Loan and Pledge Agreement between World Commerce Online, Inc. and Interprise Technology Partners LP

Summary

World Commerce Online, Inc. and Interprise Technology Partners LP entered into an agreement on August 14, 2000, where Interprise will lend up to $5 million to the Company for general working capital. The loan is secured by a pledge of all the Company's assets, and is evidenced by a Senior Secured Promissory Note. The Company must repay the loan with 10% annual interest by February 12, 2001. If the Company defaults, Interprise can sell the pledged assets to recover the debt. The agreement also includes the issuance of a warrant to Interprise.

EX-10.1 5 ex10-1.txt LOAN AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT 1 EXHIBIT 10.1 LOAN AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT This LOAN AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made as of August 14, 2000, by and among World Commerce Online, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and Interprise Technology Partners LP ("INTERPRISE"). RECITAL 1. The Company has requested Interprise to lend it up to $5 million and Interprise is willing to provide the loan, which loan is to be evidenced by a Senior Secured Promissory Note secured by a pledge of all of the assets of the Company, all subject to the terms and conditions stated herein. AGREEMENT In consideration of the agreements and covenants contained herein, together with other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: SECTION 1. TERMS OF THE LOANS 1.1. THE LOANS. Interprise agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make loans to the Company in the aggregate principal amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) (the "LOANS"). The Loans shall be disbursed to the Company in increments of $500,000, on a documented "as required" basis, pursuant to written requests by the Company for same, and, for each $500,000 increment, subject to agreement by Interprise. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used by the Company for general working capital purposes. 1.2. THE NOTE. The Loans shall be evidenced by a Senior Secured Promissory Note dated the date hereof (the "NOTE"), representing the obligation of the Company to repay the Loans, together with interest thereon. A form of the Note is attached hereto as Exhibit A. The Company authorizes Interprise to endorse the date and amount of the Loans and any prepayment on the schedule annexed to and constituting a part of the Note, which endorsement shall constitute prima facia evidence of the accuracy of the information, in the absence of manifest error. The failure to record any such amount or any error in recording shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Company to repay the principal amount of the Loans together with all interest accruing thereon. 1.3. REPAYMENT. The outstanding principal and interest is payable no later than February 12, 2001 at which time all of the outstanding and unpaid principal and interest shall be due and payable (the "MATURITY DATE"). All payments of principal and interest shall be made in U.S. Dollars. 2 1.4. INTEREST. Interest on the outstanding principal shall equal to ten percent (10%) per annum (the "INTEREST RATE") and shall accrue from the date on which principal was advanced. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a three hundred and sixty five (365) day year. 1.5 WARRANT. The Company shall issue to Interprise a warrant dated the date hereof, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Warrant"). SECTION 2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 2.1. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR CLOSING. The obligation of Interprise to make the Loans is subject to the conditions precedent that the Company shall have delivered to Interprise prior to the disbursement of the Loans the following: (a) THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement, duly executed by an authorized officer of the Company and Interprise. (b) THE NOTE. The Note, duly executed by an authorized officer of the Company. (c) THE WARRANT. The Warrant, duly executed by an authorized officer of the Company. (d) DESIGNATION OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK. The Company shall have filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware an Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock increasing the number of designated shares of its Series B Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, to 5,918,198. (e) ADDITIONAL MATTERS. All other documents in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby reasonably requested by Interprise. SECTION 3. PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENTS 3.1. SECURITY INTEREST AND PLEDGE. As security for the prompt and complete satisfaction of all obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Note, whether for principal, interest, expenses or otherwise, the Company hereby grants, transfers and assigns and pledges to Interprise all of its respective right, title and interest in and grants Interprise a senior security interest in the Company's assets as set forth in that UCC-1 Financing Statement ("UCC-1") filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida, all of even date herewith (the "PLEDGED ASSETS"). 3.2 DEFAULT. If the Company defaults in the payment of the principal or interest under the Note when it becomes due (whether upon acceleration or otherwise) or any other event of default under the Note or this Agreement occurs (including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the 2 3 Company), Interprise may exercise any and all the rights, powers and remedies of any owner of the Pledged Assets and shall have and may exercise without demand any and all the rights and remedies granted to a secured party upon default under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Florida or otherwise available to Interprise under applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, Interprise is authorized to sell, assign and deliver at its discretion, from time to time, all or any part of the Pledged Assets at any private sale or public auction, on not less than ten days written notice to the Company, at such price or prices and upon such terms as Interprise may deem advisable. The Company shall have no right to redeem the Pledged Assets after any such sale or assignment. At any such sale or auction, Interprise may bid for, and become the purchaser of, the whole or any part of the Pledged Assets offered for sale. In case of any such sale, after deducting the costs, attorneys' fees and other expenses of sale and delivery, the remaining proceeds of such sale shall be applied to the principal of and accrued interest on the Note; provided that after payment in full of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note, the balance of the proceeds of sale then remaining shall be paid to the Company and the Company shall be entitled to the return of any of the Pledged Assets remaining in the hands of Interprise. The Company shall be liable for any deficiency if the remaining proceeds are insufficient to pay the indebtedness under the Note in full, including the fees of any attorneys employed by Interprise to collect such deficiency. 3.3 COSTS AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. All costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement or in the enforcement thereof, shall become part of the indebtedness secured hereunder and shall be paid by the Company or repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the Pledged Assets hereunder. 3.4 PAYMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS AND RELEASE OF PLEDGED ASSETS. Upon payment in full of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note, Interprise shall surrender the Pledged Assets to the Company together with all forms of assignment. 3.5 NO OTHER LIENS; NO SALES OR TRANSFERS. The Company hereby represents and warrants that it has good and valid title to all of the Pledged Assets, free and clear of all liens, security interests and other encumbrances, and the Company hereby covenants that, until such time as all of the outstanding principal of and interest on the Note has been repaid, the Company shall not (i) create, incur, assure or suffer to exist any pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind against the Pledged Assets or the Company's rights or a holder thereof, other than pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) sell or otherwise transfer any Pledged Assets or any interest therein. 3.6 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Company agrees that at any time and from time to time upon the written request of Interprise, the Company shall execute and deliver such further documents (including UCC financing statements) and do such further acts and things as Interprise may reasonably request in order to effect the purposes of this Agreement. SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. In order to induce Interprise to enter into this Agreement, the Company represents and warrants to Interprise that: 3 4 4.1. DUE ORGANIZATION, GOOD STANDING AND AUTHORITY. The Company is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction where necessary in light of its business and properties, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company. The Company has full power, authority and legal right (a) to own or lease its assets and properties and to conduct its business as now being conducted, (b) to incur its obligations under and to perform the terms of this Agreement, the Note and the Warrant, and (c) to issue the Warrant and Warrant Stock (as defined in the Warrant). 4.2. DUE AUTHORIZATION; NON-CONTRAVENTION. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the Note, the Warrant and all ancillary instruments issued hereunder, and the performance of the terms hereof and thereof will not be, or result in, a violation, breach or default of any law, agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party. 4.3. VALIDITY. This Agreement, the Note and the Warrant when delivered will be, legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms. 4.4. SHARES. Upon exercise of the Warrant in accordance with its terms as contemplated therein, the Warrant Stock (as defined therein) will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, will not be issued in violation of any preemptive rights, and the holders of the Warrant Stock will have good title to such shares, free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, shareholders' agreements and voting trusts. Upon conversion of the Warrant Stock into Common Stock in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, the Common Stock then issued will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, will not be issued in violation of any preemptive rights, and the holders of the Common Stock will have good title to such shares, free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, shareholders' agreements and voting trusts. 4.5 COMPLIANCE. All the consents required for compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the Note have been acquired. Compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the Note will not cause the Company to lose any interest in or the benefit of any asset, right, license or privilege it presently owns or enjoys or cause any person who normally does business with the Company not to continue to do so on the same basis as previously, and will not give rise to or cause to become exercisable any option or right of preemption. 4.6 NO DEFAULT. The Company is not, and shall not be as a result of this Agreement or the Note, in default under any instrument constituting any indebtedness or under any guarantee of any indebtedness and there is no reason why any such indebtedness or guarantee should be called or the liabilities thereunder accelerated before their due date (if any) or any loan facilities terminated. 4.7 CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 90,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par 4 5 value $.001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of which 4,250,000 are designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, 5,110,000 are designated as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, and 91,802 are designated as Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share. The Company has 16,263,904 shares of Common Stock, 4,250,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, 5,000,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and 91,802 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The Company is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital stock or any warrants, options, or other rights to acquire its capital stock, except pursuant to its Certificate of Incorporation. All of the outstanding shares of the Company's capital stock are and shall be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. 4.8 LITIGATION. There is no action, suit or proceeding, by or before any governmental or regulatory authority, court, arbitral tribunal or other body now pending (or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened) against or affecting the Company or any of its properties, rights, or assets or which may effect the legality or enforceability of this Agreement or the Note. SECTION 5. COVENANTS. The Company covenants and agrees that, from the date hereof until the Maturity Date and for so long as the Loans remain outstanding and unpaid, in whole or in part, or any other amount is owing to Interprise under this Agreement, unless Interprise shall otherwise consent in writing, the Company will promptly give notice to Interprise as soon as it becomes aware of (a) any Event of Default (as defined in Section 6) or (b) any other matter, event or thing that has had or could reasonably have a material adverse effect on the Company or its financial condition. SECTION 6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES 6.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence and continuance of any one or more of the following events (whether or not in the control of the Company) shall constitute an Event of Default: (a) NONPAYMENT. The Company shall fail to make, on or before five (5) business days after the due date, in the manner required, any payment of principal, interest or any other sums due under this Agreement. (b) OTHER DEFAULTS; CURE PERIOD. The Company shall fail to observe or perform any of its covenants contained in this Agreement, other than the covenants and provisions relating to payments in paragraph (a) above, and the Company shall have not remedied such default within thirty (30) business days after such default. 5 6 (c) REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed to be made by the Company herein or in any document given hereunder shall prove to have been untrue in any material respect as of the time made. (d) INSOLVENCY. The Company shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (i) the Company shall commence any voluntary bankruptcy proceeding, or (ii) their shall be commenced against the Company by another party any such case, proceeding or other action in bankruptcy which remains unstayed, undismissed or undischarged for a period of 60 days. 6.2. ACCELERATION. On the Date of Default, there shall immediately be due and payable to Interprise the amount of the Loans outstanding, plus accrued interest and all other amounts owed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement. All amounts under this Section 6 are due and payable without presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Company. 6.3. REMEDIES UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT. (a) GENERAL. Subject to Section 6.3(b) below, if any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Interprise may proceed to protect and enforce his rights as holder of the Note, either by suit in equity or by action at law, or both, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement, and may proceed to enforce the payment of all amounts due upon the Note, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection (including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements), or to enforce any other legal or equitable right of the holder of the Note. In addition, Interprise shall have all the rights of a pledgee in possession of the Pledged Assets under the applicable provisions of law and of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Florida, and any other jurisdiction where any of the Collateral is located, and all rights and remedies provided in Section 3 of this Agreement or at law or in equity or otherwise. (b) REMEDIES FOR NON-PAYMENT. If an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.1(a) shall have occurred, Interprise shall have the sole option to either (i) pursue his rights under Section 6.3(a) above or (ii) extend the terms of the Note for an additional three (3) months, in which case the Note would not be in default but would continue to accrue interest at the non-default rate under the Note. (c) REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. No remedy conferred in this Agreement or the Note upon Interprise is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. (d) REMEDIES NOT WAIVED. No course of dealing between the Company and Interprise, and no delay or failure in exercising any rights hereunder or under the Note in respect thereof, shall operate as a waiver of any of the rights of Interprise. 6 7 SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS 7.1. NOTICES. All notices, demands or other communications in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand, sent by registered or certified mail or by facsimile addressed to the parties as set forth below (or to such other address as the parties may designate by notice): If to Interprise: Interprise Technology Partners, LP 1001 Brickell Bay Drive, 30th Floor Miami, FL 33131 Attention: JC Campuzano Fax: (305) 374-3317 With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. 555 13th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004 Attention: Mark A. Kass Fax: (202) 637-5910 If to the Company to: World Commerce Online, Inc. 9677 Tradeport Drive Orlando, FL 32827 Attention: Mark Patten Fax: (407) 240-9228 With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: Greenberg Traurig, P.A. 111 North Orange Avenue, 20th Floor Orlando, FL 32801 Attention: Jeffery Bahnsen Fax: (407) 420-5909 A notice delivered by hand to a party shall be deemed received when delivered. A notice sent by mail shall be deemed received on the fifth business day after mailing. A notice sent by facsimile shall be deemed received upon receipt of the relevant confirmation or answerback. 7 8 7.2. AMENDMENTS, ETC. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the Note, nor consent to any departure by the Company therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. 7.3. COSTS AND EXPENSES. As an inducement for the general partner of Interprise to provide services to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and as a further inducement for Interprise to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company agrees to pay to the general partner of Interprise a closing fee of $100,000, payable at the time of the initial advance of a portion of the Loan. In addition, the Company shall reimburse Interprise for its reasonable fees and expenses (including its reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and other advisors) which Interprise has incurred in connection with the transaction. In addition, the Company agrees to pay, and hold Interprise harmless against liability for the payment of: (i) its reasonable fees and expenses (including its reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and other advisors) arising in connection with the interpretation and enforcement of its rights under, this Agreement, the other agreements contemplated hereby, the Certificate of Incorporation and the Company's Bylaws, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and expenses arising with respect to any subsequent or proposed acquisitions, sales, mergers, or recapitalizations by the Company and its Subsidiaries); (ii) the reasonable fees and expenses incurred with respect to any amendments or waivers (whether or not the same become effective) under or in respect of this Agreement, the other agreements contemplated hereby and the Articles of Incorporation and the Company's Bylaws; (iii) reasonable travel expenses and other reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses as have been or may be incurred by Interprise, its directors, officers and employees in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and expenses incurred in attending Company-related meetings); and (iv) stamp and other Taxes which may be payable in respect of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the issuance, delivery, or acquisition of any shares of Stock upon exercise of the Warrant. 7.4. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless Interprise and his agents, representatives and employees against any and all costs, claims, losses and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) sustained or incurred as a consequence of, arising from or related to the negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement, the Note, the Warrant and all collateral agreements. 7.5. BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS. This Agreement shall become effective when it has been executed by the parties and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and Interprise and their respective successors, transferees and assigns, except that the Company shall not have the right to transfer or assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Interprise. 7.6. GOVERNING LAW. This agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware, without giving effect to its choice of law principles. 8 9 7.7. COUNTERPARTS; FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and executed signature pages sent to the other party by facsimile transmission shall be binding as evidence of such party's agreement hereto and acceptance hereof. 7.8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the other documents referred to herein, constitute the entire agreement between Interprise and the Company and no other agreements, promises, representations and warranties (express or implied), except those expressly set forth herein have been relied upon by the Company or have been made by Interprise. 9 10 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Loan and Pledge Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written. COMPANY: World Commerce Online, Inc. By: /s/ Robert Shaw ------------------------------------- Name: Robert Shaw Title: Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer Interprise Technology Partners, LP By: /s/ David R. Parker ------------------------------------- Name: David R. Parker Title: Managing Partner 10