of vesting or acceleration of such Company RSUs prior to the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date.
Section 5.21 Company Additional Securities(a) . Between the date of this Agreement and the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause to be paid off Company Additional Securities or otherwise cause such Company Additional Securities to convert, exercise, vest, and/or settle into Company Common Stock.
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ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT
Section 6.1 Conditions to the Obligations of the Parties. The obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or, if permitted by applicable Law, waiver by the Party for whose benefit such condition exists of the following conditions:
(a) any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, and any agreement with any Governmental Entity not to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, shall have expired or been terminated;
(b) no Order or Law issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents shall be in effect, threatened or pending;
(c) the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement shall have become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, no stop Order shall have been issued by the SEC and shall remain in effect with respect to the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement, and no Proceeding seeking such a stop Order shall have been threatened or initiated by the SEC and remain pending;
(d) the Vahanna Common Shares and Vahanna Public Warrants to be issued in connection with the Merger and the Closing shall have been approved for listing on Nasdaq pursuant to Section 5.10(c);
(e) the Vahanna Shareholder Approvals shall have been obtained and remain in full force and effect at the Closing;
(f) the Roadzen Written Consent shall have been obtained and remain in full force and effect at the Closing;
(g) Vahanna shall have at least $50,000,000 of Available Cash at Closing (the “Minimum Cash Condition”). As used in this Section 6.1(g), “Available Cash” shall include: (i) the amount of funds remaining in the Trust Account after accounting for the exercise of Vahanna Shareholder Redemption in accordance with Vahanna’s Governing Documents; and (ii) any other cash made available to Vahanna or raised for the benefit of the Company (including, without limitation, any debt or equity financing or other backstop arrangements mutually agreed upon by Vahanna and the Company);
(h) Vahanna shall have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following the exercise of the Vahanna Shareholder Redemption in accordance with Vahanna’s Governing Documents;
(i) if the holders of less than 12,000,000 of the then-outstanding Vahanna Class A Shares have validly elected to redeem such shares pursuant to the Vahanna Shareholder Redemption as of two (2) Business Days immediately prior to the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting, and following (and subject to) receipt of the Closing Approvals, prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Domestication shall be consummated at the Domestication Effective Time; provided that, if the Domestication has been consummated prior to the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the date on which the obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be the same as the Closing Date for purposes hereof; and
(j) the Company shall have consummated the transactions contemplated in connection with each of Project Genepi and Project Ninja.
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Section 6.2 Other Conditions to the Obligations of the Vahanna Parties. The obligations of the Vahanna Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or, if permitted by applicable Law, waiver by Vahanna (on behalf of itself and the other Vahanna Parties) of the following further conditions:
(a) (i) each of the Company Fundamental Representations (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2(a) and Section 3.2(b)) shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is made on and as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (ii) each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2(a)-Section 3.2(b) shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein), in all but de minimis respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is made on and as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all but de minimis respects as of such earlier date, and (iii) each of the other representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article 3 shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, (A) except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is made on and as of an earlier date, in which case the same shall be true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date (subject to, for the avoidance of doubt, clause (B) of this Section 6.2(a)(iii)), and (B) except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with the covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by the Company under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing;
(c) since the date of this Agreement, no Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred which is continuing and uncured;
(d) at or prior to the Closing, the Company shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to Vahanna the following documents:
(i) certificates duly executed by an authorized officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions specified in Section 6.2(a), Section 6.2(b) and Section 6.2(c) are satisfied;
(ii) applicable good standing certificates (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) for the Company and each of its Subsidiaries certified as of a date no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the Closing Date from the proper Governmental Entity of its jurisdiction of organization;
(iii) a copy of the Exchange Agent Agreement, duly executed by the Company and the Exchange Agent;
(iv) evidence, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Vahanna, that all Subsidiary Equity Rights at any Subsidiary of the Company have been terminated, other than those Equity Securities representing twenty-five percent (25%) of the issued and outstanding Equity Securities of Nervanik AI Labs Private Limited that are held by third-parties; and
(v) a copy of the Lock-Up Agreements executed by the Pre-Closing Holders pursuant to Section 5.20, each duly executed by the Pre-Closing Holders and the Company;
(e) The Company Conversion Consents shall have been obtained and are in full force and effect at the Closing;
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(f) the Company Preferred Conversion shall have been effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Written Consent;
(g) The obligations and consents set forth in Section 3.5 of the Company Schedules, with the exception of those marked with an asterisk, shall have been, as applicable, fulfilled or obtained and are in full force and effect at the Closing; and
(h) The Company shall have effectuated awards of Company RSUs in an amount not to exceed 14.5% of the Company Outstanding Shares (after giving effect to such awards of Company RSUs) prior to the Closing.
Section 6.3 Other Conditions to the Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or, if permitted by applicable Law, waiver by the Company of the following further conditions:
(a) (i) each of the Vahanna Fundamental Representations (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.6(a)) shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Vahanna Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is made on and as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (ii) each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.6(a) shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Vahanna Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein), in all but de minimis respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is made on and as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all but de minimis respects as of such earlier date, and (iii) (iv) each of the other representations and warranties of Vahanna set forth in Article 4 shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Vahanna Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, (A) except to the extent that any such representation and warranty is made on and as of an earlier date, in which case the same shall be true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date (subject to, for the avoidance of doubt, clause (B) of this Section 6.3(a)(iii)), and (B) except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct, taken as a whole, would not have a Vahanna Material Adverse Effect;
(b) the Vahanna Parties shall have performed and complied in all material respects with the covenants and agreements required to be performed or complied with by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing;
(c) there shall not have occurred any amendment or modification to the Sponsor Support Agreement, other than as consented to in writing by the Company after the date hereof; and
(d) at or prior to the Closing, Vahanna shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, the following documents to the Company:
(i) a certificate duly executed by an authorized officer of Vahanna, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions specified in Section 6.3(a) and Section 6.3(b) are satisfied, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company;
(ii) applicable good standing certificates (or similar documents applicable for such jurisdictions) for Vahanna and Merger Sub, each issued or certified as of a date no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the Closing Date from the proper Governmental Entity of its jurisdiction of organization;
(iii) a copy of the Exchange Agent Agreement, duly executed by Vahanna, Sponsor and the Exchange Agent;
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(iv) evidence that, as required pursuant to this Agreement, (a) the Amended Governing Documents of Vahanna in the form included in Exhibit E or (b) the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of Vahanna to replace the Interim Charter substantially in the form attached as Exhibit F hereto (in each case, with such changes as may be reasonably approved by the Company and Vahanna) has been filed with the appropriate Governmental Entity; and
(v) a copy of the Lock-Up Agreements executed by the Pre-Closing Holders pursuant to Section 5.20, each duly executed by Vahanna.
Section 6.4 Frustration of Conditions. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Party may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article 6 to be satisfied if such failure was primarily and directly caused by the failure of such Party or its Affiliates (or with respect to the Company, any Group Company’s) failure to comply with or perform any of its covenants or obligations set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION
Section 7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing:
(a) by mutual written consent of Vahanna and the Company;
(b) by Vahanna, if any of the representations or warranties set forth in Article 3 shall not be true and correct or if the Company has failed to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of the Company set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document (including an obligation to consummate the Closing) such that the condition to Closing set forth in either Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b) would not be satisfied and the breach or breaches causing such representations or warranties not to be true and correct, or the failures to perform any covenant or agreement, as applicable, is (or are) not cured or cannot be cured within the earlier of (i) thirty days after written notice thereof is delivered to the Company, and (ii) the Termination Date; provided, however, that no Vahanna Party is then in breach of this Agreement so as to prevent the condition to Closing set forth in either Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b) from being satisfied;
(c) by the Company, if any of the representations or warranties set forth in Article 4 shall not be true and correct or if any Vahanna Party has failed to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of such applicable Vahanna Party set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document (including an obligation to consummate the Closing) such that the condition to Closing set forth in either Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b) would not be satisfied and the breach or breaches causing such representations or warranties not to be true and correct, or the failures to perform any covenant or agreement, as applicable, is (or are) not cured or cannot be cured within the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after written notice thereof is delivered to Vahanna and (ii) the Termination Date; provided, however, that the Company is not then in breach of this Agreement so as to prevent the condition to Closing set forth in Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b) from being satisfied;
(d) by either Vahanna or the Company, if the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not have been consummated on or prior to August 26, 2023 (as may be extended by mutual written agreement of Vahanna and the Company or as otherwise provided herein, the “Termination Date”); provided that (i) the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(d) shall not be available to Vahanna if any Vahanna Party’s breach of any of its covenants or obligations under this Agreement shall have proximately and primarily caused the failure to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on or before the Termination Date, and (ii) the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(d) shall not be available to the Company if the Company’s breach of any of its covenants or obligations under this Agreement shall have
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proximately and primarily caused the failure to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on or before the Termination Date; provided further that the Termination Date shall be automatically extended for an additional two months to the extent there is any delay to the applicable waiting or review periods, or any extension thereof, by any Governmental Entity or Nasdaq (including any specific request from any Governmental Entity or Nasdaq to delay filings or for additional time to review the transactions contemplated hereby) that would, or would reasonably be expected to, have the effect of delaying, impeding, hindering or preventing the review of the transactions contemplated hereby and/or issuance of clearance or approval from such Governmental Entity to the extent required to satisfy the condition set forth in Section 6.1(b);
(e) by either Vahanna or the Company, if any Governmental Entity shall have issued an Order or taken any other action permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Document and such Order or other action shall have become final and nonappealable;
(f) by either Vahanna or the Company if the Vahanna Shareholders Meeting has been held (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), has concluded, Vahanna’s shareholders have duly voted, and the Vahanna Shareholder Approvals were not obtained;
(g) by Vahanna if the Written Consent and the Company Conversion Consents are not received by the Company within five (5) Business Days after the Registration Statement / Proxy Statement is declared effective by the SEC; or
(h) by Vahanna if the PCAOB Audited Financials are not received by the PCAOB Delivery Deadline.
Section 7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, this entire Agreement shall forthwith become void (and there shall be no liability or obligation on the part of the Parties and their respective Representatives) with the exception of (a) this Section 7.2, Article 8 and Article 1 (to the extent related to the foregoing), each of which shall survive such termination and remain valid and binding obligations of the Parties and (b) the Confidentiality Agreement, which shall survive such termination and remain a valid and binding obligation of the Parties thereto in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1 shall not affect any liability on the part of any Party for a willful and material breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement prior to such termination.
ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Survival. None of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall survive the Closing, except for those covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement that by their respective terms contemplate performance after the Closing and except for the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.25, Section 3.26, Section 4.16 and Section 4.17.
Section 8.2 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement (together with the Ancillary Documents) constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or Sponsor (after the Closing), on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand. Any attempted assignment of this Agreement not in accordance with the terms of this Section 8.2 shall be void, ab initio.
Section 8.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written agreement executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or Sponsor (after the
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Closing), on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence and any purported amendment by any Party or Parties effected in a manner which does not comply with this Section 8.3 shall be void, ab initio.
Section 8.4 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given) when delivered in person, when delivered by e-mail (having obtained electronic delivery confirmation thereof), or when sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) (upon receipt thereof) to the other Parties as follows:
(a) If to any Vahanna Party, prior to the Closing, or Sponsor, to:
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Attention: Raahim Don
E-mail: raahim@vahanna.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Attention: Jai Pathak
Evan M. D’Amico
E-mail: jpathak@gibsondunn.com
edamico@gibsondunn.com
(b) If to the Company, to:
Roadzen, Inc.
445 E. 80th Street, #4E
New York, NY 10075
Attention: Rohan Maholtra
E-mail: rohan@roadzen.io
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Winston & Strawn LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Attention: Jason D. Osborn
David A. Sakowitz
Jeffrey Stern
Email: josborn@winston.com
dsakowitz@winston.com
jstern@winston.com
or to such other address as the Party to whom notice is given may have previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.
Section 8.5 Governing Law. This Agreement and all related Proceedings shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of Law or conflict of Law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
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Section 8.6 Fees and Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the fees and disbursements of a Party’s Representatives, shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees or expenses; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, (a) if this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Company Transaction Expenses and Vahanna shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Vahanna Transaction Expenses, and (b) if the Closing occurs, then Vahanna shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Company Transaction Expenses and all Vahanna Transaction Expenses.
Section 8.7 Construction; Interpretation. The term “this Agreement” means this Agreement and Plan of Merger together with the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated in accordance with the terms hereof. The headings set forth in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. No Party, nor its respective counsel, shall be deemed the drafter of this Agreement for purposes of construing the provisions hereof, and all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed according to their fair meaning and not strictly for or against any Party. Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary herein by the context or use thereof: (a) the words, “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, including the Schedules and Exhibits, and not to any particular section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or clause set forth in this Agreement; (b) masculine gender shall also include the feminine and neutral genders, and vice versa; (c) words importing the singular shall also include the plural, and vice versa; (d) the words “include,” “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (e) references to “$” or “dollar” or “US$” shall be references to United States dollars; (f) the word “or” is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive; (g) the words “writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form; (h) the word “day” means calendar day unless Business Day is expressly specified; (i) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (j) all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits or Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement; (k) the words “provided” or “made available” or words of similar import (regardless of whether capitalized or not) shall mean, when used with reference to documents or other materials required to be provided or made available to Vahanna, any documents or other materials posted to the electronic data room located at https://services.intralinks.com/web/?br=1#hub/exchanges under the project name “Project Pegasus” as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date hereof; (l) all references to any Law will be to such Law as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time; (m) whenever the words “in the ordinary course of business”, “in the ordinary course” or words of similar import are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “consistent with its past practice” and shall be construed to mean in the ordinary and usual course of normal day-to-day operations of the business of such Person consistent with its past practice; and (n) all references to any Contract (except for any such references in the Schedules) are to that Contract as amended or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (subject to any restrictions on amendments or modifications set forth in this Agreement). If any action under this Agreement is required to be done or taken on a day that is not a Business Day, then such action shall be required to be done or taken not on such day but on the first succeeding Business Day thereafter. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
Section 8.8 Exhibits and Schedules. All Exhibits and Schedules, or documents expressly incorporated into this Agreement, are hereby incorporated into this Agreement and are hereby made a part hereof as if set out in full in this Agreement. The Schedules shall be arranged in sections and subsections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections set forth in this Agreement. The information and disclosures set forth in the Schedules that correspond to the section or subsections of Article 3 or 4 may not be limited to matters required to be disclosed in the Schedules, and any such additional information or disclosure is for informational
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purposes only and does not necessarily include other matters of a similar nature. The specification of any dollar amount in the representations, warranties or covenants set forth in this Agreement or the inclusion of any specific item in any Schedule is not intended to imply that such amounts, or higher or lower amounts or the items so included or other items, are or are not material or are within or outside of the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, and no Party shall use the fact of the setting of such amounts or the inclusion of any such item in any dispute or controversy as to whether any obligation, items or matter not described herein or included in a Schedule is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement. The information contained in this Agreement, in the Company Schedules or Vahanna Schedules and exhibits hereto is disclosed solely for purposes of this Agreement, and no information contained herein or therein will be deemed to be an admission by any party hereto to any third party of any matter whatsoever, including any violation of Law or breach of contract.
Section 8.9 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party and its successors and permitted assigns and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, except for (a) from and after the Effective Time, the provisions of Article 2 (which shall be for the benefit of the Pre-Closing Holders to the extent necessary for such holders to receive the Total Merger Consideration due to such holders thereunder pursuant to the Allocation Schedule), (b) the provisions of Section 5.5 (which shall be for the benefit of the D&O Persons), (c) Section 8.13 (which shall be for the benefit of all Nonparty Affiliates), the provisions of Section 8.18 (which shall be for the benefit of W&S and GDC) and (d) the last sentence of this Section 8.9. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sponsor shall be an express third-party beneficiary of Section 2.2(e), Section 2.2(f), Section 5.4, Section 5.17, Section 7.2, Section 8.2, Section 8.3, Section 8.4, this Section 8.9 Section 8.13, Section 8.14, Section 8.19, and Section 8.20.
Section 8.10 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law, all other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
Section 8.11 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement or the other Ancillary Documents shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the Delaware Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and any other applicable law. Minor variations in the form of the signature page, including footers from earlier versions of this Agreement or any such other document, shall be disregarded in determining the party’s intent or the effectiveness of such signature.
Section 8.12 Knowledge of Company; Knowledge of Vahanna. For all purposes of this Agreement, the phrase “to the Company’s knowledge” and “known by the Company” and any derivations thereof shall mean as of the applicable date, the actual knowledge of the individuals set forth on Section 8.12(a) of the Company Schedules, assuming reasonable due inquiry and investigation. For all purposes of this Agreement, the phrase “to Vahanna’s knowledge” and “to the knowledge of Vahanna” and any derivations thereof shall mean as of the
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applicable date, the actual knowledge of the individuals set forth on Section 8.12(b) of the Vahanna Schedules, assuming reasonable due inquiry and investigation. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the individuals set forth on Section 8.12(a) of the Company Schedules or Section 8.12(b) of the Vahanna Schedules shall have any personal liability or obligations regarding such knowledge.
Section 8.13 No Recourse. All Proceedings, liabilities and causes of action (whether in contract or in tort, in Law or in equity or granted by statute) that may be based upon, be in respect of, arise under, out or by reason of, be connected with or relate in any manner to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any representation or warranty made in this Agreement), may be made against only (and such representations and warranties are those solely of) the Persons that are expressly identified herein as Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Person who is not a Party, including any current, former or future director, officer, founder, employee, consultant, incorporator, member, partner, manager, shareholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, representative, successor or assignee of, and any financial advisor to, any Party, or any current, former or future director, officer, employee, consultant, incorporator, member, partner, manager, shareholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, representative, successor or assignee of, and any financial advisor to, any of the foregoing, and in the case of Vahanna, Sponsor (or any successor or assignee thereof) (each in their capacity as such, a “Nonparty Affiliate”), shall have any liability (whether in contract or in tort, in Law or in equity, or granted by statute) for any Proceedings, liabilities or causes of action arising under, out or by reason of, in connection with, or related in any manner to this Agreement or based on, in respect of, or by reason of this Agreement or its negotiation, execution, performance or breach, and, to the maximum extent permitted by Law, each Party hereby waives and releases all such Proceedings, liabilities and causes of action against any such Nonparty Affiliates.
Section 8.14 Extension; Waiver. The Company may, prior to the Closing, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of any Vahanna Party set forth herein, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any Vahanna Party set forth herein, or (c) waive compliance by any Vahanna Party with any of the agreements or conditions set forth herein. Vahanna may (prior to the Closing) and Sponsor may (after the Closing) (in either case, on behalf of itself, and any other Vahanna Party) (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the Company set forth herein, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the Pre-Closing Holder or the Company set forth herein, or (iii) waive compliance by the Company with any of the agreements or conditions set forth herein. Any agreement on the part of any Party or Sponsor to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of such Person. Any waiver of any term or condition shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or a subsequent waiver of the same term or condition, or a waiver of any other term or condition of this Agreement. The failure of any Party or Sponsor to assert any of its rights hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
Section 8.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION (I) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR UNDER ANY ANCILLARY DOCUMENT OR (II) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY DOCUMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO OR ANY FINANCING IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, INCLUDING IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION AGAINST ANY FINANCING SOURCE (IF ANY), IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
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Section 8.16 Jurisdiction. Any Proceeding based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent such Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware), or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such Proceeding, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the Proceeding shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and agrees not to bring any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence legal Proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 8.16.
Section 8.17 Remedies. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any and all remedies provided herein will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by Law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The failure on the part of any Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power, or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power, or remedy by such Party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or remedy. The Parties agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that the Parties do not perform their respective obligations under the provisions of this Agreement (including failing to take such actions as are required of them hereunder to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise breach such provisions. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in each case without posting a bond or undertaking and without proof of damages and this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at Law or in equity. Each of the Parties agrees that it will not oppose the granting of an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief when expressly available pursuant to the terms of this Agreement on the basis that the other parties have an adequate remedy at Law or an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at Law or equity.
Section 8.18 Legal Representation.
(a) Vahanna hereby agrees on behalf of its directors, members, partners, officers, employees and Affiliates (including after the Closing, the Company), and each of their respective successors and assigns (all such parties, the “Waiving Parties”), that Winston & Strawn LLP (or any successor) (“W&S”) may represent the Pre-Closing Holders or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (other than the Company) (collectively, the “Roadzen Group”), in each case, in connection with any Proceeding or obligation arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, notwithstanding its representation (or any continued representation) of the Group Companies or other Waiving Parties, and each of Vahanna and the Company on behalf of itself and the Waiving Parties hereby consents thereto and irrevocably waives (and will not assert) any conflict of interest, breach of duty or any other objection arising therefrom or relating thereto. Vahanna and the Company acknowledge that the foregoing provision applies whether or not W&S provides legal services to any Group Companies after the Closing Date. Each of Vahanna and the Company, for itself and the Waiving Parties, hereby further irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that all communications, written or oral, between any Group Company or any member of the Roadzen Group and its counsel, including W&S, made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or Proceeding arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or any matter relating to any of the foregoing, are privileged communications that do not pass to the Company notwithstanding the Merger, and instead survive, remain with and are controlled by the Roadzen Group (the “Privileged Communications”), without any waiver thereof. Vahanna and the Company, together with any of
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their respective Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors or assigns, agree that no Person may use or rely on any of the Privileged Communications, whether located in the records or email server of the Company or otherwise (including in the knowledge or the officers and employees of the Company), in any Proceeding against or involving any of the Parties after the Closing, and Vahanna and the Company agree not to assert that any privilege has been waived as to the Privileged Communications, whether located in the records or email server of the Company or otherwise (including in the knowledge of the officers and employees of the Company).
(b) The Company hereby agrees on behalf of its directors, members, partners, officers, employees and Affiliates (including after the Closing, Vahanna), and each of their respective successors and assigns (all such parties, the “Waiving Parties”), that Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (or any successor) (“GDC”) may represent the Sponsor or any of their respective directors, members, partners, officers, employees or Affiliates (other than Vahanna) (collectively, the “Vahanna Group”), in each case, in connection with any Proceeding or obligation arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, notwithstanding its representation (or any continued representation) of the Vahanna or other Waiving Parties, and each of Vahanna and the Company on behalf of itself and the Waiving Parties hereby consents thereto and irrevocably waives (and will not assert) any conflict of interest, breach of duty or any other objection arising therefrom or relating thereto. Vahanna and the Company acknowledge that the foregoing provision applies whether or not GDC provides legal services to any Group Companies after the Closing Date. Each of Vahanna and the Company, for itself and the Waiving Parties, hereby further irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that all communications, written or oral, between any Group Company or any member of the Vahanna Group and its counsel, including GDC, made in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance under, or any dispute or Proceeding arising out of or relating to, this Agreement, any Ancillary Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or any matter relating to any of the foregoing, are privileged communications that do not pass to the Company or Vahanna notwithstanding the Merger, and instead survive, remain with and are controlled by the Vahanna Group (the “Vahanna Privileged Communications”), without any waiver thereof. Vahanna and the Company, together with any of their respective Affiliates, Subsidiaries, successors or assigns, agree that no Person may use or rely on any of the Vahanna Privileged Communications, whether located in the records or email server of the Company or otherwise (including in the knowledge or the officers and employees of the Company), in any Proceeding against or involving any of the Parties after the Closing, and Vahanna and the Company agree not to assert that any privilege has been waived as to the Vahanna Privileged Communications, whether located in the records or email server of the Company or otherwise (including in the knowledge of the officers and employees of the Company).
Section 8.19 Trust Account Waiver. Reference is made to the final prospectus of Vahanna, dated as of November 22, 2021, filed with the SEC (File No. 333-260748) on November 24, 2021 (the “Prospectus”). The Company acknowledges and agree and understand that Vahanna has established a trust account (the “Trust Account”) containing the proceeds of its initial public offering (the “IPO”) and from certain private placements occurring simultaneously with the IPO (including interest accrued from time to time thereon) for the benefit of Vahanna’s public shareholders (including overallotment shares acquired by Vahanna’s underwriters, the “Public Shareholders”), and Vahanna may disburse monies from the Trust Account only in the express circumstances described in the Prospectus. For and in consideration of Vahanna entering into this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company hereby agrees on behalf of itself and its Representatives that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, none of the Company, any Pre-Closing Holder, or any of their respective Representatives does now or shall at any time hereafter have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account or distribution therefrom to Public Shareholders or otherwise occurring prior to the Closing in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, or make any claim against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom), regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to, this Agreement, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (any and all such claims are collectively referred to hereafter as the “Trust Account Released Claims”). The Company on his, her or its own behalf and on behalf of his, her or its respective Representatives hereby irrevocably waives any Trust Account Released Claims that such Person and his, her or
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its respective Representatives may have against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) now or in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, or Contracts with Vahanna or its Representatives and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account (including any distributions therefrom) for any reason whatsoever (including for an alleged breach of any agreement with Vahanna or its Affiliates); provided, however, that Vahanna acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing shall not limit or prohibit any claims that the Company may have in the future pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Document or related to the transactions contemplated hereby against Vahanna’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account, including funds that have been released from the Trust Account to Vahanna upon the consummation of an initial business combination by Vahanna, and for the avoidance of doubt not including funds released to the Public Shareholders in respect of redemptions or to Vahanna’s underwriters for payment of their deferred discount from the IPO.
Section 8.20 Holder Representative.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to appoint a Holder Representative prior to the Closing, on customary terms and conditions and enter into any Contract with such Holder Representative on customary terms and conditions. By consenting to this Agreement, executing a Letter of Transmittal or accepting any consideration as contemplated by Article 2, each Pre-Closing Holder appoints, authorizes and empowers the Holder Representative to act as a representative for the benefit of the Pre-Closing Holders, as the sole and exclusive agent and attorney-in-fact to act on behalf of each Pre-Closing Holder for purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents following the Closing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Holder Representative shall have the full power and authority to take any and all actions on behalf of the Pre-Closing Holders that is necessary, appropriate or desirable to carry out all of the duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Holder Representative under this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, including the power and authority to: (i) interpret the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the documents to be executed and delivered in connection herewith; (ii) execute and deliver, and receive deliveries of, all agreements, certificates, statements, notices, approvals, extension, waivers, undertakings, and other documents required or permitted to be given in connection with this Agreement, (iii) receive service of process in connection with any claims made pursuant this Agreement; (iv) make any calculations and determinations and settle any matters on behalf of all Pre-Closing Holders in connection with this Agreement, and in connection therewith issue notices and instructions to the Exchange Agent in accordance with the terms of the applicable Ancillary Documents; (v) assert or pursue on behalf of the Pre-Closing Holders any Proceeding or investigation against any of the other Parties, consenting to, compromising or settling any such Proceedings or investigations, conducting negotiations with any of the other Parties and their respective Representatives regarding such Proceeding or investigations pursuant to this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, to: (A) assert or institute any Proceeding or investigation; (B) file any proofs of debt, claims and petitions as the Holder Representative may deem advisable or necessary; and (C) file and prosecute appeals from any decision, judgment or award rendered in any such Proceeding or investigation; and (vi) to make, execute, acknowledge and deliver all such other statements, agreements, guarantees, orders, receipts, endorsements, notices, requests, instructions, certificates, stock powers, letters and other writings, and, in general, to do any and all things and to take any and all action that the Holder Representative, in its sole and absolute discretion, may consider necessary or proper or convenient in connection with or to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all Ancillary Documents to which Holder Representative is party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with Article 2).
(b) Vahanna, Sponsor, and any other Person may conclusively and absolutely rely, without inquiry, upon any action or decision of the Holder Representative in all matters referred to herein. Vahanna and Sponsor are entitled to deal exclusively with the Holder Representative on all matters arising under or in connection with this Section 8.20. Any action taken or not taken or decisions, communications or writings made, given or executed by the Holder Representative with respect to all such matters, for or on behalf of any Pre-Closing Holder, shall be deemed an action taken or not taken or decisions, communications or writings made, given or executed by such Pre-Closing Holder. Any notice or communication delivered to the Holder Representative pursuant to this Section 8.20 shall be deemed to have been delivered to all the Pre-Closing Holder. Vahanna and
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Sponsor shall be entitled to disregard any decisions, communications or writings made, given or executed by any Pre-Closing Holder in connection with any matter arising under or in connection with this Section 8.20, unless the same is made, given or executed by the Holder Representative.
(c) The appointment of the Holder Representative as each Pre-Closing Holder’s attorney-in-fact revokes any power of attorney heretofore granted that authorized any other Person or Persons to act as agent and to represent such Pre-Closing Holder with regard to the matters contemplated by this Section 8.20. The grant of authority provided for herein (i) is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable and survive the death, incompetency, bankruptcy, or liquidation of any Pre-Closing Holder, and (ii) shall survive the consummation of transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the Holder Representative may be removed from its position by the Pre-Closing Holders holding a majority of the Company Stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time by providing written notice to the then-serving Holder Representative and Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or Sponsor (after the Closing) and (B) the Holder Representative may resign as the Holder Representative at any time by providing written notice to Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or Sponsor (after the Closing), which resignation shall become effective upon appointment of a successor Holder Representative. Any vacancy of the Holder Representative (whether resulting from resignation, death or removal) shall be filled by a successor Holder Representative appointed by the Pre-Closing Holders holding a majority of the Company Stock outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided that such successor Holder Representative must be reasonably acceptable to Vahanna (prior to the Closing) or Sponsor (after the Closing). All power, authority, rights, privileges, and obligations conferred in this Agreement to the Holder Representative shall apply to any such successor Holder Representative.
(d) Following the Closing, the Holder Representative shall be reimbursed by Vahanna for any and all reasonable and documented expenses, disbursements, costs and advances incurred by the Holder Representative in his capacity as such.
(e) The Holder Representative shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith except to the extent that a final adjudication of a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Holder Representative’s gross negligence or willful misconduct was the cause of any loss to the Pre-Closing Holders. The Pre-Closing Holders shall indemnify and hold the Holder Representative harmless from and against, and the Holder Representative shall not be responsible for, any losses arising out of or attributable to the Holder Representative’s duties under this Agreement or this appointment, except to the extent that such losses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a result of the Holder Representative’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by final adjudication of a court of competent jurisdiction).
(f) The Holder Representative hereby represents and warrants on behalf of itself to each Vahanna Party as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:
(i) The Holder Representative has the requisite capacity, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Documents to which it is or will be a party, to perform his obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(ii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which the Holder Representative is or will be a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been (or, in the case of any Ancillary Document entered into after the date of this Agreement, will be upon execution thereof) duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Holder Representative. This Agreement and each Ancillary Document to which the Holder Representative is or will be a party has been or will be upon execution thereof, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Holder Representative and constitutes or will constitute, upon execution and delivery thereof, as applicable, a valid, legal and binding agreement of the Holder Representative,
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enforceable against the Holder Representative in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity).
(iii) The Holder Representative has the sole power, authority and control of the Pre-Closing Holders with respect to the matters relating to this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, including as contemplated in Section 8.20(a), and in general to do all other things and to perform all other acts, including executing and delivering all agreements, certificates, receipts, instructions, and other instruments, contemplated by, or deemed advisable in connection with, this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, in each case on behalf of a Pre-Closing Holder.
(g) The Holder Representative shall execute an instrument in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Vahanna and the Company agreeing to bound by the terms of this Section 8.20; provided that the Parties agree that any provisions in this Section 8.20 may be amended to reflect any reasonable and customary comments by the Holder Representative once such Person has been appointed, and such Parties shall not unreasonably withhold consent to an amendment necessary to reflect any such comments.
* * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement and Plan of Merger to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Karan Puri | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
VAHANNA MERGER SUB CORP. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Signature page to Agreement and Plan of Merger
ROADZEN, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Signature page to Agreement and Plan of Merger
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SUPPORT AGREEMENT
(See attached)
Exhibit A to Agreement and Plan of Merger
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
(See attached)
Exhibit B to Agreement and Plan of Merger
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT
(See attached)
Exhibit C to Agreement and Plan of Merger
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF WRITTEN CONSENT — PRE-CLOSING HOLDERS
(See attached)
Exhibit D to Agreement and Plan of Merger
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF AMENDED GOVERNING DOCUMENTS OF VAHANNA
(See attached)
Exhibit E to Agreement and Plan of Merger
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF DOMESTICATION GOVERNING DOCUMENTS OF VAHANNA
Exhibit F to Agreement and Plan of Merger
EXHIBIT G
LTIP
(See attached)
[EXHIBIT G]
EXHIBIT H
ESPP
(See attached)
[EXHIBIT H]
FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Amendment”), dated as of June 29, 2023, is entered into by and among Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”), Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Vahanna (“Merger Sub”), and Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).
R E C I T A L S :
WHEREAS, Vahanna, Merger Sub and the Company are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”);
WHEREAS, Section 2.2(b)(v) of the Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that the Parties shall reserve a number of Vahanna Common Shares for issuance under the New Incentive Plan based on the number of Vahanna Common Shares outstanding immediately following the Closing;
WHEREAS, Vahanna and the Company desire to adjust the terms of the Merger Agreement insofar as they relate to the New Incentive Plan;
WHEREAS, Section 8.3 of the Merger Agreement provides that, prior to the Closing, the Merger Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written agreement executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of Vahanna and the Company; and
WHEREAS, Vahanna and the Company desire to amend the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 8.3 thereof in the manner set forth in this Amendment.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, each intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Amendment to Section 2.2(b)(v). Section 2.2(b)(v) of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
(v) New Incentive Plan. The Parties shall reserve certain shares of Vahanna Common Shares for issuance under an incentive plan (the “New Incentive Plan”), which shall consist of two components: (x) a long-term incentive plan, pursuant to which Vahanna may grant cash and equity incentive awards and compensation to officers, directors, employees and other eligible service providers (the “LTIP”), and (y) an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”), in each case in substantially the forms set forth in Exhibit G and Exhibit H, respectively, annexed hereto, which the board of directors of Vahanna shall adopt prior to the Vahanna Shareholder Meeting and recommend to the Vahanna Shareholders that the same be authorized and approved at the Vahanna Shareholder Meeting. As soon as practicable following the expiration of the sixty (60) day period following the date Vahanna has filed current Form 10 information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company, Vahanna shall file an effective registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form, or if Form S-8 is not available, other appropriate forms) with respect to (A) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the Vahanna Converted RSUs, (B) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the LTIP, and (C) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the ESPP and shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement or registration statements
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(and maintain the current status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as the Vahanna Converted RSUs, the LTIP and the ESPP remain outstanding.
2. Ratification of Agreement and Plan of Merger; References. Except as expressly and specifically set forth herein, the Merger Agreement, all of the terms, conditions and other provisions of the Merger Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed and shall continue to be in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and nothing contained herein or in any other communication prior to the execution and delivery hereof shall be construed as a waiver by, or consent from, any Party of any condition, any covenant or other provision of the Merger Agreement. No reference to this Amendment need be made in any instrument or document making reference to the Agreement, and any reference to the Agreement in any such instrument or document shall be deemed to refer to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
3. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury. The provisions of Sections 8.5 (Governing Law), 8.15 (Waiver of Jury Trial) and 8.16 (Jurisdiction) of the Merger Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein and shall apply hereto mutatis mutandis.
4. Headings. The headings to the sections and exhibits contained in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Amendment.
5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to constitute one instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
6. Entire Agreement. This Amendment and the Merger Agreement (together with the Ancillary Documents, as applicable) constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter covered in this Amendment and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
* * * * * * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Amendment to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Karan Puri | |
Name: Karan Puri | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
VAHANNA MERGER SUB CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Karan Puri | |
Name: Karan Puri | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]
ROADZEN, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Rohan Malhotra | |
Name: Rohan Malhotra | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]
EXHIBIT G
LTIP
(See attached)
[EXHIBIT G]
EXHIBIT H
ESPP
(See attached)
[EXHIBIT H]
Annex B
TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
ROADZEN INC.
Incorporated the 22nd day of April 2021
Amended and Restated on the 3rd day of November 2021
Amended and Restated on the 4th day of November 2021
Amended and Restated on the 23rd day of November 2021
Amended and Restated on the [●] day of [●] 2023
Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited
Kingston Chambers
PO Box 173
Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands
TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
ROADZEN INC.
1 | The name of the Company is Roadzen Inc. |
2 | The Company is a company limited by shares. |
3 | The first Registered Office of the Company shall be at the offices of Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited, Kingston Chambers, PO Box 173, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The Directors or Members may from time to time change the Registered Office of the Company by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Members. |
4 | The first Registered Agent of the Company will be Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited of Kingston Chambers, PO Box 173, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The Directors or Members may from time to time change the Registered Agent of the Company by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Members. |
5 | The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the laws of the British Virgin Islands. |
6 | The liability of each Member is limited to the amount unpaid on such Member’s shares. |
7 | The Company is authorised to issue a maximum of 280,000,000 shares divided into two classes as follows: |
7.1 | 220,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Ordinary Shares”); and |
7.2 | 60,000,000 preference shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each (the “Preference Shares”), |
each Share having the rights and restrictions set out in the Memorandum and Articles. For the purposes of section 9 of the Statute, any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any of the Shares as provided for in the Memorandum and Articles are deemed to be set out and stated in full in the Memorandum.
8 | The Company has power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate limited by shares under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands and to be discontinued in the British Virgin Islands. |
9 | Each Ordinary Share confers on the holder: |
(a) | the right to one vote on any Resolution of Members; |
(b) | the right to an equal share in any distribution or dividend in cash or in kind paid by the Company in accordance with the Statute; and |
(c) | the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company. |
10 | Any series of the Preference Shares shall have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such preferences, designations and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as specified by the board of Directors pursuant to the Resolution of Directors approving the issue of such series of the Preference Share(s), and in any such |
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Resolution of Directors the board of Directors shall agree to amend and restate the Memorandum and Articles to fully set out such rights and instruct the registered agent of the Company to file the amended Memorandum and Articles with the Registrar. For the avoidance of doubt, the Directors shall not require any approval of the Members in respect of the issuance of Preference Shares and the related amendments to the Memorandum and Articles. |
11 | Shares may only be issued as registered shares and the Company is not authorised to issue bearer shares. Registered shares may not be exchanged for bearer shares or converted to bearer shares. |
12 | Capitalised terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the respective meanings given to them in the Articles of Association of the Company. |
13 | Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Company may from time to time amend the Memorandum of Association or the Articles of Association by Resolution of Members or Resolution of Directors. |
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We, Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited of Kingston Chambers, PO Box 173, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands in our capacity as registered agent for the Company hereby apply to the Registrar for the incorporation of the Company this 22nd day of April 2021.
Incorporator
Sgd. Denery Moses |
|
Denery Moses |
Authorised Signatory |
Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited |
B-3
TERRITORY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (AS AMENDED)
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
ROADZEN INC.
1 | Interpretation |
1.1 | In the Articles, unless there is something in the subject or context inconsistent therewith: |
“Affiliate” | means in respect of a person, means any other person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person, and (a) in the case of a natural person, shall include, without limitation, such person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mother-in-law and father-in-law and brothers and sisters-in-law, whether by blood, marriage or adoption or anyone residing in such person’s home, a trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing, a company, partnership or any natural person or entity wholly or jointly owned by any of the foregoing and (b) in the case of an entity, shall include a partnership, a corporation or any natural person or entity which directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such entity. | |
“Applicable Law” | means, with respect to any person, all provisions of laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, certificates, judgments, decisions, decrees or orders of any governmental authority applicable to such person. | |
“Articles” | means these articles of association of the Company. | |
“Audit Committee” | means the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company established pursuant to the Articles, or any successor committee. | |
“Auditor” | means the person for the time being performing the duties of auditor of the Company (if any). | |
“Cause” | has the meaning given in that term in Article 27.4. | |
“Clearing House” | means a clearing house recognised by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Shares (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such jurisdiction. | |
“Company” | means the above named company. | |
“Company’s Website” | means the website of the Company and/or its web-address or domain name (if any). | |
“Compensation Committee” | means the compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company established pursuant to the Articles, or any successor committee. |
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“Directors” | means the directors for the time being of the Company. | |
“Director Nomination” | has the meaning given to that term in Article 18.8 of the Articles | |
“Distribution” | means any distribution (including an interim or final dividend). | |
“Electronic Communication” | means a communication sent by electronic means, including electronic posting to the Company’s Website, transmission to any number, address or internet website (including the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission) or other electronic delivery methods as otherwise decided and approved by the Directors. | |
“Electronic Record” | has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act. | |
“Electronic Transactions Act” | means the Electronic Transactions Act (As Revised) of the British Virgin Islands. | |
“Exchange Act” | the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of the United States of America. | |
“Independent Director” | has the same meaning as in the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange or in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, as the case may be. | |
“Management” | has the meaning given to that terms in Article 47. | |
“Member” | has the same meaning as in the Statute. | |
“Memorandum” | means the memorandum of association of the Company. | |
“Ordinary Share” | has the meaning given to that term in Clause 7.1 of the Memorandum. | |
“Preference Share” | has the meaning given to that term in Clause 7.2 of the Memorandum. | |
“Principal Executive Office” | means such principal executive office as published by way of electronic communication as may be determined by the Directors from time to time. | |
“Proposing Person” | shall mean the following persons: (i) the Member of record providing the notice of Director Nomination(s) or other business proposed to be brought before a general meeting or the Requisitioning Members, and (ii) the beneficial owner(s), if different, on whose behalf the Director Nomination(s) or other business proposed to be brought before a general meeting is made. | |
“Proposing Person Ownership Disclosures” | has the meaning given to that term in Article 18.8 of the Articles. | |
“Recognised Exchange” | has the same meaning as in the Statute and includes, without limitation and notwithstanding any subsequent amendments to the Statute (or otherwise), the Nasdaq Global Market and any United States national securities exchange on which securities of the Company are listed for trading. | |
“Register of Members” | means the register of Members maintained in accordance with the Statute. |
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“Registered Agent” | means the registered agent for the time being of the Company. | |
“Registered Office” | means the registered office for the time being of the Company. | |
“Requisitioning Members” | means the Members of the Company of record providing the notice of Director Nomination(s) or other business proposed to be brought before a general meeting in accordance with Article 18.8 of the Articles. | |
“Resolution of Directors” | means:
(a) a resolution passed by a majority of votes of the Directors or a majority of votes of the members of a committee of the Directors as, being entitled to do so, vote at a meeting of the Directors or a meeting of a committee of the Directors; or
(b) a resolution in writing signed by a majority of the Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of the Directors, provided that, in each case, in respect of a resolution relating to the removal of any Director for Cause or the vacation of office of any Director, all of the Directors other than the Director who is the subject of such resolution must approve either by voting in favour of, or signing, such Resolution of Directors. | |
“Resolution of Members” | means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting, and includes a written resolution signed by or on behalf of an absolute majority of the Members, provided that, in respect of a resolution relating to the removal of any Director for Cause, such resolution must be passed by two-thirds of the Members as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting or written resolution signed by or on behalf of two-thirds of Members entitled to vote. In computing any such, regard shall be had to the number of votes to which each Member is entitled by the Articles. | |
“Seal” | means the common seal of the Company and includes every duplicate seal. | |
“Securities and Exchange Commission” | means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. | |
“Share” | means a share in the Company and includes a fraction of a share in the Company. | |
“Statute” | means the BVI Business Companies Act of the British Virgin Islands. | |
“Synthetic Equity Interest” | means any transaction, agreement or arrangement (or series of transactions, agreements or arrangements), including, without limitation, any derivative, swap, hedge, repurchase or so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, the purpose or effect of which is to, directly or indirectly: (a) give a person or entity economic benefit and/or risk similar to ownership of shares of any class or series of the Company, in whole or in part, including due to the fact that such transaction, agreement or arrangement provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or avoid a loss from any increase or decrease in the value of any shares of any class or series of |
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the Company, (b) mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk of or manage the risk of share price changes for, any person or entity with respect to any shares of any class or series of the Company, (c) otherwise provide in any manner the opportunity to profit or avoid a loss from any decrease in the value of any shares of any class or series of the Company, or (d) increase or decrease the voting power of any person or entity with respect to any shares of any class or series of the Company. | ||
“Timely Notice” | has the meaning given to that term in Article 18.8 of the Articles. | |
“Treasury Share” | means a Share held in the name of the Company as a treasury share in accordance with the Statute. |
1.2 | In the Articles: |
(a) | words importing the singular number include the plural number and vice versa; |
(b) | words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender; |
(c) | words importing persons include corporations as well as any other legal or natural person; |
(d) | “written” and “in writing” include all modes of representing or reproducing words in visible form, including in the form of an Electronic Record; |
(e) | “shall” shall be construed as imperative and “may” shall be construed as permissive; |
(f) | references to provisions of any law or regulation shall be construed as references to those provisions as amended, modified, re-enacted or replaced; |
(g) | any phrase introduced by the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms; |
(h) | the term “and/or” is used herein to mean both “and” as well as “or.” The use of “and/or” in certain contexts in no respects qualifies or modifies the use of the terms “and” or “or” in others. The term “or” shall not be interpreted to be exclusive and the term “and” shall not be interpreted to require the conjunctive (in each case, unless the context otherwise requires); |
(i) | headings are inserted for reference only and shall be ignored in construing the Articles; |
(j) | any requirements as to delivery under the Articles include delivery in the form of an Electronic Record; |
(k) | any requirements as to execution or signature under the Articles including the execution of the Memorandum and Articles themselves can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as provided for in the Electronic Transactions Act; |
(l) | the Electronic Transactions Act shall be varied pursuant to section 5(1)(b)(i) of the Electronic Transactions Act to the extent provided for in the Articles; |
(m) | the term “clear days” in relation to the period of a notice means that period excluding the day when the notice is received or deemed to be received and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect; |
(n) | the term “holder” in relation to a Share means a person whose name is entered in the Register of Members as the holder of such Share; |
(o) | the term “simple majority” in relation to a Resolution of Members means a majority of those entitled to vote on the resolution and actually voting on the resolution (and absent Members, Members who are present but do not vote, blanks and abstentions are not counted); |
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(p) | the term “absolute majority” in relation to a Resolution of Members means a majority of all those entitled to vote on the resolution regardless of how many actually vote or abstain; |
(q) | where a meeting of (a) Members; (b) a class of Members; (c) the board of Directors; or (d) any committee of the Directors, is required to be convened for a place, such place may be a physical place, or a virtual place, or both, and where a meeting is convened for or including a virtual place any person, including the person duly appointed as the chair of such meeting, may attend such meeting by virtual attendance and such virtual attendance shall constitute presence in person at that meeting; |
(r) | the term “virtual place” includes a discussion facility or forum with a telephonic, electronic or digital identifier; and |
(s) | the term “virtual attendance” means attendance at a virtual place by means of conference telephone or other digital or electronic communications equipment or software or other facilities by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. |
2 | Commencement of Business |
2.1 | The business of the Company may be commenced as soon after incorporation of the Company as the Directors shall see fit. |
2.2 | The Directors may pay, out of any monies of the Company, all expenses incurred in the formation and establishment of the Company, including the expenses of incorporation. |
3 | Issue of Shares and other Securities |
3.1 | Subject to the Statute and the provisions, if any, in the Memorandum (and to any direction that may be given by the Company in general meeting) and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, and without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing Shares, the Directors may allot, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of Shares (including fractions of a Share) with or without preferred, deferred or other rights or restrictions, whether in regard to Distribution, voting, return of investment or otherwise and to such persons, at such times, for such consideration, and on such other terms as they think proper, and may also (subject to the Statute and the Articles) vary such rights. A bonus share issued by the Company shall be deemed to have been fully paid for on issue. |
3.2 | The Company may issue rights, options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of Shares or other securities in the Company on such terms as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
3.3 | The Company may issue units of securities in the Company, which may be comprised of whole or fractional Shares, rights, options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of Shares or other securities in the Company, upon such terms as the Directors may from time to time determine. |
3.4 | Section 46 of the Statute does not apply to the Company. |
4 | Register of Members |
4.1 | The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained the Register of Members in accordance with the Statute. |
4.2 | Where Shares are listed on a Recognised Exchange, the Directors may determine that the Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained its Register of Members in such manner and form as is customary for such Recognised Exchange. |
5 | Closing Register of Members and Fixing Record Date |
5.1 | For the purpose of determining Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment thereof, or Members entitled to receive payment of any Distribution, or in order to make a |
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determination of Members for any other purpose, the Directors may, after notice has been given by advertisement in an appointed newspaper or any other newspaper or by any other means in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, provide that the Register of Members shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not in any case exceed forty days. |
5.2 | In lieu of, or apart from, closing the Register of Members, the Directors may fix in advance or arrears a date as the record date for any such determination of Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of the Members or any adjournment thereof, or for the purpose of determining the Members entitled to receive payment of any Distribution, or in order to make a determination of Members for any other purpose. |
5.3 | If the Register of Members is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at a meeting of Members or Members entitled to receive payment of a Distribution, the date on which notice of the meeting is sent or the date on which the Resolution of Directors resolving to pay such Distribution is passed, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Members. When a determination of Members entitled to vote at any meeting of Members has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof unless otherwise provided by a Resolution of Directors. |
6 | Certificates for Shares |
6.1 | A Member shall only be entitled to a share certificate if the Directors resolve by Resolution of Directors that share certificates shall be issued. Share certificates representing Shares, if any, shall be in such form as the Directors may determine. Share certificates shall be signed by one or more Directors or other person authorised by the Directors or shall be given under Seal. The Directors may authorise certificates to be issued with the authorised signature(s) or Seal affixed by mechanical process or in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Act. All certificates for Shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified and shall specify the Shares to which they relate. All certificates surrendered to the Company for transfer shall be cancelled and subject to the Articles no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate representing a like number of relevant Shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled. |
6.2 | The Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate for Shares held jointly by more than one person and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder shall be a sufficient delivery to all of them. |
6.3 | If a share certificate is defaced, worn out, lost or destroyed, it may be renewed on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and on the payment of such expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in investigating evidence, as the Directors may prescribe, and (in the case of defacement or wearing out) upon delivery of the old certificate. |
6.4 | Every share certificate sent in accordance with the Articles will be sent at the risk of the Member or other person entitled to the certificate. The Company will not be responsible for any share certificate lost or delayed in the course of delivery. |
7 | Transfer of Shares |
7.1 | Subject to the terms of the Articles, any Member may transfer all or any of his Shares by an instrument of transfer provided that such transfer complies with the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. If the Shares in question were issued in conjunction with rights, options, warrants or units issued pursuant to the Articles on terms that cannot be transferred without the other, the Directors shall refuse to register the transfer of any such Share without evidence satisfactory to them of the like transfer of such right, option, warrant or unit. |
7.2 | The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in writing or in a form prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law or in any other form approved by the |
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Directors and shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor (and if registration as a holder of the Shares imposes a liability to the Company on the transferee, signed by or on behalf of the transferee), contain the name and address of the transferee and may be under hand or, if the transferor or transferee is a Clearing House or its nominee(s), by hand or by machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Directors may approve from time to time. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of a Share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members. |
7.3 | Where Shares are listed on a Recognised Exchange in accordance with Section 54A of the Statute, the Shares may be transferred without the need for a written instrument of transfer if the transfer is carried out in accordance with the law, rules, procedures and other requirements applicable to shares listed on the Recognised Exchange and Articles 7.1 and 7.2 shall be interpreted accordingly. |
8 | Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares |
8.1 | Subject to the provisions of the Statute (save that sections 60, 61 and 62 of the Statute shall not apply to the Company) and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, the terms attached to Shares, as specified in the Memorandum and the Articles, may provide for such Shares to be redeemed or to be liable to be redeemed at the option of the Member or the Company on such terms as so specified. |
8.2 | Subject to the provisions of the Statute (save that sections 60, 61 and 62 of the Statute shall not apply to the Company) and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, the Company may purchase or otherwise acquire its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) in such manner and on such other terms as the Directors may agree with the relevant Member. |
8.3 | The Company may make a payment in respect of the redemption, purchase or other acquisition of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Statute. |
8.4 | The Directors may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share including, for the avoidance of doubt, a Treasury Share. Any such surrender shall be in writing and signed by the Member holding the Share or Shares. |
9 | Treasury Shares |
9.1 | Subject to the Statute, the Directors may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, resolve by Resolution of Directors that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share. |
9.2 | The Directors may determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as they think proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration). |
9.3 | All rights and obligations attaching to a Treasury Share are suspended and shall not be exercised by the Company while it holds the Share as a Treasury Share. |
10 | Variation of Rights of Shares |
10.1 | Subject to Article 3.2, if at any time the authorised Shares are divided into different classes of Shares, all or any of the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class) may, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied without the consent of the holders of the issued Shares of that class where such variation is considered by the Directors not to have a material adverse effect upon such rights; otherwise, any such variation shall be made only with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two thirds of the issued Shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution passed by a simple majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of that class. For the avoidance of doubt, the Directors reserve the right, notwithstanding that any such variation may not have a material adverse effect, to obtain consent from the holders of Shares of the relevant class. To any such meeting all the provisions of the Articles relating to general meetings shall apply mutatis mutandis, except that the necessary quorum shall be one person |
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holding or representing by proxy at least one third of the issued Shares of the class and that any holder of Shares of the class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll. |
10.2 | For the purposes of a separate class meeting, the Directors may treat two or more or all the classes of Shares as forming one class of Shares if the Directors consider that such class of Shares would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate classes of Shares. |
10.3 | The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu therewith or Shares issued with preferred or other rights. |
11 | Commission on Sale of Shares |
The Company may pay a commission to any person in consideration of their subscribing or agreeing to subscribe (whether absolutely or conditionally) or procuring or agreeing to procure subscriptions (whether absolutely or conditionally) for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash and/or, subject to the Statute, the issue of fully or partly paid-up Shares. The Company may also on any issue of Shares pay such brokerage as may be lawful.
12 | Non Recognition of Trusts |
The Company shall not be bound by or compelled to recognise in any way (even when notified) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share, or (except only as is otherwise provided by the Articles or the Statute) any other rights in respect of any Share other than an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the holder.
13 | Lien on Shares |
13.1 | The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on all Shares (whether fully paid-up or not) registered in the name of a Member (whether solely or jointly with others) for all debts, liabilities or engagements to or with the Company (whether presently payable or not) by such Member or their estate, either alone or jointly with any other person, whether a Member or not, but the Directors may at any time declare any Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article. The registration of a transfer of any such Share shall operate as a waiver of the Company’s lien thereon. The Company’s lien on a Share shall also extend to any amount payable in respect of that Share. |
13.2 | The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors think fit, any Shares on which the Company has a lien, if a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently due and payable, and is not paid within fourteen clear days after notice has been received or deemed to have been received by the holder of the Shares, or to the person entitled to it in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder, demanding payment and stating that if the notice is not complied with the Shares may be sold. |
13.3 | To give effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Shares sold to, or in accordance with the directions of, the purchaser. The purchaser or their nominee shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer, and they shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall their title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the sale or the exercise of the Company’s power of sale under the Articles. |
13.4 | The net proceeds of such sale after payment of costs, shall be applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable and any balance shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares before the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the Shares at the date of the sale. |
14 | Call on Shares |
14.1 | Subject to the terms of the allotment and issue of any Shares, the Directors may make calls upon the Members in respect of any monies unpaid on their Shares, and each Member shall (subject to receiving at |
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least fourteen clear days’ notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on the Shares. A call may be revoked or postponed, in whole or in part, as the Directors may determine. A call may be required to be paid by instalments. A person upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon them notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the Shares in respect of which the call was made. |
14.2 | A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the Resolution of Directors authorising such call was passed. |
14.3 | The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof. |
14.4 | If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable, the person from whom it is due shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is paid at such rate as the Directors may determine (and in addition all expenses that have been incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment), but the Directors may waive payment of the interest or expenses wholly or in part. |
14.5 | An amount payable in respect of a Share on issue or allotment or at any fixed date shall be deemed to be a call and if it is not paid all the provisions of the Articles shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call. |
14.6 | The Directors may issue Shares with different terms as to the amount and times of payment of calls, or the interest to be paid. |
14.7 | The Directors may, if they think fit, receive an amount from any Member willing to advance all or any part of the monies uncalled and unpaid upon any Shares held by that Member, and may (until the amount would otherwise become payable) pay interest at such rate as may be agreed upon between the Directors and the Member paying such amount in advance. |
14.8 | No such amount paid in advance of calls shall entitle the Member paying such amount to any portion of a dividend or other Distribution payable in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such amount would, but for such payment, become payable. |
15 | Forfeiture of Shares |
15.1 | If a call or instalment of a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable the Directors may give to the person from whom it is due not less than fourteen clear days’ notice requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and any expenses incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment. The notice shall specify where payment is to be made and shall state that if the notice is not complied with the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
15.2 | If the notice is not complied with, any Share in respect of which it was given may, before the payment required by the notice has been made, be forfeited by a Resolution of Directors. Such forfeiture shall include all Distributions or other monies payable in respect of the forfeited Share and not paid before the forfeiture. |
15.3 | A forfeited Share may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited Share is to be transferred to any person the Directors may authorise some person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Share in favour of that person. |
15.4 | A person any of whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of them and shall surrender to the Company for cancellation the certificate for the Shares forfeited and shall remain liable to pay to the Company all monies which at the date of forfeiture were payable by them to the Company in respect of those Shares together with interest at such rate as the Directors may determine, but their liability shall cease if and when the Company shall have received payment in full of all monies due and payable by them in respect of those Shares. |
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15.5 | A certificate in writing under the hand of one Director or officer of the Company that a Share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. The certificate shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer) constitute a good title to the Share and the person to whom the Share is sold or otherwise disposed of shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall their title to the Share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the Share. |
15.6 | The provisions of the Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time as if it had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
16 | Transmission of Shares |
16.1 | If a Member dies the survivor or survivors (where the Member was a joint holder) or the Member’s legal personal representatives (where the Member was a sole holder), shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to their Shares. The estate of a deceased Member is not thereby released from any liability in respect of any Share, for which they were a joint or sole holder. |
16.2 | Any person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other way than by transfer) may, upon such evidence being produced as may be required by the Directors, elect, by a notice in writing sent by that person to the Company, either to become the holder of such Share or to have some person nominated by them registered as the holder of such Share. If they elect to have another person registered as the holder of such Share they shall sign an instrument of transfer of that Share to that person. The Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant Member before their death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution, as the case may be. |
16.3 | A person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other case than by transfer) shall be entitled to the same Distributions and other advantages to which that person would be entitled if they were the holder of such Share. However, they shall not, before becoming a Member in respect of a Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to general meetings of the Company and the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered or to have some person nominated by the person entitled to the Share be registered as the holder of the Share (but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant Member before their death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution or any other case than by transfer, as the case may be). If the notice is not complied with within 90 days of being received or deemed to be received (as determined pursuant to the Articles) the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all Distributions or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with. |
17 | Offices and Places of Business |
Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Company may by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Members change the location of its Registered Office and its Registered Agent, provided that the Company’s Registered Office shall at all times be the office of the Registered Agent. The Company may, in addition to its Registered Office, maintain such other offices or places of business as the Directors determine.
18 | General Meetings |
18.1 | All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings. |
18.2 | The Company may, but shall not be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and, where called, shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. Any annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place, if any, as the Directors shall appoint. |
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18.3 | The Directors by Resolution of Directors, or the chairperson of the board of Directors, may call general meetings, and the Directors shall on a Members’ requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company. Only those matters set forth in the notice of the general meeting or, solely with respect to an annual general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting convened upon a Members’ requisition, properly requested in accordance with Article 18.8, may be considered or acted upon at a general meeting. In addition to the other requirements set forth in the Articles, for any proposal of business to be considered at a general meeting, it must be a proper subject for action by Members of the Company under the Statute. |
18.4 | A Members’ requisition is a requisition of Members holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than thirty per cent (30%). in par value (if all the issued Shares have a par value), or otherwise by number of the issued Shares which as at that date carry the right to vote in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. Any Members’ requisition can require that any such general meeting requisitioned in accordance with the Articles be held at a physical place and not only at a virtual place. |
18.5 | Any Members’ requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Principal Executive Office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists. |
18.6 | If there are no Directors as at the date of the deposit of the Members’ requisition or if the Directors do not within twenty-one (21) days from the date of the deposit of the Members’ requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further twenty-one (21) days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of the requisitionists, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall be held no later than the day which falls three months after the expiration of the said twenty-one (21) day period. |
18.7 | A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors. |
18.8 | For nominations of candidates for appointment as Director (“Director Nominations”) or other business to be properly brought (x) by a Member before an annual general meeting or (y) by Requisitioning Members before an extraordinary general meeting convened upon a Member’s requisition, the Director Nomination or other business must be (i) specified in the notice of the general meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Directors by Resolution of Directors, (ii) brought before the general meeting by the person presiding over the meeting or (iii) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the meeting by a Member of the Company or by the Requisitioning Members, as applicable, in accordance with this Article 18.8. For Director Nomination or other business to be properly requested to be brought (x) by a Member before an annual general meeting or (y) by Requisitioning Members before an extraordinary general meeting convened upon a Member’s requisition, the Member or Requisitioning Members must (i) be Member(s) of the Company of record at the time of the giving of the notice for such general meeting, (ii) be entitled to vote at such general meeting, (iii) have given Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing to any Director addressed to the Principal Executive Office, (iv) have provided any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by the Articles and (v) together with the beneficial owner(s), if any, on whose behalf the nomination or business proposal is made, have acted in accordance with the representations set forth in the Solicitation Statement (as defined below) required by the Articles. To be timely, a Member’s written notice in respect of an annual general meeting must be received by any Director at the Principal Executive Office not later than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual general meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual general meeting is first convened more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, or if no annual general meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the Member to be timely must be received by any Director at the Principal Executive Office not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such annual general meeting and not later than the close of business on tenth (10th) day |
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following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made (such notice within such time periods shall be referred to as “Timely Notice”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, (x) for the first annual general meeting, a Member’s notice shall be timely (and be considered a Timely Notice) if received by any Director at the Principal Executive Office not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the scheduled date of such annual general meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual general meeting is first made or sent by the Company and (y) for any extraordinary general meeting convened upon a Members’ requisition, the Requisitioning Members’ notice shall be timely (and be considered a Timely Notice) if received by any Director at the Principal Executive Office on the date of delivery of the Members’ requisition. Any such Timely Notice must set forth, as to each matter the Member or Requisitioning Members propose to bring before the general meeting: |
(a) | as to each person whom the Member or the Requisitioning Members propose to nominate for appointment as a Director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (iii) the class and number of Shares or any other securities of the Company that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and of its Affiliates and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the nominee and of its Affiliates, (iv) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of the nominee or any of its Affiliates with respect to any securities of the Company, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of any securities), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of the nominee or any of its Affiliates, (v) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings between or among the Member or the Requisitioning Members, as applicable, or any of its or their Affiliates and each nominee or any of its Affiliates and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the Member or the Requisitioning Members or concerning the nominee’s potential service as a Director, (vi) a written statement executed by the nominee acknowledging that as Director, the nominee will owe fiduciary duties under the Statute with respect to the Company and its Members, and (vii) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for appointment of directors in an appointment contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to the Statute or other applicable law, rule or regulation (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if appointed); |
(b) | as to any other business that the Member or the Requisitioning Members propose to bring before the general meeting, a description in reasonable detail of the business desired to be brought before the general meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the general meeting, the text, if any, of any resolutions or Articles amendment proposed for adoption, and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person; |
(c) | (i) the name and address of the Member or Requisitioning Members giving the notice, as they appear on the register of members of the Company, and the names and addresses of the other Proposing Persons (if any) and (ii) as to each Proposing Person, such Proposing Person’s written consent to the public disclosure of information provided to the Company pursuant to this Article 18.8 and the following information: (a) the class or series and number of all Shares of the Company which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by such Proposing Person or any of its Affiliates or associates, including any Shares of the Company as to which such Proposing Person or any of its Affiliates or associates has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future, (b) all Synthetic Equity Interests in which such Proposing Person or any of its Affiliates or associates, directly or indirectly, holds an interest including a description of the material terms of each such Synthetic Equity Interest, including, identification of the counterparty to each such Synthetic Equity Interest and disclosure, for each such Synthetic Equity Interest, as to (x) whether or |
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not such Synthetic Equity Interest conveys any voting rights, directly or indirectly, in such Shares to such Proposing Person, (y) whether or not such Synthetic Equity Interest is required to be, or is capable of being, settled through delivery of such Shares and (z) whether or not such Proposing Person and/or, to the extent known, the counterparty to such Synthetic Equity Interest has entered into other transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such Synthetic Equity Interest, (c) any proxy (other than a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Statute or the Exchange Act, agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Proposing Person has or shares a right to, directly or indirectly, vote any Shares of the Company), (d) any rights to dividends or other distributions on the Shares of the Company, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Company, (e) any performance-related fees (other than an asset based fee) that such Proposing Person, directly or indirectly, is entitled to base on any increase or decrease in the value of Shares of the Company or any Synthetic Equity Interests (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) are referred to, collectively, as “Proposing Person Ownership Disclosures”) and (iii) a description of the material terms of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether or not in writing) entered into by any Proposing Person or any of its Affiliates or associates with any other person for the purpose of acquiring, holding, disposing or voting of any Shares of the Company, (iv) all information that would be required to be set forth in a Schedule 13D filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) or an amendment pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a) if such a statement were required to be filed under the Exchange Act by such Proposing Person and/or any of its respective Affiliates or associates, and (v) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to the Statute, the Exchange Act or any other applicable laws, rules or regulations; |
(d) | (i) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings by and among any of the Proposing Persons, or by and among any Proposing Persons and any other person (including with any proposed nominee(s)), pertaining to the nomination(s) or other business proposed to be brought before the general meeting (which description shall identify the name of each other person who is party to such an agreement, arrangement or understanding), and (ii) identification of the names and addresses of other Members (including beneficial owners) known by any of the Proposing Persons to support such nominations or other business proposal(s), and to the extent known the class and number of Shares owned beneficially or of record by such other Member(s) or other beneficial owner(s); and |
(e) | a statement whether or not the Member or Requisitioning Members giving the notice and/or the other Proposing Person(s), if any, will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a business proposal, at least the percentage of voting power of all of the Shares of the Company required under applicable law to approve the proposal or, in the case of a Director Nomination, at least the percentage of voting power of all of the Shares of the Company reasonably believed by such Proposing Person to be sufficient to appoint the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such Member or Requisitioning Members (such statement, the “Solicitation Statement”). |
18.9 | A Member or the Requisitioning Members must also submit a supporting statement indicating the reasons for bringing such proposal. |
18.10 | A Member or Requisitioning Members providing Timely Notice of Director Nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a general meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information (including the Proposing Person Ownership Disclosures) provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to the Articles shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to such general meeting, and such |
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update and supplement must be received by any Director at the Principal Executive Office not later than the close of business on the fifth (5th) business day after the record date for the general meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than the close of business on the eighth (8th) business day prior to the date of the general meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting). If a Member or the Requisitioning Members do not comply with this Article 18 in providing notice of Director Nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a general meeting, such notice shall not be deemed to be Timely Notice. |
18.11 | Only such persons who are nominated for appointment as a Director in accordance with the provisions of the Articles shall be eligible for appointment and to serve as Directors once appointed in accordance with the Articles and only such other business shall be conducted at an general meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Articles. The Directors or a designated committee thereof, through a Resolution of Directors, shall have the power to determine whether a Director Nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the provisions of the Articles. If neither the Directors nor such designated committee makes a determination as to whether any Director Nomination or other proposal was made in accordance with the provisions of the Articles, the presiding person of the general meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether the Director Nomination or other proposal was made in accordance with the provisions of the Articles. If the Directors or a designated committee thereof or the presiding person, as applicable, determines that any Director Nomination or other proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of the Articles, such proposal or nomination shall be disregarded and shall not be presented for action at the general meeting. |
18.12 | Except as otherwise required by applicable law, nothing in this Article 18 shall obligate the Company or the Directors to include in any proxy statement or other Member communication distributed on behalf of the Company or the Directors information with respect to any nominee for appointment of a Director or any other business submitted or proposed by a Member. |
18.13 | Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 18, if the nominating or proposing Member or the Requisitioning Members (or a qualified representative of the Member or the Requisitioning Members) do not appear at the general meeting to present a Director Nomination or any other business, such Director Nomination or other business shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Company. For purposes of this Article 18, to be considered a qualified representative of the proposing Member or Requisitioning Members, a person must be authorised by a written instrument executed by such Member or Requisitioning Members or an electronic transmission delivered by such Member or Requisitioning Members to act for such Member or Requisitioning Members as proxy at the meeting of Members and such person must produce such written instrument or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the written instrument or electronic transmission, to the presiding person at the general meeting. |
18.14 | For purposes of the Articles, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the NASDAQ News Service, Associated Press or comparable international or national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or the rules of the Recognised Exchange. |
18.15 | Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of the Articles, a Member and the Requisitioning Members shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Statute and all applicable laws, rules and regulations with respect to the matters set forth in the Articles. |
19 | Notice of General Meetings |
19.1 | At least ten clear days’ notice shall be given of any general meeting. A general meeting may be held either in person or virtually, or both, as determined by the Company. Every notice shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be conducted at the general meeting |
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and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this Article 19.1 has been given and whether or not the provisions of the Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed: |
(a) | in the case of an annual general meeting, by all of the Members entitled to attend and vote thereat; and |
(b) | in the case of an extraordinary general meeting, by a majority in number of the Members having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, together holding not less than ninety-five per cent (95%) in par value (if all the issued Shares have a par value), or otherwise by number of the Shares giving that right. |
19.2 | Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles, the accidental omission to give notice of a general meeting to, or the non receipt of notice of a general meeting by, any person entitled to receive such notice, or the accidental failure to refer in any notice or other document to a meeting as an “annual general meeting” or “extraordinary general meeting”, as the case may be, shall not invalidate the proceedings of that general meeting. |
20 | Proceedings at General Meetings |
20.1 | No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. The holders of at least fifty per cent (50%) of the votes of the Shares present in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorised representative or proxy shall be a quorum. |
20.2 | A person may participate at a general meeting by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. Participation by a person in a general meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. |
20.3 | A resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by or on behalf of an absolute majority of the Members for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or, being corporations or other non-natural persons, signed by their duly authorised representatives) or, in the case of a resolution in writing relating to the removal of any Director for Cause, two-thirds of the Members entitled to vote, shall, without the need for any advance notice, be as valid and effective as if the resolution had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held. |
20.4 | If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting to commence or if during such a meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting, if convened upon a Members’ requisition, shall be dissolved and in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and/or place or to such other day, time and/or place as the Directors may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting to commence, the Members present shall be a quorum. |
20.5 | The Directors may, at any time prior to the time appointed for the meeting to commence, appoint any person to act as chairperson of a general meeting of the Company or, if the Directors do not make any such appointment, the chairperson, if any, of the board of Directors shall preside as chairperson at such general meeting. If there is no such chairperson, or if they shall not be present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to commence, or is unwilling to act, the Directors present shall elect one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting. |
20.6 | The chairperson of a general meeting may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. |
20.7 | When a general meeting is adjourned for thirty (30) days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to give any such notice of an adjourned meeting. |
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20.8 | A resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a poll. |
20.9 | A poll shall be taken as the chairperson of a general meeting directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the general meeting at which the poll was demanded. |
20.10 | A poll demanded on the election of the chairperson of a general meeting or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such date, time and place as the chairperson of the general meeting directs, and any business other than that upon which a poll has been demanded or is contingent thereon may proceed pending the taking of the poll. |
20.11 | In the case of an equality of votes, the chairperson of the general meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
20.12 | All persons seeking to attend and participate in a meeting at a virtual place shall be responsible for maintaining adequate facilities to enable them to do so, and any inability of a person or persons to attend or participate in a meeting by way of digital or electronic communications equipment or software or other facilities shall not invalidate the proceedings of that meeting. |
21 | Votes of Members |
21.1 | Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any Shares, every Member present in any such manner shall have one vote for every Share of which they are the holder. |
21.2 | In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior holder who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy), shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the Register of Members. |
21.3 | A Member of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote by their committee, receiver, curator bonis, or other person on such Member’s behalf appointed by that court, and any such committee, receiver, curator bonis or other person may vote by proxy. |
21.4 | No person shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting unless they are registered as a Member on the record date for such meeting nor unless all calls or other monies then due and payable by them in respect of Shares have been paid. |
21.5 | No objection shall be raised as to the qualification of any voter except at the general meeting or adjourned general meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered and every vote not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid. Any objection made in due time in accordance with this Article shall be referred to the chairperson whose decision shall be final and conclusive. |
21.6 | Votes may be cast either personally or by proxy (or in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorised representative or proxy). A Member may appoint more than one proxy or the same proxy under one or more instruments to attend and vote at a meeting. Where a Member appoints more than one proxy the instrument of proxy shall specify the number of Shares in respect of which each proxy is entitled to exercise the related votes. |
21.7 | A Member holding more than one Share need not cast the votes in respect of their Shares in the same way on any resolution and therefore may vote a Share or some or all such Shares either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting a Share or some or all of the Shares and, subject to the terms of the instrument appointing the proxy, a proxy appointed under one or more instruments may vote a Share or some or all of the Shares in respect of which they are appointed either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting a Share or some or all of the Shares in respect of which they are appointed. |
21.8 | A resolution put to the vote at a general meeting held wholly or partly by means of digital or electronic communications equipment or software or other facilities shall be decided on a poll, on which poll votes may be cast by such means as the board of Directors or failing that the chairperson of the meeting, in their sole discretion, deems appropriate for the purposes of the meeting. |
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22 | Proxies |
22.1 | The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing and shall be executed under the hand of the appointor or of their attorney duly authorised in writing, or, if the appointor is a corporation or other non natural person, under the hand of its duly authorised representative. A proxy need not be a Member. |
22.2 | The Directors may, in the notice convening any meeting or adjourned meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, specify the manner by which the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited and the place and the time (being not later than the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting to which the proxy relates) at which the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited. In the absence of any such direction from the Directors in the notice convening any meeting or adjourned meeting or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited physically at the Registered Office not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the meeting or adjourned meeting to commence at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote. |
22.3 | The chairperson may in any event at their discretion declare that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted, or which has not been declared to have been duly deposited by the chairperson, shall be invalid. |
22.4 | The instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form (or such other form as the Directors may approve) and may be expressed to be for a particular meeting or any adjournment thereof or generally until revoked. An instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to include the power to demand or join or concur in demanding a poll. |
22.5 | Votes given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the proxy was executed, or the transfer of the Share in respect of which the proxy is given unless notice in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer was received by the Company at the Registered Office before the commencement of the general meeting, or adjourned meeting at which it is sought to use the proxy. |
23 | Corporate Members |
23.1 | Any corporation or other non-natural person which is a Member may in accordance with its constitutional documents, or in the absence of such provision by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any class of Members, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which they represent as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member. |
23.2 | If a Clearing House (or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a Member, it may authorise such persons as it sees fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members provided that the authorisation shall specify the number and class of Shares in respect of which each such representative is so authorised. Each person so authorised under the provisions of this Article shall be deemed to have been duly authorised without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and powers on behalf of the Clearing House (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was the registered holder of such Shares held by the Clearing House (or its nominee(s)). |
24 | Shares that May Not be Voted |
Shares in the Company that are beneficially owned by the Company (including Treasury Shares) shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding Shares at any given time.
25 | Directors |
25.1 | There shall be a board of Directors consisting of not less than one person provided however that the Company may by Resolution of Directors increase or reduce the limits in the number of Directors. No |
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increase or reduction in the number of directors constituting the board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. |
25.2 | All Directors shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation (pursuant to written notice thereof delivered to the Company), disqualification or removal from office. A Director appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of a Director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the Director whose death, resignation, disqualification or removal shall have created such vacancy and until their successor shall have been appointed and qualified. |
26 | Powers and Duties of Directors |
26.1 | Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Memorandum and the Articles and to any directions given by Resolution of Members, the business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors who may exercise all the powers of the Company. No alteration of the Memorandum or Articles and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given. A duly convened meeting of Directors at which a quorum is present may exercise all powers exercisable by the Directors. |
26.2 | All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable or transferable instruments and all receipts for monies paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed as the case may be in such manner as the Directors shall determine by resolution. |
26.3 | The Directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any Director who has held any other salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to their surviving spouse, civil partner or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance. |
26.4 | The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and to issue debentures, debenture stock, mortgages, bonds and other such securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party. |
26.5 | Section 175 of the Statute shall not apply to the Company. |
27 | Appointment and Removal of Directors |
27.1 | The Company may by Resolution of Members appoint any person to be a Director provided that the appointment does not cause the number of Directors to exceed any number fixed by or in accordance with the Articles as the maximum number of Directors. |
27.2 | The Directors may appoint any person to be a Director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director, provided that the appointment does not cause the number of Directors to exceed any number fixed by or in accordance with the Articles as the maximum number of Directors. |
27.3 | Except as the Statute or other applicable law may otherwise require, in the interim between annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings called for the appointment of Directors and/or the removal of one or more Directors and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, additional Directors and any vacancies in the board of Directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of Directors for Cause or vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors and newly created director seats, shall be filled solely and exclusively by the vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office, although less than a quorum (as defined in the Articles), or by the sole remaining Director (without requiring any approval of the Members). All such Directors shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been appointed, or until their earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office. |
27.4 | The Company may by Resolution of Members or a Resolution of Directors (passed by all of the Directors other than the Director who is the subject of the resolution concerning removal of a Director) remove any |
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Director only with Cause. For the purposes of this Article 27 “Cause” shall mean removal of a Director because of: |
(a) | such Director’s willful and continued failure to substantially perform their duties as a Director; |
(b) | such Director’s willful conduct which is significantly injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise; |
(c) | such Director being convicted or investigated in a criminal proceeding (other than traffic violations and other minor offenses); |
(d) | such Director being censured or subject to equivalent action by any Recognised Exchange (including a pending proceeding); and/or |
(e) | a petition under the bankruptcy of insolvency laws of any jurisdiction being filed against such Director or there is an appointment of a receiver (or similar officer) by a court for the business or property of, such Director. |
27.5 | Sections 114(2) and 114(3) of the Statute shall not apply to the Company. |
28 | Vacation of Office of Director |
The office of a Director shall be vacated if:
(a) | the Director gives notice in writing to the Company that they resign the office of Director; or |
(b) | the Director is absent from three consecutive meetings of the board of Directors without special leave of absence from the Directors, and the Directors pass a Resolution of Directors confirming that the absent Director has by reason of such absence vacated office; or |
(c) | the Director dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with their creditors generally; or |
(d) | the Director is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; or |
(e) | all of the other Directors (being not less than two in number) determine that the Director in question should be removed as a Director, either by Resolution of Directors passed by all of the other Directors at a meeting of the Directors duly convened and held in accordance with the Articles or by Resolution of Directors in writing signed by all of the other Directors, provided that such removal shall be for Cause; or |
(f) | the Director becomes disqualified to act as a Director under section 111 of the Statute. |
29 | Proceedings of Directors |
29.1 | The quorum for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed shall be a majority of the Directors then in office. |
29.2 | Subject to the provisions of the Articles, the Directors may regulate their proceedings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairperson shall not have a second or casting vote. |
29.3 | A person may participate in a meeting of the Directors or a meeting of any committee of Directors by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other at the same time. Participation by a person in a meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the Directors the meeting shall be deemed to be held at the place where the chairperson is located at the start of the meeting. |
29.4 | A Resolution of Directors in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by a majority of the Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of the Directors or, in the case of a resolution in writing relating |
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to the removal of any Director for Cause or the vacation of office by any Director, all of the Directors other than the Director who is the subject of such resolution shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Directors, or committee of Directors as the case may be, duly convened and held. |
29.5 | A Director may, or other officer of the Company on the direction of a Director shall, call a meeting of the Directors by at least two days’ notice in writing to every Director which notice shall set forth the general nature of the business to be considered unless notice is waived by all the Directors either at, before or after the meeting is held. To any such notice of a meeting of the Directors all the provisions of the Articles relating to the giving of notices by the Company to the Members shall apply mutatis mutandis. |
29.6 | The continuing Directors (or a sole continuing Director, as the case may be) may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to the Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors the continuing Directors or Director may act for the purpose of increasing the number of Directors to be equal to such fixed number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose. |
29.7 | The Directors may elect a chairperson of their board and determine the period for which they are to hold office; but if no such chairperson is elected, or if at any meeting the chairperson is not present within five minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to commence, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting. |
29.8 | All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any Director and/or that they or any of them were disqualified, and/or had vacated their office and/or were not entitled to vote, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and/or not disqualified to be a Director and/or had not vacated their office and/or had been entitled to vote, as the case may be. |
30 | Presumption of Assent |
A | Director who is present at a meeting of the board of Directors at which action on any Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless their dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless they shall file their written dissent from such action with the person acting as the chairperson or secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favour of such action. |
31 | Directors’ Interests |
31.1 | A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of Auditor) in conjunction with their office of Director for such period and on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the Directors may determine. |
31.2 | A Director may act on their own or by, through or on behalf of their firm in a professional capacity for the Company and they or their firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if they were not a Director. |
31.3 | A Director may be or become a director or other officer of or otherwise interested in any company promoted by the Company or in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder, a contracting party or otherwise, and no such Director shall be accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by them as a director or officer of, or from their interest in, such other company. |
31.4 | No person shall be disqualified from the office of Director or prevented by such office from contracting with the Company, either as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such contract or any contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director shall be in any way interested be or be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by or arising in connection with any such contract |
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or transaction by reason of such Director holding office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established. A Director shall be at liberty to vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which they are interested provided that the nature of the interest of any Director in any such contract or transaction shall be disclosed by them at or prior to its consideration and any vote thereon. |
31.5 | Any notice that a Director is a shareholder, director, officer or employee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company shall be deemed a general notice of such interest for the purposes of the Statute and be sufficient disclosure for the purposes of voting on a Resolution of Directors in respect of a contract or transaction in which they have an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give a general or special notice relating to any particular transaction. |
32 | Minutes |
The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books kept for the purpose of all appointments of officers made by the Directors, all proceedings at meetings of the Company or the holders of any class of Shares and of the Directors, and of committees of the Directors, including the names of the Directors present at each meeting.
33 | Delegation of Directors’ Powers |
33.1 | Subject to the Statute, the Directors may delegate any of their powers, authorities and discretions, including the power to sub-delegate, to any committee consisting of one or more Directors (including, without limitation, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee). They may also, subject to the Statute, delegate to any managing director or any Director holding any other executive office such of their powers, authorities and discretions as they consider desirable to be exercised by the chosen Director provided that the appointment of a managing director shall be revoked forthwith if they cease to be a Director. Any such delegation may be made subject to any conditions the Directors may impose and either collaterally with or to the exclusion of their own powers and any such delegation may be revoked or altered by the Directors. Subject to any such conditions, the proceedings of a committee of Directors shall be governed by the Articles regulating the proceedings of Directors, so far as they are capable of applying. |
33.2 | Subject to the Statute, the Directors may establish any committees, local boards or agencies or appoint any person to be a manager or agent for managing the affairs of the Company and may appoint any person to be a member of such committees, local boards or agencies. Any such appointment may be made subject to any conditions the Directors may impose, and either collaterally with or to the exclusion of their own powers and any such appointment may be revoked or altered by the Directors. Subject to any such conditions, the proceedings of any such committee, local board or agency shall be governed by the Articles regulating the proceedings of Directors, so far as they are capable of applying. |
33.3 | The Directors may adopt formal written charters for committees. Each of these committees shall be empowered to do all things necessary to exercise the rights of such committee set forth in the Articles and shall have such powers as the Directors may delegate pursuant to the Articles and as required by the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. Each of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, if established, shall consist of such number of Directors as the Directors shall from time to time determine (or such minimum number as may be required from time to time by the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law). For so long as any class of Shares is listed on the Recognised Exchange, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee shall be made up of such number of Independent Directors as is required from time to time by the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. |
33.4 | Subject to the Statute, the Directors may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any person to be the agent of the Company on such conditions as the Directors may determine, provided that the delegation is not to the exclusion of their own powers and may be revoked by the Directors at any time. |
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33.5 | Subject to the Statute, the Directors may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any company, firm, person or body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or authorised signatory of the Company for such purpose and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under the Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such powers of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorneys or authorised signatories as the Directors may think fit and may also authorise any such attorney or authorised signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in them. |
33.6 | The Directors may appoint such officers of the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, a Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, Treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the board of Directors) as they consider necessary on such terms, at such remuneration and to perform such duties, and subject to such provisions as to disqualification and removal as the Directors may think fit. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of their appointment an officer of the Company may be removed by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Members. An officer of the Company may vacate their office at any time if they give notice in writing to the Company that they resign their office. |
34 | Alternate Directors |
34.1 | No Director may appoint an alternate director. |
35 | No Minimum Shareholding |
The Company in general meeting may fix a minimum shareholding required to be held by a Director, but unless and until such a shareholding qualification is fixed a Director is not required to hold Shares.
36 | Remuneration of Directors |
36.1 | The remuneration to be paid to the Directors, if any, shall be such remuneration as the Directors shall determine. The Directors shall also be entitled to be paid all travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with their attendance at meetings of Directors or committees of Directors, or general meetings of the Company, or separate meetings of the holders of any class of Shares or debentures of the Company, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company or the discharge of their duties as a Director, or to receive a fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Directors, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other. |
36.2 | The Directors may by Resolution of Directors approve additional remuneration to any Director for any services which in the opinion of the Directors go beyond such Director’s ordinary routine work as a Director. Any fees paid to a Director who is also counsel, attorney or solicitor to the Company, or otherwise serves it in a professional capacity shall be in addition to their remuneration as a Director. |
37 | Seal |
37.1 | The Company shall have a Seal. The Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors authorised by the Directors. |
37.2 | The Company may have for use in any place or places outside the British Virgin Islands a duplicate Seal or Seals each of which shall be a facsimile of the Seal of the Company and, if the Directors so determine, with the addition on its face of the name of every place where it is to be used. |
37.3 | A Director or officer, representative or attorney of the Company may without further authority of the Directors affix the Seal over such Director’s signature alone to any document of the Company required to be authenticated by them under seal or to be filed wheresoever. |
38 | Dividends, Distributions and Reserve |
38.1 | Subject to the Statute and this Article and except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, the Directors may resolve by Resolution of Directors to pay Distributions on Shares in issue and |
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authorise payment of the Distributions out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor. A dividend shall be deemed to be an interim dividend unless the terms of the Resolution of Directors pursuant to which the Directors resolve to pay such dividend specifically state that such dividend shall be a final dividend. No Distribution shall be authorised if such Distribution would cause the Company or its Directors to be in breach of the Statute. |
38.2 | Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, all Distributions shall be paid according to the par value of the Shares that a Member holds. If any Share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for Distributions as from a particular date, that Share shall rank for Distributions accordingly. |
38.3 | The Directors may deduct from any Distribution payable to any Member all sums of money (if any) payable by them to the Company on account of calls or otherwise. |
38.4 | The Directors may resolve by Resolution of Directors that any Distribution or redemption be paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets and in particular (but without limitation) by the distribution of shares, debentures, or securities of any other company or in any one or more of such ways and where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient and in particular may issue fractional Shares and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets or any part thereof and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all Members and may vest any such specific assets in trustees in such manner as may seem expedient to the Directors. |
38.5 | Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, Distributions may be paid in any currency. The Directors may determine the basis of conversion for any currency conversions that may be required and how any costs involved are to be met. |
38.6 | The Directors may, before resolving to pay any Distribution, set aside such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Directors, be applicable for any purpose of the Company and pending such application may, at the discretion of the Directors, be employed in the business of the Company. |
38.7 | Any Distribution, redemption payment, interest or other monies payable in cash in respect of Shares may be paid by wire transfer to the holder or by cheque or warrant sent through the post directed to the registered address of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the registered address of the holder who is first named on the Register of Members or to such person and to such address as such holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent. Any one of the two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends, other Distributions, bonuses, or other monies payable in respect of the Share held by them as joint holders. |
38.8 | No Distribution or redemption payment shall bear interest against the Company. |
38.9 | Any Distribution or redemption payment which cannot be paid to a Member and/or which remains unclaimed after six months from the date on which such Distribution becomes payable may, in the discretion of the Directors, be paid into a separate account in the Company’s name, provided that the Company shall not be constituted as a trustee in respect of that account and the dividend or other Distribution shall remain as a debt due to the Member. Any Distribution or redemption payment which remains unclaimed after a period of six years from the date on which such Distribution or redemption payment becomes payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. |
39 | Books of Account |
39.1 | The Directors shall cause proper books of account (including, where applicable, underlying documentation including contracts and invoices) to be kept with respect to all sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the receipt or expenditure takes place, all sales and purchases of goods by the Company and the assets and liabilities of the Company, in accordance with the Statute. |
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39.2 | The Directors shall determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Members not being Directors and no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by Statute or authorised by the Directors or by the Company in general meeting. |
39.3 | The Directors may cause to be prepared and to be laid before the Company in general meeting profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, group accounts (if any) and such other reports and accounts as may be required by law. |
40 | Audit |
40.1 | The Directors may appoint an Auditor of the Company who shall hold office on such terms as the Directors determine. |
40.2 | Without prejudice to the freedom of the Directors to establish any other committee, if the Shares (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on the Recognised Exchange, and if required by the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, the Directors shall establish and maintain an Audit Committee as a committee of the Directors and shall adopt a formal written Audit Committee charter and review and assess the adequacy of the formal written charter on an annual basis. The composition and responsibilities of the Audit Committee shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. |
40.3 | If the Shares (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on the Recognised Exchange, the Company shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions on an ongoing basis and shall utilise the Audit Committee for the review and approval of potential conflicts of interest. |
40.4 | The remuneration of the Auditor shall be fixed by the Audit Committee (if one exists). |
40.5 | If the office of Auditor becomes vacant by resignation or death of the Auditor, or by their becoming incapable of acting by reason of illness or other disability at a time when their services are required, the Directors shall fill the vacancy and determine the remuneration of such Auditor. |
40.6 | Every Auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Auditor. |
40.7 | Auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment and at any other any time during their term of office, upon request of the Directors or any general meeting of the Members. |
40.8 | Any payment made to members of the Audit Committee (if one exists) shall require the review and approval of the Directors by Resolution of Directors, with any Director interested in such payment abstaining from such review and approval. |
40.9 | At least one member of the Audit Committee shall be an “audit committee financial expert” as determined by the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. The “audit committee financial expert” shall have such past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication. |
41 | Notices |
41.1 | Notices shall be in writing and may be given by the Company to any Member either personally or by sending it by courier, post, cable, fax or email to such Member or to such Member’s address as shown in |
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the Register of Members (or where the notice is given by email by sending it to the email address provided by such Member). Any notice, if posted from one country to another, is to be sent by airmail. Notice may also be served by Electronic Communication in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Recognised Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other competent regulatory authority or by placing it on the Company’s Website. |
41.2 | Where a notice is sent by: |
(a) | courier; service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by delivery of the notice to a courier company, and shall be deemed to have been received on the third day (not including Saturdays or Sundays or public holidays) following the day on which the notice was delivered to the courier; |
(b) | post; service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre paying and posting a letter containing the notice, and shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth day (not including Saturdays or Sundays or public holidays in the British Virgin Islands) following the day on which the notice was posted; |
(c) | cable or fax; service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing and sending such notice and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was transmitted; |
(d) | email or other Electronic Communication service; shall be deemed to be effected by transmitting the email to the email address provided by the intended recipient and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was sent, and it shall not be necessary for the receipt of the email to be acknowledged by the recipient; |
(e) | submission to the SEC through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system or any equivalent system in respect of any relevant Recognised Exchange; service of the notice shall be deemed to have been effected one hour after the notice or document was submitted; and |
(f) | placing it on the Company’s Website; service of the notice shall be deemed to have been effected one hour after the notice or document was placed on the Company’s Website. |
41.3 | A notice may be given by the Company to the person or persons which the Company has been advised are entitled to a Share or Shares in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a Member in the same manner as other notices which are required to be given under the Articles and shall be addressed to them by name, or by the title of representatives of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description at the address supplied for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled, or at the option of the Company by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death or bankruptcy had not occurred. |
41.4 | Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner authorised by the Articles to every holder of Shares carrying an entitlement to receive such notice on the record date for such meeting except that in the case of joint holders the notice shall be sufficient if given to the joint holder first named in the Register of Members and every person upon whom the ownership of a Share devolves because they are a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy of a Member where the Member but for their death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting, and no other person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings. |
41.5 | Where a law or the Articles requires information to be delivered or sent to, or to be served on, a person, section 10(1) of the Electronic Transactions Act shall be varied such that: (i) the originator of any electronic communication shall not be required to state that the receipt of the electronic communication is to be acknowledged; and (ii) unless the originator expressly requires an acknowledgment of receipt, the addressee shall not be required to acknowledge receipt. |
42 | Winding Up |
42.1 | If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Company in satisfaction of creditors’ claims in such manner and order as such liquidator thinks fit. Subject to the rights attaching to |
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any Shares. each Share will rank pari passu with each other Share in relation to the distribution of surplus assets on a winding up. |
42.2 | If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, subject to the rights attaching to any Shares and subject to contrary direction by Resolution of Members, divide amongst the Members in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, subject to contrary direction by Resolution of Members, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, subject to contrary direction by Resolution of Members, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability. |
43 | Indemnity and Insurance |
43.1 | Subject to the Statute, every Director and officer of the Company (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include Auditors), together with every former Director and former officer of the Company (each an “Indemnified Person”) shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability, action, proceeding, claim, demand, costs, damages or expenses, including legal expenses, whatsoever which they or any of them may incur as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out their functions other than such liability (if any) that they may incur by reason of their own actual fraud or willful default. No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company for any loss or damage incurred by the Company as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or willful default of such Indemnified Person. No person shall be found to have committed actual fraud or willful default under this Article unless or until a court of competent jurisdiction shall have made a finding to that effect. |
43.2 | Subject to the Statute, the Company shall advance to each Indemnified Person reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the defence of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving such Indemnified Person for which indemnity will or could be sought. In connection with any advance of any expenses hereunder, the Indemnified Person shall execute an undertaking to repay the advanced amount to the Company if it shall be determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that such Indemnified Person was not entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article. If it shall be determined by a final judgment or other final adjudication that such Indemnified Person was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such judgment, costs or expenses, then such party shall not be indemnified with respect to such judgment, costs or expenses and any advancement shall be returned to the Company (without interest) by the Indemnified Person. |
43.3 | The Directors, on behalf of the Company, may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any Director or other officer of the Company against any liability which, by virtue of any rule of law, would otherwise attach to such person in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which such person may be guilty in relation to the Company. |
44 | Financial Year |
Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on 31st December in each year and, following the year of incorporation, shall begin on 1st January in each year.
45 | Transfer by Way of Continuation |
The Company shall, subject to the provisions of the Statute have the power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the British Virgin Islands and to be deregistered in the British Virgin Islands.
46 | Mergers and Consolidations |
The Company shall, subject to the provisions of the Statute have the power to merge or consolidate with one or more other constituent companies (as defined in the Statute), upon such terms as the Directors may determine.
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47 | Business Opportunities |
47.1 | To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, no individual serving as a Director or an Officer (“Management”) shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Company. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Company renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for Management, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other. Except to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, Management shall have no duty to communicate or offer any such corporate opportunity to the Company and shall not be liable to the Company or its Members for breach of any fiduciary duty as a Member, Director and/or Officer solely by reason of the fact that such party pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, himself or herself, directs such corporate opportunity to another person, or does not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Company. |
47.2 | Except as provided elsewhere in this Article, the Company hereby renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for both the Company and Management, about which a Director and/or Officer who is also a member of Management acquires knowledge. |
47.3 | To the extent a court might hold that the conduct of any activity related to a corporate opportunity that is renounced in this Article to be a breach of duty to the Company or its Members, the Company hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any and all claims and causes of action that the Company may have for such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the provisions of this Article apply equally to activities conducted in the future and that have been conducted in the past. |
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We, Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited of Kingston Chambers, PO Box 173, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands in our capacity as registered agent for the Company hereby apply to the Registrar for the incorporation of the Company this 22nd day of April 2021.
Incorporator
Sgd. Denery Moses |
|
Denery Moses |
Authorised Signatory |
Maples Corporate Services (BVI) Limited |
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Annex C
Execution Version
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
This SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of February __, 2023, is entered into by and among Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”) and each of the Pre-Closing Holders set forth on Schedule A hereto (the “Supporting Holders”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).
R E C I T A L S :
WHEREAS, Vahanna, Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna (“Merger Sub”), and Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) propose to enter into, simultaneously herewith, a Merger Agreement (the “Merger Agreement”), a copy of which has been made available to each Supporting Holder, which provides, among other things, that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, (i) Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna, and (ii) immediately prior to, and conditioned upon, the effective time of the Merger, the holders of Preferred Stock of the Company will effect a conversion (the “Preferred Conversion”) of all of the Preferred Stock to Company Common Stock (as defined below) in accordance with Article IV, Section D.6(b)(i)(A) of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Roadzen, Inc., as amended (the “Company Charter”);
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, each Supporting Holder is the record owner of (a) the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Company Common Stock”), set forth opposite such Supporting Holder’s name on Schedule A under the column heading “Subject Common Shares” and (b) the number of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Company Preferred Stock”), set forth opposite such Supporting Holder’s name on Schedule A under the column heading “Subject Preferred Shares” (all such shares of Company Common Stock specified on Schedule A under the column heading “Subject Common Shares” shall be referred to herein as such Supporting Holder’s “Subject Common Shares”, all such shares of Company Preferred Stock specified on Schedule A under the column heading “Subject Preferred Shares” shall be referred to herein as such Supporting Holder’s “Subject Preferred Shares,” and such Supporting Holder’s Subject Common Shares and Subject Preferred Shares and any other shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock such Supporting Holder may hereafter acquire prior to the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 shall be referred to herein collectively as such Supporting Holder’s “Subject Shares”); and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Vahanna’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, and as an inducement and in consideration for Vahanna to enter into the Merger Agreement, each Supporting Holder has agreed to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
AGREEMENT TO VOTE SUBJECT SHARES
1.1 Voting of Subject Shares. Each Supporting Holder holding Subject Shares hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, as promptly as practicable and in any event not later than three (3) Business Days
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after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, such Supporting Holder shall deliver to Vahanna the written consents in the form attached to hereto Annex A and Annex B (the “Written Consents”) voting all of the Subject Shares, as applicable, in favor (i) the adoption of the Merger Agreement, (ii) the approval of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the Merger), and/or (iii) the Preferred Conversion (the “Stockholder Matters”). Each Supporting Holder covenants and agrees that, prior to the termination of this Agreement, such Supporting Holder will at any meeting of the stockholders of the Company (and at any adjournment or postponement thereof), however called, and in any written actions by consent of the stockholders of the Company, such Supporting Holder shall cause the Subject Shares to be voted (including via proxy): (a) in favor of the Stockholder Matters, and any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; and (b) against the following actions (other than the Merger and actions in furtherance of the Stockholder Matters): (i) any extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company not otherwise permitted under the Merger Agreement; (ii) any reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution or liquidation of the Company and its Subsidiaries that would be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (iii) any material change in the capitalization of the Company or the Company’s corporate structure; (iv) any change in a majority of the board of directors of the Company; (v) any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws which is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to prohibit, impede, interfere with, discourage, delay or otherwise adversely affect the Merger; and (vi) any other action, proposal, agreement or transaction which is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to prohibit, impede, interfere with, discourage, delay or otherwise adversely affect the Merger.
1.2 Consent to Merger Agreement. By executing this Agreement, each Supporting Holder that is the record and beneficial owner of Company Preferred Stock as of the date hereof does hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approve the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by the Company pursuant to Article IV, Section D.5(f) of the Company Charter.
1.3 No Inconsistent Agreements. The Supporting Holder shall not enter into any commitment, agreement, understanding, or similar arrangement to vote or give voting instructions or express consent or dissent in writing in any manner inconsistent with the terms of this Article I.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH SUPPORTING HOLDER
Each Supporting Holder represents and warrants to Vahanna that:
2.1 Authorization; Binding Agreement.
(a) Such Supporting Holder, if not a natural person, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (where such concept is recognized) under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or constituted. Such Supporting Holder has full legal capacity and power, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Supporting Holder and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Vahanna, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Supporting Holder, enforceable against such Supporting Holder in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (a) may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar Laws of general applicability affecting or relating to creditors’ rights generally and (b) is subject to general principles of equity (the “Enforceability Limitations”).
2.2 Non-Contravention. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Supporting Holder nor performance by such Supporting Holder of the obligations herein nor the compliance by such Supporting
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Holder with any provisions herein will (a) violate the certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other governing documents of such Supporting Holder, (b) require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Authority or any other Person on the part of such Supporting Holder, except as provided in the (i) Company Charter (as amended from time to time) or (ii) Bylaws of the Company, as amended (clauses (i) – (ii), collectively, the “Company Governing Documents”), (c) result (or, with the giving of notice, the passage of time or otherwise, would result) in the creation or imposition of any mortgage, pledge, security interest, license, encumbrance, financing statement, lien, charge, trust, option, warrant, purchase right, preemptive right, right of first offer or refusal, easement, servitude, restriction (whether voting, transfer or otherwise), encroachment or other similar encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever (each of the foregoing, an “Encumbrance”) on the Subject Shares, other than any Permitted Encumbrance (as defined below), or (d) violate any Law applicable to such Supporting Holder or by which any of such Supporting Holder’s Subject Shares are bound, except, in the case of each of clauses (c) and (d), as would not reasonably be expected to materially impair such Supporting Holder’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.
2.3 Ownership of Shares; Total Shares. Such Supporting Holder is the record and beneficial owner of all of such Supporting Holder’s Subject Shares and has good and marketable title to all of such Supporting Holder’s Subject Shares, free and clear of any Encumbrances, except for any such Restriction that may be imposed pursuant to (i) this Agreement, (ii) any Lock-Up Agreement entered into by and between such Supporting Holder, Vahanna and the Company, (iii) any applicable restrictions on transfer under applicable securities Laws and (iv) the Company Governing Documents (collectively, “Permitted Encumbrances”). The equity securities listed on Schedule A opposite such Supporting Holder’s name (collectively, the “Securities”) constitute all of the Company Common Shares, Company Preferred Stock, and any other securities of the Company owned by such Supporting Holder, as of the date hereof and such Supporting Holder does not own or have the power to vote any other shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company.
2.4 Voting Power. Such Supporting Holder has full voting power with respect to all of such Supporting Holder’s applicable Subject Shares and full power to agree to all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, in each case with respect to all such Supporting Holder’s Subject Shares. None of such Supporting Holder’s Subject Shares are subject to any stockholders’ agreement, proxy, voting trust or other agreement, arrangement or restriction of any kind or nature with respect to the voting of such Subject Shares, except for the Company Governing Documents.
2.5 Reliance. Such Supporting Holder understands and acknowledges that Vahanna is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon such Supporting Holder’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
2.6 Brokers. Other than as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the disclosure schedules thereto, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of such Supporting Holder.
2.7 Adequate Information. The Supporting Holder acknowledges that the Supporting Holder is a sophisticated investor with respect to the Supporting Holder’s Subject Shares and has adequate information concerning the business and financial condition of the Vahanna and the Company to make an informed decision regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has, independently and without reliance upon Vahanna, the Company or any affiliate thereof, and based on such information as the Supporting Holder has deemed appropriate, made the Supporting Holder’s own analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. The Supporting Holder acknowledges that the Supporting Holder has received and reviewed this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and has had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice prior to executing this Agreement.
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ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF VAHANNA
Vahanna represents and warrants to each Supporting Holder that:
3.1 Organization and Qualification. Vahanna is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the British Virgin Islands.
3.2 Authority for This Agreement. Vahanna has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to comply with any provisions herein. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Vahanna has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Vahanna, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Vahanna are necessary to authorize this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Vahanna and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Supporting Holders, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Vahanna, enforceable against Vahanna in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Limitations.
ARTICLE IV
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE SUPPORTING HOLDERS
Each Supporting Holder hereby covenants and agrees that:
4.1 No Transfer; No Inconsistent Arrangements.
(a) Subject to Section 4.1(b), each Supporting Holder agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of Law), sell, gift, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber any of the Subject Shares or otherwise agree to do any of the foregoing, (ii) deposit any Subject Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto that is inconsistent with this Agreement, or (iii) enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect acquisition or sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of Law) or other disposition of any Subject Shares. Any action taken in violation of the foregoing sentence shall be null and void ab initio.
(b) Section 4.1(a) shall not prohibit a transfer of Subject Shares by a Supporting Holder made: (A) in the case of a Supporting Holder that is an individual, (i) by gift to a member of one of such Supporting Holder’s Immediate Family Members, an estate planning vehicle or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such Supporting Holder’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization, (ii) by virtue of Laws of descent and distribution upon death of such Supporting Holder or (iii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (B) by pro rata distributions from such Supporting Holder to its members, partners, or shareholders pursuant to such Supporting Holder’s organizational documents; (C) by virtue of applicable Law or such Supporting Holder’s organizational documents upon liquidation or dissolution of such Supporting Holder; or (D) to any employees, officers, directors or members of the Supporting Holder or any affiliates of the Supporting Holder; provided, however, that a transfer referred to in this sentence shall be permitted only if, (x) as a precondition to such transfer, the transferee agrees in a written document, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Vahanna, to be bound by all of the terms of this Agreement, and (y) such transfer is effected no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the date on which the Form S-4 is declared effective.
4.2 No Legal Action. Each Supporting Holder shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to and shall direct its Representatives not to, bring, commence, institute, maintain, voluntarily aid or prosecute any claim, appeal or proceeding which (a) challenges the validity of or seeks to enjoin the operation of any provision of this Agreement, or (b) alleges that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Supporting Holder breaches
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any duty that such Supporting Holder has (or may be alleged to have) to a third-party or to the other holders of Subject Shares; provided, that the foregoing shall not limit or restrict in any manner the rights of a Supporting Holder to enforce the terms of this Agreement.
4.3 Documentation and Information. Each Supporting Holder shall permit and hereby consents to and authorizes Vahanna and the Company to publish and disclose in all documents and schedules filed with the SEC, and any press release or other disclosure document that Vahanna and/or the Company reasonably determines to be necessary in connection with the Merger and any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, a copy of this Agreement, the Supporting Holder’s identity and ownership of the Subject Shares and the nature of such Supporting Holder’s commitments and obligations under this Agreement; provided that the Supporting Holder’s identity will not be included in a press release or other public disclosure (other than a filing with the SEC) without the Supporting Holder’s prior written consent. Each Supporting Holder agrees to be bound by Section 5.3 (Access to Information) of the Merger Agreement to the same extent that the Company is bound thereunder.
4.4 Adjustments. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend or distribution, merger, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or the like of the capital stock of the Company affecting the Subject Shares, the terms of this Agreement shall apply to the resulting securities.
4.5 Standstill. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Supporting Holders shall not engage in any transactions involving the securities of Vahanna prior to the without Vahanna’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed); provided that this Section 4.7 shall not apply to transactions involving any securities of Vahanna held by the Supporting Holders as of or prior to the date of this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received if delivered personally (notice deemed given upon receipt), by electronic mail (notice deemed given upon confirmation of receipt) or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, such as Federal Express (notice deemed given upon receipt of proof of delivery); provided that the notice or other communication is sent to the address, facsimile number or email address set forth in Section 8.4 of the Merger Agreement, and, if to a Supporting Holder, to such Supporting Holder’s address, facsimile number or email address set forth on a signature page hereto, or to such other address, facsimile number or email address as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to each other party hereto.
5.2 Termination. This Agreement, the covenants and agreements contained herein and any proxy granted hereunder shall terminate automatically with respect to a Supporting Holder, without any notice or other action by any person, upon the first to occur of (a) the Effective Time and (b) the valid termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms. Upon termination of this Agreement, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided, however, that the provisions of this Article V shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
5.3 Amendments and Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party to this Agreement or, in the case of a waiver, by each party against whom the waiver is to be effective. The waiver by any party of a breach of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
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5.4 Expenses. All fees and expenses incurred in connection herewith shall be paid by the party incurring such fees and expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated, except as expressly provided otherwise herein or in the Merger Agreement.
5.5 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement, together with Schedule A and the other documents and certificates delivered pursuant hereto, constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party (including by operation of Law, by merger or otherwise) without the prior written consent of (a) Vahanna, in the case of an assignment by a Supporting Holder (other than in the case of permitted transfer under Section 4.1(b)) and (b) the Supporting Holders, in the case of an assignment Vahanna. Any assignment in violation of this Section 5.5 shall be null and void ab initio.
5.6 Enforcement of the Agreement. The parties agree that irreparable damage may occur in the event that any Supporting Holder did not perform any of the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with their specific terms or otherwise breached any such provisions, and that monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. It is accordingly agreed that Vahanna shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity without the requirement to post any bond or other security. Any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon Vahanna will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby or by Law or equity upon Vahanna, and the exercise by Vahanna of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy.
5.7 Jurisdiction. Any Proceeding based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent such Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware), or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such Proceeding, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the Proceeding shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and agrees not to bring any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence legal Proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 5.7.
5.8 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION (I) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR (II) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
5.9 Governing Law. This Agreement and all related Proceedings shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of Law or conflict of Law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
5.10 Construction; Interpretation. The term “this Agreement” means this Agreement together with the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or
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restated in accordance with the terms hereof. The headings set forth in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. No Party, nor its respective counsel, shall be deemed the drafter of this Agreement for purposes of construing the provisions hereof, and all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed according to their fair meaning and not strictly for or against any Party. Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary herein by the context or use thereof: (a) the words, “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, including the Schedules and Exhibits, and not to any particular section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or clause set forth in this Agreement; (b) masculine gender shall also include the feminine and neutral genders, and vice versa; (c) words importing the singular shall also include the plural, and vice versa; (d) the words “include,” “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (e) references to “$” or “dollar” or “US$” shall be references to United States dollars; (f) the word “or” is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive; (g) the words “writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form; (h) the word “day” means calendar day unless Business Day is expressly specified; (i) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (j) all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits or Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement, unless expressly indicated otherwise; (k) all references to any Law will be to such Law as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time; and (l) all references to any Contract (except for any such references in the Schedules) are to that Contract as amended or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (subject to any restrictions on amendments or modifications set forth in this Agreement). If any action under this Agreement is required to be done or taken on a day that is not a Business Day, then such action shall be required to be done or taken not on such day but on the first succeeding Business Day thereafter. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
5.11 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each party hereto, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement upon any person other than each party hereto.
5.12 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law, all other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party hereto. Upon such determination that any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
5.13 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement or the other Ancillary Documents shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the Delaware
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Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and any other applicable Law. Minor variations in the form of the signature page, including footers from earlier versions of this Agreement or any such other document, shall be disregarded in determining the party’s intent or the effectiveness of such signature.
5.14 Interpretation. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and article, section, paragraph and schedule references are to the articles, sections, paragraphs and schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words describing the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa, words denoting either gender shall include both genders and words denoting natural persons shall include all persons and vice versa. The word “extent” and the phrase “to the extent” when used in this Agreement shall mean the degree to which a subject or other things extends, and such word or phrase shall not merely mean “if.” The term “or” is not exclusive. The phrases “the date of this Agreement,” “the date hereof,” “of even date herewith” and terms of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to the date set forth in the preamble to this Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to a date or time shall be deemed to be such date or time in Chicago, Illinois, unless otherwise specified. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any person by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
5.15 Further Assurances. Each Supporting Holder agrees that if any further agreements, deeds, assignments, assurances or other instruments are reasonably necessary to effectuate the covenants in this Agreement, such Supporting Holder will, upon reasonable written request of such Supporting Holder by Vahanna and at Vahanna’s cost and expense, execute and deliver all such proper agreements, deeds, assignments, assurances and other instruments and take other reasonable action as permissible to do all other things reasonably necessary to effectuate the covenants in this Agreement and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
5.16 Supporting Holder Obligation Several and Not Joint. The obligations of each Supporting Holder hereunder shall be several and not joint and several, and no Supporting Holder shall be liable for any breach of the terms of this Agreement by any other Supporting Holder.
5.17 No Agreement as Director or Officer. Each Supporting Holder is entering into this Agreement solely in such Supporting Holder’s capacity as record and/or beneficial owner of Subject Shares and nothing herein is intended to or shall limit, restrict or otherwise affect any votes or other actions taken by such Supporting Holder, or any employee, officer, director (or person performing similar functions), partner or other Affiliate of such Supporting Holder (including, for this purpose, any appointee or representative of such Supporting Holder to the board of directors of the Company) of such Supporting Holder, solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company (or a subsidiary of the Company) or other fiduciary capacity for the stockholders of the Company.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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The parties are executing this Agreement on the date set forth in the introductory clause above.
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP. | ||
By: | ||
Name: Karan Puri | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature page to Support Agreement]
[●] | ||
By: | ||
Title: | ||
Address: | ||
Facsimile: | ||
Email: |
[Signature page to Support Agreement]
Schedule A
Name of Supporting Holder |
Subject Common Shares |
Subject Preferred Shares |
Total Common Shares |
Total Preferred Shares | ||||
Annex A
Annex B
Annex D
Execution Version
SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT
This SPONSOR SUPPORT AGREEMENT (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), dated as of February __, 2023, is entered into by and among Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”), Vahanna LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), and Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Roadzen”). Sponsor, Vahanna and Roadzen shall be referred to herein from time to time Collectively as the “Parties,” and each, individually, a “Party”.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Sponsor Support Agreement, Vahanna, Roadzen and Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), will enter into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the “Merger Agreement”);
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Sponsor is the record and beneficial owner of 4,852,500 Vahanna Class B Shares and 8,638,500 Vahanna Private Warrants (the “Subject Vahanna Equity Securities”); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Sponsor, as a shareholder of Vahanna, has agreed, among other things to (a) vote in favor of (i) the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and (ii) any proposals made by Vahanna to facilitate or in furtherance of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (b) appear at any Vahanna shareholder meetings called regarding the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement for purposes of constituting a quorum, (c) vote against any proposals that would materially impede the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and (d) waive certain of its anti-dilution and conversion rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement. |
2. | Sponsor Support Agreement. Sponsor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, at any duly called meeting of the shareholders of Vahanna, or at any postponement or adjournment thereof, and in any action by written consent of the shareholders of Vahanna requested by Vahanna’s Board of Directors or undertaken as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Sponsor shall (a) if a meeting is held, appear at each such meeting in person or by proxy or otherwise cause all of its Vahanna Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum, (b) vote (or cause to be voted), or execute and deliver a written consent (or cause a written consent to be executed and delivered) covering, all of its Vahanna Shares in favor of each Transaction Proposal, (c) vote against any proposals that would (x) materially impede the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (y) any other matter, action or proposal that would result in a breach of any of Vahanna or Merger Sub’s covenants, agreements or obligations under the Merger Agreement or any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 of the Merger Agreement and (d) not redeem, elect to redeem or tender or submit any of its Subject Vahanna Equity Securities for redemption in connection with any such stockholder approval, the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. |
3. | Waiver. Immediately prior to, and conditioned upon, the Effective Time, Sponsor, representing the holder of the majority of the issued and outstanding Vahanna Class B Shares, shall, automatically and without any further action by Sponsor or Vahanna, irrevocably consent to and waive the respective rights of holders of |
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Vahanna Class B Shares under the anti-dilution and conversion provisions of Section 18 of the Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association of the Vahanna, dated November 23, 2021 (the “Vahanna Charter”), with respect to each of each Vahanna Class B Share held as of the date hereof, and such Vahanna Class B Shares shall, automatically and without any further action by Sponsor or any holder thereof, be converted to and exchanged for Vahanna Common Shares on a one-for-one basis as provided in Section 18 of the Vahanna Charter at the Effective Time. It being understood that, upon execution of this Sponsor Support Agreement, the consent and waiver provided for in this Paragraph 3 shall constitute a written consent of the holder of a majority of Vahanna Class B Shares, duly authorized and executed in accordance with Section 17.3 of the Vahanna Charter. |
4. | Sponsor Representations and Warranties. Sponsor hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof as follows: |
(a) | Sponsor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Sponsor Support Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform all of its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Sponsor Support Agreement has been, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been, duly authorized by all requisite action by Sponsor. This Sponsor Support Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Sponsor and, assuming this Sponsor Support Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other parties hereto, this Sponsor Support Agreement constitutes, and upon its execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Sponsor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. |
(b) | Sponsor is the record and beneficial owner of the Subject Vahanna Equity Securities and there exist no Liens or any other limitation or restriction, in each case that would restrict Sponsor’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement (including the obligation to vote such securities), other than pursuant to (i) this Agreement, (ii) Vahanna’s or Sponsor’s Governing Documents, (iii) the Merger Agreement, (iv) that certain Letter Agreement (re: Initial Public Offering), dated as of November 22, 2021 (the “Sponsor Letter Agreement”), by and between Sponsor, Vahanna and certain other parties thereto or (v) any applicable Securities Laws. |
(c) | Sponsor understands and acknowledges that each of Vahanna and Roadzen is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon Sponsor’s execution and delivery of this Sponsor Support Agreement. |
5. | Certain Covenants. Sponsor, Roadzen and Vahanna hereby covenants and agrees as follows: |
(a) | Lock-Up. Sponsor agrees that it will not amend or waive any provision in Section 7 of the Sponsor Letter Agreement without the prior written consent of Roadzen. Notwithstanding any language in Section 7(a) of the Sponsor Letter Agreement, Sponsor hereby agrees that the Founder Shares Lock-up Period (as defined in the Sponsor Letter Agreement) shall not expire prior to the earlier of (i) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing, (ii) the last date in which the closing price of the Vahanna Common Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing and (iii) the date after the Closing on which Vahanna completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization, tender or exchange offer as the first step of a two-step transaction, or other similar transaction that results in all of Vahanna’s shareholders having the right to exchange their equity holdings in Vahanna for cash, securities or other property. If any Lock-Up Agreement signed by a shareholder of Roadzen holding greater than five percent (5%) of the fully diluted equity securities of Roadzen prior to the Closing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby is amended, modified or waived in a manner favorable to such shareholder and that would be favorable to Sponsor, this Agreement shall be contemporaneously amended in the same manner and Vahanna shall provide prompt notice thereof to Sponsor, and (ii) if any such shareholder is released from any or all of the lock-up restrictions under its Lock-Up Agreement, Sponsor will be similarly and contemporaneously released from the lock-up restrictions |
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hereunder (which, for the avoidance, of doubt will include a release of the same percentage of Sponsor’s securities subject to the Founder Shares Lock-up Period) and Vahanna shall provide prompt notice thereof to Sponsor. |
(b) | Vahanna Copy. Sponsor hereby authorizes Vahanna to maintain a copy of this Agreement at either the executive office or the registered office of Vahanna. |
6. | Successors and Assigns. Sponsor acknowledges and agrees that the terms of this Sponsor Support Agreement are binding on and shall inure to the benefit of their respective beneficiaries, heirs, legatees and other statutorily designated representatives. Sponsor also understands that this Sponsor Support Agreement, once executed, is irrevocable and binding, and if Sponsor transfers any Vahanna Shares held by Sponsor as of the date of this Agreement, the transferee shall execute a joinder to this agreement in the form reasonably acceptable to the Vahanna and Roadzen. Any attempted transfer or assignment in violation of the terms of this Paragraph 6 shall be null and void, ab initio. |
7. | Termination. This Sponsor Support Agreement shall terminate, and have no further force and effect, as of the earlier to occur of (a) the Closing Date and (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms prior to the Effective Time. Upon termination of this Agreement as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, none of the Parties shall have any further obligations or liabilities under, or with respect to, this Sponsor Support Agreement. |
8. | Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage may occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Sponsor Support Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties hereto shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Sponsor Support Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Sponsor Support Agreement in the chancery court or any other state or federal court within the State of Delaware, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law or in equity. |
9. | Amendment. This Sponsor Support Agreement may not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or terminated, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by Vahanna, Roadzen and Sponsor. |
10. | No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Sponsor Support Agreement shall be for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not intended, nor shall be construed, to give any Person, other than the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever by reason this Sponsor Support Agreement. Nothing in this Sponsor Support Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall constitute the Parties, partners or participants in a joint venture. |
11. | No Legal Action. Sponsor shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to and shall direct its Representatives not to, bring, commence, institute, maintain, voluntarily aid or prosecute any claim, appeal or proceeding which (a) challenges the validity of or seeks to enjoin the operation of any provision of this Sponsor Support Agreement, or (b) alleges that the execution and delivery of this Sponsor Support Agreement by Sponsor breaches any duty that Sponsor has (or may be alleged to have) to Roadzen; provided, that the foregoing shall not limit or restrict in any manner the rights of Sponsor to enforce the terms of this Sponsor Support Agreement. |
12. | Severability. If any provision of this Sponsor Support Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Sponsor Support Agreement will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this Sponsor Support Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable. |
13. | Governing Law. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of this Sponsor Support Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or |
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provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. The parties hereto (i) all agree that any action, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of, or relating in any way to, this Sponsor Support Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of Delaware or the federal courts located in the State of Delaware, and irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction and venue, which jurisdiction and venue shall be exclusive and (ii) waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. |
14. | Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF A PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS PARAGRAPH 14. |
15. | Incorporation by Reference. Sections 8.1 (Survival), 8.2 (Entire Agreement; Assignment), 8.7 (Construction; Interpretation), and 8.11 (Counterparts; Electronic Signatures) of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis. |
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Sponsor Support Agreement as of the date first written above.
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP. |
Name: |
Title: |
VAHANNA LLC |
Name: |
Title: |
ROADZEN, INC. |
Name: |
Title: |
[Signature Page to Sponsor Support Agreement]
Annex E
Execution Version
LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February __, 2023 by and among Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”), Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Roadzen”), and the undersigned (“Holder”). Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).
WHEREAS, Vahanna, Roadzen, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna (“Merger Sub”), contemporaneously entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, as of the date first set forth above (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, Merger Sub will merge with and into Roadzen, with Roadzen continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vahanna (the “Closing”);
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Holder is a holder of equity securities of Roadzen in such amounts and classes or series as set forth underneath Holder’s name on the signature page hereto; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Holder (a) will receive at or following the Closing, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, a certain number of Vahanna Common Shares, Vahanna Options, Vahanna Warrants and/or certain other securities of Vahanna representing the right to acquire Vahanna Common Shares (as reserved for pursuant to the Merger Agreement) (collectively, including any Vahanna Common Shares underlying the aforementioned securities and any additional securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted, the “Restricted Securities”) as consideration for the securities set forth on the signature page hereto (and any additional securities of Roadzen held prior to the Closing) and/or their services provided to Roadzen prior to the Closing and (b) agrees that such Restricted Securities shall be subject to limitations on disposition as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated in this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Lock-up Provisions.
(a) Holder hereby agrees not to Transfer any Restricted Securities from and after the Closing and until the earlier of (x) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the date of the Closing, (y) the last date in which the closing price of the Vahanna Common Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing, and (z) the date after the Closing on which Vahanna completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization, tender or exchange offer as the first step of a two-step transaction, or other similar transaction that results in all of Vahanna’s shareholders having the right to exchange their equity holdings in Vahanna for cash, securities or other property (clause (y), a “Liquidity Event”, and such period, the “Lock-up Period”) provided that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to the Transfer of any or all of the Restricted Securities owned by Holder made in respect of a Permitted Transfer (as defined below); provided, further, that in any of case of a Permitted Transfer, it shall be a condition to such Transfer that the transferee executes and delivers to Vahanna and Roadzen an agreement, in substantially the same form of this Agreement, stating that the transferee is receiving and holding the Restricted Securities subject to the provisions of this Agreement applicable to Holder, and there shall be no further Transfer of such Restricted Securities except in accordance with this Agreement; provided, further, that if Holder owned less than five
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percent (5%) of the fully diluted equity securities of Roadzen prior to the Closing, Holder shall be permitted to Transfer up to twenty-five percent (25%) of those Restricted Securities (on an fully diluted basis when aggregated with all other Restricted Securities held by the Holder) following the six (6) month anniversary of the date of the Closing. As used herein, “Transfer” shall mean (i) the sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, hedge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security, (ii) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction, including the filing of a registration statement, specified in clause (i) or (ii). As used in this Agreement, the term “Permitted Transfer” shall mean a Transfer made: (A) in the case of Holder being an individual, by gift to a member of one of the individual’s immediate family, an estate planning vehicle or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (B) in the case of Holder being an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of Holder; (C) in the case of Holder being an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (D) by distributions from Holder to its members, partners, or shareholders pursuant to Holder’s organizational documents; (E) by virtue of applicable law or the Holder’s organizational documents upon liquidation or dissolution of Holder; (F) any hypothecation or pledge securing a loan; (G) to any Affiliates of the Holder or to any employees, officers, directors or members of the Holder or any Affiliates of the Holder; (H) to Vahanna for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of a Liquidity Event or the cashless exercise of options or warrants of Vahanna constituting Restricted Securities (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any securities received in such cashless exercise shall be deemed to be Restricted Securities hereunder); and (I) in the event of Vahanna’s liquidation prior to the completion of a Liquidity Event.
(b) If any Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such purported Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and Vahanna shall refuse to recognize any such purported transferee of the Restricted Securities as one of its equity holders for any purpose.
(c) During the Lock-up Period, stop transfer orders shall be placed against the Restricted Securities and each certificate or book entry position statement evidencing any Restricted Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 2023, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”), THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN AND CERTAIN OTHER PARTIES NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”
(d) For the avoidance of any doubt, (i) Holder shall retain all of its rights as a shareholder of Vahanna during the Lock-up Period, including the right to vote, and to receive any dividends and distributions in respect of, any Restricted Securities, and (ii) the restrictions contained in Section 1(a) shall not apply to any Vahanna Common Shares or other securities of Vahanna acquired by Holder in open market transactions or in any public or private capital raising transactions of Vahanna or otherwise to any Vahanna Common Shares (or other securities of Vahanna) other than the Restricted Securities.
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2. Miscellaneous.
(a) Termination of Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the Closing, this Agreement and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect.
(b) Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. This Agreement and all obligations of Holder are personal to Holder and may not be transferred or delegated by Holder at any time without the prior written consent of Vahanna and Roadzen. Each of Vahanna and Roadzen may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any successor entity (whether by merger, consolidation, equity sale, asset sale or otherwise) without obtaining the consent or approval of Holder.
(c) Third Parties. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any instrument or document executed by any party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall create any rights in, or be deemed to have been executed for the benefit of, any person or entity that is not a party hereto or thereto or a successor or permitted assign of such a party.
(d) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial; Remedies. This Agreement and all related Proceedings shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of Law or conflict of Law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION (I) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR (II) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. The parties hereto expressly incorporate by reference Section 8.16 (Jurisdiction) of the Merger Agreement and 8.17 (Remedies) of the Merger Agreement to apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis, with references to the Merger Agreement therein deemed to reference this Agreement and references to the “Parties” thereunder deemed to reference the parties hereto.
(e) Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law, all other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties hereto as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
(f) Construction; Interpretation. The headings set forth in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. No party hereto, nor its respective counsel, shall be deemed the drafter of this Agreement for purposes of construing the provisions
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hereof, and all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed according to their fair meaning and not strictly for or against any such party. Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary herein by the context or use thereof: (a) the words, “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or clause set forth in this Agreement; (b) masculine gender shall also include the feminine and neutral genders, and vice versa; (c) words importing the singular shall also include the plural, and vice versa; (d) the words “include,” “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (e) references to “$” or “dollar” or “US$” shall be references to United States dollars; (f) the word “or” is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive; (g) the words “writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form; (h) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”; (i) all references to Articles or Sections are to Articles or Sections of this Agreement; and (j) all references to any Law will be to such Law as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. Consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
(g) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given) when delivered in person, when delivered by e-mail (having obtained electronic delivery confirmation thereof), or when sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) (upon receipt thereof) to the other parties hereto as follows:
If to Vahanna prior to the Closing, to:
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. c/o Vahanna, LLC 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor New York, NY 10020 Attention: Karan Puri Raahim Don E-mail: karan@vahanna.com raahim@vahanna.com |
With a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP 1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20036 Attention: Jai Pathak Evan M. D’Amico E-mail: jpathak@gibsondunn.com edamico@gibsondunn.com | |
If to Roadzen prior to the Closing, to:
Roadzen, Inc. 445 E. 80th Street, #4E New York, NY 10075 Attention: Rohan Maholtra E-mail: rohan@roadzen.io |
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Winston & Strawn LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, NY 10166 Attention: Jason D. Osborn David A. Sakowitz Jeffrey Stern Email: josborn@winston.com dsakowitz@winston.com jstern@winston.com |
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If to Vahanna or Roadzen after the Closing, to:
Roadzen, Inc. 445 E. 80th Street, #4E New York, NY 10075 Attention: Rohan Maholtra E-mail: rohan@roadzen.io |
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Winston & Strawn LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, NY 10166 Attention: Jason D. Osborn David A. Sakowitz Jeffrey Stern Email: josborn@winston.com dsakowitz@winston.com jstern@winston.com | |
If to Holder, to: the address set forth below Holder’s name on the signature page to this Agreement. |
(h) Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended or modified only with the written consent of Vahanna, Roadzen and Holder. The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No waivers of or exceptions to any term, condition, or provision of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, condition, or provision. Vahanna and Roadzen hereby represent, warrant, covenant and agree that (i) if any Lock-Up Agreement signed by a shareholder of Roadzen holding greater than five percent (5%) of the fully diluted equity securities of Roadzen prior to the Closing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby is amended, modified or waived in a manner favorable to such shareholder and that would be favorable to Holder, this Agreement shall be contemporaneously amended in the same manner and Vahanna shall provide prompt notice thereof to Holder, and (ii) if any such shareholder is released from any or all of the lock-up restrictions under its Lock-Up Agreement, Holder will be similarly and contemporaneously released from the lock-up restrictions hereunder (which, for the avoidance, of doubt will include a release of the same percentage of Holder’s Restricted Securities) and Vahanna shall provide prompt notice thereof to Holder.
(i) Authorization on Behalf of Vahanna. In the event that Holder or Holder’s Affiliate serves as a director, officer, employee or other authorized agent of Vahanna or any of its current or future Affiliates, Holder and/or Holder’s Affiliate shall have no authority, express or implied, to act or make any determination on behalf of Vahanna or any of its current or future Affiliates in connection with this Agreement or any dispute or Proceeding with respect hereto.
(j) Specific Performance. Holder acknowledges that its obligations under this Agreement are unique, recognizes and affirms that in the event of a breach of this Agreement by Holder, money damages will be inadequate and Vahanna and Roadzen will have no adequate remedy at law, and agrees that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by Holder in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each of Vahanna and Roadzen shall be entitled to an injunction or restraining order to prevent breaches of this Agreement by Holder and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without the requirement to post any bond or other security or to prove that money damages would be inadequate, this being in addition to any other right or remedy to which such party may be entitled under this Agreement, at law or in equity.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties is expressly canceled; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not affect the rights and obligations of the parties under the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall limit any of the rights or remedies of Vahanna and Roadzen or any of the obligations of Holder under any other agreement between
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Holder and Vahanna or Roadzen or any certificate or instrument executed by Holder in favor of Vahanna or Roadzen, and nothing in any other agreement, certificate or instrument shall limit any of the rights or remedies of Vahanna or Roadzen or any of the obligations of Holder under this Agreement.
(l) Further Assurances. From time to time, at another party’s written request and without further consideration (but at the requesting party’s reasonable cost and expense), each party shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(m) Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the Delaware Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and any other applicable law. Minor variations in the form of the signature page, including footers from earlier versions of this Agreement or any such other document, shall be disregarded in determining the party’s intent or the effectiveness of such signature.
* * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Lock-up Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Roadzen, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Signature page to Lock-up Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Lock-up Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.
Holder: | ||
Name of Holder: |
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
Number and Type of Roadzen Securities (as of the date hereof):
Company Common Stock | ||
Company Preferred Stock (Series A Stock) | ||
Company Preferred Stock (Series A1 Stock) | ||
Company Option (Vested and Unvested) | ||
Company Warrant |
Address for Notice: | ||
Address: |
||
|
||
|
||
Facsimile No.: |
||
Telephone No.: |
||
Email: : |
Signature page to Lock-Up Agreement
Annex F
ROADZEN INC.
2023 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1. General.
The purpose of the Roadzen Inc. 2023 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to attract, retain and appropriately reward Employees, Directors, and Consultants in order to motivate their performance in the achievement of the Company’s business objectives and align their interests with the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. To accomplish such purposes, the Plan provides that the Company may grant (i) Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Shares, (iv) Restricted Stock Units, (v) Performance-Based Awards (including performance-based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units), (vi) Other Share-Based Awards, (vii) Other Cash-Based Awards or (viii) any combination of the foregoing.
The Plan was originally adopted in connection with the consummation of the Company’s going public business combination (the “Going Public Transaction”) contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, entered into on February 10, 2023, by and among Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Old Roadzen”), Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”), and such other parties to the agreement. Following the consummation of the Going Public Transaction, Old Roadzen became a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna, and Vahanna changed its name to Roadzen Inc. (the “Company”). In addition, certain outstanding restricted stock units awarded prior to the closing of the Going Public Transaction by Old Roadzen have been assumed under the Plan by the Company as Substitute Awards (the “Assumed RSUs”).
Section 2. Definitions.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board, or, if and to the extent the Board does not administer the Plan, the Committee in accordance with Section 3 of the Plan.
(b) “Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. An entity shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Company for purposes of this definition only for such periods as the requisite ownership or control relationship is maintained. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” or “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.
(c) “Assumed RSUs” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1 of the Plan.
(d) “Automatic Exercise Date” means, with respect to an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, the last business day of the applicable term of the Option pursuant to Section 7(k) or the Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to Section 8(h).
(e) “Award” means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Share, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance-Based Award, Other Share-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(f) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan. Evidence of an Award may be in written or electronic form, may be limited to notation on the books and records of the Company and, with the approval of
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the Administrator, need not be signed by a representative of the Company or a Participant. Any Shares that become deliverable to the Participant pursuant to the Plan may be issued in certificate form in the name of the Participant or in book-entry form in the name of the Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(g) “Beneficial Owner” (or any variant thereof) has the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(h) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(i) “Cause” with respect to any individual shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the individual’s written employment, consulting, or similar agreement with a Company Group Member or an Award Agreement with the individual or, if no such definition exists, shall mean (i) the commission by the Participant of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, theft, dishonesty, misappropriation, embezzlement, bribery, extortion, conversion of any property (including confidential or proprietary information) or business opportunities, (ii) conduct by the Participant causing any Company Group Member substantial public disgrace or disrepute or economic harm, (iii) the Participant’s repeated or material failure to perform duties assigned by any Company Group Member, (iv) any act or knowing omission by the Participant aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier (including any insurance carrier) or customer of any Company Group Member to the disadvantage or detriment of such Company Group Member, (v) breach by the Participant of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company Group, (vi) misconduct or negligence by the Participant that has caused, or could reasonably be expected to cause, material harm or damage to the reputation or business of any Company Group Member, (vii) intentional wrongful damage to the property of any Company Group Member by the Participant, (viii) the commission of any act or acts on the part of the Participant involving intentional dishonesty toward the Company Group, or any act of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation in respect of the Company or its funds, properties or assets, or (ix) the Participant’s material violation of any of the policies of a Company Group Member that have been communicated to the Participant in writing (including through posting on the website of such Company Group Member), including gross insubordination, or any other material breach by the Participant of the Plan, an Award Agreement or any other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates, which is incurable or not cured to the Board’s or its designee’s reasonable satisfaction within ten (10) days after written notice thereof to the Participant. The Administrator, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.
(j) “Change in Capitalization” means any (i) merger, consolidation, reclassification, recapitalization, spin-off, spin-out, repurchase or other reorganization or corporate transaction or event, (ii) extraordinary dividend (whether in the form of cash, Shares or other property), bonus share issue, stock split or reverse stock split, (iii) combination or exchange of shares, (iv) other change in corporate structure or (v) payment of any other distribution, which, in any such case, the Administrator determines, in its sole discretion, affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan is appropriate.
(k) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) any Person, other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”), excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of paragraph (iii) below or any acquisition directly from the Company; or
(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Directors then serving on the Board: individuals who, during any period of two (2) consecutive years, constitute the Board and any new Director (other than a Director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation, relating to the
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election of Directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or
(iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation (A) that results in the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities (or such surviving entity or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, and (B) immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the Board of the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or
(iv) the consummation of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than (A) a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned directly or indirectly by shareholders of the Company following the completion of such transaction in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or (B) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold or disposed or, if such entity is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof.
For each Award that constitutes deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, a Change in Control (where applicable) shall be deemed to have occurred under the Plan with respect to such Award only if a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company also constitutes a “change in control event” under Code Section 409A.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the holders of Common Stock immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
(l) “Change in Control Price” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12 of the Plan.
(m) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(n) “Committee” means any committee or subcommittee the Board may appoint to administer the Plan. Subject to the discretion of the Board, the Committee shall be composed entirely of individuals who meet the qualifications of a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and any other qualifications required by the applicable stock exchange on which the Shares are traded. If at any time or to any extent the Board shall not administer the Plan, then the functions of the Administrator specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Committee. Except as otherwise provided in the M&A, any action of the Committee with respect to the administration of the Plan shall be taken by a majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is duly constituted or unanimous written consent of the Committee’s members.
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(o) “Company” means Roadzen Inc., a British Virgin Islands business company (fka Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.) (or any successor corporation, except as the term “Company” is used in the definition of “Change in Control” above).
(p) “Company Group” means, collectively, the Company and each Subsidiary and Affiliate thereof.
(q) “Consultant” means any current or prospective consultant or independent contractor of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, in each case, who is not an Employee, Executive Officer or Non-Employee Director.
(r) “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board on or after the Effective Date.
(s) “Disability” means, with respect to any Participant who is an Employee, a permanent and total disability as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3).
(t) “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22 of the Plan.
(u) “Eligible Director” means a person who is (i) with respect to actions intended to obtain an exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; and (ii) with respect to actions undertaken to comply with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, an “independent director” under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted, or a person meeting any similar requirement under any successor rule or regulation.
(v) “Eligible Recipient” means: (i) an Employee; (ii) a Non-Employee Director; or (iii) a Consultant, in each case, who has been selected as an eligible recipient under the Plan by the Administrator; provided, that any Awards granted prior to the date an Eligible Recipient first performs services for the Company or an Affiliate thereof will not become vested or exercisable, and no Shares shall be issued or other payment made to such Eligible Recipient with respect to such Awards, prior to the date on which such Eligible Recipient first performs services for the Company or an Affiliate thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Code Section 409A, “Eligible Recipient” means: an (1) Employee; (2) a Non-Employee Director; or (3) a Consultant, in each case, of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, who has been selected as an eligible recipient under the Plan by the Administrator.
(w) “Employee” shall mean any current or prospective employee of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, as described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h), including an Executive Officer or Director who is also treated as an employee.
(x) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
(y) “Executive Officer” means each Participant who is an executive officer (within the meaning of Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) of the Company.
(z) “Exercise Price” means, with respect to any Award under which the holder may purchase Shares, the price per share at which a holder of such Award granted hereunder may purchase Shares issuable upon exercise of such Award, as determined by the Administrator in accordance with Code Section 409A, as applicable.
(aa) “Fair Market Value” as of a particular date shall mean: (i) if the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including, without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of a Share (or if no sales were reported, the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day
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of determination; (ii) if the Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the average of the highest reported bid and lowest reported asked prices for a Share as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such stock in such market; or (iii) whether or not the Shares are then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market or the value of such shares is not otherwise determinable, such value as determined by the Administrator in good faith and in a manner not inconsistent with the regulations under Code Section 409A.
(bb) “Free Standing Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) of the Plan.
(cc) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and that meets the requirements set out in the Plan.
(dd) “M&A” means the memorandum and articles of association of the Company as registered with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands, as may be amended and/or restated and in effect from time to time.
(ee) “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.
(ff) “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(gg) “Outstanding Shares” means the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company immediately following the Going Public Transaction.
(hh) “Option” means an option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan.
(ii) “Other Cash-Based Award” means a cash Award granted to a Participant under Section 11 of the Plan, including cash awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of Performance Goals or otherwise as permitted under the Plan.
(jj) “Other Share-Based Award” means a right or other interest granted to a Participant under the Plan that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares, including, but not limited to, unrestricted Shares or dividend equivalents, each of which may be subject to the attainment of Performance Goals or a period of continued employment or other terms or conditions as permitted under the Plan.
(kk) “Participant” means any Eligible Recipient selected by the Administrator, pursuant to the Administrator’s authority provided for in Section 3 of the Plan, to receive an Award under the Plan, and, upon his or her death, his or her successors, heirs, executors and administrators, as the case may be, solely with respect to any Awards outstanding at the date of the Eligible Recipient’s death.
(ll) “Performance-Based Award” means any Award granted under the Plan that is subject to one or more Performance Goals. Any dividends or dividend equivalents payable or credited to a Participant with respect to any unvested Performance-Based Award shall be subject to the same Performance Goals as the Shares or units underlying the Performance-Based Award.
(mm) “Performance Goals” means performance goals based on performance criteria selected by the Administrator, which may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: (i) earnings before interest and taxes; (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; (iii) net operating profit after tax; (iv) cash flow; (v) revenue; (vi) net revenues; (vii) sales; (viii) days sales outstanding; (ix) income; (x) net income; (xi) operating income; (xii) net operating income; (xiii) operating margin; (xiv) earnings; (xv) earnings
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per share; (xvi) return on equity; (xvii) return on investment; (xviii) return on capital; (xix) return on assets; (xx) return on net assets; (xxi) total shareholder return; (xxii) economic profit; (xxiii) market share; (xxiv) appreciation in the fair market value, book value or other measure of value of the Shares; (xxv) expense or cost control; (xxvi) working capital; (xxvii) customer satisfaction; (xxviii) employee retention or employee turnover; (xxix) employee satisfaction or engagement; (xxx) environmental, health or other safety goals; (xxxi) individual performance; (xxxii) strategic objective milestones; (xxxiii) any other criteria specified by the Administrator in its sole discretion; and (xxxiv) any combination of, or a specified increase or decrease in, as applicable, any of the foregoing. Where applicable, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of attaining a specified level of the particular criteria or the attainment of a percentage increase or decrease in the particular criteria, and may be applied to one or more of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, or a division or strategic business unit of the Company, or may be applied to the performance of the Company relative to a market index, a group of other companies or a combination thereof, all as determined by the Administrator. The Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment shall be made (or no vesting shall occur), levels of performance at which specified payments shall be made (or specified vesting shall occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment shall be made (or at which full vesting shall occur). At the time such an Award is granted, the Administrator may specify any reasonable definition of the Performance Goals it uses. Such definitions may provide for equitable adjustments to the Performance Goals in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or an Affiliate thereof or the financial statements of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, in response to changes in applicable laws or regulations, or to account for items of gain, loss or expense determined to be unusual in nature, infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence or related to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principles. If the Administrator determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company or the manner in which the Company or an Affiliate conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render performance goals to be unsuitable, the Administrator may modify such Performance Goals in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate. If a Participant is promoted, demoted or transferred to a different business unit or function during a performance period, the Administrator may determine that the Performance Goals or performance period are no longer appropriate and may (x) adjust, change or eliminate the Performance Goals or the applicable performance period as it deems appropriate to make such goals and period comparable to the initial goals and period, or (y) make a cash payment to the Participant in an amount determined by the Administrator.
(nn) “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, however, a Person shall not include (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities; or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company.
(oo) “Plan” means this Roadzen Inc. 2023 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.
(pp) “Related Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) of the Plan.
(qq) “Restricted Shares” means an Award of Shares granted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan subject to certain restrictions that lapse at the end of a specified period or periods.
(rr) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a notional account established pursuant to an Award granted to a Participant, as described in Section 10 of the Plan, that is (i) valued solely by reference to Shares, (ii) subject to restrictions specified in the Award Agreement, and (iii) payable in cash or in Shares (as specified in the Award Agreement). The Restricted Stock Units awarded to the Participant will vest according to the time-based criteria or Performance Goals, and vested Restricted Stock Units will be settled at the time(s), specified in the Award Agreement.
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(ss) “Restricted Period” means the period of time determined by the Administrator during which an Award or a portion thereof is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.
(tt) “Rule 16b-3” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) of the Plan.
(uu) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
(vv) “Shares” means ordinary shares in the Company with a par value of US$0.0001 per share (and any stock or other securities into which such Shares may be converted or into which they may be exchanged).
(ww) “Stock Appreciation Right” means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 8 of the Plan to receive an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value, as of the date such Award or portion thereof is surrendered, of the Shares covered by such Award or such portion thereof, over (ii) the aggregate Exercise Price of such Award or such portion thereof.
(xx) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such first Person owns or otherwise controls, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting shares or other similar interests or a sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such other Person. An entity shall be deemed a Subsidiary of the Company for purposes of this definition only for such periods as the requisite ownership or control relationship is maintained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option or any determination relating to an Incentive Stock Option, “Subsidiary” means a corporation that is a subsidiary of the Company within the meaning of Code Section 424(f).
(yy) “Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation, or acquisition of property or stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
Section 3. Administration.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”) (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan), it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time he or she takes any action with respect to an Award under the Plan that is intended to qualify for the exemptions provided by Rule 16b-3, be an Eligible Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.
(b) Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator, subject, in the case of any Committee, to any restrictions on the authority delegated to it by the Board, shall have the power and authority, without limitation:
(i) to select those Eligible Recipients who shall be Participants;
(ii) to determine whether and to what extent Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, Other Share-Based Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards or a combination of any of the foregoing, are to be granted hereunder to Participants;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be made subject to each Award;
(iv) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of each Award granted hereunder, including, but not limited to, (A) the restrictions applicable to Awards and the conditions under which restrictions applicable to such Awards shall lapse, (B) the Performance Goals and performance
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periods applicable to Awards, if any, (C) the Exercise Price of each Award, (D) the vesting schedule applicable to each Award, (E) any confidentiality or restrictive covenant provisions applicable to the Award, and (F) subject to the requirements of Code Section 409A (to the extent applicable), any amendments to the terms and conditions of outstanding Awards, including, but not limited to, extending the exercise period of such Awards and accelerating the vesting schedule of such Awards;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, which shall govern all Award Agreements evidencing Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or Other Share-Based Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards or any combination of the foregoing granted hereunder;
(vi) to determine Fair Market Value;
(vii) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absence which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of the Participant’s employment for purposes of Awards granted under the Plan;
(viii) to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable;
(ix) to reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan, any Award Agreement or other instrument or agreement relating to the Plan or an Award granted under the Plan; and
(x) to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreement relating thereto), and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan and to exercise all powers and authorities either specifically granted under the Plan or necessary and advisable in the administration of the Plan.
(c) Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded, the Administrator may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one (1) or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may delegate to one (1) or more officers of the Company, the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of, or which is allocated to, the Committee herein, and which may be so delegated as a matter of law, except for grants of Awards to Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 3(c), it is intended that any action under the Plan intended to qualify for the exemptions provided by Rule 16b-3 will be taken only by the Board or by a committee or subcommittee of two (2) or more Eligible Directors. However, the fact that any member of such committee or subcommittee shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any action that is otherwise valid under the Plan.
(d) All decisions made by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company and the Participants. No member of the Board or the Committee, or any officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, omission, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee and each and any officer or employee of the Company and of any Subsidiary thereof acting on their behalf shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, omission, determination or interpretation.
Section 4. Shares Authorized for Issuance Under the Plan and Limitations on Awards.
(a) Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5 of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to deliver with respect to Awards granted under the Plan an aggregate of number of Shares equal to ten percent
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(10%) of the Outstanding Shares (which shares will be available for new issuances under the Plan); provided, that the total number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan will automatically increase on the first trading day of each calendar year, beginning with calendar year 2024, by a number of Shares equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares on the last day of the prior calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may act prior to January 1 of a given year to provide that there will be no such increase in the total number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan for that year or that the increase in the share reserve for such year will be a lesser number of Shares than provided herein.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the value of Awards granted during any fiscal year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during the fiscal year with respect to such Director’s service as a Non-Employee Director, shall not exceed $500,000 (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes).
(c) Shares issued under the Plan may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued Shares or shares that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise. Any Shares subject to an Award under the Plan (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Assumed RSUs) that, after the Effective Date, are forfeited, canceled, settled or otherwise terminated without a distribution of Shares to a Participant will thereafter be deemed to be available for Awards. In applying the immediately preceding sentence, if (i) Shares otherwise issuable or issued in respect of, or as part of, any Award are withheld to cover taxes or any applicable Exercise Price, such shares shall be treated as having been issued under the Plan and shall not be available for issuance under the Plan, and (ii) any Share-settled Stock Appreciation Rights or Options are exercised, the aggregate number of Shares subject to such Stock Appreciation Rights or Options shall be deemed issued under the Plan and shall not be available for issuance under the Plan. In addition, Shares (x) tendered to exercise outstanding Options or other Awards, (y) withheld to cover applicable taxes on any Awards or (z) repurchased on the open market using Exercise Price proceeds shall not be available for issuance under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, (A) Shares underlying Awards that are subject to the achievement of performance goals shall be counted against the share reserve based on the target value of such Awards unless and until such time as such Awards become vested and settled in Shares, and (B) Awards that, pursuant to their terms, may be settled only in cash shall not count against the share reserve set forth in Section 4(a).
(d) Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan. In the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan; provided, that Awards using such available Shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.
(e) In the event that the Company or an Affiliate thereof consummates a transaction described in Code Section 424(a) (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees or Directors in account of such transaction may be granted Substitute Awards in substitution for awards granted by their former employer, and any such substitute Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted with an Exercise Price less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the grant date thereof; provided, however, the grant of such substitute Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall not constitute a “modification” as defined in Code Section 424(h)(3) and the applicable Treasury regulations.
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Section 5. Equitable Adjustments.
In the event of any Change in Capitalization, including, without limitation, a Change in Control, an equitable substitution or proportionate adjustment shall be made, in each case, as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, in (a) the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, (b) the kind, number and Exercise Price subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan; provided, however, that any such substitution or adjustment with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall occur in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and (c) the kind, number and purchase price, if any, of Shares subject to outstanding Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or Other Share-Based Awards granted under the Plan, in each case as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that any fractional Shares resulting from the adjustment shall be eliminated. Such other equitable substitutions or adjustments shall be made as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in connection with a Change in Capitalization, the Administrator may provide, in its sole discretion, for the cancellation of any outstanding Award granted hereunder (i) in exchange for payment in cash or other property having an aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by such Award, reduced by the aggregate Exercise Price or purchase price thereof, if any, and (ii) with respect to any Awards for which the Exercise Price or purchase price per share of Common Stock is greater than or equal to the then current Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock, for no consideration. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, any adjustment with respect to an Incentive Stock Option due to an adjustment or substitution described in this Section 5 shall comply with the rules of Code Section 424(a), and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Incentive Stock Option granted hereunder to be disqualified as an incentive stock option for purposes of Code Section 422. The Administrator’s determinations pursuant to this Section 5 shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Section 6. Eligibility.
The Participants under the Plan shall be selected from time to time by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, from among Eligible Recipients.
Section 7. Options.
(a) General. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant Options to Participants. Solely with respect to Participants who are Employees, the Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options or a combination of both. With respect to all other Participants, the Administrator may grant only Nonqualified Stock Options. Each Participant who is granted an Option shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, containing such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, which Award Agreement shall specify whether the Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option and shall set forth, among other things, the Exercise Price of the Option, the term of the Option and provisions regarding exercisability of the Option granted thereunder. The provisions of each Option need not be the same with respect to each Participant. More than one Option may be granted to the same Participant and be outstanding concurrently hereunder. Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The prospective recipient of an Option shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date.
(b) Limits on Incentive Stock Options. If the Administrator grants Incentive Stock Options, then to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any individual during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such Options will be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options to the extent required by Code
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Section 422. Subject to Section 5, the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Options intended to be Incentive Stock Options is 6,000,000 Shares and, for the avoidance of doubt, such share limit shall not be subject to the annual adjustment provided in Section 4(b).
(c) Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of Shares purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion at the time of grant; provided, however, that (i) in no event shall the Exercise Price of an Option be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, and (ii) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Company (within the meaning of Code Section 422(b)(6)) shall have an Exercise Price per Share less than one-hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on such date.
(d) Option Term. The maximum term of each Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but in no event shall (i) an Option be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such Option is granted, and (ii) an Incentive Stock Option granted to a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Company (within the meaning of Code Section 422(b)(6)) be exercisable more than five (5) years after the date such Option is granted. Each Option’s term is subject to earlier expiration pursuant to the applicable provisions in the Plan and the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall have the authority to accelerate the exercisability of any outstanding Option at such time and under such circumstances as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Plan (including, without limitation, Section 7(h)), if, on the date an outstanding Option would expire, the exercise of the Option, including by a “net exercise” or “cashless” exercise, would violate applicable securities laws or any insider trading policy maintained by the Company from time to time, the expiration date applicable to the Option will be extended, except to the extent such extension would violate Code Section 409A, to a date that is thirty (30) calendar days after the date the exercise of the Option would no longer violate applicable securities laws or any such insider trading policy.
(e) Exercisability. Each Option shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions, including the attainment of pre-established Performance Goals, as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator may also provide that any Option shall be exercisable only in installments, and the Administrator may waive such installment exercise provisions at any time, in whole or in part, based on such factors as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, an Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.
(f) Method of Exercise. Options may be exercised in whole or in part by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Shares to be purchased, accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares so purchased in cash or its equivalent, as determined by the Administrator. As determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, with respect to any Option or category of Options, payment in whole or in part may also be made (i) by means of consideration received under any cashless exercise procedure approved by the Administrator (including the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise), (ii) in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by the Participant which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (iii) any other form of consideration approved by the Administrator and permitted by applicable law, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing. In determining which methods a Participant may utilize to pay the Exercise Price, the Administrator may consider such factors as it determines are appropriate; provided, however, that with respect to Incentive Stock Options, all such discretionary determinations shall be made by the Administrator at the time of grant and specified in the Award Agreement.
(g) Rights as Shareholder. A Participant shall have no rights to dividends or any other rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has given written notice of the exercise thereof, has paid in full for such shares and has satisfied the requirements of Section 16 of the Plan and such Shares have been validly issued to the Participant by entry on the register of members of the Company.
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(h) Termination of Employment or Service. Unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, in the event that the employment or service of a Participant with the Company and all Affiliates thereof shall terminate, the following terms and conditions shall apply:
(i) In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment or service by the Company without Cause or due to a resignation by the Participant for any reason, (A) Options granted to such Participant, to the extent that they are exercisable at the time of such termination, shall remain exercisable until the date that is ninety (90) days after such termination (with such period being extended to one (1) year after the date of such termination in the event of the Participant’s death during such ninety (90) day period), on which date they shall expire, and (B) Options granted to such Participant, to the extent that they were not exercisable at the time of such termination, shall expire at the close of business on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of its term.
(ii) In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment or service as a result of the Participant’s Disability or death, (A) Options granted to such Participant, to the extent that they were exercisable at the time of such termination, shall remain exercisable until the date that is one (1) year after such termination, on which date they shall expire, and (B) Options granted to such Participant, to the extent that they were not exercisable at the time of such termination, shall expire at the close of business on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of its term.
(iii) In the event of the termination of a Participant’s employment or service for Cause, all outstanding Options granted to such Participant shall expire at the commencement of business on the date of such termination.
(iv) For purposes of determining which Options are exercisable upon termination of employment or service for purposes of this Section 7(h), Options that are not exercisable solely due to a blackout period shall be considered exercisable.
(v) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, an Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised more than three (3) months following the date as of which a Participant ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Disability. In the event that an Option is exercisable following the date that is three (3) months following the date as of which a Participant ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than death or Disability, such Option shall be deemed to be a Nonqualified Stock Option.
(i) Other Change in Employment Status. An Option may be affected, both with regard to vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time employment, partial disability or other changes in the employment status or service of a Participant, as evidenced in a Participant’s Award Agreement.
(j) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Options shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.
(k) Automatic Exercise. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator in an Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise directed by the Participant in writing to the Company, each vested and exercisable Option outstanding on the Automatic Exercise Date with an Exercise Price per Share that is less than the Fair Market Value per Share as of such date shall automatically and without further action by the Participant or the Company be exercised on the Automatic Exercise Date. In the sole discretion of the Administrator, payment of the exercise price of any such Option shall be made pursuant to Section 7(f)(i) or (ii), and the Company or any Affiliate shall deduct or withhold an amount sufficient to satisfy all taxes associated with such exercise in accordance with Section 16. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, this Section 7(k) shall not apply to an Option if the Participant’s employment or service has terminated on or before the Automatic Exercise Date. For the avoidance of doubt, no Option with an Exercise Price per Share that is equal to or greater the Fair Market Value per Share on the Automatic Exercise Date shall be exercised pursuant to this Section 7(k).
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Section 8. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) General. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted either alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in conjunction with all or part of any Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”). Any Related Right that relates to a Nonqualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter, but before the exercise or expiration of the Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be made, the number of Shares to be awarded, the price per Share, and all other conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Related Right may be granted for more Shares than are subject to the Option to which it relates and any Stock Appreciation Right must be granted with an Exercise Price not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. The provisions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8 and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(b) Awards; Rights as Shareholder. The prospective recipient of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date. Participants who are granted Stock Appreciation Rights shall have no rights as shareholders of the Company with respect to the grant or exercise of such rights.
(c) Exercisability.
(i) Stock Appreciation Rights that are Free Standing Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement.
(ii) Stock Appreciation Rights that are Related Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 above and this Section 8 of the Plan.
(d) Payment Upon Exercise.
(i) Upon the exercise of a Free Standing Right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, that number of Shares, determined using the Fair Market Value, equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise over the price per share specified in the Free Standing Right multiplied by the number of Shares in respect of which the Free Standing Right is being exercised.
(ii) A Related Right may be exercised by a Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the related Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but not more than, that number of Shares, determined using the Fair Market Value, equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise over the Exercise Price specified in the related Option multiplied by the number of Shares in respect of which the Related Right is being exercised. Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the Related Rights have been so exercised.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may determine to settle the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right in cash (or in any combination of Shares and cash).
(e) Termination of Employment or Service.
(i) Subject to Section 8(f), in the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof of a Participant who has been granted one or more Free Standing Rights,
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such rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement.
(ii) Subject to Section 8(f), in the event of the termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof of a Participant who has been granted one or more Related Rights, such rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as set forth in the related Options.
(f) Term.
(i) The term of each Free Standing Right shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Free Standing Right shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such right is granted.
(ii) The term of each Related Right shall be the term of the Option to which it relates, but no Related Right shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date such right is granted.
(g) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.
(h) Automatic Exercise. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator in an Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise directed by the Participant in writing to the Company, each vested and exercisable Stock Appreciation Right outstanding on the Automatic Exercise Date with an Exercise Price per Share that is less than the Fair Market Value per Share as of such date shall automatically and without further action by the Participant or the Company be exercised on the Automatic Exercise Date. The Company or any Affiliate shall deduct or withhold an amount sufficient to satisfy all taxes associated with such exercise in accordance with Section 16. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, this Section 8(h) shall not apply to a Stock Appreciation Right if the Participant’s employment or service has terminated on or before the Automatic Exercise Date. For the avoidance of doubt, no Stock Appreciation Right with an Exercise Price per Share that is equal to or greater the Fair Market Value per Share on the Automatic Exercise Date shall be exercised pursuant to this Section 8(h).
Section 9. Restricted Shares.
(a) General. Each Award of Restricted Shares granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Restricted Shares may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Shares shall be made; the number of Shares to be awarded; the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for the acquisition of Restricted Shares; the Restricted Period, if any, applicable to Restricted Shares; the Performance Goals (if any) applicable to Restricted Shares; and all other conditions of the Restricted Shares. If the restrictions, Performance Goals and/or conditions established by the Administrator are not attained, a Participant shall forfeit and surrender for no consideration his or her Restricted Shares in accordance with the terms of the grant. The terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Shares need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(b) Awards and Certificates. The prospective recipient of Restricted Shares shall not have any rights with respect to any such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date. Except as otherwise provided in herein, (i) each Participant who is granted an Award of Restricted Shares may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be issued a stock certificate in respect of such Restricted Shares; and (ii) any such certificate so issued shall be registered in the name of the Participant, and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to any such Award. The Company may require that the stock certificates, if any, evidencing Restricted Shares granted hereunder be held
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in the custody of the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any award of Restricted Shares, the Participant shall have delivered an instrument of transfer, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such Award. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, any Restricted Shares (whether before or after any vesting conditions have been satisfied) may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be issued in uncertificated form pursuant to the customary arrangements for issuing shares in such form.
(c) Restrictions and Conditions. The Restricted Shares granted pursuant to this Section 9 shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions and any additional restrictions or conditions as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant or thereafter:
(i) The Restricted Shares shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement and in the Plan.
(ii) The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide for the lapse of restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part based on such factors and such circumstances as the Administrator may determine, in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, the attainment of certain Performance Goals, the Participant’s termination of employment or service as Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, or the Participant’s death or Disability.
(iii) Subject to this Section 9(c)(iii), the Participant shall generally have the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to Restricted Shares during the Restricted Period. In the Administrator’s discretion and as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant may be entitled to dividend equivalents on an Award of Restricted Shares, which will be payable in accordance with the terms of such grant as determined by the Administrator in accordance with Section 18 of the Plan. Certificates for unrestricted Shares may, in the Company’s sole discretion, be delivered to the Participant only after the Restricted Period has expired without forfeiture in respect of such Restricted Shares, except as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall otherwise determine.
(iv) The rights of Participants granted Restricted Shares upon termination of employment or service as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate thereof terminates for any reason during the Restricted Period shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(d) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Restricted Shares shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.
Section 10. Restricted Stock Units.
(a) General. Restricted Stock Units may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the Eligible Recipients to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock Units shall be made; the number of Restricted Stock Units to be awarded; the Restricted Period, if any, applicable to Restricted Stock Units; the Performance Goals (if any) applicable to Restricted Stock Units; and all other conditions of the Restricted Stock Units. If the restrictions, Performance Goals and/or conditions established by the Administrator are not attained, a Participant shall forfeit his or her Restricted Stock Units in accordance with the terms of the grant. The provisions of Restricted Stock Units need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(b) Award Agreement. The prospective recipient of Restricted Stock Units shall not have any rights with respect to any such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date.
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(c) Restrictions and Conditions. The Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Section 10 shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions and any additional restrictions or conditions as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant or, subject to Code Section 409A, thereafter:
(i) The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide for the lapse of restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part based on such factors and such circumstances as the Administrator may determine, in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, the attainment of certain Performance Goals, the Participant’s termination of employment or service as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate thereof, or the Participant’s death or Disability.
(ii) Participants holding Restricted Stock Units shall have no voting rights. A Restricted Stock Unit may, at the Administrator’s discretion, carry with it a right to dividend equivalents, subject to Section 18 of the Plan. Such right would entitle the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one Share while the Restricted Stock Unit is outstanding. The Administrator, in its discretion, may grant dividend equivalents from the date of grant or only after a Restricted Stock Unit is vested.
(iii) The rights of Participants granted Restricted Stock Units upon termination of employment or service as a Non-Employee Director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate thereof terminates for any reason during the Restricted Period shall be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(d) Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units shall be made to Participants in the form of Shares, unless the Administrator, in its sole discretion, provides for the payment of the Restricted Stock Units in cash (or partly in cash and partly in Shares) equal to the value of the Shares that would otherwise be distributed to the Participant.
(e) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.
Section 11. Other Share-Based or Cash-Based Awards.
(a) The Administrator is authorized to grant Awards to Participants in the form of Other Share-Based Awards or Other Cash-Based Awards, as deemed by the Administrator to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan and as evidenced by an Award Agreement. The Administrator shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards, consistent with the terms of the Plan, at the date of grant or thereafter, including any Performance Goals and performance periods. Shares or other securities or property delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 11 shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, Shares, other Awards, notes or other property, as the Administrator shall determine, subject to any required corporate action.
(b) The prospective recipient of an Other Share-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has received an Award Agreement and, if required by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, executed and delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, within a period of sixty (60) days (or such other period as the Administrator may specify) after the award date.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all outstanding Other Share-Based Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards shall be subject to Section 12 of the Plan.
Section 12. Change in Control.
The Administrator may provide in the applicable Award Agreement that an Award will vest on an accelerated basis upon the Participant’s termination of employment or service in connection with a Change in
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Control or upon the occurrence of any other event that the Administrator may set forth in the Award Agreement. If the Company is a party to an agreement that is reasonably likely to result in a Change in Control, such agreement may provide for: (i) the continuation of any Award by the Company, if the Company is the surviving corporation; (ii) the assumption of any Award by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary; (iii) the substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary of equivalent awards for any Award, provided, however, that any such substitution with respect to Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or Awards subject to Code Section 409A shall occur in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A; or (iv) settlement of any Award for the Change in Control Price (less, to the extent applicable, the per share exercise or grant price), or, if the per share exercise or grant price equals or exceeds the Change in Control Price or if the Administrator determines that Award cannot reasonably become vested pursuant to its terms, such Award shall terminate and be canceled without consideration. To the extent that Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or other Awards settle in Shares in accordance with their terms upon a Change in Control, such Shares shall be entitled to receive as a result of the Change in Control transaction the same consideration as the Shares held by shareholders of the Company as a result of the Change in Control transaction. For purposes of this Section 12, “Change in Control Price” shall mean (A) the price per Share paid to shareholders of the Company in the Change in Control transaction, or (B) the Fair Market Value of a Share upon a Change in Control, as determined by the Administrator. To the extent that the consideration paid in any such Change in Control transaction consists all or in part of securities or other non-cash consideration, the value of such securities or other non-cash consideration shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.
Section 13. Amendment and Termination.
(a) The Board or the Committee may amend, alter or terminate the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, or termination shall be made that would adversely alter or impair the rights of a Participant under any Award theretofore granted without such Participant’s prior written consent.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) approval of the Company’s shareholders shall be obtained for any amendment that would require such approval in order to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422, if applicable, any rules of the stock exchange on which the Shares are traded or other applicable law, and (ii) without shareholder approval to the extent required by the rules of any applicable national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted, except as otherwise permitted under Section 5 of the Plan, (A) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (B) the Administrator may not cancel any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right and replace it with a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right, another Award or cash and (C) the Administrator may not take any other action that is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the shareholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system.
(c) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and Code Section 409A, the Administrator may modify, extend or renew outstanding Awards under the Plan, or accept the surrender of outstanding Awards (to the extent not already exercised) and grant new Awards in substitution of them (to the extent not already exercised).
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no alteration, modification or termination of an Award will, without the prior written consent of the Participant, adversely alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award already granted under the Plan.
Section 14. Unfunded Status of Plan.
The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan. With respect to any payments not yet made or Shares not yet transferred to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.
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Section 15. Deferrals of Payment.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Shares or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award, shall be deferred. The Administrator may also, in its sole discretion, establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of any such consideration, including any applicable election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Administrator deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program. Deferrals by Participants (or deferred settlement or payment required by the Administrator) shall be made in accordance with Code Section 409A, if applicable, and any other applicable law.
Section 16. Withholding Taxes.
Each Participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award first becomes includible in the gross income of such Participant for federal, state and/or local income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to the Award. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on the making of such payments or arrangements, and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Participant. Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an Award granted hereunder, the Company shall have the right to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements related thereto. Whenever Shares are to be delivered pursuant to an Award, the Company shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy any related federal, state and local taxes, domestic or foreign, to be withheld and applied to the tax obligations. With the approval of the Administrator, a Participant may satisfy the foregoing requirement by electing to have the Company withhold from delivery of Shares or by delivering already owned unrestricted Shares, in each case, having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld or other greater amount not exceeding the maximum statutory rate required to be collected on the transaction under applicable law, as applicable to the Participant, if such other greater amount would not, as determined by the Administrator, result in adverse financial accounting treatment (including in connection with the effectiveness of FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-09). Such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash. Such an election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the Shares to be delivered pursuant to an Award. The Company may also use any other method of obtaining the necessary payment or proceeds, as permitted by law, to satisfy its withholding obligation with respect to any Option or other Award.
Section 17. Certain Forfeitures.
The Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to the applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of any non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in an Award Agreement or that are otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s employment for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and its Subsidiaries and/or its Affiliates.
Section 18. Dividends; Dividend Equivalents.
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, to the extent that an Award contains a right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents while such Award remains unvested, such dividends or dividend equivalents will be accumulated and paid once and to the extent that the underlying Award vests.
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Section 19. Non-United States Employees.
Without amending the Plan, the Administrator may grant Awards to eligible persons residing in non-United States jurisdictions on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan, including the terms of any award agreement or plan, adopted by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof to comply with, or take advantage of favorable tax or other treatment available under, the laws of any non-United States jurisdiction, as may in the judgment of the Administrator be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan and, in furtherance of such purposes the Administrator may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, sub-plans and the like as may be necessary or advisable to comply with provisions of laws in other countries or jurisdictions in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operates or has employees.
Section 20. Transfer of Awards.
No purported sale, assignment, mortgage, hypothecation, transfer, charge, pledge, encumbrance, gift, transfer in trust (voting or other) or other disposition of, or creation of a security interest in or lien on, any Award or any agreement or commitment to do any of the foregoing (each, a “Transfer”) by any holder thereof in violation of the provisions of the Plan or an Award Agreement will be valid, except with the prior written consent of the Administrator, which consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the Administrator, and other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Any purported Transfer of an Award or any economic benefit or interest therein in violation of the Plan or an Award Agreement shall be null and void ab initio, and shall not create any obligation or liability of the Company, and any person purportedly acquiring any Award or any economic benefit or interest therein transferred in violation of the Plan or an Award Agreement shall not be entitled to be recognized as a holder of such Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, an Option may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant or, during any period during which the Participant is under a legal disability, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. Under no circumstances will a Participant be permitted to transfer an Option or Stock Appreciation Right to a third-party financial institution without prior shareholder approval.
Section 21. Continued Employment.
The adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon any Eligible Recipient any right to continued employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate thereof, as the case may be, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or an Affiliate thereof to terminate the employment or service of any of its Eligible Recipients at any time.
Section 22. Effective Date.
The Plan will be effective as of the date of consummation of the Going Public Transaction (the “Effective Date”), so long as the Plan has been approved by the Company’s shareholders. The Plan will be unlimited in duration and, in the event of Plan termination, will remain in effect as long as any Shares awarded under it are outstanding and not fully vested; provided, however, that no Awards will be made under the Plan on or after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date; provided further, that in no event may an Incentive Stock Option be granted more than ten (10) years after the earlier of (a) the date of the adoption of the Plan by the Board or (b) the Effective Date.
Section 23. Code Section 409A.
The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under the Plan be either exempt from Code Section 409A or comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and be administered consistent with such intent. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Code Section 409A shall
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not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Code Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided upon a “separation from service” to a Participant who is a “specified employee” shall be paid on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following the Participant’s separation from service (or upon the Participant’s death, if earlier). In addition, for purposes of the Plan, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, which constitute deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A, shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. Nothing contained in the Plan or an Award Agreement shall be construed as a guarantee of any particular tax effect with respect to an Award. The Company does not guarantee that any Awards provided under the Plan will be exempt from or in compliance with the provisions of Code Section 409A, and in no event will the Company be liable for any or all portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of any Award being subject to, but not in compliance with, Code Section 409A.
Section 24. Compliance with Laws.
(a) The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in Shares or other consideration shall be subject to (i) all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, (ii) such approvals as may be required by governmental agencies or the applicable national securities exchange on which the Shares may be admitted, and (iii) policies maintained by the Company from time to time in order to comply with applicable laws, rules, regulations and corporate governance requirements, including, without limitation, with respect to insider trading restrictions. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any Shares pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel (if the Company has requested such an opinion), satisfactory to the Company, that such Shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the Shares to be offered or sold under the Plan. The Administrator shall have the authority to provide that all Shares or other securities of the Company issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement, the federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or quoted and any other applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, rules, regulations and other requirements, and the Administrator may cause a legend or legends to be put on certificates representing Shares or other securities of the Company issued under the Plan to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or may cause such Shares or other securities of the Company issued under the Plan in book-entry form to be held subject to the Company’s instructions or subject to appropriate stop-transfer orders. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under the Plan that it, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.
(b) The Administrator may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of Shares from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Shares to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Shares from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Shares to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Administrator determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, the Company shall, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Code Section 409A, (i) pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the Shares would have been vested or issued, as applicable), over (B) the aggregate Exercise Price (in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) or any amount payable as
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a condition of issuance of Shares (in the case of any other Award), and such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof, or (ii) in the case of Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or Other Share-Based Awards, provide the Participant with a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or Other Share-Based Awards, or the underlying Shares in respect thereof.
Section 25. Clawback/Recovery.
The Plan and all Awards issued hereunder shall be subject to any compensation recovery and/or recoupment policy adopted by the Company to comply with applicable law, including, without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or to comport with good corporate governance practices, as such policies may be amended from time to time. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a right to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary.
Section 26. Electronic Delivery of Plan Information and Electronic Signatures.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company may deliver by email or other electronic means (including posting on a web site maintained by the Company or by a third party under contract with the Company) all documents relating to the Plan or any Award thereunder (including without limitation, prospectuses required by applicable securities law) and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including without limitation, annual reports and proxy statements). To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Participant’s execution of an Award Agreement may be made by electronic facsimile or other method of recording of the Participant’s signature in a manner that is acceptable to the Committee.
Section 27. Governing Law.
The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law of such state.
Section 28. Plan Document Controls.
The Plan and each Award Agreement together constitute the entire agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof; provided, that in the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and such Award Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall control.
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Annex G
SHEUMACK & Co. GMA, LLC.
(d/b/a SHEUMACK GMA)
757 Third Avenue
21st Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 1 (646) 681 6349
An affiliate under common ownership
Not a member of FINRA and SIPC
STRICTLY CLIENT CONFIDENTIAL
February 10, 2023
The Audit Committee of The Board of Directors
and the Board of Directors
Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.
1230 Avenue Of the Americas
Floor 16
New York, NY 10020
USA
Attention: Ms. Diane Glossman, Chair of the Audit Committee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made herein to the proposed business combination of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. (herein “Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.” or “Vahanna” or the “Purchaser”), a corporation organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, with Roadzen, Inc. (herein “Roadzen” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in and pursuant to the draft of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) dated February 9, 2023.
We understand that:
(i) | Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. proposes to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) providing for a business combination (the “Business Combination”)) with Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Roadzen,” the “Company” or the “Target”). To effect the Business Combination: (a) Purchaser formed Vahanna Merger Sub Corp. (“Merger Sub”), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary of Purchaser; (b) Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, immediately following which the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease; (c) the Company will be the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vahanna, and; (d) upon the Effective Time (as defined herein) of the Merger (as defined herein), all issued and outstanding equity interest of the Company will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined herein) at or following the consummation of the Merger; |
(ii) | the Purchaser was formed on April 22, 2021, as a blank check company for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. On November 26, 2021, the Purchaser priced an initial |
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public offering (“IPO”) of 20,010,000 of its units at a price of $10.00 per unit. On November 23, 2021, the units began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “VHNA.” Each unit consisted of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock and one half of one (1/2) redeemable warrant, with each whole (1) warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Class A ordinary shares at a price of $11.50 per share. Following the IPO, units, Class A ordinary shares and public warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “VHNAU,” “VHNA,” and “VHNAQ,” respectively. Since its formation, the Purchaser has not conducted any business activities other than activities directed at and toward completing a Business Combination; |
(iii) | Merger Sub was formed on February 9, 2023, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna specifically for purposes of consummating the Agreement and all transactions contemplated by the Agreement. Merger Sub will not engage in any business activities other than as contemplated by the Agreement, will not own directly or indirectly beneficially hold any ownership, equity, profits or voting interest in any Person and will have no assets or liabilities except those incurred in connection with this Agreement and the ancillary documents to which it is a party and the Merger, and, other than this Agreement and the ancillary documents to which it is a party, Merger Sub will not be party to or bound by any contract; |
(iv) | Incorporated in 2015, the Company is a privately held insurance technology (sometimes referred to as “insurtech”) company headquartered in New Delhi, India whose principal business centers on the design, engineering, commercialization and licensing of insurtech infrastructure intended to enable and transform through the application of big data and artificial intelligence (sometimes referred to as “AI”) the insurance actuarial, underwriting and claims management operations of insurers, globally. Among other of its businesses, the Company provides online on-demand roadside assistance services via a network of third-party vehicle towing and roadside repair providers in India. The Company provides insurers and automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEMS”) with a wide range of AI-embedded customer interaction data, claims processing, and risk underwriting services. Roadzen operates from 8 offices throughout Asia, Europe and North America and employees approximately 400 full time employees, and; |
(v) | the Merger will be effected by a merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, whereby the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and the Company will be the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser, as a result of which all of the issued and outstanding equity of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be converted into the right to receive the applicable pro rata share of the Merger consideration (“Merger Consideration”) all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement. |
As consideration for the Merger, the Purchaser proposes to pay the number of Vahanna Common Shares for each Company Common Share equal to the Exchange Ratio. The Fully-Exercised Vahanna Share Count, as defined, means to the number of Vahanna common shares equal to the quotient of (a) the Total Equity Value divided by (b) $10.00, and; the Company Outstanding Shares being defined pursuant to Article I of the Agreement, which treats issued and outstanding equity of the Company on an as-converted to commons stock, fully diluted basis (“Company Outstanding Shares”). For the purposes of Advisor’s analyses and with the authorization of the Audit Committee, the Exchange Ratio is fixed at 29.7594 Vahanna Common Shares for each Company Outstanding Share. Pursuant to the definition thereof, notably the application of a fixed as compared to variable Purchaser share price, the proposed consideration shall be a fixed amount. Based on and consistent with the application of the foregoing, Advisor hereby and herein assumes that the proposed Total Merger Consideration, as defined, is equal to 68,300,000 Vahanna Common Shares in the aggregate, equivalent to $683,000,000.
Advisor Engagement and Scope of Advisor Engagement.
On November 28, 2022, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Purchaser engaged us as an advisor (herein, “Advisor”) in respect of the proposed Agreement and Plan of Merger and asked us to render an
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opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the Purchaser and the unaffiliated stockholders of the Purchaser of the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the Agreement, as of the date hereof (the “Opinion”).
Limitations on Scope of Advisor Engagement.
Analyses underlying our Opinion and on which our Opinion is based and our resulting Opinion address only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid by the Purchaser pursuant to the Agreement and we do not express any views nor have we conducted any financial or other analyses whatsoever of any other terms, aspects or implications of the Agreement or the Business Combination including, without limitation (i) any term of the Agreement that is not subject to financial analyses; (ii) the Redemption obligations of the Purchaser; (iii) the capital structure of the Purchaser and the Company; (iv) any capital raising transaction of the Purchaser or the Company, and; (v) any terms and conditions associated with the Ancillary Documents including the (a) Support Agreement; (b) Sponsor Support Agreement, and; (c) Lock Up Agreement, among other.
Summary of Financial Analyses Undertaken and Performed by Advisor
Advisor has, among other things, reviewed the draft Agreement (dated February 9) and reviewed certain publicly available and non-public business and financial information relating to the Purchaser and the Company. Among other important assumptions on which the financial analyses contained herein are based, the Purchaser and the Company acknowledge and agree that:
(i) | the Company financial statements have been calculated, assembled and presented to Advisor in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) applied on a basis consistent with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated audited financial statements; |
(ii) | all Company consolidated historical partial year and forecast financial statements as provided to Advisor are unaudited financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and representing the Company’s best internal estimates of (i) partial-year actual financial performance and financial condition and; (ii) forecast financial performance and financial condition; |
(iii) | unaudited financial information may differ from audited financial information, and; |
(iv) | past financial performance is not representative of future performance and as such there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve the financial forecasts provided by the Company. |
Advisor reviewed certain non-public internal financial and business information in respect of the past and current business, operations, financial condition, financial performance and prospects of the Company as furnished to Advisor by the Company and or by the Purchaser, including certain financial forecasts relating to the businesses of the Company prepared by the executive management of the Company. Advisor understands that the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized such information to be used by Purchaser for the purpose of negotiating and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and by Advisor for the purpose or purposes of the analyses contained herein.
As part of its analyses, Advisor also has:
(i) | reviewed certain publicly available financial and business information in respect of the past and current business, operations, financial performance, financial condition and prospects of the Purchaser and the Company including the Purchaser’s Form S-1 (as amended) as first filed with the SEC on November 4, 2021; |
(ii) | compared the historical and forecast financial condition, financial performance and results of operations of the Company to those of other publicly traded companies considered to be reasonably comparable; |
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(iii) | compared the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Agreement by the Purchaser to the Company to the imputed estimated fair market equity market capitalization of the Company resulting from the Advisor’s discounted cash flow analyses; |
(iv) | compared the valuation multiples implied by the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Agreement by the Purchaser to the Company to valuation multiples implied by the equity market capitalization (“EMC”) valuation of selected publicly-traded financial services companies considered reasonably comparable; |
(v) | compared the valuation multiples implied by the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Agreement by the Purchaser to the Company to the valuation multiples implied by the transaction value paid by acquirers of other selected comparable North American companies, and; performed such other financial studies, analyses and investigations and considered such other factors, as deemed reasonably appropriate. |
The Company provided the Purchaser and Advisor with a Board-approved multi-year financial forecast inclusive of the Company’s projected consolidated statement of financial performance (“Income Statement”) and the projected consolidated statement of financial condition (“Balance Sheet”) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 through and including the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, each presented on a pro forma basis to give full effect to the Company’s stand-alone (independent) financial performance under the normal operating course for such periods inclusive of all reasonable assumptions thereof. The Company has informed Advisor that the financial forecast provided represents the Company’s best judgment as to its future financial performance and condition. As part of its analysis, Advisor utilized and undertook analyses consistent with a traditional free cash flow-based discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analyses to estimate the fair market valuation (“FMV”) of Company’s common equity capitalization on a fully diluted change of control basis. Advisor used sensitivity analyses to illustrate a range of outcomes based on a range of variables growth rate, terminal year multiple (at which time the Company is assumed to be sold in exchange for full, unconditional and unincumbered liquidity) and the cost of capital (assuming an unlevered equity discount rate, or “EDR” methodology). In incorporating financial forecast data and other information from the Company into its analyses, Advisor acknowledges and agrees that there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve the forecast results. Among others, the DCF analyses are based on the following principal assumptions:
(i) | For the duration of said forecast period, the Company will: |
a) | pay no dividends on its common shares (i.e. the analyses assumes the Company will maintain a 0.0% dividend payout ratio, retaining all earnings); |
b) | achieve all assumptions as presented and included in certain schedules supporting the financial forecast data, and; |
c) | achieve all financial forecasts and deploy all working and investment capital in the manner reflected in the its forecast and as presented to us. |
(ii) | All of the Company Outstanding Shares, accounted for on a fully-diluted basis, will be sold on March 31, 2024, whereupon all proceeds of such sale transaction will be paid ratably according to ownership interest to the Company shareholders in the form of immediately available and non-contingent cash consideration such that all shareholders will realize full and fair value for their shareholdings on a single date in time (“Company Sale”). |
a) | the Company Sale will be consummated on a debt-free basis; |
b) | any working capital adjustments made at the time of Company Sale will be negotiated immediately prior to the consummation of the Company Sale, are unknown today and thus are excluded from Advisor’s analyses for the purpose of this Opinion; |
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c) | cash flow available to common stockholders during forecast period and at the time of the Company Sale will be discounted to an estimated net present value (“NPV”) assuming a capitalization structure comprising 100% equity and 0% debt; |
d) | the estimated cost of equity capital (EDR) shall be estimated in accordance with a methodology consistent with that of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (“CAPM”); |
e) | the 10-Year U.S. Treasury Bond is a reasonable benchmark proxy for the risk-free rate, and; |
f) | any and all sensitivity analyses performed by the Advisor was performed solely for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted by the Purchaser as Advisor attempting to assign probabilities to future financial forecast periods. |
(iii) | All financial forecast data used in the Discounted Cash Flow Analysis were derived from the Company’s Pro Forma Financial Forecast and the Advisor relied on the Company’s assumptions therein. |
(iv) | For financial reporting purposes, the Company’s fiscal year end is March 31. |
(v) | The Advisor is relying on the assumption by the Company that of all proposed, pending and agreed entities participating in the proposed Business Combination duly participate pursuant to representations made to Purchaser and Advisor by the Company executive management with express Board approval as part of this analysis. |
(vi) | Any modifications, terminations, or amendments to the proposed Agreement could materially change the results of the Company’s Pro Forma Financial Forecast, and concurrently affect the Advisor’s Discounted Cash Flow Analysis as a result of these changes. |
This Opinion has been prepared utilizing public information and non-public information provided by the Purchaser and the Company.
Advisor has relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the foregoing information and has not assumed any responsibility for any independent verification of such information. Advisor has not made any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities, solvency or fair value of the Purchaser or the Company.
In respect of the Company, to the extent any forward-looking financial information appears herein, Advisor has relied upon the Purchaser and the management and the Board of Directors of the Company in the provision of same and as to the reasonableness and achievability of such forward-looking information (including the assumptions thereof and bases therefor). Advisor has assumed that such forecast or forecasts reflects the best currently available estimate and judgment of the Company as approved and authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, and that such forecast or forecasts will be realized in the amounts and in conformance with the time period currently estimated by the Company. Advisor assumes no responsibility for and expresses no view as to any forward-looking financial information or the assumptions on which it is or they are based. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking financial information. The information set forth herein is based upon the information made available to Advisor as of the date hereof, unless indicated otherwise. Portions of the information herein may be based upon certain estimates provided directly to Advisor by the Company and the Purchaser, in which case Advisor has assumed said endorsement has been expressly received by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Advisor assumes no responsibility for, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information contained in these materials. Advisor expressly disclaims any liability for any statements, express or implied, contained in, or omissions from, these materials. The past performance information concerning the Purchaser and the Company are not necessarily indicative of future results and there can be no assurance that any party will achieve comparable results in the future.
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Advisor is acting as financial advisor to the Audit Committee (from time to time referred to as “AC”) of the Board of Directors of the Purchaser and to no other party. The information herein has been prepared for the AC and the Board of Directors, only. Advisor expressly disclaims responsibility for and will not authorize distribution of this information to any other party except as expressly authorized in writing by Advisor. Nothing contained in this work product constitutes tax, accounting, actuarial, legal, regulatory, executive compensation or other professional advice. Nothing contained herein, either in whole or part, is intended to be a recommendation and as such, no party is authorized by Advisor to interpret or represent any such content as a recommendation. This letter and only this letter, duly authorized by us, may be interpreted to be and may be represented as our Opinion.
Nothing whatsoever contained herein, including but not limited to financial analyses in whole or in part, constitutes in any way an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any U.S. state or other jurisdiction. This letter, in part and in its entirety, represents proprietary intellectual property of the Advisor and is provided on a confidential basis solely for the information of the AC and the Board of Directors of the Company so that it may consider the information described herein, and is not to be reproduced, shared or used for any other purpose. Furthermore, recipients of this work product are not to construe its contents as legal or financial advice nor advocacy in favor of the proposed Agreement, Merger, Business Combination or any other transaction related to or dependent on the Agreement. No attorney-client privilege or other similar relationship with any person shall be created by the transmittal or review of this work product.
In preparing our Opinion, with your consent, we have not assumed any responsibility for independent verification of, and have not verified, any of the foregoing information. We have, with your consent, assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness, in all material respects, of all of the financial, accounting, legal, tax and other information provided to, discussed with or reviewed by us. We have not been requested to make, and have not made, an independent evaluation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Purchaser or the Company or any of their respective affiliates, and we have not been furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal, nor have we made any physical inspection of the properties or assets of the Purchaser, the Company or any affiliate thereof. Further, we have assumed, with your consent, that all of the information, including non-public financial forecasts, prepared by and furnished to us by the Purchaser and the Company for purposes of this Opinion, was prepared on a reasonable basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the respective managements of the Purchaser and the Company. We express no opinion in respect of such forecasts or projections or the assumptions upon which they are based.
We have not undertaken any independent legal analysis of the Agreement, the Merger or any of the transaction or transactions contemplated by the Agreement, Merger or the Business Combination or any legal or regulatory proceedings pending or threatened related to the Purchaser, the Company or affiliates thereof. We have not been asked to (nor do we directly or indirectly) express any opinion as to the after-tax consequences of receipt of the proposed Total Merger Consideration by the Purchaser or the Company. No opinion, counsel or interpretation is intended regarding matters that require legal, regulatory, accounting, tax, executive compensation or other similar professional advice. It is assumed that such opinions, counsel, interpretations or advice have been or will be obtained from the appropriate professional advisers. We also have assumed that the executed Agreement will conform in all material respects to the draft Agreement reviewed by us, and that the transaction or transactions thereto will be consummated on the terms described in the draft Agreement, without any material delay or waiver of any material terms or conditions by the Purchaser or the Company. We have assumed that all governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Merger and all transactions related thereto will be obtained without any adverse effect on the Purchaser and the Company. The issuance of this Opinion was approved by our Fairness Opinion committee in accordance with our customary practice.
Our Opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the information made available to us as of the date hereof. We assume no responsibility for updating, revising or reaffirming this Opinion based on circumstances, developments or events occurring after the date hereof.
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Furthermore, we do not express any opinion as to the impact of the Merger or any transactions related thereto or on the solvency or viability of the Purchaser or on the Company or the ability of the Purchaser or the Company to fund their respective obligations when they come due.
Sheumack & Co. GMA, LLC. (doing business as SHEUMACK GMA and herein “SHEUMACK” or “SGMA”) is a professional services organization specializing in the rendering of strategic and financial advice to financial services companies and institutional investors who are active in the financial services industry. SGMA is not a regulated financial institution nor is SGMA a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Certain employees of SGMA are registered securities representatives and registered securities principals of SGMA Capital Markets Limited (“SGMA CM”), an affiliated entity under common ownership and a member in good standing of FINRA and SIPC. As part of our investment banking business, we are regularly engaged in the business of providing financial advisory services in connection with corporate mergers and acquisitions, asset acquisitions and divestitures and other corporate actions and transactions. We have not previously provided financial advisory services to the Purchaser, the Company or affiliates thereof and have not heretofore received remuneration for such services. In respect of the delivery of this Opinion, we will receive a fee for our services that is not contingent upon consummation of the Merger or transactions related thereto and/or contemplated by the Agreement, a portion of which was paid as a retainer fee upon our retention and the balance of which is payable in full upon our rendering this Opinion. The Company also has agreed to reimburse us for reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and to indemnify us against certain liabilities that may arise out of this assignment, including the rendering of this Opinion, in each case subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the Engagement Agreement dated November 28, 2022.
Our Opinion does not address or make any recommendation as to the merits of the underlying decision by the Purchaser to enter into the Agreement and/or to complete the Business Combination as compared to other business strategies that might be available to the Purchaser. We express no opinion as to whether any alternative transaction may result in terms, conditions or financial or strategic impact more favorable to the Purchaser or its stockholders than the Business Combination contemplated by the Agreement. In addition, our Opinion does not in any manner address the prices at which the Common Stock of the Purchaser will trade following consummation of the Agreement and Business Combination or the prices at which the Common Stock of the Purchaser will trade at any time and we express no opinion or recommendation as to how the shareholders of the Purchaser should vote or act with respect to the Agreement. We are not expressing any opinion regarding the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation or other such remuneration relating to retention agreements to any of the Purchaser or Company’s officers, employees, directors, or any class of such persons, relative to the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be received by the Company stockholders. We express no opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of view to the Purchaser and the unaffiliated shareholders of the Purchaser of any consideration paid in connection with the Agreement to the holders of any specific class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company.
This Opinion is for the use and benefit of the Board of Directors of the Purchaser including the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and is rendered to the Board of Directors in connection with its consideration of the Agreement and Business Combination. This letter is not to be used for any other purpose, or reproduced, disseminated, quoted or referred to at any time or in any manner, in whole or in part, without our written consent; provided, however, that this letter may be included in its entirety in any registration statement, report, proxy statement or other filing made by the Purchaser with any United States regulatory authorities or in any such documents or similar documents disseminated to stockholders of the Purchaser in accordance with applicable securities law and may be referred to in such filings or documents as being included therein.
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Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the proposed Total Merger Consideration to be paid to the Company stockholders is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Purchaser and the unaffiliated stockholders of the Purchaser.
Very truly yours, |
SHEUMACK GMA |
|
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Annex H
ROADZEN INC.
2023 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the Company and its Designated Companies with an opportunity to purchase Shares through accumulated Contributions. The Company intends for the Plan to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code and the provisions of the Plan will be construed so as to extend and limit Plan participation in a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. The Plan was originally adopted in connection with the consummation of the Company’s going public business combination (the “Going Public Transaction”) contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, entered into on February 10, 2023, by and among Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Old Roadzen”), Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”), and such other parties to the agreement. Following the consummation of the Going Public Transaction, Old Roadzen became a wholly owned subsidiary of Vahanna, and Vahanna changed its name to Roadzen Inc. (the “Company”).
2. Definitions.
(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any Committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan pursuant to Section 14.
(b) “Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. An entity shall be deemed an Affiliate for purposes of this definition only for such periods as the requisite ownership or control relationship is maintained. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” or “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise
(c) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where options are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
(d) “Beneficial Owner” (or any variant thereof) has the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if an event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:
(i) any Person, other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”), excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A) of paragraph (iii) below or any acquisition directly from the Company; or
(ii) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Directors then serving on the Board: individuals who, during any period of two (2) consecutive years, constitute the Board and any new Director (other than a Director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with
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an actual or threatened election contest, including, but not limited to, a consent solicitation, relating to the election of Directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or
(iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation (A) that results in the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities (or such surviving entity or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, and (B) immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the Board of the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if the Company or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or
(iv) the consummation of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than (A) a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned directly or indirectly by shareholders of the Company following the completion of such transaction in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale or (B) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold or disposed or, if such entity is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof.
(g) “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code will include such section, any valid regulation or other official applicable guidance promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
(h) “Committee” means a committee of the Board appointed in accordance with Section 14 hereof.
(i) “Company” means Roadzen Inc., a British Virgin Islands business company (fka Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.), or any successor thereto.
(j) “Compensation” includes an Eligible Employee’s base salary or base hourly wage, but excludes overtime pay, commissions, bonuses and other incentive compensation. The Administrator, in its discretion, may, on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, establish a different definition of Compensation for a subsequent Offering Period.
(k) “Contributions” means the payroll deductions and other additional payments that the Company may permit to be made by a Participant to fund the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Plan.
(l) “Designated Company” means any Subsidiary of the Company that has been designated by the Administrator from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan.
(m) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(n) “Effective Date” means the date the Going Public Transaction is consummated.
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(o) “Eligible Employee” means any individual who is a common law employee providing services to the Company or a Designated Company and is customarily employed for at least twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in any calendar year by the Employer. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship will be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of absence that the Employer approves or is legally protected under Applicable Laws. Where the period of leave exceeds three (3) months and the individual’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship will be deemed to have terminated three (3) months and one (1) day following the commencement of such leave. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its discretion, from time to time may, prior to an Enrollment Date for all options to be granted on such Enrollment Date in an Offering, determine (on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis or as otherwise permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2) that the definition of Eligible Employee will or will not, as applicable, include an individual if he or she: (i) has not completed at least two (2) years of service since his or her last hire date (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion), (ii) customarily works not more than twenty (20) hours per week (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion), (iii) customarily works not more than five (5) months per calendar year (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion), (iv) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code, or (v) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code with compensation above a certain level or is an officer or subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, provided the exclusion is applied with respect to each Offering in an identical manner to all highly compensated individuals of the Employer whose Eligible Employees are participating in that Offering. Each exclusion will be applied with respect to an Offering in a manner complying with U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(e)(2)(ii).
(p) “Employer” means the employer of the applicable Eligible Employee(s).
(q) “Enrollment Date” means the first Trading Day of an Offering Period.
(r) “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(s) “Exercise Date” means a date on which each outstanding option granted under the Plan will be exercised (except if the Plan has been terminated), as may be determined by the Administrator, in its discretion and on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis from time to time prior to an Enrollment Date for all options to be granted on such Enrollment Date. For purposes of clarification, there may be multiple Exercise Dates during an Offering Period.
(t) “Fair Market Value” as of a particular date shall mean: (i) if the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including, without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of a Share (or if no sales were reported, the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination; (ii) if the Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange, the average of the highest reported bid and lowest reported asked prices for a Share as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such stock in such market; or (iii) whether or not the Shares are then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market or the value of such Shares is not otherwise determinable, such value as determined by the Administrator in good faith and in a manner not inconsistent with the regulations under Section 409A of the Code.
(u) “Fiscal Year” means a fiscal year of the Company.
(v) “New Exercise Date” means a new Exercise Date if the Administrator shortens any Offering Period then in progress.
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(w) “Offering” means an offer under the Plan of an option that may be exercised during an Offering Period as further described in Section 4. For purposes of the Plan, the Administrator may designate separate Offerings under the Plan (the terms of which need not be identical) in which Eligible Employees of one or more Employers will participate, even if the dates of the applicable Offering Periods of each such Offering are identical and the provisions of the Plan will separately apply to each Offering. To the extent permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(a)(1), the terms of each Offering need not be identical provided that the terms of the Plan and an Offering together satisfy U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(a)(2) and (a)(3).
(x) “Offering Period” means a period beginning on such date as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion and ending on such Exercise Date as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion, in each case on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis. The duration and timing of Offering Periods may be changed pursuant to Sections 4, 19 and 20.
(y) “Outstanding Shares” means the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company immediately following the Going Public Transaction.
(z) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(aa) “Participant” means an Eligible Employee that participates in the Plan.
(bb) “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, however, a Person shall not include (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities; or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of stock of the Company.
(cc) “Plan” means this Roadzen Inc. 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(dd) “Purchase Period” means the period, as determined by the Administrator in its discretion on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, during an Offering Period that commences on the Offering Period’s Enrollment Date and ends on the next Exercise Date, except that if the Administrator determines that more than one Purchase Period should occur within an Offering Period, subsequent Purchase Periods within such Offering Period commence after one Exercise Date and end with the next Exercise Date at such time or times as the Administrator determines prior to the commencement of the Offering Period.
(ee) “Purchase Price” means the price per Share purchased under any option granted under the Plan as determined by the Administrator from time to time, in its discretion and on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis for all options to be granted on an Enrollment Date. With respect to any option granted under this Plan, the initial Purchase Price shall not be less than the lesser of 85% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on (i) the Enrollment Date and (ii) the Exercise Date, or such other amount as may be required under Section 423 of the Code.
(ff) “Shares” means ordinary shares in the Company with a par value of US$0.0001 per share.
(gg) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(hh) “Trading Day” means a day on which the national stock exchange upon which the Shares is listed is open for trading.
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(ii) “U.S. Treasury Regulations” means the Treasury regulations of the Code. Reference to a specific Treasury Regulation will include such Treasury Regulation, the section of the Code under which such regulation was promulgated, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such Section or regulation.
3. Eligibility.
(a) Offering Periods. Any Eligible Employee on a given Enrollment Date will be eligible to participate in the Plan, subject to the requirements of Section 5.
(b) Non-U.S. Employees. Eligible Employees who are citizens or residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction (without regard to whether they also are citizens or residents of the United States or resident aliens (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering if the participation of such Eligible Employees is prohibited under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction or if complying with the laws of the applicable jurisdiction would cause the Plan or an Offering to violate Section 423 of the Code.
(c) Limitations. Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no Eligible Employee will be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent that, immediately after the grant, such Eligible Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to such Eligible Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) would own capital stock or shares of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock or shares of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) to the extent that his or her rights to purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans (as defined in Section 423 of the Code) of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company accrues at a rate, which exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) worth of stock (determined at the Fair Market Value of the stock at the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time, as determined in accordance with Section 423 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
4. Offering Periods. Offering Periods will expire on the earliest to occur of (i) the completion of the purchase of Shares on the last Exercise Date occurring within twenty-seven (27) months of the applicable Enrollment Date on which the option to purchase Shares was granted, or (ii) such shorter period as may be established by the Administrator from time to time, in its discretion and on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, prior to an Enrollment Date for all options to be granted on such Enrollment Date.
5. Participation. An Eligible Employee may participate in the Plan by (i) submitting to the Company’s stock administration office (or its designee) a properly completed subscription agreement authorizing Contributions in the form provided by the Administrator for such purpose or (ii) following an electronic or other enrollment procedure determined by the Administrator, in either case on or before a date determined by the Administrator prior to an applicable Enrollment Date.
6. Contributions.
(a) At the time a Participant enrolls in the Plan pursuant to Section 5, he or she will elect to have Contributions (in the form of payroll deductions or otherwise, to the extent permitted by the Administrator) made on each pay day during the Offering Period in an amount that will be subject to such limits as the Administrator may establish from time to time, in its discretion and on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, for all options to be granted on any Enrollment Date. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may permit all Participants in a specified Offering to contribute amounts to the Plan through payment by cash, check or other means set forth in the subscription agreement prior to each Exercise Date of each Purchase Period. A Participant’s subscription agreement will remain in effect for successive Offering Periods unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof.
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(b) In the event Contributions are made in the form of payroll deductions, such payroll deductions for a Participant will commence on the first pay day following the Enrollment Date and will end on the last pay day on or prior to the last Exercise Date of such Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by the Participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.
(c) All Contributions made for a Participant will be credited to his or her account under the Plan and Contributions will be made in whole percentages of his or her Compensation only. A Participant may not make any additional payments into such account.
(d) A Participant may discontinue his or her participation in the Plan as provided under Section 10. Except as may be permitted by the Administrator, as determined in its sole discretion, a Participant may not change the rate of his or her Contributions during an Offering Period.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(c), a Participant’s Contributions may be decreased to zero percent (0%) at any time during a Purchase Period. Subject to Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(c) hereof, Contributions will recommence at the rate originally elected by the Participant effective as of the beginning of the first Purchase Period scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless terminated by the Participant as provided in Section 10.
(f) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in the Plan, the Administrator may allow Participants to participate in the Plan via cash contributions instead of payroll deductions if (i) payroll deductions are not permitted under applicable local law, or (ii) the Administrator determines that cash contributions are permissible under Section 423 of the Code.
(g) At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time some or all of the Shares issued under the Plan are disposed of (or any other time that a taxable event related to the Plan occurs), the Participant must make adequate provision for the Company’s or Employer’s federal, state, local or any other tax liability payable to any authority including taxes imposed by jurisdictions outside of the U.S., national insurance, social security or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Shares (or any other time that a taxable event related to the Plan occurs). At any time, the Company or the Employer may, but will not be obligated to, withhold from the Participant’s compensation the amount necessary for the Company or the Employer to meet applicable withholding obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company or the Employer any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Shares by the Eligible Employee. In addition, the Company or the Employer may, but will not be obligated to, withhold from the proceeds of the sale of Shares or any other method of withholding the Company or the Employer deems appropriate to the extent permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(f).
7. Grant of Option. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, each Eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period will be granted an option to purchase on each Exercise Date during such Offering Period (at the applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of Shares determined by dividing such Eligible Employee’s Contributions accumulated prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Eligible Employee’s account as of the Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price; provided that in no event will an Eligible Employee be permitted to purchase during each Purchase Period more than a maximum number of Shares determined by the Administrator prior to the first Offering Period, if any (with such number subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 19) and provided further that such purchase will be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3(c) and 13. The Eligible Employee may accept the grant of such option by electing to participate in the Plan in accordance with the requirements of Section 5. The Administrator may, for future Offering Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute discretion, the maximum number of Shares that an Eligible Employee may purchase during each Purchase Period. Exercise of the option will occur as provided in Section 8, unless the Participant has withdrawn pursuant to Section 10. The option will expire on the last day of the Offering Period.
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8. Exercise of Option.
(a) Unless a Participant withdraws from the Plan as provided in Section 10, his or her option for the purchase of Shares will be exercised automatically on each Exercise Date, and the maximum number of full Shares subject to the option will be purchased for such Participant at the applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated Contributions from his or her account. No fractional Shares will be purchased; any Contributions accumulated in a Participant’s account that are not sufficient to purchase a full Share will be retained in the Participant’s account for the subsequent Purchase Period or Offering Period, subject to earlier withdrawal by the Participant as provided in Section 10. Any other funds left over in a Participant’s account after the Exercise Date will be returned to the Participant. During a Participant’s lifetime, a Participant’s option to purchase Shares hereunder is exercisable only by him or her.
(b) If the Administrator determines that, on a given Exercise Date, the number of Shares with respect to which options are to be exercised may exceed (i) the number of Shares that were available for sale under the Plan on the Enrollment Date of the applicable Offering Period, or (ii) the number of Shares available for sale under the Plan on such Exercise Date, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (x) provide that the Company will make a pro rata allocation of the Shares available for purchase on such Enrollment Date or Exercise Date, as applicable, in as uniform a manner as will be practicable and as it will determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all Participants exercising options to purchase Shares on such Exercise Date, and continue all Offering Periods then in effect or (y) provide that the Company will make a pro rata allocation of the Shares available for purchase on such Enrollment Date or Exercise Date, as applicable, in as uniform a manner as will be practicable and as it will determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all participants exercising options to purchase Shares on such Exercise Date, and terminate any or all Offering Periods then in effect pursuant to Section 20. The Company may make a pro rata allocation of the Shares available on the Enrollment Date of any applicable Offering Period pursuant to the preceding sentence, notwithstanding any authorization of additional Shares for issuance under the Plan by the Company’s shareholders subsequent to such Enrollment Date.
9. Delivery. As soon as reasonably practicable after each Exercise Date on which a purchase of Shares occurs, the Company will arrange the delivery to each Participant of the Shares purchased upon exercise of his or her option in a form determined by the Administrator (in its sole discretion) and pursuant to rules established by the Administrator. The Company may permit or require that Shares be deposited directly with a broker designated by the Company or to a designated agent of the Company, and the Company may utilize electronic or automated methods of Share transfer. The Company may require that Shares be retained with such broker or agent for a designated period of time and/or may establish other procedures to permit tracking of disqualifying dispositions of such Shares. No Participant will have any voting, dividend, or other shareholder rights with respect to Shares subject to any option granted under the Plan until such Shares have been purchased, validly issued by entry on the register of members of the Company and delivered to the Participant as provided in this Section 9.
10. Withdrawal.
(a) A Participant may withdraw all but not less than all the Contributions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise his or her option under the Plan at any time, subject to any limitations imposed by the Administrator and/or by Company policies, by (i) submitting to the Company’s stock administration office (or its designee) a written notice of withdrawal in the form determined by the Administrator for such purpose, or (ii) following an electronic or other withdrawal procedure determined by the Administrator. All of the Participant’s Contributions credited to his or her account will be paid to such Participant promptly after receipt of notice of withdrawal and such Participant’s option for the Offering Period will be automatically terminated, and no further Contributions for the purchase of Shares will be made for such Offering Period. If a Participant withdraws from an Offering Period, Contributions will not resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering Period, unless the Participant re-enrolls in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.
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(b) A Participant’s withdrawal from an Offering Period will not have any effect on his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan that may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods that commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.
11. Termination of Employment. Upon a Participant’s ceasing to be an Eligible Employee for any reason, he or she will be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan and the Contributions credited to such Participant’s account during the Offering Period but not yet used to purchase Shares under the Plan will be returned to such Participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under Section 15, and such Participant’s option will be automatically terminated. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a Participant whose employment transfers between entities through a termination with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by the Company or a Designated Company will not be treated as terminated under the Plan.
12. Interest. No interest will accrue on the Contributions of a participant in the Plan, except as may be required by Applicable Law, as determined by the Company, and if so required by the laws of a particular jurisdiction, except to the extent otherwise permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(f).
13. Shares.
(a) Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in Section 19 hereof, the maximum number of Shares that will be made available for sale under the Plan will be two percent (2%) of Outstanding Shares; provided, that the total number of Shares that will be reserved, and that may be issued, under the Plan will automatically increase on the first trading day of each calendar year, beginning with calendar year 2024, by a number of Shares equal to one percent (1%) of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares on the last day of the prior calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may act prior to January 1 of a given year to provide that there will be no such increase in the share reserve for that year or that the increase in the share reserve for such year will be a lesser number of Shares than provided herein.
(b) Shares issued under the Plan may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued Shares or Shares that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise.
(c) Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the register of members of the Company), a Participant will have only the rights of an unsecured creditor with respect to such Shares, and no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder will exist with respect to such Shares.
(d) Shares to be delivered to a Participant under the Plan will be registered in the name of the Participant or in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse, as the Participant may elect.
14. Administration. The Plan will be administered by the Board or a Committee appointed by the Board, which Committee will be constituted to comply with Applicable Laws. The Administrator will have full and exclusive discretionary authority to: (i) construe, interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, (ii) delegate ministerial duties to any of the Company’s employees, (iii) supply omissions or correct defects in the Plan, (iv) designate separate Offerings under the Plan, (v) designate Subsidiaries of the Company as participating in the Plan, (vi) determine eligibility, (vii) adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan and (viii) establish such procedures that it deems necessary for the administration of the Plan (including, without limitation, to adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit the participation in the Plan by employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside the U.S., the terms of which sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 13(a) hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan will govern the operation of such sub-plan). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding eligibility to participate, the definition of Compensation, handling of Contributions, making
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of Contributions to the Plan (including, without limitation, in forms other than payroll deductions), establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold Contributions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, obligations to pay payroll tax, determination of beneficiary designation requirements, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates that vary with applicable local requirements. The Administrator also is authorized to determine that, to the extent permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(f), the terms of an option granted under the Plan or an Offering to citizens or residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction will be less favorable than the terms of options granted under the Plan or the same Offering to employees residing solely in the U.S. Every finding, decision, and determination made by the Administrator will, to the full extent permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties.
15. Designation of Beneficiary.
(a) If permitted by the Administrator, a Participant may file a designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any Shares and cash, if any, from the Participant’s account under the Plan in the event of such Participant’s death subsequent to an Exercise Date on which the option is exercised but prior to delivery to such Participant of such Shares and cash. In addition, if permitted by the Administrator, a Participant may file a designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the Participant’s account under the Plan in the event of such Participant’s death prior to exercise of the option. If a Participant is married and the designated beneficiary is not the spouse, spousal consent will be required for such designation to be effective.
(b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Participant at any time by notice in a form determined by the Administrator. In the event of the death of a Participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such Participant’s death, the Company will deliver such Shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such Shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the Participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.
(c) All beneficiary designations will be in such form and manner as the Administrator may designate from time to time. Notwithstanding Sections 15(a) and (b) above, the Company and/or the Administrator may decide not to permit such designations by Participants in non-U.S. jurisdictions to the extent permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(f).
16. Transferability. Neither Contributions credited to a Participant’s account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or to receive Shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as provided in Section 15 hereof) by the Participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition will be without effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.
17. Use of Funds. The Company may use all Contributions received or held by it under the Plan for any corporate purpose, and the Company will not be obligated to segregate such Contributions. Until Shares are issued, Participants will have only the rights of an unsecured creditor with respect to such Contributions and such Shares.
18. Reports. Individual accounts will be maintained for each Participant in the Plan. Statements of account will be given to participating Eligible Employees at least annually, which statements will set forth the amounts of Contributions, the Purchase Price, the number of Shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.
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19. Adjustments, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger, or Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), bonus share issue, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan, the Purchase Price per share and the number of Shares covered by each option under the Plan that has not yet been exercised, and the numerical limits of Sections 7 and 13.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any Offering Period then in progress will be shortened by setting a New Exercise Date, and will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Administrator. The New Exercise Date will be before the date of the Company’s proposed dissolution or liquidation. The Administrator will notify each Participant in writing or electronically, prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s option will be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.
(c) Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding option will be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation fails to assume or substitute for the option, the Offering Period with respect to which such option relates will be shortened by setting a New Exercise Date on which such Offering Period will end. The New Exercise Date will occur before the date of the Company’s proposed merger or Change in Control. The Administrator will notify each Participant in writing or electronically prior to the New Exercise Date that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s option will be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date, the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.
20. Amendment or Termination.
(a) The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. If the Plan is terminated, the Administrator, in its discretion, may elect to terminate all outstanding Offering Periods either immediately or upon completion of the purchase of Shares on the next Exercise Date (which may be sooner than originally scheduled, if determined by the Administrator in its discretion), or may elect to permit Offering Periods to expire in accordance with their terms (and subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 19). If the Offering Periods are terminated prior to expiration, all amounts then credited to Participants’ accounts that have not been used to purchase Shares will be returned to the Participants (without interest thereon, except as otherwise required under Applicable Laws, as further set forth in Section 12 hereof) as soon as administratively practicable.
(b) Without shareholder consent and without limiting Section 20(a), the Administrator will be entitled to change the Offering Periods or Purchase Periods, designate separate Offerings, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars, permit Contributions in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed Contribution elections, establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Shares for each Participant properly correspond with Contribution amounts, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion advisable that are consistent with the Plan.
(c) In the event the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may, in its discretion and, to the extent
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necessary or desirable, modify, amend or terminate the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:
(i) amending the Plan to conform with the safe harbor definition under the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto), including with respect to an Offering Period underway at the time;
(ii) altering the Purchase Price for any Offering Period or Purchase Period including an Offering Period or Purchase Period underway at the time of the change in Purchase Price;
(iii) shortening any Offering Period or Purchase Period by setting a New Exercise Date, including an Offering Period or Purchase Period underway at the time of the Administrator action;
(iv) reducing the maximum percentage of Compensation a Participant may elect to set aside as Contributions; and
(v) reducing the maximum number of Shares a Participant may purchase during any Offering Period or Purchase Period.
Such modifications or amendments will not require shareholder approval or the consent of any Participants.
21. Notices. All notices or other communications by a Participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan will be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form and manner specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.
22. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares will not be issued with respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto will comply with all applicable provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require the person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.
23. Section 409A of the Code. The Plan is exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so be exempt from Section 409A of the Code. In furtherance of the foregoing and notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if the Administrator determines that an option granted under the Plan may be subject to Section 409A of the Code or that any provision in the Plan would cause an option under the Plan to be subject to Code Section 409A, the Administrator may amend the terms of the Plan and/or of an outstanding option granted under the Plan, or take such other action the Administrator determines is necessary or appropriate, in each case, without the Participant’s consent, to exempt any outstanding option or future option that may be granted under the Plan from or to allow any such options to comply with Section 409A of the Code, but only to the extent any such amendments or action by the Administrator would not violate Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will have no liability to a Participant or any other party if any option to purchase Shares under the Plan that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Administrator with respect thereto. The Company makes no representation that any option to purchase Shares under the Plan is compliant with Section 409A of the Code.
24. Term of Plan. The Plan will become effective upon the Effective Date. It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years, unless sooner terminated under Section 20.
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25. Shareholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such shareholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.
26. Governing Law. The Plan will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (except its choice-of-law provisions).
27. No Right to Employment. Participation in the Plan by a Participant will not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained as an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, as applicable. Further, the Company or a Subsidiary or affiliate of the Company may dismiss a Participant from employment at any time, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan.
28. Severability. If any provision of the Plan is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason in any jurisdiction or as to any Participant, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as to such jurisdiction or Participant as if the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had not been included.
29. Compliance with Applicable Laws. The terms of this Plan are intended to comply with all Applicable Laws and will be construed accordingly.
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Annex I
FORM OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP.
Article I. NAME OF CORPORATION
Section 1.01 The name of the corporation is Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. (the “Corporation”).
Article II. PURPOSE
Section 2.01 The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation including, but not limited to, effecting a Business Combination.
Section 2.02 The business of the Corporation may be commenced as soon after incorporation of the Corporation as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) shall see fit.
Section 2.03 The Board may pay, out of any monies of the Corporation, all expenses incurred in the formation and establishment of the Corporation, including the expenses of incorporation.
Article III. REGISTERED AGENT AND OFFICE
Section 3.01 Registered Agent. The address of the Registered Office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808, and the name of the Registered Agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
Section 3.02 Offices and Places of Business. The Corporation may by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Stockholders change the location of its Registered Office and its Registered Agent; provided, that the Corporation’s Registered Office shall at all times be the office of the Registered Agent. The Corporation may, in addition to its Registered Office, maintain such other offices or places of business as the Board determines.
Article IV. CAPITALIZATION
Section 4.01 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation authorized to issue is 280,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 200,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), (b) 20,000,000 shares of convertible Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock” and together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), and (c) 60,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 4.02 Preferred Stock. Subject to Article IX hereof, without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of any existing Preferred Stock, the Board is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and
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any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.
Section 4.03 Common Stock.
(a) | The Board is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of Common Stock from time to time. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware establishing the terms of a series of Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 4.02), each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote. Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation, or in any Preferred Stock Designation, at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation, or in a Preferred Stock Designation, the holders of the Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation. |
(b) | Subject to Applicable Law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IX and any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (as amended), the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions. |
(c) | Subject to Applicable Law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IX and any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (as amended), in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of the Common Stock held by them. |
Section 4.04 Issue of Shares and Other Securities.
(a) | Subject to the DGCL, the provisions, if any, in this Certificate of Incorporation (and to any direction that may be given by the Corporation in general meeting), and where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, and without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing Shares, the Board may allot, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of Shares (including fractions of a Share) with or without preferred, deferred or other rights or restrictions, whether in regard to Distribution, voting, return of investment or otherwise and to such persons, at such times, for such consideration, and on such other terms as it thinks proper, and may also (subject to the DGCL and this Certificate of Incorporation) vary such rights, save that the Board shall not allot, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of Shares (including fractions of a Share) to the extent that it may affect the ability of the Corporation to carry out a Class B Common Stock conversion as set out in this Certificate of Incorporation. A bonus share issued by the Corporation shall be deemed to have been fully paid for on issue. |
(b) | The Corporation may issue rights, options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of Shares or other securities in the Corporation on such terms as the Board may from time to time determine. |
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c) | The Corporation may also issue units of securities in the Corporation, which may be comprised of whole or fractional Shares, rights, options, warrants or convertible securities or securities of similar nature conferring the right upon the holders thereof to subscribe for, purchase or receive any class of Shares or other securities in the Corporation, upon such terms as the Board may from time to time determine. The securities comprising any such units which are issued pursuant to the IPO can only be traded separately from one another on the 52nd day following the date of the prospectus relating to the IPO unless the Representative(s) determines that an earlier date is acceptable, subject to the Corporation having filed a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC and a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Prior to such date, the units can be traded, but the securities comprising such units cannot be traded separately from one another. |
Section 4.05 Variation of Rights of Shares.
(a) | Subject to Section 4.04(b), if at any time the authorized Shares are divided into different classes of Shares, all or any of the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class) may, whether or not the Corporation is being wound up, be varied without the consent of the holders of the issued Shares of that class where such variation is considered by the Board not to have a material adverse effect upon such rights; otherwise, any such variation shall be made only with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two thirds of the issued Shares of that class (other than with respect to a waiver of the provisions of Section 4.17, which as stated therein shall only require the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the issued Shares of that class), or with the approval of a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of that class. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board reserves the right, notwithstanding that any such variation may not have a material adverse effect, to obtain consent from the holders of Shares of the relevant class. To any such meeting all the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to general meetings shall apply mutatis mutandis, except that the necessary quorum shall be one person holding or representing by proxy at least one third of the issued Shares of the class and that any holder of Shares of the class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll. |
(b) | For the purposes of a separate class meeting, the Board may treat two or more or all the classes of Shares as forming one class of Shares if the Board considers that such class of Shares would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate classes of Shares. |
(c) | The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu therewith. |
Section 4.06 Treasury Shares. Subject to the DGCL, the Board may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, resolve that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share. The Board may also determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as it thinks proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration).
Section 4.07 Fixing Record Date.
(a) | For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or stockholders entitled to receive payment of any Distribution, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other purpose, the Board may, after notice has been given by advertisement in an appointed newspaper or any other newspaper or by any other means in accordance with rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, provide that the record of stockholders shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not in any case exceed forty days. |
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(b) | In lieu of, or apart from, closing the record of stockholders, the Board may fix in advance or arrears a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of the stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any Distribution, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other purpose. |
(c) | If the record of stockholders is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at a meeting of stockholders or stockholders entitled to receive payment of a Distribution, the date on which notice of the meeting is sent or the date on which the Resolution of Directors resolving to pay such Distribution is passed, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of stockholders. When a determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this Section 4.07, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof. |
Section 4.08 Certificates for Shares
(a) | A stockholder shall only be entitled to a stock certificate if the Board resolves by the Resolution of Directors that stock certificates shall be issued. Stock certificates representing Shares, if any, shall be in such form as the Board may determine. Stock certificates shall be signed by any two authorized officers of the Corporation. The Board may authorize certificates to be issued with the authorized signature(s) or Seal affixed by mechanical process. All certificates for Shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified and shall specify the Shares to which they relate. All certificates surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and subject to this Certificate of Incorporation no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate representing a like number of relevant Shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled. |
(b) | The Corporation shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate for Shares held jointly by more than one person and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder shall be a sufficient delivery to all of them. |
(c) | If a stock certificate is defaced, worn out, lost or destroyed, it may be renewed on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and on the payment of such expenses reasonably incurred by the Corporation in investigating evidence, as the Board may prescribe, and (in the case of defacement or wearing out) upon delivery of the old certificate. |
(d) | Every stock certificate sent in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation will be sent at the risk of the stockholder or other person entitled to the certificate. The Corporation will not be responsible for any stock certificate lost or delayed in the course of delivery. |
(e) | Stock certificates shall be issued within the relevant time limit as prescribed by the DGCL, if applicable, or as the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law may from time to time determine, whichever is shorter, after the allotment or, except in the case of a Share transfer which the Corporation is for the time being entitled to refuse to register and does not register, after lodgement of a Share transfer with the Corporation. |
Section 4.09 Transfer of Shares.
(a) | Subject to the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation, any stockholder may transfer all or any of his, her or its Shares by an instrument of transfer; provided that such transfer complies with the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. If the Shares in question were issued in conjunction with rights, options, warrants or units issued pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation on terms that cannot be transferred without the other, the Board shall refuse to register the transfer of any such Share without evidence satisfactory to them of the like transfer of such right, option, warrant or unit. |
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(b) | The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in writing or in a form prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law or in any other form approved by the Board and shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor (and if registration as a holder of the Shares imposes a liability to the Corporation on the transferee, signed by or on behalf of the transferee), contain the name and address of the transferee, and may be under hand or, if the transferor or transferee is a Clearing House or its nominee(s), by hand or by machine imprinted signature or by such other manner of execution as the Board may approve from time to time. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of a Share until the name of the transferee is entered in the record of stockholders. |
(c) | Where Shares are listed on a Recognized Exchange, (a) Section 4.09(b) shall not apply and (b) the Shares may be transferred without the need for a written instrument of transfer if the transfer is carried out in accordance with the law, rules, procedures and other requirements applicable to shares listed on the Recognized Exchange. |
Section 4.10 Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares.
(a) | Subject to the provisions of the DGCL and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, the terms attached to Shares, as specified in this Certificate of Incorporation, may provide for such Shares to be redeemed or to be liable to be redeemed at the option of the stockholders or the Corporation. With respect to redeeming or repurchasing the Shares: |
i | Stockholders who hold Public Shares are entitled to request the redemption of such Shares in the circumstances described in Section 9.02(b); |
ii | Shares of the Class B Common Stock held by the Sponsor shall be surrendered by the Sponsor for no consideration on a pro-rata basis to the extent that the Over-Allotment Option is not exercised in full so that the Sponsor will own 20% of the Corporation’s issued Shares after the IPO (exclusive of any securities purchased in a private placement simultaneously with the IPO); and |
iii | Public Shares shall be repurchased by way of tender offer in the circumstances set out in Section 9.01(b)(ii). |
(b) | Subject to the provisions of the DGCL and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, the Corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) in such manner and on such other terms as the Board may agree with the relevant stockholder. For the avoidance of doubt, redemptions, repurchases and surrenders of Shares in the circumstances described in this Section 4.10 shall not require further approval of the stockholders. |
(c) | The Corporation may make a payment in respect of the redemption, purchase or other acquisition of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the DGCL. |
(d) | The Board may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share including, for the avoidance of doubt, a Treasury Share. Any such surrender shall be in writing and signed by the stockholder holding the Share or Shares. |
Section 4.11 Commission on Sale of Shares. The Corporation may pay a commission to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe (whether absolutely or conditionally) or procuring or agreeing to procure subscriptions (whether absolutely or conditionally) for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash and/or, subject to the DGCL, the issue of fully or partly paid-up Shares. The Corporation may also on any issue of Shares pay such brokerage as may be lawful.
Section 4.12 Non Recognition of Trusts. The Corporation shall not be bound by or compelled to recognize in any way (even when notified) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share, or (except only as is otherwise provided by this Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL) any other rights in respect of any Share other than an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the holder.
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Section 4.13 Lien on Shares.
(a) | The Corporation shall have a first and paramount lien on all Shares (whether fully paid-up or not) registered in the name of a stockholder (whether solely or jointly with others) for all debts, liabilities or engagements to or with the Corporation (whether presently payable or not) by such stockholder or his, her or its estate, either alone or jointly with any other person, whether a stockholder or not, but the Board may at any time declare any Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Section 4.13. The registration of a transfer of any such Share shall operate as a waiver of the Corporation’s lien thereon. The Corporation’s lien on a Share shall also extend to any amount payable in respect of that Share. |
(b) | The Corporation may sell, in such manner as the Board thinks fit, any Shares on which the Corporation has a lien, if a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently due and payable, and is not paid within fourteen clear days after notice has been received or deemed to have been received by the holder of the Shares, or to the person entitled to it in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder, demanding payment and stating that if the notice is not complied with the Shares may be sold. |
(c) | To give effect to any such sale the Board may authorize any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Shares sold to, or in accordance with the directions of, the purchaser. The purchaser or his, her or its nominee shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer, and he, she or it shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his, her or its title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the sale or the exercise of the Corporation’s power of sale under this Certificate of Incorporation. |
(d) | The net proceeds of such sale after payment of costs, shall be applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable and any balance shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares before the sale) be paid to the person entitled to the Shares at the date of the sale. |
Section 4.14 Call on Shares
(a) | Subject to the terms of the allotment and issue of any Shares, the Board may make calls upon the stockholders in respect of any monies unpaid on their Shares, and each stockholder shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen clear days’ notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Corporation at the time or times so specified the amount called on the Shares. A call may be revoked or postponed, in whole or in part, as the Board may determine. A call may be required to be paid by instalments. A person upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon him, her or it notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the Shares in respect of which the call was made. |
(b) | A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the Resolution of Directors authorizing such call was passed. |
(c) | The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof. |
(d) | If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable, the person from whom it is due shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is paid at such rate as the Board may determine (and in addition all expenses that have been incurred by the Corporation by reason of such non-payment), but the Board may waive payment of the interest or expenses wholly or in part. |
(e) | An amount payable in respect of a Share on issue or allotment or at any fixed date shall be deemed to be a call and if it is not paid all the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call. |
(f) | The Board may issue Shares with different terms as to the amount and times of payment of calls, or the interest to be paid. |
(g) | The Board may, if it thinks fit, receive an amount from any stockholder willing to advance all or any part of the monies uncalled and unpaid upon any Shares held by him, her or it, and may (until the amount would otherwise become payable) pay interest at such rate as may be agreed upon between the Board and the stockholder paying such amount in advance. |
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(h) | No such amount paid in advance of calls shall entitle the stockholder paying such amount to any portion of a dividend or other Distribution payable in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such amount would, but for such payment, become payable. |
Section 4.15 Forfeiture of Shares
(a) | If a call or instalment of a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable the Board may give to the person from whom it is due not less than fourteen clear days’ notice requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and any expenses incurred by the Corporation by reason of such non-payment. The notice shall specify where payment is to be made and shall state that if the notice is not complied with the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited. |
(b) | If the notice is not complied with, any Share in respect of which it was given may, before the payment required by the notice has been made, be forfeited by the Resolution of Directors. Such forfeiture shall include all Distributions or other monies payable in respect of the forfeited Share and not paid before the forfeiture. |
(c) | A forfeited Share may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Board thinks fit and at any time before a sale, re-allotment or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Board thinks fit. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited Share is to be transferred to any person the Board may authorize some person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Share in favor of that person. |
(d) | A person any of whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a stockholder in respect of them and shall surrender to the Corporation for cancellation the certificate for the Shares forfeited and shall remain liable to pay to the Corporation all monies which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him, her or it to the Corporation in respect of those Shares together with interest at such rate as the Board may determine, but his, her or its liability shall cease if and when the Corporation shall have received payment in full of all monies due and payable by him, her or it in respect of those Shares. |
(e) | A certificate in writing under the hand of one director or officer of the Corporation that a Share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. The certificate shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer) constitute a good title to the Share and the person to whom the Share is sold or otherwise disposed of shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his, her or its title to the Share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the Share. |
(f) | The provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time as if it had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified. |
Section 4.16 Transmission of Shares
(a) | If a stockholder dies, the survivor or survivors (where such stockholder was a joint holder), or such stockholder’s legal personal representatives (where such stockholder was a sole holder), shall be the only persons recognized by the Corporation as having any title to such stockholder’s Shares. The estate of a deceased stockholder is not thereby released from any liability in respect of any Share, for which such stockholder was a joint or sole holder. |
(b) | Any person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a stockholder (or in any other way than by transfer) may, upon such evidence being produced as may be required by the Board, elect, by a notice in writing sent by such person to the Corporation, either to become the holder of such Share or to have some person nominated by such person registered as the holder of such Share. If such person elects to have another person registered as the holder of such Share |
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such person shall sign an instrument of transfer of that Share to that person. The Board shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as it would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant stockholder before such stockholder’s death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution, as the case may be. |
(c) | A person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a stockholder (or in any other case than by transfer) shall be entitled to the same Distributions and other advantages to which such person would be entitled if he were the holder of such Share. However, such person shall not, before becoming a stockholder in respect of a Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to general meetings of the Corporation and the Board may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to have some person nominated by him be registered as the holder of the Share (but the Board shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as it would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant stockholder before such stockholder’s death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution or any other case than by transfer, as the case may be). If the notice is not complied with within ninety days of being received or deemed to be received (as determined pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation), the Board may thereafter withhold payment of all Distributions or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with. |
Section 4.17 Class B Common Stock Conversion
(a) | Shares of the Class B Common Stock shall convert into Shares of the Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis (the “Initial Conversion Ratio”): |
i | at any time and from time to time at the option of the holders thereof; or |
ii | automatically concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of a Business Combination. |
(b) | Notwithstanding the Initial Conversion Ratio, in the case that additional shares of the Class A Common Stock or any other Equity-linked Securities, are issued, or deemed issued, by the Corporation in excess of the amounts offered in the IPO and related to the consummation of a Business Combination, all shares of the Class B Common Stock in issue shall automatically convert into shares of the Class A Common Stock at the time of the consummation of a Business Combination at a ratio for which shares of the Class B Common Stock shall convert into shares of the Class A Common Stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the shares of the Class B Common Stock in issue agree to waive such anti-dilution adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of the shares of the Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of the Class B Common Stock will equal, on an as-converted basis, in the aggregate, 20% of the sum of all shares of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in issue upon completion of the IPO plus all shares of the Class A Common Stock and Equity-linked Securities issued or deemed issued in connection with a Business Combination, excluding any Shares or Equity-linked Securities issued, or to be issued, to any seller in a Business Combination and any private placement warrants issued to the Sponsor or its Affiliates upon conversion of working capital loans made to the Corporation. |
(c) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the foregoing adjustment to the Initial Conversion Ratio may be waived as to any particular issuance or deemed issuance of additional shares of the Class A Common Stock or Equity-linked Securities by the written consent or agreement of holders of a majority of the shares of the Class B Common Stock then in issue consenting or agreeing separately as a separate class in the manner provided in subject to Section 4.05. |
(d) | The foregoing conversion ratio shall also be adjusted to account for any subdivision (by share subdivision, exchange, capitalization, rights issue, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by share consolidation, exchange, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the Class A Common Stock in issue into a greater or lesser number of shares occurring |
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after the original registration of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Corporation with the Registry of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands without a proportionate and corresponding subdivision, combination or similar reclassification or recapitalization of the Class B Common Stock in issue. |
(e) | Each share of the Class B Common Stock shall convert into its pro rata number of the shares of the Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Section 4.17. The pro rata share for each holder of shares of the Class B Common Stock will be determined as follows: each share of the Class B Common Stock shall convert into such number of shares of the Class A Common Stock as is equal to the product of 1 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which all of the shares of the Class B Common Stock in issue shall be converted pursuant to this Section 4.17 and the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock in issue at the time of conversion. |
(f) | References in this Section 4.17 to “converted”, “conversion” or “exchange” shall mean the compulsory redemption without notice of any holder of the Class B Common Stock and, on behalf of such stockholders, automatic application of such redemption proceeds in paying for such new shares of the Class A Common Stock into which the shares of the Class B Common Stock have been converted or exchanged at a price per share of the Class B Common Stock necessary to give effect to a conversion or exchange calculated on the basis that the shares of the Class A Common Stock to be issued as part of the conversion or exchange will be issued at par. The shares of the Class A Common Stock to be issued on an exchange or conversion shall be registered in the name of such stockholder or in such name as the stockholder may direct. |
Article V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.01 Powers and Duties of the Board of Directors.
(a) | Subject to the provisions of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation and to any directions given by Resolution of Stockholders, the business of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board who may exercise all the powers of the Corporation. No alteration of this Certificate of Incorporation and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given. A duly convened meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present may exercise all powers exercisable by the Board. |
(b) | All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable or transferable instruments and all receipts for monies paid to the Corporation shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed as the case may be in such manner as the Board shall determine by resolution. |
(c) | The Board on behalf of the Corporation may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any director who has held any other salaried office or place of profit with the Corporation or to his or her widow or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance. |
(d) | The Board may exercise all the powers of the Corporation to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and to issue debentures, debenture stock, mortgages, bonds and other such securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Corporation or of any third party. |
Section 5.02 Appointment and Removal of Directors.
(a) | Prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Corporation may by resolution of the holders of shares of the Class B Common Stock appoint any person to be a director of the Corporation or may by resolution of the holders of shares of the Class B Common Stock remove any director of the Corporation. |
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For the avoidance of doubt, prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, holders of shares of the Class A Common Stock shall have no right to vote on the appointment or removal of any director of the Corporation. |
(b) | After the consummation of a Business Combination, the Corporation may by Resolution of Stockholders appoint any person to be a director of the Corporation or may by Resolution of Stockholders remove any director of the Corporation. |
(c) | There shall be a board of directors consisting of not less than one person; provided, however, that the Corporation may by Resolution of Stockholders or Resolution of Directors, amend this Section to increase or reduce the limits in the number of directors. |
(d) | The Corporation may by Resolution of Stockholders appoint any person to be a director of the Corporation either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director of the Corporation; provided that the appointment does not cause the number of directors to exceed any number fixed by this Certificate of Incorporation as the maximum number of directors. |
(e) | Directors of the Corporation shall be appointed for a term of two years. Except as the DGCL or other Applicable Law may otherwise require: |
i | prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, in the interim between the appointment of a director in accordance with this Section and/or the removal of one or more directors of the Corporation and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, additional directors and any vacancies in the Board, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum (as defined in this Certificate of Incorporation) or by the sole remaining director; and |
ii | after the consummation of a Business Combination, in the interim between annual meetings of stockholders or special meetings of stockholders called for the appointment of directors and/or the removal of one or more directors and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, additional directors and any vacancies in the Board, including unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum (as defined in this Certificate of Incorporation), or by the sole remaining director. |
(f) | All directors of the Corporation shall hold office until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. A director appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his or her successor shall have been appointed and qualified. |
(e) | Prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, Section 5.02(a) may only be amended by a Resolution of Stockholders passed by at least a majority of such stockholders (which shall include an absolute majority of the holders of shares of the Class B Common Stock) as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a meeting of stockholders of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution has been given. |
Section 5.03 Vacation of Office of Director. The office of a director of the Corporation shall be vacated if:
(a) | the director gives notice in writing to the Corporation that he or she resigns the office of director; or |
(b) | the director absents himself or herself (for the avoidance of doubt, without being represented by proxy) from three consecutive meetings of the Board without special leave of absence from the Board, and the Board passes a Resolution of Directors confirming that such director has by reason of such absence vacated office; or |
(c) | the director dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his or her creditors generally; or |
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(d) | the director is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; or |
(e) | all of the other directors (being not less than two in number) determine that the director should be removed as a director, either by a Resolution of Directors passed by all of the other directors at a meeting of the Board duly convened and held in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation or by a Resolution of Directors in writing signed by all of the other directors; or |
(f) | the director becomes disqualified to act as a director under the DGCL. |
Section 5.04 Proceedings of Directors.
(a) | The quorum for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Board, and unless so fixed shall be a majority of the directors then in office. |
(b) | Subject to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Board may regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit. Questions arising at any meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the Board shall have a second or casting vote. |
(c) | A person may participate in a meeting of the Board or a meeting of any committee of the Board by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other at the same time. Participation by a person in a meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the meeting shall be deemed to be held at the place where the chairman of the Board is located at the start of the meeting. |
(d) | A Resolution of Directors in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by a majority of the Board or a majority of the members of a committee of the Board or, in the case of a resolution in writing relating to the removal of any director or the vacation of office by any director, all of the directors other than the director who is the subject of such resolution shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Board, or committee of the Board as the case may be, duly convened and held. |
(e) | A director may, or other officer of the Corporation on the direction of a director shall, call a meeting of the Board by at least two days’ notice in writing to every director which notice shall set forth the general nature of the business to be considered unless notice is waived by all the directors either at, before or after the meeting is held. To any such notice of a meeting of the Board, all the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to the giving of notices by the Corporation to the stockholders shall apply mutatis mutandis. |
(f) | The continuing directors (or a sole continuing director, as the case may be) may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation as the necessary quorum of the Board, the continuing directors or director may act for the purpose of increasing the number of directors to be equal to such fixed number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Corporation, but for no other purpose. |
(g) | The Board may elect a chairman of the Board and determine the period for which he or she is to hold office; but if no such chairman is elected, or if at any meeting the chairman of the Board is not present within five minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to commence, the directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
(h) | All acts done by any meeting of the Board or of a committee of the Board shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any director, and/or that they or any of them were disqualified, and/or had vacated their office and/or were not entitled to vote, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and/or not disqualified to be a director and/or had not vacated their office and/or had been entitled to vote, as the case may be. |
(h) | A director may be represented at any meetings of the Board by a proxy appointed in writing by such director. The proxy shall count towards the quorum and the vote of the proxy shall for all purposes be deemed to be that of the appointing director. |
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Section 5.05 Presumption of Assent. A director who is present at a meeting of the Board at which action on any Corporation matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he or she shall file his or her written dissent from such action with the person acting as the chairman or secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered post to such person immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.
Section 5.06 Interested Directors and Officers. No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or any stockholder, or between the Corporation and any individual, corporation, partnership, association, firm. trust, joint venture, political subdivision, instrumentality or other organization in which one or more of its directors, officers or any stockholder are directors, officers or stockholders, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his, her or their votes are counted for such purpose if: (i) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board or committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; (ii) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to any shareholder entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of all shareholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board, a committee thereof or all shareholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
Section 5.07 Minutes. The Board shall cause minutes to be made in books kept for the purpose of all appointments of officers made by the Board, all proceedings at meetings of the Corporation or the holders of any class of Shares and of the Board, and of committees of the Board, including the names of the directors present at each meeting.
Section 5.08 Delegation of Board’s Powers.
(a) | Subject to the DGCL, the Board may delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions, including the power to sub-delegate, to any committee consisting of one or more directors (including, without limitation, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee). It may also, subject to the DGCL, delegate to any managing director or any director holding any other executive office such of its powers, authorities and discretions as it considers desirable to be exercised by him or her. Any such delegation may be made subject to any conditions the Board may impose and either collaterally with or to the exclusion of its own powers and any such delegation may be revoked or altered by the Board. Subject to any such conditions, the proceedings of a committee of the Board shall be governed by this Certificate of Incorporation regulating the proceedings of the Board, so far as they are capable of applying. |
(b) | Subject to the DGCL, the Board may establish any committees, local boards or agencies or appoint any person to be a manager or agent for managing the affairs of the Corporation and may appoint any person to be a member of such committees, local boards or agencies. Any such appointment may be made subject to any conditions the Board may impose, and either collaterally with or to the exclusion of its own powers and any such appointment may be revoked or altered by the Board. Subject to any such conditions, the proceedings of any such committee, local board or agency shall be governed by this Certificate of Incorporation regulating the proceedings of the Board, so far as they are capable of applying. |
(c) | The Board may adopt formal written charters for committees. Each of these committees shall be empowered to do all things necessary to exercise the rights of such committee set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation and shall have such powers as the Board may delegate pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation and as required by the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any |
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other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. Each of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, if established, shall consist of such number of directors as the directors shall from time to time determine (or such minimum number as may be required from time to time by the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law). For so long as any class of Shares is listed on the Recognized Exchange, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee shall be made up of such number of Independent Directors as is required from time to time by the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. |
(d) | Subject to the DGCL, the Board may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any person to be the agent of the Corporation on such conditions as the Board may determine, provided that the delegation is not to the exclusion of its own powers and may be revoked by the Board at any time. |
(e) | Subject to the DGCL, the Board may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any company, firm, person or body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Board, to be the attorney or authorized signatory of the Corporation for such purpose and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Board under this Certificate of Incorporation) and for such period and subject to such conditions as it may think fit, and any such powers of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorneys or authorized signatories as the Board may think fit and may also authorize any such attorney or authorized signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him, her or it. |
(f) | The Board may appoint such officers of the Corporation (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, a Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, Treasurer and such other offices as may be determined by the Board) as it considers necessary on such terms, at such remuneration and to perform such duties, and subject to such provisions as to disqualification and removal as the Board may think fit. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of his or her appointment, an officer of the Corporation may be removed by Resolution of Directors or Resolution of Stockholders. An officer of the Corporation may vacate his or her office at any time if he or she gives notice in writing to the Corporation that he or she resigns his or her office. |
Section 5.09 No Minimum Shareholding. The Corporation in stockholders’ meeting may fix a minimum shareholding required to be held by a director, but unless and until such a shareholding qualification is fixed a director is not required to hold Shares.
Section 5.10 Remuneration of Directors.
(a) | The remuneration to be paid to the directors, if any, shall be such remuneration as the Board shall determine; provided that no cash renumeration shall be paid to any director by the Corporation prior to the consummation of a Business Combination. The directors shall also, whether prior to or after the consummation of a Business Combination, be entitled to be paid all travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in connection with their attendance at meetings of the Board or committees thereof, or general meetings of the Corporation, or separate meetings of the holders of any class of Shares or debentures of the Corporation, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Corporation or the discharge of their duties as a director, or to receive a fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Board, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other. |
(b) | The Board may by Resolution of Directors approve additional remuneration to any director for any services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond his ordinary routine work as a director. Any fees paid to a director who is also counsel, attorney or solicitor to the Corporation, or otherwise serves it in a professional capacity shall be in addition to his or her remuneration as a director. |
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Article VI. BYLAWS
Section 6.01 Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board and the stockholders of the Corporation shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”).
Article VII. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Section 7.01 Meetings.
(a) | All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called special meetings. |
(b) | The Corporation may, but shall not be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and, where called, shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. Any annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Board shall appoint. |
(c) | The Board by Resolution of Directors, or the chairman of the Board, may call general meetings, and it shall on a stockholders’ requisition forthwith proceed to convene a special meeting of the Corporation. |
(d) | A stockholders’ requisition is a requisition of stockholders holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than 10% in par value (if all the issued Shares have a par value), or otherwise by number of the issued Shares which as at that date carry the right to vote in respect of the matter for which the meeting is requested. |
(e) | The stockholders’ requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists. |
(f) | If there are no directors as at the date of the deposit of the stockholders’ requisition or if the directors do not within twenty-one days from the date of the deposit of the stockholders’ requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further twenty-one days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of the requisitionists, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall be held no later than the day which falls three months after the expiration of the said twenty-one day period. |
(g) | A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by the Board. |
(h) | Stockholders seeking to bring business before the annual general meeting or to nominate candidates for election as directors at the annual general meeting must deliver notice to the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 120 calendar days before the date of the Corporation’s proxy statement released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual general meeting or, if the Corporation did not hold an annual general meeting the previous year, or if the date of the current year’s annual general meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from the date of the previous year’s annual general meeting, then the deadline shall be set by the Board with such deadline being a reasonable time before the Corporation begins to print and send its related proxy materials. |
Section 7.02 Notice of General Meetings.
(a) | At least ten clear days’ notice shall be given of any general meeting. Every notice shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be conducted at the general meeting and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Corporation, provided that a general meeting of the Corporation shall, whether or not the notice specified in this Section has been given and whether or not the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed: |
i. | in the case of an annual general meeting, by all of the stockholders entitled to attend and vote thereat; and |
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ii. | in the case of a special meeting, by a majority in number of the stockholders having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, together holding not less than 95% in par value (if all the issued Shares have a par value), or otherwise by number of the Shares giving that right. |
(b) | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the accidental omission to give notice of a general meeting to, or the non receipt of notice of a general meeting by, any person entitled to receive such notice, or the accidental failure to refer in any notice or other document to a meeting as an “annual general meeting” or “special meeting”, as the case may be, shall not invalidate the proceedings of that general meeting. |
Section 7.03 Proceedings at General Meetings.
(a) | No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. The holders of one-third of the Shares being individuals present in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy shall be a quorum. |
(b) | A person may participate at a general meeting by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. Participation by a person in a general meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. |
(c) | A resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by or on behalf of all of the stockholders for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or, being corporations or other non-natural persons, signed by their duly authorized representatives) shall, without the need for any advance notice, be as valid and effective as if the resolution had been passed at a general meeting of the Corporation duly convened and held. |
(d) | If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting to commence or if during such a meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting, if convened upon a stockholders’ requisition, shall be dissolved and in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and/or place or to such other day, time and/or place as the Board may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting to commence, the stockholders present shall be a quorum. |
(e) | The Board may, at any time prior to the time appointed for the meeting to commence, appoint any person to act as chairman of a general meeting of the Corporation or, if the Board does not make any such appointment, the chairman, if any, of the Board shall preside as chairman at such general meeting. If there is no such chairman, or if he or she shall not be present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to commence, or is unwilling to act, the directors present shall elect one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
(f) | If no director is willing to act as chairman or if no director is present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to commence, the stockholders present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
(g) | The chairman may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. |
(h) | When a general meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to give any such notice of an adjourned meeting. |
(i) | If, prior to a Business Combination, a notice is issued in respect of a general meeting and the Board, in its absolute discretion, considers that it is impractical or undesirable for any reason to hold that general meeting at the place, the day and the hour specified in the notice calling such general meeting, the Board may |
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postpone the general meeting to another place, day and/or hour provided that notice of the place, the day and the hour of the rearranged general meeting is promptly given to all stockholders. No business shall be transacted at any postponed meeting other than the business specified in the notice of the original meeting. |
(j) | When a general meeting is postponed for thirty days or more, notice of the postponed meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to give any such notice of a postponed meeting. All proxy forms submitted for the original general meeting shall remain valid for the postponed meeting. The Board may postpone a general meeting which has already been postponed. |
(k) | A resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless before, or on the declaration of the result of, the show of hands, the chairman demands a poll, or any other stockholder or stockholders collectively present in person or by proxy (or in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative or proxy) and holding at least 10% in par value (if all the issued Shares have a par value), or otherwise by number of the Shares giving a right to attend and vote at the meeting demand a poll. |
(l) | Unless a poll is duly demanded and the demand is not withdrawn a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has been carried or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost or not carried by a particular majority, and an entry to that effect in the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting shall be conclusive evidence of that fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favor of or against such resolution. |
(m) | The demand for a poll may be withdrawn. |
(n) | Except on a poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment, a poll shall be taken as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the general meeting at which the poll was demanded. |
(o) | A poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such date, time and place as the chairman of the general meeting directs, and any business other than that upon which a poll has been demanded or is contingent thereon may proceed pending the taking of the poll. |
(l) | In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
Section 7.04 Votes of Stockholders.
(a) | Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any Shares, on a show of hands every stockholder who (being an individual) is present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person is present by its duly authorized representative or by proxy, shall have one vote and on a poll every stockholder present in any such manner shall have one vote for every Share of which he or she is the holder. |
(b) | In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior holder who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative or proxy), shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the record of stockholders. |
(c) | A stockholder of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his or her committee, receiver, curator bonis, or other person on such stockholder’s behalf appointed by that court, and any such committee, receiver, curator bonis or other person may vote by proxy. |
(d) | No person shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting unless he or she is registered as a stockholder on the record date for such meeting nor unless all calls or other monies then due and payable by him or her in respect of Shares have been paid. |
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(e) | No objection shall be raised as to the qualification of any voter except at the general meeting or adjourned general meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered and every vote not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid. Any objection made in due time in accordance with this Section shall be referred to the chairman whose decision shall be final and conclusive. |
(f) | Votes may be cast either personally or by proxy (or in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy). A stockholder may appoint more than one proxy or the same proxy under one or more instruments to attend and vote at a meeting. Where a stockholder appoints more than one proxy the instrument of proxy shall state which proxy is entitled to vote on a show of hands and shall specify the number of Shares in respect of which each proxy is entitled to exercise the related votes. |
(g) | A stockholder holding more than one Share need not cast the votes in respect of his or her Shares in the same way on any resolution and therefore may vote a Share or some or all such Shares either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting a Share or some or all of the Shares and, subject to the terms of the instrument appointing him or her, a proxy appointed under one or more instruments may vote a Share or some or all of the Shares in respect of which he or she is appointed either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting a Share or some or all of the Shares in respect of which he or she is appointed. |
Section 7.05 Proxies.
(a) | The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing and shall be executed under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing, or, if the appointor is a corporation or other non-natural person, under the hand of its duly authorized representative. A proxy need not be a stockholder. |
(b) | The Board may, in the notice convening any meeting or adjourned meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Corporation, specify the manner by which the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited and the place and the time (being not later than the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting to which the proxy relates) at which the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited. In the absence of any such direction from the Board in the notice convening any meeting or adjourned meeting or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Corporation, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited physically at the Registered Office not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the meeting or adjourned meeting to commence at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote. |
(c) | The chairman may in any event at his or her discretion declare that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted, or which has not been declared to have been duly deposited by the chairman, shall be invalid. |
(d) | The instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form (or such other form as the Board may approve) and may be expressed to be for a particular meeting or any adjournment thereof or generally until revoked. An instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to include the power to demand or join or concur in demanding a poll. |
(e) | Votes given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the proxy was executed, or the transfer of the Share in respect of which the proxy is given unless notice in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer was received by the Corporation at the Registered Office before the commencement of the general meeting, or adjourned meeting at which it is sought to use the proxy. |
Section 7.06 Corporate Stockholders.
(a) | Any corporation or other non-natural person which is a stockholder may in accordance with its constitutional documents, or in the absence of such provision by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorize such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the |
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Corporation or of any class of stockholders, and the person so authorized shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he or she represents as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual stockholder. |
(b) | If a Clearing House (or its nominee(s)), being a corporation, is a stockholder, it may authorize such persons as it sees fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Corporation or at any meeting of any class of stockholders provided that the authorization shall specify the number and class of Shares in respect of which each such representative is so authorized. Each person so authorized under the provisions of this Section shall be deemed to have been duly authorized without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same rights and powers on behalf of the Clearing House (or its nominee(s)) as if such person was the registered holder of such Shares held by the Clearing House (or its nominee(s)). |
Section 7.07 Shares that May Not be Voted. Shares that are beneficially owned by the Corporation (including Treasury Shares) shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding Shares at any given time.
Article VIII. LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.01 Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
Section 8.02 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
(a) | To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by Applicable Law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by Applicable Law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.02 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.02 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.02(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board. |
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(b) | The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.02 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. |
(c) | Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.02 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Section 8.02, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. |
(d) | This Section 8.02 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnity and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees |
Article IX. BUSINESS COMBINATION
Section 9.01 General.
(a) | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, this Section 9.01 shall apply during the period commencing upon the adoption of the Certificate of Incorporation and terminating upon the first to occur of the consummation of a Business Combination and the full distribution of the Trust Account pursuant to Section 9.03. Subject to the DGCL, in the event of a conflict between this Article IX and any other Sections, the provisions of this Article IX shall prevail. |
(b) | Prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Corporation shall either: |
i. | submit such Business Combination to its stockholders for approval; or |
ii. | provide stockholders with the opportunity to have their Shares repurchased by means of a tender offer for a per-Share repurchase price payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of such Business Combination, including interest earned on the Trust Account (net of taxes paid or payable, if any), divided by the number of then issued Public Shares, provided that the Corporation shall not repurchase Public Shares in an amount that would cause the Corporation’s net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of such Business Combination. Such obligation to repurchase Shares is subject to the completion of the proposed Business Combination to which it relates. |
(c) | If the Corporation initiate any tender offer in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act in connection with a proposed Business Combination, it shall file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing such Business Combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about such Business Combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act. If, alternatively, the Corporation holds a general meeting to approve a proposed Business Combination, the Corporation will conduct any redemptions in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, and not pursuant to the tender offer rules, and file proxy materials with the SEC. |
(d) | As long as the securities of the Corporation are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, the Corporation must complete one or more Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the |
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income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the Corporation’s signing a definitive agreement in connection with a Business Combination. A Business Combination must not be effectuated with another blank cheque company or a similar company with nominal operations. |
Section 9.02 Redemption Rights.
(a) | At a general meeting called for the purposes of approving a Business Combination pursuant to this Article IX, in the event that such Business Combination is approved by Resolution of Stockholders, the Corporation shall be authorized to consummate such Business Combination, provided that the Corporation shall not consummate such Business Combination unless the Corporation has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 immediately prior to, or upon such consummation of, or any greater net tangible asset or cash requirement that may be contained in the agreement relating to, such Business Combination. |
(b) | Any stockholder holding Public Shares who is not the Sponsor, a Founder, officer or director of the Corporation may, at least two business days prior to any vote on a Business Combination, elect to have their Public Shares redeemed for cash, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided for in the related proxy materials (the “IPO Redemption”), provided that no such stockholder acting together with any Affiliate of his or her or any other person with whom he or she is acting in concert or as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purposes of acquiring, holding, or disposing of Shares may exercise this redemption right with respect to more than 15% of the Public Shares in the aggregate without the prior consent of the Corporation, and provided further that any beneficial holder of Public Shares on whose behalf a redemption right is being exercised must identify itself to the Corporation in connection with any redemption election in order to validly redeem such Public Shares. If so demanded, the Corporation shall pay any such redeeming stockholder, regardless of whether he or she is voting for or against such proposed Business Combination, a per-Share redemption price payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the Trust Account (such interest shall be net of taxes payable) and not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes, divided by the number of then issued Public Shares, but only in the event that the applicable proposed Business Combination is approved and consummated. The Corporation shall not redeem Public Shares that would cause the Corporation’s net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 following such redemptions (the “Redemption Limitation”). |
(c) | A stockholder may not withdraw a redemption notice once submitted to the Corporation unless the Board determines (in its sole discretion) to permit the withdrawal of such redemption request (which it may do in whole or in part). |
Section 9.03 Distributions from the Trust Account.
(a) | In the event that the Corporation does not consummate a Business Combination within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO (or (i) 18 months from the consummation of the IPO if the Corporation has filed a proxy statement, registration statement or similar filing for a Business Combination but has not completed such Business Combination within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO, (ii) up to 21 months if such date is extended as described in Section 9.03(b) below), or such later time as the stockholders may approve in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation shall: |
i. | cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; |
ii. | as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-Share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Corporation (less taxes payable and up to US$100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and |
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iii. | as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Corporation’s remaining stockholders and directors, liquidate and dissolve, |
subject in each case to its obligations under the DGCL to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of Applicable Law.
(b) | Notwithstanding Section 9.03(a) or any other provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, without approval of the stockholders, the Board may, by Resolution of Directors if requested by the Sponsor and upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination by up to six times, each by an additional one month (for a total of up to 21 months to consummate a Business Combination), subject to the Sponsor, or its Affiliates or designees, depositing in proceeds into the Trust Account on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline (i) in the case of each one-month extension, $660,330, or (ii) in the case of a full six-month extension, an aggregate of $3,961,980. The Corporation shall provide notice to the stockholders that an extension will be effected at least three days prior to the applicable deadline, and shall confirm receipt of the required proceeds into the Trust Account on the day following the applicable deadline. |
(c) | In the event that any amendment is made to this Certificate of Incorporation: |
i. | to modify the substance or timing of the Corporation’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with a Business Combination or redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Corporation does not consummate a Business Combination within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO (or (i) 18 months from the consummation of the IPO if the Corporation has filed a proxy statement, registration statement or similar filing for a Business Combination but has not completed such Business Combination within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO, (ii) up to 21 months if such date is extended as described in Section 9.03(b)), or such later time as the stockholders may approve in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation; or |
ii. | with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-Business Combination activity, |
each holder of Public Shares who is not the Sponsor, a Founder, officer or director shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares upon the approval or effectiveness of any such amendment at a per-Share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Corporation to pay its taxes, divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. The Corporation’s ability to provide such redemption in this Section 9.03(c) is subject to the Redemption Limitation.
(d) | A holder of Public Shares shall be entitled to receive distributions from the Trust Account only in the event of an IPO Redemption, a repurchase of Shares by means of a tender offer pursuant to this Article IX, or a distribution of the Trust Account pursuant to this Article IX. In no other circumstance shall a holder of Public Shares have any right or interest of any kind in the Trust Account. |
Section 9.04 Issuance of Shares or Debt Securities. After the issue of Public Shares, and prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Corporation shall not issue additional Shares or any other securities that would entitle the holders thereof to: (a) receive funds from the Trust Account; or (b) vote as a class with Public Shares on a Business Combination.
Section 9.05 Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) | The uninterested Independent Directors shall approve any transaction or transactions between the Corporation and any of the following parties: |
i. | any stockholder owning an interest in the voting power of the Corporation that gives such stockholder a significant influence over the Corporation; and |
ii. | any director or officer of the Corporation and any Affiliate or such director or officer. |
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(b) | A director of the Corporation may vote in respect of any Business Combination in which such director has a conflict of interest with respect to the evaluation of such Business Combination. Such director must disclose such interest or conflict to the other directors. |
(c) | The Corporation may enter into a Business Combination with a target business that is Affiliated with the Sponsor, a Founder, a director or an officer. In the event the Corporation seeks to consummate a Business Combination with a target that is Affiliated with the Sponsor, a Founder, a director or an officer, the Corporation, or a committee of Independent Directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another valuation or appraisal firm that regularly renders fairness opinions on the type of target business the Corporation is seeking to acquire that is a member of the United States Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or an independent accounting firm that such a Business Combination is fair to the Corporation from a financial point of view. |
ARTICLE X. CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY
Section 10.01 To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, no individual serving as a director or an officer of the Corporation (“Management”) shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Corporation. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for Management, on the one hand, and the Corporation, on the other hand. Except to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, Management shall have no duty to communicate or offer any such corporate opportunity to the Corporation and shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, director and/or officer of the Corporation solely by reason of the fact that such party pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, himself or herself, directs such corporate opportunity to another person, or does not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Corporation.
Section 10.02 Except as provided elsewhere in this Article X, the Corporation shall have no interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for both the Corporation and Management, about which a director and/or officer of the Corporation who is also a member of Management acquires knowledge.
Section 10.03 To the extent a court might hold that the conduct of any activity related to a corporate opportunity that is renounced in this Article X to be a breach of duty to the Corporation or its stockholders, the Corporation hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any and all claims and causes of action that the Corporation may have for such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the provisions of this Article X apply equally to activities conducted in the future and that have been conducted in the past.
ARTICLE XI. SEAL
Section 11.01 The Corporation shall have a Seal. The Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Board or of a committee of the Board authorized by the Board.
Section 11.02 The Corporation may have for use in any place or places outside Delaware a duplicate Seal or Seals each of which shall be a facsimile of the Seal of the Corporation and, if the Board so determines, with the addition on its face of the name of every place where it is to be used.
Section 11.03 A director or officer, representative or attorney of the Corporation may without further authority of the Board affix the Seal over his or her signature alone to any document of the Corporation required to be authenticated by him or her under seal or to be filed wheresoever.
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ARTICLE XII DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESERVE
Section 12.01 Subject to the DGCL and this Article XII and except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, the Board may resolve by Resolution of Directors to pay Distributions on Shares in issue and authorize payment of the Distributions out of the funds of the Corporation lawfully available therefor. A dividend shall be deemed to be an interim dividend unless the terms of the Resolution of Directors pursuant to which the Board resolves to pay such dividend specifically state that such dividend shall be a final dividend. No Distribution shall be authorized if such Distribution would cause the Corporation or the Board to be in breach of the DGCL.
Section 12.02 Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, all Distributions shall be paid according to the par value of the Shares that a shareholder holds. If any Share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for Distributions as from a particular date, that Share shall rank for Distributions accordingly.
Section 12.03 The Board may deduct from any Distribution payable to any stockholder all sums of money (if any) payable by him or her to the Corporation on account of calls or otherwise.
Section 12.04 The Board may resolve by Resolution of Directors that any Distribution or redemption be paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets and in particular (but without limitation) by the distribution of shares, debentures, or securities of any other company or in any one or more of such ways and where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient and in particular may issue fractional Shares and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets or any part thereof and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any stockholders upon the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all stockholders and may vest any such specific assets in trustees in such manner as may seem expedient to the Board.
Section 12.05 Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, Distributions may be paid in any currency. The Board may determine the basis of conversion for any currency conversions that may be required and how any costs involved are to be met.
Section 12.06 The Board may, before resolving to pay any Distribution, set aside such sums as it thinks proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose of the Corporation and pending such application may, at the discretion of the Board, be employed in the business of the Corporation.
Section 12.07 Any Distribution, redemption payment, interest or other monies payable in cash in respect of Shares may be paid by wire transfer to the holder or by cheque or warrant sent through the post directed to the registered address of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the registered address of the holder who is first named on the record of stockholders or to such person and to such address as such holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent. Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends, other Distributions, bonuses, or other monies payable in respect of the Share held by them as joint holders.
Section 12.08 No Distribution or redemption payment shall bear interest against the Corporation.
Section 12.09 Any Distribution or redemption payment which cannot be paid to a stockholder and/or which remains unclaimed after six months from the date on which such Distribution becomes payable may, in the discretion of the Board, be paid into a separate account in the Corporation’s name, provided that the Corporation shall not be constituted as a trustee in respect of that account and the dividend or other Distribution shall remain as a debt due to the stockholder. Any Distribution or redemption payment which remains unclaimed after a period of six years from the date on which such Distribution or redemption payment becomes payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Corporation.
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ARTICLE XIII BOOKS OF ACCOUNT
Section 13.01 The Board shall cause proper books of account (including, where applicable, underlying documentation including contracts and invoices) to be kept with respect to all sums of money received and expended by the Corporation and the matters in respect of which the receipt or expenditure takes place, all sales and purchases of goods by the Corporation and the assets and liabilities of the Corporation, in accordance with the DGCL.
Section 13.02 The Board shall determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Corporation or any of them shall be open to the inspection of stockholders not being directors and no stockholder (not being a director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Corporation except as conferred by the DGCL or authorized by the Board or by the Corporation in general meeting.
Section 13.03 The Board may cause to be prepared and to be laid before the Corporation in general meeting profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, group accounts (if any) and such other reports and accounts as may be required by law.
ARTICLE XIV AUDIT
Section 14.01 The Board may appoint an Auditor of the Corporation who shall hold office on such terms as the Board determine.
Section 14.02 Without prejudice to the freedom of the Board to establish any other committee, if the Shares (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on the Recognized Exchange, and if required by the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law, the Board shall establish and maintain an Audit Committee as a committee of the Board and shall adopt a formal written Audit Committee charter and review and assess the adequacy of the formal written charter on an annual basis. The composition and responsibilities of the Audit Committee shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law.
Section 14.03 If the Shares (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on the Recognized Exchange, the Corporation shall conduct an appropriate review of all related party transactions on an ongoing basis and shall utilize the Audit Committee for the review and approval of potential conflicts of interest.
Section 14.04 The remuneration of the Auditor shall be fixed by the Audit Committee (if one exists).
Section 14.05 If the office of Auditor becomes vacant by resignation or death of the Auditor, or by his or her becoming incapable of acting by reason of illness or other disability at a time when his or her services are required, the Board shall fill the vacancy and determine the remuneration of such Auditor.
Section 14.06 Every Auditor of the Corporation shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Corporation and shall be entitled to require from the directors and officers of the Corporation such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Auditor.
Section 14.07 Auditors shall, if so required by the Board, make a report on the accounts of the Corporation during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment and at any other time during their term of office, upon request of the Board or any general meeting of the stockholders.
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Section 14.08 Any payment made to members of the Audit Committee (if one exists) shall require the review and approval of the Board by Resolution of Directors, with any director interested in such payment abstaining from such review and approval.
Section 14.09 The Audit Committee shall monitor compliance with the terms of the IPO and, if any non-compliance is identified, the Audit Committee shall be charged with the responsibility to take all action necessary to rectify such non-compliance or otherwise cause compliance with the terms of the IPO.
Section 14.10 At least one member of the Audit Committee shall be an “audit committee financial expert” as determined by the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under Applicable Law. The “audit committee financial expert” shall have such past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication.
ARTICLE XV NOTICES
Section 15.01 Notices shall be in writing and may be given by the Corporation to any stockholder either personally or by sending it by courier, post, cable, fax or email to him or her or to his or her address as shown in the record of stockholders (or where the notice is given by email by sending it to the email address provided by such stockholder). Any notice, if posted from one country to another, is to be sent by airmail. Notice may also be served by Electronic Communication in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange, the SEC and/or any other competent regulatory authority or by placing it on the Corporation’s website.
Section 15.02 Where a notice is sent by: (a) courier, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by delivery of the notice to a courier company, and shall be deemed to have been received on the third day (not including Saturdays or Sundays or public holidays) following the day on which the notice was delivered to the courier; (b) post, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre paying and posting a letter containing the notice, and shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth day (not including Saturdays or Sundays or public holidays in Delaware) following the day on which the notice was posted; (c) cable or fax; service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing and sending such notice and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was transmitted; (d) email or other Electronic Communication service; shall be deemed to be effected by transmitting the email to the email address provided by the intended recipient and shall be deemed to have been received on the same day that it was sent, and it shall not be necessary for the receipt of the email to be acknowledged by the recipient; and (e) placing it on the Corporation’s website; service of the notice shall be deemed to have been effected one hour after the notice or document was placed on the Corporation’s website.
Section 15.03 A notice may be given by the Corporation to the person or persons which the Corporation has been advised are entitled to a Share or Shares in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a stockholder in the same manner as other notices which are required to be given under this Certificate of Incorporation and shall be addressed to them by name, or by the title of representatives of the deceased, or trustee of the bankrupt, or by any like description at the address supplied for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled, or at the option of the Corporation by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death or bankruptcy had not occurred.
Section 15.04 Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner authorized by this Certificate of Incorporation to every holder of Shares carrying an entitlement to receive such notice on the record date for such meeting is except that in the case of joint holders the notice shall be sufficient if given to the joint holder first named in the record of stockholders and every person upon whom the ownership of a Share devolves by reason of his or her being a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy of a stockholder where the stockholder but for his or her death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting, and no other person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.
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ARTICLE VI WINDING UP
Section 16.01 If the Corporation shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Corporation in satisfaction of creditors’ claims in such manner and order as such liquidator thinks fit. Subject to the rights attaching to any Shares, including, for the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to Article IX, each Share will rank pari passu with each other Share in relation to the distribution of surplus assets on a winding up.
Section 16.02 If the Corporation shall be wound up the liquidator may, subject to the rights attaching to any Shares and subject to contrary direction by Resolution of Stockholders, divide amongst the stockholders in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Corporation (whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the stockholders or different classes of stockholders. The liquidator may, subject to contrary direction by Resolution of Stockholders, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the stockholders as the liquidator, subject to contrary direction by Resolution of Stockholders, shall think fit, but so that no stockholder shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.
ARTICLE VII FINANCIAL YEAR
Unless the Board otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 in each year and, following the year of incorporation, shall begin on January 1 in each year.
ARTICLE VIII TRANSFER BY WAY OF CONTINUATION
The Corporation shall, subject to the provisions of the DGCL and with the approval of a Resolution of Stockholders, have the power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate under the laws of any jurisdiction outside Delaware and to be deregistered in Delaware.
ARTICLE XIX MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATIONS
The Corporation shall, subject to the provisions of the DGCL and (if required) with the approval of a Resolution of Stockholders, have the power to merge or consolidate with one or more other constituent corporations (as defined in the DGCL), upon such terms as the Board may determine.
ARTICLE XX CERTAIN TAX FILINGS
Each Tax Filing Authorized Person and any such other person, acting alone, as any director shall designate from time to time, are authorized to file tax forms SS-4, W-8 BEN, W-8 IMY, W-9, 8832 and 2553 and such other similar tax forms as are customary to file with any U.S. state or federal governmental authorities or foreign governmental authorities in connection with the formation, activities and/or elections of the Corporation and such other tax forms as may be approved from time to time by any director or officer of the Corporation. The Corporation further ratifies and approves any such filing made by any Tax Filing Authorized Person or such other person prior to the date of this Certificate of Incorporation.
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ARTICLE XXI. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
Section 21.01 In this Certificate of Incorporation, unless there is something in the subject or context inconsistent therewith:
“Affiliates” means in respect of a person, means any other person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person, and (a) in the case of a natural person, shall include, without limitation, such person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, mother-in-law and father-in-law and brothers and sisters-in-law, whether by blood, marriage or adoption or anyone residing in such person’s home, a trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing, a company, partnership or any natural person or entity wholly or jointly owned by any of the foregoing and (b) in the case of an entity, shall include a partnership, a corporation or any natural person or entity which directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such entity.
“Applicable Law” means, with respect to any person, all provisions of laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, certificates, judgments, decisions, decrees or orders of any governmental authority applicable to such person. “Audit Committee” means the audit committee of the Corporation formed pursuant to Section 14.02 hereof, or any successor audit committee.
“Auditor” means the person for the time being performing the duties of auditor of the Corporation (if any).
“Business Combination” means a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganisation or similar business combination involving the Corporation, with one or more businesses or entities (the “target business”), which Business Combination: (a) must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into such Business Combination; and (b) must not be effectuated with another blank cheque company or a similar company with nominal operations.
“business day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.
“Clearing House” means a clearing house recognized by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Shares (or depositary receipts therefor) are listed or quoted on a stock exchange or interdealer quotation system in such jurisdiction.
“Compensation Committee” means the compensation committee of the Board established pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation, or any successor committee.
“Distribution” means any distribution (including an interim or final dividend).
“Domestication” means the re-domicile of the Corporation as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the DGCL, and Section 184 of the BVI Business Companies Act of 2004 and shall no longer be considered a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands which takes effectiveness upon the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation and the Certificate of Domestication with the Secretary of the State of Delaware.
“Electronic Communication” means a communication sent by electronic means, including electronic posting to the Corporation’s website, transmission to any number, address or internet website (including the website of the SEC) or other electronic delivery methods as otherwise decided and approved by the Board.
“Electronic Record” means information that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in paper form through an automated process used in conventional commercial practice.
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“Equity-Linked Securities” means any debt or equity securities that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for shares of the Class A Common Stock issued in a financing transaction in connection with a Business Combination, including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt.
“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Founder” means each stockholder immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO.
“Independent Director” has the same meaning as in the rules and regulations of the Recognized Exchange or in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, as the case may be.
“IPO” means the Corporation’s initial public offering of securities.
“Over-Allotment Option” the option of the Underwriters to purchase up to an additional 15% of the units issued in the IPO at a price equal to $10.00 per unit, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
“Public Shares” means the class A ordinary shares of the Corporation issued as part of the units (as described in Section 4.04) issued in the IPO which are automatically converted into shares of the Class A Common Stock upon the effectiveness of Domestication.
“Recognized Exchange” is the Nasdaq Global Market and any United States national securities exchange on which securities of the Corporation are listed for trading.
“Registered Agent” means the registered agent for the time being of the Corporation.
“Registered Office” means the registered office for the time being of the Corporation.
“Representative” means a representative of the Underwriters.
“Resolution of Directors” means, subject to this Certificate of Incorporation, (i) a resolution passed by a majority of the votes by directors as, being entitled to do so, vote at a meeting of the Board or a meeting of a committee of the Board; or (ii) a resolution in writing passed by the Board in accordance with Section 5.04(d).
“Resolution of Stockholders” means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the stockholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting, and includes a written resolution signed by or on behalf of an absolute majority of the stockholders. In computing the majority when a poll is demanded, and in the case of a written resolution, regard shall be had to the number of votes to which each stockholder is entitled by this Certificate of Incorporation.
“Seal” means the common seal of the Corporation and includes every duplicate seal.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Share” means a share of the Common Stock or a share of the Preferred Stock and includes a fraction of a share in the Corporation.
“Sponsor” means Vahanna LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors or assigns.
“Tax Filing Authorized Person” means such person as any director of the Corporation shall designate from time to time, acting severally.
“Treasury Share” means a Share held in the name of the Corporation as a treasury share in accordance with the DGCL.
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“Trust Account” means the trust account established by the Corporation upon the consummation of its IPO and into which a certain amount of the net proceeds of the IPO, together with a certain amount of the proceeds of a private placement of warrants simultaneously with the closing date of the IPO, was deposited.
“Underwriter” means an underwriter of the IPO from time to time and any successor underwriter.
Section 21.02 In this Certificate of Incorporation:
(a) words importing the singular number include the plural number and vice versa;
(b) words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender;
(c) words importing persons include corporations as well as any other legal or natural person;
(d) “written” and “in writing” include all modes of representing or reproducing words in visible form, including in the form of an Electronic Record;
(e) “shall” shall be construed as imperative and “may” shall be construed as permissive;
(f) references to provisions of any law or regulation shall be construed as references to those provisions as amended, modified, re-enacted or replaced;
(g) any phrase introduced by the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms;
(h) the term “and/or” is used herein to mean both “and” as well as “or.” The use of “and/or” in certain contexts in no respects qualifies or modifies the use of the terms “and” or “or” in others. The term “or” shall not be interpreted to be exclusive and the term “and” shall not be interpreted to require the conjunctive (in each case, unless the context otherwise requires);
(i) headings are inserted for reference only and shall be ignored in construing this Certificate of Incorporation;
(j) any requirements as to delivery under this Certificate of Incorporation include delivery in the form of an Electronic Record;
(k) any requirements as to execution or signature under this Certificate of Incorporation including the execution of this Certificate of Incorporation themselves can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as provided for in the DGCL;
(m) the term “clear days” in relation to the period of a notice means that period excluding the day when the notice is received or deemed to be received and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;
(n) the term “holder” in relation to a Share means a person whose name is entered in the record of stockholders as the holder of such Share;
(o) the term “simple majority” in relation to a Resolution of Stockholders means a majority of those entitled to vote on the resolution and actually voting on the resolution (and absent stockholders, stockholders who are present but do not vote, blanks and abstentions are not counted); and
(p) the term “absolute majority” in relation to a Resolution of Stockholders means a majority of all those entitled to vote on the resolution regardless of how many actually vote or abstain.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. has caused this Certificate of Incorporation to be duly executed in its name and on its behalf as of the [•]th day of [•], 2023.
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP. | ||
By: |
||
Name: Karan Puri | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation]
Annex J
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF ROADZEN INC.
Roadzen Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:
ONE: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on [●], 2023 (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
TWO: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”), which both restates and further amends the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) and the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).
THREE: Effective as of [ ], the text of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the Corporation is Roadzen Inc.
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, New Castle County. The name of its registered agent in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Services Company.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1. Authorized Shares. The aggregate number of shares, classes of shares and par value of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issues is 280,000,000, consisting of: 220,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 60,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 2. Vote to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, without a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation (as defined below) and irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.
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Section 3. Rights of Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (such certificate being hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Designation”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
Section 4. Rights of Common Stock. Except as shall otherwise be stated herein or as otherwise required by applicable law, all shares of Common Stock shall be identical in all respects and shall entitle the holders thereof to the same rights and privileges, subject to the same qualifications, limitations and restrictions. The Common Stock shall be subject to all of the rights, privileges, preferences and priorities of the Preferred Stock.
(a) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein or required by law, each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on any matter that is submitted to a vote of stockholders and shall otherwise have the rights conferred by applicable law in respect of such shares.
(b) Dividends. Subject to the rights of each series of the Preferred Stock, dividends, or other distributions in cash, securities or other property of the Corporation may be declared and paid or set apart for payment upon the Common Stock by the Board of Directors from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends, and all holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to participate in such dividends ratably on a per share basis.
(c) Liquidation. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, and after the holders of the Preferred Stock of each series shall have been paid in full the amounts to which they respectively shall be entitled in preference to the Common Stock in accordance with the terms of any outstanding Preferred Stock and applicable law, the remaining net assets and funds of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock and the holders of any Preferred Stock, but only to the extent that the holders of any Preferred Stock shall be entitled to participate in such distributions in accordance with the terms of any outstanding Preferred Stock or applicable law. A consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation or corporations or a sale, whether for cash, shares of stock, securities or properties, or any combination thereof, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed or construed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 4(c) of this Article IV.
(d) No Pre-Emptive Rights. No holder of Common Stock shall be entitled, as such, as a matter of right, to subscribe for or purchase any part of any new or additional issue of stock of any class or series whatsoever or of securities convertible into stock of any class whatsoever, whether now or hereafter authorized and whether issued for cash or other consideration, or by way of dividend.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Board Power. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”), the Board of Directors is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation. The quorum for the transaction of the business of the Board of Directors may be fixed by the directors, and unless so fixed shall be a majority of the directors then in office.
Section 2. Board Size. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the total number of authorized directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office.
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Section 3. Election of Directors. Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot. Director appointments shall require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the and meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.
Section 4. Term of Office of Directors. The directors shall be elected or appointed for a term of office continuing until the next annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation. Each director shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation given in writing by any electronic transmission permitted in the Bylaws or in accordance with applicable law. A director appointed to fill a vacancy resulting from the death, resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified.
Section 5. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed from office by the stockholders of the Corporation only for cause by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Section 6. Vacancies. Vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors for any reason and newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall be filled only be the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT OF THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
Section 1. Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation. This Amended and Restated Certificate may only be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote upon such amendment or repeal, voting as a single class. Except as expressly provided herein, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate, or any amendment thereto, in the manner now or hereafter provided by statute, and any and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein is subject to this reservation.
Section 2. Amendment of Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws may also be adopted, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote upon such adoption, amendment or repeal, voting as a single class. No Bylaw hereafter legally adopted, amended, altered or repealed shall invalidate any prior act of the directors or officers of the Corporation that would have been valid if such Bylaw had not been adopted, amended, altered or repealed
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ARTICLE VII
STOCKHOLDER ACTION
Section 1. No Cumulative Voting. No stockholder will be permitted to cumulate votes at any election of directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called only by (i) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office; (ii) the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation; or (iii) the holders of not less than thirty percent (30%) of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote.
Section 3. Written Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected by written consent of the stockholders holding the requisite number of shares required to approve such action.
Section 4. Quorum. The holders of at least fifty percent (50%) of the shares being individuals present in person or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy shall be a quorum.
ARTICLE VIII
LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Director Exculpation. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (d) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended, after approval by the stockholders of this Article VIII, to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
Section 2. Indemnification. The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, she, his or her testator or intestate is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, any predecessor of the Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation, or served or serves at any other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or agent at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, she, his or her testator or intestate is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director or officer at the request of the Corporation, any predecessor of the Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation as and to the extent (and on the terms and subject to the conditions) set forth in the Bylaws or in any contract of indemnification entered into by the Corporation and any such person.
Section 3. Vested Rights. Neither any amendment or repeal of any Section of this Article VIII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VIII, in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article VIII, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
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ARTICLE IX
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Section 1. Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders. The Corporation expressly elects to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.
Section 2. Stockholder Approval. No merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, nor any action that would result in the same or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation shall be valid unless first approved by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matters, voting as a single class.
ARTICLE X
FORUM SELECTION
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (i) the Court of Chancery (the “Chancery Court”) of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or any other wrongdoing by, any current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Corporation, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery, (d) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of any provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws, or (e) any other action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, but subject to the foregoing provisions of this Article X, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any action, suit or proceeding asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed in a court other than the applicable courts specified in the immediately preceding sentence (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the preceding sentence and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder. This provision will not apply to claims arising under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other federal securities laws for which there is exclusive federal jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article X.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
If any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate becomes or is declared on any ground by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Amended and Restated Certificate, and the court shall replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate with a valid and enforceable provision that most accurately reflects the Corporation’s intent, in order to achieve, to the maximum extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Amended and Restated Certificate shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
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The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of this Corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with, Article V, Article VI, Article VIII or this Article XI.
* * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Roadzen Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate to be signed on this [ ] day of [ ], 2023.
Roadzen Inc. | ||
By: [ ] | ||
Title: [ ] |
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Annex K
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS OF ROADZEN INC.
(Effective as of [●], 2023)
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of Roadzen Inc. (f/k/a Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.) (the “Corporation”) shall be fixed in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation. References in these bylaws to the certificate of incorporation, as the same shall be amended and/or restated from time to time (the “Certificate”), shall include the terms of any certificate of designations of any series of preferred stock.
Section 1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation also may have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1 Time and Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, designated by the Board. In the absence of any such designation, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office.
Section 2.2 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on such date, at such time and at such place within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting. At the annual meeting, directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders shall be elected and any other business properly brought before the meeting may be transacted. For purposes of this Article II, the 2023 annual meeting of the stockholders shall be deemed to have been held on [●], 2023.
Section 2.3 Special Meeting.
(i) A special meeting of the stockholders, other than those required by statute, (a) may be called at any time by a majority of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, and (b) shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or Secretary of the Corporation upon the written request or requests of one or more persons that own shares representing at least thirty percent (30%) of the voting power of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting. The Board may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.
(ii) The notice of a special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been set forth in the notice of such meeting. Nothing contained in this Section 2.3(ii) shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board may be held.
Section 2.4 Advance Notice Procedures.
(i) Advance Notice of Stockholder Business. At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought
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before an annual meeting, business must be brought: (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) or proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (B) by or at the direction of the Board (or any authorized committee thereof), or (C) by a stockholder of the Corporation who (1) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(i) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has timely complied in proper written form with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(i). In addition, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to these bylaws and applicable law. Except for proposals properly made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations) (the “1934 Act”), and included in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board, for the avoidance of doubt, clause (C) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders.
(a) For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause Section 2.4(i)(c) above, a stockholder’s notice must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(i) and must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the 90th day nor earlier than the 120th day before the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which a Public Announcement (as defined below) of the date of such annual meeting is first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.4(i)(a). “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the NASDAQ News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
(b) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation must set forth as to each matter of business the stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting: (1) a brief description of the business intended to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), (3) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any Derivative Instruments (as defined below) held or beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (4) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the Corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the Corporation, (5) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation, (6) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation beneficially owned by the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (7) any performance-related fees (other than asset-based fees) that the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, (8) any material interest of the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person in such business and (9) a statement whether such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement
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and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (1) through (9), a “Business Solicitation Statement”). In addition, to be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation must be supplemented not later than ten days following the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose the information contained in clauses (3) through (7) above as of the record date for notice of the meeting. For purposes of this Section 2.4, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii). For purposes of this Section 2.4, a “Derivative Instrument” shall mean any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise.
(c) Without exception, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(i) and, if applicable, Section 2.4(ii). In addition, business proposed to be brought by a stockholder may not be brought before the annual meeting if such stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business or if the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions prescribed by these bylaws, and, if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting that any such business not properly brought before the annual meeting shall not be conducted.
(ii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations at Annual Meetings. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii) shall be eligible for election or re-election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election or re-election to the Board shall be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) by or at the direction of the Board or (B) by a stockholder of the Corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(ii) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.
(a) To comply with clause (B) of Section 2.4(ii) above, a nomination to be made by a stockholder must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(ii) and must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation at the time set forth in, and in accordance with Section 2.4(i)(a).
(b) To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth:
(1) as to each person (a “nominee”) whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the nominee and any Derivative Instruments held or beneficially held of record or are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the nominee, (D) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been
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entered into by or on behalf of the nominee with respect to any securities of the Corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of the nominee, (E) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the nominee has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation, (F) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation beneficially owned by the nominee that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (G) any performance-related fees (other than asset-based fees) that the nominee is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, (H) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, (I) a written statement executed by the nominee acknowledging that as a director of the Corporation, the nominee will owe a fiduciary duty under Delaware law with respect to the Corporation and its stockholders and (J) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election or re-election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected or re-elected, as the case may be); and
(2) as to such stockholder giving notice, (A) the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (2) through (7) of Section 2.4(i)(b) above, and the supplement referenced in the second sentence of Section 2.4(i)(b) above (except that the references to “business” in such clauses shall instead refer to nominations of directors for purposes of this paragraph), and (B) a statement whether such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a number of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person to be necessary to elect or re-elect such nominee(s) (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (A) and (B) above, a “Nominee Solicitation Statement”).
(c) At the request of the Board, any person nominated by a stockholder for election or re-election as a director must furnish to the Secretary of the Corporation (1) that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination of such person as a director as of a date subsequent to the date on which the notice of such person’s nomination was given, (2) a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request of any stockholder of record identified by name within five business days of such written request), (3) such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director or audit committee financial expert of the Corporation under applicable laws, securities exchange rules or regulations, or any publicly-disclosed corporate governance guideline or committee charter of the Corporation and (4) such information that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee. In the absence of the furnishing of such information if requested, such stockholder’s nomination shall not be considered in proper form pursuant to this Section 2.4(ii).
(d) No person shall be eligible for election or re-election as a director of the Corporation at an annual meeting of stockholders unless nominated in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
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(iii) Other Requirements and Rights. In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect any rights of:
(a) a stockholder to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act; or
(b) the Corporation to omit a proposal from the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act.
Section 2.5 Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Except as otherwise provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of the Delaware (the “DGCL”), the Certificate or these bylaws, the written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.
Section 2.6 Quorum. The holders of at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders, except as otherwise required by the DGCL, the Certificate or these bylaws. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum (as to such class or series) entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate or these bylaws. Abstentions and non-votes by brokers are counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum.
If a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting, or (ii) the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.
Section 2.7 Adjourned Meeting; Notice. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and/or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days or a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 2.8 Conduct of Business. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall be designated by the Board; in the absence of such designation, the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer (in the absence of the chairperson) or the President (in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer), or in their absence any other executive officer of the Corporation, shall serve as chairperson of the stockholder meeting.
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Section 2.9 Voting.
(i) Voting Rights. Except as may be otherwise provided by law, the Certificate or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder. Any share of capital stock of the Corporation held by the Corporation shall have no voting rights.
(ii) Vote Required. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate or these bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate or these bylaws, the vote required for election of a director by the stockholders at a meeting of stockholders shall, except in a contested election, be the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in favor or against the election of a nominee at a meeting of stockholders. In a contested election, subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of preferred stock, the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders by the holders of stock entitled to vote in such election. For purposes of Section 2.9(ii), (i) a “contested election” means that as of the record date for the meeting at which the election is held, there are more nominees for election than positions on the Board and (ii) a “majority of the votes cast” means that the number of votes cast in favor of the election of a director exceeds the number of votes cast against the election of that director.
(iii) Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes. In determining the number of votes cast for or against a proposal or nominee, shares abstaining from voting on a matter will not be treated as a vote cast. A non-vote by a broker will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum but not for purposes of determining the number of votes cast.
Section 2.10 Stockholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock:
(i) except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the Certificate, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of the outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. To be effective, such a consent must be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with Section 228(d) of the DGCL; provided, however, that the Corporation has not designated, and shall not designate, any information processing system for receiving such consents. No consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation in accordance with this Section 2.10 within 60 days of the first date on which a consent is so delivered to the Corporation. Any person executing a consent may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that such consent shall be effective at a future time, including a time determined upon the happening of an event, occurring not later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made, if evidence of the instruction or provision is provided to the Corporation. If the person is not a stockholder of record when the consent is executed, the consent shall not be valid unless the person is a stockholder of record as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to the action. Unless otherwise provided, any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective.
(ii) Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation in accordance with this Section 2.10.
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Section 2.11 Record Dates.
(i) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting.
(ii) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 2.12 Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL. A written proxy may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission permitted by law, which results in a writing from such stockholder or by his attorney and delivered to the Secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.13 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date. The stockholder list shall be arranged in alphabetical order and show the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting (i) at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the Corporation’s principal place of business.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1 Board Power. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the Certificate.
Section 3.2 Board Size. The number of directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of preferred stock voting separately by class or series, shall be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate. No
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reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease is apportioned among the classes to maintain an equal number of directors in each class as nearly as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy will hold office for the remaining term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors remove or shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 3.3 Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors. Directors shall be elected by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate or these bylaws. The Certificate or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.
Section 3.4 Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, any director may be removed from office by the stockholders of the Corporation only for cause by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Any director may also be removed by the unanimous resolution of all other directors.
Section 3.5 Resignation and Vacancies. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation; provided, however, that if such notice is given by electronic transmission, such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the director. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class shall be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A person so elected by the directors then in office to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office.
Section 3.6 Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone. The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 3.7 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.
Section 3.8 Special Meetings; Notice. Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or a majority of the authorized number of directors, at such times and places as he or she or they shall designate. Notice of special meetings of the Board shall be given to each director at least 48 hours before the date of the meeting in such manner as is determined by the Board.
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Section 3.9 Quorum; Voting. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the Certificate or these bylaws.
Section 3.10 Board Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.
Section 3.11 Fees and Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate or these bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 4.1 Committees of Directors. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Corporation.
Section 4.2 Committee Minutes. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.
Section 4.3 Meetings and Action of Committees.
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:
(i) Section 3.6 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);
(ii) Section 3.7 (regular meetings);
(iii) Section 3.8 (special meetings; notice);
(iv) Section 3.9 (quorum; voting);
(v) Section 3.10 (action without a meeting); and
(vi) Section 7.5 (waiver of notice)
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with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members. However:
(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined by resolution of the committee; and
(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the committee.
The Board may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
Section 4.4 Subcommittees. Unless otherwise provided under applicable law, or in the Certificate, these bylaws or the resolutions of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 5.1 Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more Executive Vice President or Vice Presidents, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and a Treasurer and such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the Board. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. In its discretion, the Board may choose not to fill any office for any period as it may deem advisable; provided, however, that there shall always be (i) a Chairman of the Board, a President or a Vice President and (ii) a Treasurer, a Secretary, an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary.
Section 5.2 Appointment of Officers. The Board shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in this ARTICLE V for the regular election to such office.
Section 5.3 Subordinate Officers. The Board may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the Board may from time to time determine.
Section 5.4 Removal and Resignation of Officers. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written or electronic notice to the Corporation; provided, however, that if such notice is given by electronic transmission, such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the officer. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
Section 5.5 Vacancies in Offices. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board as provided in Section 5.2 and Section 5.3.
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Section 5.6 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of this Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this Corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
Section 5.7 Authority and Duties of Officers. All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be designated from time to time by the Board and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board.
Section 5.8 The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have the powers and duties customarily and usually associated with the office of the Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at meetings of the stockholders and of the Board.
Section 5.9 The Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board, ultimate authority for decisions relating to the supervision, direction and management of the affairs and the business of the Corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of Chief Executive Officer, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation. If at any time the office of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board shall not be filled, or in the event of the temporary absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 5.10 The President. The President shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction and management of the affairs and business of the Corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of President. The President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. In the event of the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Executive Officer unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 5.11 The Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and the President, general and active management of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. The Chief Operating Officer shall have such other powers and perform such duties as may from time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5.12 The Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents. Each Vice President and Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Section 5.13 The Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.
(i) The Secretary shall attend meetings of the Board and meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and minutes of all such proceedings in a book or books kept for such purpose. The Secretary shall have all such further powers and duties as are customarily and usually associated with the position of Secretary or as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
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(ii) Each Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant secretaries in the order determined by the Board) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.
Section 5.14 The Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers.
(i) The Chief Financial Officer shall be responsible for maintaining the Corporation’s accounting records and statements, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall also maintain adequate records of all assets, liabilities and transactions of the Corporation and shall assure that adequate audits thereof are currently and regularly made. The Chief Financial Officer shall have all such further powers and perform all such further duties as are customarily and usually associated with the position of Chief Financial Officer, or as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. Unless a Treasurer has been appointed separately in accordance with these bylaws, the Chief Financial Officer shall also perform the duties of Treasurer prescribed in paragraph (ii) below.
(ii) The Treasurer shall have custody of the Corporation’s funds and securities, shall deposit or cause to be deposited moneys or other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by any duly authorized officer of the Corporation, and shall have such further powers and perform such further duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President.
(iii) Each Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer.
ARTICLE VI
STOCK
Section 6.1 Stock Certificates; Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be represented by certificated or uncertificated shares, as determined by the Board in accordance with applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or Vice Chairman of the Board, or the President or a Vice-President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The Corporation shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.
Section 6.2 Special Designation on Certificates. If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each
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class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Sections 151(f), 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL, or with respect to this Section 6.2, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
Section 6.3 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled at the same time. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
Section 6.4 Dividends. The Board, subject to any restrictions contained in the Certificate or applicable law and the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the Corporation’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate.
Section 6.5 Transfer of Stock. Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by an attorney duly authorized, and, if such stock is certificated, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer; provided, however, that such succession, assignment or authority to transfer is not prohibited by the Certificate, these bylaws, applicable law or contract.
Section 6.6 Stock Transfer Agreements. The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
Section 6.7 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation:
(i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner;
(ii) shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares; and
(iii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER
Section 7.1 Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings. Notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s
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address as it appears on the Corporation’s records. An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
Section 7.2 Notice by Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate or these bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:
(i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent; and
(ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice.
However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:
(i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;
(ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;
(iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and
(iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.
An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
An “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
Section 7.3 Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
Section 7.4 Notice to Person with Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given under the DGCL, the Certificate or these bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall
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be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
Section 7.5 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given to stockholders, directors or other persons under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board, as the case may be, need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the Certificate or these bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers in Third Party Proceedings. Subject to the other provisions of this ARTICLE VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, judicial, administrative or legislative hearing, or any other threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other nature and including any and all appeals (collectively, each a “Proceeding”) (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgement in its favor) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or while a director of the Corporation or officer of the Corporation is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, damages, claims, penalties and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 8.2 Indemnification of Directors and Officers in Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to the other provisions of this ARTICLE VIII, the Corporation shall indemnity, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgement in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or while a director or officer of the Corporation is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against all liability and loss suffered and expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, damages, claims, penalties and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of
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any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 8.3 Successful Defense. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith to the extent not already advanced pursuant to Section 8.5.
Section 8.4 Indemnification of Others. Subject to the other provisions of this ARTICLE VIII, the Corporation shall have power to indemnify its employees and its agents to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. The Board shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified to such person or persons as the board of determines.
Section 8.5 Advanced Payment of Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the Corporation in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Corporation’s employees and agents in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation, in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of a written request therefor and an undertaking, by or on behalf of the person, to repay such amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision of a court of competent jurisdiction from which there is no further right to appeal that such person is not entitled to be indemnified under this ARTICLE VIII or the DGCL. The right to advancement of expenses shall not apply if a determination is reasonably made that the facts known at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that officer, director, employee or agent, as applicable, acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not reasonably believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such person had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Such determination shall be made: (i) by the Board by a majority vote of directors who are not parties to such proceeding, whether or not such majority constitutes a quorum; (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, whether or not such majority constitutes a quorum; or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the officer, director, employee or agent, as applicable.
Section 8.6 Limitation on Indemnification. Subject to the requirements in Section 8.3 and the DGCL, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):
(i) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;
(ii) for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(iii) for any reimbursement of the Corporation by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the Corporation, as required in each case under the 1934 Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Corporation of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such
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person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);
(iv) initiated by such person (and not by way of defense), unless (a) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (b) the Corporation provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under applicable law, (c) otherwise required to be made under Section 8.7 or (d) otherwise required by applicable law; or
(v) if prohibited by applicable law; provided, however, that if any provision or provisions of this ARTICLE VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this ARTICLE VIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this ARTICLE VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
Section 8.7 Determination; Claim. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this ARTICLE VIII is not paid in full within 90 days after receipt by the Corporation of the written request therefor, the claimant shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. The Corporation shall indemnify such person against any and all expenses that are incurred by such person in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of expenses from the Corporation under this ARTICLE VIII, to the extent such person is successful in such action, and to the extent not prohibited by law. In any such suit, the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.
Section 8.8 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this ARTICLE VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the Certificate or any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.
Section 8.9 Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.
Section 8.10 Survival. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this ARTICLE VIII shall be contract rights and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Section 8.11 Effect Of Repeal Or Modification. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this ARTICLE VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.
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Section 8.12 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this ARTICLE VIII, references to the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this ARTICLE VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this ARTICLE VIII, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this ARTICLE VIII.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL MATTERS
Section 9.1 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate or these bylaws, the Board may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 9.2 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board and may be changed by the Board.
Section 9.3 Seal. The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
Section 9.4 Construction; Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both an entity and a natural person.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
The Board is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal these bylaws. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Board then in office shall be required in order for the Board to adopt, amend, alter or repeal these bylaws. The bylaws may also be adopted, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote upon such adoption, amendment or repeal, voting as a single class.
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CERTIFICATE OF MERGER OF
VAHANNA MERGER SUB CORP
WITH AND INTO
ROADZEN, INC.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), Roadzen, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), hereby certifies the following information relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Vahanna Merger Sub Corp, a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and wholly-owned Subsidiary of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (“Vahanna”), with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation of the Merger:
FIRST: The names and states of incorporation of the constituent corporations to the Merger (the “Constituent Corporations”) are as follows:
Name |
State of Incorporation | |
Roadzen, Inc. |
Delaware | |
Vahanna Merger Sub Corp |
Delaware |
SECOND: The Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”), dated February 10, 2023, by and among the Company, Vahanna and Merger Sub, has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the Constituent Corporations pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 251 of the DGCL.
THIRD: The name of the surviving corporation, upon the effectiveness of the Merger, shall be Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
FOURTH: The certificate of incorporation of the Company shall be amended and restated in its entirety, effective as of immediately following the consummation of the Merger, substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit A.
FIFTH: This Certificate of Merger and the Merger shall become effective immediately upon the filing of this Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
SIXTH: The executed Agreement is on file at 445 E. 80th Street, #4E, New York, NY 10075, an office of the surviving corporation.
SEVENTH: A copy of the Agreement will be furnished by the surviving corporation on request, without cost, to any stockholder of either of the Constituent Corporations.
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS BLANK INTENTIONALLY]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said surviving corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by an authorized officer on the [●] day of [●], 2023.
ROADZEN, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Exhibit A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ROADZEN, INC.
ARTICLE 1
The name of the corporation is Roadzen, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE 2
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, New Castle County. The name of its registered agent in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Services Company.
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
ARTICLE 3
The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is One Hundred (100) shares, all of which shall be shares of Common Stock, with a par value of $0.01 (One Cent) per share.
ARTICLE 4
The directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws, except as may otherwise be provided in the bylaws.
ARTICLE 5
The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE 6
To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any repeal or modification of this Article 6 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 7
The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provisions contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation from time to time and at any time in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders and directors are granted subject to such reservation.
* * * *
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Subject to the provisions of the BVI Companies Act, assuming the Domestication does not occur, the Proposed Charter will provide that New Roadzen may indemnify against all expenses, including legal fees, and against all judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred in connection with legal, administrative or investigative proceedings any person who:
a) | is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director or officer of New Roadzen; or |
b) | is or was, at the request of New Roadzen, serving as a director or officer of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another company or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. |
Pursuant to the BVI Companies Act, the indemnity applies only to a person who has acted honestly and in good faith and in what he believed to be the best interests of New Roadzen and, in the case of criminal proceedings, provided the person had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. New Roadzen shall not indemnify a person who has not so acted, and any indemnity given to such a person is void and of no effect.
The termination of any proceedings by any judgement, order, settlement, conviction or the entering of a nolle prosequi does not, by itself, create a presumption that the person did not act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of New Roadzen or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
Expenses, including legal fees, incurred by a director in defending any legal, administrative or investigative proceedings may be paid by New Roadzen in advance of the final disposition of such proceedings upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the director is not entitled to be indemnified by New Roadzen in accordance with the Proposed Charter.
Expenses, including legal fees, incurred by a former director in defending any legal, administrative or investigative proceedings may be paid by New Roadzen in advance of the final disposition of such proceedings upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the former director to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the former director is not entitled to be indemnified by New Roadzen in accordance with the Proposed Charter and upon such other terms and conditions, if any, as New Roadzen deems appropriate.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the Proposed Charter is not exclusive of any other rights to which the person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, resolution of members, resolution of disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to acting in the person’s official capacity and as to acting in another capacity while serving as a director of New Roadzen.
New Roadzen may purchase and maintain insurance in relation to any person who is or was a director of New Roadzen, or who at the request of New Roadzen is or was serving as a director of, or in any other capacity is or was acting for, another body corporate or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against the person and incurred by the person in that capacity, whether or not New Roadzen has or would have had the power to indemnify the person against the liability under the Proposed Charter.
Assuming the Domestication does occur, the Proposed Delaware Charter will provide that New Roadzen will indemnify its present and former directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL and that such indemnification will not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw provision, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
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Section 145 of the DGCL provides, generally, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may similarly indemnify such person for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in the case of claims, issues and matters as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, provided that a court shall have determined, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.
The Proposed Delaware Charter provides that a director will not be personally liable to New Roadzen or New Roadzen’s stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to New Roadzen or New Roadzen’s stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision became effective. Accordingly, these provisions will have no effect on the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission based on a director’s breach of his or her duty of care.
Effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, New Roadzen will enter into new indemnification agreements with directors, officers and some employees containing provisions which are in some respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the DGCL. The new indemnification agreements will require New Roadzen, among other things, to indemnify its directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.
The Proposed Delaware Charter will provide for indemnification of New Roadzen’s directors, officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL, and the Proposed Bylaws will provide for indemnification of New Roadzen’s directors, officers, employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL.
Item 21. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. |
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* | Previously filed. |
** | To be filed by amendment. |
† | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
Item 22. | Undertakings. |
A. | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act. |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
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(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. |
B. | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
C. | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
D. | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use. |
E. | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
(i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
F. | That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form. |
G. | That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (F) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
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H. | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
I. | To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, New York, on June 30, 2023.
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Karan Puri | |
Name: Karan Puri | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Karan Puri |
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
June 30, 2023 | ||
Karan Puri | ||||
/s/ Raahim Don |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
June 30, 2023 | ||
Raahim Don | ||||
* |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
June 30, 2023 | ||
Saurav Adhikari | ||||
* |
Director |
June 30, 2023 | ||
Abha Kumar | ||||
* |
Director |
June 30, 2023 | ||
Rangarajan Sundaram | ||||
* |
Director |
June 30, 2023 | ||
Diane B. Glossman | ||||
* |
Director |
June 30, 2023 | ||
Ajay Shah |
*By: | /s/ Karan Puri | |
Karan Puri | ||
Attorney-in-Fact |
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Exhibit 2.4
FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger (this Amendment), dated as of June 29, 2023, is entered into by and among Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (Vahanna), Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Vahanna (Merger Sub), and Roadzen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company). Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).
R E C I T A L S :
WHEREAS, Vahanna, Merger Sub and the Company are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2023 (the Merger Agreement);
WHEREAS, Section 2.2(b)(v) of the Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that the Parties shall reserve a number of Vahanna Common Shares for issuance under the New Incentive Plan based on the number of Vahanna Common Shares outstanding immediately following the Closing;
WHEREAS, Vahanna and the Company desire to adjust the terms of the Merger Agreement insofar as they relate to the New Incentive Plan;
WHEREAS, Section 8.3 of the Merger Agreement provides that, prior to the Closing, the Merger Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written agreement executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of Vahanna and the Company; and
WHEREAS, Vahanna and the Company desire to amend the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 8.3 thereof in the manner set forth in this Amendment.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, each intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Amendment to Section 2.2(b)(v). Section 2.2(b)(v) of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
(v) New Incentive Plan. The Parties shall reserve certain shares of Vahanna Common Shares for issuance under an incentive plan (the New Incentive Plan), which shall consist of two components: (x) a long-term incentive plan, pursuant to which Vahanna may grant cash and equity incentive awards and compensation to officers, directors, employees and other eligible service providers (the LTIP), and (y) an employee stock purchase plan (the ESPP), in each case in substantially the forms set forth in Exhibit G and Exhibit H, respectively, annexed hereto, which the board of directors of Vahanna shall adopt prior to the Vahanna Shareholder Meeting and recommend to the Vahanna Shareholders that the same be authorized and approved at the Vahanna Shareholder Meeting. As soon as practicable following the expiration of the sixty (60) day period following the date Vahanna has filed current Form 10 information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company, Vahanna shall file an effective registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor form, or if Form S-8 is not available, other appropriate forms) with respect to (A) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the Vahanna Converted RSUs, (B) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the LTIP, and (C) the Vahanna Common Shares underlying the ESPP and shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement or registration statements
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(and maintain the current status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as the Vahanna Converted RSUs, the LTIP and the ESPP remain outstanding.
2. Ratification of Agreement and Plan of Merger; References. Except as expressly and specifically set forth herein, the Merger Agreement, all of the terms, conditions and other provisions of the Merger Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed and shall continue to be in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and nothing contained herein or in any other communication prior to the execution and delivery hereof shall be construed as a waiver by, or consent from, any Party of any condition, any covenant or other provision of the Merger Agreement. No reference to this Amendment need be made in any instrument or document making reference to the Agreement, and any reference to the Agreement in any such instrument or document shall be deemed to refer to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
3. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury. The provisions of Sections 8.5 (Governing Law), 8.15 (Waiver of Jury Trial) and 8.16 (Jurisdiction) of the Merger Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein and shall apply hereto mutatis mutandis.
4. Headings. The headings to the sections and exhibits contained in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Amendment.
5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to constitute one instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
6. Entire Agreement. This Amendment and the Merger Agreement (together with the Ancillary Documents, as applicable) constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter covered in this Amendment and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
* * * * * * * * *
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Amendment to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.
VAHANNA TECH EDGE ACQUISITION I CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Karan Puri | |
Name: Karan Puri | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||
VAHANNA MERGER SUB CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Karan Puri | |
Name: Karan Puri | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]
ROADZEN, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Rohan Malhotra | |
Name: Rohan Malhotra | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]
EXHIBIT G
LTIP
(See attached)
[EXHIBIT G]
EXHIBIT H
ESPP
(See attached)
[EXHIBIT H]
Exhibit 10.11
NEITHER THIS DEBT INSTRUMENT NOR THE NOTES ISSUED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS DEFINED BELOW), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, DELIVERED AFTER SALE, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED BY THE ISSUER (AS DEFINED BELOW) WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION COVERING SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.
SENIOR SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
dated as of June 30, 2023
by, among others,
ROADZEN, INC.,
as Issuer
EACH PERSON THAT BECOMES A GUARANTOR PARTY
HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME,
as Guarantors,
THE VARIOUS PURCHASERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,
and
MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC,
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
Up to $7,500,000 of Senior Secured Notes Due June 30, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1. |
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION | 1 | ||||
1.1 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
1.2 |
Accounting Terms | 44 | ||||
1.3 |
Interpretation, etc. | 44 | ||||
1.4 |
Divisions | 46 | ||||
SECTION 2. |
NOTES | 46 | ||||
2.1 |
Notes Issuance | 46 | ||||
2.2 |
Reserved | 47 | ||||
2.3 |
Warrants; Tax Treatment | 47 | ||||
2.4 |
Reserved | 47 | ||||
2.5 |
Allocated Shares; Availability of Funds | 47 | ||||
2.6 |
Use of Proceeds | 48 | ||||
2.7 |
Evidence of Debt; Purchasers Books and Records; Replacement Notes | 48 | ||||
2.8 |
Interest | 48 | ||||
2.9 |
Payments on Notes | 49 | ||||
2.10 |
Default Interest | 49 | ||||
2.11 |
Fees | 50 | ||||
2.12 |
Payment at Maturity | 50 | ||||
2.13 |
Optional Redemptions | 50 | ||||
2.14 |
Mandatory Prepayment Offers | 52 | ||||
2.15 |
Application of Prepayments/Reductions | 55 | ||||
2.16 |
General Provisions Regarding Payments | 56 | ||||
2.17 |
Ratable Sharing | 58 | ||||
2.18 |
Reserved | 58 | ||||
2.19 |
Increased Costs; Capital Requirements | 58 | ||||
2.20 |
Taxes; Withholding, etc. | 59 | ||||
2.21 |
Mitigation of Obligations | 64 | ||||
2.22 |
VAT | 64 | ||||
SECTION 3. |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 65 | ||||
3.1 |
Closing Date | 65 | ||||
SECTION 4. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 71 | ||||
4.1 |
Representations and Warranties of Note Parties | 71 | ||||
4.2 |
Representations and Warranties of Purchasers | 82 |
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SECTION 5. |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 84 | ||||
5.1 |
Financial Statements and Other Reports | 84 | ||||
5.2 |
Existence; Corporate Governance | 90 | ||||
5.3 |
Payment of Taxes and Claims | 90 | ||||
5.4 |
Maintenance of Properties; Intellectual Property | 91 | ||||
5.5 |
Insurance | 91 | ||||
5.6 |
Inspections | 92 | ||||
5.7 |
Purchasers Meetings and Board Observation Rights | 92 | ||||
5.8 |
Compliance with Laws | 92 | ||||
5.9 |
Sanctions; OFAC; Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws | 93 | ||||
5.10 |
Environmental | 93 | ||||
5.11 |
Collateral and Guarantee Requirements; Formation or Acquisition of Subsidiaries | 93 | ||||
5.12 |
Additional Real Estate Assets | 96 | ||||
5.13 |
Intellectual Property | 97 | ||||
5.14 |
Further Assurances | 97 | ||||
5.15 |
Miscellaneous Business Covenants | 97 | ||||
5.16 |
Use of Proceeds | 98 | ||||
5.17 |
Subsidiary Distributions; Upstreaming Cashflows; Investment Documents | 99 | ||||
5.18 |
Post-Closing Matters | 99 | ||||
5.19 |
Reservation of Authorized Shares | 100 | ||||
5.20 |
People with Significant Control Regime | 100 | ||||
5.21 |
Cooperation | 100 | ||||
5.22 |
[Reserved] | 100 | ||||
5.23 |
Warrant Issuance | 100 | ||||
SECTION 6. |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 100 | ||||
6.1 |
Indebtedness | 101 | ||||
6.2 |
Liens | 102 | ||||
6.3 |
Equitable Lien | 103 | ||||
6.4 |
Negative Pledge | 104 | ||||
6.5 |
Limitation on Restricted Payments | 104 | ||||
6.6 |
Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions | 105 | ||||
6.7 |
Investments | 105 | ||||
6.8 |
Financial Covenants | 107 | ||||
6.9 |
Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions | 107 |
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6.10 |
Disposal of Subsidiary Equity Interests | 108 | ||||
6.11 |
Sales and Lease Backs | 109 | ||||
6.12 |
Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates | 109 | ||||
6.13 |
Nature of Business; Foreign Subsidiaries | 109 | ||||
6.14 |
Fiscal Year | 110 | ||||
6.15 |
Amendments or Waivers of Certain Agreements | 110 | ||||
6.16 |
Prepayments of Indebtedness | 110 | ||||
6.17 |
Deposit Accounts | 111 | ||||
6.18 |
Aging Reports | 111 | ||||
6.19 |
[Pensions | 111 | ||||
6.20 |
Centre of Main Interests and Establishment | 111 | ||||
SECTION 7. |
GUARANTY | 111 | ||||
7.1 |
Guaranty of the Obligations | 111 | ||||
7.2 |
Contribution by Guarantors | 111 | ||||
7.3 |
Payment by Guarantors | 112 | ||||
7.4 |
Liability of Guarantors Absolute | 112 | ||||
7.5 |
Waivers by Guarantors | 114 | ||||
7.6 |
Guarantors Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc. | 116 | ||||
7.7 |
Subordination of Other Obligations | 117 | ||||
7.8 |
Continuing Guaranty | 117 | ||||
7.9 |
Authority of Guarantors or Issuer | 117 | ||||
7.10 |
Financial Condition of Issuer | 117 | ||||
7.11 |
Bankruptcy, etc. | 118 | ||||
7.12 |
Reserved | 118 | ||||
7.13 |
Keepwell | 118 | ||||
SECTION 8. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 119 | ||||
8.1 |
Events of Default | 119 | ||||
8.2 |
Suspension Rights Upon Breach of Sanctions | 122 | ||||
8.3 |
[Reserved] | 122 | ||||
8.4 |
Limitation on Suits | 122 | ||||
SECTION 9. |
AGENTS | 123 | ||||
9.1 |
Appointment of Agents | 123 | ||||
9.2 |
Powers and Duties | 123 | ||||
9.3 |
General Immunity | 123 |
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9.4 |
Agents Entitled to Act as Purchaser | 125 | ||||
9.5 |
Delegation of Duties | 125 | ||||
9.6 |
Purchasers Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment | 125 | ||||
9.7 |
Right to Indemnity | 126 | ||||
9.8 |
Successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent | 126 | ||||
9.9 |
Collateral Documents and Guaranty | 127 | ||||
9.10 |
Collateral matters in relation to the UK Security Documents | 129 | ||||
9.11 |
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 131 | ||||
9.12 |
Certain ERISA Matters | 132 | ||||
9.13 |
All Powers Coupled With Interest | 133 | ||||
SECTION 10. |
MISCELLANEOUS | 134 | ||||
10.1 |
Notices | 134 | ||||
10.2 |
Expenses | 134 | ||||
10.3 |
Indemnity | 135 | ||||
10.4 |
Set Off | 136 | ||||
10.5 |
Amendments and Waivers | 137 | ||||
10.6 |
Successors and Assigns; Participations | 138 | ||||
10.7 |
Independence of Covenants | 140 | ||||
10.8 |
Survival | 140 | ||||
10.9 |
No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative | 140 | ||||
10.10 |
Marshaling; Payments Set Aside | 141 | ||||
10.11 |
Severability | 141 | ||||
10.12 |
Obligations Several; Actions in Concert | 141 | ||||
10.13 |
Headings | 141 | ||||
10.14 |
GOVERNING LAW | 141 | ||||
10.15 |
CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION | 142 | ||||
10.16 |
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 143 | ||||
10.17 |
Injunction Relief | 143 | ||||
10.18 |
Usury Savings Clause | 143 | ||||
10.19 |
Counterparts; Integration; Electronic Execution | 144 | ||||
10.20 |
Effectiveness | 144 | ||||
10.21 |
PATRIOT Act | 144 | ||||
10.22 |
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 145 | ||||
10.23 |
Third Parties | 145 |
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10.24 |
Affiliate Activities | 146 | ||||
10.25 |
Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions | 146 | ||||
10.26 |
Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supported QFCs | 147 | ||||
10.27 |
Intent | 147 | ||||
10.28 |
Judgment Currency | 148 | ||||
10.29 |
Regulated Subsidiaries | 148 |
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APPENDICES: | A | Purchasers Allocated Share | ||
B | Notice Addresses | |||
SCHEDULES: | 1.01 | Excluded Subsidiaries | ||
1.1(s) | Warrant Recipients | |||
4.1(a) | Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification | |||
4.1(b) | Equity Interest and Ownership | |||
4.1(o) | Material Contracts | |||
4.1(ff) | Restrictions on Issuance, Guarantees or Upstreaming Cashflows | |||
4.1(kk) | The De-SPAC Mergers | |||
5.5 | Insurance | |||
5.18 | Certain Post-Closing Matters | |||
6.1 | Certain Indebtedness | |||
6.7 | Certain Investments | |||
6.12 | Certain Affiliate Transactions | |||
EXHIBITS: | A | Issuance Offer | ||
B | Form of Note | |||
C | Compliance Certificate | |||
D | [Reserved] | |||
E-1 | Closing Date Certificate | |||
E-2 | Solvency Certificate | |||
F | Counterpart Agreement | |||
G-1 | U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | |||
G-2 | U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | |||
G-3 | U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | |||
G-4 | U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | |||
H | Closing Checklist | |||
I | Warrant Term Sheet | |||
J | Board Observation Rights Letter | |||
K | Form of Intercompany Subordination Agreement | |||
L | Mandatory Prepayment Offer |
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SENIOR SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This SENIOR SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of June 30, 2023 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this Agreement), is entered into by and among ROADZEN, INC., a Delaware corporation (Issuer), each Guarantor (as defined below) from time to time party hereto, the Purchasers that hold Notes issued hereunder (the Purchasers and each, a Purchaser) and MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC (Mizuho), as administrative agent (in such capacity together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the Administrative Agent) and as collateral agent (in such capacity, Mizuho, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the Collateral Agent, and together with the Administrative Agent, the Agents and each, an Agent).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in these Recitals shall have the respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.1 hereof;
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, the Issuer desires to issue and sell to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers have agreed to purchase, up to Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) in senior secured notes from the Issuer having the terms set forth herein and in the other Note Documents;
WHEREAS, on the Closing Date the Issuer will issue, and the Purchasers on Appendix A will purchase, senior secured notes in an aggregate initial principal amount of up to Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000), at the initial purchase price thereof (the Purchase Price) set forth beside such Purchasers name on Appendix A (the Allocated Share) together with the warrants;
WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the Closing Date, the Issuer has agreed to secure the Obligations by granting to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a First Priority Lien on substantially all of its assets; and
WHEREAS, the Note Parties will receive substantial benefit from the Issuers issuance and sale of senior secured notes to the Purchasers and have agreed to guaranty the Obligations and provide a security interest in and Lien on substantially all of their assets to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto and intending to be legally bound hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions. The following terms used herein, including in the preamble, recitals, exhibits and schedules hereto, shall have the following meanings:
Accounts means all accounts (as defined in the UCC) of Issuer (or, if referring to another Person, of such Person), including, without limitation, accounts, accounts receivable, monies due or to become due and obligations in any form (whether arising in connection with contracts, contract rights, instruments, general intangibles, or chattel paper), in each case whether arising out of goods sold or services rendered or from any other transaction and whether or not earned by performance, now or hereafter in existence, and all documents of title or other documents representing any of the foregoing, and all collateral security and guaranties of any kind, now or hereafter in existence, given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.
Acquisition means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting in the acquisition by a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets, all of the Equity Interests, or a business line or unit or division, of any Person.
Additional Asset Security Jurisdiction has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11(b)(ii).
Additional Asset Security Provider and Additional Asset Security Jurisdictions has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11(b)(ii).
Administrative Agent has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.
Adverse Proceeding means any action, suit, proceeding (whether administrative, judicial or otherwise), governmental investigation or arbitration (whether or not purportedly on behalf of a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries) at Law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims), whether pending or, to the knowledge of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened in writing against or otherwise affecting any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any Collateral or other assets or property of any Note Party or any of their Subsidiaries.
Affected Financial Institution means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
Affiliate or Affiliated means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling (including any member of the senior management group of such Person), controlled by, or under common control with, that Person. For the purposes of this definition, control (including, with correlative meanings, the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power (i) to vote ten percent (10%) or more of the Securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person, or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise. Neither Purchaser, Collateral Agent, Administrative Agent, nor any of their respective Affiliates shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any Note Party.
Agent has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.
Aggregate Amounts Due has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.17.
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Aggregate Payments has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.2.
Agreement has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.
Agreement Currency has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.28.
Allocable Share means with respect to a Purchaser any Excess Proceeds in an aggregate principal amount equal to: (1) an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of such Excess Proceeds; multiplied by (2) a fraction (x) the numerator of which is equal to the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by such Purchaser and (y) the denominator of which is equal to the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes required to be repaid with such Excess Proceeds in accordance with the terms of Section 2.14 and the related Mandatory Prepayment Offer, rounded down to the nearest One Thousand Dollars ($1,000).
Allocated Share has the meaning given to such term in the recitals hereto.
Anti-Corruption Laws means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and the UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 as well as any other Law, rule or regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to a Note Party concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws means any and all Laws, judgments, executive orders, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, statutes, case Law or treaties applicable to any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries related to terrorism financing or money laundering, including any applicable provision of the PATRIOT Act and The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959), the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 as amended (also known as the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act), the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and the UK Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017).
Applicable Insurance Laws means any law, treaty, convention, code, statute, ordinance, directive, rule, regulation, common law, state insurance laws, grant supervisory agencies, state insurance departments, broad administrative authority, including, without limitation, regulations as prescribed under the Insurance Act, 1938, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 and the relevant rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended from time to time applicable to any Person regulated by an Insurance Regulatory Authority or the ownership and control of such entities.
Applicable Rate means the interest accrued on any outstanding principal balance of the Notes at a rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum and shall be payable for the number of calendar days elapsed; provided that such rate shall automatically be increased by five percent (5.00%) above the then applicable rates upon Issuers failure to comply with Section 2.14(b)(i)(F). Notwithstanding the foregoing the Applicable Rate shall be increased by two percent (2.00%) above the then applicable rate (such rate, the Default Rate): (x) (i) immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 8.1(a), 8.1(f), or 8.1(g), or (ii) at the option of the Administrative Agent, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any other Event of Default other than those specified in clause (i) above, or (y) if for any period, the Administrative Agent does not receive the financial statements and certificates described in Section 5.1(a), Section 5.1(b), Section 5.1(c), Section 5.1(d) and/or Section 5.1(p) of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the date such financial statements and certificates were required to be delivered .
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Asset Sale means a sale, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer (including any effective transfer of assets via division), license or other disposition to, or any exchange of property with, any Person (other than to or with a Note Party which is not the Issuer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions whereby (a) a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries sells or disposes of (i) all or any part of any Note Partys or any of its Subsidiaries businesses, assets or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation, the Equity Interests of any Note Party or its Subsidiaries, other than inventory sold, licensed for periods of one year or less or leased in the ordinary course of business for fair market value (ii) all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of a Subsidiary, or (b) a Note Party or Subsidiary issues Disqualified Equity Interests or Equity Interests engages in any merger, consolidation, combination or similar transaction, such that the Note Party (or Subsidiary) is not the surviving entity or not the beneficial owner of the majority of Equity Interests of the Person measured on a fully-diluted basis resulting from such transaction or transactions (measured on a fully diluted basis). For purposes of clarification, Asset Sale shall include (i) any disposition of real property by means of foreclosure, casualty event, eminent domain or other similar procedure, (ii) the sale or other disposition for value of any contracts (iii) the early termination or modification of any contract resulting in the receipt by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries of a cash payment or other consideration in exchange for such event (other than payments in the ordinary course for accrued and unpaid amounts due through the date of termination or modification), (iv), any sale of merchant accounts (or any rights thereto (including, without limitation, any rights to any residual payment stream with respect thereto)) by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or (v) any sale or other disposition for value of any Equity Interests owned by the Note Parties, their Subsidiaries Equity Interests or any other assets or Investments of the Note Parties or any of their Subsidiaries or Investment of the Note Parties or the sale or disposition of one or more of its material assets, a line of business, a division, a project or a substantial portion of a project of such Person or the subsidiaries of such Person or any similar transactions.
Asset Security Jurisdiction and Asset Security Jurisdictions have the respective meanings specified therefor in Section 5.11(b)(ii).
ATM Agreement means an at-the-market agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion pursuant to which Equity Interests in the Topco are sold at a price related to the current market price of the securities of Topco.
ATM Issuance Period means all of the Business Days comprising any week in which Issuer receives Net ATM Proceeds as a result of the issuance of Equity Interest pursuant to the ATM Agreement.
ATM Payment has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.14.
ATM Payment Date means the first Business Day of the week following the immediately prior ATM Issuance Period, if any, completed prior to such date.
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ATM Shares means any shares of Equity Interest issued pursuant to the ATM Agreement.
Authorized Officer means, as applied to any Person, any individual holding the position of chairman of the board (if an officer), chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, or one of its vice presidents (or the equivalent thereof), and such Persons chief financial officer or treasurer.
Bail-In Action means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
Bail-In Legislation means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing Law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other Law applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
Bankruptcy Code means (x) Title 11 of the United States Code entitled Bankruptcy, as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute or (y) equivalent legislation in any other applicable jurisdiction including, without limitation, the Enterprise Act 2002 and any law of any jurisdiction permitting a debtor to obtain a stay or a compromise of the claims of its creditors against it.
Beneficial Ownership Certification means a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
Beneficial Ownership Regulation means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
Beneficiary means each Agent and Purchaser.
Benefit Plan means any of (a) an employee benefit plan (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a plan as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such employee benefit plan or plan.
BHC Act Affiliate of a party means an affiliate (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
Board Observation Rights Letter means that certain board observation rights letter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J to be delivered by the Issuer to the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date.
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Board of Governors means the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.
Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions in such state are authorized or required by Law to close.
Capital Lease means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person, as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.
Capital Lease Obligations of any Person means, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as finance leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Equivalents means, as at any date of determination, (a) marketable securities (i) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States Government, or (ii) issued by any agency of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year after such date; (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after the date of the relevant calculation and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moodys; (c) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moodys; (d) certificates of deposit or bankers acceptances maturing within one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Purchaser or by any commercial bank organized under the Laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (i) is at least adequately capitalized (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator), and (ii) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000); and (e) shares of any money market mutual fund that (i) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, (ii) has net assets of not less than Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000), and (iii) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moodys.
CFC means a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code; provided, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary under any Note Document, no Note Party or Subsidiary of any Note Party, in each case, that is organized, incorporated or formed in an Asset Security Jurisdiction or required to join this Agreement as a Guarantor under Section 5.11(b) (or, in each case, their successors) shall be considered a CFC or FSHCO for purposes of the Note Documents or be or become owned by any entity other than Note Parties (such that Purchasers are unable to obtain a one hundred percent (100%) pledge of the Equity Interests issued by such Note Party or Subsidiary of Note Party) and no such Person shall be excluded, limited or released from providing any guarantee or collateral (including pledges of Equity Interests or assets held directly or indirectly) or engaging in repatriations, or the pledge of Equity Interests issued by such Persons be limited in any way, in each case, solely as a result of being considered a controlled foreign corporation or CFC or FSHCO or any adverse tax, cost or impact under Section 956 of the Internal Revenue Code or similar provision.
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CFC Holdco means any Subsidiary substantially all the assets of which consist of equity interests of one or more CFCs and/or of one or more other CFC Holdcos.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any Law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
Change of Control means the occurrence of, any of the following,
(a) at any time prior to the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions, the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person or group and its subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) shall at any time become the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13(d)(3) and 13(d)(5) of the Exchange Act) of Equity Interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate outstanding voting or economic power of the Equity Interests of the Topco;
(b) at any time following the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions, any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person or group and its subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), shall at any time become the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13(d)(3) and 13(d)(5) of the Exchange Act) of Equity Interests, directly or indirectly, representing more than forty percent (40%) of the voting or economic power of the Equity Interest of the Topco;
(c) at any time following the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions, the Topco shall fail to beneficially own, directly, one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding Equity Interest of Issuer; or
(d) at any time following the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions, the occurrence of any transaction or event in connection with which Topco or all or substantially all Equity Interests of Topco ceases to be listed or traded on NASDAQ (or, upon consummation of or immediately following a transaction or event will cease be listed or traded on NASDAQ).
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It is understood that, for purposes of this definition:
(X) the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions and the entering into of voting agreements in support of consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions and the issuance and conversion of warrants in connection therewith shall not constitute a Change of Control, and
(y) the issuance of the Warrants and other Equity Interests to the Purchasers and their Affiliates in connection with this Agreement and the other Note Documents shall not be a Change of Control.
Closing Date means the date on which all of the requirements set forth in Section 3.1 shall have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.5.
Closing Date Certificate means a Closing Date Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1.
Collateral means, collectively, all of the tangible and intangible assets and property of the Issuer, including all real, personal, intangible (including Intellectual Property rights), and mixed property (including Equity Interests), leases, rents, rights, powers, benefits, privileges, remedies, and interests therein and proceeds thereof, whether non-owned or hereafter acquired in or upon which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to any of the Collateral Documents and/or other Note Documents as security for the Obligations; provided, that Excluded Assets shall not constitute Collateral for the purposes hereof.
Collateral Agent has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.
Collateral and Guaranty Requirements means, at any time, the requirement that:
(a) all Obligations shall have been guaranteed by (i) within ten (10) Business Days after the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions, the De-SPAC Parent and (ii) each Subsidiary (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) of the Issuer organized, incorporated or formed in an Asset Security Jurisdiction;
(b) the Agents shall have received duly executed copies of each Note Document required to be delivered (i) on the Closing Date, pursuant to Section 3.1 or if such person is not a Note Party on the Closing Date then the date such person either enters into a Counterpart Agreement to this Agreement and the other Note Documents or provides a Guarantee of the Obligations on terms acceptable to the Agents in their sole discretion, and (ii) at such time as may be described in Section 5.11, Section 5.14, or Section 5.18 of this Agreement or, as the context may require, pursuant to the other applicable Note Documents;
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(c) except as expressly agreed with the Agents, all Obligations of the Note Parties shall have been unconditionally guaranteed by each of their Subsidiaries (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) and secured by a First Priority security interest in all of the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than such Equity Interest of an Excluded Subsidiary) and each such Subsidiary shall become a party to this Agreement as a Guarantor on the Closing Date or upon such later date as required by Section 5.11 by delivering a duly executed Counterpart Agreement and taking such other steps required thereby;
(d) except as expressly agreed with the Agents, the Obligations shall have been secured by a First Priority security interest in all of the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of each of the Note Parties (other than such Equity Interests of an Excluded Subsidiary);
(e) the Obligations shall have been secured (or, with respect to any after-acquired assets, will be secured within the time periods set forth herein or, as the context will require, in the applicable Note Documents) by a perfected First Priority security interest in, and mortgages on, substantially all tangible and intangible assets of each Note Party (including, without limitation, accounts receivable, insurance, inventory, equipment, investment property, Intellectual Property, other general intangibles, Material Real Estate Asset (if requested by the Collateral Agent) and proceeds of the foregoing, but excluding any Excluded Assets), in each case, with the priority required by the Note Documents;
(f) upon the acquisition by any Note Party or any of their Subsidiaries of any Material Real Estate Assets, such Note Party will promptly (and in any event within two (2) Business Days of acquisition) notify the Agents of the acquisition of such real property and if requested by the Agents, within forty-five (45) days following such request, will grant to the Collateral Agent a first priority mortgage on each interest in such Material Real Estate Assets, which real property shall not be subject to any other Liens except for Permitted Liens, and shall deliver other documentation and opinions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents in connection with the grant of such Mortgage as Agents shall request in its sole discretion, including appraisals, title insurance policies and endorsements, surveys, financing statements, fixture filings, flood insurance, flood insurance certifications and environmental audits and the Note Parties shall pay all recording costs, intangible taxes and other fees and costs (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) incurred in connection therewith. All appraisals, title insurance policies and endorsements, environmental audits and surveys required in connection therewith shall be prepared or issued by parties acceptable in to the Agents;
(g) (i) if any Indebtedness for borrowed money in a principal amount in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) is owing to any Note Party and such Indebtedness is evidenced by a promissory note, the Collateral Agent shall have received such promissory note (or, with respect to any after-acquired notes, the Note Parties will notify the agent within five (5) days and will deliver such promissory notes within five (5) days thereafter (or such later date agreed with the Agents)), together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank and (ii) all intercompany Indebtedness of Topco and its Subsidiaries shall be subject to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents and otherwise conforming with the requirements of the Note Documents), such intercompany Indebtedness (together with related rights and instruments evidencing such obligations) shall be pledged by the Note Parties as Collateral and delivered to the Collateral Agent, along with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;
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(h) the Agents shall have received all certificates, agreements, documents and instruments requested by it from the Note Parties or required by the terms of this Agreement or the other Collateral Documents or Note Documents, including, any Control Agreements, Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (or equivalent) and, with respect to the De-SPAC Parent, notices and registrations required under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and Control Agreements or as may be requested from time to time by the Agents to be filed, executed, acknowledged, delivered, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Note Documents and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Note Documents and any filings or registrations with respect to the Collateral shall have been duly filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Agents for filing, registration or recording;
(i) [reserved]; and
(j) (A)(x) within fifteen (15) days after the Closing Date (or such longer time period as agreed to by Collateral Agent in its sole discretion, which such consent may be by email) with respect to any Deposit Account, securities account, commodity account or other account or (y) upon the opening or acquisition of any new Deposit Account, securities account, commodity account or other account (in each case, other than an Excluded Account) following the Closing Date, each Note Party shall establish and maintain Control Agreements (or, in the case of UK Guarantors, any bank account notices in accordance with the terms of the relevant UK Security Document) or applicable notices and acknowledgement or equivalent in favor of Collateral Agent with respect to all Deposit Accounts, securities accounts, commodity accounts and other accounts of the Note Parties (other than (x) Excluded Accounts and (y) other accounts of the Note Parties in which the daily average daily balance across all such accounts not subject to Control Agreements at no time exceeds Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) in the aggregate (all such accounts described in this clause (y), De Minimis Accounts and such threshold, the De Minimis Account Threshold)) and (B) if the average daily balance in any or all of the Deposit Accounts, securities accounts, commodity accounts or other accounts of the Note Parties that are not subject to Control Agreements (other than Excluded Accounts) at any time exceeds the De Minimis Account Threshold, the Issuer shall promptly notify the Agents and shall enter into Control Agreements in favor of the Collateral Agent for each account requested by the Agents within thirty (30) days following such request (or such longer time agreed with the Agents).
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition or anything in this Agreement or any other Note Document to the contrary, with respect to (i) motor vehicles and other assets and personal property subject to certificates of title with an individual book value of less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) and (ii)letter of credit rights and commercial tort claims with an individual value of less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), prior to a Default no additional perfection steps other than the filing of a UCC-1 financing statement (or equivalent) shall be required.
The Collateral Agent may in its sole discretion elect to grant extensions of time for the provision or perfection of security interests in, or the obtaining of Mortgages, Mortgage Policies and Surveys with respect to, particular assets (including extensions beyond the Closing Date for the perfection of security interests in the assets of the Note Parties on such date) where the Collateral Agent reasonably determines that such provision or perfection cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the other Note Documents.
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Collateral Documents means each of the Security Agreements, each Mortgage, each Intellectual Property Security Agreement, each Control Agreement, and each acknowledgement with respect to any such agreements, and all other instruments, powers of attorney, bailee agreements, stock powers, intercompany notes, allonges, certificates, documents, agreements, acknowledgements, collateral assignments, notices and filings delivered in connection with the Collateral, this Agreement or any of the other Note Documents in order to grant to (or evidence the grant of) Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a Lien on any real, personal or mixed property, leases, rents, rights, powers, benefits, privileges, remedies, and interests of that Note Party as security for the Obligations or the Guaranteed Obligations or that provides information with respect to the personal or mixed property of each Note Party and its Subsidiaries.
Collateral Questionnaire means the perfection certificate delivered on the Closing Date in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that provides information with respect to the real, personal or mixed property of each Note Party and its Subsidiaries.
Commodity Exchange Act means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended and in effect from time to time, and any successor statute.
Compliance Certificate means a Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
Connection Income Taxes means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA means with respect to such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries for any applicable period, on a consolidated basis, the net income of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, increased, without duplication, by the following, in each case (only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted (and not added back or excluded) in determining consolidated net income for such period): (a) interest, (b) taxes, (c) depreciation, (d) non-cash stock compensation expenses, (e) non-recurring costs and expenses (x) directly incurred before or within sixty (60) days following the Closing Date in connection with the preparation of the Note Documents and the Transactions occurring on or about the Closing Date under the Note Documents and (y) incurred in connection with the Patent Prosecution Workplan, and (f) other noncash amortization expenses, in each case, determined in accordance with GAAP. Unless otherwise noted herein, references to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, shall be references to the Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of the Topco and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Consolidated Liquidity means, for any date of determination an amount determined for the Issuer and the Guarantor on a consolidated basis equal to the sum of Unrestricted Cash-on-Hand of the Issuer and the Guarantors on such date.
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Contractual Obligation means, as applied to any Person, any provision of any security issued by that Person or of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it or any of its properties is subject.
Contributing Guarantors has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.2.
Control Agreement shall mean, with respect to Collateral consisting of any Deposit Account, any securities account, commodity account, securities entitlement or commodity contract, an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, among Collateral Agent, the financial institution or other person at which such account is maintained or with which such entitlement or contract is carried and the Note Party maintaining such account, effective to grant control (as defined under the applicable UCC) over such account to Collateral Agent; it being understood that unless specifically specified in this Agreement, any reference to a Control Agreement shall mean a Control Agreement subject to springing dominion pursuant to which the applicable Note Party shall maintain control unless and until the notice of springing control has been given by Collateral Agent to the financial institution or other person at which such account is maintained or with which such entitlement or contract is carried.
Controlled Account means each deposit account, securities account, or commodity account that is (x) subject to a Control Agreement for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and of the applicable Collateral Documents, (y) in the case of an account located in the United Kingdom or otherwise governed by English law, such account is subject to a fixed or floating charge granted in accordance with the terms of a UK Security Document and a notice of charge has been delivered to the applicable depositary institution or securities intermediary in accordance with the terms of such UK Security Document, and (z) otherwise subject to the control of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms of the applicable Collateral Documents or equivalent arrangement required for perfection under the market practice in the Relevant Jurisdiction (or, as applicable, the jurisdiction in which such account is established or the laws of which govern such account) and reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.
Copyrights means all of the following: (a) all copyright rights in any work subject to the copyright Laws of the United States or any other country, whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise (including all copyrights in software), (b) all registrations and applications for registration of copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, renewals and pending applications for registration, (c) all income, royalties, damages and other payments now or hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past or future infringements or other violations, and (d) the right to sue for past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof.
Counterpart Agreement means a Counterpart Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F delivered by a Note Party pursuant to Section 5.11.
Covered Entity means any of the following: (i) a covered entity as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a covered bank as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a covered FSI as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
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Covered Party has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.26.
De Minimis Accounts has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of Collateral and Guaranty Requirements.
De Minimis Account Threshold has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of Collateral and Guaranty Requirements.
De-SPAC Documents means, collectively, (i) the De-SPAC Merger Agreement, (ii) any agreement, instrument or document attached to the De-SPAC Merger Agreement as an exhibit, and (iii) the other agreements, certificates and instruments to be executed or delivered by any of the parties to the De-SPAC Merger Agreement pursuant to the De-SPAC Merger Agreement.
De-SPAC Merger Agreement means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2023, by and among Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp., a British Virgin Islands business company (De-SPAC Parent), Vahanna Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation (Merger Sub), and Issuer.
De-SPAC Merger means the consummation of the acquisition of 100% of the Equity Interests of the Issuer, directly or indirectly, by De-SPAC Parent, through the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Issuer, with the Issuer continuing as the surviving entity as a wholly owned subsidiary of the De-SPAC Parent, in accordance with the De-SPAC Documents in all material respects.
De-SPAC Parent has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of De-SPAC Merger Agreement.
De-SPAC Transactions means the consummation of the De-SPAC Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the De-SPAC Merger Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date. Immediately after giving effect to the De-SPAC Transactions, De-SPAC Parent shall continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, the Insolvency Act 1986 and all other liquidation, winding-up, dissolution, administration, reorganization (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise), composition, compromise, assignment, examinership, suspension of payments, a moratorium of indebtedness, dissolution, or arrangement with creditors, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Default means a condition or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
Default Rate has the meaning assigned to that term in the definition of Applicable Rate.
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Default Rights has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
Deposit Account means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.
Disqualified Equity Interests shall mean any Equity Interests that, by their terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which they are convertible or for which they are exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition, (a) require the payment of any dividends (other than dividends payable solely in shares of Qualified Equity Interests), (b) mature or are mandatorily redeemable or subject to mandatory repurchase or redemption or repurchase at the option of the holders thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in each case in whole or in part and whether upon the occurrence of any event, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation on a fixed date or otherwise (including as the result of a failure to maintain or achieve any financial performance standards) or (c) are or may become redeemable, repurchaseable, convertible into or exchangeable for, automatically or at the option of any holder thereof, any Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other assets other than Qualified Equity Interests, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), prior to the first anniversary of the latest stated Maturity Date at the time of issuance of such Equity Interests (other than (i) following payment in full or (ii) upon a change in control; provided that any payment required pursuant to this clause (ii) is subject to the prior payment in full); provided, however, that if such Equity Interests are issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Topco or the Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by a Group member in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employees termination, death or disability.
Distributable Income means, at any time, the maximum amount of income distributable by a Person at such time under the laws of such Persons jurisdiction, as certified by independent certified public accountants of recognized international standing.
Distributions has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17.
Dollar Equivalent means, for any amount, at the time of determination thereof, (a) if such amount is expressed in Dollars, such amount and (b) if such amount is denominated in any other currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (b) above shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
Dollars, US$ and the sign $ mean the lawful money of the United States of America.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary organized under the Laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
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EEA Financial Institution means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
EEA Member Country means any of the economies of member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
EEA Resolution Authority means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
Environmental Claim means any accusation, allegation, investigation, notice, notice of violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any Governmental Authority or any other Person, for any damage, injury, threat or harm, including without limitation, personal injury (including sickness, disease or death), tangible or intangible property damage, contribution, indemnity, direct or consequential damages, threat or harm to the environment or natural resources, nuisance, pollution, contamination, or other adverse effect on the environment, or for fines, penalties, or restrictions, in each case relating to or resulting to or resulting from, or in connection with (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law; (b) any Hazardous Material or any actual or alleged Hazardous Materials Activity; or (c) any property leased or owned by any Note Party or any of their Subsidiaries.
Environmental Laws means any and all current or future, federal, state, local or municipal (or any subdivision of either of them) Laws, statutes, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, codes, decrees, judgments, Governmental Authorizations, or any other requirements of Governmental Authorities relating to (a) protection of the air, water, land, wetlands, natural resources, wildlife, endangered or threatened species, human, plant or animal health or welfare; (b) environmental matters, including those relating to any Hazardous Materials Activity; (c) the generation, use, manufacture, processing, handling, storage, treatment, transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials; or (d) worker safety and health and industrial hygiene, in any manner applicable to a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any Facility.
Environmental Liabilities and Costs means all liabilities, monetary obligations, remedial actions, losses, damages, punitive damages, consequential damages, treble damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts and consultants and costs of investigations and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, interest, claims, orders or suits related to any (a) compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, recycling, disposal (or arrangement for such activities) of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the presence or Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Environmental Lien means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities and Costs relating to any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries.
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Equity Interest shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents, including membership interests (however designated, whether voting or nonvoting) (including shares), of equity of such Person, including, if such Person is a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), if such Person is a limited liability company, membership interests, and any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of property of, such partnership, whether outstanding on the date hereof or issued on or after the Closing Date, but excluding debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity interests until they are converted or exchanged.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
ERISA Affiliate means, any person that for purposes of Title I or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code would be deemed at any relevant time to be a single employer or otherwise aggregated with any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries under Section 414(b), 414(c), 414(m) or 414(o) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.
ERISA Event means (a) any reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA with respect to a Pension Plan (other than an event as to which the PBGC has waived the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified of such event); (b) any failure to make a required contribution to any Pension Plan that would result in the imposition of a Lien or other encumbrance or the provision of security under Section 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303 or 4068 of ERISA, or the arising of such a Lien or encumbrance, there being or arising any unpaid minimum required contribution or accumulated funding deficiency (as defined or otherwise set forth in Section 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code or Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title 1 of ERISA), whether or not waived, or any filing of any request for or receipt of a minimum funding waiver under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303 of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or that such filing may be made, or any determination that any Pension Plan is, or is expected to be, in at-risk status under Title IV of ERISA; (c) any incurrence by any Note Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan (other than for premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (d) any institution of proceedings, or the occurrence of an event or condition which would reasonably be expected to constitute grounds for the institution of proceedings by the PBGC, under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (e) any incurrence by any Note Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or the receipt by any Note Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any notice that a Multiemployer Plan is in endangered or critical status under Section 305 of ERISA; (f) any receipt by a Note Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or any receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Note Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; or (g) engaging in a non-exempt prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 406 of ERISA; or (h) any filing of a notice of intent to terminate any Pension Plan if such termination would require material additional contributions in order to be considered a standard termination within the meaning of Section 4041(b) of ERISA, or any filing under Section 4041(c) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate any Pension Plan, or the termination of any Pension Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA.
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Event of Default means each of the conditions or events set forth in Section 8.1.
Excess Proceeds means any Excess Net Asset Sale Proceeds, Excess Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds, Excess Net Indebtedness Incurrence Proceeds, Issuance Proceeds, Net ATM Proceeds or Excess Tax Refund Proceeds.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Excluded Accounts means any Deposit Account, securities account, or commodity account (each as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) which is used exclusively as a (A) employee wage benefits account, (B) withholding tax account (including sales tax account), (C) fiduciary or trust account, together with the funds or other property held in or maintained in any such account (including, without limitation) any fiduciary accounts required to be maintained by any regulatory or quasi-regulatory body or (D) is a De Minimis Account.
Excluded Assets means the following assets and property of any Note Party (i) any of such Note Partys right, title or interest in any license, contract or agreement to which such Note Party is a party or any of its right, title or interest thereunder to the extent, but only to the extent, that such a grant would, under the express terms of such license, contract or agreement result in the termination, a material breach of the terms of, or constitute a material default under, such license, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term (A) has been waived or (B) would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-408, 9-409 of the UCC or other applicable provisions of the UCC (or equivalent) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable Law (including the applicable Debtor Relief Laws) or principles of equity); provided, that (x) immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse, termination or waiver of any such provision, the Collateral shall include, and such Note Party shall be deemed to have granted a security interest in, all such right, title and interest as if such provision had never been in effect and (y) the foregoing exclusion shall in no way be construed so as to limit, impair or otherwise affect the Collateral Agents unconditional continuing security interest in and liens upon any rights or interests of a Note Party in or to the proceeds of, or any monies due or to become due under, any such license, contract or agreement, provided that such security interest or lien would not itself result in the termination, material breach of the terms of a material default under such license, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term (A) has been waived or (B) would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-408, 9-409 of the UCC or other applicable provisions of the UCC (or equivalent) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable Law (including the applicable Debtor Relief Laws) or principles of equity), (ii) any intent-to-use United States trademark applications for which an amendment to allege use or statement of use has not been filed under 15 U.S.C. § 1051(c) or 15 U.S.C. § 1051(d), respectively, or if filed, has not been deemed in conformance with 15 U.S.C. § 1051(a) or examined and accepted, respectively, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, provided that upon such filing and acceptance, such intent-to-use applications shall be included in the definition of Collateral, (iii) any Excluded
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Accounts (other than De Minimis Accounts) if and for so long as the accounts described therein as used solely for the purposes described in the definition of Excluded Accounts, (iv) the Equity Interests in any Subsidiary domiciled in an Excluded Jurisdiction, and the voting Equity Interests in any Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary, a CFC or a CFC Holdco if such Lien or security interest would result in a material adverse tax consequence to the Note Parties taken as a whole, and (v) any Real Estate Asset that is not a Material Real Estate Asset or is a leasehold interest and (vi) such other assets and property as to which the Collateral Agent (in its sole discretion) determines that the cost of obtaining or perfecting a security interest therein is excessive in relation to the benefits afforded to the Secured Parties by the security to be afforded thereby; provided however, that (x) the exclusions described in clauses (i) through (iv) above shall in no way be construed as to limit, impair or otherwise affect the Collateral Agents unconditional continuing security interest in and Liens upon any rights or interest of the Note Parties in or to the proceeds of, or any monies due or to become due under, any such leases, contracts, agreements, licenses, permits, equipment, Equity Interests, accounts or other assets and (y) immediately upon the effectiveness, lapse termination or waiver of any such restriction, provision or agreement, references to the Collateral shall include and the Note Parties shall be deemed to have granted a security interest with respect to such leases, contracts, agreements, licenses, permits, equipment, Equity Interests, accounts and other assets as if such provision or restriction or agreement had never been in effect, and (z) Excluded Assets shall not apply to assets secured by Collateral Documents governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Excluded Jurisdiction means India for so long as a guarantee, pledge of Equity Interests, or other grant of security interest would require consent of the RBI, provided, however, that if the consent from the RBI is no longer required, the Issuer will promptly notify the Administrative Agent and upon the request of the Administrative Agent, subject to applicable Law, the Subsidiaries of the Issuer will enter into such agreement providing for such guarantee, pledge, or other grant of security interest relating to Excluded Subsidiaries and the Equity Interests, as may be requested.
Excluded Subsidiary means, in each case subject to the Collateral and Guaranty Requirements, any Person that is
(1) set forth on Schedule 1.01 on the date hereof or as may be modified with the written consent of the Administrative Agent,
(2) organized, incorporated or formed in an Excluded Jurisdiction,
(3) any Immaterial Foreign Subsidiary,
(4) subject to the definition of CFC, a FSHCO or CFC (or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a FSHCO or CFC),
(5) a Subsidiary (including, where applicable, any Regulated Entity) that is prohibited by applicable law from guaranteeing all or any portion of the Obligations, or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide a guarantee unless, such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received provided that the Note Parties shall be obligated to comply with the cooperation obligations contained in Section 5.21,
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(6) a Subsidiary (including, where applicable, any Regulated Entity) that is prohibited from guaranteeing all or any portion of the Obligations by any permitted Contractual Obligation in existence on the Closing Date (but not entered into in contemplation thereof)for so long as any such permitted Contractual Obligation exists (or, in the case of any newly-acquired Subsidiary, in existence at the time of acquisition thereof but not entered into in contemplation of this exclusion and for so long as any such Contractual Obligation exists),
(7) a Subsidiary with respect to which a guarantee by it of all or any portion of the Obligations would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Note Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries or their direct or indirect parent companies (subject to the definition of CFC), and
(8) a Subsidiary with respect to which, in the sole and reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent , the cost or other consequences of guaranteeing the Obligations would be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Purchasers therefrom; provided that if a Subsidiary executes a Guaranty as a Guarantor, then it shall not constitute an Excluded Subsidiary (unless released from its obligations under such Guaranty as a Guarantor in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (x) no Subsidiary of the Issuer that is a direct or indirect parent of a Note Party shall be an Excluded Subsidiary and each such parent shall be a Guarantor and (y) each Note Party and each of their Subsidiaries shall be obligated to comply with the cooperation provisions contained in Section 5.21.
Excluded Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest pursuant to the Security Documents to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal or unlawful under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantors failure for any reason to constitute an eligible contract participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest would otherwise have become effective with respect to such related Swap Obligation but for such Guarantors failure to constitute an eligible contract participant at such time.
Excluded Taxes means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the Laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Purchaser, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Purchaser, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Purchaser with respect to an applicable interest in a
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Note or in this Agreement pursuant to a Law in effect on the date on which (i) such Purchaser acquires such interest in a Note (other than pursuant to an assignment request by Issuer under Section 2.20) or (ii) such Purchaser changes its lending office (other than pursuant to Section 2.21), except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.20, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Purchasers assignor immediately before such Purchaser became a party hereto or to such Purchaser immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipients failure to comply with Section 2.20(g) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
Existing Asset Security Jurisdiction has the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.11(b(i).
Facility means any real property (including all buildings, fixtures or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter or heretofore owned, leased, operated or used by the Topco or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates.
Fair Market Value means the purchase price that a willing buyer would pay for an asset or property.
Fair Share has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.2.
Fair Share Contribution Amount has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.2.
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities implementing such Sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the greater of (a) the rate calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on such days Federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the Federal funds effective rate and (b) zero percent (0%).
Federal Reserve Board means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Financial Officer Certification means, with respect to the financial statements for which such certification is required, the certification of the chief financial officer or treasurer of the applicable Note Party (or a Person holding a comparable position) as applicable that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of such Person (and, if applicable as the context may require, its Subsidiaries or Investments as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments).
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First Priority means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, such Lien is prior to all other Liens on such Collateral, subject to any Permitted Lien which is prior and senior as a matter of Law.
Fiscal Quarter means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.
Fiscal Year means the fiscal year of each Note Party and its Subsidiaries ending on March 31 of each calendar year.
Flood Hazard Property means any Material Real Estate Asset subject to a Mortgage in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mudslide hazards.
Foreign Purchaser means a Purchaser that is not a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
Foreign Subsidiary Accession Requirements has the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.11(b)(i).
Free Cash Flow means, for any Person for any period, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA plus cash interest income of such Person for such period, less income taxes, capital expenditures and Investments (to the extent made in compliance with this Agreement), the amount of all payments of principal of and interest on all Indebtedness of such Person (other than with respect to the Issuer and the Guarantors, the Obligations under the Note Documents) paid or payable by such Person on a regularly scheduled payment date during such period, if any, and variations in working capital made in the ordinary course of business, with respect to such period.
FSHCO means an entity that owns (directly or indirectly) no material assets other than Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and debt interests) of one or more CFCs or other entities that are FSHCOs.
Fundamental Change has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.9.
Funding Guarantors has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.2.
GAAP means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set forth in Section 1.2, United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the date of determination thereof.
Governmental Authority means any federal, state, municipal, national or other government of the United States of America, or any other nation, or of any governmental department, commission, board, bureau, court, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity or office exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to any government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
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Governmental Authorization means any permit, certificate, license, registration, authorization, clearance, plan, directive, consent order or consent decree, or approval of or from any Governmental Authority and any accreditation issued or granted by an accrediting organization.
Grantor has the meaning given to such term in the Security Agreement.
Group means each of the Note Parties and their respective Subsidiaries.
Guarantee of or by any Person (for the purpose of this definition the guarantor) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (for the purpose of this definition the primary obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, including (a) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such Person of the obligation of a primary obligor, (b) the obligation to make take-or-pay or similar payments, if required, regardless of nonperformance by any other party or parties to an agreement, (c) any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth, liquidity or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase or lease property, assets, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued in support of such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not so stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith. The term Guarantee used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
Guaranteed Obligations has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.1.
Guarantor means (a) after the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions and the joinder of such Person to this Agreement as a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, De-SPAC Parent, (b) the Issuer (other than with respect to its own obligations), (c) each Subsidiary of the Issuer listed as a Guarantor on the signature pages hereto, and (d) each other Person which guarantees, pursuant to Section 5.11(b) or otherwise, all or any part of the Obligations; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, the definition of Guarantor shall not include any Excluded Subsidiaries and shall take into account the limitations set forth in the Collateral and Guaranty Requirements.
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Guarantor Subsidiary means each Guarantor which is a Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than an Excluded Subsidiary).
Guaranty means the guaranty of each Guarantor set forth in Section 7.
Hazardous Materials means any chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority or which may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of the owners, occupants or any Persons in the vicinity of any Facility or to the indoor or outdoor environment.
Hazardous Materials Activity means any pollutant, contaminant, chemical, toxic or hazardous material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority or which may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of the owners, workers, occupants or any Persons in the vicinity of any Facility or to the indoor or outdoor environment, including without limitation gasoline or other petroleum products or derivatives, radon, lead-based paint, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde, and explosives or other highly dangerous substances.
Hedging Obligations of any Person means any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired under (a) any and all Hedging Transactions, (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Hedging Transactions and (c) any and all renewals, extensions and modifications of any Hedging Transactions and any and all substitutions for any Hedging Transactions.
Hedging Transaction of any Person means (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect to any such transaction) now existing or hereafter entered into by such Person that is a rate swap transaction, swap option, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option, spot transaction, credit protection transaction, credit swap, credit default swap, credit default option, total return swap, credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reverse repurchase transaction, buy/sell-back transaction, securities lending transaction, or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a Master Agreement), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Highest Lawful Rate means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the Laws applicable to any Purchaser which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by Law, under such applicable Laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum non-usurious interest rate than applicable Laws now allow.
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Historical Financial Statements means as of the Closing Date, (a) the audited financial statements of the Issuer, for the Fiscal Years ended March 31, 2021, March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023 consisting of balance sheets and the related statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, (b) the audited financial statements of National Automobile Club and its Subsidiaries, for the Fiscal Years ended March 31, 2021, March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023 consisting of balance sheets and the related statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, (c) the audited financial statements of Globally Insurance Management Limited and its Subsidiaries, for the Fiscal Years ended March 31, 2021, March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023 consisting of balance sheets and the related statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, and (d) the auditor reviewed financial statements of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2023 consisting of balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, in the case of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d), certified by an Authorized Officer of the Issuer familiar with the financial statements of the Issuer, its Subsidiaries and their properties that they fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Topco and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject, if applicable, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments and include all material liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness, in each case, to the extent required to be disclosed under GAAP.
Immaterial Foreign Subsidiary means any Foreign Subsidiary that neither (a) has revenues (excluding intercompany transactions and balances) for the most recently completed twelve (12) month period of more than two and one half percent (2.5%) of total revenues of Topco and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the last twelve months (as measured as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a), Section 5.1(b), or Section 5.1(c), as applicable), (b) has assets or Investments having a fair market value (as of the last day of the most recently completed twelve-month period) of more than two and one half percent (2.5%) of total assets and Investments of Topco and its consolidated Subsidiaries on average as of the last day of each fiscal period ending during such period, in each case, as determined based on the most recently completed fiscal period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a), Section 5.1(b), or Section 5.1(c), as applicable, for the preceding twelve (12) month period then ended (but giving pro forma effect to any material Indebtedness, Investment, or Asset Sales during such period), (c) has any outstanding Indebtedness nor (d) owns any Material Intellectual Property.
Indebtedness, as applied to any Person, means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments or upon which interest payments are customarily made, (c) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than current trade payables which are not overdue by more than ninety (90) days); (d) all obligations of such Person created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement(s) with respect to property used and/or acquired by such Person, even though the rights and remedies of the lessor, seller and/or lender thereunder may be limited to repossession or sale of such property, (e) all Capital Lease Obligations in respect of such Person, (f) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances or similar extensions of credit, (g) all Guarantees of such Person, (h) all Indebtedness of a third party secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held by such Person, whether
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or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person, (i) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, (j) all Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities, (k) all obligations of such Person with respect to any Hedging Obligations and (l) all obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (k) of this definition of another Person secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien upon property owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness (but only to the extent of the lesser of the amount of the obligation and the fair value of the assets subject to such Liens). The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
Indemnified Liabilities means, collectively, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties, claims (including Environmental Claims), costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any Hazardous Materials Activity), expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether direct, indirect or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or foreign Laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial Laws, statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common Law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of (a) this Agreement or the other Note Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Purchasers agreement to purchase Notes in connection with a Notes Issuance or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Note Documents (including any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty)); (b) the statements contained in the commitment letter delivered by any Purchaser to Issuer with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (c) any Environmental Claim or any Hazardous Materials Activity relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership, or practice of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries; or (d) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Issuer or any other Note Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto.
Indemnified Taxes means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Note Party under any Note Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
Indemnitee has the meaning given to such term in Section 10.3(a).
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Indemnitee Related Party has the meaning given to such term in Section 9.7.
Indian Working Capital Facility means (w) that certain Debenture Trust Deed dated as of May 20, 2022 by and between Axis Trustee Services Limited, a company incorporated under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) and having its registered office at Axis House, Bombay Dyeing Mills Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Mumbai (the Debenture Trustee), Roadzen Technologies Private Limited, a company incorporated as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and having its registered office at Flat No. 802-804, 8th Floor Vijaya Building, 17 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi 110 001 (Roadzen Technologies), Roadzen Assistance India Private Limited, a company incorporated as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and having its registered office at Flat No. 802-804, 8th Floor Vijaya Building, 17 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi 110 001 (Roadzen Assistance) and the Issuer, (x) that certain Debenture Trust Deed dated as of November 9, 2022, by and between the Debenture Trustee, Roadzen Technologies, Roadzen Assistance and the Issuer, (y) that certain Debenture Trust Deed dated as of December 23, 2022, by and between the Debenture Trustee, Roadzen Technologies, Roadzen Assistance and the Issuer, (z) any additional credit facility entered into by any Subsidiary domiciled in India, in each case, with such amendments, extensions, renewal and replacements (Refinancing) approved by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion from time to time; provided, that, (i) no such Indebtedness may be secured by liens on any Material Intellectual Property; (ii) unless permitted by the Administrative Agent in writing, no such Indebtedness shall be guaranteed by any Note Party or be secured by Liens on any Collateral or other assets of any Note Parties (including Equity Interests in any Excluded Subsidiary that is a direct Subsidiary of a Note Party) (other than the guarantee provided for such Indian Working Capital Facility by the Issuer as in effect on the Closing Date); (iii) the maximum amount of any such Indebtedness may at no time exceed $5,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof if denominated in a currency other than dollars); provided, further, that any Guarantees provided by the Issuer of the Indian Working Capital Facility shall be treated as Investments for purposes of calculating the total amount permitted to be invested in India under this clause (iii) and for purposes of calculating the amount of any such Guarantees, such Guarantee shall be the maximum amount that could be draw on such Guarantee as of such date (contingent or otherwise) (the Guaranteed Amount) and the total basket in this clause (iii) shall be reduced dollar for dollar, by the Guaranteed Amount and (iv) with respect to any Refinancing of such Indian Working Capital Facility: (A) the terms and conditions of any Refinancing of such Indebtedness are not less favorable to the obligor thereon or to the Secured Parties than the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (B) the average life to maturity thereof is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (C) such refinanced Indebtedness shall not require any scheduled principal payments due prior to the Maturity Date, (D) no Refinancing shall be guaranteed by any Note Party or secured by a Lien on any other assets or have any other direct or indirect obligors who were not also obligors of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, or greater guarantees or security, than the Indebtedness being Refinanced and the priority of any security shall be the same or junior to the Indebtedness being refinanced, and (E) at the time thereof, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom (a Refinancing that meets all of the criteria described in this clause (iv), a Permitted Refinancing).
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Initial Asset Security Jurisdiction means the United States and the United Kingdom.
Insurance Regulatory Authority means any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission, department, body, court or other legislative, executive, or judicial or quasi-judicial governmental entity responsible for the regulation of the business of insurance or insurance brokerage, including, without limitation, (a) in India, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, (b) in the United Kingdom, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority and (c) in the United States, the state insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Intellectual Property means collectively, all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign Laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, all Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Trade Secrets, computer software, databases, data and documentation, know-how, inventions, manufacturing processes and techniques, research and development information data and other information included in or supporting other intellectual property or similar proprietary rights, copies and tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing (in whatever form or medium) and any and all improvements to any of the foregoing or rights or licenses to or from a third party in connection therewith; including the rights to collect damages for all past, present and future claims directly or indirectly (including antitrust claims) relating to any of the foregoing.
Intellectual Property Security Agreements shall mean the Copyright Security Agreement, the Patent Security Agreement, and the Trademark Security Agreement and all other foreign security agreements or pledge agreements required under the terms of this Agreement and the other Note Documents, in each case forms of which are attached as exhibits to the Security Agreement.
Intercompany Subordination Agreement means an Intercompany Subordination Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit K, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Interest Payment Date means with respect to any Note, (i) the last day of each calendar month ending after the Closing Date, and (ii) the Maturity Date of such Note.
Interest Reserve Account means one or more Controlled Accounts of the maintained with Mizuho, or with such other securities intermediary or financial institution as agreed in advance by the Collateral Agent and the Issuer (or otherwise as agreed in writing between the Collateral Agent and the Issuer) as a Interest Reserve Account which is otherwise subject to the sole dominion and control of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
Internal Revenue Code or Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time unless otherwise provided herein.
Investment means (a) any direct or indirect purchase or other Acquisition by any Person or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Equity Interest, Securities or evidence of Indebtedness of any other Person (other than the Issuer or a Guarantor Subsidiary); (b) any direct or indirect loan, advance (other than advances to employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary
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course of business), investment or capital contributions by any Person or its Subsidiaries to any other Person (other than Issuer or a Guarantor Subsidiary), including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business, (c) any Guarantee by a Person or any of its Subsidiaries of any obligations of another Person and (d) any direct or indirect Acquisition by a Person or any of its Subsidiaries. The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.
Issuance Date means the date of issuance of any Note.
Issuance Offer means an offer substantially in the form of Exhibit A or such other form as agreed by the Administrative Agent, specifying, among other things, (a) the name of the Issuer; (b) the requested date of the issuance of any Note; (c) the purchase price of Notes to be purchased; (d) the use of proceeds of the sale by Issuer of the Note (which must be a purpose permitted by Section 2.6) and (e) the account to which the proceeds of the Notes Issuance should be directed.
Issuer has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Joinder Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11(b)(ii).
Judgment Currency has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.28.
Laws means, collectively, all international, foreign, supranational, Federal, state and local laws, statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, writs, injunctions, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities or Applicable Insurance Laws and all applicable restrictions imposed by all Governmental Authorities and all Insurance Regulatory Authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority or Insurance Regulatory Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, decrees, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations, clearances, approvals, exemptions and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority or Insurance Regulatory Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
Leasehold Property means any leasehold interest of any Note Party as lessee under any lease of real property, other than any such leasehold interest designated from time to time by Collateral Agent in its sole discretion as not being required to be included in the Collateral.
Legal Reservations means with respect to a UK Guarantor only, (a) the principle that equitable remedies may be grated or refused at the discretion of the court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganization and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors, (b) the time barring of claims under applicable limitation laws and defenses of set-off or counterclaim, and the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of UK stamp duty may be void, and (c) any other similar matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations regarding a matter of law of general application in any legal opinion delivered in relation to any Note Document.
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Lien means (a) any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest, charge, assignment by way of security or encumbrance of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease in the nature thereof) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing, and (b) in the case of Securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such Securities.
Mandatory Prepayment Date has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.14(b).
Mandatory Prepayment Event has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.14(b).
Mandatory Prepayment Offer has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.14(b).
Mandatory Prepayment Offer Expiration Date has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.14(b).
Mandatory Prepayment Offer Payment Amount has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.14(b).
Margin Stock has the meaning given to such term in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to time.
Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on and/or material adverse developments with respect to (a) the business operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Topco and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a significant portion of the industry or business segment in which Topco or its Subsidiaries operate or rely upon if such effect or development is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Topco and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (c) the ability of any Note Party to fully and timely perform its Obligations; (d) the legality, validity, binding effect, or enforceability against a Note Party of a Note Document to which it is a party; or (e) the rights, remedies and benefits available to, or conferred upon, any Agent and any Purchaser or any Secured Party under any Note Document.
Material Contract means (a) the contracts, agreements and instruments evidencing any Indebtedness and Material Intellectual Property and such other contracts, agreements and/or instruments listed on Schedule 4.1(o) and (b) any other contract agreement, instrument, permit, lease or license or other arrangement to which any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (other than the Note Documents) for which breach, nonperformance, cancellation or suspension of which, or the failure of any party thereto to renew or perform its obligations thereunder, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which the Note Parties have a right to make or receive payments in respect thereof exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).
Material Intellectual Property means any Intellectual Property owned or exclusively licensed by Issuer or any Subsidiary of a Note Party that is (a) material to the business of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (b) where the loss of such Intellectual Property or the rights to use and practice in such Intellectual Property could result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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Material Real Estate Asset means any fee-owned Real Estate Asset having a fair market value in excess of $500,000.
Maturity Date means the earlier of (i) the first (1st) anniversary of the Closing Date, and (ii) the date that the Obligations shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise.
Merger Sub has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of De-SPAC Merger Agreement.
Mizuho has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.
Moodys means Moodys Investor Services, Inc.
Mortgage means a mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt or similar security instrument made or to be made by a Person owning an interest in real property granting a Lien on such interest in real estate as security for the payment of Obligations which shall be in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to Collateral Agent.
Multiemployer Plan means any multiemployer plan has the meaning given to such term in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is contributed to by (or to which there is or may be an obligation to contribute of) any Note Party, any of its Subsidiaries or an ERISA Affiliate, and each such plan for the six (6)-year period immediately following the latest date on which any Note Party, any of its Subsidiaries or an ERISA Affiliate contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to such plan.
Narrative Report means, with respect to the financial statements for which such narrative report is required, a narrative report describing the operations of Topco and its Subsidiaries in the form prepared for presentation to senior management thereof for the applicable month, Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such period to which such financial statements relate with comparison to and variances from the immediately preceding period and budget.
Net Asset Sale Proceeds means, with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (a) cash payments received by Topco or any of its Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise (including by way of a milestone payment, as applicable), but only as and when so received), minus (b) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including (i) income or gains taxes payable by the seller as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale during the tax period the sale occurs, (ii) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Notes) that is secured by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, and (iii) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to sellers indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by the Topco or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Sale; provided that upon release of any such reserve, the amount released shall be considered Net Asset Sale Proceeds.
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Net ATM Proceeds means the net proceeds, after deducting commissions and any offering-related expenses, generated from the issuance of Equity Interest of Issuer pursuant to the terms of the ATM Agreement.
Net Indebtedness Incurrence Proceeds means an aggregate amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the cash proceeds received from the incurrence of any Indebtedness of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.1), net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, in each case, paid to non-Affiliates, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.
Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds means an amount equal to: (a) any cash or Cash Equivalent payments or proceeds received by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries (i) under any casualty, business interruption or key man insurance policies in respect of any covered loss thereunder, or (ii) as a result of the taking of any assets of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (b) (i) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the adjustment or settlement of any claims of any Note Party or such Subsidiary in respect thereof, (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in clause (a)(ii) of this definition to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including income taxes payable as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith and (iii) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) that is secured by a Lien on the assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such casualty or taking.
Non-U.S. Plan means any plan, fund (including, without limitation, any superannuation fund) or other similar program established, contributed to (regardless of whether through direct contributions or through employee withholding) or maintained outside the United States by any Note Party or one or more of its Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of a Note Party or such Subsidiaries residing outside the United States, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement, or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.
Note Document means any of this Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents, each Compliance Certificate, each Issuance Offer, the Board Observation Rights Letter, each Subordination Agreement, the ROFO Side Letter, and all other fee letters, side letters, registration rights agreements certificates, promissory notes, allonges, joinders, counterpart agreements, guaranty documents, subordination agreements, intercreditor agreements, mortgages, instruments, powers of attorney, notices or agreements executed and delivered from time to time by a Note Party for the benefit of any Agent or any Purchaser in connection herewith in connection with the other Note Documents.
Note Party means the Issuer and any Guarantor.
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Notes means the Notes issued by the Issuer and purchased by the initial Purchasers on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.1(a), in the form of Exhibit B hereto, and also means all other promissory notes accepted by any Purchaser from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof, in each case, as such note may be reduced by any repayment, redemption or retirement thereof or otherwise increased.
Notes Issuance has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(a).
Obligations means all obligations of every nature of each Note Party from time to time owed to the Agents (including former Agents), the Purchasers or other Secured Parties or any one of them, under any Note Document whether for principal, interest (including interest which, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to such Note Party, would have accrued on any Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against such Note Party for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding), fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise; provided that with respect to any Guarantor, the Obligations shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations.
Obligee Guarantor has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.7.
Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities of any Person means (a) any repurchase obligation or liability or other monetary obligation of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person or receivables factoring, receivables financings or similar transactions, (b) any liability of such Person under any sale and leaseback transactions that do not create a liability on the balance sheet of such Person, (c) all monetary obligations under any Synthetic Lease, tax ownership/operating lease, off-balance sheet financing or similar financing or (d) any obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person.
Organizational Documents means (a) with respect to any corporation, its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization, articles of association, memorandum (where applicable), shareholders registry and directors registry, and all shareholder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements applicable to such companys Equity Interests, or any equivalent document of any of the foregoing, in each case, as amended, (b) with respect to any limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership and its partnership agreement, in each case, as amended, (c) with respect to any general partnership, its partnership agreement, as amended, and (d) with respect to any limited liability company, its articles of organization or certificate of formation and its limited liability agreement or operating agreement, in each case, as amended (or, with respect to any limited liability company incorporated under the laws of (i) England and Wales, its certificate of incorporation, certificate of incorporation of change of name (if any), articles of association and memorandum of association (where applicable) or (ii) the British Virgin Islands, its certificate of incorporation, certificate of incorporation of change of name (if any), memorandum and articles of association (where applicable), and any other constitutional documents, in each case, as amended). In the event any term or condition of this Agreement or any other Note Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a secretary of state or similar governmental official, the reference to any such Organizational Document shall only be to a document of a type customarily certified by such governmental official.
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Other Connection Taxes means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Note Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Note Document).
Other Material Jurisdictions means, as of the Closing Date, India.
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Note Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.21).
Patents means all of the following: (a) all letters Patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, and all applications for letters Patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, including certificates of invention, utility models, industrial design protection, design Patent protection, and other governmental grants or issuances, and the right to make application for any of the foregoing, (b) all reissues, reexaminations, extensions, renewals continuations, continuations in part and divisionals thereof, (c) the inventions disclosed or claimed therein, including the right to make, use or sell the inventions disclosed or claimed therein, (d) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and other payments for past or future infringements or other violations, and (e) the right to sue for past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof.
PATRIOT Act means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.
Pension Plan means any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3 of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) maintained or contributed to by any Note Party or any ERISA Affiliate or to which a Note Party or any ERISA Affiliate has or may have an obligation to contribute, and each such plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 302 Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code for the six (6)-year period immediately following the latest date on which a Note Party or any ERISA Affiliate maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to (or is deemed under Section 4069 of ERISA to have maintained or contributed to or to have had an obligation to contribute to, or otherwise to have liability with respect to) such plan.
Perfection Requirements means the making or procuring of the appropriate registrations, filings, endorsement, notarization, stampings and/or notifications of or in relation to any Collateral Document or any Collateral created thereunder necessary for the validity, effectiveness or enforceability thereof.
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Permitted Intercompany Investments means Investments made by (a) a Note Party to or in another Note Party, (b) a Subsidiary that is not a Note Party to or in another Subsidiary that is not a Note Party, (c) a Subsidiary that is not a Note Party to or in a Note Party, so long as, in the case of a loan or advance, the parties thereto are party to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and (d) a Note Party to or in a Subsidiary that is not a Note Party so long as (i) in the case of all other Investments other than the Permitted Indian Investment, the aggregate amount of all such Investments made by the Note Parties to or in Subsidiaries that are not Note Parties on and after the Closing Date (other than the Permitted Indian Investment) does not exceed $100,000 at any time outstanding, (ii) no Investment in an non-Note Party Subsidiary may include any rights to Material Intellectual Property unless consented to in writing by the Agent; (iii) both before and after giving effect to such Investment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (iv) and in the case of Investments made by the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries into their Subsidiaries formed or incorporated in the Republic of India, such Investment must be and remain a Permitted Indian Investment documented pursuant to an instrument that is in form and substance satisfactory to Note Parties. Unless agreed in writing with the Agent, any such Investments in the form of a loan an amount in excess of $50,000 shall be governed by a promissory note and any such notes held by a Note Party shall be delivered along with a transfer power endorsed in blank to the Agent and pledged as Collateral.
Permitted Indian Investment means Investments made by the Note Parties into their Subsidiaries formed or incorporated in the Republic of India (the Indian Subsidiaries); provided, that (x) the aggregate amount of all such Investments made on and after the Closing Date may not exceed $7,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided, further, that any Guarantees provided by the Issuer of the Permitted Indian Investments shall be treated as Investments for purposes of calculating the total amount permitted to be invested in India under this clause (x) and for purposes of calculating the amount of any such Guarantees, such Guarantee shall be the Guaranteed Amount and the total basket in this clause (x) shall be reduced dollar for dollar, by the Guaranteed Amount and (y) unless consented to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion (which such consent may be by email), such Investment shall be in the form of a loan and such loan shall be borrowed in accordance with the approvals, guidelines, regulations and circulars of the RBI, including procurement of loan registration number and such other approvals and permissions as may be required from the RBI under the provisions of applicable law relating to availing of external commercial borrowing.
Permitted Liens has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.2.
Person means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.
Personal Information means any data that is defined as personal information under applicable Privacy Law, including any such data that constitutes a name, address, email address, photograph, internet protocol address, and unique device identifier.
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Phase I Report means, with respect to any Facility, a report that (i) conforms to the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, E 1527, (ii) was conducted no more than six (6) months prior to the date such report is required to be delivered hereunder, by one or more environmental consulting firms reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, (iii) includes an assessment of asbestos-containing materials at such Facility, (iv) is accompanied by (a) an estimate of the reasonable worst-case cost of investigating and remediating any Hazardous Materials Activity identified in the Phase I Report as giving rise to an actual or potential material violation of any Environmental Law or as presenting a material risk of giving rise to a material Environmental Claim, and (b) a current compliance audit setting forth an assessment of the Issuer, its Subsidiaries and such Facilitys current and past compliance with Environmental Laws and an estimate of the cost of rectifying or resolving any non-compliance with current Environmental Laws identified therein and the cost of compliance with reasonably anticipated future Environmental Laws identified therein.
Principal Office means, for each Person, such Persons Principal Office as set forth on Appendix B, or such other office, address, or bank account as such Person may from time to time designate in writing to Issuer, Administrative Agent, and each Purchaser.
Privacy Laws shall mean any applicable requirements of Laws governing privacy, data security or breach notification with respect to the processing of Personal Information, and privacy and data security requirements of contracts by which any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries is otherwise bound. Without limiting the foregoing, Privacy Laws include, as applicable, state personal information breach notification Laws.
Process Agent means the applicable process agent described in Sections 3.1(v) and (w).
Projections has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1(h).
PTE means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
Purchase Price has the meaning given to such term in the recitals hereto.
Purchaser has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto and any of its successors and assigns and any other Person that accepts and holds a Note from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
QFC has the meaning assigned to the term qualified financial contract in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
QFC Credit Support has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.26.
Qualified Equity Interests shall mean Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.
RBI means the Reserve Bank of India established under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. app
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RBI Approval means the approval obtained from the RBI with respect to any Permitted Indian Investment availing such Investment from a Note Party on the terms and conditions stipulated in this Agreement in the definition of Permitted Indian Investment.
Real Estate Asset means an interest (fee, leasehold or otherwise) in any real property.
Recipient means (a) any Agent, or (b) any Purchaser, as applicable.
Reciprocal License means any license associated with what is commonly known as open source software license terms including licenses that require as a condition of use, modification, distribution of, or linking to, such software subject to such license, that such software or other Intellectual Property relating to or combined with, distributed with, and/or linked to, such software be: (a) disclosed or distributed in source code form; (b) licensed for the purpose of making derivative works; or (c) redistributable at no charge.
Register has the meaning given to such term in Section 10.6(b).
Regulation D means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.
Regulated Entity means any Subsidiary that is (a) engaged in the insurance business, assumes financial risk and that is regulated by a relevant Governmental Authority and (b) (i) as a result of such regulations by the relevant Governmental Authority described in clause (a) is prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation or, to the extent that such regulations or obligations described in clause (a) would prevent the granting of any Guarantee of the Obligations or providing asset security in respect of such Obligations, (ii) as a result of a contractual obligation existing on the Closing Date or existing at the time of acquisition thereof would be prohibited from Guaranteeing the Obligations or providing assets security in respect of such Obligations (to the extent such contractual obligation was not created in contemplation of such acquisition) or (iii) which prior to providing a Guarantee or other Lien would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide a Guarantee or Lien (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received), it being understood that unless requested by the Administrative Agent, no such consents shall be required prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default.
Regulatory Agencies means any Governmental Authority that is concerned with the use, control, safety, efficacy, reliability, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, sale or other Product Development and Commercialization Activities relating to any Product or the business of the Note Parties or any of their Subsidiaries and all similar agencies or Governmental Authorities in any applicable jurisdictions.
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the partners, members, managers, investors, potential investors, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
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Release means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of any Hazardous Material into the indoor or outdoor environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material), including the movement of any Hazardous Material through the air, soil, surface water or groundwater or property.
Relevant Jurisdiction means in relation to any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries (as applicable): (a) its jurisdiction of incorporation; (b) the jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any Collateral or Security Document (as applicable) entered into by it; and (c) any jurisdiction where any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries conducts its business, has assets or operations or is required to maintain permits for its continued operations.
Relevant Party has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.22(b).
Requirement of Law means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, Law (including common Law), treaty, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, writ, judgment, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws), in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Resolution Authority means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
Restricted Junior Payment means (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of Equity Interests of Issuer now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in shares of that class of Equity Interests to the holders of that class; (b) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of Equity Interests of Issuer now or hereafter outstanding; (c) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Equity Interests of Issuer now or hereafter outstanding; (d) management or similar fees payable to any Note Party or Affiliates of a Note Party or holders of Equity Interests in a Note Party; and (e) any payment or prepayment by Issuer of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any subordinated Indebtedness.
Restricted Payment means any (i) dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests of any Note Party or any of their Subsidiaries, (ii) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests or other Equity Interests, or on account of any return of capital to a Note Party or a Subsidiarys stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof), or (iii) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment or any payment in cash of any interest permitted to be paid in kind by the Note Parties or their Subsidiaries with respect to, any unsecured Indebtedness, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment described in clauses (i)-(iii) above.
ROFO Side Letter means that certain side letter dated as of June 30, 2023 by and between the Note Parties and Mizuho.
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S&P means Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC.
Sanctioned Country means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of comprehensive Sanctions (including, at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, the so-called Luhansk Peoples Republic, the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic and such other regions of Ukraine over which any Sanctions authority imposes comprehensive Sanctions, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria), any country, region or territory whose government is the subject or target of Sanctions (including Venezuela) or any country, region or territory that is otherwise the subject or target of broad Sanctions restrictions (including Afghanistan, Russia and Belarus).
Sanctioned Person means any person (whether designated by name or by reason of being included in a class of persons) against whom applicable Sanctions Laws are directed, including but not limited to persons and entities named as Specially Designated Nationals, as well as persons directly or indirectly owned or controlled by or affiliated to such persons.
Sanctions means individually and collectively, respectively, any and all economic sanctions, trade sanctions, financial sanctions, sectoral sanctions, secondary sanctions, trade embargoes, anti-terrorism laws and other sanctions laws, regulations, executive orders or embargoes, including those imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the United States government (including those administered by OFAC or the United States Department of State or the United States Department of Commerce) or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, His Majestys Treasury of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable Sanctions authority with jurisdiction over any Secured Party or any Note Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
Sanctions Laws mean any Law, regulation, or executive order relating to any sanction or trade embargo administered or enforced from time to time by the United States Government (including without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of State, Department of Commerce) or other relevant sanctions authority with jurisdiction over the Note Parties.
SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.
Secured Parties has the meaning given to such term in the Security Agreement.
Securities means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as securities or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or Acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.
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Securities Account has the meaning given to such term in the Security Agreement.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Security Agreement means the Security Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among Issuer, each Note Party and Agents, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Collateral Agent, together with any joinders thereto.
Security Agreements means each of (i) the Security Agreement, (ii) the UK Security Documents, and (iii) all such other security agreements and/or pledge agreements as may be entered into from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof each in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, in each case, together with any joinders thereto.
Solvency Certificate means a Solvency Certificate of the chief financial officer, chief operating officer, or treasurer of Issuer, or as the context may require, of a Note Party substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2.
Solvent means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date of determination, both (a)(i) the sum of such Persons debt (including contingent liabilities) does not exceed the present fair saleable value of such Persons present assets and (ii) such Persons capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business as contemplated on the Closing Date and reflected in the Projections or with respect to any transaction contemplated or undertaken after the Closing Date; and (b) such Person has not incurred and does not intend to incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due (whether at maturity or otherwise); and (c) such Person is solvent within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable Laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).
Specified Acquisition means the acquisition of GLOBAL INSURANCE MANAGEMENT LIMITED, a private company incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 01394929 and A1 Guarantee Limited, a company incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 00946609 (the UK Targets) pursuant to the terms of that certain Share Purchase Agreement entered into between AXA PARTNERS HOLDING S.A. and the Issuer dated 8 June 2022.
Specified Recipient has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.22(b).
Subordinated Indebtedness means any Indebtedness incurred from time to time and subordinated to the Obligations in amounts and on terms and conditions satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
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Subordination Agreement means (i) the Intercompany Subordination Agreement and (ii) each other subordination agreement or other evidence of subordination of Indebtedness of Topco and its Subsidiaries entered into from time to time; provided that each such agreement is in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in each case, such agreements may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent permitted in accordance with the terms hereof and the applicable Subordination Agreement.
Subsidiary or subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of shares of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided, in determining the percentage of ownership interests of any Person controlled by another Person, no ownership interest in the nature of a qualifying share of the former Person shall be deemed to be outstanding. In this agreement, unless otherwise specified, references to Subsidiaries shall be references to the Subsidiaries of the Note Parties.
Successor Issuer has the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.11(b)(ii).
Supplier has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.22(b).
Supported QFC has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.26.
Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Person, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a swap within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Synthetic Lease means a lease transaction under which parties intend that (a) the applicable lease will be treated as an operating lease by the Lessee pursuant to FASB ASC 840 and (b) the lessee will be entitled to various tax and other benefits ordinarily available to owners (as opposed to lessees) of like property.
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Topco means (a) prior to the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions, Issuer, and (b) from and after the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions, De-SPAC Parent.
Trade Secrets means all of the following: (a) trade secrets and other proprietary or confidential business information, including inventions, invention disclosures, discoveries, know how, systems, processes, methods, data, business and marketing plans, and customer and vendor lists, (b) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and other payments for past or future misappropriation or other violation, and (c) the right to sue for past, present and future misappropriation or other violation thereof.
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Trademarks means all of the following: (a) all trademarks, service marks, corporate names, company names, business names, trade names, trade dress, logos, Internet domain names, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, all registrations thereof, and all registrations and applications filed in connection therewith in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all renewals thereof, (b) all goodwill associated therewith or symbolized thereby, (c) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and other payments for past or future infringements or other violations, and (d) the right to sue for past, present and future infringement, dilution or other violation thereof.
Transaction Costs means the fees, costs and expenses payable by the Topco or any of Issuers Subsidiaries on or before the Closing Date in connection with the Transactions contemplated by the Note Documents and the Transaction Documents, to the extent approved in writing by Administrative Agent.
Transaction Documents means (a) the Note Documents, (b) the Warrants, and (c) each other document designated by the parties thereto as a Transaction Document from time to time.
Transactions shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur pursuant to the Note Documents and the Transaction Documents on or about the Closing Date, including (a) the execution and delivery of the Note Documents and the Note purchase hereunder, (b) the issuance of the Warrants to the persons set forth on Schedule 1.1(s) upon the terms and conditions set forth therein, if and to the extent issued in accordance with Section 2.3(a), and (c) the payment of the fees, cost and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.
UK Financial Institution means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
UK Resolution Authority means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
UK Guarantor means each Guarantor Subsidiary incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and any other party incorporated under the laws of England and Wales which joins this Agreement pursuant to the terms of Section 5.11.
UK Insolvency Proceeding means (a) any formal step is taken in relation to a moratorium or a composition, assignment or similar arrangement with any of its creditors generally; (b) a meeting of its shareholders, directors or other officers of any resolution for, to petition for or to make an application to or to file documents with a court or any registrar for, its winding-up, administration or dissolution; (c) an order is made for its winding-up, administration or dissolution, or any Person presents a petition, or makes an application to or files documents
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with a court or any registrar, for its winding-up, administration or dissolution (other than if such order, petition or application is vexatious or frivolous and is discharged, withdrawn, stayed or dismissed within fourteen (14) days of commencement); (d) any liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer is appointed in respect of it or its assets; or (e) its shareholders, directors or other officers request the appointment of, or give notice of their intention to appoint, a liquidator, receiver, administrator or similar officer, but excluding in each case any solvent liquidation or reorganization.
UK Security Documents means (a) the English law governed all-asset debenture and entered into between each UK Guarantor as chargor and the Collateral Agent as collateral agent dated as of the Closing Date, (b) the English law governed share charge over shares in Roadzen Holdings (UK) Limited by the Issuer and entered into between the Issuer as chargor and the Collateral Agent as collateral agent, dated as of the Closing Date, (c) each guarantee made by each UK Guarantor in favor of the Collateral Agent and each of the other Purchasers in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and (d) any other guarantees, security agreements, pledges, debentures, hypothecs, mortgages, consents and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the UK Guarantors, and security agreements granted over equity interests of the UK Guarantors, in connection with this Agreement or pursuant to Sections 5.11 to 5.14 or otherwise under this Agreement.
United Kingdom and UK means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Upfront Fee as defined in Section 2.11(a).
Unfunded Pension Liability of any Pension Plan shall mean the amount, if any, by which the value of the accumulated plan benefits under the Pension Plan, determined on a plan termination basis in accordance with actuarial assumptions at such time consistent with those prescribed by the PBGC for purposes of Section 4044 of ERISA, exceeds the fair market value of all Pension Plan assets allocable to such liabilities under Title IV of ERISA (excluding any accrued but unpaid contributions).
Uniform Commercial Code and UCC shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York (the NY UCC); provided that if by reason of mandatory provisions of applicable Law, the perfection, non-perfection, attachment or priority of a security interest is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term Uniform Commercial Code means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) in effect in such other jurisdiction for the purposes of the provisions in the Note Documents relating to such perfection, or effect of perfection or non-perfection, attachment or priority and for the purposes of definitions related to such provisions.
Unrestricted Cash-on-Hand means, on any date of determination, all cash and Cash Equivalents owned by the Issuer and its Guarantors and held in any Controlled Account in the United States or otherwise subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of Collateral Agent, in each case, on the date of determination (excluding, for purposes of clarity, any amounts available to be drawn or funded under lines of credit or other debt facilities, including any revolving loans);
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provided that amounts included under this definition shall (x) be included only to the extent such amounts are not subject to any consensual Lien or other restriction or encumbrance of any kind (other than Liens in favor of Collateral Agent) and (y) exclude any amounts held by the Issuer or its Guarantor Subsidiaries in escrow, trust or other fiduciary capacity for or on behalf of a client, borrower or customer of the Issuer, its Guarantor Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amounts held in the Interest Reserve Account shall be deemed as Unrestricted Cash-on-Hand solely for purposes of determining compliance with Section 6.8.
U.S. Person means any Person that is a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code.
U.S. Special Resolution Regimes has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.26.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20(g).
VAT means, as applicable (a) any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); (b) any value added tax imposed by the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (United Kingdom); and (c) any other tax of a similar nature (whether imposed in a member state of the European Union or the United Kingdom in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this definition, or imposed elsewhere).
Warrant and Warrants means each of the Warrants, executed by Issuer or Topco, as applicable, in favor of the each of Purchasers or an Affiliate of the Purchasers holding Notes on the Closing Date, pursuant to which the Purchasers or their Affiliate, as applicable, shall be entitled to purchase Equity Interests of the Issuer or Topco upon the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit I and otherwise in the form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, if and to the extent issued in accordance with Section 2.3(a) hereof.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of any Person shall mean a subsidiary of such Person of which securities (except for directors qualifying shares) or other ownership interests representing one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, controlled or held by such Person or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or to Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries in this Agreement shall refer to a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Issuer.
Withdrawal Liability means aggregate liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
Withholding Agent means any Note Party and Administrative Agent.
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Write-Down and Conversion Powers means, with respect to any applicable Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such applicable Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country or as the context may require, the United Kingdom, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule or in the equivalent Laws in the United Kingdom.
1.2 Accounting Terms. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in conformity with GAAP. Financial statements and other information required to be delivered on behalf of the Note Parties to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers pursuant to Sections 5.1(a), 5.1(b), and 5.1(c) shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the time of such preparation (and delivered together with the reconciliation statements provided for in Section 5.1(e), if applicable). Notwithstanding the foregoing, calculations in connection with the definitions, covenants, calculation of ratios used hereunder and other provisions hereof shall utilize accounting principles and policies in conformity with those used to prepare the Historical Financial Statements. To the extent there are any changes in GAAP from the date of this Agreement, if at any time such change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Note Document, and Issuer, or any Agent shall so request, the Purchasers, Agents and Issuer shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP; provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP as in effect immediately prior to such change therein, (ii) the Issuer shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement which include a reconciliation between calculations of such requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, (i) Indebtedness of any issuer and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded, (ii) notwithstanding any change in GAAP after the Closing Date that would require lease obligations that would be treated as operating leases as of the Closing Date to be classified and accounted for as Capital Leases or otherwise reflected on the Issuers consolidated balance sheet, such obligations shall continue to be treated as operating leases and shall be excluded from the definition of Indebtedness and (iii) any lease that was entered into after the date of this Agreement that would have been considered an operating lease under GAAP in effect as of the Closing Date shall be treated as an operating lease for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Note Documents, and obligations in respect thereof shall be excluded from the definition of Indebtedness.
1.3 Interpretation, etc. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference.
(a) References herein to any Section, Appendix, Schedule or Exhibit shall be to a Section, an Appendix, a Schedule or an Exhibit, as the case may be, hereof unless otherwise specifically provided.
(b) The use herein of the word include or including, when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not no limiting language (such as without limitation or but not limited to or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.
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(c) The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall.
(d) Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as it was originally executed or as it may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and permitted assigns, (iii) the words hereof, herein, and hereunder and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits, and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (v) any reference to any Law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and (vi) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. Any reference to payment in full, paid in full, repaid in full, prepaid in full, redeemed in full or any other term or word of similar effect used in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document with respect to the Notes or the Obligations shall mean all Obligations (excluding contingent claims for indemnification to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) have been indefeasibly repaid in full in cash and have been fully performed and the Note Documents have been terminated.
(e) The word disposition or dispose or similar variations thereof shall include any sale, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer (including any effective transfer of assets via division), license or other disposition to, or any exchange of property with, any Person.
(f) The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.
(g) In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any other Note Document, the terms of this Agreement shall control; provided that any provision of a Collateral Document which imposes additional burdens on a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries or further restricts the rights of a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries or gives any of the Agents or the Purchasers additional rights shall not be deemed to be in conflict or inconsistent with this Agreement and shall be given full force and effect.
(h) Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by the Issuer hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Note Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Administrative Agent.
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1.4 Divisions. For all purposes under the Note Documents, in connection with any division or plan division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdictions Laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interest at such time.
SECTION 2. NOTES
2.1 Notes Issuance.
(a) Notes Issuance. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Purchaser listed on Appendix A severally agrees to purchase, and Issuer agrees to issue, sell and deliver, on the Closing Date, upon payment of the Purchase Price, such Purchasers Allocated Share of the Notes (the Notes Issuance). Any Note issued under this Section 2.1(a) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed or reissued. Subject to Section 2.13 and Section 2.14, all amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Notes shall be paid in full in cash not later than the Maturity Date. Each Purchasers commitment to purchase the Notes listed on Appendix A shall terminate immediately and without further action on the Closing Date after giving effect to the purchase of Notes in an amount equal to such Purchasers Allocated Share, if any, on such date.
(b) Mechanics for Notes Issuance.
(i) Issuer shall deliver to Administrative Agent a fully executed Issuance Offer no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date (or such shorter period agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers in writing). Except as otherwise provided herein, an Issuance Offer for any Notes Issuance shall be irrevocable and Issuer shall be bound to issue such Notes in accordance therewith. Promptly upon receipt by Administrative Agent of such Issuance Offer, Administrative Agent shall notify each Purchaser of the proposed issuance and sale.
(ii) Each Purchaser shall make the purchase price of its Note available to Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date, by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at Administrative Agents Principal Office. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, and receipt of all funds requested in the applicable Issuance Offer, Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Notes available to Issuer on the Closing Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the purchase price of all such Notes received by Administrative Agent to be wired to the account of Issuer as may be designated in writing to Administrative Agent by Issuer. It being understood that the Purchasers will not be required to fund any amounts to the Administrative Agent unless all of the terms and conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.1 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.5.
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2.2 Reserved.
2.3 Warrants; Tax Treatment. Warrant to Purchase Shares. In connection with the Closing Date and the Notes Issuance, the Issuer has authorized the issuance and sale of Equity Interests pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Warrants and, if the Notes held by any Purchaser have not been paid in full on or prior to the date that is six (6) months following the Closing Date, will grant such Purchasers that hold Notes on the Closing Date (or, as the context may require, a designated Affiliate of any such Purchaser) the right to purchase Equity Interests in Issuer or Topco as more specifically set forth in such Warrant.
(b) Allocation; Tax Treatment. The Note Parties, Purchasers and the Administrative Agent further agree that (i) the Notes are not treated as contingent payment debt instruments within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-4, and (ii) the Notes do not bear any contingent interest within the meaning of Section 871(h)(4) of the Code. The Note Parties, Purchasers and the Administrative Agent shall file or cause to be filed all federal, state and local tax returns consistent with the tax treatment provided in this Section 2.3 unless otherwise required by applicable Law. The inclusion of this Section 2.3 is not an admission by any Purchaser that it is subject to United States taxation.
2.4 Reserved.
2.5 Allocated Shares; Availability of Funds.
(a) Allocated Shares. All Notes shall be purchased by Purchasers simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Allocated Shares, it being understood that no Purchaser shall be responsible for any default by any other Purchaser in such other Purchasers obligation to purchase a Note requested hereunder.
(b) Availability of Funds. Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Purchaser prior to the Issuance Date that such Purchaser does not intend to make available to Administrative Agent the amount of the purchase price of such Purchasers Note requested on the Issuance Date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Purchaser has made such amount available to Administrative Agent on the Issuance Date and Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, but shall not be obligated to, make available to Issuer a corresponding amount on the Issuance Date. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by such Purchaser, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Purchaser together with interest thereon, for each day from the Issuance Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the customary rate set by Administrative Agent for the correction of errors among banks for three (3) Business Days and thereafter at Federal Funds Rate. If such Purchaser does not pay such corresponding amount within five (5) Business Days after Administrative Agents demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Issuer and Issuer shall pay such
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corresponding amount to Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after Issuers receipt of such notice from the Administrative Agent, together with interest thereon, for each day from the Issuance Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate. Nothing in this Section 2.5(b) shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that the Issuer may have against any Purchaser as a result of any default by such Purchaser hereunder.
2.6 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the issuance and sale by Issuer of the Notes shall be applied by Issuer for the Permitted Indian Investment, to pay a portion of the fees and expenses associated with the Transaction Documents, the Specified Acquisition and the De-SPAC Transaction and for other general corporate purposes. No portion of the proceeds of any Notes Issuance shall be used in any manner that (i) causes or might cause such Notes Issuance or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation thereof or to violate the Exchange Act, to violate any Sanctions Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws or other applicable Laws or (ii) (x) funds any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or (y) would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Notes, whether as Administrative Agent, Lender, underwriter, advisor, investor, or otherwise).
2.7 Evidence of Debt; Purchasers Books and Records; Replacement Notes.
(a) Purchasers Evidence of Debt. Each Purchaser shall maintain on its internal records an account or accounts evidencing the Obligations of Issuer to such Purchaser, including the amounts of the Notes purchased by it and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on Issuer, absent manifest error; provided that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect Issuers Obligations in respect of any applicable Notes; and provided further, in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Purchasers records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.
(b) Replacement Notes. Upon receipt by the Issuer of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Note, and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the Purchaser thereof to the Issuer in customary form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of such Note, the Issuer shall execute and deliver to such Purchaser a new Note representing the outstanding principal amount thereof.
2.8 Interest.
(a) Interest Rate. Subject to Section 2.10 below, the outstanding principal balance of the Notes shall bear interest on and after the Issuance Date applicable to such Note to repayment in full in cash thereof in immediately available funds at the then Applicable Rate, which interest shall be payable in arrears on and to (i) each Interest Payment Date applicable to that Note; (ii) upon any prepayment of that Note, whether voluntary or mandatory, to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid; and (iii) at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise), including the Maturity Date.
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(b) Payment of Interest. On each Interest Payment Date, the Issuer shall pay the interest then due and owing to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to the Purchasers). All accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable in full in cash in immediately available funds in Dollars on the Maturity Date. The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to debit the Interest Reserve Account in the amount of the interest then due and owing on such Interest Payment Date.
(c) Interest payable pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be computed on the basis of a three-hundred sixty (360) day year for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues. In computing interest accruing on the principal amount of any Note, the date of the purchase of such Note shall be included, and the date of payment of such Note, shall be excluded; provided, if a Note is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one (1) days interest shall be paid on that Note.
2.9 Payments on Notes. The Issuer shall promptly make all payments in respect of the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided for in the Notes and this Agreement. A payment of principal or interest, if any, shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the applicable Purchaser or the Administrative Agent holds such payment by 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on that date, money, deposited or transferred by or on behalf of the Issuer sufficient to make the payment. Accrued and unpaid interest on any Note that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Note is registered by 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the record date for such interest (or by such other method, payment details and address as previously specified in writing for such purpose by the Purchaser of record to the Issuer) without the need for the applicable Secured Party to present or surrender their Note or make any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Issuer made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Issuer at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Issuer to the Purchaser in writing in accordance with Section 10.6. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by any Purchaser or such Persons nominee, such Person will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Issuer in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 10.6 of this Agreement. The Issuer will afford the benefits of this Section to any institutional investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note. Principal, interest and other Obligations, in each case if payable, shall be considered paid on the applicable date due if on such date the Administrative Agent or, as the context may require, the applicable Purchaser (or its designee) holds, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and its Note, money sufficient to pay all such amounts and Obligations then due.
2.10 Default Interest. Immediately upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or an Event of Default, the outstanding principal balance of the outstanding Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.10 is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of Administrative Agent or any Purchaser. Default interest payable pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall be computed on the basis of a three hundred and sixty (360) day year, for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues and shall be paid (retroactively to the date such Default first occurred) by adding such default interest to the outstanding principal balance of the Notes and shall thereafter bear interest in accordance with Section 2.8(a) and otherwise be treated as obligations under the Notes for purposes of this Agreement.
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2.11 Fees.
(a) Issuer agrees to pay an upfront fee to the Administrative Agent or its designee in an amount equal to Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000), which fee shall be due and payable on the Closing Date (the Upfront Fee).
(b) Unless otherwise indicated herein or agreed by the parties, all fees referred to in this Section 2.11 shall be paid to Administrative Agent and upon receipt, Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Purchaser its pro rata share thereof.
(i) In addition to the foregoing fees, the Note Parties agree to pay to the Agents and the Purchasers and any other fees and expense reimbursements set forth in any other Note Document or as otherwise separately agreed by the parties, in such amounts and at such times so specified.
(ii) The parties hereby agree that the fees due hereunder may be netted from the proceeds of any Notes Issuance made on such date or if otherwise not paid in cash in immediately available funds on the date when due, may with the consent of the applicable Purchasers, be added to the principal amount of the applicable Notes and treated as original issue discount.
(iii) Once paid, no fees or any part thereof payable shall be refundable under any circumstances. All such payments shall be made without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any national, state or local taxing authority, subject to Section 2.20(b).
2.12 Payment at Maturity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Note Document, the full amount of the Obligations shall be due and payable no later than the Maturity Date.
2.13 Optional Redemptions.
(a) At any time (and from time to time) the Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer, in whole or in part, upon notice as set forth in clause (b) below, at a cash redemption price equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption; provided that if the redemption date falls after a record date and on or prior the corresponding Interest Payment Date, then accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption shall be paid on such interest payment date to the holders of record of such Notes on the applicable record date instead of the holders on such date.
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(b) In case the Issuer shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Notes pursuant to clause (a) above, it shall fix a date for redemption and it shall provide notice of such redemption in accordance with Section 10.1 not fewer than three (3) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the redemption date to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly forward such notice to each Purchaser holding Notes so to be redeemed as a whole or in part at its last address as the same appears on the Register). The notice, if delivered in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Purchasers receive such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice in accordance with Section 10.1 or any defect in the notice to the Administrative Agent (or from the Administrative Agent to any Purchaser holding a Note designated for redemption as a whole or in part) shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Upon the giving of any such notice, the outstanding principal amount owing under the Notes specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the redemption date specified therein.
(c) Each such notice of redemption shall specify the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption (which shall be a Business Day), the redemption price at which Notes are to be redeemed as set forth in clause (a) above, the place or places of payment, that (to the extent surrender is required pursuant to Section 2.9) payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Notes, that interest accrued to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portion thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed. In case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that, on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Note (if so tendered), a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
(d) On or prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 2.13, the Issuer will deposit with the Administrative Agent an amount of money in immediately available funds sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Notes (or portions thereof) so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to, but excluding, the redemption date; provided that if such payment is made on the redemption date it must be received by the Administrative Agent by 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such date. Whenever any Notes are to be redeemed, the Issuer will give the Administrative Agent written notice in the form of a certificate of an Authorized Officer not fewer than three (3) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) prior to the redemption date as to the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.
(e) If less than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Administrative Agent shall select the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed (in principal amounts of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) or multiples thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the Administrative Agent deems fair and appropriate.
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(f) If notice of redemption has been given as provided in this Section 2.13, the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date fixed for redemption and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to (but excluding) the redemption date, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so called for redemption shall cease to accrue and, and the holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date and other Obligations then due and owing under the Note Documents. On presentation and surrender of such Notes at a place of payment in said notice specified, such Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date; provided that if the redemption date falls after a record date and on or prior the corresponding interest payment date, then accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption shall be paid on such interest payment date to the holders of record of such Notes on the applicable record date instead of the holders surrendering such Notes for redemption on such date. Upon presentation of any Note redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Administrative Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Notes so presented. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes shall be redeemed and no notice of redemption may be sent during the continuance of an Event of Default. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the redemption date at a rate equal to two percent (2.00%) per annum plus the rate borne by the Note. Any optional redemption shall be applied as specified in Section 2.15 with respect to the Notes.
2.14 Mandatory Prepayment Offers.
(a) [Reserved].
(b) Excess Proceeds Offer
(i) Not later than five (5) day after the date of receipt by:
(A) any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate since the Closing Date (such excess, Excess Net Asset Sale Proceeds);
(B) any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or Administrative Agent as loss payee, of any Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate since the Closing Date (such excess, Excess Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds);
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(C) any receipt by Topco of any cash, Cash Equivalents or other proceeds from any capital contributions to, or issuances or other sales of or transactions with respect to any Equity Interests (provided; however that prior to the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions, a prepayment shall only be required only once the proceeds from such transactions (individually or in the aggregate) exceed $25,000,000 and in no case shall the Note Parties be required to make a prepayment with the proceeds of the De-SPAC Transactions) (the provisions of this clause (C) shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any such issuance, incurrence or sale otherwise prohibited by the terms and conditions of this Agreement) (Issuance Proceeds);
(D) any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Indebtedness Incurrence Proceeds since the Closing Date (such excess, Excess Net Indebtedness Incurrence Proceeds);
(E) any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any tax refunds in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year (such excess, Excess Tax Refund Proceeds);
(F) on each ATM Payment Date, any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net ATM Proceeds, if any (each such payment, an ATM Payment), received in cash by the Issuer from the issuance of ATM Shares, if any are issued, during the ATM Issuance Period;
(each of the events set forth in the foregoing clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F), a Mandatory Prepayment Event), the Issuer will be obligated to make an offer in the form attached hereto as Exhibit L (such offer, a Mandatory Prepayment Offer) to the Purchasers to purchase Notes (or a portion thereof) in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate Allocable Share of all such Excess Proceeds, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid to, but excluding, the date of purchase (the Mandatory Prepayment Offer Payment Amount). If the Mandatory Prepayment Offer is for less than all of the outstanding Notes and Notes in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the purchase amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Mandatory Prepayment Offer, the Issuer will purchase Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the purchase amount on a pro rata basis, with adjustments so that only Notes in multiples of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) principal amount (and in a minimum principal amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000)) will be purchased. Any portion of such Excess Proceeds remaining after consummation of the Mandatory Prepayment Offer may be used for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Note Documents; provided, that in the case of the foregoing clause (F), such Excess Proceeds remaining after the consummation of the Mandatory Prepayment Offer must be deposited into the Interest Reserve Account.
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(ii) Within the timeframe noted in (a) above, the Issuer shall send a written offer to each Purchaser by first class mail or such other notice method provided for in this Agreement, which shall govern the terms of the Mandatory Prepayment Offer, with a copy of such offer to the Administrative Agent. The offer shall state:
(A) that a Mandatory Prepayment Offer is being made as provided for herein, and that, although Purchasers are not required to tender their Notes, all Notes (or a portion thereof) that are validly tendered shall be accepted for payment, subject to pro rata reduction;
(B) the principal amount of Notes subject to the Mandatory Prepayment Offer, the Mandatory Prepayment Offer amount and the nature and amount of the Excess Proceeds and the expiration date of the Mandatory Prepayment Offer (the Mandatory Prepayment Offer Expiration Date), which will be no later than five (5) days after the date such written notice to the Purchasers and the Administrative Agent is sent and a settlement date for purchase (the Mandatory Prepayment Date) not more than five (5) Business Days after the Mandatory Prepayment Offer Expiration Date;
(C) that Elected Repayment Note (as defined below) (or applicable portion thereof) to be repaid pursuant to the Mandatory Prepayment Offer (and duly paid for on the Mandatory Prepayment Date) shall cease to accrue interest after the Mandatory Prepayment Date;
(D) that any Notes (or portions thereof) not paid on the Mandatory Prepayment Date shall continue to accrue interest;
(E) that any Purchaser electing to have a Note (an Elected Repayment Note) (or portion thereof) purchased pursuant to a Mandatory Prepayment Offer shall be required to notify the Issuer of its election before the close of business on the Mandatory Prepayment Offer Expiration Date;
(F) that Purchasers shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuer receives, not later than the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Mandatory Prepayment Offer Expiration Date, an electronic transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Purchaser, the principal amount of the Note (or portion thereof) owned by the Purchaser and a statement that such Purchaser is withdrawing its election to have such Note (or portion thereof) purchased; and
(G) the instructions and any other information necessary to enable Purchasers to tender their Notes (or portions thereof) and have such Notes (or portions thereof) purchased pursuant to the Mandatory Prepayment Offer.
(iii) Not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Mandatory Prepayment Date, the Issuer shall deposit with or transfer to the Administrative Agent, with respect to each Purchaser of an Elected Repayment Note, an amount equal to such Purchasers Allocable Share of the Excess Proceeds.
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(iv) On the Mandatory Prepayment Date, the Administrative Agent shall send to each Purchaser of an Elected Repayment Note its Allocable Share of the Excess Proceeds for such Notes, and (if such Purchaser has tendered its Note prior to the Mandatory Prepayment Offer Expiration Date) the Issuer will send to such Purchaser a new Note (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in a principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of such Elected Repayment Note. Interest on the Notes purchased will cease to accrue on and after the Mandatory Prepayment Date.
(v) If the aggregate principal amount of Notes the Purchasers of which have timely elected (not timely withdrawn such election) to have its Note (or portion thereof) purchased pursuant to the Mandatory Prepayment Offer exceeds the Mandatory Prepayment Offer amount, the Issuer will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis with such adjustments as needed so that no Notes in an unauthorized denomination are purchased in part based on the aggregate principal amount, as applicable of the Notes tendered.
(vi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.14, with respect to any amount of Excess Net Asset Sale Proceeds, Excess Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds or Excess Tax Refund Proceeds, in each case, attributable to a Foreign Subsidiary, if the Issuer determines in good faith after consultation with its financial and legal advisors and with the Administrative Agent that the upstreaming of cash equal to such amount by such Foreign Subsidiary (A) would cause such Subsidiary to violate applicable financial assistance, thin capitalization, corporate benefit or other similar Laws or breach the fiduciary and statutory duties of the directors of such Subsidiary or its Organizational Documents as in effect on such date or (B) would cause any material adverse tax consequence to the Topco and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, then such amount shall be excluded from such Excess Net Asset Sale Proceeds, Excess Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds or Excess Tax Refund Proceeds, as applicable; provided, that the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to overcome or eliminate any such restrictions or minimize any such costs of prepayment and, if successful, shall promptly make the applicable prepayment.
2.15 Application of Prepayments/Reductions. Subject to the proviso set forth in the last paragraph of Section 8.1, the Administrative Agent shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and to reapply any and all payments received against the Obligations in such manner as the Administrative Agent may deem advisable.
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2.16 General Provisions Regarding Payments.
(a) Payments by Issuer.
(i) All payments to be made by the Note Parties hereunder and the other Note Documents shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. All payments in respect of the principal amount of any Note shall be accompanied by payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid or prepaid. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Purchasers to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agents Principal Office in immediately available funds not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date specified herein. All amounts received by the Administrative Agent after such time on any date shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fees shall continue to accrue. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each applicable Purchaser its ratable share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Purchasers applicable lending office (or otherwise distribute such payment in like funds as received to the Person or Persons entitled thereto as provided herein). If any payment to be made by the Note Parties shall fall due on a day that is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be reflected in the computation of the payment of interest or fees, as the case may be; provided that, if such next succeeding Business Day would fall after the applicable Maturity Date, payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments hereunder or under any other Note Document shall be made in Dollars.
(ii) Administrative Agent may deem any payment by or on behalf of Issuer hereunder that is not made in same day funds prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) to be a non-conforming payment. Any such payment shall not be deemed to have been received by Administrative Agent until the later of (i) the time such funds become available funds, and (ii) the applicable next Business Day. Administrative Agent shall give prompt written (which may be through electronic means) notice to the Issuer and each applicable Purchaser if any payment is non-conforming. Any non-conforming payment may constitute or become a Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of Section 8.1(a). Interest shall continue to accrue on any principal as to which a non-conforming payment is made until such funds become available funds (but in no event less than the period from the date of such payment to the next succeeding applicable Business Day) at the Default Rate determined pursuant to Section 2.10 from the date such amount was due and payable until the date such amount is paid in full in cash in immediately available funds.
(b) Application of Insufficient Payments. Subject to Section 2.15, if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to fully pay all amounts of principal, interest, fees and other amounts then due hereunder to the Secured Parties or if an Event of Default shall have occurred and not otherwise been waived, and the Obligations have become due and payable in full, whether by acceleration, maturity or otherwise, all payments or proceeds received by any Agent hereunder or under any Collateral Document in respect of any of the Obligations, including, but not limited to all proceeds received by any Agent in respect of any sale, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral, the such funds shall be applied as follows:
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first, to the payment of all costs and expenses of such sale, collection or other realization, including reasonable compensation to each Agent and its agents and counsel, and all other expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by any Agent in connection therewith, and all amounts for which any Agent is entitled to indemnification hereunder or under any Collateral Document (in its capacity as an Agent and not as a Purchaser) and all advances made by any Agent under any Collateral Document for the account of the applicable Note Party, and to the payment of all costs and expenses paid or incurred by any Agent in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any Collateral Document, all in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; second, to pay interest, fees and other amounts then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest, fees and other amounts then due to such parties; third, to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment of all other Obligations for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties; and fourth, to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment to or upon the order of such Grantor or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
(c) Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Issuer prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Purchasers hereunder that the Issuer will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Issuer has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the applicable Purchasers the amount due. In such event, if the Issuer has not in fact made such payment, then each of the applicable Purchasers severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Purchaser, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
(d) Deductions by Administrative Agent. If any Purchaser shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Sections 2.1(b), 2.2(b), 2.13, 2.14, 2.17, 9.7, 10.2 or 10.3, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Purchaser for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, to satisfy such Purchasers obligations to the Administrative Agent until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and for application to, any future funding obligations of such Purchaser under any such Section, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.
(e) Several Obligations of Purchasers. The obligations of the Purchasers hereunder to purchase Notes, and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.7 are several and not joint. The failure of any Purchaser to purchase any Note or, as applicable, to fund any such participation or to make any such payment on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Purchaser of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Purchaser shall be responsible for the failure of any other Purchaser to so purchase its applicable Note, to purchase its participations, as applicable, or to make its payment under Section 9.7.
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2.17 Ratable Sharing. The Purchasers hereby agree among themselves that, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of the Notes made and applied in accordance with the terms hereof), through the exercise of any right of set-off or bankers Lien, by counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any right under the Note Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, amounts payable in respect of fees and other amounts then due and owing to such Purchaser hereunder or under the other Note Documents (collectively, the Aggregate Amounts Due to such Purchaser) which is greater than the proportion received by any other Purchaser in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Purchaser, then the Purchaser receiving such proportionately greater payment shall (a) notify Administrative Agent and each other Purchaser of the receipt of such payment and (b) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Purchasers so that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all Purchasers in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided, if all or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Purchaser is thereafter recovered from such Purchaser upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Note Party or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such purchasing Purchaser ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Each Note Party expressly consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of bankers Lien, set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by any Note Party to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.
2.18 Reserved.
2.19 Increased Costs; Capital Requirements.
(a) Compensation For Increased Costs. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including pursuant to regulations issued from time to time by the Federal Reserve Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, special, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as Eurocurrency liabilities in Regulation D)), special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement or assessment against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Purchaser;
(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
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(iii) impose on any Purchaser any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Notes purchased by such Purchaser or any participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Purchaser or such other Recipient of purchasing, continuing or maintaining any Note or of maintaining its obligation to purchase any such Note or to increase the cost to such Purchaser, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Purchaser or other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Purchaser or such other Recipient, Issuer will pay to such Purchaser or other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Purchaser or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements; Certificates for Reimbursement; Delay in Requests.
(i) Capital Requirements. If any Purchaser determines that any Change in Law affecting such Purchaser or any lending office of such Purchaser or such Purchasers holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Purchasers capital or on the capital of such Purchasers holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Notes purchased by such Purchaser, to a level below that which such Purchaser or such Purchasers holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Purchasers policies and the policies of such Purchasers holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Issuer will pay to such Purchaser, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Purchaser or such Purchasers holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Purchaser setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Purchaser or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 2.19(a) or 2.19(b) and delivered to Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Issuer shall pay such Purchaser, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Purchaser to demand compensation pursuant to Section 2.19(a) or 2.19(b) shall not constitute a waiver of such Purchasers right to demand such compensation.
2.20 Taxes; Withholding, etc.
(a) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.20, the term applicable law includes FATCA.
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(b) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Note Party under any Note Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Law. If any applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Note Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.20) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(c) Payment of Other Taxes by Note Parties. The Note Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law, or at the option of Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(d) Indemnification by Note Parties. The Note Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to Issuer by a Purchaser or Agent (with a copy to Administrative Agent), or by Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Purchaser or Agent, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e) Indemnification by the Purchasers. Each Purchaser shall severally indemnify Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Purchaser (but only to the extent that a Note Party has not already indemnified Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Note Parties to do so) and (ii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Purchaser, in each case, that are payable or paid by Administrative Agent in connection with any Note Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Purchaser by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Purchaser hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Purchaser under any Note Document or otherwise payable by Administrative Agent to the Purchaser from any other source against any amount due to Administrative Agent under this Section 2.20(e).
(f) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Note Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.20, such Note Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
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(g) Status of Purchasers.
(i) Any Purchaser that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Note Document shall deliver to Issuer and Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by Issuer or Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by Issuer or Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Purchaser, if reasonably requested by Issuer or Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by Issuer or Administrative Agent as will enable Issuer or Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Purchaser is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two (2) sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Sections 2.20(g)(ii)(A), 2.20(g)(ii)(B) and 2.20(g)(ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Purchasers reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Purchaser to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Purchaser.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Issuer is a U.S. Person,
(A) any Purchaser that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to Issuer and Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Purchaser becomes a Purchaser under this Agreement or otherwise holds Obligations evidenced by a Note or any other Note Document (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Issuer or Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Purchaser is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Purchaser shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Issuer and Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Purchaser becomes a Purchaser under this Agreement and/or by its acceptance and holding of a Note (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Issuer or Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
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(1) in the case of a Foreign Purchaser claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Note Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the interest article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Note Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the business profits or other income article of such tax treaty;
(2) executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Purchaser claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1 to the effect that such Foreign Purchaser is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a 10 percent shareholder of Issuer within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate) and the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such Purchaser and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or
(4) to the extent a Foreign Purchaser is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 or G-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Purchaser is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Purchaser are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Purchaser may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Purchaser shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Issuer and Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Purchaser becomes a Purchaser under this Agreement and/or by its acceptance and holding of a Note (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of Issuer or Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit Issuer or Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
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(D) if a payment made to a Purchaser under any Note Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Purchaser were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Purchaser shall deliver to Issuer and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Issuer or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Issuer or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for Issuer and Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Purchaser has complied with such Purchasers obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Purchaser agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify Issuer and Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(h) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.20 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.20), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.20 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
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(i) Survival. Each partys obligations under this Section 2.20 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Purchaser, and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Note Document.
2.21 Mitigation of Obligations. If any Purchaser requests compensation under Section 2.19(a) or requires Issuer to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Purchaser or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.20, then such Purchaser shall (at the request of Issuer) use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Purchaser) to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Notes purchased hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the sole judgment of such Purchaser, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.19 or 2.20 as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Purchaser to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Purchaser. Issuer hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Purchaser in connection with any such designation or assignment. A Purchaser shall not be required to make any such assignment if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Purchaser or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Issuer to require such assignment cease to apply.
2.22 VAT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary:
(a) All amounts expressed to be payable under a Note Document by any Note Party to a Secured Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on that supply, and accordingly, subject to paragraph (b) below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Purchaser to any Note Party under a Note Document and such Secured Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that Note Party must pay to such Secured Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Purchaser must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that Note Party).
(b) If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Secured Party (the Supplier) to any other Secured Party (the Specified Recipient) under a Note Document, and any Note Party other than the Specified Recipient (the Relevant Party) is required by the terms of any Note Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Specified Recipient in respect of that consideration):
(i) (where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Specified Recipient must (where this paragraph (i) applies) promptly pay to the Relevant Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Specified Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Specified Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and
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(ii) (where the Specified Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must promptly, following demand from the Specified Recipient, pay to the Specified Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Specified Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT.
(c) Where a Note Document requires any Note Party to reimburse or indemnify a Secured Party for any cost or expense, that Note Party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Purchaser for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT, save to the extent that such Secured Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.
(d) Any reference in this Section to any Note Party shall, at any time when such Note Party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference the person who is treated as making the supply or (as appropriate) receiving the supply under the grouping rules (as provided for in Article 11 of the Council Directive 2006/112/EC (or as implemented by the relevant member state of the European Union or any other similar provision in any jurisdiction which is not a member state of the European Union)).
(e) In relation to any supply made by a Secured Party to any Note Party under a Note Document, if reasonably requested by such Purchaser, that Note Party must promptly provide such Secured Party with details of that Note Partys VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Secured Partys VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply.
SECTION 3. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
3.1 Closing Date. The obligation of each Purchaser, as applicable, to purchase Notes on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction, or waiver in accordance with Section 10.5, of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date:
(a) Note Documents and Warrants. Administrative Agent shall have received sufficient copies of each Transaction Document to be entered into on the Closing Date duly executed and delivered by each applicable party thereto for each Purchaser and original wet ink versions of the Notes and Warrants.
(b) Organizational Documents; Incumbency.
(i) with respect to any Note Party (other than a UK Guarantor), Administrative Agent shall have received (i) sufficient copies of each Organizational Document executed and delivered by each Note Party, as applicable, and, to the extent applicable, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official or, in the case of a Note Party incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, the registered agent of such Note Party; (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such Person executing the Note
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Documents to which it is a party; (iii) resolutions of the Board of Directors or similar governing body of each Note Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Note Documents and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or by which it or its assets may be bound as of the Closing Date; (iv) a good standing certificate (or equivalent) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Note Partys jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and in each jurisdiction in which it is qualified as a foreign corporation or other entity to do business each dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date; and (v) such other documents as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
(ii) with respect to each UK Guarantor, an officers certificate dated as of the Closing Date executed by a director in usual and customary format in the context of loan transactions in the U.K. as agreed between counsel to the Administrative Agent and counsel to the Issuer (1) delivering, certifying and attaching: (A) its constitutional documents, including its articles of association, memorandum of association (if applicable), certificate of incorporation and change of name (if any), and any amendments thereto; (B) resolutions of its Board of Directors then in full force and effect (i) approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Note Documents (including the Collateral Documents) to which it is a party and resolving that it execute the Note Documents (including the Collateral Documents) to which it is a party, (ii) authorizing a specified person or persons on its behalf to execute each Note Document and Collateral Document to which it is a party, (iii) authorizing a specified person or persons on its behalf to sign and/or dispatch all documents and notices to be signed and/or dispatched by it under or in connection with the Note Documents and the Collateral Documents to which it is a party; (C) resolutions signed by all holders of the issued shares in the UK Guarantor, (D) a specimen of the signature of each person authorized by the resolutions referred to in (B) above to sign the Note Documents (including the Collateral Documents) and related documents on behalf of the UK Guarantor, (2) confirming that subject to any guarantee or security limitations as set out in the Note Documents (including the Collateral Documents), guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, up to any applicable limits set forth in the Note Documents (including the Collateral Documents) to which it is a party, will not cause any guaranteeing, securing or similar limit binding on it to be exceeded, (3) certifying that each copy document relating to it and delivered in connection with the Note Documents is correct, complete and (to the extent executed) in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the Closing Date; and (4) (in respect of each company whose shares are the subject of any Lien granted pursuant to a UK Security Document, each referred to as a Charged Company) certifying that: (A) (i) each member of the group has complied within the relevant timeframe with any notice it has received pursuant to Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 from that Charged Company; and (ii) no warning notice or restrictions notice (in each case as defined in Schedule 1B of the UK Companies Act 2006) has been issued in respect of those shares, together with a copy of the PSC register (within the meaning of section 790C(10) of the UK Companies Act 2006) (each, a PSC Notice) of that Charged Company, which is certified by an authorized officer of the relevant UK Guarantor to be correct, complete and not amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the Closing Date; or (B) that such Charged Company is not required to comply with Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006.
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(c) Organizational and Capital Structure. The organizational structure and capital structure of Topco and its Subsidiaries, both before and after giving effect to the Transactions occurring on the Closing Date, shall be as set forth on Schedule 4.1(a).
(d) [reserved].
(e) [reserved].
(f) Transaction Costs. On or prior to the Closing Date, Issuer shall have delivered to Administrative Agent Issuers reasonable best estimate of the Transaction Costs (other than fees payable to any Agent) through the Closing Date.
(g) Governmental Authorizations and Consents. Each Note Party shall have obtained all Governmental Authorizations and all consents of other Persons, in each case that are necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and each of the foregoing shall be in full force and effect and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent. All applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the transactions contemplated by the Note Documents or the financing thereof and no action, request for stay, petition for review or rehearing, reconsideration, or appeal with respect to any of the foregoing shall be pending, and the time for any applicable agency to take action to set aside its consent on its own motion shall have expired.
(h) De-SPAC Documents. The Issuer shall have delivered to Administrative Agent certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Issuer certifying that (i) the attached copies of (1) the De-SPAC Documents as in effect on the Closing Date are true, complete and correct copies thereof and (2) other Material Contracts as in effect on the Closing Date; and (ii) such agreements remain in full force and effect and that none of the Note Parties has breached or defaulted in any of its material obligations under such agreements;
(i) Personal Property Collateral. In order to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected First Priority Lien security interest in the personal property Collateral, Collateral Agent shall have received:
(i) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the compliance by each Note Party of their obligations under the Security Agreements and the other Collateral Documents (including, without limitation, their obligations to authorize or execute, as the case may be, and deliver UCC financing statements (or the their equivalent), Intellectual Property Security Agreements to be filed with the Copyright Office, or the Patent and Trademark Office or any other Governmental Authority (regardless of whether in the US or in any foreign jurisdiction), originals of notes, Equity Interests, securities, powers of attorney, transfer forms, instruments
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and chattel paper and any Control Agreements or agreements governing deposit and/or securities accounts as provided therein or payoff letters) a copy of all notices and acknowledgements required to be sent under the relevant UK Security Document, together with all share certificates and undated stock transfer forms executed in blank required to be sent under the relevant UK Security Document, for the purposes of taking or perfecting security;
(ii) A completed Collateral Questionnaire dated the Closing Date and executed by an Authorized Officer of each Note Party, together with all attachments contemplated thereby, including (A) the results of a recent search, by a Person satisfactory to Collateral Agent, of all effective UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings) made with respect to any personal or mixed property of any Note Party in the jurisdictions specified in the Collateral Questionnaire, together with copies of all such filings disclosed by such search, and (B) UCC termination statements (or similar documents) duly executed by all applicable Persons for filing in all applicable jurisdictions as may be necessary to terminate any effective UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings) disclosed in such search (other than any such financing statements in respect of Permitted Liens); and
(iii) evidence that each Note Party shall have taken or caused to be taken any other action, executed and delivered or caused to be executed and delivered any other agreement, document and instrument (including without limitation and any intercompany notes evidencing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.1(b)) and made or caused to be made any other filing and recording (other than as set forth herein) reasonably required by Collateral Agent.
(j) Financial Statements; Projections. Purchasers shall have received from the Issuer (i) the Historical Financial Statements, (ii) pro forma consolidated balance sheets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries as at the Closing Date, and reflecting the consummation of the Transactions, the related financings and the other transactions contemplated by the Note Documents to occur on or prior to the Closing Date, which pro forma financial statements shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, (iii) pro forma consolidated income statements of the Topco and its Subsidiaries as at the Closing Date, and reflecting the consummation of the Transactions, the related financings and the other transactions contemplated by the Note Documents to occur on or prior to the Closing Date, and (iv) the Projections.
(k) Evidence of Insurance. The Agents shall have received a certificate from Note Parties insurance broker or other evidence satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 is in full force and effect, together with endorsements naming the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, as additional insured and loss payee thereunder to the extent required under Section 5.5.
(l) Opinions of Counsel to Note Parties. Purchasers and their respective counsel shall have received executed copies of the favorable written opinions of Winston & Strawn LLP, U.S. counsel for Note Parties, as to such matters as Administrative Agent may reasonably request (including without limitation the issuance of Notes), dated as of the Closing Date and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent (and each Note Party hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinions to Agents and Purchasers).
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(m) Fees and Expenses. Issuer shall have paid to Administrative Agent the fees payable on the Closing Date referred to in Section 2.11, as well as, any other fees, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) agreed in writing to be paid by it to the Agents and the Purchasers in connection herewith to the extent due (and, in the case of expenses (including legal fees and expenses), to the extent that statements for such expenses shall have been delivered to the Issuer on or prior to the Closing Date).
(n) Solvency Certificate. On the Closing Date, Administrative Agent shall have received a Solvency Certificate from a director or the chief financial officer or treasurer (or equivalent) of the Issuer and each Guarantor domiciled in the United States dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to Administrative Agent and Purchasers, and substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2.
(o) Closing Date Certificate. The Issuer shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a duly executed Closing Date Certificate, together with all attachments thereto.
(p) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warrantees shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); provided that any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects.
(q) No Litigation. There shall not exist any action, suit, investigation, litigation or proceeding or other legal or regulatory developments, pending or threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority that, in the reasonable discretion of Administrative Agent, singly or in the aggregate, materially impairs the consummation of the Transactions, the financing thereof or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Note Documents or the other Transaction Documents, or that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(r) Due Diligence. Agents shall have completed their business, legal, market and collateral due diligence, including (i) review of Material Contracts, (ii) UCC, tax Lien, litigation and Intellectual Property searches, (iii) review of Issuers and its Subsidiaries books and records, and (iv) review of a third party accounting due diligence report, and (v) background checks of management of the Note Parties, in each case, the results of each of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
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(s) No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2022, no event, circumstance or change shall have occurred that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(t) U.S. PATRIOT Act, KYC and Similar Disclosures.
(i) The Agents and the Purchasers shall have received all documentation and other information, including a duly executed W-9 tax form (or such other applicable IRS tax form) of the Note Parties, required by such institution or its bank regulatory authorities under Laws applicable economic sanctions laws, know your customer, and other terrorism, counter-terrorism, and anti-money laundering Laws or regulations, including the PATRIOT Act and The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act,) 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959, to the extent requested in writing of the Issuer at least three (3) days prior to the Closing Date.
(ii) At least three (3) days prior to the Closing Date, any Note Party that qualifies as a legal entity customer under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Note Party.
(u) Completion of Proceedings. All partnership, corporate and other proceedings taken or to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents incidental thereto not previously found acceptable by Administrative Agent and its counsel shall be satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and such counsel, and Administrative Agent, and such counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified copies of such documents as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
(v) Evidence of Appointment of US Process Agent. Evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that each Note Party that is organized or incorporated under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States of America irrevocably appoints the Issuer, as its agent for service of process in any matter related to this Agreement or the other Note Documents.
(w) Evidence of Appointment of UK Process Agent. Evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that each Note Party that is organized or incorporated under the Laws of a jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom irrevocably appoints Roadzen Holdings (UK) Limited, as its agent for service of process in any matter related to any Note Document governed by the laws of England and Wales.
(x) Accounts.
(i) Issuer shall have established the Interest Reserve Account and deposited in an amount equal to interest due and payable for twelve (12) months on the Notes at the Applicable Rate.
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(ii) Issuer shall have delivered (i) a summary of the accounts receivable aging report of each Note Party as of the end of the last calendar month prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) a summary of accounts payable aging report of each Note Party as of the end of the last calendar month prior to the Closing Date in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(y) No Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will result from the issuance of the Notes.
(z) Additional Deliverables. Administrative Agent shall have received evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to it (in its sole discretion), duly executed copies of each of the other closing deliverables described in the closing checklist attached hereto as Exhibit H, including without limitation, evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent of the successful closing and funding of the sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer in an amount of at least $8,700,000.
Each Purchaser, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and purchasing and accepting the Notes on the Closing Date, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Note Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent or Purchasers, as applicable on the Closing Date.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 Representations and Warranties of Note Parties. In order to induce Agents and Purchasers to enter into this Agreement and to purchase and accept Notes in accordance with this Agreement and the other Note Documents, each Note Party represents and warrants to each Agent and Purchaser, on the Closing Date and on the Issuance Date, that the following statements are true and correct (it being understood and agreed that the representations and warranties made on the Closing Date are deemed to be made concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby):
(a) Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification. Each Note Party and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly incorporated or organized, as applicable, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization (which jurisdiction of incorporation or organization is, as of the date hereof identified in Schedule 4.1(a)), (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) to own or lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted and (ii) to execute and deliver the Note Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby, and (c) is duly qualified and licensed to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except, in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Equity Interests and Ownership. The Equity Interests of each Note Party and its Subsidiaries has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable and are with respect to Issuers Subsidiaries (if any), owned by such Persons free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(b), as of the date hereof, there is no existing option, warrant, call, right, commitment or other agreement to which a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party requiring, and there is no membership interest or other Equity Interests of a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries outstanding which upon conversion or exchange would require, the issuance by a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any additional membership interests or other Equity Interests of a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries or other Securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for or purchase, a membership interest or other Equity Interests of a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.1(b) (as supplemented from time to time) correctly sets forth the ownership interest of the Note Parties and each of their Subsidiaries in their respective Subsidiaries as of the Issuance Date both before and after giving effect to the Transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(c) Due Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of the Note Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action on the part of each Note Party that is a party thereto.
(d) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the Note Parties of the Transaction Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not and will not (i) (a) violate any provision of any Law or any rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, any of the Organizational Documents of such Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of any Governmental Authority binding on any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries; or (b) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Contractual Obligation of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries (except in the case that such conflict, violation, breach or default is immaterial to the continued business or operations of the Note Parties and would not result in any adverse consequence with respect to the Note Parties or the Secured Parties and the Note Parties ability to perform their Obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents and the enforceability and validity of the Transaction Documents); or (ii) (a) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Liens created under any of the Note Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties); or (b) require any approval of stockholders, members, partners or other holders of Equity Interests or any approval or consent of any Person under any material Contractual Obligation of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the Closing Date and disclosed in writing to Purchasers.
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(e) Governmental Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by Note Parties of the Transaction Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority except as otherwise set forth in the Transaction Documents, and except (A) the registration of any Collateral Document entered into by a UK Guarantor with the United Kingdoms registrar of companies (Companies House) within the applicable registration period, (B) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (C) filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to Collateral Agent for filing and/or recordation, as of the Closing Date and (D) such actions, consents and approvals would not result in any adverse consequence with respect to the Note Parties or the Secured Parties and the Note Parties ability to perform their Obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents and the enforceability and validity of the Transaction Documents.
(f) Binding Obligation. Each Transaction Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Note Party that is a party thereto, subject to Legal Reservations, and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Note Party, enforceable against such Note Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws relating to or limiting creditors rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.
(g) Historical Financial Statements. The Historical Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, on a consolidated basis (where applicable), of the Persons described in such financial statements as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows, on a consolidated basis (where applicable), of the entities described therein for each of the periods then ended, subject, in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments. As of the Closing Date, no Note Party nor any of their Subsidiaries has any contingent liability or liability for taxes, long-term lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment that is not reflected in the Historical Financial Statements or the notes thereto and which in any such case is material in relation to the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of a Note Party and any of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(h) Projections. The projections of the Topco and its Subsidiaries delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date (the Projections) are based on good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of the Issuer; provided, the Projections are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ from such Projections and that the differences may be material; provided further, as of the Closing Date, management of the Issuer believed that the Projections were reasonable and attainable.
(i) No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2022, no event, circumstance or change, either individually or in the aggregate, has occurred that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
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(j) Adverse Proceedings, etc. There are no Adverse Proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, by or against any Note Party or any Subsidiary or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Note Document or the transactions contemplated hereby. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is in violation of any applicable Laws (including Environmental Laws), except to the extent any violation, individually and in aggregate, could not be reasonably expected to adversely affect the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries or the Obligations in any material respect or the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties under the Transaction Documents or (b) is subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.
(k) Payment of Taxes. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 5.3, all Tax returns and reports of each Note Party and of their Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all Taxes shown on such Tax returns to be due and payable and all assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their respective properties, assets, income, businesses and franchises which are due and payable have been paid, except Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP. No Note Party knows of any proposed or pending tax assessments, deficiencies, audits or other proceedings against any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries and no proposed or pending tax assessments, deficiencies, audits or other proceedings, which is not being actively contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP; provided, such reserves, or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.
(l) Properties. Each of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries has (i) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real property) the Real Estate Assets owned by such Person, (ii) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property) the Real Estate Assets leased by such Person, and (iii) valid title to and enforceable rights in (in the case of all other personal property and Intellectual Property) all of their respective properties and assets reflected in their respective Historical Financial Statements referred to in Section 4.1(g) and in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1, in each case except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under Section 6.9. Except as permitted by this Agreement, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.
(m) Environmental Matters. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective facilities or operations are subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law, any Environmental Claim, or any Hazardous Materials Activity, in each case which individually or in the aggregate has had or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any letter or request for information under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
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Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9604) or any comparable state Law. There are and, to each of Note Partys and its Subsidiaries respective knowledge, have been, no conditions, occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities which could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any past, pending or threatened Environmental Claim against a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to any Note Partys respective knowledge, any predecessor of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries has filed any notice under any Environmental Law indicating past or present treatment of Hazardous Materials at any Facility, and no Note Parties or any of their Subsidiaries respective operations involves the generation, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste, as defined under 40 C.F.R. Parts 260 270 or any state equivalent. Compliance with all current or reasonably foreseeable future requirements pursuant to or under Environmental Laws could not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No event or condition has occurred or is occurring with respect to any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous Materials, or any Hazardous Materials Activity which individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. The representations and warranties in this clause (m) are the sole representations and warranties of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to environmental matters, including matters arising under Environmental Law or involving Environmental Claims, Hazardous Materials, or Hazardous Materials Activities.
(n) No Defaults. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any of its respective material Contractual Obligations, and no condition exists which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, could constitute such a default. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
(o) Material Contracts. Schedule 4.1(o) contains a true, correct and complete list of all the Material Contracts of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries, which, together with any updates provided pursuant to Section 5.1(l), represents all Material Contracts of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries. All such Material Contracts are in full force and effect and no defaults currently exist thereunder, other than defaults that, would not result in any adverse consequence with respect to the Note Parties or the Secured Parties and the Note Parties ability to perform their Obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents and the enforceability and validity of the Transaction Documents.
(p) Governmental Regulation. Neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries is required to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor Subsidiary is required to register under any other Law which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or provide a Guaranty or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is a registered investment company or a company controlled by a registered investment company or a principal underwriter of a registered investment company as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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(q) Margin Stock. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of the issuance and sale by Issuer of the Notes hereunder will be used to purchase or carry any such Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
(r) Employment Matters. There are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Note Party or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of any Note Party, threatened against any of them. Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liabilities or costs in excess of $100,000, the hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign Law dealing with such matters. Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liabilities or costs in excess of $100,000, all payments due from any Note Party or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against any Note Party or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of any such Note Party or any such Subsidiary.
(s) Employee Benefit Plans. Each Benefit Plan of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries is in substantial compliance in form and operation with its terms and with ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code (including, without limitation, the Internal Revenue Code provisions compliance with which is necessary for any intended favorable tax treatment) and all other applicable Laws and regulations. Each Benefit Plan (and each related trust, if any) which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it meets the requirements of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code covering all applicable tax Law changes, or is comprised of a master or prototype or volume submitter plan that has received a favorable opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service, and nothing has occurred since the date of such determination that would adversely affect such determination (or, in the case of a Benefit Plan with no determination, nothing has occurred that would adversely affect the issuance of a favorable determination letter or otherwise adversely affect such qualification). No ERISA Event has occurred or, to the knowledge of any Note Party, is reasonably expected to occur and no Note Party incorporated in the United Kingdom has failed to comply with its auto-enrolment obligations under the UK Pensions Act 2008. There exists no Unfunded Pension Liability with respect to any Pension Plan in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). No Note Party nor any of their Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has, within any of the six (6) calendar years immediately preceding the date this assurance is given or deemed given, made or accrued an obligation to make, contributions to any Multiemployer Plan. There are no actions, suits or claims pending against or involving a Benefit Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or
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any ERISA Affiliate, threatened, which would reasonably be expected to be asserted successfully against any Benefit Plan and, if so asserted successfully, could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liabilities or costs in excess of $100,000 to a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries. Each Note Party, each of its Subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate have made all contributions to or under each Pension Plan and Multiemployer Plan required by Law within the applicable time limits prescribed thereby, by the terms of such Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, respectively, or by ERISA or any contract or agreement requiring contributions to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan. No Pension Plan which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA has applied for or received an extension of any amortization period within the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate have ceased operations at a Facility so as to become subject to the provisions of Section 4062(e) of ERISA, withdrawn as a substantial employer so as to become subject to the provisions of Section 4063 of ERISA or ceased making contributions to any Pension Plan subject to Section 4064(a) of ERISA to which it made contributions. Each Non-U.S. plan that is established and maintained for the benefit of employees outside the United States has been maintained in compliance in all material respects with its terms and with the requirements of any and all applicable Laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders and has been maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or liabilities or costs in excess of $100,000, all contributions required to be made with respect to a Non-U.S. Plan have been timely made. No Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any obligation in connection with the termination of, or withdrawal from, any Non-U.S. Plan. The present value of the accrued benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Non-U.S. Plan, determined as of the end of such Note Partys most recently ended Fiscal Year on the basis of reasonable actuarial assumptions, did not exceed the current value of the assets of such Non-U.S. Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities.
(t) UK Pensions. With respect only to each Note Party and its Subsidiaries incorporated in the United Kingdom, (i) no Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or has at any time been an employer (for the purposes of sections 38 to 51 of the UK Pensions Act 2004) of an occupational pension scheme which is not a money purchase scheme (both terms as defined in the UK Pension Schemes Act 1993); and (ii) neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has at any time been connected with or an associate of (as those terms are used in sections 38 and 43 of the UK Pensions Act 2004) such an employer.
(u) Certain Fees. No brokers or finders fee or commission will be payable with respect hereto or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(v) Solvency. Both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the Notes Issuance, (i) the Issuer and each Guarantor domiciled in the United States is and will be Solvent and (ii) the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are and will be Solvent. No transfer of property is being made by the Issuer and no obligation is being incurred by the Topco or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Note Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries.
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(w) Compliance with Laws. Each Note Party and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Laws in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its properties (including compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws with respect to any Real Estate Asset or governing its business and the requirements of any permits issued under such Environmental Laws with respect to any such Real Estate Asset or the operations of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries) and any licenses required by any Insurance Regulatory Authority, except to the extent any noncompliance would not be reasonably expected to adversely affect Topco and its Subsidiaries or the Obligations in any material respect.
(x) Disclosure.
(i) The Note Parties have disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries is subject. No representation or warranty of any Note Party contained in any Transaction Document or in any other documents, reports, certificates or written statements furnished to Purchasers by or on behalf of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to any Note Party, in the case of any document not furnished by either of them) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made. All projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Note Parties to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Purchasers that such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results. There are no facts known (or which should upon the reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to any Note Party (other than matters of a general economic nature) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements furnished to Purchasers for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
(ii) As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all respects.
(y) Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws. None of the Note Parties, any of their Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of any Note Party, any director, officer, employee, agent or affiliate of a Note Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries, is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by Persons that are (i) the subject of any Sanctions or (ii) located, organized, incorporated or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions. The Note Parties and their Subsidiaries, and to the actual knowledge of any Note Party, each of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries respective directors and officers, is in compliance with all applicable Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws, and Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
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(z) EEA Financial Institutions. No Note Party is an EEA Financial Institution.
(aa) Security Interest in Collateral. Subject to Perfection Requirements, the provisions of this Agreement and the other Note Documents create legal and valid Liens on all the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and such Liens constitute perfected and continuing Liens on the Collateral, securing the Obligations, enforceable against the applicable Note Party and all third parties, and having priority over all other Liens on the Collateral except in the case of Liens permitted by Section 6.2, to the extent any such Liens would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to any applicable Law.
(bb) Intellectual Property. Topco and its Subsidiaries own, license or possess sufficient legal rights to all Intellectual Property that is necessary to the conduct of the respective businesses of the Topco and its Subsidiaries as now conducted without any violation or infringement (or in the case of third-party patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, or service mark applications, without any violation or infringement known to the Issuer) of the rights of others, except as has not and would not have a material effect on the Topco and its Subsidiaries. No product or service marketed or sold by Topco or any of its Subsidiaries violates or will violate any Intellectual Property of any other party, except as has not and would not have a material effect on Topco and its Subsidiaries, and except that with respect to third-party patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, or service mark applications the foregoing representation is made to the Issuers knowledge only. Other than with respect to commercially available software products under standard end-user object code license agreements, there is no outstanding option, license, agreement, claim, encumbrance or shared ownership interest of any kind relating to the Intellectual Property of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries, nor is Topco or any of its Subsidiaries bound by or a party to any options, licenses or agreements of any kind with respect to the Intellectual Property of any other person. Neither Topco nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written communications alleging that the Topco or any subsidiary has violated or, by conducting its business, would violate any of the Intellectual Property of any other person that could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or where the anticipated costs and liabilities associated therewith are anticipated to be in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). No Material Intellectual Property is owned by a non-Note Party other than as described in Schedule 4.1(bb) and the Note Parties own, license or possess sufficient rights all Material Intellectual Property free and clear of Liens.
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(cc) Data Rights. Topco and its Subsidiaries have or had, as appropriate, complete, valid and enforceable rights to use a complete and correct copy of all data, data sets and databases used in, held for use in, or necessary for the conduct of the business of the Topco and its Subsidiaries (including their products), as currently conducted and as had been conducted in the past (collectively, Company Data and Data Sets), and all such material Company Data and Data Sets are or were, as appropriate, either (i) owned by Topco or one of its Subsidiaries, (ii) used under valid, enforceable licenses to Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) otherwise used without encroaching on the rights of any third party.
(dd) Privacy.Topco and its Subsidiaries have complied with, and are in compliance with, all applicable Privacy Laws and any applicable written privacy policy of the Topco and each Subsidiary, in each case except in the case that such failure to comply with any Privacy Laws and any applicable privacy policy of the Topco and each Subsidiary would not result in any adverse consequence with respect to the Note Parties or the Secured Parties and the Note Parties ability to perform their Obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents and the enforceability and validity of the Transaction Documents. There are not, and have not been any written allegations or claims or occurrences pertaining to an actual security breach of Personal information or alleged non-compliance with applicable Privacy Laws. Topco and its Subsidiaries have implemented industry standard or better information and data security policies and procedures that are designed to safeguard the confidential information of Topco and its Subsidiaries (including the confidential information of Issuer and its Subsidiaries customers), as well as all Personal Information collected by Topco and its Subsidiaries both on its own behalf and on behalf of third parties. In the past one (1) year, neither Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i) experienced any material actual, alleged or suspected unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of, or data breach or other security incident involving Personal Information in its possession or control, or (ii) received any written notice of any proceeding by any Governmental Authority concerning Issuers or any of its Subsidiaries collection, use, processing, storage, transfer, or protection of Personal Information or any actual, alleged, or suspected violation of any Privacy Law, and, to the knowledge of any Note Party, there are no facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any such proceedings.
(ee) Reservation. The Issuer has reserved for issuance sufficient units of Equity Interest to ensure that, upon the exercise of the Warrants, there is at least two hundred percent (200%) of such Equity Interest as is necessary to effectuate an exercise of all of the Warrants as of the Issuance Date.
(ff) No Regulatory Restrictions on Issuance, Guarantees or Upstreaming Cashflows. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1(ff), to the knowledge of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries, none of the Note Parties or their Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under any other Law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority or any other contractual restriction that limits its ability to incur or guarantee any Indebtedness under any Note or any other Note Document or to permit its Subsidiaries to upstream dividends and other distributions in the manner contemplated by Section 5.17 of this Agreement except as would not be adverse to the ability of the Note Parties to perform their Obligations under the Transaction Documents.
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(gg) Rank of Debt. The obligations of each of the Note Parties under the Note Documents to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes and any and all other amounts due thereunder constitute direct and unconditional senior obligations of each such Note Party and will at all times rank at least equal in right of payment with all other present and future indebtedness and other obligations of such Note Party, except for any obligations in respect of employee compensation, benefits, taxes and other obligations that are immaterial in the aggregate to the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which have priority under the Laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction.
(hh) No Set-off. The obligations of the Note Parties under the Note Documents are not subject to any defense, set-off or counterclaim by any of the Note Parties or any circumstance whatsoever which might constitute a legal or equitable discharge from its obligations thereunder.
(ii) No Immunity; Proper Legal Form; No Need To Qualify Under any Relevant Jurisdiction or other Applicable Law.
(i) None of the Note Parties nor any of their properties have any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) under the Laws of the United States, any Relevant Jurisdiction or other relevant jurisdiction in respect of its obligations under the Note Documents. Subject to Perfection Requirements, to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in each Relevant Jurisdiction of the Note Documents, it is not necessary that the Note Documents or any other document be filed or recorded with any Governmental Authority in any Relevant Jurisdiction.
(ii) Each of the Note Documents is in proper legal form under the Laws of each Relevant Jurisdiction for the enforcement thereof against any of the Note Parties under such Laws. The submission to jurisdiction, appointment of the Process Agent, consents and waivers by the Note Parties in this Agreement are valid and irrevocable.
(iii) It is not necessary in order for the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser to enforce any rights or remedies under the Note Documents or solely by reason of the execution, delivery and performance by any of the Note Parties of the Note Documents that the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser be licensed or qualified with any Governmental Authority in any Relevant Jurisdiction, or be entitled to carry on business in any of the foregoing.
(jj) Exchange Controls. Under current Laws and regulations of each Relevant Jurisdiction applicable to the Note Parties and each political subdivision thereof, all interest, principal, premium, if any, and other payments due or to be made on the Notes or otherwise pursuant to the Note Documents may be freely transferred out of such Relevant Jurisdictions and may be paid in, or freely converted into, United States Dollars.
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(kk) The De-SPAC Mergers.
(i) The Issuer has delivered to the Administrative Agent, complete and correct copies of the De-SPAC Documents, including all schedules and exhibits thereto.
(ii) The De-SPAC Documents set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties thereto relating to the subject matter thereof, and except as disclosed therein there are no other agreements, arrangements or understandings, written or oral, relating to the matters covered thereby.
(iii) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(kk), the execution, delivery and performance of the De-SPAC Documents by the Note Parties has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Note Party or Subsidiary party thereto (including, without limitation, the obtaining of any consent of stockholders or other holders of Equity Interests of such Note Party or such Subsidiary required by law or by any applicable corporate or other organizational documents).
(iv) Each De-SPAC Document is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Note Parties and the Subsidiaries parties thereto, enforceable against such parties in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity.
(v) As of the Closing Date, there has been no breach of any material term or condition of any De-SPAC Document by any Note Party or its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Note Parties, any other party thereto.
(ll) Accreditation. Each Note Party and each of its respective Subsidiaries has obtained and maintains accreditation in good standing and without limitation or impairment by all applicable accrediting organizations, to the extent prudent and customary in the industry in which it is engaged or required by applicable Requirements of Law, except where the failure to have or maintain such accreditation in good standing or imposition of limitation or impairment would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 Representations and Warranties of Purchasers. Each Purchaser, by acceptance of a Note, hereby represents and warrants on the Closing Date and on the Issuance Date as follows:
(a) Accredited Purchaser. It is an accredited investor as that term is defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act and that, in making the purchases contemplated herein, it is specifically understood and agreed that such Purchaser is acquiring the Notes for the purpose of investment and not with a view towards the sale or distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act and it is acquiring the Notes and the Warrants only for its own account and not for the account of others, or if such Purchaser is subscribing for the Notes as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, such Purchaser has full investment discretion with respect to each such account, and the full power and authority to make the acknowledgments, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each owner of each such account.
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(b) Registration. It understands that the Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act by reason of their issuance by Issuer in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and that it may have to hold the Notes indefinitely unless a subsequent disposition thereof is registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or is exempt from registration or qualification by prospectus.
(c) Existence, Good Standing, and Power and Authority. It (i) is duly organized, incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, incorporation or formation and (ii) has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by it, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
(d) Satisfaction of Conditions. Such Purchaser further understands that the exemption from registration afforded by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act depends on the satisfaction of various conditions, and that, if applicable, Rule 144 may afford the basis for sales only in limited amounts.
(e) Investor Representations. Such Purchaser (i) is an institutional account as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c), (ii) is a sophisticated investor, experienced in investing in equity transactions that are not registered under the Securities Act, and capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities and (iii) has exercised independent judgment in evaluating its participation in the purchase of the Notes and the Warrants.
(f) Opportunity to Review. In making its decision to purchase the Notes and the Warrants, such Purchaser has relied solely upon independent investigation made by such Purchaser and the Issuers and Guarantors representations and warranties in Section 4.1 and covenants contained herein and in the other Note Documents. Such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that such Purchaser has received, and has had an adequate opportunity to review, such information as such Purchaser deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Notes and the Warrants, including with respect to the Topco and its Subsidiaries and the Transactions. Such Purchaser represents and agrees that such Purchaser and such Purchasers professional advisor(s), if any, have had the full opportunity to ask such questions, receive such answers and obtain such information as such Purchaser and such undersigneds professional advisor(s), if any, have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Notes and the Warrants. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Purchaser acknowledges that it has reviewed all disclosure documents provided by or on behalf of the Issuer and the Guarantors in connection with the Notes Issuance, the Note Documents and the Transactions.
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(g) Risk Analysis. Such Purchaser has analyzed and considered the risks of an investment in the Notes and the Warrants and determined that the Notes and the Warrants are a suitable investment for such Purchaser and that such Purchaser is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of such Purchasers investment in the Issuer. Such Purchaser acknowledges specifically that a possibility of total loss exists.
SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Each Note Party covenants and agrees that until payment in full of all Obligations, each Note Party shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 5.
5.1 Financial Statements and Other Reports. Unless otherwise provided below, the Note Parties will deliver to Administrative Agent and Purchasers:
(a) Monthly Reports. As soon as available, and in any event within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month (including the month which began prior to the Closing Date), the consolidated balance sheet of the Topco and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such month and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows, and consolidated statements of stockholders equity of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries income cashflows, customer sales and revenue, and account balances for such month and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such month, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year, along with the reasons for any significant variations from prior periods, all in reasonable detail, together with a schedule of reconciliations for any reclassifications with respect to prior months or periods (and, in connection therewith, copies of any restated financial statements for any impacted month or period) a Financial Officer Certification and a Narrative Report with respect thereto and any other operating reports prepared by management for such period;
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year, the consolidated balance sheets of the Topco and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows of the Topco and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year, along with the reasons for any significant variations from prior periods, all in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification and a Narrative Report with respect thereto;
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(c) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2024, (i) the consolidated balance sheets of the Topco and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows of the Topco and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements, along with the reasons for any significant variations from prior periods, in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification and a Narrative Report with respect thereto; and (ii) with respect to such consolidated financial statements a report thereon of any independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the Issuer, and reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (which report shall be unqualified as to going concern and scope of audit, and shall state that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Topco and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements) and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) together with a written statement by such independent certified public accountants stating (1) that their audit examination has included a review of the terms of the Note Documents, (2) whether, in connection therewith, any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default has come to their attention and, if such a condition or event has come to their attention, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, and (3) that nothing has come to their attention that causes them to believe that the information contained in any Compliance Certificate is not correct or that the matters set forth in such Compliance Certificate are not stated in accordance with the terms hereof (such report shall also include (x) a detailed summary of any audit adjustments; (y) a reconciliation of any audit adjustments or reclassifications to the previously provided monthly or quarterly financials; and (z) restated monthly or quarterly financials for any impacted periods);
(d) Compliance Certificate. Together with each delivery of financial statements of the Topco and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 5.1(b) and 5.1(c), a duly executed and completed Compliance Certificate;
(e) Statements of Reconciliation after Change in Accounting Principles. If, as a result of any change in accounting principles and policies from those used in the preparation of the Historical Financial Statements, the consolidated financial statements of the Topco and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(b) or 5.1(c) will differ in any material respect from the consolidated financial statements that would have been delivered pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting principles and policies been made, then, together with the first delivery of such financial statements after such change, one or more statements of reconciliation for all such prior financial statements in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;
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(f) Notice of Default. Promptly (and in any event within two (2) Business Days) upon any officer of a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries obtaining knowledge (i) of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or that notice has been given to a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries with respect thereto; (ii) that any Person has given any notice to a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries or taken any other action with respect to any event or condition described in Section 8.1(b); or (iii) of the occurrence of any event or change that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of its Authorized Officers specifying the nature and period of existence of such condition, event or change, or specifying the notice given and action taken by any such Person and the nature of such claimed Event of Default, Default, default, event or condition, and what action the Note Parties have taken, are taking and propose to take with respect thereto;
(g) Notice of Litigation; Violations of Laws and Certain Other Events. Promptly (and in any event within two (2) Business Days) upon any officer of Issuer obtaining knowledge of:
(i) the institution of, or non-frivolous threat of, any Adverse Proceeding not previously disclosed in writing by Issuer to Purchasers that could reasonably be expected to result in damages in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000);
(ii) any material development in any Adverse Proceeding that, if adversely determined, could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or result in legal fees and expenses or liabilities or seek damages in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000);
(iii) copies of any correspondence from any Governmental Authority which gives notice of, or would be reasonably expected to result in, the suspension, revocation, termination, restriction, limitation, modification, or non-renewal of any material permit held by any Note Party or any Subsidiary of any Note Party;
(iv) receipt of any written notice of any material non-routine investigation by a Governmental Authority or any litigation or proceeding commenced or threatened against any Note Party or any Subsidiary that (a) seeks damages in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000), (b) seeks injunctive relief, (c) is asserted or instituted against any Benefit Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets;
(v) alleges criminal misconduct by any Note Party or any Subsidiary, (a) alleges the violation of, or seeks to impose remedies under, any Environmental Law or related Requirement of Law, or seeks to impose environmental Liability, (b) asserts liability on the part of any Note Party or any Subsidiary in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in respect of any tax, fee, assessment, or other governmental charge, or (c) involves any product recall; written notice thereof together with such other information as may be reasonably available to the Note Parties to enable Purchasers and their counsel to evaluate such matters;
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(vi) any commission charged to any Note Party based on charges set forth under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Payment of Commission or Remuneration or Reward to Insurance Agents and Insurance Intermediaries) Regulations, 2016 and The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Minimum Information Required for Investigation and Inspection) Regulations, 2020, effective from May 23, 2021;
(vii) the occurrence of any Fundamental Change; or
(viii) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
(h) ERISA. Promptly (and in any event, within five (5) Business Days) notify the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser of the occurrence of any ERISA Event;
(i) De-SPAC Documents. As soon as practicable and in any event within three (3) Business Days after execution, receipt or delivery thereof, copies of any material notices that any Note Party executes or receives in connection with the sale or other disposition of the Equity Interests of, or all or substantially all of the assets of, any Note Party
(j) Insurance Report. As soon as practicable and in any event no later than sixty (60) days after the beginning of the Fiscal Year, a report in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of the date of such report by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries and all material insurance coverage planned to be maintained by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year;
(k) Notice of Change in Board of Directors. With reasonable promptness, and in any case with five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Issuer, written notice of any change in the board of directors (or similar governing body) of a Note Party or any of their Subsidiaries;
(l) Notice Regarding Material Contracts. Promptly, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days (i) after any Material Contract of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries is terminated or amended in a manner that is materially adverse to a Note Party or its Subsidiary, as the case may be, or (ii) any new Material Contract is entered into, a written statement describing such event, with copies of such material amendments or new contracts or licenses, delivered to Administrative Agent (to the extent such delivery is permitted by the terms of any such Material Contract, provided, no such prohibition on delivery shall be effective if it were bargained for by a Note Party or its applicable Subsidiary with the intent of avoiding compliance with this Section 5.1(l)), and an explanation of any actions being taken with respect thereto;
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(m) Environmental Reports and Audits. As soon as practicable following receipt thereof, and in any case with five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Issuer, copies of all environmental audits and reports with respect to environmental matters at any Facility or which relate to any environmental liabilities of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries which, in any such case, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) Information Regarding Collateral. Issuer will furnish to Collateral Agent prior written notice of any change (i) in any Note Partys corporate name, (ii) in any Note Partys identity or corporate structure, or (iii) in any Note Partys federal taxpayer identification number. Each Note Party agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the UCC, intellectual property filings (including Intellectual Property Security Agreements to be filed with the U.S. Copyright Office, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and any other equivalent and relevant foreign office of competent jurisdiction), or otherwise that are required (subject to Legal Reservations and Perfection Requirements) in order for Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral and for the Collateral at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest as contemplated in the Collateral Documents. Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.1(b), Issuer shall attach to the Compliance Certificate required to be then delivered by Section 5.1(d) a report supplementing the Schedules to the Security Agreement. Each Note Party (a) also agrees promptly to notify Collateral Agent if any portion or value of the Collateral (including any Intellectual Property) is at risk, canceled, terminated, rejected, expired, lapsed, damaged or destroyed or the commencement of any action or proceeding relating to any Collateral including for the taking of any material portion of the Collateral or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding and (b) will ensure that the Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds of any such event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Note Documents. In or the event that any Person owns more than five percent (5%) of the Equity Interests of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, such Note Party shall promptly provide the Administrative Agent with notice thereof and promptly provide the Agents and the Purchasers with all documentation and other information, including a duly executed W-9 tax form (or such other applicable IRS tax form) of such Persons, required by such institution or its bank regulatory authorities under applicable economic sanctions laws, know your customer and other terrorism, counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act and the United States Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing;
(o) Collateral. Each year, at the time of delivery of quarterly financial statements pursuant to Section 5.1(b) and of the annual financial statements pursuant to Section 5.1(c), Issuer shall deliver to Collateral Agent an officers certificate (i) either confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Collateral Questionnaire delivered on the Closing Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section or identifying such changes that have occurred during the prior period, and (ii) certifying that all UCC financing statements or registrations (including fixtures filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations, have been filed of record in each governmental, municipal or other
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appropriate office in each jurisdiction identified in the Collateral Questionnaire or pursuant to clause (i) above or another Note Document to the extent necessary to grant, evidence, protect and perfect the security interests under the Collateral Documents for a period of not less than eighteen (18) months after the date of such certificate (except as noted therein with respect to any continuation statements to be filed within such period);
(p) Aging Reports. As soon as available, and in any event within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month, (i) a summary of the accounts receivable aging report of each Note Party as of the end of such period, and (ii) a summary of accounts payable aging report of each Note Party as of the end of such period (collectively, the Aging Reports); and
(q) Other Information.
(i) (A) Promptly upon their becoming available, copies of (i) all financial statements, reports, notices and proxy statements sent or made available generally by any Note Party to its security holders acting in such capacity or by any Subsidiary of a Note Party to its security holders other than a Note Party or another Subsidiary of thereof, (ii) all regular and periodic reports and all registration statements and prospectuses, if any, filed by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental or private regulatory authority, (iii) each federal income tax return filed by or on behalf of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any tax return for any state income, franchise, business activity, business profits, business and occupation or other business entity tax measured by income or gross receipts filed by or on behalf of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iv) all press releases and other statements made available generally by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material developments in the business of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to such Purchaser that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such certification and (C) such other information and data with respect to any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any Agent.
(ii) The Issuer shall, at the end of each fiscal quarter after the Topco or any Subsidiary entering into or becoming bound by any Material Contract or any inbound license or agreement (other than (i) off-the-shelf commercially available software under which the Note Parties or any of their Subsidiaries have an obligation to make payments to the licensor in respect thereof of less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) annually and (ii) any license of or agreement relating to Intellectual Property that is not (or could not reasonably deemed to be) Material Intellectual Property) after the Closing Date: (a) provide written notice or a brief summary to the Agents and Purchasers with a description of the material terms of such Material Contract, license or agreement if the actions described in clause (b) below would need to be taken with respect to such Material Contract, license or agreement if requested by an Agent; and (b) take such commercially reasonable
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actions as any Agent may reasonably request to obtain the consent of, or waiver by, any Person whose consent or waiver is necessary for the Collateral Agent to be granted and perfect a valid security interest in such Material Contract, license or agreement and to fully exercise its rights under any of the Note Documents in the event of a disposition or liquidation of the rights, assets or property that is the subject of such Material Contract, license or agreement.
5.2 Existence; Corporate Governance.
(a) Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.9, each Note Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, franchises, governmental authorizations, Intellectual Property rights, licenses and permits material to its business; provided, no Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to preserve any such existence, rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, franchises, governmental authorizations, Intellectual Property rights, licenses and/or permits if the loss thereof would not result in any adverse consequence with respect to the Note Parties or the Secured Parties and the Note Parties ability to perform their Obligations hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents and the enforceability and validity of the Transaction Documents.
(b) Each Note Party will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to (i) maintain entity records and books of account separate from those of any other entity which is an Affiliate of such entity, (ii) not commingle its funds or assets with those of any other entity which is an Affiliate of such entity (except pursuant to cash management systems reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) and (iii) provide that its board of directors (or equivalent governing body) will hold all appropriate meetings to authorize and approve such entitys actions, which meetings will be separate from those of any other entity which is an Affiliate of such entity. For the purposes of this Section 5.2(b), Affiliate shall not include the Topco or any Subsidiary thereof.
5.3 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Each Note Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) timely and accurately file all federal income and other Tax returns required to be filed, and (ii) pay all federal income and other Taxes imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses or franchises before any penalty or fine accrues thereon, and all material claims (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums that have become due and payable and that by Law have or may become a Lien upon any of its properties or assets, prior to the time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided, no such tax or claim need be paid to the extent such Taxes or claims are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (a) adequate reserve or other appropriate provision, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor, and (b) in the case of a Tax or claim which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay the sale of any portion of the Collateral to satisfy such Tax or claim. No Note Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) file or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax return with any Person (other than the Topco or any of its Subsidiaries) or (ii) enter into any tax sharing or similar agreement (other than agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which does not relate to Tax). In addition, each Note Party agrees to pay
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to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law any current or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including, without limitation, mortgage recording taxes, transfer taxes and similar fees) imposed by any Governmental Authority that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.
5.4 Maintenance of Properties; Intellectual Property.
(a) Each Note Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all material properties used or useful in the business of the Note Parties and its Subsidiaries and from time to time will make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereof.
(b) No Note Party nor any applicable Subsidiary (either itself or through licensees) will knowingly do any act or omit to do any act whereby any Material Intellectual Property may become invalidated, canceled or lapsed (other than in accordance with the full term afforded under applicable law and procedure) or otherwise impaired or encumbered, other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent and Permitted Liens.
5.5 Insurance. Each Note Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable insurers, (i) business interruption insurance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and (ii) casualty insurance, such public liability insurance, broker liability insurance, third party property damage insurance with respect to liabilities, losses or damage in respect of the assets, properties and businesses of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries as may customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each case in such amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles, covering such risks and otherwise on such terms and conditions as shall be customary for such Persons. Schedule 5.5 sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Note Party will maintain or cause to be maintained (a) flood insurance with respect to each Flood Hazard Property that is located in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, in each case in compliance with any applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and (b) replacement value casualty insurance on the Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses. Within fifteen (15) days after the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent shall approve), each such policy of insurance of a Note Party shall (i) name Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear, and (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, (1) contain a loss payable clause or endorsement, satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral Agent, that names Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties as the loss payee thereunder and (2) contain an agreement by the insurer that any loss thereunder shall
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be payable to the Collateral Agent notwithstanding any action, inaction or breach of representation or warranty by any Note Party, (iii) provide that there shall be no recourse against the Collateral Agent for payment of premiums or other amounts with respect thereto and (iv) provides for at least thirty (30) days prior written notice to Collateral Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy. Each Note Party will, if so requested by the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent original or duplicate policies of such insurance and, as often as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, a report of a reputable insurance broker with respect to such insurance. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default or as otherwise required herein, all insurance payments shall be payable to the Collateral Agent and shall, in the Collateral Agents sole discretion, (i) be released to a Note Party to be applied as agreed to by and between the Collateral Agent and the Note Parties, (ii) be held as additional Collateral or payable to the Purchasers or (iii) be applied as specified in Section 2.15.
5.6 Inspections. Each Note Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit any authorized representatives designated by any Agent or any Purchaser to visit and inspect any of the properties of any Note Party and any of its respective Subsidiaries, to inspect, copy and take extracts from its and their financial, tax and accounting records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances. taxes and accounts with its and their officers and independent public accountants and tax advisors, all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested. The Note Parties acknowledge that any Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Purchasers certain reports pertaining to the Note Parties assets for internal use by the Agents and the Purchasers.
5.7 Purchasers Meetings and Board Observation Rights.
(a) Purchaser Meetings. The Note Parties and their Subsidiaries will, upon the request of Administrative Agent, participate in a meeting of Administrative Agent and Purchasers at least once during each Fiscal Year (or such greater frequency as Administrative Agent may determine in its sole discretion when an Event of Default exists) to be held at Issuers corporate offices (or at such other location as may be agreed to by Issuer and Administrative Agent) at such time as may be agreed to by the Issuer and Administrative Agent.
(b) Board Observation Rights. The Note Parties shall comply with the terms of the Board Observation Rights Letter.
5.8 Compliance with Laws. Each Note Party will comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, with the requirements of all applicable Laws and orders of any Governmental Authority (including all applicable Environmental Laws and Applicable Insurance Laws), except for any noncompliance which would not individually or in the aggregate could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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5.9 Sanctions; OFAC; Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Each of the Note Parties will and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply with all applicable Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws and will maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates with all Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws. No Note Party will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the issuance and sale by Issuer of the Notes, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Law or (ii) (A) to fund any activities or business of or with any Person, in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, or (B) any other manner that would result in a material violation of any applicable Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Notes, whether as agent, purchaser, underwriter, advisor, investor, or otherwise).
5.10 Environmental. Each Note Party shall (and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to) (i) keep any property either owned or operated by it or any of its Subsidiaries free of any Environmental Liens; (ii) comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects, with all Environmental Laws and provide to the Agents any documentation of such compliance which any Agent may reasonably request; (iii) provide the Agents written notice within five (5) Business Days of receipt of notice of any Release of a Hazardous Material in excess of any reportable quantity from or onto property at any time owned or operated by it or any of its Subsidiaries which would reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) and take any remedial actions required to abate said Release; and (iv) provide the Agents with written notice within ten (10) days after any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries receives any of the following: (A) written notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any property of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries; (B) written notice of the commencement of any Environmental Claim or written notice that an Environmental Claim will be filed against any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case which would reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000); and (C) written notice of a violation, citation or other administrative order which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except, in the case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), to the extent that the failure to so comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.11 Collateral and Guarantee Requirements; Formation or Acquisition of Subsidiaries. The Note Parties and their Subsidiaries shall comply with the Collateral and Guaranty Requirements, and shall take such steps and actions set forth below, as well as any other actions requested by the Administrative Agent, including:
(a) Domestic Subsidiaries. In the event that any Note Party forms any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary or acquires any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary on or after the Closing Date, or any Person otherwise becomes a Domestic Subsidiary of a Note Party, within thirty (30) days of such event (or such later date as permitted by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion), Issuer shall cause such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor and provide to the Agents a duly executed Counterpart Agreement and Security Agreement Supplement (as defined in the Security Agreement), together with such other Collateral Documents, as well as appropriate financing statements, authority documents, legal opinions, and other documents or instruments deemed necessary or reasonably
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appropriate by the Agents, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents in their sole discretion (including being sufficient to grant the Collateral Agent a First Priority Lien in and to the assets of such Subsidiary which constitute Collateral). Any document, agreement, or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this Section 5.11(a) shall constitute a Note Document for all purposes hereunder.
(b) Foreign Subsidiaries.
(i) Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions. With respect to (x) the UK Targets (to the extent required pursuant to the Collateral and Guaranty Requirements), (y) any Person that becomes a Foreign Subsidiary of any other Note Party (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) that is organized, incorporated or formed in an Asset Security Jurisdiction which is an Initial Asset Security Jurisdiction under the Note Documents or a jurisdiction in which an existing Foreign Subsidiary which is already a Note Party is organized, incorporated or formed (the Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions and each, an Existing Asset Security Jurisdiction) and (z) any Note Party or any of their Subsidiaries, limited liability companies, other entities or other Persons divides or splits itself or an existing Subsidiary otherwise creates a new Subsidiary that is organized, incorporated or formed in an Existing Asset Security Jurisdiction, then within (A) in the case of a Person organized, incorporated or formed in England and Wales, twenty (20) days after such event (or such longer time period as agreed to by Collateral Agent in its sole discretion, which such consent may be by email) or (B) in the case of a Person organized, incorporated or formed in a jurisdiction other than the United States of America or England or Wales, sixty (60) days after such event (or such later date agreed by the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion)), the Note Parties shall (a) cause such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder and a Grantor under the applicable Collateral Documents by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers a joinder or Counterpart Agreement to this Agreement, to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and to the other applicable Collateral Documents, or as the context may require, such new or additional Note Documents to provide a guarantee by such new Subsidiary, and (b) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such formalities, opinions, documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates, filings, registrations and comply with such and other requirements as are necessary or desirable to provide Collateral Liens and perfection and Liens similar to those described, Section 3.1 and Section 5.18 of this Agreement delivered with respect to a Note Party organized, incorporated in such Existing Asset Security Jurisdiction on the Closing Date (or required to be delivered as part of the post-closing obligations described in Section 5.18), or that are requested by the Agents or the Purchasers and necessary or desirable to protect, evidence or perfect the security interest of the Collateral Agent in a manner similar to the Liens and assets granted by the existing Note Parties to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the existing Collateral Documents and/or to comply with the
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Collateral and Guaranty Requirement either by executing and delivering to the Agents a counterpart or supplement to the existing Collateral Documents or such new documents as are necessary or desirable to evidence, grant or perfect a First Priority Lien to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Purchasers in the assets of such new Subsidiary and, if such new Subsidiary is a first tier Subsidiary of a Note Party, the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary as has been previously provided to any holder of priority lien obligations in the Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions (including, if necessary, any new Collateral Documents or additional documents, evidences, certificates, instruments, agreements and filings as may be reasonably requested by the Agent in order to provide a Guaranty or evidence, grant, perfect or protect a First Priority Lien in such assets in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (including, without limitation, any parallel debt arrangements, local law debentures or share charges, any counterparts or joinders to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, together with any notices, acknowledgements, powers, certificates, registrations, filings, or local law Mortgages or equivalent Collateral Documents or deliveries necessary or desirable in connection therewith to cover assets classes that had previously been granted or perfected in favor of any holder of priority lien obligations by Collateral Documents in such jurisdiction or in order to cover additional asset classes which had not previously been granted and perfected in such jurisdiction, but that had been previously granted or had previously been required to be granted as Collateral to any holder of priority lien obligations in the Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions generally, including, without limitation, any pledges of Equity Interests in subsidiaries of such Person in Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions)) (each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent, (a) and (b) collectively, the Foreign Subsidiary Accession Requirements).
(ii) Additional Asset Security Jurisdictions. In the event that any Foreign Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) organized or incorporated in a jurisdiction other than the Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions or the Other Material Jurisdictions ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, then the Note Parties shall notify the Agent of such event and, if requested by the Agent, within sixty (60) days after such event (or such later date agreed by the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion) (the Joinder Date), the Note Parties shall cause a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries as they elect to become parties to this Agreement and other Note Documents as Guarantors and Asset Security Providers (or if such Subsidiary is organized or incorporated in India for so long as a guarantee, pledge of its Equity Interests, or other grant of security interest would require consent of the Reserve Bank of India, then the Issuer will promptly notify the Administrative Agent and upon the request of the Administrative Agent and subject to applicable Law, the Subsidiaries of the Issuer will enter into such agreement providing for such guarantee, pledge, or other grant of security interest relating to Excluded Subsidiaries and the Equity Interests, as may be requested), the Issuer may designate other Subsidiaries of any Note Party which are not Note Parties and Asset Security Providers in jurisdictions other than India or the Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions) (such additional designated jurisdictions, the Additional Asset Security Jurisdictions and each, an Additional Asset Security Jurisdiction
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and together with any Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions, the Asset Security Jurisdictions and each, an Asset Security Jurisdiction and each such additional Subsidiary, an Additional Asset Security Provider) as it elects in order comply with the Collateral and Guaranty Requirements. It being understood that each such Note Party and Additional Asset Security Provider shall deliver and cause such Subsidiaries to take all actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered by not later than the applicable Joinder Date a joinder to this Agreement as a Guarantor, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and supplements and/or joinders to any applicable Collateral Documents and/or other Note Documents and/or applicable foreign equivalents of the Collateral Documents together with appropriate corporate formalities, opinions, documents, instruments, agreements and certificates and other requirements for such Guarantees and/or Collateral that would have be the local law equivalent of those conditions precedent required to be delivered pursuant to, Section 3.1 and Section 5.18 of this Agreement, Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Collateral and Guaranty Requirements and the Foreign Subsidiary Accession Requirements, together with such additional documents, evidence, certificates, instruments, agreements and filings as may be reasonably requested by the Agent in order to evidence, grant, perfect or protect a First Priority Lien in the same types and classes of as had been previously required of the existing Note Parties in the Existing Asset Security Jurisdictions described above but, in each case, taking into account local law formalities, market practices and requirements in order to effectuate such guarantee and collateral arrangements).
(c) Equity Interests. In the event that any Note Party forms any direct or indirect Subsidiary or acquires any direct or indirect Subsidiary or Equity Interests on or after the Closing Date, or in the event that any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Note Party whose shares were Excluded Assets are no longer Excluded Assets, within thirty (30) days of such event (or such later date as permitted by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion), Issuer shall provide, or cause the applicable Note Party to provide, to the Collateral Agent supplements to the Security Agreement (or equivalent local law security documents) and the appropriate certificates and powers or financing statements, pledging all of the direct or beneficial ownership interests which constitute Collateral in such Subsidiary, in form and substance substantially consistent with that provided on the Closing Date and take all other steps required by the Collateral and Guaranty Requirements or that are otherwise requested by the Agents from time to time, including delivery of authority documents, legal opinions, and other documents or instruments deemed necessary or reasonably appropriate by the Agents. Any document, agreement, or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this Section 5.11(c) shall constitute a Note Document for all purposes hereunder.
5.12 Additional Real Estate Assets. In the event that any Note Party acquires a Material Real Estate Asset or a Real Estate Asset owned on the Closing Date becomes a Material Real Estate Asset and such interest has not otherwise been made subject to the Lien of the Collateral Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, then such Note Party, contemporaneously with acquiring such Material Real Estate Asset, or promptly after a Real Estate Asset owned on the Closing Date becomes a Material Real Estate Asset, shall, upon the request of the Collateral Agent, take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and
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delivered, all deliverables with respect to each such Material Real Estate Asset to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid and, subject to any filing and/or recording referred to herein, perfected First Priority security interest in such Material Real Estate Assets. In addition to the foregoing, Issuer shall deliver, from time to time, to Administrative Agent such appraisals as are required by Law or regulation of Real Estate Assets with respect to which Collateral Agent has been granted a Lien.
5.13 Intellectual Property. Each Note Party shall take all actions necessary to maintain, preserve and protect all of its existing Intellectual Property and take all actions necessary to pursue any applications which, if obtained, would become Material Intellectual Property of any Note Party.
5.14 Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time upon the request of Administrative Agent, each Note Party will, at its expense, promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Note Documents, including providing Purchasers with any information reasonably requested pursuant to Section 10.21. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Note Party shall take such actions as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by the Collateral owned by the Note Parties and all of the outstanding Equity Interests of each subsidiary of a Note Party (except any such Equity Interests constituting Excluded Assets).
5.15 Miscellaneous Business Covenants. Unless otherwise consented to by Agents:
(a) Controlled Accounts; Cash Management Systems. Each Note Party and each of their Subsidiaries shall establish and maintain cash management systems reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, including with respect to blocked account arrangements. Other than Excluded Accounts or De Minimis Accounts, within fifteen (15) days following the Closing Date or, if after the Closing Date, on date of the acquisition or establishment of any Deposit Account or Securities Account (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Interest Reserve Account) (or, in each case, such longer time as may be agreed to by Collateral Agent in writing or through electronic mail (in its reasonable discretion)), the Note Parties (other than in the case of a UK Guarantor) shall, with respect to each such Deposit Account, Securities Account or the Interest Reserve Account of the Note Parties, deliver to Collateral Agent a Control Agreement with respect to such Deposit Account or Securities Account and take such steps as required by the Collateral Documents or which are otherwise necessary or desirable to make such accounts Controlled Accounts and provide for the equivalent perfection and priority arrangements with respect to accounts (and the funds deposited therein) under the laws of the applicable non-US jurisdiction. The Note Parties shall not maintain, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to maintain, cash, Cash Equivalents or other amounts in any Deposit Account or Securities Account (other than amounts in respect of minimum liquidity, charges for returned items and customary fees and expenses incurred in connection with such accounts or in the ordinary course of its business and amounts required to be maintained or deposited into Excluded Accounts in order to comply with applicable Laws or Contractual Obligations not created in avoidance of this Section 5.15), unless to the extent such Subsidiary is a Note Party and
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such assets in the applicable Deposit Account or Securities Account are Collateral, Collateral Agent shall have received a Control Agreement in respect of each such Deposit Account or Securities Account of a Note Party. Issuer shall ensure that not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) in the aggregate in excess of the amount necessary for payroll and to operate the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries business as currently operated are held at any time in the deposit accounts, security accounts, custodial accounts or equivalent of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries in jurisdictions other than a State of the United States, England and Wales or other jurisdictions in which such accounts can be subject to a Control Agreement. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall ensure that their Subsidiaries which are (x) not Guarantors or (y) are organized, incorporated or formed in jurisdictions where Control Agreements or equivalent cash control arrangements are not possible sweep cash and Cash Equivalents in their accounts into Controlled Accounts of the Issuer or a Guarantor on a periodic basis (prior to an Event of Default, at least once per week and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, as frequently as requested by the Agents but not more frequently than once daily); provided that prior to receipt of a written notice of an Event of Default from Agents, but subject to the immediately preceding sentence, such Subsidiaries shall only be required to sweep into the Controlled Accounts, cash and Cash Equivalents held in such accounts in excess of the amounts necessary to operate its business as currently operated (in each case, based on the amounts needed for operations as reflected in the historical financial statements and the projections delivered to the Secured Parties from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement). To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and in order to ensure that such periodic distributions described above are timely made, the Note Parties shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends and/or such other payments or distributions of the types and in the manner and frequency required by Section 5.17.
(b) Liquidity Report. On the last Business Day of each month (commencing on July 31, 2023), Issuer shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, a report showing the Consolidated Liquidity as of the end of business on such date.
(c) Activities of Management. Each member of the senior management team of each Note Party shall devote all or substantially all of his or her professional working time, attention, and energies to the management of the businesses of the Note Parties.
5.16 Use of Proceeds.
(a) Use the proceeds of the issuance and sale by Issuer of the Notes only for a use permitted by Section 2.6 of this Agreement.
(b) The Issuer will not request any Notes Issuance, and the Issuer shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Notes Issuance (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business, or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
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5.17 Subsidiary Distributions; Upstreaming Cashflows; Investment Documents.
(a) The Note Parties shall, and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries and Investments to, declare, pay and upstream all dividends or other payments or other distributions of all cash and Cash Equivalents (each a, Distribution) of such Persons to the Note Parties on account of such Note Parties ownership interests in the Equity Interests of such Persons to the maximum extent and with the maximum frequency permitted by applicable Law. Each of the Note Parties shall ensure that (i) excess cashflows from each Subsidiary of the Note Parties are upstreamed to the Issuer in an amount at least equal to the lesser of (A) ninety percent (90%) of Free Cash Flow of such Subsidiary with respect to the period as to which Distributable Income for such Subsidiary was measured for purposes of clause (B) hereof, and (B) the maximum amount of Distributable Income with respect to such Subsidiary as of the date of such Distribution permitted to be distributed under the applicable Laws of the Relevant Jurisdiction, as determined with respect to the preceding fiscal year of such Subsidiary or, in the case of Distributions made more frequently than annually, such lesser period of time as may have elapsed since the most recent determination of Distributable Income with respect to such Subsidiary hereunder (or since the Closing Date, in the case of the initial Distribution hereunder by such Subsidiary); and, (ii) to the extent restrictions are imposed by any Governmental Authority on Distributions in Dollars by any Subsidiary, cause and permit such Subsidiary to maximize Dollars available for distribution hereunder to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, including through the purchase and sale of Dollar-denominated Cash Equivalent debt instruments issued by the sovereign of such jurisdiction, through any other appropriate mechanism for the acquisition of Dollars in any exchange market, or through the preferential allocation towards any such distribution of Dollar denominated and/or off-shore revenues received by such Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Issuer shall not be required to, and shall not be required to cause its Subsidiaries to, make distributions from any Subsidiary to the extent that in the reasonable business discretion of the Issuer, including in respect of restrictions imposed by any Governmental Authority it would be illegal or have a material adverse tax consequence to Issuer, or otherwise have a material and detrimental impact on the value of such distributions.
(b) The Note Parties shall, and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries and Investments to, diligently enforce all of their rights and remedies in a timely manner under the relevant Organizational Documents, shareholders agreements and/or investment agreements with respect to such Subsidiaries and Investments. Issuer shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any agreement that limits the ability of any Subsidiary to make a dividend or distribution payment to the Issuer or the Guarantors or to otherwise transfer any property to such Persons.
5.18 Post-Closing Matters. The Note Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Administrative Agent, or otherwise complete to Administrative Agents reasonable satisfaction, the items set forth on Schedule 5.18 on or before the date specified for such item (or such later date determined by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion).
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5.19 Reservation of Authorized Shares. From and after the Closing Date and for so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Equity Interest, solely for the purpose of effecting the exercise of the Warrants, at least two hundred percent (200%) of Equity Interest as is necessary to effectuate an exercise of all of the Warrants on or after the date that occurs six months after the Issuance Date, if the Notes have not been paid in full on or prior to such date; provided that at no time shall the number of shares of Equity Interest so reserved be less than the number of shares required to be reserved by this sentence (without regard to any limitations on conversions or exercises) (the Required Reserve Amount).
5.20 People with Significant Control Regime. A UK Guarantor whose shares are the subject of any Lien granted pursuant to a UK Security Document agrees that it will, within the relevant timeframe, comply with any notice it receives pursuant to Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 from any company incorporated in the United Kingdom whose equity interests are the subject to a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for itself and the other Lenders as security for the Obligations and will promptly provide the Collateral Agent with a copy of that notice.
5.21 Cooperation. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, if requested by the Administrative Agent or as otherwise required by the terms of the Transaction Documents, each of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries will cooperate in the preparation and prosecution of such notices or applications as may be necessary to secure approvals or otherwise permit a transfer or assignment of Equity Interests or other interests in the Regulated Entities in order to permit a change of control or otherwise to permit such transactions in compliance with applicable insurance laws and regulatory requirements relating to the Regulated Entities.
5.22 Financing Cooperation. On or prior to the ninetieth (90th) day after the consummation of the De-SPAC Transaction (or such later date as may be agreed in writing (which may be via e-mail) by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), the Note Parties shall have received binding commitment letters for capital raising transactions in an amount sufficient to provide the Note Parties and the Subsidiaries with adequate liquidity to ensure the timely payment of the Obligations when due. The capital raising transactions may be in the for of asset sales, private offerings, at-the-money facilities and additional debt and equity financings and any commitment letters and related capital raising transactions entered into in connection therewith shall be pursuant to documentation (including in respect of conditionality) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
5.23 Warrant Issuance. Upon the issuance of Warrants pursuant to Section 2.3(a), the Administrative Agent and each Purchaser shall receive a duly executed and delivered a legal opinion from counsel to the Note Parties covering such opinions reasonably requested by the Secured Parties and otherwise in the form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
5.24 Information Rights under Indian Working Capital Facility. The Administrative Agent will be entitled to information rights, including the right to receive financial statements as well as all other notices, reports and information, in each case made available generally to the lenders under the Indian Working Capital Facility.
SECTION 6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Each Note Party covenants and agrees that until payment in full of all Obligations, such Note Party shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 6.
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6.1 Indebtedness. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or guaranty, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except:
(a) the Obligations;
(b) Permitted Intercompany Investments;
(c) Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued to current or former officers, directors and employees (or their respective family members, estates or trusts or other entities for the benefit of any of the foregoing) of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries to purchase or redeem Equity Interests or options of Issuer permitted pursuant to Section 6.5(b); provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) at any time outstanding;
(d) unsecured Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business from agreements not for borrowed money providing for indemnification or from guarantees or letters of credit, performance bonds, surety bonds, release, appeal and similar bonds, statutory obligations or with respect to workers compensation claims, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and securing the performance of Topco or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements;
(e) unsecured Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with Deposit Accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business; provided however that such Indebtedness is extinguished within ten (10) Business Days of incurrence and/or in respect of cash management obligations provided by such bank or other financial institution, such Indebtedness is unsecured or has been subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
(f) Guarantees by a Note Party or a Subsidiary of a Note Party of Indebtedness of a Note Party; provided that such Indebtedness is otherwise independently permitted to be incurred pursuant to another clause of this Section 6.1;
(g) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date that is listed on Schedule 6.1;
(h) Indebtedness with respect to Capital Lease Obligations and Indebtedness incurred in connection with purchase money Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000 at any time outstanding;
(i) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Indian Working Capital Facility;
(j) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, unsecured obligations arising from the ATM Agreement, the Warrants and any warrants issued in connection with the De-SPAC Transaction and in each case, to the extent not constituting indebtedness for borrowed money; and
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(k) unsecured Indebtedness of the Note Parties other than the types listed in (a) through (j) above in an aggregate amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) at any time outstanding.
6.2 Liens. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income or profits under the UCC of any state, or under any similar recording or notice statute, except (collectively, the Permitted Liens):
(a) Liens in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties granted pursuant to any Note Document;
(b) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA or Environmental Laws) (i) not delinquent or (ii) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves are maintained to the extent required by GAAP;
(c) the claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, processors or landlords for labor, materials, supplies or rentals incurred in the ordinary course of business, which (i) are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days, or if more than thirty (30) days overdue, no action has been taken to enforce such Liens and such Liens are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves are maintained to the extent required by GAAP and (ii) do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Topco or any of its Subsidiaries;
(d) deposits or pledges made in the ordinary course of business in connection with, or to secure payment of, obligations under workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security or similar legislation, or public utility services, or to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business, in each case, so long as no foreclosure sale or similar proceeding has been commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof;
(e) encumbrances in the nature of zoning restrictions, easements and rights or restrictions of record on the use of real property, which in the aggregate are not substantial in amount and which do not, in any case, detract from the value of such property or impair the use thereof in the ordinary conduct of business;
(f) Liens arising from the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to personal property leased pursuant to operating leases permitted hereunder and entered into in the ordinary course of business;
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(g) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property to customers in the ordinary course of business for fair market value not detracting from the value of such Intellectual Property or interfering, individually or in the aggregate, in any material respect with the business of the Topco and its Subsidiaries, and non-exclusive licenses (and sublicenses as allowed) to Patents and Trademarks to manufacturers and other vendors to allow them to manufacture and supply to Topco and its Subsidiaries or their customers one or more of their Products (or portions or components thereof) or related services;
(h) Liens in existence on the Closing Date listed on Schedule 6.2 or securing the Indian Working Capital Facility; provided that such Liens secure only the Indebtedness it secures on the Closing Date and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;
(i) Liens granted in connection with Capital Leases or securing purchase money Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.1(h); provided, any such Lien shall encumber only the asset acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness; (i) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction, (ii) to the extent constituting Liens, rights of set-off or bankers liens upon deposits of cash or securities in favor of banks or other depository institutions or securities intermediaries, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of such deposit accounts or securities accounts in the ordinary course of business and (iii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of any assets or property in the ordinary course of business;
(j) any interest of title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease of real property otherwise permitted hereunder, so long as such interest of title relates only to the real property so leased;
(k) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(l) [Reserved]; and
(m) judgment Liens (other than for the payment of taxes, assessments or other governmental charges) securing judgments and other proceedings not constituting a Default or Event of Default under Section 8.1(h).
6.3 Equitable Lien. Neither any Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall create or assume any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Permitted Liens, unless it shall have made or caused to be made effective provisions whereby the Obligations will be secured by such Lien equally and ratably with any and all other Indebtedness secured thereby as long as any such Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided, notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant shall not be construed as a consent by the Administrative Agent to the creation or assumption of any such Lien not otherwise permitted hereby.
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6.4 Negative Pledge.
(a) Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement or any other Note Document to the contrary, no Note Party shall enter into or suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into or suffer to exist, (a) any agreement prohibiting or conditioning the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its property or assets except (i) agreements set forth in the Note Documents or (ii) prohibitions or conditions by reason of customary provisions restricting pledges, assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (provided that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets subject to such leases, licenses or similar agreements, as the case may be), or (b) any agreement or arrangement limiting the ability of any Note Partys Subsidiaries to declare or pay dividends or other distributions in respect of its Equity Interests or repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed to, make loans or advances to, or otherwise transfer assets to or make investments in, any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries (whether through a covenant restricting dividends, loans, asset transfers or investments, a financial covenant or otherwise), except (A) the Note Documents, (B) in connection with any new Subsidiary after the Closing Date, any agreement in effect at the time a Person first became a Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or (C) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder.
(b) Except with respect to (a) specific property to be sold pursuant to an executed agreement with respect to a permitted Asset Sale, (b) restrictions by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (provided that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets secured by such Liens or the property or assets subject to such leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses, or similar agreements, as the case may be), and (c) restrictions or agreements (i) existing under or by reason of this Agreement and the other Note Documents or (ii) arising in connection with cash or other deposits permitted under this Agreement and limited to such cash or deposit, no Note Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into any agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, the Purchasers, or any other Secured Party upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.
6.5 Limitation on Restricted Payments. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries through any manner or means or through any other Person to, directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make or set apart, or agree to declare, order, pay, make or set apart, any sum for any Restricted Payment except the following Restricted Payments:
(a) cash dividends and distributions by any Subsidiary of any Note Party to such Note Party; provided that, with respect to any such Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Note Party, such dividend or distribution shall be made to each holder of such Subsidiarys Equity Interests pro rata based on such holders relative ownership interests in such Subsidiary and shall be subject to the following requirement at the time of the making of any such dividend and/or distribution (both before and after giving effect to such payment);
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(b) Restricted Payments to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of Issuer held by any current or former employee, director, consultant or officer of any Note Party or Subsidiary of any Note Party pursuant to any employee equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, stock ownership arrangement or any similar arrangement upon the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment of such current or former employee, director, consultant or officer to the extent described on Schedule 6.5(b) hereto, provided that, (x) at the time of such Restricted Payment, no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of such Restricted Payment and would not exist after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, and (y) the aggregate amount of all such repurchases do not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) during any Fiscal Year;
(c) So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the Issuer may make Restricted Payments solely in the form of Qualified Equity Interests; and
(d) So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the Issuer may convert through a cashless exercise any of its convertible securities into other securities that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests pursuant to the terms of such convertible securities or otherwise in exchange thereof.
6.6 Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions. Except as provided herein and in the other Note Documents no Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary of Issuer to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such Subsidiarys Equity Interests owned by Topco or any other Subsidiary of Issuer, (b) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to Topco or any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Issuer, (c) make loans or advances to Topco or any other Subsidiary of Issuer, or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to a Note Party or any other Subsidiary of a Note Party other than restrictions (i) by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, joint venture agreements and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ii) that are or were created by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer or option or right with respect to any property, assets or Equity Interests not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement, and (iii) customary restrictions contained in purchase agreements and acquisition agreements (including by way of merger, acquisition or consolidation), to the extent in effect pending the consummation of such transaction to the extent such restrictions relate to the equity interests and assets subject thereto and so long as such restrictions existed prior to the Closing Date or are not created in contemplation of avoiding any obligations hereunder.
6.7 Investments. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or own any Investment, except:
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(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;
(b) (i) Investments in the form of Equity Interests in any Subsidiary owned as of the Closing Date and (ii) Investments made on or after the Closing Date in (A) any Guarantor Subsidiary of Topco or in Topco and (B) any) other Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) at any time outstanding;
(c) Investments (i) in any Securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors, and (ii) consisting of deposits, prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;
(d) Guarantees to the extent permitted by Section 6.1(f);
(e) Investments in the form of Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 6.5;
(f) Investments in the form of loans and advances to officers, directors and employees in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances);
(g) The Specified Acquisitions and the other Investments existing as of the Closing Date set forth on Schedule 6.7; but not any additional Investment in respect thereof unless otherwise independently permitted under another clause of this Section 6 or otherwise consented to in writing by the Agent in its sole discretion;
(h) Investments pursuant to the De-SPAC Merger Agreement; provided such Investments are made substantially concurrently with the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions;
(i) Permitted Intercompany Investments; and
(j) Investments not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section in an aggregate amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) at any time outstanding; provided that, immediately before and immediately after giving pro forma effect to any such Investments and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Note Party make any Investment which results in or facilitates in any manner any Restricted Junior Payment or dispositions of Assets not otherwise permitted under the terms of Section 6.5 and Section 6.9.
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6.8 Financial Covenants. The Note Parties shall all at times maintain a minimum Consolidated Liquidity of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in an account that, within the time period set forth in Section 5.15, shall be a Controlled Account.
6.9 Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, divide (or otherwise split) itself or themselves into two (2) or more limited liability companies or other entities or Persons, or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor), exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any part of its business, assets or property of any kind whatsoever, or all or any part of the Equity Interests or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Investment or any of their respective subsidiaries or any division or line of business or other business unit or any Investment or any of their respective subsidiaries whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or acquire by purchase or otherwise (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials and equipment and capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business) the business, property or fixed assets of, or stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of any Person (a Fundamental Change), except:
(a) the De-SPAC Transactions, provided that the Issuer may be merged into another Person to consummate the De-SPAC Transactions (Successor Issuer); provided that the surviving entity (i) shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) the Successor Issuer shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Issuer under this Agreement and the other Note Documents to which the Issuer is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, (iii) each Guarantor, unless it is the Successor Issuer, shall have confirmed that its Guaranty shall apply to the Successor Issuers obligations under the Note Documents to at least the same extent as if applied to those of the previous Issuer, (iv) each Guarantor, unless it is the Successor Issuer or the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have, by a supplement to the Security Agreements and other applicable Collateral Documents to which it is a party, confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to its guarantee of the Successor Issuers obligations under the Note Documents to at least the same extent as if applied to those of the previous Issuer, and (v) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (A) a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Issuer or the Successor Issuer, as the case may be, to the effect that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such joinder agreement comply with this Agreement and (B) a legal opinion to the effect that such joinder agreement and the agreements so joined are legal and binding agreements enforceable against the Successor Issuer, together with customary security interest opinions; provided that in giving a legal opinion, (x) counsel may rely on such certificate as to any matters of fact and (y) legal opinions consistent with the type and scope of the legal opinions delivered on the Closing Date shall be satisfactory to the Agents and the Purchasers,
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(b) disposals of obsolete or worn out property (other than Intellectual Property) no longer used or useful in the business of the Topco or any of its Subsidiaries and immaterial to the business of the Note Parties taken as a whole;
(c) the write-off, discount, sale or other disposition of defaulted or past-due receivables and similar obligations in the ordinary course of business and not undertaken as part of an accounts receivable financing transaction;
(d) dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business for Fair Market Value;
(e) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property to customers in the ordinary course of business for Fair Market Value not detracting from the value of such Intellectual Property or interfering, individually or in the aggregate, in any material respect with the business of the Topco and its Subsidiaries, and non-exclusive licenses (and sublicenses as allowed) to Intellectual Property to manufacturers and other vendors to allow them to manufacture and supply to the Topco and its Subsidiaries or their customers one or more of their Products (or portions or components thereof) or related services;
(f) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses of real or personal property granted by the Topco or any of its Subsidiaries to others in the ordinary course of business not detracting from the value of such real or personal property or interfering in any material respect with the business of the Topco or any of its Subsidiaries;
(g) Asset Sales in connection with insurance and condemnation events; provided that the requirements of Section 2.14(b) are complied with in connection therewith;
(h) Asset Sales not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section and relating to assets other than Material Intellectual Property; provided that (i) at the time of such Asset Sale, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or would result from such Asset Sale, (ii) such Asset Sale is made for fair market value and the consideration received shall be no less than one hundred percent (100%) in cash, (iii) the aggregate value of all property disposed of in reliance on this Section 6.9(i) shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) during the term of this Agreement and (iv) the proceeds of such Asset Sale shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.14(b); and
(i) to the extent constituting an Asset Sale, the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions; and
(j) Investments made in accordance with Section 6.7.
6.10 Disposal of Subsidiary Equity Interests. Except for any sale of all of its interests in the Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries in compliance with the provisions of Section 6.9 and the Liens granted to Collateral Agent pursuant to the Note Documents, no Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to (a) directly or indirectly sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries, except to qualify directors if required by Requirements of Law; or (b) permit any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Equity Interest of any of its Subsidiaries, except to another Note Party (subject to the restrictions on such disposition otherwise imposed hereunder).
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6.11 Sales and Lease Backs. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which such Note Party (a) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person (other than a Note Party), or (b) intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Note Party to any Person (other than a Note Party) in connection with such lease.
6.12 Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of five percent (5%) or more of any class of Equity Interests of a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries (or any Affiliate of such holder) or with any Affiliate of a Note Party or of any such holder other than the following:
(a) transactions on fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Note Parties or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Note Parties or such Subsidiary in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate (in the case of any such transaction that involves payments, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the Issuer shall provide to the Administrative Agent five (5) Business Days prior written notice of such transaction and, if so requested to do so prior to the proposed closing of such transaction, the Issuer shall provide to the Administrative Agent evidence demonstrating that such transaction will be arms length);
(b) (i) customary compensation arrangements for, benefits for, and employment arrangements with, directors, officers, members, managers and other employees of the Topco and its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices and (ii) customary indemnification for, and reimbursement of expenses of, directors, officers and other employees of the Topco and its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices; provided, that no increase in compensation or bonuses shall be permitted to be provided or paid to the extent inconsistent with the Note Parties historical ordinary course of business practices as in effect prior to the Closing Date; and
(c) transactions pursuant to agreements, instruments or arrangements set forth on Schedule 6.12 on the Closing Date.
6.13 Nature of Business; Foreign Subsidiaries
(a) From and after the Closing Date, no Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than (i) the businesses engaged in by such Note Party on the Closing Date and (ii) such other lines of business as may be consented to from time to time by Administrative Agent; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, the consummation of the De-SPAC Transactions shall be permitted.
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(b) From and after the Closing Date, no Note Party shall form, create, or incorporate any Foreign Subsidiary.
6.14 Fiscal Year. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its Fiscal Year end from March 31st.
6.15 Amendments or Waivers of Certain Agreements.
(a) No Note Party shall (a) amend or permit any amendments to any Note Partys Organizational Documents in a manner that is adverse to the Administrative Agent or the Purchasers or the Note Parties; or (b) amend or permit any amendments to, or terminate or waive any provision of, any Material Contract if such amendment, termination, or waiver would be adverse to Administrative Agent or the Purchasers or to any of the Note Parties; provided however, in each case, it is expressly agreed that the Note Parties shall be permitted to make such amendments or changes that are necessary to consummate or implement the Transactions contemplated to occur on or about the Closing Date.
(b) No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend or otherwise change the terms of any Subordinated Indebtedness, or make any payment consistent with an amendment thereof or change thereto, if the effect of such amendment or change is to increase the interest rate on such Subordinated Indebtedness, increase the principal amount thereof, change (to earlier dates) any dates upon which payments of principal or interest are due thereon, change any event of default or condition to an event of default with respect thereto (other than to eliminate any such event of default or increase any grace period related thereto), change the redemption, prepayment or defeasance provisions thereof, change the subordination provisions of such Subordinated Indebtedness (or of any guaranty thereof), or if the effect of such amendment or change, together with all other amendments or changes made, is to increase materially the obligations of the obligor thereunder or to confer any additional rights on the holders of such Subordinated Indebtedness (or a trustee or other representative on their behalf) which would be adverse to any Note Party or Purchasers.
6.16 Prepayments of Indebtedness. No Note Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, purchase, redeem, defease or prepay any principal of, premium, if any, interest or other amount payable in respect of any Indebtedness prior to its scheduled maturity, other than (i) the Obligations, (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Lien if the asset securing such Indebtedness has been sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with Section 6.9, (iii) Permitted Intercompany Investments existing and disclosed to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date so long as immediately before and after giving effect to any such payment or prepayment, no Default or Event of Default is then existing and (iv) the Indian Working Capital Facility, provided, that, on a pro forma basis, so long as immediately before and after giving effect to any such payment or prepayment, (A) no Default or Event of Default is then existing and (B) the Issuer shall be in compliance with Section 6.8.
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6.17 Deposit Accounts. No Note Party shall establish or maintain a Deposit Account that is not a Controlled Account and no Note Party will deposit proceeds in a Deposit Account which is not a Controlled Account, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 5.15.
6.18 Aging Reports. No Note Party shall permit any deviations in any Aging Report in excess of $250,000.
6.19 Pensions. No Note Party incorporated in the United Kingdom shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries incorporated in the United Kingdom, at any time establish or otherwise participate in an occupational pension scheme that is not a money purchase scheme (both terms as defined in the UK Pension Schemes Act 1993) such that a Note Party becomes (a) an employer of such scheme (for the purposes of sections 38 to 51 of the UK Pensions Act 2004); or (b) connected with or an associate of (as those terms are used in sections 38 and 43 of the UK Pensions Act 2004) such an employer.
6.20 Centre of Main Interests and Establishment. No Note Party (i) incorporated in a member state of the European Union shall, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, take any action that shall cause its centre of main interests (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) to be situated outside of its jurisdiction of incorporation or (ii) incorporated under the laws of England and Wales shall change its center of main interests or acquire an establishment in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 7. GUARANTY
7.1 Guaranty of the Obligations. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.2, Guarantors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guaranty to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Beneficiaries the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)) (collectively, the Guaranteed Obligations).
7.2 Contribution by Guarantors. All Guarantors desire to allocate among themselves (collectively, the Contributing Guarantors), in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under this Guaranty. Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by a Guarantor (a Funding Guarantor) under this Guaranty such that its Aggregate Payments exceed its Fair Share as of such date, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Contributing Guarantors in an amount sufficient to cause each Contributing Guarantors Aggregate Payments to equal its Fair Share as of such date. Fair Share means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the ratio of (i) the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to such Contributing Guarantor, to (ii) the aggregate of the Fair Share Contribution Amounts with respect to all Contributing Guarantors multiplied by, (b) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or before such date by all Funding Guarantors under this Guaranty in respect of the obligations Guaranteed. Fair Share Contribution Amount means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Contributing Guarantor under this Guaranty that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance
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as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any comparable applicable provisions of state Law; provided, solely for purposes of calculating the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to any Contributing Guarantor for purposes of this Section 7.2, any assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of contribution hereunder shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor. Aggregate Payments means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (1) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor in respect of this Guaranty (including in respect of this Section 7.2), minus (2) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor from the other Contributing Guarantors as contributions under this Section 7.2. The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Funding Guarantor. The allocation among Contributing Guarantors of their obligations as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any Contributing Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor is a third-party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this Section 7.2.
7.3 Payment by Guarantors. Subject to Section 7.2, Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree, in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Beneficiary may have at Law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, that upon the failure of Issuer to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)), Guarantors will upon demand pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Beneficiaries, an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal amount of all Guaranteed Obligations then due as aforesaid, accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (including interest which, but for Issuers becoming the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against Issuer for such interest in the related bankruptcy case) and all other Guaranteed Obligations then owed to Beneficiaries as aforesaid.
7.4 Liability of Guarantors Absolute. Each Guarantor agrees that its obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:
(a) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not of collectability; this Guaranty is a primary obligation of each Guarantor and not merely a contract of surety;
(b) Administrative Agent may enforce this Guaranty upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between Issuer and any Beneficiary with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;
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(c) the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of Issuer and the obligations of any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the obligations of Issuer, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor whether or not any action is brought against Topco or any of such other guarantors and whether or not Issuer is joined in any such action or actions;
(d) payment by any Guarantor of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge any Guarantors liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which has not been paid; provided that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Administrative Agent is awarded a judgment in any suit brought to enforce any Guarantors covenant to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations, such judgment shall not be deemed to release such Guarantor from its covenant to pay the portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that is not the subject of such suit, and such judgment shall not, except to the extent satisfied by such Guarantor, limit, affect, modify or abridge any other Guarantors liability hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations;
(e) any Beneficiary, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without notice or demand and without affecting the validity or enforceability hereof or giving rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination of any Guarantors liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew, extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change the time, place, manner or terms of payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) settle, compromise, release or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment of the same to the payment of any other obligations; (iii) request and accept other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations and take and hold security for the payment hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind, waive, alter, subordinate or modify, with or without consideration, any security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, any other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including any other Guarantor) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) enforce and apply any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of such Beneficiary in respect hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any other right or remedy that such Beneficiary may have against any such security, in each case as such Beneficiary in its discretion may determine consistent herewith and any applicable security agreement, including foreclosure on any such security pursuant to one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable, and even though such action operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Guarantor against Issuer or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations; and (vi) exercise any other rights available to it under the Note Documents; and
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(f) this Guaranty and the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination for any reason (other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not any Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge of any of them: (i) any failure or omission to assert or enforce or agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of Law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power or remedy (whether arising under the Note Documents, or the Transaction Documents, in equity or otherwise) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any other guaranty of or security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions (including provisions relating to events of default) hereof, any of the other Note Documents, any of the other Transaction Documents or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any other guaranty or security for the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case whether or not in accordance with the terms hereof or such Note Document, such other Transaction Document or any agreement relating to such other guaranty or security; (iii) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect; (iv) the application of payments received from any source (other than payments received pursuant to the other Note Documents, the other Transaction Documents or from the proceeds of any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except to the extent such security also serves as collateral for indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations) to the payment of indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations, even though any Beneficiary might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) any Beneficiarys consent to the change, reorganization or termination of the corporate structure or existence of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries and to any corresponding restructuring of the Guaranteed Obligations; (vi) any failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any collateral which secures any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (vii) any defenses, set offs or counterclaims which Issuer may allege or assert against any Beneficiary in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury; and (viii) any other act or thing or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor as an obligor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 7, the guarantee contained in this Section 7 does not apply to any liability of any UK Guarantor to the extent it would result in this guarantee constituting unlawful financial assistance within the meaning of section 678 or 679 of the UK Companies Act of 2006.
7.5 Waivers by Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, for the benefit of Beneficiaries: (a) any right to require any Beneficiary, as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (i) proceed against Issuer, any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from Issuer, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (iii) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any Deposit Account or credit on the books of any Beneficiary in favor of Issuer or any other Person, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Beneficiary whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of Issuer or any other
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Guarantor including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of Issuer or any other Guarantor from any cause other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations; (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of Law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (d) any defense based upon any Beneficiarys errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations, except behavior which amounts to bad faith or gross negligence; (e) (i) any principles or provisions of Law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof and any legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantors obligations hereunder, (ii) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantors liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (iii) any rights to set offs, recoupments and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Beneficiary protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; (f) notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance hereof, notices of default hereunder, or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of credit to Issuer or issuances of Notes and notices of any of the matters referred to in Section 7.4 and any right to consent to any thereof; and (g) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by Law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms hereof.
(a) California Law Waivers. As used in this Section 7.5(a) any reference to the principal includes the Guarantors and any reference to the creditor includes the Beneficiaries. In accordance with Section 2856 of the California Civil Code:
(i) each Guarantor waives any and all rights and defenses available to it by reasons of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, 2899 and 3433 of the California Civil Code, including any and all rights or defenses such Guarantor may have by reason of protection afforded to the principal with respect to any of the Obligations, or to the other Guarantors, in either case pursuant to the anti-deficiency or other Laws of the State of California limiting or discharging the principals indebtedness, including Section 580a, 580b, 580d or 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedures; and
(ii) each Guarantor waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by the creditor, even though that election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for any Obligation, has destroyed such Guarantors rights of subrogation and reimbursement against the principal by the operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or otherwise, and even though that election of remedies by the creditor, such as nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for an obligation of the other Guarantors, has destroyed such Guarantors rights of contribution against the other Guarantors.
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(b) Waivers Concerning Liens. Each Guarantor waives all rights and defenses that it may have because the Obligations are secured by real property. This means, among other things: (i) the Beneficiaries may collect from any Guarantor without first foreclosing on any real or personal property Collateral pledged by Issuer or any other Guarantor; and (ii) if the Beneficiaries foreclose on any real property Collateral pledged by Issuer or any Guarantor: (A) the amount of the Obligations may be reduced only by the price for which that Collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the Collateral is worth more than the sale price; and (B) the Beneficiaries may collect from the other Guarantors even if the Beneficiaries, by foreclosing on the real property Collateral, have destroyed any right the Guarantors may have to collect from Issuer or any other Guarantor. This is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses the Guarantors may have because the Obligations are secured by real property. These rights and defenses include, but are not limited to, any rights or defenses based upon Section 580a, 580b, 580d, or 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. In the event that all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations at any time are secured by any one or more deeds of trust, security deeds or mortgages creating or granting Liens on any interests in Real Estate Assets, each of the Guarantors authorizes the Beneficiaries, upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of any Event of Default, at their sole option, without notice or demand and without affecting any Obligations, the enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations under this Guaranty, or the validity or enforceability of any Liens of the Beneficiaries on any Collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations, to foreclose any or all of such deeds of trust, security deeds or mortgages by judicial or nonjudicial sale. Insofar as the Liens created by the Collateral Documents secure the Guaranteed Obligations of other Persons, each of the Guarantors expressly waives any defenses to the enforcement of this Guaranty or the other Note Documents or any Liens created or granted hereby or by the other Note Documents or to the recovery by the Beneficiaries against Issuer, any Guarantor or any other Person liable therefor of any deficiency after a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure or sale, even though such a foreclosure or sale may impair the subrogation rights of such Guarantor and may preclude any of them from obtaining reimbursement or contribution from any other Person.
7.6 Guarantors Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc. Until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full and the Note Documents have been terminated, each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against Issuer or any other Guarantor or any of its assets in connection with this Guaranty or the performance by such Guarantor of its obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common Law or otherwise and including (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against Issuer with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right or remedy that any Beneficiary now has or may hereafter have against Issuer, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by any Beneficiary. In addition, until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full and the Note Documents have been terminated, each Guarantor shall withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Guarantor may have against any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations, including any such right of contribution as contemplated by Section 7.2. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent the waiver or agreement to withhold the exercise of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as set forth herein is found by a court of
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competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification such Guarantor may have against Issuer or against any collateral or security, and any rights of contribution such Guarantor may have against any such other guarantor, shall be junior and subordinate to any rights any Beneficiary may have against Issuer, to all right, title and interest any Beneficiary may have in any such collateral or security, and to any right any Beneficiary may have against such other guarantor. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of any such subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or contribution rights at any time when all Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been finally and indefeasibly paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent on behalf of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof.
7.7 Subordination of Other Obligations. Any Indebtedness of Issuer or any Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor (the Obligee Guarantor) is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Obligations, and any such indebtedness collected or received by the Obligee Guarantor after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent on behalf of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations but without affecting, impairing or limiting in any manner the liability of the Obligee Guarantor under any other provision hereof. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, unless an Event of Default shall then exist, such Obligee Guarantor may receive payments on such Indebtedness.
7.8 Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full and the Note Documents have been terminated. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future transactions giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligations.
7.9 Authority of Guarantors or Issuer. It is not necessary for any Beneficiary to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Guarantor or Issuer or the officers, directors or any agents acting or purporting to act on behalf of any of them.
7.10 Financial Condition of Issuer. The Indebtedness and other Obligations under the Notes and other Note Documents may be continued from time to time, in each case without notice to or authorization from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of Issuer at the time of any such grant or continuation. No Beneficiary shall have any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Guarantor its assessment, or any Guarantors assessment, of the financial condition of Issuer. Each Guarantor has adequate means to obtain information from Issuer on a continuing basis concerning the financial condition of Issuer and its ability to perform its obligations under the Note Documents or the Warrants, and each Guarantor assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of Issuer and of all circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, and relinquishes any duty on the part of any Beneficiary to disclose any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, operations or conditions of Issuer now known or hereafter known by any Beneficiary.
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7.11 Bankruptcy, etc.
(a) So long as any Guaranteed Obligations remain outstanding, no Guarantor shall, without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent, commence or join with any other Person in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency case or proceeding of or against Issuer or any other Guarantor. The obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged, deferred, suspended or terminated by any case or proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation or arrangement of Issuer or any other Guarantor or by any defense which Issuer or any other Guarantor may have by reason of the order, decree or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding.
(b) Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that any interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding referred to in clause (a) above (or, if interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of Law by reason of the commencement of such case or proceeding, such interest as would have accrued on such portion of the Guaranteed Obligations if such case or proceeding had not been commenced) shall be included in the Guaranteed Obligations because it is the intention of Guarantors and Beneficiaries that the Guaranteed Obligations which are guaranteed by Guarantors pursuant hereto should be determined without regard to any rule of Law or order which may relieve Issuer of any portion of such Guaranteed Obligations. Guarantors will permit any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar person to pay Administrative Agent, or allow the claim of Administrative Agent in respect of, any such interest accruing after the date on which such case or proceeding is commenced.
(c) In the event that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid by Issuer, the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered directly or indirectly from any Beneficiary as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and any such payments which are so rescinded or recovered shall constitute Guaranteed Obligations for all purposes hereunder.
7.12 Reserved.
7.13 Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Note Party to honor all of its obligations under this Agreement in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 7.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 7.13, or otherwise under this Agreement, voidable under applicable Law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 7.13 shall remain in full force and effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity Obligations for which no claim has been asserted) shall have been paid in full and the Note Documents have been terminated. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 7.13 constitute, and this Section 7.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a keepwell, support, or other agreement for the benefit of each other Note Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
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SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
8.1 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following conditions or events shall occur:
(a) Failure to Make Payments When Due. Failure by Issuer to pay (i) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Note whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise; (ii) when due any installment of principal of any Note, by notice of voluntary prepayment, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise; or (iii) when due any interest on any Note or any fee or any other amount due hereunder or under any other Note Document; or
(b) Default in Other Agreements. (i) Failure of any Note Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries to pay when due any principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect of one or more items of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in Section 8.1(a)) in an individual or in an aggregate principal amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) or more, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor; or (ii) breach or default by any Note Party or any such Subsidiary with respect to any other term of (1) one or more items of Indebtedness in the individual or aggregate principal amounts referred to in clause (i) above, or (2) any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Indebtedness, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders), to cause, that Indebtedness to become or be declared due and payable (or subject to a compulsory repurchase or redeemable) prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be; or (iii) a default or event of default under the Subordinated Indebtedness; or
(c) Breach of Certain Covenants. Failure of any Note Party to perform or comply with any term or condition contained in Sections 2.3(a), 2.6, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, 5.23 or 6; or
(d) Breach of Representations, etc. Any representation, warranty, certification or other statement made or deemed made by any Note Party in any Note Document or in any statement or certificate at any time given by any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries in writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false or incorrect in any material respect as of the date made or deemed made; or
(e) Other Defaults Under Note Documents. Any Note Party shall default in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or any of the other Note Documents, other than any such term referred to in any other Section of this Section 8.1, and such default shall not have been remedied or waived within thirty (30) days after the earlier of (i) such default, or (ii) receipt by Issuer of notice from Administrative Agent or any Purchaser of such default; or
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(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) A court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar Law now or hereafter in effect, which decree or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal or state Law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar Law now or hereafter in effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or other officer having similar powers over a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this clause (ii) shall continue for sixty (60) days without having been dismissed, bonded or discharged; or
(g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) Any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such Law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property; or a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the board of directors (or similar governing body) of a Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 8.1(f); or
(h) UK Insolvency. A UK Insolvency Proceeding is begun against or occurs in relation to a UK Guarantor unless it is a vexatious or frivolous winding-up petition which is not withdrawn, discharged, dismissed or stayed before the petition is advertised and in any event within fourteen (14) days of commencement.
(i) Judgments and Attachments. Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process involving an amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) individually or in the aggregate (in each case to the extent not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has acknowledged coverage) shall be entered or filed against any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of forty-five (45) days (or in any event later than five (5) days prior to the date of any proposed sale thereunder); or
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(j) Dissolution. Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against any Note Party decreeing the dissolution or split up of such Note Party and such order shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period in excess of thirty (30) days; or
(k) Employee Benefit Plans. (i) There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the aggregate results in or might reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Note Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) during the term hereof; or (ii) there exists any fact or circumstance that reasonably could be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien or security interest under Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 303(k) or other section of ERISA; or
(l) Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur; or
(m) Guaranties, Collateral Documents and other Note Documents. At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the Guaranty for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all Obligations, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate its obligations thereunder, (ii) this Agreement, any Note or any other Note Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or the satisfaction in full of the Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Note Documents) or shall be declared null and void, or Collateral Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a valid and perfected Lien in any Collateral purported to be covered by the Note Documents with the priority required by the relevant Note Document, in each case for any reason other than the failure of Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to take any action within its control, or (iii) any Note Party shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Note Document or Warrants in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by Purchasers, under any Note Document or Warrants to which it is a party, or (iv) any subordination agreement (or subordination provisions incorporated in any Subordinated Indebtedness) or intercreditor agreement, or any provisions thereof, ceases to be valid and enforceable against any holder of Indebtedness intended to be subordinated to the Obligations or any holder of such Indebtedness shall so assert in writing or (v) the failure of any party thereto to comply with the terms of the applicable intercreditor agreement or subordination agreement; or
(n) Material Adverse Effect. There shall occur any change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of any Note Party or Property which, in the reasonable judgement of Administrative Agent, has a Material Adverse Effect;
(o) Subordination. Any subordination or intercreditor provision in favor of any Agent or any Purchaser in any other document or instrument governing any subordinated Indebtedness or any subordination or intercreditor provision in any guaranty by any Guarantor of any subordinated Indebtedness shall cease to be in full force and effect, or any Person (including the holder of any applicable Subordinated Indebtedness) shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of the such agreement or any such provision or shall be in breach of such agreement or any such provision; or
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(p) Fundamental Change; Consummation of De-SPAC Transactions. There shall occur any Fundamental Change or the Issuer has not consummated the De-SPAC Transactions prior to March 30, 2024.
THEN, (1) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.1(f), or Section 8.1(g), automatically, and (2) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, the Administrative Agent, upon notice to Issuer, (A) each of the following shall immediately become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Note Party: (I) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the Notes, and (II) all other Obligations; (including all other liabilities of the Note Parties accrued hereunder and under any Note or other Note Document), shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Note Parties, anything contained herein or in any other Note Document to the contrary notwithstanding; (B) Administrative Agent may cause Collateral Agent to enforce any and all Liens and security interests created pursuant to Collateral Documents and exercise on behalf of the Secured Parties all of its other rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Note Documents and applicable Law in order to satisfy the Obligations; and (C) Administrative Agent shall direct Issuer to pay (and Issuer hereby agrees upon receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in Sections 8.1(f) and 8.1(g) to pay) to Administrative Agent such additional amounts of cash, to be held as security for Issuers reimbursement Obligations in respect of then outstanding under arrangements acceptable to Administrative Agent.
If an Event of Default has occurred is continuing Administrative Agent may apply any funds in its possession to the Obligations in such order as Administrative Agent shall determine in its sole and exclusive discretion, with any surplus shall be paid to Issuer or other Persons legally entitled thereto; provided that the Note Parties shall remain liable to the Secured Parties for any deficiency. If Administrative Agent, in its good faith business judgment, directly or indirectly enters into a deferred payment or other credit transaction with any purchaser at any sale of Collateral, Administrative Agent shall have the option, exercisable at any time, of either reducing, the Obligations by the principal amount of the purchase price or deferring the reduction of the Obligations until the actual receipt by Administrative Agent of cash therefor.
8.2 Suspension Rights Upon Breach of Sanctions. Upon the occurrence of a breach of Section 5.9, each Purchaser may, without prejudice to any other rights it has under any Note Document, and upon providing notice to both Issuer and Administrative Agent, immediately suspend the performance of its obligations under the Note Documents.
8.3 [Reserved].
8.4 Limitation on Suits. A Purchaser that holds a Note may not institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or the other Note Documents, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under this Agreement, the Notes or the other Note Documents, unless: (A) the Purchaser of a Note has previously given to the Agents written notice of a continuing Event of Default; (B) the Purchasers of the Notes have offered and, if requested, provided to the Agents an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Agents against any costs, liabilities or expenses to be incurred in compliance with such request and (C) the Agents, for sixty (60) days after their receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding;. A Purchaser that holds a Note may not use this Agreement to prejudice the rights of another Purchaser that holds a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Purchaser that holds a Note.
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SECTION 9. AGENTS
9.1 Appointment of Agents. Mizuho is hereby appointed Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Note Documents and each Purchaser, by its acceptance of a Note, hereby authorizes Mizuho, in such capacity, to act as its agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Note Documents. Each Agent hereby agrees to act upon the express conditions contained herein and the other Note Documents, as applicable. The provisions of this Section 9 are solely for the benefit of the Agents and the Purchasers, and no Note Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof. In performing its functions and duties hereunder, each Agent shall act solely as an agent of Purchasers and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for any Note Party or any of its Subsidiaries. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term agent herein or in any other Note Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
9.2 Powers and Duties. Each Purchaser, by its acceptance of a Note, irrevocably authorizes each Agent to take such action on such Purchasers behalf and to exercise such powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Note Documents as are specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified herein and the other Note Documents. Each Agent may exercise such powers, rights and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents or employees. No Agent shall have, by reason hereof or any of the other Note Documents, a fiduciary relationship or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law in respect of any Purchaser; and nothing herein or any of the other Note Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon any Agent any obligations in respect hereof or any of the other Note Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.
9.3 General Immunity.
(a) No Responsibility for Certain Matters. No Agent shall be responsible to any Purchaser for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability or sufficiency hereof or any other Note Document, the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 3 or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to either Agent thereunder, or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or any other documents furnished or made by any Agent to Purchasers or by or on behalf of any
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Note Party to any Agent or any Purchaser in connection with the Note Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business affairs of any Note Party or any other Person liable for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall any Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained in any of the Note Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the issuance and sale by Issuer of the Notes or as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or Default or to make any disclosures with respect to the foregoing. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of the amount of outstanding obligations under any Note or the component amounts thereof.
(b) Exculpatory Provisions. No Agent nor any of its officers, partners, directors, managers, members, employees or agents shall be liable to Purchasers for any action taken or omitted by any Agent under or in connection with any of the Note Documents except to the extent caused by such Agents gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order. Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in connection herewith or any of the other Note Documents or from the exercise of any power, discretion or authority vested in it hereunder or thereunder unless and until such Agent shall have received instructions in respect thereof from Requisite Purchasers (or such other Purchasers as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.5) and, upon receipt of such instructions from Requisite Purchasers (or such other Purchasers, as the case may be), such Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from acting, or to exercise such power, discretion or authority, in accordance with such instructions; provided that no Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Note Document or applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i) each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall no liability for relying, upon any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons, and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for the Note Parties and their and its Subsidiaries), accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no Purchaser shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting hereunder or any of the other Note Documents in accordance with the instructions of Requisite Purchasers (or such other Purchasers as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.5). Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the purchase of a Note, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Purchaser, each Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Purchaser unless such Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Purchaser prior to the purchase of such Note. No Agent shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Note Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Issuer or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as an Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
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(c) Notice of Default or Event of Default. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to such Agent by a Note Party or a Purchaser. In the event that the Administrative Agent shall receive such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Purchasers, provided that failure to give such notice shall not result in any liability on the part of any Agent.
9.4 Agents Entitled to Act as Purchaser. The agency hereby created shall in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual capacity as a Purchaser hereunder. With respect to its participation in the Notes, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Purchaser and may exercise the same as if it were not performing the duties and functions delegated to it hereunder, and the term Purchaser shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each Agent in its individual capacity. Any Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with any Note Party or any of its Affiliates as if it were not performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from any Note Party for services in connection herewith and otherwise without having to account for the same to Purchasers.
9.5 Delegation of Duties. Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Note Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective and their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section 9 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of such Agent and any such sub-agent. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that such Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
9.6 Purchasers Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment.
(a) Each Purchaser, by its acceptance of a Note, represents and warrants that it has made its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Note Parties and its Subsidiaries in connection with the Notes Issuance hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries. No Agent shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Purchasers or to provide any Purchaser with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the purchasing of the Notes or at any time or times thereafter, and no Agent shall have any responsibility with respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to Purchasers.
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(b) Each Purchaser (other than Mizuho and its Affiliates), by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and/or by accepting a Note, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Note Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Requisite Purchasers or Purchasers, as applicable on the Closing Date or as of the date of funding the purchase price of such Notes.
9.7 Right to Indemnity. Each Purchaser, by its acceptance of a Note, in proportion to its pro rata share, severally agrees to indemnify each Agent and their respective Related Parties (each, an Indemnitee Related Party), to the extent that such Indemnitee Related Party shall not have been reimbursed by any Note Party, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitee Related Party in exercising its powers, rights and remedies or performing its duties hereunder or under the other Note Documents or otherwise in its capacity as such Indemnitee Related Party in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Note Documents, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY, OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE RELATED PARTY; provided, (x) no Purchaser shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Indemnitee Related Partys gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order and (y) the unreimbursed liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Indemnitee Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for such Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. If any indemnity furnished to any Indemnitee Related Party for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such Indemnitee Related Party, be insufficient or become impaired, such Indemnitee Related Party may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished; provided, in no event shall this sentence require any Purchaser to indemnify any Indemnitee Related Party against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement in excess of such Purchasers pro rata share thereof; and provided further, this sentence shall not be deemed to require any Purchaser to indemnify any Indemnitee Related Party against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement described in the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence.
9.8 Successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.
(a) Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may resign as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent upon ten (10) days prior written notice thereof to the Purchasers and the Issuer. Upon any such notice of resignation, Requisite Purchasers shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days notice to Issuer, to appoint a successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, that successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed
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to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent all sums, Securities and other items of Collateral held under the Collateral Documents, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Note Documents, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent such amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent of the security interests created under the Collateral Documents, whereupon such retiring Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Administrative Agents and Collateral Agents resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Section 9.8 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may assign their rights and duties as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder to an Affiliate of Mizuho without the prior written consent of, or prior written notice to, Issuer or the Purchasers; provided that Note Parties and the Purchasers may deem and treat such assigning Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for all purposes hereof, unless and until such assigning Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, provides written notice to Issuer and the Purchasers of such assignment. Upon such assignment such Affiliate shall succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers, privileges and duties as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Note Documents.
9.9 Collateral Documents and Guaranty.
(a) Agents under Collateral Documents and Guaranty. Each Purchaser, by the acceptance of a Note, hereby further authorizes Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to be the agent for and representative of Secured Parties with respect to the Guaranty, the Collateral, the Collateral Documents and the other Note Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, as applicable, are hereby expressly authorized to (i) execute any and all documents with respect to the Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto, as contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, (ii) negotiate, enforce or settle any claim, action or proceeding affecting the Purchasers in their capacity as such, at the direction of the Requisite Purchasers, which negotiation, enforcement or settlement will be binding upon each Purchaser and (iii) enter into any intercreditor agreement or other subordination arrangement, and each Purchaser agrees to be bound by the terms of such intercreditor agreement or other subordination arrangement. Subject to Section 10.5, without further written consent or authorization from any other Secured Party, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may, and each such Agent hereby
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agrees to, at the sole expense of the Note Parties, execute any documents or instruments necessary to (i) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral (A) that is the subject of a sale or other disposition of assets permitted hereby or to which Requisite Purchasers (or such other Purchasers as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.5) have otherwise consented or (B) upon payment in full of all Obligations, (ii) release any Guarantor from the Guaranty (a) pursuant to Section 7.12 or (b) with respect to which Requisite Purchasers (or such other Purchasers as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.5) in accordance with the Note Documents have otherwise consented. Upon request by any Agent at any time, the Requisite Purchasers will confirm in writing such Agents authority to release its interest in particular types or items of Collateral, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.9 and the Collateral Agent will, at the Issuers expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Note Party such documents as such Note Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents in accordance with the terms of the Note Documents and this Section 9.9. Each Purchaser, by acceptance of a Note, irrevocably agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the other Note Documents.
(b) Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guaranty. Anything contained in any of the Note Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, each Note Party, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and each Purchaser holding any Notes from time to time hereby agree that (i) no Purchaser shall have any right individually to realize upon all or any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under any of the Note Documents may be exercised solely by Administrative Agent, or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Collateral Documents may be exercised solely by Collateral Agent (acting directly or through an agent or designee) for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof, and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure by Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, (including pursuant to section 363(k), section 1129(b)(2)(a)(ii) or otherwise of the Bankruptcy Code), the Collateral Agent (or any Purchaser, except with respect to a credit bid pursuant to section 363(k), section 1129(b)(2)(a)(ii) or otherwise of the Bankruptcy Code) (or their respective nominees or designees) may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of Secured Parties (but not any Purchaser or Purchasers in its or their respective individual capacities unless Requisite Purchasers shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, upon instructions from the Requisite Purchasers, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale or other disposition, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by Collateral Agent at such sale or other disposition.
(c) No Duty With Respect to Collateral. No Agent shall be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Collateral Agents Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Note Party in connection therewith, nor shall such Agent be responsible or liable to the Purchasers for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.
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9.10 Collateral matters in relation to the UK Security Documents.:
(a) For the purposes of any Liens or Collateral created under the UK Security Documents, the following additional provisions shall apply.
(b) In this Section 9.10, the following expressions have the following meanings:
Appointee means any receiver, administrator or other insolvency officer appointed in respect of any Note Party or its assets.
Charged Property means the assets of the Note Parties subject to a security interest under the UK Security Documents.
Delegate means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Collateral Agent (in its capacity as security trustee).
(a) The Secured Parties (other than the Collateral Agent) appoint the Collateral Agent to hold the security interests constituted by the UK Security Documents on trust for the Secured Parties on the terms of the Note Documents and the Collateral Agent accepts that appointment and declares that it shall hold such security interests on trust for the Secured Parties on the terms of the Note Documents.
(b) The Collateral Agent, its subsidiaries and associated companies may each retain for its own account and benefit any fee, remuneration and profits paid to it in connection with (i) its activities under the Note Documents; and (ii) its engagement in any kind of banking or other business with any Note Party.
(c) Nothing in this Agreement constitutes the Collateral Agent as a trustee or fiduciary of, nor shall the Collateral Agent have any duty or responsibility to, any Note Party.
(d) The Collateral Agent shall have no duties or obligations to any other person except for those which are expressly specified in the Note Documents or mandatorily required by applicable law.
(e) The Collateral Agent may appoint one or more Delegates on such terms (which may include the power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, to exercise and perform all or any of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in it by the UK Security Documents and shall not be obliged to supervise any Delegate or be responsible to any person for any loss incurred by reason of any act, omission, misconduct or default on the part of any Delegate.
(f) The Collateral Agent may (whether for the purpose of complying with any law or regulation of any overseas jurisdiction, or for any other reason) appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act jointly with the Collateral Agent either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Collateral Agent thinks fit and with such of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in the Collateral Agent by the UK Security Documents as may be conferred by the instrument of appointment of that person.
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(g) The Collateral Agent shall notify the Secured Parties of the appointment of each Appointee (other than a Delegate).
(h) The Collateral Agent may pay reasonable remuneration to any Delegate or Appointee, together with any costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Delegate or Appointee in connection with its appointment. All such remuneration, costs and expenses shall be treated, for the purposes of this Agreement, as paid or incurred by the Collateral Agent.
(i) Each Delegate and each Appointee shall have every benefit, right, power and discretion and the benefit of every exculpation (together Rights) of the Collateral Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) under the UK Security Documents, and each reference to the Collateral Agent (where the context requires that such reference is to the Collateral Agent in its capacity as security trustee) in the provisions of the UK Security Documents which confer Rights shall be deemed to include a reference to each Delegate and each Appointee.
(j) Each Secured Parties confirms its approval of the UK Security Documents and authorizes and instructs the Collateral Agent: (i) to execute and deliver the UK Security Documents; (ii) to exercise the rights, powers and discretions given to the Collateral Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) under or in connection with the UK Security Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions; and (iii) to give any authorizations and confirmations to be given by the Collateral Agent (in its capacity as security trustee) on behalf of the Secured Parties under the UK Security Documents.
(k) The Collateral Agent may accept without inquiry the title (if any) which any person may have to the Charged Property.
(l) Each other Secured Party confirms that it does not wish to be registered as a joint proprietor of any security interest constituted by a UK Security Document and accordingly authorizes the Collateral Agent to hold such security interest in its sole name (or in the name of any Delegate) as trustee for the Secured Parties.
(m) Except to the extent that a UK Security Document otherwise requires, any moneys which the Collateral Agent receives under or pursuant to a UK Security Document may be: (a) invested in any investments which the Collateral Agent selects and which are authorized by applicable law; or (b) placed on deposit at any bank or institution (including the Collateral Agent) on terms that the Collateral Agent thinks fit, in each case in the name or under the control of the Collateral Agent, and the Collateral Agent shall hold those moneys, together with any accrued income (net of any applicable Tax) to the Purchasers, and shall pay them to the Purchasers on demand.
(n) On a disposal of any of the Charged Property which is permitted under the Note Documents, the Collateral Agent shall (at the cost of the Note Parties) execute any release of the UK Security Documents or other claim over that Charged Property and issue any certificates of non-crystallisation of floating charges that may be required or take any other action that the Collateral Agent considers desirable.
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(o) The Collateral Agent shall not be liable for (i) any defect in or failure of the title (if any) which any person may have to any assets over which security is intended to be created by a UK Security Document; (ii) any loss resulting from the investment or deposit at any bank of moneys which it invests or deposits in a manner permitted by a UK Security Document; (iii) the exercise of, or the failure to exercise, any right, power or discretion given to it by or in connection with any Note Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Note Document; or (iv) any shortfall which arises on enforcing a UK Security Document.
(p) The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to (i) obtain any authorization or environmental permit in respect of any of the Charged Property or a UK Security Document; (ii) hold in its own possession a UK Security Document, title deed or other document relating to the Charged Property or a UK Security Document; (iii) perfect, protect, register, make any filing or give any notice in respect of a UK Security Document (or the order of ranking of a UK Security Document), unless that failure arises directly from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iv) require any further assurances in relation to a UK Security Document.
(q) In respect of any UK Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to: (i) insure, or require any other person to insure, the Charged Property; or (ii) make any enquiry or conduct any investigation into the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any insurance existing over such Charged Property.
(r) In respect of any UK Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall not have any obligation or duty to any person for any loss suffered as a result of: (i) the lack or inadequacy of any insurance; or (ii) the failure of the Collateral Agent to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by them, or of any other information of any kind, unless Purchasers have requested it to do so in writing and the Collateral Agent has failed to do so within fourteen (14) days after receipt of that request.
(s) Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 (UK) shall not apply to the duty of the Administrative Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement.
(t) In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Trustee Act 1925 (UK) or the Trustee Act 2000 (UK), the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail to the extent allowed by law, and shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of the Trustee Act 2000 (UK).
9.11 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Note Party, Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Note shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on Issuer) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
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(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Notes and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Purchasers and Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Purchasers and Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Purchasers and Administrative Agent under Sections 2.11, 2.13, 2.14, 10.2 and 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Purchaser to make such payments to Administrative Agent and, in the event that Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Purchasers, to pay to Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Administrative Agent under Sections 2.11, 2.13, 2.14, 10.2 and 10.3.
9.12 Certain ERISA Matters.
(a) Each Purchaser, by its acceptance of a Note, (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Purchaser party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Purchaser party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Purchaser party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Issuer or any other Note Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i) such Purchaser is not using plan assets (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Purchasers entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Notes or this Agreement;
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Purchasers entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Notes and this Agreement and the conditions for exemptive relief thereunder are and will continue to be satisfied in connection therewith;
(iii) (A) such Purchaser is an investment fund managed by a Qualified Professional Asset Manager (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Purchaser to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Notes and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Notes and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Purchaser, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Purchasers entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Notes and this Agreement; or
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(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Purchaser.
(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Purchaser or (2) a Purchaser has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Purchaser further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Purchaser party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Purchaser party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Purchaser party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Issuer or any other Note Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Purchaser involved in such Purchasers entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Notes and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Note Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).
(c) Each of the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and their respective Affiliates hereby informs the Purchasers that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Notes and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it purchased the Notes for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest on the principal amount of the Notes held by such Purchaser or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, bankers acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.
9.13 All Powers Coupled With Interest. All powers of attorney and other authorizations granted to the Purchasers, any Agent and any Persons designated by an Agent or any Purchaser pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Note Documents shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due).
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SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Notices.
(a) Notices Generally. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given to a Note Party, Collateral Agent, or Administrative Agent shall be sent to such Persons address as set forth on Appendix B or in the other relevant Note Document, and in the case of any Purchaser, the address as indicated on Appendix B or otherwise indicated to Administrative Agent in writing. Each notice hereunder shall be in writing and may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service and signed for against receipt thereof, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three (3) Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided, no notice to any Agent shall be effective until received by such Agent.
Any notice shall be executed by an Authorized Officer in a writing delivered to Administrative Agent. In lieu of delivering a notice, Issuer may give Administrative Agent telephonic notice by the required time of any proposed issuance and sale of a Note, as the case may be; provided each such notice shall be promptly confirmed in writing by delivery of the applicable notice to Administrative Agent on or before the applicable date of purchase. Neither Administrative Agent nor any Purchaser shall incur any liability to Issuer in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that Administrative Agent believes in good faith to have been given by a duly Authorized Officer or other person authorized on behalf of Issuer or for otherwise acting in good faith.
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Purchasers hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent or the Issuer may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
10.2 Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, Issuer agrees to pay promptly (a) all Administrative Agents and the Purchasers actual and reasonable costs and expenses of preparation of the Note Documents (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Purchasers) and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (b) all the
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reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel to Agents and the Purchasers in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and administration of the Note Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and any other documents or matters requested by Issuer; (c) all the actual costs and reasonable expenses of creating and perfecting Liens in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, including filing and recording fees, expenses and taxes, stamp or documentary taxes, search fees, title insurance premiums and reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and of counsel providing any opinions that any Agent or Requisite Purchasers may request in respect of the Collateral or the Liens created pursuant to the Collateral Documents; (d) all Administrative Agents actual costs and reasonable fees, expenses for, and disbursements of any of Administrative Agents, auditors, accountants, consultants or appraisers whether internal or external, and all reasonable attorneys fees (including expenses and disbursements of outside counsel) incurred by Administrative Agent; (e) all the actual costs and reasonable expenses (including the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any appraisers, consultants, advisors and agents employed or retained by Collateral Agent, the Secured Parties and their counsel) in connection with the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral; (f) all other actual and reasonable costs and expenses incurred by each Agent in connection with the syndication of the Notes and the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Note Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (g) after the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees (including allocated costs of internal counsel) and costs of settlement, incurred by any Agent, or any Purchaser in enforcing any Obligations of or in collecting any payments due from any Note Party hereunder or under the other Note Documents by reason of such Default or Event of Default (including in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty) or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided hereunder in the nature of a work out or pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy cases or proceeding.
10.3 Indemnity.
(a) In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to Section 10.2, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, each Note Party agrees to defend (subject to Indemnitees selection of counsel), indemnify, pay and hold harmless, each Agent and Purchaser, their Affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors, trustees, employees and agents of each Agent and each Purchaser (each, an Indemnitee), from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY, OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE; provided, no Note Party shall have any obligation to any Indemnitee hereunder with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order, of that Indemnitee. To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in this Section 10.3 may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any Law or public policy, the applicable Note Party shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable Law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by Indemnitees or any of them. This Section 10.3 shall not
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apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, no Note Party shall assert, and each Note Party hereby waives, any claim against Purchasers and Agents and their respective Related Parties, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort or duty imposed by any applicable legal requirement) arising out of, in connection with, as a result of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any Note Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referred to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Note or the use of the proceeds thereof or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, and each Note Party hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim or any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor. No Person referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Note Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
10.4 Set Off. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable Law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, each Purchaser and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized by each Note Party, at any time or from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, subject to the consent of Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), without notice to any Note Party or to any other Person (other than Administrative Agent), any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust accounts (in whatever currency)) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Purchaser to or for the credit or the account of any Note Party (in whatever currency) against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of any Note Party to such Purchaser and participations therein and under the other Note Documents, including all claims of any nature or description arising out of or connected hereto and participations therein or with any other Note Document, irrespective of whether or not (a) such Purchaser shall have made any demand hereunder, (b) the principal of or the interest on the Notes or any other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Section 2 and although such obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured or (c) such obligation or liability is owed to a branch or office of such Purchaser different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligation or such Indebtedness. Each Purchaser agrees to notify the Issuer and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. The rights of each Purchaser and their respective Affiliates under this Section 10.4 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Purchaser or their respective Affiliates may have.
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10.5 Amendments and Waivers.
(a) Amendments. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of the Note Documents, or consent to any departure by any Note Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of Administrative Agent and the Issuer (other than as provided in Section 6.14 with respect to any change in the Fiscal Year) (with a copy of all amendments provided to the Administrative Agent); provided, the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Issuer only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any other Note Document (and such amendment, modification or supplement shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to such Note Document) to (i) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, in each case, of a technical or immaterial nature and (ii) make any other change; provided that such change individually, or in the aggregate with all other such changes, does not, and will not, adversely affect the legal rights of any Purchaser in any material respect.
(b) Other Consents. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of the Note Documents, or consent to any departure by any Note Party therefrom, shall amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of Section 9 as the same applies to any Agent, or any other provision hereof as the same applies to the rights or obligations of any Agent, in each case without the consent of such Agent.
(c) Events of Default. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Purchaser (but with the consent of the Issuer and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Purchaser shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated) (but such Purchaser shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15, Section 2.17, Section 2.19, Section 2.20, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3), such Purchaser shall have no Notes or other Indebtedness or other obligation owed to it hereunder or under the other Note Documents and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement and the other Note Documents. Notwithstanding anything herein or otherwise to the contrary, any Event of Default occurring hereunder shall continue to exist (and shall be deemed to be continuing) until such time as such Event of Default is waived in writing in accordance with the terms of this Section 10.5 notwithstanding (x) any attempted cure or other action taken by the Issuer or any other Person subsequent to the occurrence of such Event of Default or (y) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrative Agent or any Purchaser prior to or subsequent to the occurrence of such Event of Default (other than the granting of a waiver in writing in accordance with the terms of this Section 10.5).
(d) Execution of Amendments, etc. Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Purchaser, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of such Purchaser. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on any Note Party in any case shall entitle any Note Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance with this Section 10.5 shall be binding upon each Purchaser at the time outstanding, each future Purchaser and, if signed by a Note Party, on such Note Party.
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(e) Renumeration; No Waiver of Rights. The Issuer will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any Purchaser as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any Purchaser of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or any other Note Document unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support is concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each Purchaser holding Notes then outstanding even if such Purchaser did not consent to such waiver or amendment. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 10.5 applies equally to all Purchaser and is binding upon them and upon each future Purchaser and upon the Issuer without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Issuer or any Guarantor and any Purchaser nor any delay of any Purchaser or the Agents in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any Purchaser. As used herein, the term this Agreement and references thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented. Upon such amendment or interpretation, the Notes shall be deemed modified in accordance therewith, such amendment or interpretation shall form a part of the Notes for all purposes, and every subsequent Purchaser shall be bound thereby.
10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the Issuer nor any other Note Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and each Purchaser (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by the Issuer nor any other Note Party shall be null and void).
(b) Certain other Assignments, Participations and Pledges. Any Purchaser may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement or the Notes to secure obligations of such Purchaser, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided, that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Purchaser from any of its obligations hereunder or under any Note or other Note Document or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Purchaser as a party hereto. The Note Parties hereby acknowledge that the Purchasers and their Affiliates may sell or securitize the Notes or assign a security interest in all or any portion of the Obligations or rights under this Agreement and the other Note Documents (a Securitization) through the pledge of any Note as collateral security for loans to the Purchasers or their Affiliates or through the sale of any Note or the issuance of direct or indirect interests in any Note. The Note Parties shall cooperate with the Purchasers and their Affiliates to effect the Securitization including, without limitation, by (i) amending this Agreement and the other Note Documents, and executing such additional documents, as reasonably requested by the Purchasers in connection with the Securitization; provided that (A) any such amendment or additional documentation does not impose material
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additional costs on the Note Parties and (B) any such amendment or additional documentation does not materially adversely affect the rights, or materially increase the obligations, of the Note Parties under the Note Documents or change or affect in a manner adverse to the Note Parties the financial terms of such Note; (ii) providing such information as may be reasonably requested by the Purchasers in connection with the rating of such Note or the Securitization; and (iii) providing in connection with any rating of such Note a certificate (A) agreeing to indemnify each of the Purchasers and its Affiliates, any rating agencies rating such Note, or any party providing credit support or otherwise participating in the Securitization (collectively, the Securitization Parties) for any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (the Liabilities) to which such Purchaser, its Affiliates or such Securitization Parties may become subject insofar as the Liabilities arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact by Topco or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Issuer contained in any Note Document or in any writing delivered by or on behalf of Topco or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Issuer to the Purchasers in connection with any Note Document or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission by Topco or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Issuer to state therein 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, and such indemnity shall survive any transfer by any Purchaser or its successors or assigns of the Notes and (B) agreeing to reimburse each Purchaser and its Affiliates for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Persons in connection with defending such Liabilities. Any pledge contemplated by this Section 10.6(b) shall not be deemed to be a transfer, sale or assignment of the Notes (or the shares of the Issuers capital stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes) hereunder, and the Purchasers effecting a pledge of any Notes (or the shares of the Issuers capital stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes) shall not be required to provide the Issuer with any notice thereof or otherwise make any delivery to the Issuer pursuant to this Agreement. The Issuer hereby agrees to execute and deliver such documentation as a pledgee of any Notes (or the shares of the Issuers capital stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes) may reasonably request in connection with a pledge of any Notes (or the shares of the Issuers capital stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes) to such pledgee by the Purchasers.
(c) Registration of Notes. The Issuer shall keep at its principal executive office a register (the Register) with the names and address of the holders of the Notes. The Register will include the name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in the Register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Notes. Upon surrender of any Note to the Issuer at the address and to the attention of the designated officer, for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), promptly, but in any event not later than five (5) Business Days thereafter, the Issuer shall
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execute and deliver, at the Issuers expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) of the same series (and of the same tranche if such series has separate tranches) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of the Note of such series originally issued hereunder. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made each representation set forth in Section 4.2.
10.7 Independence of Covenants. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.
10.8 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Note Parties herein and in any Note Document or other documents delivered in connection herewith or therewith or pursuant hereto or thereto shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof and the purchase of the Notes and other Notes Issuances hereunder, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any other Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Notes Issuance, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Note or any other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied. Notwithstanding anything herein or implied by Law to the contrary, the agreements of each Note Party set forth in Sections 2.17, 2.19, 2.20, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.10 and the agreements of Purchasers set forth in Sections 2.17, 9.3(b) and 9.6 shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations, and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn thereunder, and the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
10.9 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Purchaser in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Note Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. The rights, powers and remedies given to each Agent and each Purchaser hereby are cumulative and shall be in addition to and independent of all rights, powers and remedies existing by virtue of any statute or rule of Law or in any of the other Note Documents or any other Transaction Document. Any forbearance or failure to exercise, and any delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall it preclude the further exercise of any such right, power or remedy.
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10.10 Marshaling; Payments Set Aside. Neither any Agent nor any Purchaser shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Note Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any Note Party makes a payment or payments to Administrative Agent or Purchasers (or to Administrative Agent, on behalf of Purchasers), or Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, or Purchasers enforce any security interests or exercise their rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy Law, any other state or federal Law, common Law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
10.11 Severability. In case any provision in or obligation hereunder or any Note or other Note Document shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations of this Agreement and the other Note Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
10.12 Obligations Several; Actions in Concert. The obligations of Purchasers hereunder and under the other Note Documents are several and no Purchaser shall be responsible for the obligations of any other Purchaser hereunder or under any other Note Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Note Document, and no action taken by Purchasers pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. Anything in this Agreement or any other Note Document to the contrary notwithstanding, each Purchaser hereby agrees with each other Purchaser that no Purchaser shall take any action to protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement or any Note or otherwise with respect to the Obligations without first obtaining the prior written consent of the Agents or Requisite Purchasers (as applicable), it being the intent of Purchasers that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and any Note or otherwise with respect to the Obligations shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of the Agents or Requisite Purchasers (as applicable).
10.13 Headings. Section headings herein are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.
10.14 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER NOTE DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER NOTE DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES (OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW) THEREOF.
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10.15 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF VENUE; SERVICE OF PROCESS; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.
(a) ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY NOTE PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO OR ANY OTHER NOTE DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, SHALL BE BROUGHT AND/OR MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH NOTE PARTY, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY (i) ACCEPTS AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY SECURED PARTY OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER NOTE DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IN EACH CASE LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF; (ii) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND AGREES GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS AND THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION, OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR COURTS; (iii) AGREES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE APPLICABLE NOTE PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10.1 IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE NOTE PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT; AND (iv) AGREES THAT THE AGENTS AND PURCHASERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY NOTE PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.
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(b) EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES AND IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.1. ANY AND ALL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ANY OTHER NOTICE IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AGAINST ANY NOTE PARTY IF GIVEN BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS OR MAIL WHICH REQUIRES A SIGNED RECEIPT, POSTAGE PREPAID, MAILED AS PROVIDED ABOVE.
10.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER NOTE DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS NOTE PURCHASE TRANSACTION OR THE PURCHASERS/ISSUER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 10.16 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR ANY OF THE OTHER NOTE DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE NOTES PURCHASED HEREUNDER. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
10.17 Injunction Relief. Each Note Party recognizes that, in the event a Note Party fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement or the other Note Documents, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Purchasers. Therefore, each Note Party agrees that the Purchasers, at the Purchasers option, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.
10.18 Usury Savings Clause. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged or agreed to be paid with respect to any of the Obligations, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable Law shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. Each of the parties hereto, in executing and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and manner of payment stated within it; provided, that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if such rate or rates of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable law, then,
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ipso facto, as of the date of this Agreement; the Issuer is and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum amount as is allowed by law, and payment received from Issuer in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of such excess. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Purchaser exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest, throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations.
10.19 Counterparts; Integration; Electronic Execution.
(a) Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Agreement and the other Note Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 3, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or in electronic (e.g., pdf or tif) format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
(b) Electronic Execution of Note Documents. The words execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in this Agreement and the other Note Documents shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or electronic records, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
10.20 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by Issuer and Administrative Agent of written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof.
10.21 PATRIOT Act. Each Purchaser and Administrative Agent subject to the PATRIOT Act (for itself and not on behalf of any Purchaser) hereby notifies Issuer that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Issuer, which information includes the name and address of Issuer and other information that will allow such Purchaser or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify Issuer in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.
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10.22 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. Each Agent, each Secured Party and their Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the Investors), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Note Parties, their equityholders and/or their affiliates and subsidiaries. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Note Document), each Note Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges on its own behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries and Affiliates their understanding, that: (a) (i) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Group members and any Agent or any Investor is intended to be or has been created in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Note Documents, irrespective of whether any Agent or any Investor has advised or is advising any Note Party or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates on other matters, (ii) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Agents and the Investors are arms-length commercial transactions between the Note Parties and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Agents and the Investors, on the other hand, (iii) each Note Party has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory, tax and other advisors to the extent that it has deemed appropriate and (iv) each Note Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Note Documents; and (b) (i) the Agents and the other Investors each is and has been acting solely as a principal, and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for any Note Party or any of its Affiliates or subsidiaries or any other Person; (ii) none of the Agents or the Investors has any obligation to the Topco or any of its Affiliates or subsidiaries with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Note Document except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Note Documents; and (iii) the Agents and the Investors and their respective Affiliates may be engaged, for their own accounts or the accounts of customers, in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Topco and its Affiliates or subsidiaries, and none of the Agents or the Investors has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Issuer or its Affiliates or subsidiaries. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Note Party (on their own behalf and on behalf of the other Note Party and their Affiliates and Subsidiaries) hereby waives and releases any claims that it or any other Note Party and their Affiliates and Subsidiaries may have against the Agents or the Investors with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby. Each Note Party agrees on its own behalf and on the behalf of its subsidiaries and Affiliates that it will not claim that any Secured Party has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to such Person, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
10.23 Third Parties. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, whether express or implied, is intended to (a) confer any benefits, rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement on any Persons other than the express parties to it and their respective permitted successors and assigns; (b) relieve or discharge the obligation or liability of any Person not an express party to this Agreement; or (c) give any Person not an express party to this Agreement any right of subrogation or action against any party to this Agreement.
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10.24 Affiliate Activities. The obligations of the Purchasers hereunder are several and no Purchaser shall be responsible for the obligations of any other Purchaser hereunder. Each Note Party hereby expressly acknowledges that certain of the Agents, Purchasers and/or certain Affiliates of the Mizuho are, or on or after the Closing Date may become, direct or indirect owners of warrants or other Equity Interests in the Issuer. Notwithstanding any common ownership and/or control between Mizuho, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, on the other hand, (i) each Note Party acknowledges and agrees that: (a) Mizuho, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, on the other hand, are separate and distinct legal entities and (b) the Purchasers may exercise all the rights, privileges and benefits of the holder of any Note and enforce all remedies and other provisions hereunder and under any other Transaction Document without regard to the fact that Mizuho is an owner of warrants or other Equity Interests; (ii) to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (x) each Note Party hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any and all defenses, affirmative defenses, set-offs, claims, counterclaims or causes of action of any kind of nature that the Issuer may have against Mizuho or the Purchasers relating to any Note, this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, or the enforcement by Mizuho or the Purchasers of the rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder, arising by reason of the fact that Mizuho or any Purchaser is an owner of warrants or of other Equity Interests in the Topco and (y) each Note Party waives any and all defenses, affirmative defenses, setoffs, claims counterclaims or causes of action of any kind or nature that the Issuer may have against Mizuho arising by reason of the fact that Mizuho or any Purchaser holds Warrants or other Equity Interests and is also acting in its capacity as an Agent and/or a Purchaser hereunder; and (iii) each Note Party covenants and agrees never to institute or cause to be instituted or continue prosecution of any suit or cause of action or proceeding of any kind or nature whatsoever against the Purchasers in contravention of the foregoing. Anything in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to the contrary notwithstanding, each Purchaser hereby agrees with each other Purchaser that no Purchaser shall take any action to protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement or any Note or otherwise with respect to the Obligations without first obtaining the prior written consent of the Agents or Requisite Purchasers (as applicable), it being the intent of Purchasers that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and any Note or otherwise with respect to the Obligations shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of the Agents or Requisite Purchasers (as applicable).
10.25 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Note Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Note Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Note Document; or
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(c) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any applicable Resolution Authority.
10.26 Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Note Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for interest rate agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support QFC Credit Support and each such QFC a Supported QFC), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Note Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the Laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a Covered Party) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the Laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Note Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Note Documents were governed by the Laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
10.27 Intent. The Agents and Notes Parties hereby acknowledge and intend and, by accepting a Note, each Purchaser acknowledges and intends, that (i) the Notes are each a security as that term is used and defined in Section 101(49) of the Bankruptcy Code; (ii) this Agreement constitutes a securities contract as defined in Section 741(7)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code and a master netting agreement as defined in Section 101(38A)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code; (iii) each of the Guaranty, the Note Documents, the Collateral Documents and any pledge or security interest granted therein or herein are related to this Agreement, and constitutes a security agreement or arrangement or other credit enhancement related to a securities contract as defined in Section 741(7)(A)(xi) of the Bankruptcy Code, a security agreement or arrangement or other credit enhancement related to a master netting agreement as defined in Section 101(38A)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code, and as such, each is also a securities contract and master netting agreement;
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(iv) payments and/or transfers under this Agreement, the Guaranty, the Note Documents, the Collateral Documents and any pledge or security interest granted therein or herein each constitute transfers made by, to or for the benefit of a financial institution, financial participant or master netting agreement participant within the meaning of Section 546(e) or 546(j) of the Bankruptcy Code, and (v) each of the Purchasers, Secured Parties, Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent qualify as a financial institution, financial participant, master netting participant or other entity listed in Section 555, 561, 362(b)(6) or 362(b)(27) of the Bankruptcy Code for the safe harbor benefits and protections afforded under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to a securities contract and a master netting agreement, including the rights under Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(27), 362(o), 546, 555 and 561 of the Bankruptcy Code.
10.28 Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due under any Note Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Note Parties in respect of any such sum due from it to any Agent or Purchaser under any Note Document shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the Judgment Currency) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the Agreement Currency), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Agent or Purchaser, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, such Agent or Purchaser, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to any Agent or Purchaser from any Note Party in the Agreement Currency, the Note Parties agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Agent or Purchaser, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to any Agent or Purchaser in such currency, such Agent or Purchaser, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to the applicable Note Party (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable Law).
10.29 Regulated Subsidiaries. Neither the Note Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries will take any action, or fail to take any action, that could reasonably be expected to impede the Purchasers or the Agent or any of their assignees from ultimately acquiring control of each Regulated Insurance Entity as part of the exercise of remedies following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and if the Purchasers or the Administrative Agent or such assignees elect toto file an application for acquisition of control, the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries shall assist with any such filings and cooperate in the preparation and prosecution of such notices or applications as may be necessary to secure approvals or otherwise permit such transfer or assignment or otherwise permit the Purchasers and the Administrative Agent and such assignees to exercise any of their rights and remedies under the Note Documents, in compliance with Applicable Insurance Laws and other applicable laws at such times and in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Note Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless agreed otherwise, prior to an Event of Default, no such registration or cooperation shall be required unless otherwise agreed with the Administrative Agent.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.
ISSUER: | ROADZEN, INC. | |||||
By: | /s/ Rohan Malhotra | |||||
Name: Rohan Malhotra | ||||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
GUARANTORS: | NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB | |||||
By: | /s/ Shanon Duthie | |||||
Name: Shanon Duthie | ||||||
Title: President | ||||||
ROADZEN HOLDINGS (UK) LIMITED, a | ||||||
company incorporated and registered in England and Wales | ||||||
By: | /s/ Mohit Pasricha | |||||
Name: Mohit Pasricha | ||||||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement]
MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC, | ||
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent | ||
By: | /s/ Sherif Lotfi | |
Name: Sherif Lotfi | ||
Title: Managing Director | ||
MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC, | ||
as a Purchaser | ||
By: | /s/ Sherif Lotfi | |
Name: Sherif Lotfi | ||
Title: Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement]
APPENDIX A
TO SENIOR SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Allocated Share
Purchaser |
Purchasers Allocated Share | |||
MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC |
$ | 7,500,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 7,500,000 | ||
|
|
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
TO SENIOR SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Notice Addresses
To the Note Parties:
Roadzen, Inc.
445 E. 80th St., #4E
New York, NY, 10075
Attention: Rohan Malhotra
E-mail: rohan@roadzen.io
in each case, with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Winston & Strawn LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166-4193
Attention: Jeffrey Stern
Facsimile: 212-294-4700
E-mail: JStern@winston.com
APPENDIX B
If to the Agents
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Attention: Strategic Solutions Group
With a copy to: Office of the General Counsel at legalnotices@mizuhogroup.com
in each case, with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Elizabeth R. Tabas, Partner
Facsimile: (212) 839-6075
E-mail: etabas@sidley.com
Account for Payments:
Pay to such location or bank account within the City and State of New York or such other location as may be designated by such Agent from time to time.
If to the Purchasers:
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Attention: Strategic Solutions Group
With a copy to: Office of the General Counsel at legalnotices@mizuhogroup.com
in each case, with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Elizabeth R. Tabas, Partner
Facsimile: (212) 839-6075
E-mail: etabas@sidley.com
Account for Payments:
Pay to such location or bank account within the City and State of New York or such other location as may be designated by such Purchaser from time to time.
APPENDIX B
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. of our report dated June 22, 2023 on our audit of the financial statements of Roadzen, Inc. as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statement of mezzanine equity and stockholders deficit and consolidated statements of cash flow for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2023 which appears in this Registration Statement.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption Experts in this Registration Statement on Form S-4.
/s/ ASA & Associates LLP |
Gurugram, India |
June 30, 2023 |
Exhibit 23.2
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS CONSENT
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. on Amendment No. 2 to the Form S-4 (File No. 333-269747) of our report dated April 14, 2023, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Companys ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audits of the financial statements of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the period from April 22, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading Experts in such Prospectus.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
New York, NY
June 30, 2023
Exhibit 23.3
Consent of Independent Auditor
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our audit report dated April 24, 2023, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Global Insurance Management Ltd., as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement to Form S-4.
/s/ KNAV P.A.
Atlanta, Georgia
June 30, 2023
Exhibit 23.4
Consent of Independent Auditor
We consent to the use in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (No. 333-269747) on Form S-4 of Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. of our report dated April 19, 2023, relating to the financial statements of National Automobile Club.
We also consent to the reference of our firm under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement.
/s/ SingerLewak LLP
San Jose, California
June 30, 2023
Exhibit 99.8
Consent to be Named as a Director
In connection with the filing by Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. (Vahanna) of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named in the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto as a member of the board of directors of Vahanna (to be renamed Roadzen Inc.) following the consummation of the business combination. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.
/s/ Zoe Ashcroft |
Name: Zoe Ashcroft |
Dated: May 26, 2023
Exhibit 99.9
Consent to be Named as a Director
In connection with the filing by Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp. (Vahanna) of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named in the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto as a member of the board of directors of Vahanna (to be renamed Roadzen Inc.) following the consummation of the business combination. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.
/s/ Diane B. Glossman |
Name: Diane B. Glossman |
Dated: June 8, 2023