Form of Non-Redemption Agreement
Exhibit 10.1
NON-REDEMPTION AGREEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF ECONOMIC INTEREST
This Non-Redemption Agreement and Assignment of Economic Interest (this “Agreement”) is entered as of May __, 2023 by and among Chain Bridge I, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CBRG” or the “Company”), Chain Bridge Group, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”, or the “Seller”), CB Co-Investment LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CB Co-Investment”) and the undersigned investor (the “Investor”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, each of the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment currently holds CBRG Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, initially purchased in a private placement prior to CBRG’s initial public offering (the “Founder Shares”);
WHEREAS, CBRG expects to hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) for the purpose of approving, among other things, an amendment to CBRG’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the “M&A”) to extend the date by which CBRG must consummate an initial business combination (the “Initial Business Combination”) by six (6) months to November 15, 2023 (the “Initial Extension”) and to allow the board of directors of CBRG, without another shareholder vote, to elect to further extend the date to consummate an Initial Business Combination up to three (3) times, by an additional month each time (each, a “Secondary Extension” and, together with the Initial Extension, the “Extension”);
WHEREAS, the M&A provides that a shareholder of CBRG may redeem its Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, initially sold as part of the units in CBRG’s initial public offering (whether they were purchased in our initial public offering or thereafter in the open market) (the “Public Shares” and together with the Founder Shares, the “Ordinary Shares”) in connection with the Extension amendment to the M&A, on the terms set forth in the M&A (“Redemption Rights”);
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Seller desires to transfer to Investor, and Investor desires to acquire from the Seller, a number of Founder Shares to be determined on the basis as set forth on Exhibit A (the “Assigned Securities”), to be transferred to Investor in connection with CBRG’s completion of its Initial Business Combination, and, prior to the transfer of the Assigned Securities to Investor, the Seller desires to assign the economic benefits of the Assigned Securities to Investor.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Investor, CBRG, the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment hereby agree as follows:
1. | Terms of Transfer. |
1.1. | Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Seller agrees that if (a) as of 5:00 PM, New York time, on the date of the Meeting, Investor holds the Investor Shares (as defined below), (b) Investor does not exercise (or exercised and validly rescinds) its Redemption Rights with respect to such Investor Shares in connection with the Meeting, and (c) the Extension is approved at the Meeting and is effected by CBRG’s filing with the registrar of the Cayman Islands of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, then the Seller hereby agrees to assign to Investor for no additional consideration the number of Assigned Securities as determined on the basis as set forth on Exhibit A, and the Seller further agrees to assign to Investor the Economic Interest (as defined below) associated with the Assigned Securities that the Seller has agreed to assign to Investor. “Investor Shares” shall mean the lesser of (the “Minimum Shares”) (i) 400,000 Public Shares, and (ii) when taken together with any Public Shares held by Investor and any of its affiliates, 9.9% of the Public Shares that are not to be redeemed, including those Public Shares subject to non-redemption agreements with other CBRG shareholders similar to this Agreement on or about the date of this meeting. The Seller and CBRG agree to provide Investor with the final number of Investor Shares subject to this Agreement no later than 9:00 a.m. Eastern on the first business day after the Meeting (and in all cases a sufficient amount of time to allow the Investor to reverse any exercise of Redemption Rights with regard to any Investor Shares to ensure compliance with clause (ii) above).). If requested by Investor, CBRG agrees to direct CBRG’s exchange agent to permit Investor to exercise Redemption Rights in connection with the Meeting with respect to Public Shares up to the Minimum Shares. |
1.2. | The Seller and Investor hereby agree that the assignment of the Assigned Securities shall be subject to the conditions that (i) the Initial Business Combination is consummated; and (ii) Investor, executes a joinder to that certain Letter Agreement, dated November 9, 2021 (as it exists on the date hereof, the “Letter Agreement”), by and among the Company, Chain Bridge Group, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), CB Co-Investment LLC (“CB Co-Investment”), officers and directors of the Company, and the other shareholders of the Company signatory thereto, as described in Section 1.8 hereof. |
Upon the satisfaction of the foregoing conditions, as applicable, the Seller shall promptly transfer (and no later than two (2) business days following the closing of the Initial Business Combination) the Assigned Securities to Investor (or its Permitted Transferees) free and clear of any liens or other encumbrances, other than pursuant to restrictions on transfer imposed by the securities laws and Section 5(a) of the Letter Agreement, and any successor or similar agreement entered into in connection with the Initial Business Combination (which shall be no less favorable or more restrictive than what is set forth in the Letter Agreement. The Seller and CBRG covenants and agrees to facilitate such transfer to Investor (or its Permitted Transferees) in accordance with the foregoing.
1.3. | Adjustment to Share Amounts. If at any time the number of outstanding Founder Shares is increased or decreased by a consolidation, combination, subdivision or reclassification of the Ordinary Shares of CBRG or other similar event, then, as of the effective date of such consolidation, combination, subdivision, reclassification or similar event, all share numbers referenced in this Agreement shall be adjusted in proportion to such increase or decrease in the Ordinary Shares. |
1.4. | Merger or Reorganization, etc. If there shall occur any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger involving CBRG in which its Ordinary Shares are converted into or exchanged for securities, cash or other property, then, following any such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger, in lieu of ordinary shares of CBRG, the Seller shall transfer, with respect to each Founder Share to be transferred hereunder, upon the Seller’s receipt thereof, the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property into which such Assigned Securities were converted or exchanged, and the Economic Interest shall be with respect to such kind and amount of securities, cash or other property. |
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1.5. | Forfeitures, Transfers, etc. Investor shall not be subject to forfeiture, surrender, claw-back, transfers, disposals, exchanges or earn-outs for any reason on the Assigned Securities. Investor acknowledges that, prior to, or at the time of, the Initial Business Combination, the Seller shall have the authority to cause the Seller to subject the Founder Shares, other than the Assigned Securities, to earn-outs, forfeitures, transfers or other restrictions, or amend the terms under which the Founder Shares, other than Assigned Securities, were issued or any restrictions or other provisions relating to the Founder Shares set forth in the instruments establishing the same (including voting in favor of any such amendment) or enter into any other arrangements with respect to the Founder Shares, other than the Assigned Securities, and that the Seller is authorized to effectuate such earn-outs, forfeitures, transfers, restrictions, amendments or arrangements, including arrangements relating to the relaxation or early release of restrictions, in such amounts and pursuant to such terms as they determine in their sole and absolute discretion for any reason. Seller acknowledges and agrees that any such earn-outs, forfeitures, transfers, restrictions, amendments or arrangements shall apply only to the Founder Shares other than the Assigned Securities and the terms and conditions applicable to the Assigned Securities and the Economic Interest shall not be changed or the number reduced as a result of any such earn-outs, forfeitures, transfers, restrictions, amendments or arrangements. |
1.6. | Delivery of Shares; Other Documents. At the time of the transfer of Assigned Securities hereunder, the Seller shall deliver the Assigned Securities to Investor by transfer of book-entry shares effected through CBRG’s transfer agent. The parties to this Agreement agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver such further instruments and to do all such other acts, as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement. |
1.7. | Assignment of Registration Rights. Concurrent with the transfer of Assigned Securities to Investor under this Agreement, the Seller hereby assigns all of its rights, duties and obligations to Investor with respect to the Assigned Securities under that certain Registration and Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated November 9, 2021 (as it exists on the date of the Agreement, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Sponsor, CB Co-Investment, and the other shareholders of the Company signatory thereto, and hereby represents and confirms to Investor that, upon Investor’s receipt of the Assigned Securities, (i) Investor shall be a “Holder” under the Registration Rights Agreement and (ii) the Assigned Securities shall be “Registrable Securities” under the Registration Rights Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the Seller’s written notice to CBRG of such assignment in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement. Investor shall execute the Joinder (as defined in Section 1.8) agreeing to be bound by the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement as a “Holder” thereunder with respect to the Assigned Securities (upon acquisition thereof) as “Registrable Securities” thereunder. |
1.8. | Joinder to Letter Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement. In connection with the transfer of the Assigned Securities to Investor, Investor (or its Permitted Transferees) shall execute a joinder to the Letter Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Joinder”) pursuant to which Investor (or its Permitted Transferees) shall agree with CBRG to be bound solely by Section 5(a) of the Letter Agreement solely with respect to the Assigned Securities and to be bound by the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement as an Investor (as defined therein). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Joinder to the contrary, Investor shall be released with respect to the Assigned Securities from any transfer or lock-up restrictions under the Letter Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement to the same extent as any other holder, including the Seller, is released from such restrictions with respect to its remaining Founder Shares. |
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1.9. | Termination. This Agreement and each of the obligations of the undersigned shall terminate on earlier of (a) the failure of CBRG’s shareholders to approve the Extension at the Meeting, or the determination of CBRG not to proceed to effect the Extension, (b) the fulfillment of all obligations of parties hereto, (c) the liquidation or dissolution of CBRG, (d) the mutual written agreement of the parties hereto; or (e) if Investor exercises its Redemption Rights with respect to any Investor Shares in connection with the Meeting and such Redemption Rights are not withdrawn by the date of the Meeting. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Seller’s obligation to transfer the Assigned Securities to Investor shall be conditioned on (i) the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 1.2 and (ii) such Investor Shares not being redeemed in connection with the Meeting. |
2. | Assignment of Economic Interest. |
2.1. | Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 1.1, the Seller hereby assigns to Investor all of its economic right, title and interest in and to that number of Assigned Securities as determined on Exhibit A (the “Economic Interest”), subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 1.3. The Economic Interest represents the Seller’s right to receive dividends and other distributions made by the Company in respect of the Assigned Securities prior to, or in connection with, the consummation of the Business Combination. |
2.2. | Investor acknowledges and agrees that it has no right to vote on matters of the Seller as a result of the Assigned Securities or Economic Interest, or to vote with respect to any Assigned Securities, and it has no right to vote Assigned Securities prior to transfer of any such shares to Investor pursuant to this Agreement. |
2.3. | Investor acknowledges and agrees that if prior to the transfer of the Assigned Securities it has a right pursuant to its Economic Interest to receive any dividends or other distributions paid in Ordinary Shares or other non-cash property, the Seller shall transfer all of its right, title and interest in such dividends or distributions concurrently with the transfer of the Assigned Securities to such Investor pursuant to Section 1. The Seller agrees to hold all such money in trust and agrees that it shall not withdraw any such funds once received prior to the transfer of the Assigned Securities to Investor. |
2.4. | If the conditions to the transfer of the Founder Shares in Section 1 are not satisfied with respect to any Founder Shares, then Investor shall automatically assign its Economic Interests in such Founder Shares back to the Seller, for no consideration. |
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3. | Representations and Warranties of Investor. Investor represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Seller that: |
3.1. | No Government Recommendation or Approval. Investor understands that no federal or state agency has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the offering of the Assigned Securities. |
3.2. | Accredited Investor. Investor is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and acknowledges that the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance, among other things, on a private placement exemption to “accredited investors” under the Securities Act and similar exemptions under state law. |
3.3. | Intent. Investor is acquiring the Assigned Securities solely for investment purposes, for such Investor’s own account (and/or for the account or benefit of its members or affiliates, as permitted), and not with a view to the distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act and Investor has no present arrangement to sell Assigned Securities to or through any person or entity except as may be permitted hereunder. |
3.4. | Restrictions on Transfer; Trust Account; Redemption Rights. |
3.4.1. | Investor acknowledges and agrees that, prior to their transfer hereunder, the Assigned Securities are, and following any transfer to Investor may continue to be, subject to the transfer restrictions as set forth in Section 5(a) of the Letter Agreement. |
3.4.2. | Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Assigned Securities are not entitled to, and have no right, interest or claim of any kind in or to, any monies held in the trust account into which the proceeds of CBRG’s initial public offering were deposited (the “Trust Account”) or distributed as a result of any liquidation of the Trust Account. |
3.4.3. | Investor, solely for the benefit off and, notwithstanding anything else herein, enforceable only by CBRG, waives any right that it may have to elect to have CBRG redeem any Investor Shares and agrees not to redeem or otherwise exercise any right to redeem, the Investor Shares, in each case solely in connection with the Meeting, and to reverse and revoke any prior redemption elections made with respect to the Investor Shares in connection with the Meeting. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement is intended to restrict or prohibit Investor’s ability to redeem or trade any Public Shares (other than the Investor Shares) in its discretion at any time, or redeem or trade any Investor Shares in its discretion at any time after the date of the Meeting. |
3.4.4. | Investor acknowledges and understands that the Assigned Securities are being offered in a transaction not involving a public offering in the United States within the meaning of the Securities Act and have not been registered under the Securities Act and, if in the future Investor decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer Assigned Securities, such Assigned Securities may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (A) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, (B) pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, if available, or (C) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or any other jurisdiction. Absent registration or another available exemption from registration, Investor agrees it will not transfer the Assigned Securities. |
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3.5. | Reserved. |
3.6. | Sophisticated Investor. Investor is sophisticated in financial matters and able to evaluate the risks and benefits of the investment in the Assigned Securities. |
3.7. | Risk of Loss. Investor is aware that an investment in the Assigned Securities is highly speculative and subject to substantial risks. Investor is cognizant of and understands the risks related to the acquisition of the Assigned Securities, including those restrictions described or provided for in this Agreement and the Letter Agreement pertaining to transferability. Investor is able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Assigned Securities for an indefinite period of time and able to sustain a complete loss of such investment. |
3.8. | Independent Investigation. Investor has relied upon an independent investigation of CBRG and has not relied upon any information or representations made by any third parties or upon any oral or written representations or assurances, express or implied, from the Seller or any representatives or agents of the Seller, other than as set forth in this Agreement. Investor is familiar with the business, operations and financial condition of CBRG and has had an opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from CBRG’s management concerning CBRG and the terms and conditions of the proposed sale of the Assigned Securities and has had full access to such other information concerning CBRG as Investor has requested. Investor confirms that all documents that it has requested have been made available and that Investor has been supplied with all of the additional information concerning this investment which Investor has requested. |
3.9. | Organization and Authority. If an entity, Investor is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was organized and it possesses all requisite power and authority to acquire the Assigned Securities, enter into this Agreement and perform all the obligations required to be performed by Investor hereunder. |
3.10. | Non-U.S. Investor. If Investor is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “Code”)), Investor hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Assigned Securities or any use of this Agreement, including (i) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the acquisition of the Assigned Securities, (ii) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such acquisition, (iii) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the acquisition, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Assigned Securities. Investor’s subscription and payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Assigned Securities will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of Investor’s jurisdiction. |
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3.11. | Authority. This Agreement has been validly authorized, executed and delivered by Investor and is a valid and binding agreement enforceable against Investor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by equitable principles of general application and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal and state securities laws or principles of public policy. |
3.12. | No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) Investor’s organizational documents, (ii) any agreement or instrument to which Investor is a party or (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which Investor is subject, or any order, judgment or decree to which Investor is subject, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), that would reasonably be expected to prevent Investor from fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement. |
3.13. | No Advice from Seller. Investor has had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the form of Letter Agreement with Investor’s own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. Except for any statements or representations of the Seller explicitly made in this Agreement, Investor is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations, express or implied, of the Sponsor, CBRG, CB Co-Investment or any of their respective representatives or agents for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation for legal, tax or investment advice, with respect to this investment, the Sponsor, CB Co-Investment, CBRG, the Assigned Securities, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws of any jurisdiction. |
3.14. | Reliance on Representations and Warranties. Investor understands that the Assigned Securities are being offered and sold to Investor in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, and analogous provisions in the laws and regulations of various states, and that the Seller is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of Investor set forth in this Agreement in order to determine the applicability of such provisions. |
3.15. | No General Solicitation. Investor is not subscribing for Assigned Securities as a result of or subsequent to any general solicitation or general advertising, including but not limited to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising. |
3.16. | Brokers. No broker, finder or intermediary has been paid or is entitled to a fee or commission from or by Investor in connection with the acquisition of the Assigned Securities nor is Investor entitled to or will accept any such fee or commission. |
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4. | Representations and Warranties of the Sponsor, the Seller and CB Co-Investment. Each of the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment on behalf of itself represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Investor that: |
4.1. | Power and Authority. The Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, is a corporate entity duly formed and validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and possesses all requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations required to be performed by the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, hereunder, including the assignment, sale and transfer the Assigned Securities and the assignment of the Economic Interests. |
4.2. | Authority. All corporate action on the part of the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment, as applicable, and their respective officers, directors and members necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of all of its obligations required pursuant hereto has been taken. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment, as applicable, and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Investor) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment, as applicable, enforceable against the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by equitable principles of general application and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal and state securities laws or principles of public policy. |
4.3. | Title to Securities. The Seller is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Assigned Securities and will, immediately prior to the transfer of the Assigned Securities to Investor, be the record and beneficial owner of the Assigned Securities, in each case, free and clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, charges, claims, encumbrances, agreements, options, voting trusts, proxies and other arrangements or restrictions of any kind (other than transfer restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to the Founder Shares generally and applicable securities laws). The Assigned Securities to be transferred, when transferred to Investor as provided herein, will be free and clear of all liens, pledges, security interests, charges, claims, encumbrances, agreements, options, voting trusts, proxies and other arrangements or restrictions of any kind (other than transfer restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to the Founder Shares generally, under Section 5(a) the Letter Agreement and applicable securities laws). The Assigned Securities are duly authorized, fully paid, and non-assessable. |
4.4. | No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the organizational documents of the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, (ii) any agreement or instrument to which the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, is a party or by which it is bound or (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, is subject or any order, judgment or decree to which the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, is subject. The Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, is not required under federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or self-regulatory entity in order for it to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or transfer the Assigned Securities or assign the Economic Interest in accordance with the terms hereof. |
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4.5. | No General Solicitation. Neither the Sponsor nor CB Co-Investment, as applicable, has offered the Assigned Securities by means of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act, including but not limited to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or general advertising. |
4.6. | Brokers. No broker, finder or intermediary has been paid or is entitled to a fee or commission from or by the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, in connection with the sale of the Assigned Securities nor is the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, entitled to or will accept any such fee or commission. |
4.7. | Transfer Restrictions. Until termination of this Agreement, the Seller shall not transfer any of its Founder Shares representing the maximum number of Assigned Securities subject to this Agreement and additional Founder Shares that constitute “Assigned Securities” under any other similar agreement that the Seller enters into (or has previously entered into), and shall retain all economic benefit related to such securities, including in respect of the Assigned Securities. |
4.8. | Reliance on Representations and Warranties. The Sponsor and CB Co-Investment, as applicable, understands and acknowledges that Investor is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, set forth in this Agreement. |
4.9. | No Pending Actions. There is no action pending against the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, threatened against the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, before any court, arbitrator, or governmental authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, of its obligations under this Agreement. |
5. | Representations and Warranties of CBRG. CBRG represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Investor that: |
5.1. | Power and Authority. CBRG is a corporate entity duly formed and validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the Cayman Islands and possesses all requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations required to be performed by CBRG hereunder. |
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5.2. | Authority. All corporate action on the part of CBRG and its officers and directors necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of all obligations of CBRG required pursuant hereto has been taken. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by CBRG and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Investor) constitutes CBRG’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against CBRG in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by equitable principles of general application and except as enforcement of rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal and state securities laws or principles of public policy. The Assigned Securities are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
5.3. | No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by CBRG of the transactions contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the organizational documents of CBRG, (ii) any agreement or instrument to which CBRG is a party or by which it is bound or (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation to which CBRG is subject or any order, judgment or decree to which CBRG is subject. CBRG is not required under federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or self-regulatory entity in order for it to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement. |
5.4. | Reliance on Representations and Warranties. CBRG understands and acknowledges that Investor is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of CBRG set forth in this Agreement. |
5.5. | No Pending Actions. There is no action pending against CBRG or, to CBRG’s knowledge, threatened against the CBRG, before any court, arbitrator, or governmental authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by CBRG of its obligations under this Agreement. |
6. | Trust Account. Until the earlier of (a) the consummation of CBRG’s initial business combination; (b) the liquidation of the Trust Account; and (c) 18 months from consummation of CBRG’s initial public offering or such later time as the shareholders of CBRG may approve in accordance with the M&A, CBRG will maintain the investment of funds held in the Trust Account in interest-bearing United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Thereafter, CBRG will maintain the investment of any funds that continue to be held in the Trust Account in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank until the earlier of (a) consummation of CBRG’s initial business combination or (b) the liquidation of the Trust Account. CBRG further confirms that it will not utilize any funds from its Trust Account to pay any potential excise taxes that may become due pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 upon a redemption of the Public Shares, including, but not limited to, in connection with the Extension and with a liquidation of CBRG if it does not effect a business combination prior to its termination date. |
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7. | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to its principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. With respect to any suit, action or proceeding relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, the undersigned irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court or, if such court does not have jurisdiction, the New York state courts located in the Borough of Manhattan, State of New York, which submission shall be exclusive. |
8. | Assignment; Entire Agreement; Amendment. |
8.1. | Assignment. Any assignment of this Agreement or any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder by either the Seller or Investor to any person shall require the prior written consent of the other parties; provided that no such consent shall be required for any such assignment by Investor to one or more Permitted Transferees that executes a joinder hereto; provided, further, that the Sponsor may assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations as the “Seller” under this Agreement to CB Co-Investment so long as the Sponsor remains primarily responsible for its and CB Co-Investment’s obligations under this Agreement. To the extent the Sponsor assigns any of its rights and obligations as the “Seller” under this Agreement to CB Co-Investment, CB Co-Investment shall be deemed to be Seller for all purposes under this Agreement. |
8.2. | Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter thereof and merges and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature among them relating to the subject matter hereof. |
8.3. | Amendment. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. |
8.4. | Binding upon Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns. |
9. | Notices. Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice or other communication to a party hereunder shall be sufficiently given if in writing and personally delivered or sent by facsimile or other electronic transmission with copy sent in another manner herein provided or sent by courier (which for all purposes of this Agreement shall include Federal Express or another recognized overnight courier) or mailed to said party by certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address provided for herein or such other address as either may designate for itself in such notice to the other. Communications shall be deemed to have been received when delivered personally, on the scheduled arrival date when sent by next day or 2nd-day courier service, or if sent by facsimile upon receipt of confirmation of transmittal or, if sent by mail, then three days after deposit in the mail. If given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered (a) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the party has provided to receive notice; and (b) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to such party. |
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10. | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. |
11. | Survival; Severability |
11.1. | Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby. |
11.2. | Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision; provided that no such severability shall be effective if it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party. |
12. | Headings. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. |
13. | Disclosure; Waiver. As soon as practicable after execution of this Agreement (and in any event not later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time on the business day immediately following the date hereof), the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), reporting the material terms of this Agreement and of the transactions contemplated hereby and any other material, nonpublic information that CBRG has provided to Investor at any time prior to such filing. The parties to this Agreement shall cooperate with one another to assure that such disclosure is accurate. CBRG agrees that the name of the investor shall not be included in any public disclosures related to this Agreement unless required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule. Investor (i) acknowledges that the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, may possess or have access to material non-public information which has not been communicated to the Investor; (ii) hereby waives any and all claims, whether at law, in equity or otherwise, that he, she, or it may now have or may hereafter acquire, whether presently known or unknown, against the Sponsor, CB Co-Investment, CBRG or any of CBRG’s officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, successors or assigns relating to any failure to disclose any non-public information in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, including any potential business combination involving CBRG, including without limitation, any claims arising under Rule 10-b(5) of the Exchange Act; and (iii) is aware that the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment, as applicable, are relying on the truth of the representations set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement and the foregoing acknowledgement and waiver in this Section 12, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
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14. | Independent Nature of Rights and Obligations. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any party pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute Investor, on the one hand, and the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, on the other hand, as, and the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment acknowledges that Investor, on the one hand, and the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment, on the other hand, do not so constitute, a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that Investor, on the one hand, and the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, on the other hand, are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters, and the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment acknowledges that Investor, on the one hand, and the Sponsor and CB Co-Investment, on the other hand, are not acting in concert or as a group, and neither the Sponsor nor CB Co-Investment, as applicable, shall assert any such claim, with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
15. | Most Favored Nation. In the event the Sponsor, CB Co-Investment or CBRG enters one or more other non-redemption agreements before or after the execution of this Agreement in connection with the Meeting, the Sponsor, CB Co-Investment and CBRG represent that the terms of such other agreements are not materially more favorable to such other investors thereunder than the terms of this Agreement are in respect of the Investor. For the avoidance of doubt, the Sponsor, CB Co-Investment and CBRG acknowledge and agree that a ratio of Investor Shares to Assigned Securities in any such other agreement that is more favorable to any other party to such other agreement than such ratio in this Agreement is to Investor would be materially more favorable to such other party. In the event that another investor is afforded any such more favorable terms than the Investor, the Sponsor or CB Co-Investment, as applicable, shall promptly inform the Investor of such more favorable terms in writing, and the Investor shall have the right to elect to have such more favorable terms included herein, in which case the parties hereto shall promptly amend this Agreement to effect the same. |
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
CHAIN BRIDGE I | ||
By: | ||
Name: Michael Rolnick | ||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Non-Redemption Agreement]
CB CO-INVESTMENT LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: Stephen Lasota | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page to Non-Redemption Agreement]
INVESTOR: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Non-Redemption Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
Investor Name:
Investor Address:
Investor SSN/EIN:
If the Initial Business Combination is consummated on or before November 15, 2023, Assigned Securities shall mean 100,000 Founder Shares.
If the Initial Business Combination is consummated after November 15, 2023 and on or before December 15, 2023, Assigned Securities shall mean an aggregate of 116,666 Founder Shares.
If the Initial Business Combination is consummated after December 15, 2023 and on or before January 15, 2024, Assigned Securities shall mean an aggregate of 133,333 Founder Shares.
If the Initial Business Combination is consummated after January 15, 2024 and on or before February 15, 2024, Assigned Securities shall mean an aggregate of 150,000 Founder Shares.
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF JOINDER
TO
LETTER AGREEMENT
AND
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
______, 20_
Reference is made to that certain Non-Redemption Agreement and Assignment of Economic Interest, dated as of , 2023 (the “Agreement”), by and among (“Investor”), Chain Bridge I (the “Company”) and [●] (the “Seller”), pursuant to which Investor acquired securities of the Company from the Seller. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Agreement.
By executing this joinder, Investor hereby agrees, as of the date first set forth above, that Investor (i) shall become a party to that certain Letter Agreement, dated November 9, 2021 (as it exists on the date of the Agreement, the “Letter Agreement”), by and among the Company, Chain Bridge Group, CB Co-Investment LLC, officers and directors of the Company, and the other shareholders of the Company signatory thereto, solely with respect to Section 5(a) of the Letter Agreement, and shall be bound by, and shall be subject to the restrictions set forth under, the terms and provisions of such section of the Letter Agreement as an Insider (as defined therein) solely with respect to its Assigned Securities, it being confirmed that Investor may transfer its Assigned Securities to its affiliates; and (ii) shall become a party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 9, 2021 (as it exists on the date of the Agreement, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among the Company, Chain Bridge Group, CB Co-Investment LLC and the other shareholders of the Company signatory thereto, and shall be bound by the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement as an Investor (as defined therein) and entitled to the rights of a Holder under the Registration Rights Agreement and the Assigned Securities (together with any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such Assigned Securities by way of a share dividend or share subdivision or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization) shall be “Registrable Securities” thereunder.
For the purposes of clarity, it is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained herein, in the Letter Agreement (to the extent applicable to Investor) and the Registration Rights Agreement is between the Company and Investor, solely, and not between and among Investor and the other shareholders of the Company signatory thereto.
This joinder may be executed in two or more counterparts, and by facsimile, all of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED: | ||
CHAIN BRIDGE I | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |