As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2001
Registration No. ___________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
----------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY VENTURES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 8731 36-3898269
(State or other jurisdiction (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or Classification Code Identification
organization) Number) No.)
350 Fifth Avenue
Suite 5507
New York, NY 10118
(212) 267-2503
(Address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of registrant's principal
executive offices)
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FREDERIC P. ZOTOS, ESQ.
President
350 Fifth Avenue
Suite 5507
New York, NY 10118
(212) 267-2503
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
-----------------
COPY TO:
EZRA G. LEVIN, ESQ.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 715-9100
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: At
such time or times as may be determined by the selling stockholder after this
registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. |_|
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), check the following
box. |X|
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. |_| _______
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. |_| _______
If the delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to
Rule 434, please check the following box. |_|
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------- -----------------
Proposed Proposed Maximum
Maximum Aggregate Amount of
Title of Shares Number of Shares Offering Price Offering Price(1) Registration Fee
to be Registered to be Registered Per Share(1)
- ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------- -----------------
Common stock, par value $.001 per 3,000,000 $0.6722 $2,016,600 $504.15
share
- ------------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------- -----------------
(1) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act, based on the average
of the high and low sales prices for the common stock reported on the
NASDAQ SmallCap Market on March 19, 2001.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act or until this Registration Statement shall become effective
on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may
determine.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 23, 2001
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These
securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
3,000,000 SHARES
ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY VENTURES, INC.
COMMON STOCK
The shares of common stock of Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.
("Atlantic") covered by this prospectus are being offered and sold from time to
time by Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC.
On March 16, 2001, we entered into a common stock purchase agreement
with Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC pursuant to which Fusion Capital agreed to
purchase up to $6.0 million of our common stock. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of the shares being offered by this prospectus; however,
we may receive up to $6.0 million from the sale of our common stock to Fusion
Capital.
Atlantic's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market under
the symbol "ATLC".
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "Risk Factors"
beginning on page 3.
The selling stockholder, Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC, is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any
broker executing sell orders on behalf of the selling stockholder may be deemed
to be an "underwriter." Commissions received by any broker may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is __________, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Risk Factors...................................................................3
Recent Developments............................................................9
The Financing Transaction......................................................9
Use of Proceeds...............................................................12
Selling Stockholder...........................................................13
Plan of Distribution..........................................................14
Legal Matters.................................................................15
Experts.......................................................................15
Additional Information........................................................15
Incorporation by Reference....................................................16
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock is very risky, and you should be able to
bear losing your entire investment. You should carefully consider the risks
presented by the following factors.
Our Financial Condition and Need for Substantial Additional Funding
Our future profitability is uncertain.
We were incorporated in 1993, and we have incurred significant
operating losses in each of our fiscal years since then. As of December 30,
2001, our accumulated deficit was approximately $24 million. We have not
completed developing any of our products or generated any product sales. All of
our technologies are in the research and development stage, which requires
substantial expenditures. Our operating loss from inception consists of up-front
and milestone payments and development revenue, including a profit component, by
Bausch & Lomb in connection with development of the Catarex device, and a
government grant. In March 2001, we received $2.4 million of proceeds from the
sale of substantially all the assets of Optex Opthalmologics, Inc., our
80%-owned subsidiary. We do not expect to generate any additional revenues in
the near future. We expect to incur significant operating losses over the next
several years, primarily due to continued and expanded research and development
programs, including preclinical studies and clinical trials for our products and
technologies under development, as well as costs incurred in identifying and,
possibly, acquiring, additional technologies.
We will need additional funding, and it may not be available.
As of December 31, 2000, we had a cash and cash equivalents balance of
approximately $1,7 million. We will require substantial additional resources to
continue to develop and test our potential products, to obtain regulatory
approvals, to manufacture and commercialize any products that we may develop,
and to license new technologies.
We will need to obtain additional funding through public or private
equity or debt financings, through collaborative arrangements or from other
sources (including exercise of the warrants we have issued giving the holder the
right to purchase shares of our capital stock for a stated exercise price).
Additional financing sources may not be available on acceptable terms, if at
all. If adequate funds are not available, we may need to reduce significantly
our spending and delay, scale back or eliminate one or more of our research,
discovery or development programs.
Our Operations
We depend on others to conduct clinical development, obtain regulatory
approvals, and manufacture and commercialize our technologies.
We do not have the resources to directly conduct full clinical
development, obtain regulatory approvals, manufacture or commercialize any of
our proposed products and we have no current plans to acquire such resources. We
anticipate that we may enter into collaborative agreements for the research and
development, clinical testing, seeking of regulatory approval, manufacturing or
commercialization of our proposed products. In addition, collaborative
agreements we do enter into could limit our control over the resources devoted
to these activities as well as our flexibility in considering alternatives for
the commercialization of the products involved.
We may not succeed in developing commercially viable products.
To be profitable, we must, alone or with others, successfully
commercialize our technologies. They are, however, in early stages of
development, will require significant further research, development and testing,
and are subject to the risks of failure inherent in the development of products
based on innovative or novel technologies. Each of the following is possible
with respect to any one of our products:
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o that we will not be able to maintain our current research and
development schedules;
o that, in the case of one of our pharmaceutical technologies, we will
not be able to enter into human clinical trials because of scientific,
governmental or financial reasons, or encounter problems in clinical
trials that will cause us to delay or suspend development of one of the
technologies;
o that it will be found to be ineffective or unsafe;
o that it will fail to meet applicable regulatory standards; or
o that it will fail to obtain required regulatory approvals.
Similarly, it is possible that, for the following reasons, we may be
unable to commercialize any given technology, even if it is shown to be
effective:
o it is uneconomical;
o in the case of one of our pharmaceutical technologies or the Catarex
device, it is not eligible for third-party reimbursement from
government or private insurers;
o others hold proprietary rights that preclude us from commercializing
it;
o others have brought to market equivalent or superior products;
o others have superior resources to market similar products or
technologies; or
o it has undesirable or unintended side effects that prevent or limit
their commercial use.
Our ability to compete will suffer if we are unable to protect our patent rights
and trade secrets or if we infringe the proprietary rights of third parties.
Our success will depend to a large extent on our ability to obtain U.S.
and foreign patent protection for drug candidates and processes, preserve trade
secrets and operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties.
To obtain a patent on an invention, one must be the first to invent it
or the first to file a patent application for it. We cannot be sure that the
inventors of subject matter covered by patents and patent applications that we
own or license were the first to invent, or the first to file patent
applications for, those inventions. Furthermore, patents we own or license may
be challenged, infringed upon, invalidated, found to be unenforceable, or
circumvented by others, and our rights under any issued patents may not provide
sufficient protection against competing drugs or otherwise cover commercially
valuable drugs or processes.
We seek to protect trade secrets and other unpatented proprietary
information, in part by means of confidentiality agreements with our
collaborators, employees, and consultants. If any of these agreements is
breached, we may be without adequate remedies. Also, our trade secrets may
become known or be independently developed by competitors.
Government regulations may prevent us from commercializing one or more of our
technologies, or may delay commercialization or make it more expensive.
The federal government, principally the FDA, and comparable agencies in
state and local jurisdictions and in foreign countries extensively and
rigorously regulates all new drugs and medical devices, including our products
and technologies under development. These authorities, particularly the FDA,
impose substantial requirements upon preclinical and clinical testing,
manufacturing and commercialization of pharmaceutical and medical device
products.
There are many costly and time-consuming procedures required for
approval of a new drug, including lengthy and detailed preclinical and clinical
testing and validation of manufacturing and quality control processes. Several
years may be needed to satisfy these requirements, and this time period may vary
substantially depending on the type, complexity and novelty of the product
candidate. Government regulation can delay or prevent marketing
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of potential products for a considerable period of time and impose costly
procedures upon our activities. Moreover, the FDA or other regulatory agency may
not grant approval for any products developed or not grant approval on a timely
basis, and success in preclinical or early stage clinical trials does not assure
success in later stage clinical trials.
Data obtained from preclinical and clinical activities are susceptible
to varying interpretations. This could delay, limit or prevent regulatory
approval. Even if regulatory approval of a product is granted, limitations may
be imposed on the indicated uses of a product. Further, later discovery of
previously unknown problems with a product may result in added restrictions on
the product, including withdrawal of the product from the market. Any delay or
failure in obtaining regulatory approvals would materially and adversely affect
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A drug and medical device manufacturer (either us or one of our
third-party manufacturers) must conform to Good Manufacturing Practices, or
"GMP," regulations, which the FDA enforces strictly through their facilities
inspection programs. Contract manufacturing facilities must pass a pre-approval
inspection of their manufacturing facilities before the FDA will approve a New
Drug Application, or "NDA." Certain material manufacturing changes that occur
after approval are also subject to FDA review and clearance or approval. FDA or
other regulatory agencies may not approve the process or the facilities by which
any of our products may be manufactured. Our dependence on others to manufacture
our products may adversely affect our ability to develop and deliver products on
a timely and competitive basis. If we are required to manufacture our own
products we will be required to build or purchase a manufacturing facility, will
be subject to the regulatory requirements described above, to similar risks
regarding delays or difficulties encountered in manufacturing any such products
and will require substantial additional capital. We may be unable to manufacture
any such products successfully or in a cost-effective manner.
The FDA's policies may change and additional government regulations and
policies may be instituted, both of which could prevent or delay regulatory
approval of our potential products. Moreover, increased attention to the
containment of health care costs in the U.S. could result in new government
regulations that could materially and adversely affect our business. We are
unable to predict the likelihood of adverse governmental regulations that could
arise from future legislative or administrative action, either in the U.S. or
abroad.
We will also be subject to a variety of foreign regulations governing
clinical trials, registration and sales of our products. Regardless of whether
FDA approval is obtained, approval of a product by comparable regulatory
authorities of foreign countries must be obtained prior to marketing the product
in those countries. The approval process varies from country to country and the
time needed to secure approval may be longer or shorter than that required for
FDA approval. Delays in the approval process or failure to obtain such foreign
approvals would materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We depend upon our key license agreements.
We have licensed our proprietary technology from others. If we do not
meet our financial, development or other obligations under our license
agreements in a timely manner, we could lose the rights to some or all of our
proprietary technologies, which could materially and adversely affect our
business and financial condition and results of operations.
Our rights to our 2-5A antisense technology are contingent on the
Cleveland Clinic Foundation upholding its obligations to the National Institutes
of Health with respect to 2-5A. We could lose our rights to 2-5A if the
Cleveland Clinic fails to properly discharge its obligations to the National
Institutes of Health. In addition, on May 8, 2000, the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation filed a claim for arbitration before the American Arbitration
Association to terminate its sublicense with Atlantic, claiming that we have
breached the sublicense by failing to fulfill our obligations under the
sublicense. We may lose this arbitration, and as a result lose our rights under
the sublicense, or we may be forced to settle this arbitration on terms that are
not entirely favorable to us.
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We carry only a limited amount of product liability insurance.
If we develop and commercialize any products, through third-party
arrangements or otherwise, we may be exposed to product liability claims. We
intend to carry product liability insurance when we initiate the Phase I study
of CT-3. Some of our license agreements require us to obtain product liability
insurance when we begin clinical testing or commercialization of our proposed
products and to indemnify our licensors against product liability claims brought
against them as a result of the products developed by us. We may not be able to
obtain such insurance at all, in sufficient amounts to protect us against such
liability or at a reasonable cost. None of our licensors has made, nor is
expected to make, any representations to us as to the safety or efficacy of the
inventions covered by the license agreements or as to any products which may be
made or used under rights granted therein. Product liability claims brought
against us or a party that we are obligated to indemnify could materially and
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any breach by us of environmental regulations could result in our incurring
significant costs.
Federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and policies govern
our use, generation, manufacture, storage, air emission, effluent discharge,
handling and disposal of certain materials and wastes. Although we believe that
we have complied with these laws and regulations in all material respects and
have not been required to take any action to correct any noncompliance, we may
be required to incur significant costs to comply with environmental and health
and safety regulations in the future. In addition, our research and development
activities involve the controlled use of hazardous materials and we cannot
eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials,
although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of
such materials comply with the standards prescribed by state and federal
regulations. In the event of an accident, we could be held liable for any
resulting damages and we do not have insurance to cover this contingency.
Conflicts of interest could arise as a result of our directors serving on the
boards of other companies.
Steve H. Kanzer and Peter O. Kliem serve as directors of other
companies, and in the future other of our directors may from time to time serve
as directors of other companies. If any of those companies compete with us,
conflicts of interest could arise.
Our Securities
Delisting from NASDAQ and the resulting market illiquidity could adversely
affect our ability to raise funds.
Although our common stock, redeemable warrants and the units offered in
our initial public offering are quoted on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, continued
inclusion of those securities on NASDAQ will require the following:
o that we maintain at least $2,000,000 in net tangible assets;
o that the minimum bid price for the common stock be at least $1.00 per
share;
o that the public float consist of at least 500,000 shares of common
stock, valued in the aggregate at more than $1,000,000;
o that the common stock have at least two active market makers;
o that the common stock be held by at least 300 holders; and
o that we adhere to certain corporate governance requirements.
If we are unable to satisfy any of these maintenance requirements, our
securities may be delisted from NASDAQ. With regard to our minimum bid price,
March 20, 2001, marked the thirtieth consecutive business day that the minimum
bid price of our common stock was less than $1.00. This constitutes a failure on
our part to meet Nasdaq's continued inclusion requirement for minimum bid price.
On March 22, 2001, Nasdaq notified us of this failure, and we have a period of
90 calendar days from that notice to comply with the continued inclusion
standard for minimum bid price. We
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can do so by meeting the standard for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days
during the 90 day compliance period.
If we were to be delisted, trading, if any, in the securities would
thereafter be conducted in the over-the-counter market in the "pink sheets" or
the National Association of Securities Dealers' "Electronic Bulletin Board."
Consequently, the liquidity of our securities could be materially impaired, not
only in the number of securities that could be bought and sold at a given price,
but also through delays in the timing of transactions and reduction in security
analysts' and the media's coverage of us, which could result in lower prices for
our securities than might otherwise be attained and could also result in a
larger spread between the bid and asked prices for our securities. In addition,
if our securities were delisted it could materially and adversely affect our
ability to raise funding.
In addition, if our securities are delisted from trading on NASDAQ and
the trading price of our common stock is less than $5.00 per share, our common
stock would be a "penny stock." Broker-dealers who sell penny stocks must
provide purchasers of these stocks with a standardized risk-disclosure document
prepared by the Commission. It provides information about penny stocks and the
nature and level of risks involved in investing in the penny-stock market. A
broker must also give a purchaser, orally or in writing, bid and offer
quotations and information regarding broker and salesperson compensation, make a
written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the
purchaser, and obtain the purchaser's written agreement to the purchase. In the
event our securities are delisted, the penny stock rules may make it difficult
for you to sell your shares of our stock. Because of the rules, there is less
trading in penny stocks. Also, many brokers choose not to participate in penny
stock transactions.
Our failure to satisfy any listing criteria of the NASDAQ SmallCap
Market for a period of 30 consecutive trading days would also constitute an
event of default under our common stock purchase agreement with Fusion Capital
Fund II, LLC
Holders of our Series A preferred stock have rights superior to those of the
holders of our common stock.
Holders of shares of our outstanding Series A preferred stock can
convert each share into 3.27 shares of our common stock without paying us any
cash. The conversion price of shares of Series A preferred stock is $3.06 per
share of common stock. Both the conversion rate and the conversion price may be
adjusted in favor of holders of shares of Series A preferred stock upon certain
triggering events. Accordingly, the number of shares of common stock that
holders of shares of Series A preferred stock receive upon conversion may
increase, which could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our other
securities.
In addition, each February 7 and August 7 we are obligated to pay
dividends, in arrears, to the holders of shares of Series A preferred stock, and
the dividends consist of 0.065 additional shares of Series A preferred stock for
each outstanding share of Series A preferred stock. Our issuing additional
shares of Series A preferred stock without payment of any cash to us could
adversely affect the prevailing market price of our other securities.
If Atlantic is liquidated, sold to or merged with another entity (and
we are not the surviving entity after the merger), we will be obligated to pay
holders of shares of Series A preferred stock a liquidation preference of $13.00
per share before any payment is made to holders of shares of common stock. After
payment of the liquidation preference, we might not have any assets remaining to
pay the holders of shares of common stock. The liquidation preference could
adversely affect the market price of our other securities.
We need to obtain the approval of a supermajority (66.67%) of the
outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock, voting separately as a class, to
approve certain actions that we may wish to take. Accordingly, if we are unable
to obtain the required approval on a timely basis from the holders of shares of
Series A preferred stock, our ability to conduct business may be impaired.
The holders of shares of Series A preferred stock have rights in
addition to those summarily described. A complete description of the rights of
the Series A preferred stock is contained in the certificate of designations of
the Series A preferred stock filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
Our securities are relatively illiquid compared to securities traded on the
principal trading markets.
Our securities are traded on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market and lack the
liquidity of securities traded on the principal trading markets. Accordingly, an
investor may be unable to promptly liquidate an investment in our
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securities. Similarly, the sale of a larger block of our securities could
depress the price of our securities to a greater degree than a company that
typically has a higher volume of trading in its securities.
The market price of Atlantic's common stock may be highly volatile.
The market price of our common stock has been and is expected to
continue to be highly volatile. Factors, including announcements of
technological innovations by us or other companies, regulatory matters, new or
existing products or procedures, concerns about our financial position,
operating results, government regulation, developments or disputes relating to
agreements, patents or proprietary rights, may have a significant impact on the
market price of our stock. In addition, potential dilutive effects of future
sales of shares of common stock by stockholders and by Atlantic, including
Fusion Capital pursuant to this prospectus and subsequent sale of common stock
by the holders of warrants and options could have an adverse effect on the
prices of our securities.
The sale of Atlantic's common stock to Fusion may cause dilution and the sale of
the shares acquired by Fusion could cause the price of Atlantic's common stock
to decline.
The purchase price for the common stock to be issued to Fusion Capital
under the common stock purchase agreement will fluctuate based on the closing
price of our common stock. See "The Financing Transaction--Purchase of Shares
Under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement" for a detailed description of the
purchase price and the relation of the purchase price to the percentage of the
outstanding shares of our common stock issuable to Fusion Capital pursuant to
the common stock purchase agreement.
All shares registered in this offering will be freely tradeable.
However, Fusion has agreed that it will not sell or otherwise transfer the
commitment shares until the earliest of termination of the common stock purchase
agreement, our default under the agreement, or approximately 30 months from the
date hereof. Fusion may sell none, some or all of the shares of common stock
purchased from Atlantic at any time. We expect that shares registered in this
offering will be sold over a period of up to 30 months from the date of this
prospectus. Depending upon market liquidity at the time, a sale of shares under
this offering at any given time could cause the trading price of Atlantic common
stock to decline. The sale of a substantial number of shares of Atlantic common
stock under this offering, or anticipation of such sales, could make it more
difficult for Atlantic to sell equity or equity related securities in the future
at a time and at a price that it might otherwise wish to effect sales.
If Fusion Capital purchased the full amount of shares purchasable under
the common stock purchase agreement on the date of this prospectus, and assuming
a purchase price per share of $0.7188 (the closing sale price of the common
stock on March 16, 2001), Fusion Capital would have been able to purchase
1,285,166 shares of our common stock under the common stock purchase agreement,
and would have received 600,000 shares of common stock as a commitment fee.
Assuming Fusion Capital's purchase under the common stock purchase agreement of
a total of 1,285,166 shares of common stock on the date of this prospectus,
those shares, along with the 600,000 shares issuable as a commitment fee, would
represent 29.2% of our then outstanding common stock. This would result in
significant dilution to the ownership interests of other holders of our common
stock. Such dilution could be more significant if the trading price of our
common stock is lower than the current trading price of our stock at the time
Fusion Capital purchases shares of our common stock under the common stock
purchase agreement, as a lower trading price would increase the number of shares
of our common stock to be issuable to Fusion Capital for any given dollar
amount.
Although we have the right to prohibit Fusion Capital's purchases under
the common stock purchase agreement if the market price for our common stock is
below $20.00 for three consecutive trading days, we may still elect to require
Fusion Capital's purchase of shares under the common stock purchase agreement.
We can require Fusion Capital to purchase additional shares if our closing sale
price on each of the five trading days immediately prior to the first trading
day of any 30-day period is at least $5.00, provided the closing sale price of
our common stock during such 30-day period or periods remains at least $5.00. In
the event that we decide to issue a number of shares that represents greater
than 20% of our outstanding shares of common stock, we would first seek
stockholder approval. In addition, we may need to seek shareholder approval to
increase the number of our authorized shares of common stock. The purchase under
the common stock purchase agreement of a significant percentage of our
outstanding stock would result in substantial dilution to the ownership
interests of other holders of our common stock. See page 11 for a table that
shows the number of shares issuable and potential dilution based on varying
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market prices. Since we currently are able to sell to Fusion Capital under the
common stock purchase agreement 1,285,166 shares, our stock price will need to
equal or exceed $4.67 per share for us to receive the maximum proceeds of $6.0
million under the common stock purchase agreement. Assuming a purchase price of
$0.7188 per share (the closing sale price of the common stock on March 16, 2001)
and the purchase by Fusion Capital of the full amount of shares we are currently
able to sell to Fusion Capital, proceeds to us would only be $923,777.32. If we
obtain stockholder approval to issue all 2,400,000 shares that we have initially
registered in this offering for Fusion Capital to purchase under the common
stock purchase agreement, our stock price will need to equal or exceed $2.50 per
share for us to receive the maximum proceeds of $6.0 million under the common
stock purchase agreement. Assuming a purchase price of $0.7188 per share (the
closing sale price of the common stock on March 16, 2001) and the purchase by
Fusion Capital of the full amount of shares offered by this propsectus, proceeds
to us would only be $1,725,120 unless we choose to issue more than 2,400,000
shares, which we have the right, but not the obligation, to do.
The existence of the agreement with Fusion to purchase shares of Atlantic common
stock could cause downward pressure on the market price of the Atlantic common
stock.
Both the actual dilution and the potential for dilution resulting from
sales of Atlantic common stock to Fusion could cause holders to elect to sell
their shares of Atlantic common stock, which could cause the trading price of
the Atlantic common stock to decrease. In addition, prospective investors
anticipating the downward pressure on the price of the Atlantic common stock due
to the shares available for sale by Fusion could refrain from purchases or
effect sales in anticipation of a decline of the market price.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On March 2, 2001, Optex Ophthalmologics, Inc., our 80%-owned
subsidiary, sold substantially all of its assets to Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
for an initial payment of $3 million and ongoing royalty payment obligations
upon product commercialization, as described in the pre-existing development,
supply and license Agreement dated May 14, 1998, between Bausch & Lomb and
Optex, as amended. This sale was pursuant to an asset purchase agreement dated
January 31, 2001, between Bausch & Lomb, a Bausch & Lomb affiliate, Atlantic,
and Optex. The pre-existing development agreement between Bausch & Lomb and
Optex was terminated upon the closing of the purchase.
Pursuant to stock repurchase agreement No. 2 with BH Capital
Investments, L.P. and Excalibur Limited Partnership, on March 9, 2001, we
repurchased from these investors, for an aggregate purchase price of
$617,066.67, all 165,518 shares of our Series B convertible preferred stock held
by the investors. The repurchase price represented 125% of the purchase price
originally paid by the investors for the repurchased shares, as well as an
amount equal to the annual dividend on the Series B preferred stock at a rate
per share of 8% of the original purchase price. The repurchased shares
constituted all remaining outstanding shares of Series B convertible preferred
stock; we have cancelled those shares.
Our repurchase of the remaining shares of Series B preferred stock and
termination of our obligations under the purchase agreement with the investors
represent the last in a series of transactions relating to that purchase
agreement. For instance, on December 4, 2000, we repurchased 482,760 shares of
Series B preferred stock from the investors. For a description of the purchase
agreement with the investors and related transactions, see our Quarterly Report
on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, and our Current Reports
on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 11, 2000, December 29, 2000, January
24, 2001, January 30, 2001, and March 14, 2001.
The Financing Transaction
General
On March 16, 2001, we entered into a common stock purchase agreement
with Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC pursuant to which Fusion Capital agreed to
purchase up to $6.0 million of our common stock over a 30-month period, subject
to a 6-month extension or earlier termination at our discretion. The selling
price of the shares will be
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equal to the lesser of (1) $20.00 or (2) a price based upon the future market
price of the common stock, without any fixed discount to the market price.
Purchase of Shares Under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement
Under the common stock purchase agreement, Fusion Capital will purchase
shares of our common stock by purchasing from time to time a specified dollar
amount of our common stock. Subject to the limits on purchase and the
termination rights described below, each month during the term of the agreement,
Fusion Capital will purchase $200,000 of our common stock. We may decrease this
amount at any time. If our stock price equals or exceeds $5.00 per share, we
have the right to increase this monthly amount up to the full remaining portion
of the $6.0 million. Upon prior written notice, we have the right to suspend any
purchases of common stock by Fusion Capital. The selling price per share is
equal to the lesser of:
o the lowest sale price of our common stock on the day Fusion Capital
submits a purchase notice;
o the average of any 3 closing bid prices of our common stock, as
selected by Fusion Capital, during the 12 consecutive trading days
prior to the date Fusion Capital submits a purchase notice; or
o $20.00.
The selling price will be adjusted for any reorganization,
recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, or other similar transaction
occurring during the ten trading days in which the closing bid price is used to
compute the purchase price. Fusion Capital may not, however, purchase shares of
common stock under the common stock purchase agreement if Fusion Capital or its
affiliates would beneficially own more than 4.9% of our then aggregate
outstanding common stock immediately after the proposed purchase. If the 4.9%
limitation is ever reached, we have the option to increase this limitation to
9.9%. If the 9.9% limitation is ever reached, this will not limit Fusion
Capital's obligation to fund the monthly purchase amount of $200,000 or Fusion
Capital's obligation to purchase up to the full remaining portion of the $6.0
million if our stock price equals or exceeds $5.00 per share.
The following table sets forth the number of shares of our common stock
that we would sell to Fusion Capital under the common stock purchase agreement
at varying purchase prices:
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Percentage of Percentage of
Assumed No. of shares shares No. of shares shares
Purchase issuable (max. outstanding issuable (max. outstanding
Price 1,285,166) (1) after issuance (2) 2,400,000) (3) after issuance (2)
----- -------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------------
$1.00 1,285,166 29.2% 2,400,000 46.5%
$2.00 1,285,166 29.2% 2,400,000 46.5%
$3.00 1,285,166 29.2% 2,000,000 40.3%
$5.00 1,200,000 27.8% 1,200,000 27.8%
$10.00 600,000 18.6% 600,000 18.6%
$15.00 400,000 15.5% 400,000 15.5%
$20.00 (max.) 300,000 13.9% 300,000 13.9%
(1) Calculated based on Fusion Capital's agreement to purchase up to $6.0
million of our common stock. The limit of 1,285,166 represents 19.9% of
our common stock outstanding on the date of the purchase agreement,
which is the most we can issue without obtaining stockholder approval.
(2) Based on 6,458,124 shares outstanding as of March 16, 2001. Includes
600,000 shares of common stock issuable to Fusion Capital as a
commitment fee and the number of shares issuable at the corresponding
assumed purchase price set forth in the adjacent column.
(3) Calculated based on Fusion Capital's agreement to purchase up to $6.0
million of our common stock. The limit of 2,400,000 represents the
shares offered in this prospectus, excluding the 600,000 shares we have
agreed to issue to Fusion Capital as a commitment fee. If more than
2,400,000 shares are issuable to Fusion Capital under the common stock
purchase agreement, we have the right and currently intend, to
terminate the agreement without any payment or liability to Fusion
Capital.
Our Right to Prevent Purchases
If the closing sale price of our common stock is below $20.00 for three
consecutive trading days, we have the unconditional right to suspend purchases
until the earlier of (1) our revocation of this suspension and (2) such time as
the sale price of our common stock is above $20.00. If we need cash proceeds of
sales under the common stock purchase agreement for working capital or other
business purposes, we do not intend to suspend purchases in this manner.
Our Right to Mandatory Purchases
If the closing sale price of our common stock on each of the five
trading days immediately prior to the first trading day of any 30-day period is
at least $5.00, we have the right, by giving Fusion Capital notice prior to the
first trading day of that 30-day period, to require that Fusion Capital purchase
part or all of any remaining portion of the $6.0 million during any time or
times that Fusion Capital selects during the next two 30-day periods, provided
that the closing sale price of our common stock during those 30-day periods is
at least $5.00.
Events of Default
Generally, Fusion Capital may terminate the common stock purchase
agreement without any liability or payment to us upon the occurrence of any of
the following events of default:
o if for any reason the shares offered by this prospectus cannot be sold
pursuant to this prospectus for a period of ten consecutive trading
days or for more than an aggregate of 30 trading days in any 365-day
period;
o suspension by the Nasdaq SmallCap Market of our common stock from
trading for a period of ten consecutive trading days or for more than
an aggregate of 30 trading days in any 365-day period;
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o our failure to satisfy any listing criteria of the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market for a period of 30 consecutive trading days;
o notice from us or our transfer agent to the effect that either of us
intends not to comply with a proper request for purchase under the
common stock purchase agreement of shares of common stock;
o our failure to confirm to the transfer agent any Fusion Capital
purchase notice;
o failure of the transfer agent to issue shares of our common stock upon
delivery of a purchase notice;
o any material breach by us of the representations or warranties or
covenants contained in the common stock purchase agreement or any
related agreements which has or which could have a material adverse
affect on us, subject to a cure period of ten trading days;
o if the number of shares to be issued to Fusion Capital reaches an
aggregate amount that would require stockholder approval under our
principal market regulations (to the extent not previously obtained) or
otherwise cause us to breach our principal market rules and
regulations;
o a default by us of any payment obligation in excess of $1.0 million; or
o our voluntary or involuntary participation in insolvency or bankruptcy
proceedings.
Our Termination Rights
Prior to the date on which Fusion Capital purchases any shares, we have
the right to terminate the common stock purchase agreement at any time for any
reason, subject to our obligation to issue to Fusion Capital the commitment fee.
After the date on which Fusion Capital first purchases shares, if at any time
the closing sale price of our common stock is below $20.00 for ten consecutive
trading days, we may, at any time within the next three trading days, give
notice to Fusion Capital exercising our right to terminate the common stock
purchase agreement. That notice will be effective three trading days after
Fusion Capital receives it.
No Short-Selling or Hedging by Fusion Capital
Fusion Capital has agreed that neither it nor any of its affiliates
will engage in any direct or indirect short-selling or hedging of our common
stock during any time prior to the termination of the common stock purchase
agreement.
Additional Shares Issued to Fusion Capital
Under the terms of the common stock purchase agreement, in connection
with its initial purchase of shares under the agreement, we will issue to Fusion
Capital 600,000 shares of our common stock as a commitment fee. Unless an event
of default occurs, Fusion Capital must hold these shares until the common stock
purchase agreement has been terminated.
No Variable Priced Financings
Until the termination of the common stock purchase agreement, we have
agreed not to issue, or enter into any agreement with respect to the issuance
of, any variable-priced equity or variable-priced equity-like securities unless
we have obtained Fusion Capital's prior written consent.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from any sales of the shares by the
selling stockholders. We will, however, receive up to $6.0 million of proceeds
from sale of shares of our common stock to Fusion Capital under our common stock
purchase agreement with them.
-12-
SELLING STOCKHOLDER
The selling stockholder is Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC. The term
"selling stockholder" also includes donees and pledgees selling shares covered
by this prospectus that were received, directly or indirectly, from the selling
stockholder after the date of this prospectus. The term "selling stockholder"
also includes any direct or indirect transferees of the shares covered by this
prospectus or other successors-in-interest of the shares covered by this
prospectus selling shares received after the date of this prospectus from the
selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other
non-sale related transfer. The selling stockholder has not had any position,
office or other material relationship with us within the past three years.
We estimate the maximum number of shares we will sell to Fusion Capital
under the common stock purchase agreement will be 2,400,000 shares, assuming
Fusion Capital purchases all $6.0 million worth of common stock. We have the
right under certain conditions to suspend or terminate the common stock purchase
agreement without any payment or liability to Fusion Capital. We have also
agreed to issue Fusion Capital 600,000 shares as a commitment fee pursuant to
the terms of the common stock purchase agreement. Unless an event of default
occurs, these shares must be held by Fusion Capital until the earlier of the
termination of the common stock purchase agreement or 30 months from the date of
the common stock purchase agreement. This prospectus relates to the offer and
sale from time to time by Fusion Capital of these shares. None of the shares
offered in this prospectus were issued or outstanding on the date of this
prospectus, and the selling stockholder does not otherwise own any shares of our
common stock. The common stock purchase agreement is described in detail under
the heading "The Financing Transaction."
Notwithstanding certain limitations on the ability of Fusion Capital to
purchase shares as set forth in the common stock purchase agreement, assuming
the purchase of the 1,285,166 shares by Fusion Capital based upon our estimates,
together with the 600,000 shares being delivered as a commitment fee, Fusion
Capital would beneficially own 29.2% of our outstanding stock as of March 16,
2001. To the extent we need to use the cash proceeds of sales of common stock
issuable under the common stock purchase agreement for working capital or other
business purposes, we do not intend to restrict purchases under the common stock
purchase agreement.
Effect of Performance of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement on Us and Our
Stockholders
All shares registered in this offering will be freely tradable. We
expect that they will be sold over a period of up to 30 months from the date of
this prospectus. Depending upon market liquidity at the time, sale of shares
under this offering could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline
and to be highly volatile. Fusion Capital may ultimately purchase all of the
shares of common stock issuable under the common stock purchase agreement, and
it may sell all of the shares of common stock it acquires upon purchase.
Therefore, the purchase of shares under the common stock purchase agreement may
result in substantial dilution to the interests of other holders of our common
stock. However, we have the right to block purchases under the common stock
purchase agreement and to require termination of the common stock purchase
agreement in some cases.
Our Ability to Restrict Purchases
The common stock purchase agreement provides that we may restrict
purchases under the common stock purchase agreement if the closing sale price of
our common stock is below $20.00. To the extent we need to use the cash proceeds
of sales of common stock issuable under the common stock purchase agreement for
working capital or other business purposes, we do not intend to restrict
purchases under the common stock purchase agreement.
Holdings of Fusion Capital Upon Termination of the Offering
None of the shares offered in this prospectus were issued or
outstanding on the date of this prospectus, and the Fusion Capital does not
otherwise currently own any shares of our common stock. Because the Fusion
Capital may sell all, some, or none of the common stock offered by this
prospectus, we cannot estimate the amount of common stock that will be held by
the Fusion Capital upon termination of the offering.
-13-
Plan of Distribution
The common stock offered by this prospectus is being offered by the
selling stockholder, Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC. The common stock may be sold
or distributed from time to time by the selling stockholder, or by donees or
transferees of, or other successors in interest to, the selling stockholder,
directly to one or more purchasers or through brokers, dealers, or underwriters
who may act solely as agents or may acquire the common stock as principals, at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the
prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices, or at fixed prices, which may be
changed. The sale of the common stock offered by this prospectus may be effected
in one or more of the following methods:
o ordinary brokers' transactions;
o transactions involving cross or block trades or otherwise on the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market;
o purchases by brokers, dealers, or underwriters as principal and resale
by these purchasers for their own accounts pursuant to this prospectus;
o "at the market" to or through market makers or into an existing market
for the common stock;
o in other ways not involving market makers or established trading
markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales effected through
agents;
o in privately negotiated transactions; or
o any combination of the foregoing.
See the table under the heading "The Financing Transaction" for the
number of shares of our common stock that would be sold to Fusion Capital upon
our sale of common stock under the common stock purchase agreement at varying
purchase prices.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if
applicable, in those states the shares may be sold only through registered or
licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states, the shares may not
be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the state or
an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and
complied with.
Brokers, dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the
distribution of the shares as agents may receive compensation in the form of
commissions, discounts, or concessions from the selling stockholder and/or
purchasers of the common stock for whom the broker-dealers may act as agent, or
to whom they may sell as principal, or both. The compensation paid to a
particular broker-dealer may be less than or in excess of customary commissions.
The selling stockholder is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act. Any broker-dealers who act in connection with the sale of the
shares hereunder may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, and any commissions they receive and proceeds of any sale of the
shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the
Securities Act.
Neither we nor the selling stockholder can presently estimate the
amount of compensation that any agent will receive. We know of no existing
arrangements between any selling stockholder, any other stockholder, broker,
dealer, underwriter, or agent relating to the sale or distribution of the
shares. At the time a particular offer of shares is made, a prospectus
supplement, if required, will be distributed that will set forth the names of
any agents, underwriters, or dealers and any compensation from the selling
stockholder and any other required information.
We will pay all of the expenses incident to the registration, offering,
and sale of the shares to the public other than commissions or discounts of
underwriters, broker-dealers, or agents. We have also agreed to indemnify the
selling stockholder and related persons against specified liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of
Atlantic, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC this
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is therefore, unenforceable.
-14-
Fusion Capital and its affiliates have agreed not to engage in any
direct or indirect short selling or hedging of our common stock during the term
of the common stock purchase agreement.
We have advised the selling stockholder that while it is engaged in a
distribution of the shares included in this prospectus it is required to comply
with Regulation M promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. With certain exceptions, Regulation M precludes the selling
stockholder, any affiliated purchasers, and any broker-dealer or other person
who participates in the distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or
attempting to induce any person to bid for or purchase any security which is the
subject of the distribution until the entire distribution is complete.
Regulation M also prohibits any bids or purchases made in order to stabilize the
price of a security in connection with the distribution of that security. All of
the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares offered hereby this
prospectus.
This offering will terminate on the earlier of (1) the date on which
the shares are eligible for resale without restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(k)
under the Securities Act or (2) the date on which all shares offered by this
prospectus have been sold by the selling stockholder.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the shares of our common stock
offered for resale in this prospectus have been passed upon for us by Kramer
Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Atlantic and its subsidiaries
(a development stage company) as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and for each of
the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999, and for the period
from May 18, 1993 (inception) to December 31, 1999, have been incorporated by
reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report
of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference
herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities
and Exchange Commission relating to the common stock offered by this prospectus.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration
statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of
any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in
each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed
as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified
in all respects by such reference.
For further information with respect to us and the common stock we are
offering, please refer to the registration statement. A copy of the registration
statement can be inspected by anyone without charge at the public reference room
of the Commission, Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549,
and at the Commission's Regional Offices located at 7 World Trade Center, Suite
1300, New York, New York 10048, and 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60601. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on
the operation of the public reference room. Copies of these materials can be
obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission
maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission.
Our common stock is quoted for trading on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market,
and you may inspect at the offices of the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, located at
1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, the registration statement relating
to the common stock offered by this prospectus, reports filed by us under the
Exchange Act, and other information concerning us.
-15-
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Incorporated by reference into this prospectus is the information set
forth in the following documents:
o our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1999;
o our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the quarters ended March 31,
2000, June 30, 2000, and September 30, 2000;
o our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed May 26, 2000, December 11, 2000,
December 29, 2000, January 24, 2001, January 30, 2001, February 5,
2001, March 14, 2001, and March 16, 2001;
o the description of our capital stock set forth in our Registration
Statement under the Securities Exchange Act;
o all other reports filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual
report referred to above; and
o all documents subsequently filed by us with the SEC pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
termination of this offering.
We will furnish to any person to whom this prospectus is delivered,
without charge, a copy of these documents upon written or oral request to
Nicholas J. Rossettos, Corporate Secretary, Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.,
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5507, New York, NY 10118, tel. (212) 267-2503. A copy of
any exhibits to these documents will be furnished to any stockholder upon
written or oral request and payment of a nominal fee.
-16-
No dealer, salesman or other person has been authorized to give any information
or to make representations other than those contained in this prospectus, and if
given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by us or the selling stockholder. Neither the delivery of
this prospectus nor any sale hereunder will, under any circumstances, create an
implication that the information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to
its date. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to or solicitation of
offers by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is
not authorized or in which the person making such an offer is not qualified to
do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.
3,000,000 SHARES
ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY VENTURES, INC.
COMMON STOCK
PROSPECTUS
_______________, 2001
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The Registrant estimates that expenses payable by the Registrant in
connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement will be as
follows:
Total
-----
SEC registration fee (actual) ...........................................$504.15
Accounting fees and expenses ..........................................$1,000.00
Legal fees and expenses...............................................$10,000.00
Printing and engraving expenses........................................$1,000.00
Miscellaneous expenses.................................................$1,000.00
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL")
permits a corporation, under specified circumstances, to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably
incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by
third parties by reason of the fact that they were or are directors, officers,
employees or agents of the corporation, if such directors, officers, employees
or agents acted in good faith and in a manner they 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 reason to believe their conduct was
unlawful. In a derivative action, that is one by or in the right of the
corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in connection
with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a
matter as to which they will have acted in good faith and in a manner they
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, except that no indemnification will be made if such person will
have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that
the court in which the action or suit was brought will determine upon
application that the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such
adjudication of liability.
The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for
indemnification of directors and officers of the Registrant to the fullest
extent permitted by the DGCL. The Registrant has obtained liability insurance
for each director and officer for certain losses arising from claims or charges
made against them while acting in their capacities as directors or officers of
the Registrant.
Item 16. Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
4.1* Common stock purchase agreement dated as of March 16, 2001,
between Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc. and Fusion Capital
Fund II, LLC
4.2* Form of registration rights agreement between Atlantic
Technology Ventures, Inc. and Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC
5.1** Opinion of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
23.1* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2* Consent of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP (contained in
the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1* Power of Attorney (contained on the signature page of this
Registration Statement).
- ---------------------
* Filed herewith
** To be filed by amendment
Item 17. Undertakings
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 Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
i. To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
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; and
iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
Statement or any material change to such information in the
Registration Statement;
provided, however, that clauses (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
Registration Statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
such clauses is contained in periodic reports file with or furnished to
the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in
the Registration Statement;
(2) 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; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on March 21, 2001.
By: /s/ Frederic P. Zotos
------------------------------
Frederic P. Zotos
President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Frederic P. Zotos, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
or all amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
/s/ Frederic P. Zotos President and Director March 21, 2001
- ---------------------------
Frederic P. Zotos
/s/ A. Joseph Rudick Chief Executive Officer March 21, 2001
- ---------------------------
A. Joseph Rudick and Director
/s/ Nicholas J. Rossettos Chief Financial Officer March 21, 2001
- ---------------------------
Nicholas J. Rossettos (Chief Financial and
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Steve H. Kanzer Director March 21, 2001
- ---------------------------
Steve H. Kanzer
/s/ Peter O. Kliem Director March 21, 2001
- ---------------------------
Peter O. Kliem
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
4.1* Common stock purchase agreement dated as of March 16, 2001,
between Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc. and Fusion Capital
Fund II, LLC
4.2* Form of registration rights agreement between Atlantic
Technology Ventures, Inc. and Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC
5.1* Opinion of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
23.1* Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2* Consent of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP (contained in
the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1* Power of Attorney (contained on the signature page of this
Registration Statement).
- ----------------------
* Filed herewith
Exhibit 4.1
EXECUTION COPY
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of March
16, 2001 by and between ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY VENTURES, INC., a Delaware
corporation, (the "Company"), and FUSION CAPITAL FUND II, LLC, an Illinois
limited liability company, (together with its permitted assigns, the "Buyer").
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are defined in
Section 10 hereof.
WHEREAS:
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Company wishes to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer wishes to buy from the
Company, up to Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000) of the Company's common stock,
par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"). The shares of Common Stock to
be purchased hereunder are referred to herein as the "Purchase Shares."
NOW THEREFORE, the Company and the Buyer hereby agree as follows:
1. PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 6, 7 and 9
below, the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby
agrees to purchase from the Company, shares of Common Stock as follows:
(a) Commencement of Purchases of Common Stock. The purchase and sale of
Common Stock hereunder shall commence (the "Commencement") within five (5)
Trading Days following the date of satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions to
the Commencement set forth in Sections 6 and 7 below (or such later date as is
mutually agreed to by the Company and the Buyer), (the date of such
Commencement, the "Commencement Date").
(b) Buyer's Purchase Rights and Obligations. Subject to the provisions
of Sections 1(d) and 1(g), the Buyer: (i) shall purchase shares of Common Stock
during each Monthly Period equal to the Monthly Base Amount at the Purchase
Price in accordance with Section 1(e), and (ii) at any time on or after the
Maturity Date, shall have the right to purchase shares of Common Stock up to the
entire remaining Available Amount at the Purchase Price in accordance with
Section 1(e). Within three (3) Trading Days of receipt of Purchase Shares, the
Buyer shall pay to the Company an amount equal to the Purchase Amount with
respect to such Purchase Shares as full payment for the purchase of the Purchase
Shares so received. The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of
Common Stock upon any purchase. All shares of Common Stock (including fractions
thereof) issuable upon a purchase under this Agreement shall be aggregated for
purposes of determining whether the purchase would result in the issuance of a
fraction of a share of Common Stock. If, after the aforementioned aggregation,
the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common
Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up or
down to the nearest whole share. All payments made under this Agreement shall be
made in lawful money of the United States of America by check or wire transfer
of immediately available funds to such account as the Company may from time to
time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement. Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this
Agreement is due on any day which is not a Trading Day, the same shall instead
be due on the next succeeding day which is a Trading Day.
(c) Company's Mandatory Purchase Rights. If (A) the Closing Sale Price
of the Common Stock on each of the five (5) Trading Days immediately prior to
the first Trading Day of any Monthly Period is at least $5.00 and (B) no Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Company shall have the
right, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and so long
as the Sale Price of the Common Stock remains at least $5.00 during such Monthly
Periods, by delivering written notice (a "Mandatory Purchase Notice") to the
Buyer on or prior to the first Trading Day of such Monthly Period to require
that the Buyer purchase at the applicable Purchase Price such Available Amount
as specified by the Company in the Mandatory Purchase Notice during the next two
Monthly Periods on such Trading Days during such Monthly Periods as the Buyer
shall determine. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company's
Mandatory Purchase Rights represent an agreement by the Buyer to extend
financial accommodations to the Company. Accordingly, it shall be a condition to
the exercise of the Company's Mandatory Purchase Rights that no Event of Default
shall have occurred and is continuing, and the Company's delivery of a Mandatory
Purchase Notice shall be deemed a representation to the Buyer that no Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing. The Company may revoke a Mandatory
Purchase Notice, in whole or in part, by delivering written notice thereof to
the Buyer (a "Revocation of Mandatory Purchase Notice"). A Revocation of
Mandatory Purchase Notice shall be effective only as to Purchase Notices which
are in excess of the Monthly Base Amount and which have a Purchase Date later
than three (3) Trading Days after receipt by the Buyer of the Revocation of
Mandatory Purchase Notice. Any Purchase Notices submitted by the Buyer which
have a Purchase Date on or prior to the third (3rd) Trading Day after receipt by
the Buyer of the Revocation of Mandatory Purchase Notice must be honored by the
Company as otherwise provided herein.
(d) Limitations on Purchases.
(i) Intentionally Omitted.
(ii) Limitation on Beneficial Ownership. The Company shall not
effect any purchase under this Agreement and the Buyer shall not have
the right to purchase shares of Common Stock under this Agreement to
the extent that after giving effect to such purchase the Buyer together
with its affiliates would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% of the
outstanding shares of the Common Stock following such purchase. For
purposes hereof, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by the Buyer and its affiliates or acquired by the Buyer and its
affiliates, as the case may be, shall include the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable in connection with a Purchase Notice under this
Agreement with respect to which the determination is being made, but
shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be
issuable upon (1) a purchase of the remaining Available Amount which
has not been submitted for purchase, and (2) exercise or conversion of
the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the
Company (including, without limitation, any warrants) subject to a
limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation
contained herein beneficially owned by the Buyer and its affiliates. If
the 4.9% limitation is ever reached the Company shall have the option
to increase such limitation to 9.9% by delivery of written notice to
the Buyer. Thereafter, if the 9.9% limitation is ever reached this
shall not effect or limit the Buyer's obligation to purchase the
Monthly Base Amount or the Company's Mandatory Purchase Rights as
otherwise provided in this Agreement. For purposes of this Section, in
determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock the Buyer
may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as
reflected in (1) the Company's most recent Form 10-Q or Form 10-K, as
the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company
or (3) any other written communication by the Company or its transfer
agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Upon the reasonable written or oral request of the Buyer, the Company
shall promptly confirm orally and in writing to the Buyer the number of
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shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving
effect to any purchases under this Agreement by the Buyer since the
date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was
reported. Except as otherwise set forth herein, for purposes of this
Section 1(d)(ii), beneficial ownership shall be determined in
accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
(iii) Company's Right to Suspend Purchases. If at any time the
Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock is below the Fixed Purchase
Price for three consecutive Trading Days, the Company shall have three
(3) Trading Days from the last day of such three consecutive Trading
Day period to give written notice (a "Purchase Suspension Notice") to
the Buyer suspending any and all purchases by the Buyer under this
Agreement. The Purchase Suspension Notice shall be effective only for
Purchase Notices which have a Purchase Date later than three (3)
Trading Days after receipt of the Purchase Suspension Notice by the
Buyer. Any Purchase Notices submitted by the Buyer which have a
Purchase Date on or prior to the third (3rd) Trading Day after receipt
by the Buyer of a Purchase Suspension Notice from the Company must be
honored by the Company as otherwise provided herein. Such purchase
suspension shall continue in effect until the earlier of: (A)
revocation in writing by the Company, at its sole discretion; or (B)
such time as the Sale Price of the Common Stock is above the Fixed
Purchase Price. After the delivery to the Buyer of a Purchase
Suspension Notice from the Company, the Buyer shall no longer be
obligated to purchase any Purchase Shares from the Company under
Section 1 of this Agreement.
(e) Mechanics of Purchasing. The purchase of shares of Common Stock
under this Agreement shall be conducted in the following manner:
(i) Buyer's Delivery Requirements. To purchase shares of
Common Stock under this Agreement on any date, the Buyer shall transmit
by facsimile (or otherwise deliver) on or prior to 11:59 p.m., Central
Time on such date, a copy of a fully executed notice of purchase
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Purchase
Notice") to the Company.
(ii) Company's Response. Upon receipt by the Company of a copy
of a Purchase Notice, the Company shall as soon as practicable, but in
no event later than one (1) Trading Day after receipt of such Purchase
Notice, send via facsimile (or otherwise deliver), a confirmation of
receipt of such Purchase Notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B (a "Company Confirmation of Purchase Notice") to (1) the Buyer and
(2) along with a copy of the Purchase Notice, the Company's designated
transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent"), which confirmation shall
constitute an irrevocable instruction to the Transfer Agent to process
such Purchase Notice in accordance with the terms herein. Upon receipt
by the Transfer Agent of a copy of the executed Purchase Notice and a
copy of the applicable Company Confirmation of Purchase Notice, the
Transfer Agent shall, on the first (1st) Trading Day following the date
of receipt of the Company Confirmation of Purchase Notice, (A) provided
the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company's
("The DTC") Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit such
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the Buyer shall be
entitled to the Buyer's or its designee's balance account with The DTC
through its Deposit Withdrawal At Custodian ("DWAC") system, or (B) if
the Transfer Agent is not participating in The DTC Fast Automated
Securities Transfer Program and DWAC system, issue and surrender to a
common carrier for overnight delivery to the address as specified in
the Purchase Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the Buyer
or its designee, for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the
Buyer shall be entitled.
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(iii) Dispute Resolution. In the case of a dispute as to the
determination of the Purchase Price, the Company shall instruct the
Transfer Agent to issue to the Buyer the number of shares of Common
Stock that is not disputed and shall submit the disputed determinations
or arithmetic calculations to the Buyer via facsimile within one (1)
Trading Day of receipt of the Buyer's Purchase Notice. If the Buyer and
the Company are unable to agree upon the determination of the Purchase
Price within one (1) Trading Day of such disputed determination being
submitted to the Buyer, then the Company shall within one (1) Trading
Day submit via facsimile the disputed determination of the Purchase
Price to an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the
Company and approved by the Buyer. The Company shall cause the
investment bank to perform the determinations and notify the Company
and the Buyer of the results no later than the fifth (5th) day after
the date it receives the disputed determination of Purchase Price. Such
investment bank's determination shall be binding upon all parties
absent manifest error.
(iv) Record Holder. The person or persons entitled to receive
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a purchase under this
Agreement shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or
holders of such shares of Common Stock on the Purchase Date.
(v) Company's Failure to Timely Deliver Shares. If within five
(5) Trading Days after the Company's receipt of a copy of the Purchase
Notice properly submitted in accordance with the term and conditions of
this Agreement (subject to extension in accordance with Section
1(e)(iii) for a good faith dispute in accordance with the terms of
Section 1(e)(iii)) (the "Share Delivery Period"), the Transfer Agent
fails to issue Purchase Shares via credit to the Buyer's account with
The DTC for the number of Purchase Shares to which the Buyer is
entitled upon the Buyer's submission of the applicable Purchase Notice
(a "Purchase Failure"), in addition to all other available remedies
which the Buyer may pursue under applicable laws and this Agreement
(including indemnification obligations of the Company set forth in
Section 8 hereof), the Company shall pay in cash, on demand, additional
damages to the Buyer for each day after such fifth (5th) Trading Day
that the issuance of such Purchase Shares is not timely effected, in an
amount equal to 1.5% of the product of (I) the number of Purchase
Shares not issued to the Buyer on a timely basis pursuant to Section
1(e)(ii) and to which the Buyer is entitled and (II) the Closing Sale
Price of the Common Stock on the Purchase Date.
(vi) Book Entry. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set
forth herein, upon purchase of any portion of the Available Amount in
accordance with the terms hereof, the Buyer shall not be required to
physically surrender this Agreement to the Company. The Buyer and the
Company shall each maintain records showing the remaining Available
Amount at any give time and the dates and Purchase Amounts for each
purchase or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to the
Buyer and the Company, so as not to require physical surrender of this
Agreement upon each purchase. The Buyer and any assignee, by acceptance
of this Agreement, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the
provisions of this paragraph, following purchase of any portion of the
Available Amount, the remaining Available Amount under this Agreement
shall then be less than the aggregate Available Amount set forth on the
face hereof.
(f) Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all taxes that may be payable
with respect to the issuance and delivery of any shares of Common Stock to the
Buyer made under of this Agreement.
(g) Compliance with Principal Market Rules. The Company shall not effect any
purchase under this Agreement and the Buyer shall not have the right to purchase
shares of Common Stock under this
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Agreement to the extent that after giving effect to such purchase the "Exchange
Cap" shall be deemed to be reached. The "Exchange Cap" shall be deemed to have
been reached if, at any time prior to the shareholders of the Company approving
the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, upon submission of a Purchase
Notice under this Agreement, the Purchase Shares issuable pursuant to such
Purchase Notice would, together with all Purchase Shares previously issued under
this Agreement, exceed 1,285,166 shares of Common Stock (19.9% of the 6,458,124
outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement). The
Company may, but shall be under no obligation to, request its shareholders to
approve the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. The Company shall not be
required or permitted to issue any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement
if such issuance would breach the Company's obligations under the rules or
regulations of the Principal Market.
2. BUYER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Buyer represents and warrants to the Company that:
(a) Investment Purpose. The Buyer is entering into this Agreement and
acquiring the Commitment Shares (as defined in Section 7(b) hereof) (this
Agreement and the Commitment Shares are collectively referred to herein as the
"Securities"), for its own account for investment only and not with a view
towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution
thereof; provided however, by making the representations herein, the Buyer does
not agree to hold any of the Securities for any minimum or other specific term.
(b) Accredited Investor Status. The Buyer is an "accredited investor"
as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D.
(c) Reliance on Exemptions. The Buyer understands that the Securities
are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the
registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and
that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the
Buyer's compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements,
acknowledgments and understandings of the Buyer set forth herein in order to
determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Buyer
to acquire the Securities.
(d) Information. The Buyer has been furnished with all materials
relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials
relating to the offer and sale of the Securities that have been reasonably
requested by the Buyer, including, without limitation, the SEC Documents (as
defined in Section 3(f) hereof). The Buyer understands that its investment in
the Securities involves a high degree of risk. The Buyer (i) is able to bear the
economic risk of an investment in the Securities including a total loss, (ii)
has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the proposed investment in the
Securities and (iii) has had an opportunity to ask questions of and receive
answers from the officers of the Company concerning the financial condition and
business of the Company and others matters related to an investment in the
Securities. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations
conducted by the Buyer or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the
Buyer's right to rely on the Company's representations and warranties contained
in Section 3 below. The Buyer has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice
as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with
respect to its acquisition of the Securities.
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(e) No Governmental Review. The Buyer understands that no United States
federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has
passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the
fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such
authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the
Securities.
(f) Transfer or Resale. The Buyer understands that except as provided
in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in Section 6(a) hereof): (i)
the Securities have not been and are not being registered under the 1933 Act or
any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or
transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder or (B) an exemption
exists permitting such Securities to be sold, assigned or transferred without
such registration; (ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144
may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule
144 is not applicable, any resale of the Securities under circumstances in which
the seller (or the person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an
underwriter (as that term is defined in the 1933 Act) may require compliance
with some other exemption under the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the
SEC thereunder; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other person is under any
obligation to register the Securities under the 1933 Act or any state securities
laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder.
(g) Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Buyer and is a valid and
binding agreement of the Buyer enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with
its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and
other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of
applicable creditors' rights and remedies.
(h) Residency. The Buyer is a resident of the State of Illinois.
(i) No Prior Short Selling. The Buyer represents and warrants to the
Company that at no time prior to the date of this Agreement has any of the
Buyer, its agents, associates, representatives or affiliates engaged in or
effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any (i) "short sale"
(as such term is defined in Rule 3b-3 of the 1934 Act) of the Common Stock or
(ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to
the Common Stock.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company represents and warrants to the Buyer that:
(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and its "Subsidiaries"
(which for purposes of this Agreement means any entity in which the Company,
directly or indirectly, owns 50% or more of the voting stock or capital stock or
other similar equity interests) are corporations duly organized and validly
existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are
incorporated, and have the requisite corporate power and authority to own their
properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted. Each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do
business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of
property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification
necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in
good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. As used in this Agreement, "Material Adverse Effect" means any material
adverse effect on any of: (i) the business, properties, assets, operations,
results of operations or financial condition of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, if any, taken as a whole, (ii) the value of the Common Stock,
(iii) the transactions contemplated hereby or by the agreements and instruments
to be entered into
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in connection herewith or (iv) the authority or ability of the Company to
perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents (as defined in Section
3(b) hereof). The Company has no Subsidiaries except as set forth on Schedule
3(a).
(b) Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. (i) The Company has the
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined
in Section 6(a) hereof) and each of the other agreements entered into by the
parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (collectively, the "Transaction Documents"), and to issue the
Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, (ii) the execution
and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by
it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including without
limitation, the issuance of the Commitment Shares and the reservation for
issuance and the issuance of the Purchase Shares issuable under this Agreement,
have been duly authorized by the Company's Board of Directors and no further
consent or authorization is required by the Company, its Board of Directors or
its shareholders, (iii) this Agreement has been, and each other Transaction
Document shall be on the Commencement Date, duly executed and delivered by the
Company and (iv) this Agreement constitutes, and each other Transaction Document
upon its execution on behalf of the Company, shall constitute, the valid and
binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance
with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general
principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the
enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies.
(c) Capitalization. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock
of the Company consists of (i) 50 million shares of Common Stock, of which as of
the date hereof, 6,458,124 shares are issued and outstanding, no shares are held
as treasury shares, 1,164,198 shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to the
Company's stock option plans of which only approximately 31,998 shares remain
available for future grants under the plans and 1,190,896 shares are issuable
and reserved for issuance pursuant to securities (other than stock options
issued pursuant to the Company's stock option plans) exercisable or exchangeable
for, or convertible into, shares of Common Stock, and (ii) 1,100,000 shares of
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value with a $13.00 per share
liquidation preference, of which as of the date hereof 351,588 shares are issued
and outstanding, and (iii) 2,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred
stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which as of the date hereof no shares are
issued and outstanding . All of such outstanding shares have been, or upon
issuance will be, validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as
disclosed in Schedule 3(c), (i) no shares of the Company's capital stock are
subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or
encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company, (ii) there are no outstanding
debt securities, (iii) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights
to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to,
or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or
arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become
bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or
commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights
convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (iv) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of
their securities under the 1933 Act (except the Registration Rights Agreement),
(v) there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there
are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to redeem a security
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (vi) there are no securities or
instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be
triggered by the issuance of the Securities as described in
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this Agreement and (vii) the Company does not have any stock appreciation rights
or "phantom stock" plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. The
Company has furnished to the Buyer true and correct copies of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof
(the "Certificate of Incorporation"), and the Company's By-laws, as amended and
as in effect on the date hereof (the "By-laws"), and summaries of the terms of
all securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, if any, and
copies of any documents containing the material rights of the holders thereof in
respect thereto.
(d) Issuance of Securities. The Commitment Shares have been duly
authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, shall be (i)
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and (ii) free from all taxes,
liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof. 2,400,000 shares of Common
Stock have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon purchase under
this Agreement. Upon issuance and payment therefore in accordance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, the Purchase Shares shall be validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with
respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights
accorded to a holder of Common Stock.
(e) No Conflicts. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(e), the execution,
delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
(including, without limitation, the reservation for issuance and issuance of the
Purchase Shares) will not (i) result in a violation of the Certificate of
Incorporation, any Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of any
outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or the By-laws or (ii)
conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse
of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement,
indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party, or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations and the
rules and regulations of the Principal Market applicable to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries) or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except in the case of conflicts, defaults
and violations under clause (ii), which could not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(e),
neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in
default under its Certificate of Incorporation, any Certificate of Designation,
Preferences and Rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the
Company or By-laws or their organizational charter or by-laws, respectively.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(e), neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or is in default under any material
contract, agreement, mortgage, indebtedness, indenture, instrument, judgment,
decree or order or any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or
its Subsidiaries, except for possible conflicts, defaults, terminations or
amendments which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. The business of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not being conducted,
and shall not be conducted, in violation of any law, ordinance, regulation of
any governmental entity, except for possible violations, the sanctions for which
either individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement
and as required under the 1933 Act, the Company is not required to obtain any
consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any
court or governmental agency or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency in
order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or
contemplated by the Transaction Documents in accordance with the terms hereof or
thereof. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(e), all consents, authorizations,
orders, filings and registrations which the Company is required to obtain
pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be obtained or effected on or prior to
the Commencement Date. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(e), the Company is not
and has not been since January 1, 1999, in violation of the listing requirements
of the Principal Market.
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(f) SEC Documents; Financial Statements. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3(f), since January 1, 1999, the Company has timely filed all reports,
schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with
the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date
hereof and all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules
thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter
referred to as the "SEC Documents"). As of their respective dates (except as
they have been correctly amended), the SEC Documents complied in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the
SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC (except as they may have
been correctly amended), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates (except as they
have been correctly amended), the financial statements of the Company included
in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of
the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied,
during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such
financial statements or the notes thereto or (ii) in the case of unaudited
interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed
or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial
position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).
(g) Absence of Certain Changes. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(g),
since September 30, 2000, there has been no material adverse change in the
business, properties, operations, financial condition or results of operations
of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Company has not taken any steps, and
does not currently expect to take any steps, to seek protection pursuant to any
bankruptcy law nor does the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have any
knowledge or reason to believe that its creditors intend to initiate involuntary
bankruptcy proceedings.
(h) Absence of Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding,
inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government
agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened in writing against or affecting
the Company, the Common Stock or any of the Company's Subsidiaries or any of the
Company's or the Company's Subsidiaries' officers or directors in their
capacities as such, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. A description of each action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or
investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency,
self-regulatory organization or body which, as of the date of this Agreement, is
pending or threatened in writing against or affecting the Company, the Common
Stock or any of the Company's Subsidiaries or any of the Company's or the
Company's Subsidiaries' officers or directors in their capacities as such, is
set forth in Schedule 3(h).
(i) Acknowledgment Regarding Buyer's Status. The Company acknowledges
and agrees that the Buyer is acting solely in the capacity of arm's length
purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Buyer
is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any
similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby and any advice given by the Buyer or any of its
representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to the Buyer's
purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to the Buyer that the
Company's decision to
-9-
enter into the Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent
evaluation by the Company and its representatives and advisors.
(j) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor any of its
affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any
form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of
Regulation D under the 1933 Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the
Securities.
(k) No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its
affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or
indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to
buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of any of
the Securities under the 1933 Act or cause this offering of the Securities to be
integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the 1933 Act or
any applicable shareholder approval provisions, including, without limitation,
under the rules and regulations of any exchange or automated quotation system on
which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated, nor will
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries take any action or steps that would
require registration of any of the Securities under the 1933 Act or cause the
offering of the Securities to be integrated with other offerings.
(l) Dilutive Effect. The Company understands and acknowledges that the
number of Purchase Shares purchasable under this Agreement will increase in
certain circumstances. The Company further acknowledges that its obligation to
issue Purchase Shares under this Agreement in accordance with the term and
conditions hereof is absolute and unconditional regardless of the dilutive
effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other
shareholders of the Company.
(m) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries own
or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all material trademarks, trade
names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent
rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental
authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective
businesses as now conducted. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(m), none of the
Company's material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark
registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions,
licenses, approvals, government authorizations, trade secrets or other
intellectual property rights have expired or terminated, or, by the terms and
conditions thereof, could expire or terminate within two years from the date of
this Agreement. The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any knowledge of
any infringement by the Company or its Subsidiaries of any material trademark,
trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses,
service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other
similar rights of others, or of any such development of similar or identical
trade secrets or technical information by others and, except as set forth on
Schedule 3(m), there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought
against, or to the Company's knowledge, being threatened against, the Company or
its Subsidiaries regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights,
invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark
registrations, trade secret or other infringement, which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in
compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws
and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or
other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct
their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and
conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where, in each of the
three foregoing clauses, the failure to so comply could not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
-10-
(o) Title. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable
title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all
personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and
defects except such as are described in Schedule 3(o) or such as do not
materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use
made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and any of its
Subsidiaries. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company
and any of its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and
enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere
with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the
Company and its Subsidiaries.
(p) Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by
insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks
and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and
customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are
engaged. Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has been refused any
insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor any such
Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its
existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain
similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its
business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect the condition,
financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business or operations of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(q) Regulatory Permits. The Company and its Subsidiaries possess all
material certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate
federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their
respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has
received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of
any such certificate, authorization or permit.
(r) Tax Status. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has made or
filed all federal and state income and all other material tax returns, reports
and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (unless and
only to the extent that the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has set aside
on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and
unreported taxes) and has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and
charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such
returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith
and has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of
all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports
or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed
to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the
Company know of no basis for any such claim.
(s) Transactions With Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(s)
and other than the grant or exercise of stock options disclosed on Schedule
3(c), none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Company is presently
a party to any transaction with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other
than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract,
agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or
by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise
requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the
knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in
which any officer, director, or any such employee has an interest or is an
officer, director, trustee or partner.
(t) Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and its board of
directors have taken or will take prior to the Commencement Date all necessary
action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition,
business combination, poison pill (including any distribution
-11-
under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the
Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of the state of its incorporation which
is or could become applicable to the Buyer as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company's
issuance of the Securities and the Buyer's ownership of the Securities.
(u) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company, nor any of its
Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other person acting
on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has, in the course of its
actions for, or on behalf of, the Company, used any corporate funds for any
unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating
to political activity; made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any
foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds;
violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act of 1977, as amended; or made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff,
influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic
government official or employee.
4. COVENANTS.
(a) Filing of Registration Statement. The Company shall within five (5)
Trading Days from the date hereof file a new registration statement covering the
sale of at least 2,400,000 Purchase Shares and 600,000 Commitment Shares. The
Buyer and its counsel shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and comment
upon such registration statement or amendment to such registration statement and
any related prospectus prior to its filing with the SEC. The Company shall use
its best efforts to have such registration statement or amendment declared
effective by the SEC at the earliest possible date.
(b) Blue Sky. The Company shall, on or before the Commencement Date,
take such action, if any, as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary
in order to obtain an exemption for or to qualify the Commitment Shares and the
Purchase Shares for sale to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement under
applicable securities or "Blue Sky" laws of the states of the United States, and
shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Buyer on or prior to
the Commencement Date. The Company shall make all filings and reports relating
to the offer and sale of the Commitment Shares and the Purchase Shares required
under applicable securities or "Blue Sky" laws of the states of the United
States following the Commencement Date.
(c) No Variable Priced Financing. Other than pursuant to this
Agreement, the Company agrees that beginning on the date of this Agreement and
ending on the date of termination of this Agreement (as provided in Section
11(k) hereof), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, without
the prior written consent of the Buyer, contract for any equity financing
(including any debt financing with an equity component) or issue any equity
securities of the Company or any Subsidiary or securities convertible or
exchangeable into or for equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary
(including debt securities with an equity component) which, in any case (i) are
convertible into or exchangeable for an indeterminate number of shares of common
stock, (ii) are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock at a price
which varies with the market price of the Common Stock, (iii) directly or
indirectly provide for any "re-set" or adjustment of the purchase price,
conversion rate or exercise price after the issuance of the security, or (iv)
contain any "make-whole" provision based upon, directly or indirectly, the
market price of the Common Stock after the issuance of the security, in each
case, other than reasonable and customary anti-dilution adjustments for issuance
of shares of Common Stock at a price which is below the market price of the
Common Stock.
(d) Listing. The Company shall promptly secure the listing of all of
the Purchase Shares and Commitment Shares upon each national securities exchange
and automated quotation system, if any,
-12-
upon which shares of Common Stock are then listed (subject to official notice of
issuance) and shall maintain, so long as any other shares of Common Stock shall
be so listed, such listing of all such securities from time to time issuable
under the terms of the Transaction Documents. The Company shall maintain the
Common Stock's authorization for quotation on the Principal Market. Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action that would be
reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock
on the Principal Market. The Company shall promptly, and in no event later than
the following Trading Day, provide to the Buyer copies of any notices it
receives from the Principal Market regarding the continued eligibility of the
Common Stock for listing on such automated quotation system or securities
exchange. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with
satisfying its obligations under this Section.
(e) Limitation on Short Sales and Hedging Transactions. The Buyer
agrees that beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the date of
termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 11(k), the Buyer and its
agents, representatives and affiliates shall not in any manner whatsoever enter
into or effect, directly or indirectly, any (i) "short sale" (as such term is
defined in Rule 3b-3 of the 1934 Act) of the Common Stock or (ii) hedging
transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common
Stock; provided, however, that such restrictions shall not apply (i) if the
Buyer submits after a sale of shares of Common Stock a Purchase Notice entitling
the Buyer to receive a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to the
number of shares so sold or (ii) if an Event of Default has occurred, including
any failure by the Company to timely issue any Purchase Shares required to be
issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(f) Limitation on Sales of Commitment Shares. The Buyer agrees that the
Buyer shall not transfer or sell the Commitment Shares (as defined in Section
7(b) hereof) until the earlier of 900 calendar days from the date hereof or date
on which this Agreement has been terminated, provided, however, that such
restrictions shall not apply: (i) in connection with any transfers to or among
affiliates (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), (ii)
in connection with any pledge in connection with a bona fide loan or margin
account, or (iii) if an Event of Default has occurred, or any event which, after
notice and/or lapse of time, would become an Event of Default, including any
failure by the Company to timely issue Purchase Shares under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Buyer may transfer Commitment Shares to a
third party in order to settle a sale made by the Buyer where the Buyer
reasonably expects the Company to deliver Purchase Shares to the Buyer under
this Agreement so long as the Buyer maintains ownership of the same overall
number of shares of Common Stock by "replacing" the Commitment Shares so
transferred with Purchase Shares when the Purchase Shares are actually issued by
the Company to the Buyer.
(h) Due Diligence. The Buyer shall have the right, from time to time as
the Buyer may reasonably deem appropriate, to perform reasonable due diligence
on the Company during normal business hours. The Company and its officers and
employees shall reasonably cooperate with the Buyer in connection with any
reasonable request by the Buyer related to the Buyer's due diligence of the
Company.
-13-
5. TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS.
All of the Purchase Shares and Commitment Shares to be issued under
this Agreement shall be issued without any restrictive legend.. The Company
shall issue irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent, and any subsequent
transfer agent, to issue Purchase Shares in the name of the Buyer or its
respective nominee(s), for the Purchase Shares (the "Irrevocable Transfer Agent
Instructions"). The Company warrants to the Buyer that no instruction other than
the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions referred to in this Section 5, will
be given by the Company to the Transfer Agent with respect to the Purchase
Shares and that the Commitment Shares and the Purchase Shares shall otherwise be
freely transferable on the books and records of the Company as and to the extent
provided in this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement subject to the
provisions of Section 4(f) in the case of the Commitment Shares.
6. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO COMMENCE
SALES OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
The obligation of the Company hereunder to commence sales of the
Purchase Shares is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following
conditions on or before the Commencement Date, provided that these conditions
are for the Company's sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time
in its sole discretion by providing the Buyer with prior written notice thereof:
(a) The Buyer shall have executed each of the Transaction Documents to
which it is a party and delivered the same to the Company including the
Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (the
"Registration Rights Agreement").
(b) Subject to the Company's compliance with Section 4(a), a
registration statement covering the sale of the 600,000 Commitment Shares and at
least 2,400,000 Purchase Shares shall have been declared effective under the
1933 Act by the SEC and no stop order with respect to the Registration Statement
shall be pending or threatened by the SEC.
(c) The representations and warranties of the Buyer shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of the
Commencement Date as though made at that time (except for representations and
warranties that speak as of a specific date), and the Buyer shall have
performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants,
agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied
or complied with by the Buyer at or prior to the Commencement Date.
7. CONDITIONS TO THE BUYER'S OBLIGATION TO COMMENCE
PURCHASES OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
The obligation of the Buyer to commence purchases of Purchase Shares
under this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the
Commencement Date, of each of the following conditions, provided that these
conditions are for the Buyer's sole benefit and may be waived by the Buyer at
any time in its sole discretion by providing the Company with prior written
notice thereof:
-14-
(a) The Company shall have executed each of the Transaction Documents
and delivered the same to the Buyer including the Registration Rights Agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.
(b) The Company shall have issued to the Buyer 600,000 shares of Common
Stock (the "Commitment Shares"). The number of Commitment Shares shall be
appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash
dividend, stock split or other similar transaction occurring on or prior to the
Commencement Date. The Commitment Shares shall be issued to the Buyer without
any restrictive legend.
(c) The Common Stock shall be authorized for quotation on the Principal
Market, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been within the last 365 days
suspended by the SEC or the Principal Market and the Purchase Shares and the
Commitment Shares shall be approved for listing upon the Principal Market.
(d) The Buyer shall have received the opinions of the Company's legal
counsel dated as of the Commencement Date in the form of Exhibit D attached
hereto.
(e) The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and
correct in all material respects (except to the extent that any of such
representations and warranties is already qualified as to materiality in Section
3 above, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and
correct without further qualification) as of the date when made and as of the
Commencement Date as though made at that time (except for representations and
warranties that speak as of a specific date) and the Company shall have
performed, satisfied and complied with the covenants, agreements and conditions
required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied
with by the Company at or prior to the Commencement Date. The Buyer shall have
received a certificate, executed by the CEO, President or CFO of the Company,
dated as of the Commencement Date, to the foregoing effect in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit E.
(f) The Board of Directors of the Company shall have adopted
resolutions in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F which shall be in full
force and effect without any amendment or supplement thereto as of the
Commencement Date.
(g) As of the Commencement Date, the Company shall have reserved out of
its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting
purchases of Purchase Shares hereunder, at least 2,400,000 shares of Common
Stock.
(h) The Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in the form of Exhibit
G attached hereto, shall have been delivered to and acknowledged in writing by
the Company and the Transfer Agent.
(i) The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer a certificate
evidencing the incorporation and good standing of the Company in the State of
Delaware issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a date
within ten (10) Trading Days of the Commencement Date.
(j) The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer a certified copy of
the Certificate of Incorporation as certified by the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware within ten (10) Trading Days of the Commencement Date.
-15-
(k) The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer a secretary's
certificate executed by the Secretary of the Company, dated as of the
Commencement Date, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H.
(l) A registration statement covering the sale of all of the 600,000
Commitment Shares and at least 2,4000,000 Purchase Shares shall have been
declared effective under the 1933 Act by the SEC and no stop order with respect
to the registration statement shall be pending or threatened by the SEC. The
Company shall have prepared and delivered to the Buyer a final form of
prospectus to be used by the Buyer in connection with any sales of any
Commitment Shares or any Purchase Shares. The Company shall have made all
filings under all applicable federal and state securities laws necessary to
consummate the issuance of the Commitment Shares and the Purchase Shares
pursuant to this Agreement in compliance with such laws.
(m) No Event of Default has occurred, or any event which, after notice
and/or lapse of time, would become an Event of Default has occurred.
(n) On or prior to the Commencement Date, the Company shall take all
necessary action, if any, and such actions as reasonably requested by the Buyer,
in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business
combination, shareholder rights plan or poison pill (including any distribution
under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the
Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of the state of its incorporation which
is or could become applicable to the Buyer as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company's
issuance of the Securities and the Buyer's ownership of the Securities.
8. INDEMNIFICATION.
In consideration of the Buyer's execution and delivery of the
Transaction Documents and acquiring the Securities hereunder and in addition to
all of the Company's other obligations under the Transaction Documents, the
Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and all of
its affiliates, shareholders, officers, directors, employees and direct or
indirect investors and any of the foregoing person's agents or other
representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the
"Indemnitees") from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits,
claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in
connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to
the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including
reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements (the "Indemnified Liabilities"),
incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a)
any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the
Company in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or
document contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant,
agreement or obligation of the Company contained in the Transaction Documents or
any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or
(c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee
and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or
enforcement of the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or
document contemplated hereby or thereby, other than with respect to Indemnified
Liabilities which directly and primarily result from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Indemnitee. To the extent that the foregoing
undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company
shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of
the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.
-16-
9. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
An "Event of Default" shall be deemed to have occurred at any time as
any of the following events occurs:
(a) while any registration statement is required to be maintained
effective pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the
effectiveness of such registration statement lapses for any reason (including,
without limitation, the issuance of a stop order) or is unavailable to the Buyer
for sale of all of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement) in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of ten (10)
consecutive Trading Days or for more than an aggregate of thirty (30) Trading
Days in any 365-day period;
(b) the suspension from trading or failure of the Common Stock to be
listed on the Principal Market for a period of ten (10) consecutive Trading Days
or for more than an aggregate of thirty (30) Trading Days in any 365-day period;
(c) the failure of the Company or the Common Stock to fully meet the
requirements for continued listing on the Principal Market for a period of
thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days;
(d) the Company's or the Transfer Agent's notice, verbal or written, to
the Buyer, including by way of public announcement, at any time, of its
intention not to comply with a proper request for purchase of Purchase Shares
under this Agreement that is tendered in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, or the failure of the Company to deliver a Company Confirmation of
Purchase Notice to the Buyer and to the Transfer Agent in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement within two (2) Trading Days after the receipt by
the Company of a Purchase Notice (subject to extension in accordance with
Section 1(e)(iii) for a good faith dispute made in accordance with the terms of
Section 1(e)(iii)); or the failure for any reason by the Transfer Agent to issue
Purchase Shares to the Buyer within five (5) Trading Days after the applicable
Purchase Date;
(e) if at any time after the Commencement Date, the "Exchange Cap" is
reached (the "Exchange Cap" shall be deemed to be reached at such time if, upon
submission of a Purchase Notice under this Agreement, the issuance of such
shares of Common Stock would exceed that number of shares of Common Stock which
the Company may issue under this Agreement without breaching the Company's
obligations under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market);
(f) the Company breaches any representation, warranty, covenant or
other term or condition under any Transaction Document if such breach could have
a Material Adverse Effect and except, in the case of a breach of a covenant
which is reasonably curable, only if such breach continues for a period of at
least ten (10) Trading Days;
(g) except as set forth on Schedule 9(g), any payment default under any
contract whatsoever or any acceleration prior to maturity of any mortgage,
indenture, contract or instrument under which there may be issued or by which
there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the
Company or for money borrowed the repayment of which is guaranteed by the
Company, whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists or shall be created
hereafter, which in any case, is in excess of $1,000,000;
-17-
(h) if any Person commences a proceeding against the Company pursuant
to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law;
(i) if the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy
Law; (A) commences a voluntary case, (B) consents to the entry of an order for
relief against it in an involuntary case, (C) consents to the appointment of a
Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, (D) makes a
general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (E) becomes insolvent, or
(F) is generally unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or
(j) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under
any Bankruptcy Law that (A) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary
case, (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of
its property, or (C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary.
In addition to any other rights and remedies under applicable law and this
Agreement, including the Buyer termination rights under Section 11(k) hereof, so
long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if any event
which, after notice and/or lapse of time, would become an Event of Default, has
occurred and is continuing, the Buyer shall not be obligated to purchase any
shares of Common Stock under this Agreement. If pursuant to or within the
meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, the Company commences a voluntary case or any
Person commences a proceeding against the Company, a Custodian is appointed for
the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or the Company
makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (any of which would
be an Event of Default as described in Sections 9(h), 9(i) and 9(j) hereof) this
Agreement shall automatically terminate without any liability or payment to the
Company without further action or notice by any Person. No such termination of
this Agreement under Section 11(k)(i) shall affect the Company's or the Buyer's
obligations under this Agreement with respect to pending purchases and the
Company and the Buyer shall complete their respective obligations with respect
to any pending purchases under this Agreement.
10. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(b) "Available Amount" means initially Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000)
in the aggregate, which amount shall be reduced by the Purchase Amount each time
the Buyer purchases shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 1 hereof.
(c) "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal
or state law for the relief of debtors.
(d) "Closing Bid Price" means, for any security as of any date, the
last closing bid price for such security on the Principal Market as reported by
Bloomberg Financial Markets ("Bloomberg"), or, if the Principal Market is not
the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last
closing bid price of such security on the principal securities exchange or
trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg.
(e) "Closing Sale Price" means, for any security as of any date, the
last closing trade price for such security on the Principal Market as reported
by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the
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principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last
closing trade price of such security on the principal securities exchange or
trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg.
(f) "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
(g) "Fixed Purchase Price" means $20.00, appropriately adjusted for any
reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other
similar transaction.
(h) [Intentionally Omitted.]
(i) "Mandatory Purchase Rights" means the mandatory purchase rights of
the Company pursuant to Section 1(c).
(j) "Maturity Date" means the date that is 900 calendar days (30
Monthly Periods) from the Commencement Date which such date may be extended by
up to an additional six (6) months by the Company, in its sole discretion, by
written notice to the Buyer].
(k) "Monthly Base Amount" means Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000)
per Monthly Period.
(l) "Monthly Period" means each successive 30 calendar day period
commencing with the Commencement Date.
(m) "Person" means an individual or entity including any limited
liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an
unincorporated organization and a government or any department or agency
thereof.
(n) "Principal Market" means the Nasdaq SmallCap Market,
(o) "Purchase Amount" means the portion of the Available Amount
submitted in a Purchase Notice to be used to purchase Common Stock pursuant to
Section 1 hereof.
(p) "Purchase Date" means the actual date that the Buyer submits a
Purchase Notice to the Company to purchase Common Stock hereunder so long as the
Buyer shall transmit by facsimile (or otherwise deliver) to the Company on or
prior to 11:59 p.m., Central Time on such date.
(q) "Purchase Price" means, as of any Purchase Date or other date of
determination, the lower of the (A) Fixed Purchase Price and (B) the Variable
Purchase Price, each in effect as of such date.
(r) "Sale Price" means, for any security as of any date, any trade
price for such security on the Principal Market as reported by Bloomberg, or, if
the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market
for such security, the trade price of such security on the principal securities
exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported
by Bloomberg.
(s) "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(t) "Trading Day" means any day on which the Principal Market is open
for customary trading.
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(u) "Variable Purchase Price" means, as of any Purchase Date or other
date of determination, the lower of: (A) the lowest Sale Price of the Common
Stock on the Purchase Date or such other date of determination or (B) the
arithmetic average of any three (3) Closing Bid Prices for the Common Stock,
selected by the Buyer, during the twelve (12) consecutive Trading Days ending on
the Trading Day immediately preceding such Purchase Date or other date of
determination (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization,
recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction).
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. The corporate laws of the
State of Delaware shall govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the
Company and its shareholders. All other questions concerning the construction,
validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of
Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of Illinois or any other jurisdictions)
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the
State of Illinois. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of Chicago, for
the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or under the other Transaction
Documents or in connection herewith or therewith, or with any transaction
contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and
agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not
personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action
or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such
suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives
personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such
suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the
address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service
shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve
process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION
OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
(b) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each
party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature
shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory
thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original, not
a facsimile signature.
(c) Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of
reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this
Agreement.
(d) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in
that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this
Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
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(e) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes all other
prior oral or written agreements between the Buyer, the Company, their
affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with respect to the matters
discussed herein, and this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the
instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties
with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as
specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor the Buyer
makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such
matters. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an
instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Buyer, and no provision
hereof may be waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against whom enforcement is sought.
(f) Notices. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications
required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in
writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when
delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided
confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and
kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one Trading Day after deposit with
a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly
addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers
for such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.
150 Broadway, Suite 1009
New York, NY 10038
Telephone: 212-267-2503
Facsimile: 212-267-2159
Attention: Frederic P. Zotos
With a copy to:
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Telephone: 212-715-9100
Facsimile: 212-715-8000
Attention: Ezra G. Levin, Esq.
If to the Buyer:
Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 9-112
Chicago, IL 60654
Telephone: 312-644-6644
Facsimile: 312-644-6244
Attention: Steven G. Martin
If to the Transfer Agent:
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
2 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Telephone: 212-509-4000, ext. 204
Facsimile: 212-616-7616
Attention: William Seegraber
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or at such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such
other person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to
each other party three (3) Trading Days prior to the effectiveness of such
change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such
notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or
electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine containing the time,
date, and recipient facsimile number or (C) provided by a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service, shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service,
receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery
service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
(g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of the Buyer, including by merger or
consolidation. The Buyer may not assign its rights under this Agreement without
the consent of the Company, other than to an affiliate of the Buyer controlled
by Steven G. Martin or Joshua B. Scheinfeld.
(h) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced
by, any other person.
(i) Publicity. The Buyer shall have the right to approve before
issuance any press releases or any other public disclosure (including any
filings with the SEC) with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby;
provided, however, that the Company shall be entitled, without the prior
approval of any Buyer, to make any press release or other public disclosure
(including any filings with the SEC) with respect to such transactions as is
required by applicable law and regulations (although the Buyer shall be
consulted by the Company in connection with any such press release or other
public disclosure prior to its release and shall be provided with a copy
thereof).
(j) Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be
done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and
deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as
the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and
accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(k) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated only as follows:
(i) By the Buyer any time an Event of Default exists without
any liability or payment to the Company. However, if pursuant to or
within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, the Company commences a
voluntary case or any Person commences a proceeding against the
Company, a Custodian is appointed for the Company or for all or
substantially all of its property, or the Company makes a general
assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (any of which would be an
Event of Default as described in Sections 9(h), 9(i) and 9(j) hereof)
this Agreement shall automatically terminate without any liability or
payment to the Company without further action or notice by any Person.
No such termination of this Agreement under this Section 11(k)(i) shall
affect the Company's or the Buyer's obligations under this Agreement
with respect to pending purchases and the Company and the Buyer shall
complete their respective obligations with respect to any pending
purchases under this Agreement.
(ii) In the event that the Commencement shall not have
occurred, the Company shall have the option to terminate this Agreement
for any reason or for no reason without liability of any party to any
other party. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section
11(k)(ii),
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the Company shall issue to the Buyer the Commitment Shares immediately
prior to the termination hereof.
(iii) In the event that the Commencement shall not have
occurred on or before May 31, 2001, due to the failure to satisfy the
conditions set forth in Sections 6 and 7 above with respect to the
Commencement (and the nonbreaching party's failure to waive such
unsatisfied condition(s)), the nonbreaching party shall have the option
to terminate this Agreement at the close of business on such date or
thereafter without liability of any party to any other party. If this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 11(k)(iii) prior to
the Commencement other than solely as a result of any material breach
of the Buyer's obligation hereunder, the Company shall issue to the
Buyer the Commitment Shares immediately upon the termination hereof.
(iv) If by the Maturity Date, for any reason or for no reason
the full Available Amount under this Agreement has not been purchased
as provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, by the Buyer without
any liability or payment to the Company.
(v) At any time after the Commencement Date, and so long as
the Company has provided appropriate notice as described below, if
during any ten (10) consecutive Trading Days the Closing Sale Price of
the Common Stock is below the Fixed Purchase Price for each of such ten
(10) Trading Days, the Company shall have three (3) Trading Days to
give written notice (a "Company Termination Notice") to the Buyer
electing to terminate this Agreement without any liability or payment
to the Buyer. The Company Termination Notice shall not be effective
until three (3) Trading Days after it has been received by the Buyer.
Any Purchase Notices submitted by the Buyer which have a Purchase Date
on or prior to the third (3rd) Trading Day after receipt by the Buyer
of the Company Termination Notice, must be honored by the Company as
otherwise provided herein.
(vi) This Agreement shall automatically terminate on the date
that the Company sells and the Buyer purchases Six Million Dollars
($6,000,000) of Common Stock as provided herein, without any action or
notice on the part of any party.
Except as set forth in Sections 11(k)(i) and 11(k)(vi), any termination of this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 11(k) shall be effected by written notice
from the Company to the Buyer, or the Buyer to the Company, as the case may be,
setting forth the basis for the termination hereof. The representations and
warranties of the Company and the Buyer contained in Sections 2 and 3 hereof,
the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 8 hereof and the agreements
and covenants set forth in Section 1(e) (v) and Section 11, shall survive the
Commencement and any termination of this Agreement. No termination of this
Agreement shall effect the Company's or the Buyer's obligations under this
Agreement with respect to pending purchases and the Company and the Buyer shall
complete their respective obligations with respect to any pending purchases
under this Agreement.
(l) No Financial Advisor, Placement Agent, Broker or Finder. The
Company represents and warrants to the Buyer that it has not engaged any
financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Buyer represents and warrants to the
Company that it has not engaged any financial advisor, placement agent, broker
or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company
shall be responsible for the payment of any fees or commissions, if any, of any
financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder relating to or arising out
of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall pay, and hold the
Buyer harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without
limitation, attorneys' fees and out of pocket expenses) arising in connection
with any such claim.
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(m) No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement is the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.
(n) Remedies, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The
Buyer's remedies provided in this Agreement shall be cumulative and in addition
to all other remedies available to the Buyer under this Agreement, at law or in
equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive
relief), no remedy of the Buyer contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of
compliance with the provisions giving rise to such remedy and nothing herein
shall limit the Buyer's right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the
Company to comply with the terms of this Agreement. The Company acknowledges
that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to
the Buyer and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The
Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened
breach, the Buyer shall be entitled, in addition to all other available
remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach, without the necessity of
showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.
(o) Changes to the Terms of this Agreement. This Agreement and any
provision hereof may only be amended by an instrument in writing signed by the
Company and the Buyer. The term "Agreement" and all reference thereto, as used
throughout this instrument, shall mean this instrument as originally executed,
or if later amended or supplemented, then as so amended or supplemented.
(p) Enforcement Costs. If: (i) this Agreement is placed by the Buyer in
the hands of an attorney for enforcement or is enforced by the Buyer through any
legal proceeding; or (ii) an attorney is retained to represent the Buyer in any
bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceedings affecting
creditors' rights and involving a claim under this Agreement; or (iii) an
attorney is retained to represent the Buyer in any other proceedings whatsoever
in connection with this Agreement, then the Company shall pay to the Buyer, as
incurred by the Buyer, all reasonable costs and expenses including attorneys'
fees incurred in connection therewith, in addition to all other amounts due
hereunder.
(q) Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay in the
exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or
privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right,
power or privilege.
* * * * *
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Buyer and the Company have caused this Common
Stock Purchase Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
THE COMPANY:
ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY VENTURES, INC.
By: /s/ Frederic P. Zotos
---------------------------
Name: Frederic P. Zotos
Title: President
BUYER:
FUSION CAPITAL FUND II, LLC
BY: FUSION CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
BY: SGM HOLDINGS CORP.
By: /s/ Steven G. Martin
---------------------------
Name: Steven G. Martin
Title: President
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Exhibit 4.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of _______,
2001, by and between ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY VENTURES, INC., a Delaware corporation,
(the "Company"), and FUSION CAPITAL FUND II, LLC, an Illinois limited liability
company (together with it permitted assigns, the "Buyer"). Capitalized terms
used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings
set forth in the Common Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the parties
hereto dated as of March 16, 2001 (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Purchase Agreement").
WHEREAS:
A. The Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
the Purchase Agreement, to issue to the Buyer (i) up to Six Million Dollars
($6,000,000) of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
"Common Stock") (the "Purchase Shares"), and (ii) such number of shares of
Common Stock as is required pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Purchase Agreement
(the "Commitment Shares"); and
B. To induce the Buyer to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company
has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar
successor statute (collectively, the "1933 Act"), and applicable state
securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Buyer hereby
agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
a. "Investor" means the Buyer, any transferee or assignee thereof to
whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become
bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and any
transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee assigns its
rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.
b. "Person" means any person or entity including any corporation, a
limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a
business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a
governmental agency.
c. "Register," "registered," and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing one or more registration
statements of the Company in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule
415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities
on a continuous basis ("Rule 415"), and the declaration or ordering of
effectiveness of such registration statement(s) by the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
d. "Registrable Securities" means the Purchase Shares which have
been, or which may from time to time be, issued or issuable upon purchases of
the Available Amount under the Purchase Agreement (without regard to any
limitation or restriction on purchases) and the Commitment Shares issued to the
Investor at or prior to the Commencement and any shares of capital stock issued
or issuable with respect to the Purchase Shares, the Commitment Shares or the
Purchase Agreement as a result of any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any
limitation on purchases under the Purchase Agreement.
e. "Registration Statement" means the registration statement of the
Company which the Company has agreed to file pursuant to Section 4(a) of the
Purchase Agreement with respect to the sale of the Registrable Securities.
2. REGISTRATION.
a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall use best efforts to
keep the Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under
the 1933 Act and available for sales of all of the Registrable Securities at all
times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investor may sell all of
the Registrable Securities without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k)
promulgated under the 1933 Act (or successor thereto) or (ii) the date on which
(A) the Investor shall have sold all the Registrable Securities and no Available
Amount remains under the Purchase Agreement (the "Registration Period"). The
Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and
prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which
they were made, not misleading.
b. Rule 424 Prospectus. The Company shall, as required by applicable
securities regulations, from time to time file with the SEC, pursuant to Rule
424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, the prospectus and prospectus supplements,
if any, to be used in connection with sales of the Registrable Securities under
the Registration Statement. The Investor and its counsel shall have a reasonable
opportunity to review and comment upon such prospectus prior to its filing with
the SEC. The Investor shall use its reasonable best efforts to comment upon such
prospectus within one (1) Trading Day from the date the Investor receives the
final version of such prospectus.
c. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the number
of shares available under the Registration Statement is insufficient to cover
all of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall amend the Registration
Statement or file a new registration statement (a "New Registration Statement"),
so as to cover all of such Registrable Securities as soon as practicable, but in
any event not later than ten (10) Trading Days after the necessity therefor
arises. The Company shall use it best efforts to cause such amendment and/or New
Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the
filing thereof.
3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.
With respect to the Registration Statement and whenever any Registrable
Securities are to be registered pursuant to Section 2(b) including on any New
Registration Statement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the
intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall
have the following obligations:
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a. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments
(including post-effective amendments) and supplements to any registration
statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration
statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated
under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement or
any New Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration
Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with
respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered
by the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement until such time
as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance
with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set
forth in such registration statement.
b. The Company shall permit the Investor to review and comment upon
the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement and all amendments
and supplements thereto at least two (2) Trading Days prior to their filing with
the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which Investor reasonably
objects. The Investor shall use its reasonable best efforts to comment upon the
Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement and any amendments or
supplements thereto within two (2) Trading Days from the date the Investor
receives the final version thereof. The Company shall furnish to the Investor,
without charge any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the
Company or its representatives relating to the Registration Statement or any New
Registration Statement.
c. The Company shall furnish to the Investor, (i) promptly after the
same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of such registration
statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and
schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits,
(ii) upon the effectiveness of any registration statement, ten (10) copies of
the prospectus included in such registration statement and all amendments and
supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as the Investor may
reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any
preliminary or final prospectus, as the Investor may reasonably request from
time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by the Investor.
d. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to (i) register and
qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement under
such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the United
States as the Investor reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and file in those
jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (y) subject itself
to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to
service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify
the Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of
any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or
qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities
or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of
actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose.
e. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event or
facts, the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the happening of any
event or existence of such facts as a result of which the prospectus included in
any registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to
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make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such
registration statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver
ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to the Investor (or such other
number of copies as the Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also
promptly notify the Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a registration
statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of
such effectiveness shall be delivered to the Investor by facsimile on the same
day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC
for amendments or supplements to any registration statement or related
prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable
determination that a post-effective amendment to a registration statement would
be appropriate.
f. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the
issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any
registration statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any
Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or
suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at
the earliest possible moment and to notify the Investor of the issuance of such
order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the
initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.
g. The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities to be
listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or
series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such
Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or
(ii) secure designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities on the
Nasdaq SmallCap System. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in
connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section.
h. The Company shall cooperate with the Investor to facilitate the
timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive
legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to any
registration statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations
or amounts as the Investor may reasonably request and registered in such names
as the Investor may request.
i. The Company shall at all times provide a transfer agent and
registrar with respect to its Common Stock.
j. If reasonably requested by the Investor, the Company shall (i)
immediately incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such information as the Investor believes should be included therein relating to
the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without
limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities
being sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the
offering of the Registrable Securities; (ii) make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as notified of the
matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any registration
statement.
k. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Registrable Securities covered by the any registration statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities
as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities.
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l. Within one (1) Trading Day after any registration statement which
includes the Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC, the Company
shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the
transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investor)
confirmation that such registration statement has been declared effective by the
SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
m. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to
expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investor of Registrable Securities
pursuant to any registration statement.
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTOR.
a. The Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the
information the Company reasonably requires from the Investor in connection with
any registration statement hereunder. The Investor shall furnish to the Company
such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the
intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall
be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities
and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the
Company may reasonably request.
b. The Investor agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably
requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any
registration statement hereunder.
c. The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event or existence of facts of the kind
described in Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e), the Investor will
immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any
registration statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until the
Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus
contemplated by Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e). Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to promptly
deliver shares of Common Stock without any restrictive legend in accordance with
the terms of the Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable
Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for
sale prior to the Investor's receipt of a notice from the Company of the
happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or the first
sentence of 3(e) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All reasonable expenses, other than sales or brokerage commissions,
incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to
Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and
qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and
hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investor, each Person, if
any, who controls the Investor, the members, the directors, officers, partners,
employees, agents, representatives of the Investor and each Person, if any, who
controls the Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") (each, an "Indemnified
Person"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines,
penalties, charges, costs, attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or
expenses, joint or several, (collectively, "Claims") incurred in investigating,
preparing or
-5-
defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal
taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative
or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened,
whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto ("Indemnified
Damages"), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or
actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement, any New Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in
connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other
"blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered
("Blue Sky Filing"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the
effective date of such registration statement, or contained in the final
prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were
made, not misleading, (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of
the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any
state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer
or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or
any New Registration Statement or (iv) any material violation by the Company of
this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being,
collectively, "Violations"). The Company shall reimburse each Indemnified Person
promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal
fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this
Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising
out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person
expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration
Statement, any New Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company
pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 3(e); (ii) with respect to any preliminary
prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any such person from whom the
person asserting any such Claim purchased the Registrable Securities that are
the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any person controlling such person) if
the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary
prospectus was corrected in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if
such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section
3(c) or Section 3(e), and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing
not to use the incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a violation
and such Indemnified Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it; (iii) shall
not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor
to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the
Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to
Section 3(c) or Section 3(e); and (iv) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written
consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of
the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to Section 9.
b. In connection with the Registration Statement or any New
Registration Statement, the Investor agrees to severally and not jointly
indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner
as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who signs the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement,
each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act
or the 1934 Act
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(collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an "Indemnified Party"),
against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become
subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or
Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case
to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
Investor expressly for use in connection with such registration statement; and,
subject to Section 6(d), the Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any
such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this
Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section
7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement
is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the
Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim
or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to the Investor as a
result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration
statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall
survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to
Section 9.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or
proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim,
such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect
thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6,
deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof,
and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the
extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or
the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in
the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Indemnified
Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in
connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the
indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information
reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which
relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the
status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No
indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or
proceeding effected without its written consent, provided, however, that the
indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its
consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the Indemnified
Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any
settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term
thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or
Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or
litigation. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the
indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or
Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations
relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to
deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the
commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any
liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6,
except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to
defend such action.
-7-
d. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by
periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation
or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.
e. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to
(i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified
Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the
indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is
prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable
Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by
such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
8. REPORTS AND DISCLOSURE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACTS.
With a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule
144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of
the SEC that may at any time permit the Investor to sell securities of the
Company to the public without registration ("Rule 144"), the Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms
are understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports
and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to the Investor so long as the Investor owns Registrable
Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that
it has complied with the reporting and or disclosure provisions of Rule 144, the
1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly
report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the
Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to
permit the Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without
registration.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Investor,
including by merger or consolidation. The Investor may not assign its rights
under this Agreement without the written consent of the Company, other than to
an affiliate of the Investor controlled by Steven G. Martin or Joshua B.
Scheinfeld.
-8-
10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance
thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and the Investor.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities
whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable
Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or
election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.
b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required
or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing
and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered
personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of
transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the
sending party); or (iii) one (1) Trading Day after deposit with a nationally
recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the
party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such
communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.
150 Broadway, Suite 1009
New York, NY 10038
Telephone: 212-267-2503
Facsimile: 212-267-2159
Attention: Frederic P. Zotos
With a copy to:
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Telephone: 212-715-9100
Facsimile: 212-715-8000
Attention: Ezra G. Levin, Esq.
If to the Investor:
Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 9-112
Chicago, IL 60654
Telephone: 312-644-6644
Facsimile: 312-644-6244
Attention: Steven G. Martin
or at such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such
other person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to
each other party three (3) Trading Days prior to the effectiveness of such
change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such
notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or
electronically generated by the
-9-
sender's facsimile machine containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number
and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by a
nationally recognized overnight delivery service, shall be rebuttable evidence
of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally
recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or
(iii) above, respectively.
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this
Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy,
shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. The corporate laws of the State of Delaware shall govern all
issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and its stockholders. All
other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and
interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
State of Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of Illinois or any other jurisdictions)
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the
State of Illinois. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting the City of Chicago, for
the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any
transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably
waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim
that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that
such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the
venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby
irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being
served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such
party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right
to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity
or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or
enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO
REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
e. This Agreement, and the Purchase Agreement constitute the entire
agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other
than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement and the
Purchase Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns
of each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
h. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the
same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to
the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement
bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
-10-
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
j. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.
k. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the
benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
* * * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.
THE COMPANY:
ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY VENTURES, INC.
By:______________________
Name:
Title:
BUYER:
FUSION CAPITAL FUND II, LLC
BY: FUSION CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
BY: SGM HOLDINGS CORP.
By:_______________________
Name: Steven G. Martin
Title: President
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors
Atlantic Technology Ventures, Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "EXPERTS" in the prospectus.
/s/ KPMG LLP
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KPMG LLP
Short Hills, New Jersey
March 22, 2001