Bridge Note dated August 6, 2024 by LightPath Technologies, Inc. in favor of Lytton-Kambara Foundation

EXHIBIT 10.1

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATES IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS NOTE IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. THE ISSUER OF THIS NOTE MAY REQUIRE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER OR RESALE IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

BRIDGE NOTE

Date of Note: August 6, 2024

Principal Amount of Note: $3,000,000

Purchase Price of Note: $2,790,000

Original Issue Discount: $210,000

For value received LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay to the undersigned holder (the “Holder”) the principal amount set forth above with interest on the outstanding principal amount at the rate of 12.5% per annum; provided, however, upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default (as defined below) interest shall accrue at 18% per annum. Interest shall commence with the date hereof and shall continue on the outstanding principal amount until paid in full. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365/366 days for the actual number of days elapsed. All accrued but unpaid interest (to the extent provided herein) and principal shall be due and payable on August 6, 2025, unless sooner requested in writing by the Holder on or after the closing date of a Change of Control (as defined below) (collectively, the “Maturity Date”).

1. Basic Terms.

(a) Payments. All payments of interest and principal due under this Bridge Note (this “Note”) shall be in lawful money of the United States of America and shall be made to the Holder. All payments shall be applied first to accrued interest, and thereafter to principal.

(b) Prepayment. The Company may prepay the principal outstanding under this Note in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Maturity Date at 105% of the prepaid principal amount plus any unpaid accrued interest.

2. Repayment.

(a) Change of Control. If the Company consummates a Change of Control (as defined below) while this Note remains outstanding, the Company shall repay the Holder in cash in an amount equal to 105% of the outstanding principal amount of this Note plus any unpaid accrued interest on the original principal. For purposes of this Note, a “Change of Control” means (i) a consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any other corporate reorganization, other than any such consolidation, merger or reorganization in which the shares of capital stock of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization continue to represent a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization; (ii) any transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is a party in which in excess of 50% of the Company’s voting power is transferred; or (iii) the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; provided that a Change of Control shall not include any transaction or series of transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes in which cash is received by the Company or any successor, indebtedness of the Company is cancelled or converted or a combination thereof. The Company shall give the Holder notice of a Change of Control not less than 10 days prior to the anticipated date of consummation of the Change of Control. Any repayment pursuant to this paragraph in connection with a Change of Control shall be subject to any required tax withholdings, and may be made by the Company (or any party to such Change of Control or its agent) following the Change of Control in connection with payment procedures established in connection with such Change of Control.

(b) Interest Accrual. If a Change of Control is consummated, all interest on this Note shall be deemed to have stopped accruing as of a date selected by the Company that is up to 5 days prior to the closing for the Change of Control.

3. Representations and Warranties.

(a) Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents (as defined below), the Company represents and warrants to the Holder, as of the date hereof, that:

(i) Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has the requisite corporate power to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted. The Company is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its activities and of its properties (both owned and leased) makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(ii) Corporate Power. The Company has all requisite corporate power to issue this Note and to carry out and perform its obligations hereunder. The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has approved this Note.

(iii) Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company necessary for the issuance and delivery of the Note has been taken. The Note constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, the relief of debtors.

(iv) Governmental Consents. All consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, or registrations, qualifications, designations, declarations or filings with, any governmental authority required on the part of the Company in connection with issuance of the Note has been obtained.

(v) Compliance with Laws. To its knowledge, the Company is not in violation of any applicable statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof in respect of the conduct of its business or the ownership of its properties, which violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(vi) Compliance with Other Instruments. To its knowledge, the Company is not in violation or default of any term of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or of any provision of any mortgage, indenture or contract to which it is a party and by which it is bound or of any judgment, decree, order or writ, other than such violation(s) that would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of the Note will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with, or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either a default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, decree, order or writ or an event that results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties.

(vii) No “Bad Actor” Disqualification. The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Company Covered Person (as defined below) is subject to any of the “bad actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) through (viii), as modified by Rules 506(d)(2) and (d)(3), under the Act (“Disqualification Events”). To the Company’s knowledge, no Company Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event. The Company has complied, to the extent required, with any disclosure obligations under Rule 506(e) under the Act. For purposes of this Note, “Company Covered Persons” are those persons specified in Rule 506(d)(1) under the Act; provided, however, that Company Covered Persons do not include (a) any Holder, or (b) any person or entity that is deemed to be an affiliated issuer of the Company solely as a result of the relationship between the Company and any Holder.

(viii) SEC Documents; Disclosure. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Exchange Act of 1934, including pursuant to Section 13(a) thereof, for the one (1) year preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Documents”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Documents prior to the expiration of any such extension. To the Company’s knowledge, as of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and other federal laws, rules and regulations applicable to such SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents when filed 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. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents comply as to form and substance in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC or other applicable rules and regulations with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except (a) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto or (b) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may not include 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 operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments). Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transaction contemplated by the Note, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other person acting on its behalf has provided the Holder or its agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information. The Company understands and confirms that the Holder will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.

(ix) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall use the proceeds of this Note solely for the operations of its business, and not for any personal, family or household purpose.

(a) Representations and Warranties of the Holder. The Holder hereby represents and warrants to the Company as of the date hereof as follows:

(i) Purchase for Own Account. The Holder is acquiring the Note solely for the Holder’s own account and beneficial interest for investment and not for sale or with a view to distribution of the Note or any part thereof, has no present intention of selling (in connection with a distribution or otherwise), granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, and does not presently have reason to anticipate a change in such intention.

(ii) Information and Sophistication. Without lessening or obviating the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in subsection (a) above, the Holder hereby: (A) acknowledges that the Holder has received all the information the Holder has requested from the Company and the Holder considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to acquire the Note, (B) represents that the Holder has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the Note and to obtain any additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of the information given the Holder and (C) further represents that the Holder has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that the Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risk of this investment.

(iii) Ability to Bear Economic Risk. The Holder acknowledges that investment in the Note involves a high degree of risk, and represents that the Holder is able, without materially impairing the Holder’s financial condition, to hold the Note and to suffer a complete loss of the Holder’s investment.

(iv) Further Limitations on Disposition. Without in any way limiting the representations set forth above, the Holder further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Note unless and until:

(1) The Holder shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and if reasonably requested by the Company, the Holder shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration under the Act or any applicable state securities laws; provided that no such opinion shall be required for dispositions in compliance with Rule 144 under the Act, except in unusual circumstances.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) above, no such registration statement or opinion of counsel shall be necessary for a transfer by the Holder by gift, will or intestate succession to any spouse or lineal descendants or ancestors, if all transferees agree in writing to be subject to the terms hereof to the same extent as if they were the Holder hereunder.

(v) Accredited Investor Status. The Holder is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Act.

(vi) No “Bad Actor” Disqualification. The Holder represents and warrants that neither (A) the Holder nor (B) any entity that controls the Holder or is under the control of, or under common control with, the Holder, is subject to any Disqualification Event, except for Disqualification Events covered by Rule 506(d)(2)(ii) or (iii) or (d)(3) under the Act and disclosed in writing in reasonable detail to the Company. The Holder represents that the Holder has exercised reasonable care to determine the accuracy of the representation made by the Holder in this paragraph and agrees to notify the Company if the Holder becomes aware of any fact that makes the representation given by the Holder hereunder inaccurate.

(vii) Forward-Looking Statements. With respect to any forecasts, projections of results and other forward-looking statements and information provided to the Holder, if any, the Holder acknowledges that such statements were prepared based upon assumptions deemed reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation. There is no assurance that such statements will prove accurate, and the Company has no obligation to update such statements.

4. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

(a) If there shall be any Event of Default (as defined below) hereunder, at the option and upon the declaration of the Holder and upon written notice to the Company, this Note shall accelerate and all principal and unpaid accrued interest shall become due and payable. The occurrence of any one or more of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

(i) any representation or warranty made in the Note, shall be untrue or incorrect in any material respect as of the date when made or deemed made, which failure is not cured, if possible to cure, within 20 business days after notice of such failure is sent by the Holder to the Company;

(ii) the Company shall fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the Note, except as set forth in Section 4 (a)(iii) below, which failure is not cured, if possible to cure, within 20 business days after written notice of such failure is sent by the Holder to the Company;

(iii) the Company fails to pay timely any of the principal amount due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable or any unpaid accrued interest or other amounts due under this Note on the date the same becomes due and payable, which failure is not cured within 5 business days after written notice of such failure is sent by the Holder to the Company;

(iv) the Company files any petition or action for relief under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or moratorium law or any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, now or hereafter in effect, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

(v) an involuntary petition is filed against the Company (unless such petition is dismissed or discharged within 60 days under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee or assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company).

(a) If the Holder initiates a lawsuit to enforce and collect amounts due under this Note upon the occurrance of any Event of Default which is not subsequently cured, the Company shall pay all reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs incurred by the Holder in enforcing and collecting this Note.

5. Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) Waivers. Except as expressly set forth in this Note, the Company hereby waives demand, notice, presentment, protest and notice of dishonor.

(b) Further Assurances. The Holder agrees and covenants that at any time and from time to time the Holder will promptly execute and deliver to the Company such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Company may reasonably require in order to carry out the full intent and purpose of this Note and to comply with state or federal securities laws or other regulatory approvals.

(c) Transfers of Notes. This Note may be transferred only upon its surrender to the Company for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company. Thereupon, this Note shall be reissued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee, or a new Note for like principal amount and interest shall be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Interest and principal shall be paid solely to the registered holder of this Note. Such payment shall constitute full discharge of the Company’s obligation to pay such interest and principal.

(d) Amendment and Waiver. Any term of this Note may be amended or waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

(e) Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Note shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York, as applied to agreements among New York residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles. Each party hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or United States federal court located in New York County, New York for any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note. THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDER HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY AND THE RIGHT THERETO IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND, ARISING UNDER OR OUT OF, OR OTHERWISE RELATED TO OR OTHERWISE CONNECTED WITH THIS NOTE.

(f) Binding Agreement. The terms and conditions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Note, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any third party any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Note, except as expressly provided in this Note.

(g) Counterparts; Manner of Delivery. This Note may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) 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.

(h) Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Note are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Note.

(i) Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) one business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications to a party shall be sent to the party’s address set forth on the signature page hereto or at such other address(es) as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other party hereto.

(j) Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Holder for its expenses and legal fees incurred with respect to the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Note and the transactions contemplated herein up to a cap of $15,000.

(k) Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to the Holder, upon any breach or default of the Company under this Note shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or any acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character by the Holder of any breach or default under this Note, or any waiver by the Holder of any provisions or conditions of this Note, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in writing and that all remedies, either under this Note, or by law or otherwise afforded to the Holder, shall be cumulative and not alternative. This Note shall be null and void ab initio and of no force or effect in the event that the Holder fails to remit the full principal amount to the Company within five calendar days of the date of this Note.

(l) Entire Agreement. This Note constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof, and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein.

(m) Broker’s Fees. Each party hereto represents and warrants that no agent, broker, investment banker, person or firm acting on behalf of or under the authority of such party hereto is or will be entitled to any broker’s or finder’s fee or any other commission directly or indirectly in connection with the transactions contemplated herein except, with respect to the Company, A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners to which the Company will pay a commission. Each party hereto further agrees to indemnify each other party for any claims, losses or expenses incurred by such other party as a result of the representation in this subsection being untrue.

(n) Severability. If any provision of this Note is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the balance of this Note shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances. If it shall be found that any interest or other amount deemed interest due hereunder violates the applicable law governing usury, the applicable rate of interest due hereunder shall automatically be lowered to equal the maximum rate of interest permitted under applicable law. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on this Note as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Note, and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefits or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Holder, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such as though no such law has been enacted.

[Signature pages follow]

The parties have executed this Bridge Note as of the date first noted above.

Signature Page for Bridge Note

The parties have executed this Bridge Note as of the date first noted above.

Signature Page for Bridge Note