Document

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________
FORM 8-K
__________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 27, 2021 (July 21, 2021)
MarketWise, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
001-39405
(Commission
File Number)
87-1767914
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1125 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
21201
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(888) 261-2693
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp
667 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10065
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange
on which registered
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per shareMKTWThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants to purchase Class A common stockMKTWWThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Domestication and Transactions
As previously announced, Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp. (“ADAC” and, after the Domestication as described below, “MarketWise”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, previously entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2021 (as amended, the “Transaction Agreement”), by and among ADAC, MarketWise, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, all of the members of MarketWise, LLC party thereto (the “Existing MarketWise Equityholders”), and Shareholder Representative Services LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, solely in its capacity as the representative of the Existing MarketWise Equityholders thereunder.
On July 21, 2020, as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and described in the section titled “Domestication Proposal” beginning on page 126 of the final prospectus and definitive proxy statement, dated July 1, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), ADAC filed a notice of deregistration with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and filed a certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and a certificate of corporate domestication with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which ADAC was domesticated and continues as a Delaware corporation, changing its name to “MarketWise, Inc.” (the “Domestication”).
As a result of and upon the effective time of the Domestication, among other things, (1) each of the then issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of ADAC (the “ADAC Class A ordinary shares”) automatically converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of MarketWise (the “MarketWise Class A common stock”); (2) each of the then issued and outstanding redeemable warrants of ADAC (the “ADAC warrants”) automatically converted into a redeemable warrant to acquire one share of MarketWise Class A common stock (the “MarketWise warrants”); and (3) each of the then issued and outstanding units of ADAC that had not been previously separated into the underlying ADAC Class A ordinary shares and underlying ADAC warrants upon the request of the holder thereof were cancelled and entitled the holder thereof to one share of MarketWise Class A common stock and one-half of one MarketWise warrant. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the MarketWise warrants.
On July 21, 2021, as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and described in the section titled “Transaction Agreement Proposal” beginning on page 84 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, MarketWise and MarketWise, LLC consummated the business combination contemplated by the Transaction Agreement whereby (i) MarketWise, LLC restructured its capitalization, appointed MarketWise as its managing member, and issued to MarketWise 28,003,096 common units of MarketWise, LLC (the “MarketWise Units”), which units entitle the holder to the distributions, allocations, and other rights under the Third Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of MarketWise, LLC (the “Third A&R Operating Agreement”), and 30,979,993 warrants to purchase MarketWise Units and (ii) MarketWise issued 291,092,300 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of MarketWise (the “MarketWise Class B common stock” and, together with the MarketWise Class A common stock, the “MarketWise common stock”) to the Existing MarketWise Equityholders (together with the Domestication, the “Transactions”).
The foregoing description of the Transactions does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Transaction Agreement and each amendment thereto, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”), and the full text of the Third A&R Operating Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 to this Report, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
PIPE Investment
As previously announced, on March 1, 2021, concurrently with the execution of the Transaction Agreement, ADAC entered into subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (collectively, the “PIPE Investors”) pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, the PIPE Investors collectively subscribed for 15,000,000 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock at $10.00 per share



for an aggregate commitment amount of $150,000,000 (the “PIPE Investment”). The PIPE Investment was consummated substantially concurrently with the Closing.
Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the PIPE Investment, there were 28,003,096 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock (including 3,051,000 Sponsor Earn Out Shares), 291,092,300 shares of MarketWise Class B common stock, and 30,979,993 MarketWise warrants outstanding (including 10,280,000 private placement warrants). Upon the consummation of the Transactions, ADAC’s ordinary shares, warrants, and units ceased trading on The New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), and MarketWise’s Class A common stock and warrants began trading on The Nasdaq Global Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the symbols “MKTW” and “MKTW W,” respectively. Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the PIPE Investment, (1) ADAC’s public shareholders owned approximately 0.1% of the outstanding MarketWise common stock, (2) the Existing MarketWise Equityholders (without taking into account any public shares held by the Existing MarketWise Equityholders prior to the consummation of the Transactions) owned approximately 91.2% of the outstanding MarketWise common stock, (3) the Sponsor and related parties collectively owned approximately 3.2% of the outstanding MarketWise common stock (including 3,051,000 Sponsor Earn Out Shares), and (4) the PIPE Investors owned approximately 4.7% of the outstanding MarketWise common stock.
Terms used but not defined herein, or for which definitions are not otherwise incorporated by reference herein, shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and such definitions are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
On July 21, 2020, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions and as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, MarketWise, the Sponsor, the Existing MarketWise Equityholders, and the other parties thereto entered into that certain Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). The material terms of the Registration Rights Agreement are described in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 102 titled “Transaction Agreement Proposal—Related Agreements—Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement.” Such description is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Registration Rights Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.1 to this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Tax Receivable Agreement
On July 21, 2021, in connection with the completion of the Transactions and as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, MarketWise, MarketWise, LLC, and the Existing MarketWise Equityholders entered into that certain Tax Receivable Agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”). The material terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement are described in the section of the Proxy Statement beginning on page 103 titled “Transaction Agreement Proposal—Related Agreements—Tax Receivable Agreement.” Such description is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Tax Receivable Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.2 to this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Third A&R Operating Agreement
On July 21, 2021, in connection with the completion of the Transactions and as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, MarketWise, MarketWise, LLC, and each of the Existing MarketWise Equityholders entered into the Third A&R Operating Agreement, which, among other things, (i) restructured the capitalization of MarketWise, LLC and (ii) appointed MarketWise as the managing member of MarketWise, LLC. As consideration for issuing MarketWise Common Units to MarketWise, MarketWise contributed $120,064,817.66 in gross proceeds to MarketWise, LLC and became the managing member of MarketWise, LLC. As a result of the recapitalization of MarketWise, LLC, the Existing MarketWise Equityholders own 291,092,300 MarketWise Common Units. The material terms of the Third A&R Operating Agreement are described in the section of the Proxy Statement beginning on page 106 titled “Transaction Agreement Proposal—Related Agreements—MarketWise Third A&R



Operating Agreement.” Such description is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Third A&R Operating Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.3 to this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Indemnification Agreements
In connection with the closing of the Transactions, MarketWise entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides for indemnification and advancement by MarketWise of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits, or proceedings arising from service to MarketWise or, at its request, service to other entities, as officers or directors to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the indemnification agreements, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note—Domestication and Transactions” above is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.
FORM 10 INFORMATION
Forward-Looking Statements
This Report, or some of the information incorporated herein by reference, contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, and the plans and objectives of management for future operations of MarketWise. These statements constitute projections, forecasts, and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this Report, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When MarketWise discusses its strategies or plans it is making projections, forecasts, or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, MarketWise’s management.
These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond MarketWise’s control), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
MarketWise’s future capital needs following the Transactions;
MarketWise’s ability to develop additional products and product offerings;
the ability of MarketWise to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting;
the ability of MarketWise to maintain and protect its intellectual property;
the ability of MarketWise to grow market share in its existing markets or any new markets it may enter;
MarketWise’s reliance on single-source suppliers and a third-party manufacturer;
MarketWise’s ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel;
the ability of MarketWise to respond to general economic conditions;
the ability of MarketWise to manage its growth effectively;
the ability of MarketWise to achieve and maintain profitability in the future;
the success of strategic relationships with third parties; and
other factors detailed under the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 30 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference.



The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus of the other documents filed by MarketWise from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this Report and in any document incorporated by reference are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on MarketWise. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting MarketWise will be those that MarketWise has anticipated. MarketWise undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Business
MarketWise’s business is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Information About MarketWise” beginning on page 206, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Risk Factors
The risks associated with MarketWise’s business are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 30, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 220 in the section titled “MarketWise’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 251 in the section titled “MarketWise’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Properties
Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 219 in the section titled “Information About MarketWise—Our Facilities,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth beneficial ownership of MarketWise common stock following the consummation of the Transactions by:
each person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of shares of MarketWise common stock;
each of MarketWise’s current named executive officers and directors; and
all current executive officers and directors of MarketWise as a group.
The information below is based on an aggregate of 28,003,096 shares of Class A common stock (including 3,051,000 Sponsor Earn Out Shares) and 291,092,300 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date. Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she, or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Voting power represents the combined voting power of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock owned beneficially by such person. On all matters to be voted upon, holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to the stockholders for their vote or



approval. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to the stockholders for their vote or approval.
Unless otherwise indicated, MarketWise believes that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the voting securities beneficially owned by them.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
Number of
Shares of Class A common stock
% of
Ownership
 Number of
Shares of Class B common stock
% of
Ownership
 Number of
Shares of Class A and Class B common stock
% of Ownership
5% Holders      
Affiliates of Monument & Cathedral(2)
%133,361,46741.8%133,361,46741.8%
Frank P. Stansberry(3)
%64,814,21420.3%64,814,21420.3%
Michael Palmer%25,925,6858.1%25,925,6858.1%
Stephen Sjuggerud%19,444,2646.1%19,444,2646.1%
Directors and Executive Officers  %
Mark Arnold%15,321,8214.8%15,321,8214.8%
Dale Lynch%2,866,344*%2,866,344*%
Marco Ferri%2,866,344*%2,866,344*%
Elizabeth Burton%%%
Manuel Borges%%%
Mark Gerhard%%%
Michael Palmer%25,925,6858.1%25,925,6858.1%
Paul Idzik%%%
Riaan Hodgson%%%
Stephen Sjuggerud%19,444,2646.1%19,444,2646.1%
Van Simmons%%%
All directors and executive officers as a group (14 individuals)%66,424,45820.8%66,424,45820.8%
_____________
∗ Less than one percent
(1)Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of those listed in the table above is 1125 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
(2)Represents shares held of record 85% by Monument & Cathedral Holdings, LLC (“Monument & Cathedral”) and 15% by certain equityholders of Monument & Cathedral who have entered into a voting proxy with respect to their shares in favor of Monument & Cathedral. Monument & Cathedral has voting power over 100% of such shares and dispositive power with respect to 85% of such shares. Monument & Cathedral’s sole manager is Cobblestone Publishing, Inc. (“Cobblestone”). The bylaws of Cobblestone provide the president of Cobblestone with sole voting and dispositive control of the shares held directly or indirectly by Cobblestone. As the current president of Cobblestone, Myles Norin, has voting and dispositive control over the shares owned by Monument & Cathedral. The business address for each stockholder is 14 W. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
(3)All shares are subject to an irrevocable voting proxy in favor of MarketWise.
Directors and Executive Officers
MarketWise’s directors and executive officers after the consummation of the Transaction are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Director Election Proposal” beginning on page 155 and



Management of MarketWise PubCo After Closing of the Transactions” beginning on page 252 and that information is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, interlocks and insider participation information regarding MarketWise’s executive officers is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management of MarketWise PubCo After Closing of the Transactions—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” beginning on page 257 and that information is incorporated herein by reference.
Executive Compensation
The executive compensation of MarketWise’s named executive officers is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation” beginning on page 259 and that information is incorporated herein by reference.
Director Compensation
The compensation of MarketWise’s directors is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Director Compensation” beginning on page 263 and that information is incorporated herein by reference.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Certain relationships and related party transactions of MarketWise are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” beginning on page 267 and are incorporated herein by reference.
Director Independence
At the closing of the Transactions, the board of directors of MarketWise adopted Nasdaq listing standards to assess director independence. The board of directors has determined that each of Mark Gerhard, Riaan Hodgson, Manuel Borges, Elizabeth Burton, Paul Idzik, and Van Simmons qualifies as “independent” under the listing requirements of the Nasdaq. Riann Hodgson is also an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules.
Legal Proceedings
Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Information About MarketWise—Legal Proceedings” beginning on page 219, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Shares of MarketWise’s Class A common stock and MarketWise’s warrants began trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol “MKTW” and “MKTW W,” respectively, on July 22, 2021, in lieu of the ordinary shares, warrants, and units of ADAC. MarketWise has not paid any cash dividends on its shares of common stock to date. It is the present intention of MarketWise’s board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in MarketWise’s business operations and, accordingly, MarketWise’s board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon MarketWise’s revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements, and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends is within the discretion of MarketWise’s board of directors. Further, the ability of MarketWise to declare dividends may be limited by the terms of financing or other agreements entered into by it or its subsidiaries from time to time.
As of July 21, 2021, following the completion of the Transactions, there were 30,979,993 MarketWise warrants and 291,092,300 MarketWise Common Units (excluding MarketWise Common Units held by MarketWise), which are convertible into MarketWise Class A common stock, outstanding. MarketWise has reserved a total of 38,454,000 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock for issuance pursuant to the 2021 Incentive Award Plan and the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, subject to certain adjustments set forth therein. As of July 21, 2021, following the completion of the Business Combination, there were 66 holders of record of MarketWise Class A common stock and two holders of record of MarketWise warrants. However, because many of the shares of MarketWise Class A common stock and MarketWise warrants are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of



stockholders, MarketWise believes there are substantially more beneficial holders of MarketWise Class A common stock and MarketWise warrants than record holders.
Information respecting ADAC’s Class A ordinary shares, warrants, and units and related stockholder matters are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Market Price and Dividend Information” on page 27 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On July 21, 2021, in connection with the completion of the Transactions and as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and the Subscription Agreements, MarketWise made the following sales of unregistered securities, as further described in the disclosure set forth under the Introductory Note above:
15,000,000 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock to the PIPE Investors for aggregate consideration of $150.0 million; and
291,092,300 shares of MarketWise Class B Common Stock to the Existing MarketWise Equityholders for aggregate consideration of approximately $29,000.
The MarketWise Common Units are redeemable for shares of MarketWise Class A common stock at the election of MarketWise. Up to 291,092,300 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock are issuable upon the redemption of the MarketWise Common Units. MarketWise issued the foregoing shares of MarketWise common stock in transactions not involving an underwriter and not requiring registration under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance on the exemption afforded by Section 4(a)(2) thereof.
Description of Registrant’s Securities
The description of MarketWise’s securities is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Description of MarketWise PubCo Securities” beginning on page 274 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
MarketWise has entered or will enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides for indemnification and advancement by MarketWise of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits or proceedings arising from service to MarketWise or, at its request, service to other entities, as officers or directors to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the indemnification agreements, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Further information about the indemnification of MarketWise’s directors and officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Description of MarketWise PubCo Securities—Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors” beginning on page 285 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Statements, Supplementary Data, and Exhibits
The unaudited financial statements of MarketWise as of March 31, 2021 and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 are set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page F-46 and are incorporated herein by reference.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of ADAC and MarketWise, LLC as of March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the three months ended March 31, 2021 is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information set forth under Item 9.01 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference.



Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.
On the Closing Date, all of ADAC’s outstanding units separated into their component parts of one share of MarketWise Class A common stock and one-half of one MarketWise warrant and ADAC’s units ceased trading on the NYSE.
Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
Immediately prior to the consummation of the Transactions, MarketWise filed the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The material terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and MarketWise’s bylaws (the “Bylaws”) and the general effect upon the rights of holders of MarketWise’s capital stock are discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Domestication Proposal” beginning on page 126 and “Organizational Documents Proposals” beginning on page 129, which are incorporated by reference herein.
The disclosures set forth under the Introductory Note and in Item 2.01 of this Report are also incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are included as Exhibit 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to this Report and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.01. Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
(a) Dismissal of independent registered public accounting firm.
On July 21, 2021, the audit committee of MarketWise’s board of directors dismissed WithumSmith+Brown PC (“Withum”), ADAC’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Transactions, as MarketWise’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The report of Withum on the financial statements of ADAC as of December 31, 2020 and for the period from February 11, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope, or accounting principles.
During the period from February 11, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 and subsequent interim period through July 21, 2021, there were no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) between ADAC and Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Withum, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on ADAC’s financial statements for such period.
During the period from February 11, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 and subsequent interim period through July 21, 2021, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act).
MarketWise has provided Withum with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and has requested that Withum furnish MarketWise with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by MarketWise set forth above. A copy of Withum’s letter, dated July 21, 2021, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Report.
(b) Disclosures regarding the new independent auditor.
On July 21, 2021, the audit committee of MarketWise’s board of directors approved the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as MarketWise’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit MarketWise’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021. Deloitte served as independent registered public accounting firm of MarketWise, LLC prior to the Transactions. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and the subsequent interim period through July 21, 2021, MarketWise did not consult with Deloitte with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to MarketWise that Deloitte concluded was an important factor considered by MarketWise in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial



reporting issue, or (ii) any other matter that was the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event (each as defined above).
Item 5.01. Changes in Control of Registrant.
The disclosure set forth under the Introductory Note and in Item 2.01 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Executive Officers and Directors
Upon the consummation of the Transactions, and in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Agreement, each executive officer of ADAC ceased serving in such capacities, and David Gomberg, Robert Foreman, Michael Jesselson, Diane Nelson, and Mickie Rosen ceased serving on ADAC’s board of directors.
Mark Arnold, Mark Gerhard, Riaan Hodgson, Michael Palmer, Stephen Sjuggerud, Manuel Borges, Elizabeth Burton, Paul Idzik, and Van Simmons were appointed as directors of MarketWise, to serve until the end of their respective terms and until their successors are elected and qualified. Riaan Hodgson, Manuel Borges, and Elizabeth Burton were appointed to serve on MarketWise’s audit committee, with Riaan Hodgson serving as the chair and qualifying as an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.
Mark Arnold was appointed as MarketWise’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, Dale Lynch was appointed as MarketWise’s Chief Financial Officer, Marco Ferri was appointed as MarketWise’s Director of Business Development, Gary Anderson was appointed as MarketWise’s General Counsel, Marco Galsim was appointed as MarketWise’s Chief Information Officer, and Cynthia Cherry was appointed as MarketWise’s Senior Director of Human Resources.
Reference is also made to the disclosure described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Director Election Proposal” beginning on page 155 and “Management of MarketWise PubCo After Closing of the Transactions” beginning on page 252 for biographical information about each of the directors and officers, following the Transactions, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Compensatory Arrangements for Directors
In connection with the Closing, MarketWise’s board of directors approved a compensation program for MarketWise’s non-employee directors who are determined not to be affiliated with MarketWise and ADAC (the “NED Compensation Policy”). Pursuant to the terms of the NED Compensation Policy, non-employee directors are eligible to receive fixed annual cash retainer fees, as well as long-term equity compensation awards for their service on MarketWise’s board of directors. Additional fixed annual cash retainer fees are paid to non-employee directors for committee membership and chairperson service. A copy of the NED Compensation Policy is included as Exhibit 10.5 to this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
2021 Incentive Award Plan
On July 21, 2021, the MarketWise, Inc. 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “2021 Incentive Award Plan”) became effective. MarketWise has reserved a total of 32,045,000 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock for issuance pursuant to the 2021 Incentive Award Plan and the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options granted under the 2021 Incentive Award Plan is 32,045,000, in each case, subject to certain adjustments set forth therein.
The information set forth in the section entitled “Incentive Award Plan Proposal” beginning on page 142 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the 2021 Incentive Award Plan and the information incorporated by reference in the preceding sentence does not purport to be complete



and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the 2021 Incentive Award Plan, which is incorporated by reference to this Report as Exhibit 10.6.
2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
On July 21, 2021, the MarketWise, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2021 ESPP”) became effective. MarketWise has reserved a total of 6,409,000 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock for issuance pursuant to the 2021 ESPP, subject to certain adjustments set forth therein.
The information set forth in the section entitled “ESPP Proposal” beginning on page 151 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the 2021 ESPP and the information incorporated by reference in the preceding sentence does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the 2021 ESPP, which is incorporated by reference to this Report as Exhibit 10.7.

Item 5.06. Change in Shell Company Status.
As a result of the Transactions, ADAC ceased being a shell company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Transaction Agreement Proposal” beginning on page 84 and “Domestication Proposal” beginning on page 126, which are incorporated herein by reference. Further, the information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Item 2.01 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.
The financial statements of MarketWise as of March 31, 2021 and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 are set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page F-46 and are incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Pro forma financial information.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of ADAC and MarketWise, LLC as of March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the three months ended March 31, 2021 is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.



(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit
No.
Description
2.1†
2.2†
2.3†
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
10.1
10.2
10.3†
10.4+
10.5+
10.6+
10.7+
10.8+
10.9+
10.10+
16.1
21.1
99.1
†       The annexes, schedules, and certain exhibits to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted annex, schedule, or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
+       Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MarketWise, Inc.
Date: July 27, 2020By:/s/ Dale Lynch
Name:Dale Lynch
Title:Chief Financial Officer

Document
Exhibit 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

MARKETWISE, INC.
ARTICLE I.
The name of the corporation is MarketWise, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II.
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, New Castle County, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
ARTICLE III.
The nature of the business of the Corporation and the objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), including, without limitation, (i) investing in securities of MarketWise, LLC (f/k/a Beacon Street Group, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, or any successor entities thereto (“MW LLC”) and any of its subsidiaries, (ii) exercising all rights, powers, privileges and other incidents of ownership or possession with respect to the Corporation’s assets, including managing, holding, selling and disposing of such assets and (iii) engaging in any other activities incidental or ancillary thereto. The Corporation is being incorporated in connection with the domestication of Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Ascendant”), as a Delaware corporation, and this Certificate of Incorporation is being filed simultaneously with the Certificate of Corporate Domestication of Ascendant (the “Certificate of Domestication”).
ARTICLE IV.
Section 4.1Authorized Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is one billion three hundred fifty million (1,350,000,000), consisting of three classes as follows:
(a)nine hundred fifty million (950,000,000) shares of Class A common stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”);
(b)three hundred million (300,000,000) shares of Class B common stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”); and
(c)one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).




Upon the filing of the Certificate of Domestication and this Certificate of Incorporation, which is occurring on the closing date of the transactions contemplated by that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2021, by and among Ascendant, MW LLC and the other parties thereto (the “Business Combination Agreement”), each share of capital stock of Ascendant issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) will be converted into one issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock, without any action required on the part of the Corporation or the holders thereof.
Section 4.2Preferred Stock. The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (such certificate being hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Designation”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limitation, the authority to fix the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, exchange rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking and purchase fund provisions), the redemption price or prices, restrictions on the issuance of shares of such series, the dissolution preferences and the rights in respect of any distribution of assets of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, or any of them and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series so created (except where otherwise provided in the Preferred Stock Designation), subsequent to the issue of that series but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the authorized number of shares of any series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series (except where otherwise provided in the Preferred Stock Designation). There shall be no limitation or restriction on any variation between any of the different series of Preferred Stock as to the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof; and the several series of Preferred Stock may vary in any and all respects as fixed and determined by the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors or by a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, providing for the issuance of the various series of Preferred Stock.
Section 4.3Number of Authorized Shares. The number of authorized shares of any of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of any holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL, unless a separate vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation.

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Section 4.4Common Stock. The powers, preferences and rights of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as follows:
(a)Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by law,
(i)Each share of Class A Common Stock shall entitle the record holder thereof as of the applicable record date to one vote per share in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Class A Common Stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.
(ii)Each share of Class B Common Stock shall entitle the record holder thereof as of the applicable record date to one vote per share in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Class B Common Stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.
(iii)Except as otherwise required in this Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a single class (or, if any holders of shares of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as a single class with such holders of Preferred Stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.
(b)Dividends and Distributions. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends may be declared and paid on the Class A Common Stock out of the assets or funds of the Corporation that are by law available therefor, at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors in its discretion shall determine. Other than in connection with a dividend declared by the Board of Directors in connection with a “poison pill” or similar stockholder rights plan, dividends shall not be declared or paid on the Class B Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall have no right to receive dividends in respect of such shares of Class B Common Stock.
(c)Liquidation Rights. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and after making provisions for preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock with respect to payments in liquidation shall be entitled, the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation available for distribution shall be divided among and paid ratably to the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder; provided, that each holder of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive $0.0001 per share of Class B Common Stock owned of record by such holder on the record date for such distribution, and upon receiving such amount, the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, in their capacity as such, shall not be entitled to receive any other assets or funds of the Corporation. A Change of Control (other than approval of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation) shall not be

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considered to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 4.4(c).
(d)Class B Common Stock.
(i)From and after the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”), shares of Class B Common Stock may be issued only to, and registered only in the name of, the Existing Owners (as defined below), their respective successors and assigns as well as their Permitted Transferees (as defined below) in accordance with Section 4.5 (the Existing Owners together with all such subsequent successors, assigns and Permitted Transferees, collectively, the “Permitted Class B Owners”) and the aggregate number of shares of Class B Common Stock at any time registered in the name of each such Permitted Class B Owner must be equal to the aggregate number of Common Units (as defined below) held of record at such time by such Permitted Class B Owner under the LLC Agreement (as defined below). As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, (A) “Existing Owner” means each of the members (other than the Corporation) of MW LLC, as set forth on Schedule 1 of the LLC Agreement (as defined below) as of the Effective Time, (B) “Common Unit” means a membership interest in MW LLC, authorized and issued under the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of MW LLC, dated as of the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the “LLC Agreement”), and constituting a “Common Unit” as defined in such LLC Agreement and (C) “Permitted Transferee” has the meaning given to it in the LLC Agreement.
(ii)The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, undertake all necessary and appropriate action to ensure that the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issued by the Corporation at any time to, or otherwise held of record by, any Permitted Class B Owner shall be equal to the aggregate number of Common Units held of record at such time by such Permitted Class B Owner in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement.
(iii)In the event that there is a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Corporation, which Change of Control was approved by the Board of Directors prior to or simultaneously with such Change of Control, then the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall not be entitled to receive more than $0.0001 per share of Class B Common Stock, whether in the form of consideration for such shares or in the form of a distribution of the proceeds of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation with respect to such shares.
Section 4.5Transfer of Class B Common Stock.
(a)A holder of Class B Common Stock may surrender shares of Class B Common Stock to the Corporation for cancellation for no consideration at any time. Following the surrender, or other acquisition, of any shares of Class B Common Stock to or by the Corporation, the Corporation will take all actions necessary to cancel and retire such shares and such shares shall not be re-issued by the Corporation.

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(b)Except as set forth in Section 4.5(a), a holder of Class B Common Stock may transfer or assign shares of Class B Common Stock (or any legal or beneficial interest in such shares) (directly or indirectly, including by operation of law) only to a Permitted Transferee of such holder or to a non-Permitted Transferee with the approval in advance and in writing by the Corporation, and only if such holder also simultaneously transfers an equal number of such holder’s Common Units to such Permitted Transferee or such non-Permitted Transferee, as applicable, in compliance with the LLC Agreement. The transfer restrictions described in this Section 4.5(b) are collectively referred to as the “Restrictions.”
(c)Any purported transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the Restrictions shall be null and void. If, notwithstanding the Restrictions, a Person shall, voluntarily or involuntarily, purportedly become or attempt to become, the purported owner (“Purported Owner”) of shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the Restrictions, then the Purported Owner shall not obtain any rights in, to or with respect to such shares of Class B Common Stock (the “Restricted Shares”), and the purported transfer of the Restricted Shares to the Purported Owner shall not be recognized by the Corporation, the Corporation’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) or the Secretary of the Corporation and each Restricted Share shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, automatically, without any further action on the part of the Corporation, the holder thereof, the Purported Owner or any other party, lose all voting rights as set forth herein and become a non-voting share.
(d)Upon a determination by the Board of Directors (including a majority of the Directors who are disinterested with respect to the relevant transaction serving on the Board of Directors at such time) that a Person has attempted or may attempt to transfer or to acquire Restricted Shares in violation of the Restrictions, the Corporation may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to such transfer or acquisition on the books and records of the Corporation, including, without limitation, to cause the Transfer Agent or the Secretary of the Corporation, as applicable, to not record the Purported Owner as the record owner of the Restricted Shares, and to institute proceedings to enjoin or rescind any such transfer or acquisition.
(e)The Board of Directors (including a majority of the Directors who are disinterested with respect to the relevant transaction serving on the Board of Directors at such time) may, to the extent permitted by law, from time to time establish, modify, amend or rescind, by bylaw or otherwise, regulations and procedures not inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 4.5 for determining whether any transfer or acquisition of shares of Class B Common Stock would violate the Restrictions and for the orderly application, administration and implementation of the provisions of this Section 4.5. Any such procedures and regulations shall be kept on file with the Secretary of the Corporation and with the Transfer Agent and shall be made available for inspection by and, upon written request shall be mailed to, holders of shares of Class B Common Stock.
Section 4.6Certificates. All certificates or book entries representing shares of Class B Common Stock shall bear a legend substantially in the following form (or in such other form as the Board of Directors may determine):

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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER THE ACT. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS [CERTIFICATE][BOOK ENTRY] ARE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS (INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER) SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE CORPORATION AS IT MAY BE AMENDED AND/OR RESTATED (A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AND SHALL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ANY STOCKHOLDER MAKING A REQUEST THEREFOR).
Section 4.7Fractions. Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock may be issued and transferred in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder to exercise fractional voting rights and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as applicable. Holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and, subject to the Restrictions, holders of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to transfer fractions thereof and the Corporation shall, and shall cause the Transfer Agent to, facilitate any such transfers, including by issuing certificates or making book entries representing any such fractional shares. For all purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, all references to Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock or any share thereof (whether in the singular or plural) shall be deemed to include references to any fraction of a share of such Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock.
Section 4.8Amendment.
Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled exclusively, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.
ARTICLE V.
Section 5.1Reservation of Stock. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares or other securities at least as many shares or other securities equal to the then-outstanding number of Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement) held by the holders of Units (other than the Corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) subject to Redemption (as defined in the LLC Agreement) from time to time.

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Section 5.2Splits. If the Corporation at any time combines or subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amendment of this Certificate of Incorporation, scheme, arrangement or otherwise) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares, the shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately similarly combined or subdivided such that the ratio of shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock to shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision shall be maintained immediately after such combination or subdivision. Any adjustment described in this Section 5.2 shall become effective at the close of business on the date such combination or subdivision becomes effective. In no event shall the shares of Class B Common Stock be split, subdivided, or combined (including by way of stock dividend) unless the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be proportionately split, subdivided or combined, and in no event shall the shares of Class A Common Stock be split, subdivided, or combined (including by way of stock dividend) unless the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall be proportionately split, subdivided or combined.
ARTICLE VI.
The Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) may be altered, amended or repealed, and new bylaws made, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Whole Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII.
Section 7.1.Ballot. Elections of directors (each such director, in such capacity, a “Director”) need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide.
Section 7.2.Number and Terms of the Board of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by a majority of the Whole Board of Directors. For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term “Whole Board of Directors” shall mean the total number of authorized directors (from time to time) whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships.
Section 7.3.Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Except as otherwise required by law and the separate rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director entitled to vote thereon, and not by the stockholders. Any Director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such Director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified.
Section 7.4.Removal for Cause. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, for as long as this Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified Board of Directors, any Director, or the entire Board of Directors, may otherwise be

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removed only for cause by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, at a meeting duly called for that purpose.
Section 7.5.Classified Board. At the Effective Time, the Directors shall be classified, with respect to the time for which they shall hold their respective offices, by dividing them into three classes, with each Director then in office to be designated as a Class I Director, a Class II Director or a Class III Director, with each class to be apportioned as nearly equal in number as possible. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. The initial Class I Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time; the initial Class II Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time; and the initial Class III Directors shall serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time. At each annual meeting of stockholders beginning with the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, the successors of the class of Directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders to be held following their election, with each Director in each such class to hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, subject to such Director’s earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with Section 7.4 of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign each Director already in office at the Effective Time, as well as each Director elected or appointed to a newly created directorship due to an increase in the size of the Board of Directors, to Class I, Class II or Class III. The provisions of this Section 7.5 are subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock to elect directors and such directors need not serve classified terms.
Section 7.6.Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for election of Directors and other business to be brought by stockholders before a meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner provided by the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII.
Subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders and may not be effected by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
ARTICLE IX.
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation; provided, that any amendment (including by merger, consolidation or otherwise) to this Certificate of Incorporation that gives holders of the Class B Common Stock (i) any rights to receive dividends or any other kind of distribution, (ii) any right to convert into or be exchanged for Class A Common Stock or (iii) any other economic rights shall, in addition to the affirmative

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vote of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, also require the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of Class A Common Stock voting separately as a class. If any provision or provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any Person or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other Persons and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
ARTICLE X.
The Corporation shall indemnify, and advance expenses to, each current or former Director or officer of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended. The Corporation is authorized to indemnify, and advance expenses to, each current or former employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended. To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware as it exists on the date hereof or as it may hereafter be amended, no Director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director. No amendment to, or modification or repeal of, this Article X shall adversely affect any right or protection of a Director or of any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment, modification or repeal.
ARTICLE XI.
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (a) (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers exclusive jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, the federal district court of the State of Delaware; and (b) the federal district courts of the United States (the “Federal Courts”) shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope of the first sentence of this Article XI, is filed in a court other than the Court of Chancery or the Federal Courts, as applicable, (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder of the Corporation, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery or the Federal Courts, as

9




applicable, in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the first sentence of this Article XI and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article XI shall not apply to claims seeking to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE XII.
Section 12.1Definitions. As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, the following terms shall have the following meaning:
(a)Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person;
(b)Associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such Person is a director, officer, manager or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of shares of voting stock of the Corporation; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such Person.
(c)Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (1) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and excluding the Permitted Transferees) becomes the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation (if any) representing in the aggregate more than 50% of the voting power of all of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation; (2) the stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or there is consummated a transaction or series of related transactions for the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (including a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of MW LLC); (3) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation or MW LLC with any other corporation or entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent, or are not converted into, voting securities representing in the aggregate more than 50% of the voting power of all of the outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or (4) the Corporation ceases to be the sole managing member of MW LLC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be

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deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the beneficial owners of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
(d)Control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract or otherwise. A Person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such Person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this section, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.
(e)Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.
(f)owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a Person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates:
(i)beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or
(ii)has (a) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (b) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such Person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten or more Persons; or
(iii)has any agreement, arrangement or understanding, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (b) of subsection (ii) above), or disposing such stock, with any other Person

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that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.
(g)Person” means, except as otherwise provided in the definition of “Change of Control,” any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated association or other entity.
(h)Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.
(i)stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.
(j)voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage of voting stock shall refer to such percentages of the votes of such voting stock.
ARTICLE XIII.
Section 13.1Corporate Opportunity.
(a)To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware and in accordance with Section 122(17) of the DGCL, (i) the Corporation hereby renounces all interest and expectancy that it otherwise would be entitled to have in, and all rights to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity that from time to time may be presented to Ascendant Sponsor LP or its Affiliates (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries), and any of its or their respective principals, members, directors, partners, stockholders, officers, employees or other representatives (other than any such Person who is also an officer or employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries), or any Director or stockholder who is not employed by the Corporation or its subsidiaries (each such Person, an “Exempt Person”); (ii) no Exempt Person will have any duty to refrain from (1) engaging in a corporate opportunity in the same or similar lines of business in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries from time to time is engaged or proposes to engage or (2) otherwise competing, directly or indirectly, with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries; and (iii) if any Exempt Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity both for such Exempt Person or any of his or her respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and for the Corporation or its subsidiaries, on the other hand, such Exempt Person shall have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or business opportunity to the Corporation or its subsidiaries and such Exempt Person may take any and all such transactions or opportunities for itself or offer such transactions or opportunities to any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the preceding sentence of this Section 13.1(a) shall not apply to any potential transaction or business opportunity that is expressly offered to a Director, executive officer or

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employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, solely in his or her capacity as a Director, executive officer or employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries.
(b)Subject to the final sentence of the foregoing clause (a), no Exempt Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (i) engaging in and possessing interests in other business ventures of every type and description, including those engaged in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries now engages or proposes to engage or (ii) competing with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, on its own account, or in partnership with, or as an employee, officer, director or shareholder of any other Person, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Exempt Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Exempt Person engages in any such activities; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing waiver shall not apply to any other fiduciary duty that may be applicable to such Exempt Person under applicable law.
(c)To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article XIII.
(d)For so long as any Person nominated by Ascendant Sponsor LP serves as a Director (a “Sponsor Designee”), then any alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article XIII that has more than a de minimis adverse impact on the rights or obligations of such Sponsor Designee under this Article XIII shall require the approval of the Board of Directors, which approval shall include the approval of at least one Sponsor Designee; provided, however, that the foregoing sentence shall not apply to any alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article XIII effected in furtherance of, or in connection with, any transaction or series of related transactions that would result in a Change of Control, where such alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal is effective from and after such Change of Control. Neither the alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article XIII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) inconsistent with this Article XIII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article XIII in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article XIII, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, addition, repeal or adoption. This Article XIII shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any Director or officer of the Corporation under this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or applicable law.

ARTICLE XIV.
If any provision or provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each

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portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible and without limiting any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (or any other provision of the Bylaws or any agreement entered into by the Corporation), the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to, or for the benefit of, the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, each and every Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest (of any nature whatsoever) in any shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed, by reason of and from and after the time of such purchase or other acquisition, to have notice of and to have consented to all of the provisions of (a) this Certificate of Incorporation, (b) the Bylaws and (c) any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws enacted or adopted in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law.

ARTICLE XV.
The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator of the Corporation is as follows:
Name:

Address:
Mark Gerhard
667 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY, 10065

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the sole incorporator of the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Incorporation to be signed on this July 20, 2021.

/s/ Mark Gerhard
  Mark Gerhard
 Sole Incorporator





Document
Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS
OF
MARKETWISE, INC.

Dated as of July 20, 2021
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CONTENTS
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Section 7.06    Construction; Definitions
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ARTICLE I.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.01    Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders of MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”; and such stockholders, the “Stockholders”), may be held at any place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by or in the manner determined by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”). In the absence of such designation, meetings of Stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of Stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication authorized by and in accordance with Section 211(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).
Section 1.02    Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of Stockholders shall be held for the election of members of the Board of Directors (the “Directors”) at such date and time as may be designated by or in the manner determined by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other business as may be properly brought before the annual meeting of Stockholders may be transacted at the annual meeting of Stockholders. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of Stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.
Section 1.03    Special Meetings. Special meetings of Stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called only by the chairperson of the Board of Directors (the “Chairperson”) or pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board of Directors then in office. For purposes of these Bylaws, the term “Whole Board of Directors” shall mean the total number of authorized Directors, whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships. Special meetings of Stockholders validly called in accordance with this Section 1.03 of these bylaws (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, these “Bylaws”) may be held at such date and time as specified in the applicable notice of such meeting. Notice of every special meeting of Stockholders shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the business transacted at any special meeting of Stockholders shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice. Upon the prior written consent of a majority of the Whole Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of Stockholders previously scheduled by the Chairperson or Board of Directors.
Section 1.04    Notice of Meetings. Whenever Stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting of Stockholders, a notice of the meeting shall be given that shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which Stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for Stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting of Stockholders, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified



from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting of Stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each Stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Stockholder at such Stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
Section 1.05    Adjournments. Any meeting of Stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time by the chairperson of the meeting (or by the Stockholders in accordance with Section 1.06) to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any, and the same or some other time, and notice need not be given to the Stockholders of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which Stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting of Stockholders, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting of Stockholders. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting of Stockholders shall be given to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting of Stockholders. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of Stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting of Stockholders, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for determining Stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting of Stockholders in accordance with Section 1.09(a) of these Bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting of Stockholders to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting of Stockholders as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting of Stockholders. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the Stockholder at such Stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
Section 1.06    Quorum. At any meeting of the Stockholders, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation (“Stock”) entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by applicable law, the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. In the absence of a quorum, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting or (ii) the Stockholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Stock entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting of Stockholders from time to time in the manner provided in Section 1.05 of these Bylaws until a quorum is present or represented. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series of Stock is required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of voting power of the shares of such class or classes or series of Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on such matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to the vote on such matter. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.
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Section 1.07    Organization. Meetings of Stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairperson or by such other officer of the Corporation or Director as designated by the Board of Directors or the Chairperson, or in the absence of such person or designation, by a chairperson chosen at the meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Stock present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting (provided there is a quorum). The Secretary of the Corporation (“Secretary”) shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence, the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 1.08    Voting; Proxies. Each Stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of Stockholders shall be entitled to the number of votes, if any, for each share of Stock held of record by such Stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or, if such voting power is not set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, one vote per share. Each Stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of Stockholders or express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting (if permitted by the Certificate of Incorporation) may authorize another person or persons to act for such Stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy may be authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A Stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person (or by means of remote communication, if applicable) or by delivering to the Secretary a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date. Voting at meetings of Stockholders need not be by written ballot. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, at all meetings of Stockholders for the election of Directors at which a quorum is present, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect Directors. No holder of shares of Stock shall have the right to cumulate votes. All other elections and questions presented to the Stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter, unless a different or minimum vote is required by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, in which case such different or minimum vote shall be the applicable vote on the matter.
Section 1.09    Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record.
(a)    In order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by applicable law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the
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date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of Stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of Stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of Stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for Stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of Stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of Section 1.09(a) at the adjourned meeting.
(b)    In order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining Stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
(c)    Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, in order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date for determining Stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting is fixed by the Board of Directors, (i) when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law and (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the record date for such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
Section 1.10    List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The Corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of Stockholders, a complete list of the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the Stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the Stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each Stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each Stockholder as of the record date (or such other date). Such list shall be open to the examination of any Stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting at least 10 days prior to the meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information
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required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any Stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any Stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the “stock ledger” shall be the only evidence as to who are the Stockholders entitled to examine the list of Stockholders required by this Section 1.10 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of Stockholders. For purposes of these Bylaws, the term “stock ledger” means one or more records administered by or on behalf of the Corporation in which the names of all of the Corporation’s Stockholders of record, the address and number of shares registered in the name of each such Stockholder, and all issuances and transfers of stock of the Corporation are recorded.
Section 1.11    No Action by Written Consent in Lieu of a Meeting. Stockholders may not take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Section 1.12    Inspectors of Election. The Corporation may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of Stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. In the event that no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of Stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by law, shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (i) ascertain the number of shares of Stock outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (ii) determine the shares of Stock represented at the applicable meeting of the Stockholders and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares of Stock represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by applicable law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of Stockholders, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.
Section 1.13    Conduct of Meetings. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the Stockholders will vote at a meeting of the Stockholders shall be announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting designated in accordance with Section 1.07 of these Bylaws. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes
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or any revocations or changes thereto may be accepted. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of Stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the person presiding over any meeting of Stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such presiding person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of Stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to such meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the person presiding over the applicable meeting of Stockholders, meetings of Stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
Section 1.14    Advance Notice Procedures for Business Brought before a Meeting. This Section 1.14 shall apply to any business that may be brought before an annual meeting of Stockholders other than nominations for election to the Board of Directors at such a meeting, which shall be governed by Section 1.15 of these Bylaws. Stockholders seeking to nominate Persons for election to the Board of Directors must comply with Section 1.15 of these Bylaws, and this Section 1.14 shall not be applicable to nominations for election to the Board of Directors except as expressly provided in Section 1.15 of these Bylaws.
(a)     At an annual meeting of the Stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting of the Stockholders, business must be (a) specified in a notice of meeting of the Stockholders given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, (b) if not specified in a notice of meeting of the Stockholders, otherwise brought before the meeting by the Board of Directors or the chairperson of the meeting, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a Stockholder present in person who (A)(1) was a Stockholder of record of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 1.14 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) has complied with this Section 1.14 or (B) properly made such proposal in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Act”), which proposal has been included in the proxy statement for such annual meeting of the
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Stockholders. The foregoing clause (c) shall be the exclusive means for a Stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the Stockholders. The only matters that may be brought before a special meeting of the Stockholders are the matters specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting of the Stockholders given by or at the direction of the Person calling the meeting pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Section 1.03 of these Bylaws. For purposes of these Bylaws, “Person” shall mean any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity. For purposes of this Section 1.14 and Section 1.15 of these Bylaws, “present in person” shall mean that the Stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the annual meeting or special meeting of the Stockholders, as applicable, or, if the proposing Stockholder is not an individual, a qualified representative of such proposing Stockholder, appear in person at such annual or special meeting, and a “qualified representative” of such proposing Stockholder shall be, if such proposing Stockholder is (x) a general or limited partnership, any general partner or Person who functions as a general partner of the general or limited partnership or who controls the general or limited partnership, (y) a corporation or a limited liability company, any officer or Person who functions as an officer of the corporation or limited liability company or any officer, director, general partner or Person who functions as an officer, director or general partner of any entity ultimately in control of the corporation or limited liability company or (z) a trust, any trustee of such trust.
(b)    Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of the Stockholders by a Stockholder, the Stockholder must (a) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary and (b) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 1.14. To be timely, a Stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting (which, in the case of the first annual meeting of Stockholders following the closing the Corporation’s initial underwritten public offering of common stock, the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting date shall be deemed to be June 30); provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting of the Stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by such Stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the later of (A) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (B) the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made (such notice within such time periods, “Timely Notice”). In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of Timely Notice as described above.
(c)    To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 1.14, a Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:
(i)    As to each Proposing Person (as defined below), (A) the name and address of such Proposing Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on
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the Corporation’s books and records); and (B) the number of shares of each class or series of Stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Proposing Person, except that such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of Stock of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) and (B) are referred to as “Stockholder Information”);
(ii)    As to each Proposing Person, (A) the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“Synthetic Equity Position”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such Proposing Person with respect to any shares of any class or series of Stock of the Corporation; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further, that any Proposing Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (other than a Proposing Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act solely by reason of Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to hold or maintain the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such Proposing Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such Proposing Person arising in the ordinary course of such Proposing Person’s business as a derivatives dealer, (B) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of Stock of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (C) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such Proposing Person is a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or Directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation, (D) any other material relationship between such Proposing Person, on the one hand, and the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation, on the other hand, (E) any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement of such Proposing Person with the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement) and (F) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the applicable meeting of the Stockholders pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing
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clauses (A) through (F) are referred to as “Disclosable Interests”); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and
(iii)    As to each item of business that the Stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting of the Stockholders, (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and the text of any proposed amendment to these Bylaws), (C) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other Person or entity (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such Stockholder and (D) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the disclosures required by this Section 1.14(c)(iii) shall not include any disclosures with respect to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the Stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these Bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner.
(d)    For purposes of this Section 1.14, the term “Proposing Person shall mean (a) the Stockholder providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of the Stockholders, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting of the Stockholders is made, (c) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such Stockholder in such solicitation.
(e)    A Proposing Person shall update and supplement its notice to the Corporation of its intent to propose business at an annual meeting of the Stockholders, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 1.14 shall be true and correct as of the record date for notice of the meeting and as of the date that is ten business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five business days after the record date for notice of the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the
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case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).
(f)    Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of the Stockholders that is not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 1.14. The presiding officer of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 1.14, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
(g)    In addition to the requirements of this Section 1.14 with respect to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of the Stockholders, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such business. Nothing in this Section 1.14 shall be deemed to affect the rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
(h)    For purposes of these Bylaws, “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Section 1.15    Advance Notice Procedures for Nominations of Directors.
(a)    Nominations of any Person for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting or at a special meeting of the Stockholders (but only if the election of Directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) may be made at such meeting only (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, including by any committee or Persons authorized to do so by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, or (b) by a Stockholder present in Person (as defined in Section 1.14) (1) who was a Stockholder of record of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 1.15 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) has complied with this Section 1.15 as to such notice and nomination. The foregoing clause (b) shall be the exclusive means for a Stockholder to make any nomination of a Person or Persons for election to the Board of Directors at any annual meeting or special meeting of Stockholders.
(b)    
(i)    Without qualification, for a Stockholder to make any nomination of a Person or Persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting of the Stockholders, the Stockholder must (a) provide Timely Notice (as defined in Section 1.14(b) of these Bylaws) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (b) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such Stockholder and its candidate for nomination as
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required by this Section 1.15, and (c) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 1.15.
(ii)    Without qualification, if the election of Directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling a special meeting of the Stockholders, then for a Stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting of the Stockholders, the Stockholder must (a) provide timely notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (b) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such Stockholder and its candidate for nomination required by this Section 1.15, and (c) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 1.15. To be timely for purposes of this Section 1.15(b)(ii), a Stockholder’s notice for nominations to be made at a special meeting of the Stockholders must be delivered to, or mailed to and received by the Secretary not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the 90th day prior to such special meeting or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 1.14(h)) of the date of such special meeting was first made.
(iii)    In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting of the Stockholders or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a Stockholder’s notice as described above.
(iv)    In no event may a Nominating Person (as defined below) provide notice under this Section 1.15 or otherwise with respect to a greater number of Director candidates than are subject to election by Stockholders at the applicable meeting. If the Corporation shall, subsequent to such notice, increase the number of Directors subject to election at the meeting, such notice as to any additional nominees shall be due on the later of (i) the conclusion of the time period for Timely Notice (with respect to an annual meeting of the Stockholders), (ii) the date set forth in Section 1.15(b)(ii) (with respect to a special meeting) or (iii) the 10th day following the date of public disclosure (as defined in Section 1.14(h)) of such increase.
(c)    To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 1.15, a Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:
(i)    As to each Nominating Person, the Stockholder Information (as defined in Section 1.14(c)(i) of these Bylaws) except that for purposes of this Section 1.15, the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 1.14(c)(i);
(ii)    As to each Nominating Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined in Section 1.14(c)(ii), except that for purposes of this Section 1.15 the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 1.14(c)(ii) and the disclosure with respect to the business to be brought before the meeting of the Stockholders in Section
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1.14(c)(iii) shall be made with respect to nomination of each Person for election as a Director at such meeting); and
(iii)    As to each candidate whom a Nominating Person proposes to nominate for election as a Director, (A) all information with respect to such candidate for nomination that would be required to be set forth in a Stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 1.15 if such candidate for nomination were a Nominating Person, (B) all information relating to such candidate for nomination that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of Directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act (including such candidate’s written consent to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected), (C) a description of any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement between or among any Nominating Person, on the one hand, and each candidate for nomination or any other participants in such solicitation, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such Nominating Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the candidate for nomination were a Director or executive officer of such registrant (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (C) are referred to as “Nominee Information”), and (D) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in Section 1.15(f).
(d)    For purposes of this Section 1.15, the term “Nominating Person shall mean (a) the Stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting of the Stockholders, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is made and (c) any other participant in such solicitation.
(e)    A Stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting of the Stockholders shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 1.15 shall be true and correct as of the record date for notice of the meeting and as of the date that is 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five business days after the record date for notice of the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).
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(f)    To be eligible to be a candidate for election as a Director at an annual or special meeting of the Stockholders, a candidate must be nominated in the manner prescribed in this Section 1.15 and the candidate for nomination, whether nominated by the Board of Directors or by a Stockholder of record, must have previously delivered (in accordance with the time period prescribed for delivery in a notice to such candidate given by or on behalf of the Board of Directors), to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (a) a completed written questionnaire (in the form provided by the Corporation) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such candidate for nomination and (b) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Corporation) that such candidate for nomination (A) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any Person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation or reimbursement for service as a Director that has not been disclosed in such written questionnaire and (B) if elected as a Director, will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to all Directors and in effect during such Person’s term in office as a Director (and, if requested by any candidate for nomination, the Secretary shall provide to such candidate for nomination all such policies and guidelines then in effect).
(g)    The Board of Directors may also require any proposed candidate for nomination as a Director to furnish such other information as may reasonably be requested by the Board of Directors in writing prior to the meeting of Stockholders at which such candidate’s nomination is to be acted upon in order for the Board of Directors to determine the eligibility of such candidate for nomination to be an independent Director in accordance with the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.
(h)    In addition to the requirements of this Section 1.15 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.
(i)    No candidate shall be eligible for nomination as a Director unless such candidate for nomination and the Nominating Person seeking to place such candidate’s name in nomination has complied with this Section 1.15, as applicable. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with this Section 1.15, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determination to the meeting, the defective nomination shall be disregarded and any ballots cast for the candidate in question (but in the case of any form of ballot listing other qualified nominees, only the ballots case for the nominee in question) shall be void and of no force or effect.
(j)    Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no candidate for nomination shall be eligible to be seated as a Director unless nominated and elected in accordance with this Section 1.15.
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ARTICLE II.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 2.01    Number; Tenure; Qualifications. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect Directors, the total number of Directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board of Directors. The Directors shall be classified in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Each Director shall hold office until such time as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be Stockholders to be qualified for election or service as a Director.
Section 2.02    Election; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of Stockholders by such Stockholders that have the right to vote on such election. Any Director may resign at any time upon written or electronic notice to the Corporation. Such resignation shall be effective upon delivery unless otherwise specified. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock, Directors may be removed only as expressly provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, and subject to and in accordance with the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled only by a majority vote of the Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director entitled to vote thereon, and not by the Stockholders. Any Director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such Director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified.
Section 2.03    Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such places, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, and at such times as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. A notice of regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall not be required.
Section 2.04    Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairperson or a majority of the Directors then in office and shall be held at such time, date and place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware as he or she or they shall fix. Notice to Directors of the date, place and time of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the Directors calling the meeting. Such notice may be given in person, by United States first-class mail, or by e-mail, telephone, telecopier, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission. If the notice is delivered in person, by e-mail, telephone, telecopier, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission, it shall be delivered or sent at least 24 hours before the time of holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meetin14g.
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Section 2.05    Telephonic Meetings Permitted. Members of the Board of Directors may participate in any meetings of the Board of Directors thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting of the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.06    Quorum; Vote Required for Action. At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the Whole Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided that, solely for the purposes of filling vacancies pursuant to Section 2.02 of these Bylaws, a meeting of the Board of Directors may be held if a majority of the Directors then in office participate in such meeting. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 2.07    Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairperson, or in his or her absence by the person whom the Chairperson shall designate, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairperson chosen at the meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence, the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.08    Action by Unanimous Consent of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting of the Board of Directors if all members of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. Thereafter, the writing or writings or electronic transmissions shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee in accordance with applicable law.
Section 2.09    Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of Directors. The Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary or other compensation as a Director. No such payment shall preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed compensation for attending committee meetings. Any Director may decline any or all such compensation payable to such Director in his or her discretion.
Section 2.10    Chairperson. The Board of Directors may appoint from its members a Chairperson. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, from time to time appoint one or more vice chairpersons (each, a “Vice Chairperson”), each of whom in such capacity shall report directly to the Chairperson.
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ARTICLE III.
COMMITTEES
Section 3.01    Committees. With the affirmative vote of a majority of the Whole Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of any committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation (if one be adopted) to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the resolution of the Board of Directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the resolution of the Board of Directors designating the committee (or resolution of the committee designating the subcommittee, if applicable), a majority of the Directors then serving on a committee or subcommittee, as applicable, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the members of the committee or subcommittee, as applicable, present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee or subcommittee, as applicable. Special meetings of any committee of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairperson or a majority of the members of such committee.
Section 3.02    Committee Minutes. Each committee of the Board of Directors shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
Section 3.03    Committee Rules. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board of Directors may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules, each such committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to Article II of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE IV.
OFFICERS
Section 4.01    Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President and a Secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairperson of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and any such
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other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No officer need be a stockholder or Director.
Section 4.02    Appointment of Officers. The Board of Directors shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.03 of these Bylaws.
Section 4.03    Subordinate Officer. The Board of Directors may appoint, or empower the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or, in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, the President of the Corporation, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
Section 4.04    Removal and Resignation of Officers. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. If a resignation is made effective at a later date and the Corporation accepts the future effective date, the Board of Directors may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the Board of Directors provides that the successor shall not take office until the effective date. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
Section 4.05    Vacancies in Offices. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors or as provided in Section 4.03.
Section 4.06    Chief Executive Officer. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairperson, if any, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation (the “CEO”) (if such an officer is appointed) shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and the officers of the Corporation. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of a Chairperson, at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he or she is present and shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of chief executive officer of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaw.
Section 4.07    President. The Board of Directors may, but is not obligated to, appoint a President of the Corporation. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairperson (if any) or the CEO, the President of the Corporation, if
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appointed, shall have general supervision, direction, and control of the business and other officers of the Corporation. He or she shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
Section 4.08    Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or such other place as the Board of Directors may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of the Board of Directors, committees of the Board of Directors, and Stockholders. The minutes shall show the time and place of each such meeting, the names of those present at such Directors’ meetings or committee meetings, the number of shares of Stock present or represented at such Stockholders’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of all Stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares of Stock held by each, the number and date of certificates evidencing such shares, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Stockholders and of the Board of Directors required to be given by applicable law or by these Bylaws. He or she shall keep the seal of the Corporation, if one be adopted, in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws.
Section 4.09    Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation (the “CFO”) shall be the treasurer and shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital retained earnings, and shares. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any Director. The CFO shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation with such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the President, if any is appointed, the CEO, or the Directors, upon request, an account of all his or her transactions as CFO and of the financial condition of the Corporation, and shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
Section 4.10    Representation of Shares of Other Entities. Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President of the Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors or the President of the Corporation, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares, securities or interests of any other corporation or entity standing in the name of the Corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
Section 4.11    Authority and Duties of Officers. All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such powers and authority and shall perform such duties in the management of
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the business of the Corporation as may be provided herein or designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.12    Compensation. The compensation of the officers of the Corporation for their services as such shall be fixed from time to time by or at the direction of the Board of Directors. An officer of the Corporation shall not be prevented from receiving compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a Director.
ARTICLE V.
STOCK
Section 5.01    Certificates. The shares of Stock shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of Stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of Stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed by law and by the Board of Directors, representing the number of shares held by such holder registered in certificate form. Each such certificate shall be signed in a manner that complies with Section 158 of the DGCL.
Section 5.02    Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate for shares of Stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate. The Board of Directors may establish regulations, rules or procedures concerning the proof required for adequately alleging the loss, theft or destruction of any Stock certificate and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or bonds of indemnity.
ARTICLE VI.
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
Section 6.01    Right to Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (including as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), any person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (any such action, suit or proceeding, a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation or, while a Director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Person, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’
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fees, judgments, fines ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.04 of these Bylaws, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.02    Indemnification of Others. The Corporation shall have the power (but not the obligation) to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she, or a Person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Person, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with any such proceeding.
Section 6.03    Advancement of Expenses. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VI or otherwise.
Section 6.04    Claims. If a claim for indemnification under this Article VI (following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full within 60 days after the Corporation has received a written claim therefor by the Covered Person, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Article VI is not paid in full within 30 days after the Corporation has received a written statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the Covered Person shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. If successful in whole or in part, the Covered Person shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. In any such action, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.
Section 6.05    Non-exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Covered Person may have or hereafter acquires under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of Stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise.
Section 6.06    Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Person against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any
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such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.
Section 6.07    Other Sources. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Covered Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Person shall be reduced by any amount such Covered Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other Person.
Section 6.08    Continuation of Indemnification. The rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VI shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to be a Director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and distributees of such Person.
Section 6.09    Amendment or Repeal. Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses of any Covered Person arising hereunder shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal of these Bylaws or an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.
Section 6.10    Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. This Article VI shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.
ARTICLE VII.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01    Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 7.02    Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments. The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 7.03    Dividends. The Board of Directors, subject to any restrictions contained in either (i) the DGCL or (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its Stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s Stock. The Board of Directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, and meeting contingencies.
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Section 7.04    Registered Stockholders. The Corporation: (i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a Person registered on its books as the owner of shares of Stock to receive dividends and to vote as such owner; and (ii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 7.05    Corporate Seal. The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board of Directors. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
Section 7.06    Construction; Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.
Section 7.07    Manner of Notice.
(a)    Notice by Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to Stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any notice to Stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given (a) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the Stockholder has consented to receive notice; (b) if by electronic mail, when directed to such Stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the Stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail; (c) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the Stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (i) such posting and (ii) the giving of such separate notice; and (d) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the Stockholder. A notice by electronic mail must include a prominent legend that the communication is an important notice regarding the Corporation.
An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For the purposes of these Bylaws, an “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.
(b)    Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to Stockholders, and except as prohibited by
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applicable law, any notice to Stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to Stockholders who share an address if consented to by the Stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the Stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any Stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice permitted under this Section 7.07, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
(c)    Notice to Directors. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to any Director may be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to such Director at such Director’s address appearing on the books of the Corporation, or may be given by telephone or by any means of electronic transmission (including, without limitation, electronic mail) directed to an address for receipt by such Director of electronic transmissions appearing on the books of the Corporation.
Section 7.08    Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees. A written waiver of any notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether given before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Stockholders, Board of Directors, or committee or subcommittee of the Board of Directors need be specified in a waiver of notice.
Section 7.09    Form of Records. Any records maintained by or on behalf of the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device, method or one or more electronic networks or databases, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time, and the stock ledger is maintained in accordance with applicable law.
Section 7.10    Amendment of Bylaws. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, and new bylaws made, only by the affirmative vote of (a) a majority of the Whole Board of Directors or (b) at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding voting Stock entitled to vote, voting together as a single class.
*    *    *
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Document
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
AMENDED AND RESTATED
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 21, 2021, is made and entered into by and among: (i) MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation (formerly known as Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares prior to its domestication as a Delaware corporation) (the “Company”); (ii) Ascendant Sponsor LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “Sponsor”); (iii) the persons or entities identified as “MarketWise Holders” on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “MarketWise Holders”); and (iv) the persons or entities identified as “Other Holders” on the signature pages hereto (the “Other Holders” and, together with the Sponsor, the MarketWise Holders and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, a “Holder” and collectively the “Holders”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company, the Sponsor and the Other Holders are party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2020 (the “Original RRA”);
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company, MarketWise, LLC (“MarketWise”), certain of the MarketWise Holders and the Seller Representative (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), pursuant to which and subject to the terms and conditions contained therein (i) MarketWise will reclassify the Class A Units and Class B Units (each as defined in the Purchase Agreement) held by the MarketWise Holders into new common units in MarketWise (the “Common Units”), (ii) the Company will purchase Common Units from certain MarketWise Holders and (iii) the Company will contribute to MarketWise the Subscription Amount (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and, in consideration thereof, MarketWise will issue to the Company Common Units, Sponsor Earnout Units (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and Company Warrants (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) (collectively, the “Transactions”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the amended and restated its certificate of incorporation of the Company (such amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified form time, the Company Certificate of Incorporation”), the Company is authorized to issue the following classes of stock: (A) Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”); (B) Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”); and (C) preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share;
WHEREAS, following the consummation of the Transactions, MarketWise has provided the MarketWise Holders with a redemption right pursuant to which the MarketWise Holders may redeem their Common Units for cash or, at the Company’s option, exchange Common Units for an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of MarketWise (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “MarketWise LLC Agreement”) and the Company Certificate of Incorporation;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Original RRA, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders (as defined in the Original RRA) of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined



in the Original RRA) at the time in question, and the Sponsor is a Holder of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) as of the date hereof; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions described above, the Company and the Sponsor desire to amend and restate the Original RRA in its entirety as set forth herein, and the Company and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined below) on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1    Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
Additional Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.10 hereof.
Additional Holder Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.10 hereof.
Additional Registrable Security” shall mean (i) any shares of Class A Common Stock issued by the Company to a Holder in connection with the redemption by a Holder of Common Units owned by any Holder and (ii) any other equity security of the Company or any of its subsidiaries issued or issuable with respect to any securities referenced in clause (i) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.
Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, after consultation with counsel to the Company, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company or the Board, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.
Action” shall mean any claim, action, suit, audit, examination, assessment, arbitration, mediation or inquiry, or any proceeding or investigation, by or before any Governmental Authority.
Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.
MarketWise” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
MarketWise Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
MarketWise LLC Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
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Class A Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Class B Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Closing” shall have the meaning given in the Purchase Agreement.
Closing Date” shall have the meaning given in the Purchase Agreement.
Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Common Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto and includes the Company’s successors by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.
Company Certificate of Incorporation” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5 hereof.
Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Form S-1 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1 hereof.
Form S-3 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1 hereof.
Governmental Authority” shall mean any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or foreign government, governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency (which for the purposes of this Agreement shall include FINRA and the Commission), governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, court or tribunal.
Governmental Order” shall mean any order, judgment, injunction, decree, writ, stipulation, determination or award, in each case, entered by or with any Governmental Authority.
Holder Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 4.1.2 hereof.
Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto, for so long as such person or entity holds any Registrable Securities.
Initial Registrable Security” shall mean (i) any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock held by a Holder immediately following the Closing (other than Sponsor Earn Out Shares or Company Management Member Earn Out Shares (each as defined in the Purchase Agreement)), (ii) any shares of Class A Common Stock that may be acquired by Holders upon the exercise of a warrant or other right to acquire Class A Common Stock held by a Holder immediately following the Closing (other than Sponsor Earn Out Shares or Company Management Member Earn Out Shares), (iii) the Sponsor Earn Out Shares (provided that, prior to the release of such shares to the Sponsor in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement and the Escrow Agreement (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the Sponsor Earn Out Shares shall only be deemed to be “Registrable Securities” for purposes of Sections 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.1.3
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hereof), (iv) the Company Management Members Earn Out Shares (provided that, prior to the release of such shares to the Company Management Members (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) that are allocated Company Management Member Earn Out Shares in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, the Company Management Members Earn Out Shares shall only be deemed to be “Registrable Securities” for purposes of Sections 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 hereof), (v) any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or warrants to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock (including any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such warrant) of the Company held by a Holder following the date hereof to the extent that such securities are “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) or are otherwise held by an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company and (vi) any other equity security of the Company or any of its subsidiaries issued or issuable with respect to any securities referenced in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.
Insider Letter” means that certain letter agreement, dated as of July 23, 2020, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors.
Issuer Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.2 hereof.
Joinder” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.10 hereof.
Lock-Up” shall have the meaning given in Section 5.1 hereof.
Lock-Up Period” shall mean the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending, (A)(i) with respect to the Sponsor and the MarketWise Holders that are members of the Company’s management team, on the earlier of (x) the date that is the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date and (y) the date on which the last reported sale price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing Date and (ii) with respect to the MarketWise Holders that are not members of the Company’s management team, the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date and (B) with respect to the Sponsor, on the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Transactions).
Lock-Up Shares” shall mean, (i) with respect to the Sponsor and its Permitted Transferees, the shares of Class A Common Stock held by the Sponsor immediately following the Closing (for the avoidance of doubt, such shares of Class A Common Stock shall not include any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any warrants held by the Sponsor), and (ii) with respect to the MarketWise Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, (a) the shares of Class A Common Stock received by the MarketWise Holders on the Closing Date and (b) any shares of Class A Common Stock received by the MarketWise Holders after the Closing Date pursuant to a direct exchange or redemption of Common Units held as of the Closing Date under the MarketWise LLC Agreement.
Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.6 hereof.
Minimum Takedown Threshold” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5 hereof.
Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in
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a Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.
Original RRA” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Permitted Transferees” shall mean (a) with respect to the Sponsor and its respective Permitted Transferees, (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter; (b) with respect to the MarketWise Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter; and (c) with respect to all other Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, any person or entity to whom such Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter.
Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.2.1 hereof.
Primary Shares” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.2 hereof.
Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Registrable Security” shall mean collectively the Initial Registrable Securities and the Additional Registrable Securities; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of the following events: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement by the applicable Holder; (ii) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing (or book-entry positions not subject to) a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (iii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (iv) following the second anniversary of this Agreement, such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 (but without the requirement to comply with any volume or manner of sale limitations); and (v) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, while Common Units or other securities of the Company or MarketWise may constitute Registrable Securities, under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to register Common Units or other securities of the Company or MarketWise, and only shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon redemption or exchange of Common Units or upon exercise or conversion of such other securities of the Company or MarketWise will be registered.
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Registration” shall mean a registration, including any related Shelf Takedown, effected by preparing and filing a Registration Statement, Prospectus or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
Registration Expenses” shall mean the documented, out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(A)    all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with FINRA) and any national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed;
(B)    fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(C)    fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers of securities in a secondary offering, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, with respect to Registrable Securities sold by Holders;
(D)    printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(E)    reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;
(F)    reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and
(G)    reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders in an Underwritten Offering.
Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including any Shelf, and, in each case, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement and all exhibits to, and all material incorporated by reference in, such registration statement.
Requesting Holders” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.6 hereof.
Restricted Shares” shall mean shares of Class A Common Stock issued under an Issuer Shelf Registration Statement which if sold by the holder thereof would constitute “restricted securities” as defined under Rule 144 when acquired by a transferee.
Rule 144” shall mean Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto that may be promulgated by the Commission.
Securities Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
Shelf” shall mean the Form S-1 Shelf, the Form S-3 Shelf, any Issuer Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent Shelf Registration, as the case may be.
Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration of securities pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act,
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as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto that may be promulgated by the Commission.
Shelf Takedown” shall mean an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or any proposed transfer or sale using a Registration Statement, including a Piggyback Registration.
Sponsor shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
Subsequent Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.3 hereof.
Total Limit” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5 hereof.
Transactions” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
Transfer” shall mean the (i) sale or assignment of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecation, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security, (ii) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii).
Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
Underwritten Lock-Up Period” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.3 hereof.
Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
Underwritten Shelf Takedown” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5 hereof.
Withdrawal Notice” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.7 hereof.
Yearly Limit” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5 hereof.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATIONS AND OFFERINGS
2.1    Shelf Registration.
2.1.1    Filing. The Company shall, subject to Section 3.4 hereof, submit or file within 30 days of the Closing Date, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective as soon as practicable thereafter, a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1 Shelf”) or, if the Company is eligible to use a Registration Statement on Form S-3, a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 (the “Form S-3 Shelf”), in each case, covering the resale of all the Initial Registrable Securities (determined as of two business days prior to such submission or filing) on a delayed or continuous basis and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Shelf declared effective after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (a) the 60th calendar day following the filing date thereof if the Commission notifies the Company that it will “review” the Registration Statement and (b) the tenth business day after
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the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. Such Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. Subject to Sections 2.1.3 and 3.4 hereof, the Company shall maintain a Shelf in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep a Shelf continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Form S-1 Shelf, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Form S-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration) to a Form S-3 Shelf as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3.
2.1.2    Issuer Shelf Registration. The Company shall, subject to Section 3.4 hereof, submit or file within 90 days of the Closing Date, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, a Registration Statement on an appropriate form covering issuance and resale of the Additional Registrable Securities on a delayed or continuous basis (an “Issuer Shelf Registration Statement”). Such Shelf shall provide for (i) the issuance by the Company, from time to time, to the Holders of Common Units, of shares of Class A Common Stock registered under the Securities Act in connection with the redemption thereof (the “Primary Shares”) and (ii) to the extent such Primary Shares constitute Restricted Shares, the registered resale of such Class A Common Stock by their Holders from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holders and set forth therein. Subject to Sections 2.1.3 and 3.4 hereof, the Company shall maintain an Issuer Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep an Issuer Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Additional Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Form S-1 Shelf, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Form S-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration) to a Form S-3 Shelf as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3. If the Company shall exercise its rights under this Section 2.1.2, Holders shall have no right to have shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon exchange of Common Units included in a Shelf pursuant to Section 2.1.1 hereof.
2.1.3    Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Shelf ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4 hereof, use its commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as is reasonably practicable, cause such Shelf to again become effective under the Securities Act (including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as is reasonably practicable, amend such Shelf in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf or file an additional registration statement as a Shelf Registration (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration”) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities under such Shelf (determined as of two business days prior to such filing), and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) at the most recent applicable eligibility determination date) and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration
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continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on another appropriate form.
2.1.4    New Registrable Securities. Subject to Section 3.4 hereof, in the event that any Holder or Holders, collectively, hold Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon request of any MarketWise Holder or the Sponsor, shall promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered by either, at the Company’s option, any then-available Shelf (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or a Subsequent Shelf Registration and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Shelf or Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be subject to the terms hereof; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall only be required to cause such Registrable Securities to be so covered if the total offering price thereof is reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $50 million and (ii) the Company shall only be required to cause such Registrable Securities to be so covered once per calendar year.
2.1.5    Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. Following the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, any MarketWise Holder or the Sponsor (any of the MarketWise Holders or the Sponsor, a “Demanding Holder”) may request to sell all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering or other coordinated offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holder, either individually or together with other Demanding Holders, with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $50 million (the “Minimum Takedown Threshold”). All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown. The Company shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks), subject to the initial Demanding Holder’s prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The MarketWise Holders, collectively, on the one hand, and the Sponsor, on the other hand, may each demand Underwritten Shelf Takedowns pursuant to this Section 2.1.5 (i) not more than two times in any 12-month period (the “Yearly Limit”) and (ii) not more than five times in the aggregate (the “Total Limit”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any then-effective Registration Statement, including a Form S-3, that is then available for such offering.
2.1.6    Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Holders requesting piggy back rights pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Requesting Holders”) (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and all other shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, that have been requested to be sold in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, before including
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any shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities proposed to be sold by Company or by other holders of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders (if any) have requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.1.7    Underwritten Shelf Takedown Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided that any other Demanding Holder(s) may elect to have the Company continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Demanding Holder(s). If withdrawn, a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall constitute a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the withdrawing Demanding Holder for purposes of Section 2.1.5 hereof and shall count toward the Yearly Limit and the Total Limit, unless either (i) the Demanding Holder(s) making the withdrawal has not previously withdrawn any Underwritten Shelf Takedown or (ii) the Demanding Holder(s) making the withdrawal reimburses the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (or, if there is more than one Demanding Holder, a pro rata portion of such Registration Expenses based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown); provided that, if any other Demanding Holder(s) elects to continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall instead count as an Underwritten Shelf Takedown demanded by the Demanding Holders for purposes of Section 2.1.5 hereof and shall count toward the Yearly Limit and the Total Limit. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Requesting Holders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Shelf Takedown prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.1.7, other than if a Demanding Holder elects to pay such Registration Expenses pursuant to clause (ii) of the second sentence of this Section 2.1.7.
2.2    Piggyback Registration.
2.2.1    Piggyback Rights. If the Company or any Holder proposes to conduct a registered offering of, or if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration of, equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (or any registered offering with respect thereto) (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), (iv) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (v) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed offering to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such offering, which notice shall (A) describe the
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amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to include in such registered offering such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration, a “Piggyback Registration”). Subject to Section 2.2.2 hereof, the Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and, if applicable, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such Piggyback Registration to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.2.1 to be included therein on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such registered offering and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The inclusion of any Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration shall be subject to such Holder’s agreement to enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.
2.2.2    Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company or the Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to this Section 2.2 and (iii) the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
(a)    if the Registration or registered offering is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering (A) first, the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1 hereof, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(b)    if the Registration or registered offering is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering (A) first, the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1 hereof, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included
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in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of such persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and
(c)    if the Registration or registered offering is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering securities in the priority set forth in Section 2.1.6 hereof.
2.2.3    Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by Section 2.1.7 hereof) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggyback Registration used for marketing such transaction. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than Section 2.1.7 hereof), the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.2.3.
2.2.4    Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, subject to Section 2.1.7 hereof, any Piggyback Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under Section 2.1.5 hereof and shall not count toward the Yearly Limit or the Total Limit.
2.3    Market Stand-off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company or any Company-initiated Registration for the account of the Company (subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 2.2 hereof), each Holder that is an executive officer, director or Holder in excess of 2.5% of the then-outstanding Common Stock agrees that it shall not Transfer any shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Company, during the 90-day period (or such shorter time agreed to by the managing Underwriters) beginning on the date of pricing of such offering (the “Underwritten Lock-Up Period”), except as expressly permitted by such lock-up agreement or in the event the Underwriters managing the offering otherwise consent in writing. Each Holder agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as the Company’s directors and executive officers or the other stockholders of the Company). The Company will not be obligated to undertake an Underwritten Shelf Takedown during any Underwritten Lock-Up Period binding on the Holders, nor will the Company be obligated to include in any Piggyback Registration any Registrable Securities that are then subject to a “lock-up” agreement.
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ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
3.1    General Procedures. In connection with any Shelf and/or Shelf Takedown, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
3.1.1    prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as reasonably practicable, a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities;
3.1.2    prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder that holds at least 5% percent of the Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
3.1.3    prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;
3.1.4    prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request (or provide evidence satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
3.1.5    cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
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3.1.6    provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
3.1.7    advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
3.1.8    at least three days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus (or such shorter period of time as may be necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as applicable), furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel (excluding any exhibits thereto and any filing made under the Exchange Act that is to be incorporated by reference therein);
3.1.9    notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;
3.1.10    in the event of an Underwritten Offering or other coordinated offering that is registered pursuant to a Registration Statement, permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;
3.1.11    obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering or other coordinated offering that is registered pursuant to a Registration Statement, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter or other similar type of sales agent or placement agent may reasonably request;
3.1.12    in the event of an Underwritten Offering or other coordinated offering that is registered pursuant to a Registration Statement, on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the participating Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the participating Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters;
3.1.13    in the event of any Underwritten Offering or other coordinated offering that is registered pursuant to a Registration Statement, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, sales agreement or placement agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter, sales agent or placement agent of such offering;
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3.1.14    make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule thereto);
3.1.15    with respect to an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.1.5 hereof, use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and
3.1.16    otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders participating in such Registration, in connection with such Registration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to provide any documents or information to an Underwriter or other sales agent or placement agent if such Underwriter or other sales agent or placement agent has not then been named with respect to the applicable Underwritten Offering or other coordinated offering that is registered pursuant to a Registration Statement.
3.2    Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ or agents’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.
3.3    Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Holder does not timely provide the Company with its requested Holder Information, the Company may exclude such Holder’s Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel, that such information is necessary to effect the registration and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering or other coordinated offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) timely completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting or other agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such arrangements. The exclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.3 shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.
3.4    Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure; Restrictions on Registration Rights.
3.4.1    Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.
3.4.2    If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would (i) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (ii) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the
15


Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control or (iii) in the good faith judgment of the majority of the Board, be seriously detrimental to the Company and the majority of the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders (which notice shall not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such delay or suspension), delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under this Section 3.4.2, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities until such Holder receives written notice from the Company that such sales or offers of Registrable Securities may be resumed, and in each case maintain the confidentiality of such notice and its contents.
3.4.3    Subject to Section 3.4.4 hereof, if (i) during the period starting with the date 60 days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date 120 days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration, and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, or (ii) if, pursuant to Section 2.1.5 hereof, Holders have requested an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company and such Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, then, in each case, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to Section 2.1.5 hereof.
3.4.4    The right to delay or suspend any filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3.4.2 hereof or a registered offering pursuant to Section 3.4.3 hereof shall be exercised by the Company, in the aggregate, for not more than 90 consecutive calendar days or more 180 total calendar days in each case, during any 12-month period.
3.5    Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to use commercially reasonable efforts to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144.
ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
4.1    Indemnification.
4.1.1    The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each person or entity who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such
16


Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.
4.1.2    In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish (or cause to be furnished) to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (the “Holder Information”) and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors, officers and agents and each person or entity who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement is contained in (or not contained in, in the case of an omission) any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.
4.1.3    Any person or entity entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s or entity’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
4.1.4    The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person or entity of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.
4.1.5    If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
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damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 hereof, any legal or other fees, charges or out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 4.1.5. No person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
ARTICLE V
LOCK-UP
5.1    Lock-Up. Subject to Section 5.2 hereof, the Sponsor and MarketWise Holders agree that they shall not Transfer any Lock-Up Shares until the end of the Lock-Up Period (the “Lock-Up”).
5.2    Permitted Transferees. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 5.1 hereof, the Sponsor, the MarketWise Holders or their respective Permitted Transferees may Transfer the Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period: (a) to (i) the Company’s officers or directors, (ii) any affiliate or family member of any of the Company’s officers or directors, (iii) any affiliate of the Sponsor, (iv) any members or equityholders of the Sponsor or any of their affiliates or (v) the MarketWise Holders, any direct or indirect partners, members or equityholders of the MarketWise Holders, any affiliate or family member of any of the MarketWise Holders or any related investment funds or vehicles controlled or managed by such persons or entities or their respective affiliates; (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, family limited partnership or other estate planning vehicle, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family or an affiliate of such individual, or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands or the Sponsor’s partnership agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor; (f) in connection with any bona fide mortgage, encumbrance or pledge to a financial institution in connection with any bona fide loan or debt transaction or enforcement thereunder, including foreclosure thereof; (g) to the Company; or (h) in the event of the Company’s liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the Closing Date; provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (a) through (e), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions in this Article V.
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5.3    Termination of Existing Lock-Up. The lock-up provisions in this Article V shall supersede the lock-up provisions contained in Section 7 of the Insider Letter, which provision in Section 7 of the Insider Letter shall be of no further force or effect.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1    Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: MarketWise, Inc., 1125 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland 21201, Attention: Gary Anderson, General Counsel, Email: ganderson@marketwise.com; and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective 30 days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 6.1.
6.2    Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
6.2.1    This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.
6.2.2    This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Holders hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Holders in whole or in part; provided, however, that, subject to Section 6.2.5 hereof, a Holder may assign the rights and obligations of such Holder hereunder relating to particular Registrable Securities in connection with the transfer of such Registrable Securities to a Permitted Transferee of such Holder.
6.2.3    This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.
6.2.4    This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 6.2 hereof.
6.2.5    No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 6.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 6.2 shall be null and void.
6.3    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.
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6.4    Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. ANY LEGAL SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY MAY BE INSTITUTED IN THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IN EACH CASE, LOCATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.
6.5    Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party acknowledges and agrees that any controversy that may arise under this Agreement and the Transactions is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues, and therefore each such party hereby irrevocably, unconditionally and voluntarily waives any right such party may have to a trial by jury in respect of any action, suit or proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the Transactions.
6.6    Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of (i) the Company and (ii) the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects the Sponsor shall also require the written consent of the Sponsor so long as the Sponsor holds at least 2% of the outstanding Common Stock; provided further that any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity), shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.
6.7    Other Registration Rights. Other than the PIPE Investors who have registration rights with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock purchased in the PIPE Investment pursuant to their respective Subscription Agreements (each as defined in the Purchase Agreement), the Company represents and warrants that no person or entity, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person or entity. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions, and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
6.8    Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement and (ii) with respect to any Holder, the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Article IV hereof shall survive any termination.
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6.9    Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for the Company to make determinations hereunder.
6.10    Additional Holders; Joinder. In addition to persons or entities who may become Holders pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, subject to the prior written consent of the Sponsor and each MarketWise Holder (in each case, so long as such Holder and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company, calculated as if all Common Units are exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock), the Company may make any person or entity who acquires Class A Common Stock or rights to acquire Class A Common Stock after the date hereof a party to this Agreement (each such person or entity, an “Additional Holder”) by obtaining an executed joinder to this Agreement from such Additional Holder in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (a “Joinder”). Such Joinder shall specify the rights and obligations of the applicable Additional Holder under this Agreement. Upon the execution and delivery and subject to the terms of a Joinder by such Additional Holder, the Class Common Stock of the Company then owned, or underlying any rights then owned, by such Additional Holder (the “Additional Holder Common Stock”) shall be Registrable Securities to the extent provided herein and therein, and such Additional Holder shall be a Holder under this Agreement with respect to such Additional Holder Common Stock.
6.11    Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
6.12    Entire Agreement; Restatement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter. Upon the Closing, the Original RRA shall no longer be of any force or effect.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
COMPANY:
MARKETWISE, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By:
Name: Mark Arnold
Title: Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


SPONSOR:
ASCENDANT SPONSOR LP,
a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership
By:
Name:   Mark Gerhard
Title:     Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


MARKETWISE HOLDERS:
MONUMENT & CATHEDRAL HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
Name: Myles H. Norin
Title: President
FRANK PORTER STANSBERRY
STEVEN SJUGGERUD
MICHAEL PALMER
MARK ARNOLD
AMBER MASON
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


RYAN MARKISH
FERNANDO CRUZ
JARED KELLY
SEAN CARROLL
DALE LYNCH
MARCO FERRI
ALMA BEACON, LLC
By:
Name: Marco Ferri
Title: Manager
MYLES NORIN, LLC
By:
Name: Myles H. Norin
Title: Manager
ELIZABETH BONNER
GREGORY H. BARNHILL MD ONLY QTIP TRUST
By:
Name: Lisa A. Barnhill
Title: Trustee
GREGORY H. BARNHILL MARITAL TRUST B
By:
Name: Lisa A. Barnhill
Title: Trustee
MATTHEW J. TURNER
ELIZABETH W. P. BONNER 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST NUMBER TWO
By:
Name: Margaret F. DeCampo
Title: Trustee
By:
Name: William R. Bonner, Jr.
Title: Trustee
By:
Name: William Wesley Bonner
Title: Trustee
By:
Name: Maria Shepherd Bonner
Title: Trustee
Elizabeth W.P. Bonner Electing Small Business Trust
By:
Name: Margaret F. DeCampo
Title: Trustee
By:
Name: William R. Bonner, Jr.
Title: Trustee
By:
Name: William Wesley Bonner
Title: Trustee
By:
Name: Maria Shepherd Bonner
Title: Trustee
PALIMI, INC.
By:
Name: Mark Ford
Title: President
DOUGLAS CASEY
STOKES HOLDINGS, LLC
By:
Name: Frank Porter Stansberry
Title: Manager
CHARLESTON IVY, LLC
By:
Name: David Eifrig
Title: Manager
JAMA 2021, LLC
By:
Name: Mark Arnold
Title: Manager
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


MARKISH FAMILY ENTERPRISES, LLC
By:
Name:    Ryan Markish
Title:    Manager
CCL FAMILY, LLC
By:
Name:    Fernando Cruz
Title:    Authorized Member
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


OTHER HOLDERS:
MICHAEL G. JESSELSON 12/18/80 TRUST
By:
Name:    Claire Strauss
Title:    Trustee
ROBERT FORESMAN
DIANE NELSON
MICKIE ROSEN
ANDREW HEYER
DAVID HIGLEY
PIERRE CADENA
WILLIAM WESLEY
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


Exhibit A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
JOINDER
The undersigned is executing and delivering this joinder (this “Joinder”) pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [____], 2021 (as the same may hereafter be amended, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the other persons or entities named as parties therein. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.
By executing and delivering this Joinder to the Company, and upon acceptance hereof by the Company upon the execution of a counterpart hereof, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by and to comply with the Registration Rights Agreement as a Holder of Registrable Securities in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Registration Rights Agreement, and the undersigned’s shares of Class A Common Stock shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent provided therein; provided, however, that the undersigned and its permitted assigns (if any) shall not have any rights as Holders, and the undersigned’s (and its transferees’) shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be included as Registrable Securities, for purposes of the Excluded Sections.
For purposes of this Joinder, “Excluded Sections” shall mean [        ].
Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder as of the __________ day of __________, 20__.
Signature of Stockholder
Print Name of Stockholder
Its:
Address:
Agreed and Accepted as of
, 20
MarketWise, Inc.
By:
Name:
Its:
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
Document
Exhibit 10.2
TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
by and among
MARKETWISE, INC.
MARKETWISE, LLC
and
THE MEMBERS OF MARKETWISE, LLC
FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO
Dated as July 21, 2021



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
Definitions
SECTION 1.1.Definitions2
SECTION 1.2.Rules of Construction11
ARTICLE II
Determination of Realized Tax Benefit
SECTION 2.1.Basis Adjustments; MarketWise 754 Election12
SECTION 2.2.Basis Schedules12
SECTION 2.3.Tax Benefit Schedules12
SECTION 2.4.Procedures; Amendments13
ARTICLE III
Tax Benefit Payments
SECTION 3.1.Timing and Amount of Tax Benefit Payments15
SECTION 3.2.No Duplicative Payments16
SECTION 3.3.Pro-Ration of Payments as Between the Members16
ARTICLE IV
Termination
SECTION 4.1.Early Termination of Agreement; Acceleration Events17
SECTION 4.2.Early Termination Notice19
SECTION 4.3.Payment upon Early Termination19
ARTICLE V
Subordination and Late Payments
SECTION 5.1.Subordination20
SECTION 5.2.Late Payments by the Corporation20
ARTICLE VI
i


Tax Matters; Consistency; Cooperation
SECTION 6.1.Participation in the Corporation’s and MarketWise’s Tax Matters20
SECTION 6.2.Consistency21
SECTION 6.3.Cooperation21
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 7.1.Notices21
SECTION 7.2.Counterparts22
SECTION 7.3.Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries22
SECTION 7.4.Severability22
SECTION 7.5.Assignments; Amendments; Successors; No Waiver23
SECTION 7.6.Titles and Subtitles24
SECTION 7.7.Resolution of Disputes; Governing Law24
SECTION 7.8.Reconciliation Procedures25
SECTION 7.9.Withholding26
SECTION 7.10.Admission of the Corporation into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets26
SECTION 7.11.Confidentiality27
SECTION 7.12.Change in Law29
SECTION 7.13.Interest Rate Limitation29
SECTION 7.14.Independent Nature of Rights and Obligations29


Exhibits
Exhibit A    -    Form of Joinder Agreement
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TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 21, 2021, is hereby entered into by and among MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), MarketWise, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MarketWise”), and each of the Members (as defined herein) from time to time party hereto.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, MarketWise is treated as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes;
WHEREAS, each of the members of MarketWise as of the date hereof (such members (other than the Corporation), together with each other Person who becomes party hereto by satisfying the Joinder Requirement, the “Members”) own member’s interests in MarketWise in the form of Units (as defined herein);
WHEREAS, the Corporation is the sole managing member of MarketWise;
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2021, MarketWise, the Corporation and the Members entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Combination Agreement”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Combination Agreement and as described further therein, at the Effective Time (as defined herein) the Corporation will acquire (i) existing Units from the Members and (ii) newly issued Units from MarketWise (collectively, the “Unit Purchase”);
WHEREAS, the Operating Agreement (as defined herein) provides each Member a redemption right pursuant to which each Member may cause MarketWise to redeem all or a portion of its Units from time to time for shares of Class A Common Stock (as defined herein) or, at the Corporation’s option, cash (a “Redemption”), subject to the Corporation’s right, in its sole discretion, to elect to effect a direct exchange of cash or shares of Class A Common Stock for such Units between the Corporation and the applicable Member in lieu of such a Redemption (a “Direct Exchange”);
WHEREAS, MarketWise and each of its Subsidiaries (as defined herein) that is treated as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (as defined herein) for the Taxable Year (as defined herein) in which any Exchange (as defined herein) occurs, which election will cause any such Exchange to result in an adjustment to the Corporation’s proportionate share of the tax basis of the assets owned by MarketWise or certain of its Subsidiaries; and



WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to provide for certain payments and make certain arrangements with respect to any tax benefits to be derived by the Corporation as the result of Exchanges and the making of payments under this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
SECTION 1.1.     Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to (i) the singular and plural, (ii) the active and passive and (iii) for defined terms that are nouns, the verbified forms of the terms defined).
Actual Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the liability for Covered Taxes of the Corporation (a) appearing on Tax Returns of the Corporation filed for such Taxable Year or (b) if applicable, determined in accordance with a Determination; provided, that for purposes of determining Actual Tax Liability, the Corporation shall use the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate for purposes of determining liabilities for all U.S. state and local Covered Taxes (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, federal Covered Taxes).
Advisory Firm” means an accounting firm that is nationally recognized as being expert in Covered Tax matters, selected by the Corporation.
Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.
Agreed Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points.
Agreement” is defined in the preamble.
Amended Schedule” is defined in Section 2.4(b).
Amount Realized” means, with respect to any Exchange at any time, the sum of (i) the Market Value of the shares of Class A Common Stock or the amount of cash (as applicable) transferred to a Member pursuant to such Exchange, (ii) the amount of payments made pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Exchange (but excluding any portions thereof attributable to Imputed Interest) and (iii) the amount of liabilities allocated to the Units acquired pursuant to the Exchange under Section 752 of the Code.
Assumed State and Local Tax Rate” means 6.28%, as may be adjusted from time to time by the Corporation in its reasonable discretion if such adjustment is necessary to take into account any change in applicable Law or any material change in (i) the apportionment factor on the Tax Returns of the Corporation in the applicable U.S. state or
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local jurisdiction or (ii) the U.S. state and local jurisdictions in which the Corporation is liable for Covered Taxes, in each case, from Taxable Year to Taxable Year.
Attributable” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(i).
Audit Committee” means the audit committee of the Board.
Basis Adjustment” means the increase or decrease to, or the Corporation’s proportionate share of, the tax basis of the Reference Assets under Section 732, 734(b), 743(b), 754, 755 or 1012 of the Code, in each case, or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law, as a result of any Exchange or any payment made under this Agreement. For purposes of determining the Corporation’s proportionate share of the tax basis of the Reference Assets with respect to the Units transferred in an Exchange under Treasury Regulations Section 1.743-1(b) (or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law), the consideration paid by the Corporation for such Units shall be the Amount Realized. For the avoidance of doubt, a Basis Adjustment shall be made with respect to any deferred revenue, deferred subscription income or any other similar types of advance payments (as such term is defined in IRS Revenue Procedure 2004-34, 2004-22 I.R.B. 991) and recovered at the time the applicable advance payment is included in income by the MarketWise Group. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange of one or more Units is to be determined as if any Pre-Exchange Transfer of such Units had not occurred, and, further, payments under this Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in a Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest.
Basis Schedule” is defined in Section 2.2.
MarketWise” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
MarketWise Group” means MarketWise and each of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for applicable tax purposes (but excluding any such Subsidiary that is directly or indirectly held by any entity treated as a corporation for applicable tax purposes (other than the Corporation)).
Beneficial Owner” means, with respect to any security, a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, with respect to such security or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.
Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation.
Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banks located in New York City, New York generally are authorized or required by Law to close.
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Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i)    any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding (1) any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and any Permitted Transferees (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of MarketWise dated as of the date hereof) and (2) any “person” or “group” who, as of the Effective Time, is the Beneficial Owner of securities of the Corporation representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities)) becomes the Beneficial Owner of securities of the Corporation representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities;
(ii)    (A) the shareholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or (B) there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, other than such sale or other disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to an entity at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Corporation immediately prior to such sale or other disposition; or
(iii)    there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (A) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (B) the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
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Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation.
Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation.
Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference herein to a specific section of the Code shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future Law as in effect for the relevant taxable period.
Combination Agreement” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Control” means the direct or indirect possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Corporation” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Covered Taxes” means any U.S. Federal, state and local taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits and any interest imposed in respect thereof under applicable Law.
Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(iii).
Default Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 500 basis points.
Default Rate Interest” is defined in Section 5.2.
Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for tax.
Direct Exchange” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Early Termination Effective Date” means (i) with respect to an early termination pursuant to Section 4.1(a), the date an Early Termination Notice is delivered, (ii) with respect to an early termination pursuant to Section 4.1(b), the date of the applicable Change of Control and (iii) with respect to an early termination pursuant to Section 4.1(c), the date of the applicable Material Breach.
Early Termination Notice” is defined in Section 4.2(a).
Early Termination Payment” is defined in Section 4.3(b).
Early Termination Reference Date” is defined in Section 4.2(b).
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Early Termination Schedule” is defined in Section 4.2(b).
Effective Time” means the time of the “Closing” as defined in the Combination Agreement.
Exchange” means any (i) Direct Exchange, (ii) Redemption, (iii) transactions pursuant to the Combination Agreement that result in a Basis Adjustment or (iv) distribution (including a deemed distribution) by MarketWise to a Member that results in a Basis Adjustment.
Exchange Act” means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.
Exchange Date” means the date of any Exchange.
Expert” is defined in Section 7.8(a).
Final Payment Date” means any date on which a Payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement. The Final Payment Date in respect of (i) a Tax Benefit Payment is determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a) and (ii) an Early Termination Payment is determined pursuant to Section 4.3(a).
Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the hypothetical liability of the Corporation that would arise in respect of Covered Taxes, using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used in computing the Actual Tax Liability but (i) calculating depreciation, amortization or other similar deductions, or otherwise calculating any items of income, gain or loss, using the Corporation’s proportionate share of the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis as reflected on the Basis Schedule, including amendments thereto, for such Taxable Year and (ii) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest for such Taxable Year; provided, that for purposes of determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability, the combined tax rate for U.S. state and local Covered Taxes (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, federal Covered Taxes) shall be the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate. For the avoidance of doubt, the Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to any of the items described in clauses (i) or (ii) of the previous sentence.
Imputed Interest” means any interest imputed under Section 483, 1272 or 1274 or any other provision of the Code or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law with respect to the Corporation’s payment obligations under this Agreement.
Independent Directors” means the members of the Board who are “independent” under applicable Laws and the standards of the principal U.S. securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is traded or quoted.
Interest Amount” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(vi).
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IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Joinder” means a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A to this Agreement.
Joinder Requirement” is defined in Section 7.5(a).
Law” means all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations of the U.S., any foreign country and each state, commonwealth, city, county, municipality, regulatory or self-regulatory body, agency or other political subdivision thereof.
LIBOR” means, during any period, the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source selected by the Corporation as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (an “Alternate Source”), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such period (or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any LIBOR Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Corporation at such time, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error); provided, that at no time shall LIBOR be less than 0%. If the Corporation has made the determination (such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) LIBOR is no longer a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars or (ii) the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of LIBOR has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars, then the Corporation shall (as determined by the Corporation to be consistent with market practice generally), establish a replacement interest rate (the “Replacement Rate”), in which case, the Replacement Rate shall, subject to the next two sentences, replace LIBOR for all purposes under this Agreement. In connection with the establishment and application of the Replacement Rate, this Agreement shall be amended solely with the consent of the Corporation and MarketWise, as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Corporation, to effect the provisions of this section. The Replacement Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Corporation, such Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by the Corporation.
Market Value” means the Common Unit Redemption Price, as defined in the Operating Agreement.
Material Breach” means the (i) material breach by the Corporation of a material obligation under this Agreement or (ii) the rejection of this Agreement by operation of law in a case commenced in bankruptcy or otherwise.
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Member Approval” means written approval by Members whose rights under this Agreement are attributable to at least 50% of the Units outstanding (excluding any Units held by the Corporation) immediately after the Unit Purchase (as appropriately adjusted for any subsequent changes to the number of outstanding Units). For purposes of this definition, a Member’s rights under this Agreement shall be attributed to Units as of the time of a determination of Member Approval. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) an Exchanged Unit shall be attributed only to the Member entitled to receive Tax Benefit Payments with respect to such Exchanged Unit (i.e., the Member who Exchanged the Unit or the assignee of such Member’s rights to the Tax Benefit Payments hereunder) and (ii) an outstanding Unit that has not been Exchanged shall be attributed only to the Member (or, if applicable, the assignee of its rights to the Tax Benefit Payments hereunder) entitled to receive Tax Benefit Payments upon the Exchange of such Unit.
Members” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Net Tax Benefit” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(ii).
Non-Adjusted Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made.
Objection Notice” is defined in Section 2.4(a)(ii).
Operating Agreement” means that certain Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of MarketWise, dated as of the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Parties” means the parties named on the signature pages to this agreement and each additional party that satisfies the Joinder Requirement, in each case with their respective successors and assigns.
Payment” means any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment and in each case, unless otherwise specified, refers to the entire amount of such Payment or any portion thereof.
Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.
Pre-Exchange Transfer” means any transfer of one or more Units (i) that occurs after the Effective Time but prior to an Exchange of such Units and (ii) to which Section 743(b) of the Code applies.
Realized Tax Benefit” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(iv).
Realized Tax Detriment” is defined in Section 3.1(b)(v).
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Reconciliation Dispute” is defined in Section 7.8(a).
Reconciliation Procedures” is defined in Section 7.8(a).
Redemption” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Reference Asset” means any asset of any member of the MarketWise Group at the time of an Exchange. A Reference Asset also includes any asset the tax basis of which is determined, in whole or in part, by reference to the tax basis of an asset that is described in the preceding sentence, including any “substituted basis property” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.
Schedule” means any of the following: (i) a Basis Schedule, (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule, and (iii) an Early Termination Schedule and, in each case, any amendments thereto.
Senior Obligations” is defined in Section 5.1.
Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person and as of any determination date, any other Person as to which such first Person (i) owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls, more than 50% of the voting power or other similar interests of such other Person or (ii) is the sole general partner interest, or managing member or similar interest, of such other Person.
Tax Benefit Payment” is defined in Section 3.1(b).
Tax Benefit Schedule” is defined in Section 2.3(a).
Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement filed or required to be filed with respect to taxes (including any schedules or other attachments thereto), including any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated tax.
Taxable Year” means a taxable year of the Corporation as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or any similar provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law, as applicable (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than 12 months for which a Tax Return is filed), ending on or after the date of the Effective Time.
Taxing Authority” means any national, federal, state, county, municipal or local government, or any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body, or any other authority of any kind, exercising regulatory or other authority in relation to tax matters.
Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and (to the extent they can be relied upon) proposed regulations under the Code, as promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) and as in effect for the relevant taxable period.
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U.S.” means the United States of America.
Unit Purchase” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
Units” means Common Units, as defined in the Operating Agreement.
Valuation Assumptions” means, as of an Early Termination Effective Date, the assumptions that:
(i)    subject to clause (iii) below, in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Effective Date, the Corporation will have taxable income sufficient to fully use the deductions arising from the Basis Adjustments and the Imputed Interest during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available;
(ii)    the U.S. Federal income tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other applicable Law as in effect on the Early Termination Effective Date, except to the extent any change to such tax rates for such Taxable Year have already been enacted into Law and the taxable income of the Corporation will be subject to such maximum applicable tax rates for each Covered Tax; provided that, the combined U.S. state and local income tax rates shall be the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate applicable to the Taxable Year that includes the Early Termination Effective Date;
(iii)    any loss carryovers or carrybacks (without duplication) generated by any Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest (including any such Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest generated as a result of payments made or deemed to be made under this Agreement) and available (taking into account any known and applicable limitations) as of the Early Termination Effective Date will be used by the Corporation ratably from such Early Termination Effective Date through (A) the scheduled expiration date of such loss carryovers (if any) or (B) if there is no such scheduled expiration, then the Taxable Year that includes the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Early Termination Effective Date (by way of example, if on the Early Termination Effective Date the Corporation had $100 of net operating losses that is scheduled to expire in 10 years, $10 of such net operating losses would be used in each of the 10 consecutive Taxable Years beginning in the Taxable Year that includes such Early Termination Effective Date);
(iv)    any non-amortizable assets will be disposed of on the fifteenth (15th) anniversary of the later of (i) the applicable Exchange giving rise to a Basis Adjustment with respect to such assets and (ii) the Early Termination Effective Date;
(v)    if, on the Early Termination Effective Date, any Member has Units that have not been Exchanged, then such Units shall be deemed to be Exchanged
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for the Market Value of the shares of Class A Common Stock or the amount of cash that would be received by such Member, whichever is lower, had such Units actually been Exchanged on the Early Termination Effective Date; and
(vi)    any future payment obligations pursuant to this Agreement that are used to calculate the Early Termination Payment will be satisfied on the date that any Tax Return to which any such payment obligation relates is required to be filed excluding any extensions.
Voluntary Early Termination” is defined in Section 4.2(a).
SECTION 1.2.     Rules of Construction. Unless otherwise specified herein:
(a)    For purposes of interpretation of this Agreement:
(i)    The words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.
(ii)    Unless specified otherwise, references to an Article, Section or clause refer to the appropriate Article, Section or clause in this Agreement.
(iii)    References to dollars or “$” refer to the lawful currency of the U.S.
(iv)    The terms “include” or “including” are by way of example and not limitation and shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation”.
(v)    The term “or”, when used in a list of two or more items, means “and/or” and may indicate any combination of the items.
(vi)    The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.
(b)    In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including.”
(c)    Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
(d)    Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references to organizational documents (including the Operating Agreement), agreements (including this Agreement) and other contractual instruments means such organization documents, agreements and other contractual instruments as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof, and (ii) references to any
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Law (including the Code and the Treasury Regulations) include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.
ARTICLE II
Determination of Realized Tax Benefit
SECTION 2.1.     Basis Adjustments; MarketWise 754 Election.
(a)    Basis Adjustments. The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) each Redemption shall be treated as a direct purchase of Units by the Corporation from the applicable Member pursuant to Section 707(a)(2)(B) of the Code (or any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local tax Law) (i.e., equivalent to a Direct Exchange) and (ii) each Exchange will give rise to Basis Adjustments.
(b)    MarketWise Section 754 Election. In its capacity as the Manager (as defined in the Operating Agreement), the Corporation shall cause MarketWise and each of its Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes to have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (or any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local tax Law) for each Taxable Year in which an Exchange occurs and with respect to which the Corporation has obligations under this Agreement, including for the Taxable Year that includes the date hereof. The Corporation shall take commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Person in which MarketWise owns a direct or indirect equity interest (other than a Subsidiary) that is so treated as a partnership to have in effect any such election for each Taxable Year.
SECTION 2.2.     Basis Schedules. Within 150 calendar days after the filing of the U.S. Federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for each relevant Taxable Year, the Corporation shall deliver to the Members a schedule showing, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement, (a) the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis of the Reference Assets as of each applicable Exchange Date, (b) the Basis Adjustments to the Reference Assets for such Taxable Year, calculated (i) in the aggregate and (ii) solely with respect to each applicable Member, (c) the periods over which the Reference Assets are amortizable or depreciable and (d) the period over which each Basis Adjustment is amortizable or depreciable (such schedule, a “Basis Schedule”). All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision and preparation of the Basis Schedules and Tax Benefit Schedules for each Member in compliance with this Agreement shall be borne by the MarketWise. A Basis Schedule will become final and binding on the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a) and may be amended by the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a).
SECTION 2.3.     Tax Benefit Schedules.
(a)    Tax Benefit Schedule. Within 150 calendar days after the filing of the U.S. Federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, the Corporation shall provide to the
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Members a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”). For the avoidance of doubt, any Tax Benefit Schedule shall include the applied Assumed State and Local Tax Rate and describe any basis for any change in the Assumed State and Local Tax Rate from the rate specified herein. A Tax Benefit Schedule will become final and binding on the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a) and may be amended by the Parties pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.4(a).
(b)    Applicable Principles. Subject to the provisions hereunder, the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the Actual Tax Liability of the Corporation for such Taxable Year attributable to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest, as determined using a “with and without” methodology described in Section 2.4(a). Carryovers or carrybacks of any tax item attributable to any Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, and the appropriate provisions of U.S. state and local tax Law, governing the use, limitation or expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any tax item includes a portion that is attributable to a Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest (a “TRA Portion”) and another portion that is not attributable to a Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest (a “Non-TRA Portion”), such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology so that the amount of any Non-TRA Portion is deemed utilized first, followed by the amount of any TRA Portion (with the TRA Portion being applied on a proportionate basis consistent with the provisions of Section 3.3(a)) and (ii) in the case of a carryback of a Non-TRA Portion, such carryback shall not affect the original “with and without” calculation made in the prior Taxable Year. The Parties agree that, to the extent permitted by applicable Law and except with respect to the portion of any payment attributable to Imputed Interest, all Tax Benefit Payments and payments of Default Rate Interest are intended to be treated and shall be reported for all purposes as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments with respect to the relevant Units purchased by the Corporation from the applicable Members that give rise to further Basis Adjustments for the Corporation beginning in the Taxable Year of payment, and as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments will be incorporated into the calculations contemplated hereunder for such Taxable Year and into future Taxable Years, as appropriate.
SECTION 2.4.     Procedures; Amendments.
(a)    Procedures. Each time the Corporation delivers a Schedule to the Members under this Agreement, the Corporation shall, with respect to such Schedule, also (i) deliver to the Members supporting schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporation or as reasonably requested by any Member, that provide a reasonable level of detail regarding relevant data and calculations that were relevant for purposes of preparing the Schedule and (ii) allow the Members and their advisors to have reasonable access to the appropriate representatives, as determined by the Corporation or as reasonably requested by the Members, at the Corporation or at the Advisory Firm in connection with a review of relevant information. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the
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Corporation shall ensure that any Tax Benefit Schedule that is delivered to the Members, along with any supporting schedules and work papers, provides a reasonably detailed presentation of the calculations of the Actual Tax Liability for the relevant Taxable Year and the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year, and identifies any material assumptions or operating procedures or principles that were used for purposes of such calculations. A Schedule will become final and binding on the Parties 30 calendar days from the date on which the Members first received the applicable Schedule unless a Member, within such period, provides the Corporation with written notice of a material objection (made in good faith) to such Schedule and sets forth in reasonable detail such Member’s material objection (an “Objection Notice”) or each Member provides a written waiver to the Corporation of its right to give an Objective Notice within such period, in which case such Schedule becomes final and binding on the date the Corporation has received waivers from every Member. If the Parties, for any reason, are unable to resolve the issues raised in such Objection Notice within 30 calendar days after receipt by the Corporation of the Objection Notice, the Corporation and the Member shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures described in Section 7.8 and the finalization of the Schedule will be conducted in accordance therewith.
(b)    Amended Schedule. A Schedule (other than an Early Termination Schedule) for any Taxable Year may only and shall be amended from time to time by the Corporation (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct inaccuracies in such Schedule, including those identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date such Schedule was originally provided to the Members, (iii) to comply with an Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryover or carryback of a loss or other tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year, or (vi) to adjust an applicable Member’s Basis Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement (any such Schedule in its amended form, an “Amended Schedule”). The Corporation shall provide any Amended Schedule to the applicable Members when the Corporation delivers the next Basis Schedule after the occurrence of an event described in clauses (i) through (vi) (or, in the sole discretion of the Corporation, at an earlier date), and the delivery and finalization of any such Amended Schedule shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to the procedures described in Section 2.4(a). In the event a Schedule is amended after such Schedule becomes final pursuant to Section 2.4(a) or, if applicable, Section 7.8, the Amended Schedule shall be taken into account in calculating the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit for the Taxable Year in which the amendment actually occurs; provided, that with respect to any Amended Schedule relating to an event described in clauses (ii), (iii) and (v), such calculation shall compute the Interest Amount in accordance with Section 3.1(b)(vi), and with respect to all Amended Schedules, the Final Payment Date for purposes of computing the Interest Amount and any Default Rate Interest shall be 5 Business Days following the date on which such Amended Schedule becomes final in accordance with Section 2.4(a).
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ARTICLE III
Tax Benefit Payments
SECTION 3.1.     Timing and Amount of Tax Benefit Payments.
(a)    Timing of Payments. Subject to Sections 3.2 and 3.3, by the date that is 5 Business Days following the date on which each Tax Benefit Schedule becomes final in accordance with Section 2.4(a) (such date, the “Final Payment Date” in respect of any Tax Benefit Payment), the Corporation shall pay in full to each relevant Member the Tax Benefit Payment as determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b) for the applicable Taxable Year. Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer or other electronic payment method of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by such Member. Without limiting the Corporation’s ability to make offsets against Tax Benefit Payments to the extent permitted under Section 3.4 or Section 7.8, no Member shall be required under any circumstances to return any Payment or any Default Rate Interest paid by the Corporation to such Member.
(b)    Amount of Payments. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Tax Benefit Payment” with respect to any Member means an amount equal to the sum of the Net Tax Benefit that is Attributable to such Member and the Interest Amount. No Tax Benefit Payment shall be calculated or made in respect of any estimated tax payments, including any estimated U.S. Federal income tax payments.
(i)    Attributable. A Net Tax Benefit is “Attributable” to a Member to the extent that it is derived from any Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest arising as a result of an Exchange undertaken by or with respect to such Member.
(ii)    Net Tax Benefit. The “Net Tax Benefit” with respect to a Member for a Taxable Year equals the amount of the excess, if any, of (A) 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit Attributable to such Member as of the end of such Taxable Year over (B) the aggregate amount of all Tax Benefit Payments previously made to such Member under this Section 3.1 (excluding payments attributable to Interest Amounts).
(iii)    Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit. The “Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year equals the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporation, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination.
(iv)    Realized Tax Benefit. The “Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year equals the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the Actual Tax Liability for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax
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Liability for such Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability and the corresponding Hypothetical Tax Liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.
(v)    Realized Tax Detriment. The “Realized Tax Detriment” for a Taxable Year equals the excess, if any, of the Actual Tax Liability over the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for such Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability and the corresponding Hypothetical Tax Liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.
(vi)    Interest Amount. The “Interest Amount” in respect of a Member equals interest on the unpaid amount of the Net Tax Benefit with respect to such Member for a Taxable Year, calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing the U.S. Federal income Tax Return of the Corporation for such Taxable Year until the earlier of (A) the date on which no remaining Tax Benefit Payment to the Member is due in respect of such Net Tax Benefit and (B) the applicable Final Payment Date.
(vii)    The Parties acknowledge and agree that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the date of any future Exchange that may be subject to this Agreement, the aggregate value of the Tax Benefit Payments cannot be reasonably ascertained for U.S. Federal income or other applicable tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless the applicable Member notifies the Corporation otherwise, the stated maximum selling price (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 15A.453-1(c)(2)) with respect to any transfer of Units by a Member pursuant to an Exchange shall not exceed the sum of (A) the value of the Class A Common Stock or the amount of cash delivered to the Member, in each case, in the Exchange plus (B) 150% of the Basis Adjustment relating to such Exchange, and the aggregate Payments under this Agreement to such Member (other than amounts accounted for as interest under the Code) shall not exceed the amount described in this clause (B).
SECTION 3.2.    No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions hereunder will not result in the duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) that may be required under this Agreement. The provisions hereunder shall be consistently interpreted and applied in accordance with that intent.
SECTION 3.3.     Pro-Ration of Payments as Between the Members.
(a)    Insufficient Taxable Income. Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1(b) to the contrary, if the aggregate potential Covered Tax benefit of the Corporation as calculated with respect to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest (in each case, without regard to the Taxable Year of origination) is limited in a particular Taxable Year
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because the Corporation does not have sufficient actual taxable income, then the available Covered Tax benefit for the Corporation shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to the respective Tax Benefit Payment that would have been payable if the Corporation had sufficient taxable income. For example, if the Corporation had $200 of aggregate potential Covered Tax benefits with respect to the Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest in a particular Taxable Year (with $50 of such Covered Tax benefits attributable to Member A and $150 attributable to Member B), such that Member A would have been entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment of $42.50 and Member B would have been entitled to a Tax Benefit Payment of $127.50 if the Corporation had sufficient actual taxable income, and if the Corporation instead had insufficient actual taxable income in such Taxable Year, such that the Covered Tax benefit was limited to $100, then $25 of the aggregate $100 actual Covered Tax benefit for the Corporation for such Taxable Year would be allocated to Member A and $75 would be allocated to Member B, such that Member A would receive a Tax Benefit Payment of $21.25 and Member B would receive a Tax Benefit Payment of $63.75.
(b)    Late Payments. If for any reason the Corporation is not able to fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then (i) Default Rate Interest will accrue pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) the Corporation shall pay the available amount of such Tax Benefit Payments (and any applicable Default Rate Interest) in respect of such Taxable Year to each Member pro rata in line with Section 3.3(a) and (iii) no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments (and any applicable Default Rate Interest) to all Members in respect of all prior Taxable Years have been made in full.
SECTION 3.4.    Overpayments. Subject to the procedures described in Section 2.4(a), to the extent the Corporation makes a payment to a Member in respect of a particular Taxable Year under Section 3.1(a) in an amount in excess of the amount of such payment that should have been made to such Member in respect of such Taxable Year (taking into account Section 3.3) under the terms of this Agreement, then such Member shall not receive further payments under Section 3.1(a) until such Member has foregone an amount of payments equal to such excess; provided, that for the avoidance of the doubt, no Member shall be required to return any payment paid by the Corporation to such Member.
ARTICLE IV
Termination
SECTION 4.1.     Early Termination of Agreement; Acceleration Events.
(a)    Corporation’s Early Termination Right. With the written approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, the Corporation may terminate this Agreement, as and to the extent provided herein, by paying in full each and every Member the Early Termination Payment (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) due to such Member.
(b)    Acceleration upon Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the Early Termination Payment (calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had
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been delivered on the date of the Change of Control) shall become due and payable in accordance with Section 4.3 and the Agreement shall terminate, as and to the extent provided herein.
(c)    Acceleration upon Breach of Agreement. In the event of a Material Breach, the Early Termination Payment (calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of the Material Breach) shall become due and payable in accordance with Section 4.3 and the Agreement shall terminate, as and to the extent provided herein. Subject to the next sentence, the Corporation’s failure to make a Payment (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) within 90 calendar days of the applicable Final Payment Date (except for all or a portion of such Payment that is being validly disputed in good faith under this Agreement, and then only with respect to the amount in dispute) shall be deemed to constitute a Material Breach. To the extent that any Tax Benefit Payment is not made by the date that is 90 calendar days after the relevant Final Payment Date because the Corporation (i) is prohibited from making such payment under Section 5.1 or the terms of any agreement governing any Senior Obligations or (ii) does not have, and despite using commercially reasonable efforts cannot obtain, sufficient funds to make such payment, such failure will not constitute a Material Breach; provided that (A) such payment obligation nevertheless will accrue for the benefit of the Members, (B) the Corporation shall promptly (and in any event, within 5 Business Days) pay the entirety of the unpaid amount (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) once the Corporation is not prohibited from making such payment under Section 5.1 or the terms of the agreements governing the Senior Obligations and the Corporation has sufficient funds to make such payment and (C) the failure of the Corporation to take actions contemplated in clause (B) will constitute a Material Breach; provided further that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment, but, except with respect to a failure of the Corporation to make the payment described in clause (B), the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate. It shall be a Material Breach if the Corporation makes any distribution of cash or other property (other than shares of Class A Common Stock) to its stockholders or uses cash or other property to repurchase any capital stock of the Corporation (including Class A Common Stock), in each case, before (x) all Tax Benefit Payments (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) that are due and payable as of the date the Corporation enters into a binding commitment to make such distribution or repurchase have been paid or (y) sufficient funds for the payment of all Tax Benefits Payments (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) that are due and payable on the date of the distribution or repurchase have been reserved therefor. The Corporation shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (1) obtain sufficient available funds for the purpose of making Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement and (2) avoid entering into any agreements that could be reasonably anticipated to materially delay the timing of the making of any Tax Benefit Payments under this Agreement.
(d)    In the case of a termination pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), upon the Corporation’s payment in full of the Early Termination Payment (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) to each Member, the Corporation shall have no further payment obligations under this Agreement other than with respect to any Tax Benefit Payments (along with any applicable Default Rate Interest) in respect of any
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Taxable Year ending prior to the Early Termination Effective Date, and such payment obligations shall survive the termination of, and be calculated and paid in accordance with, this Agreement. If an Exchange subsequently occurs with respect to Units for which the Corporation has paid the Early Termination Payment in full, the Corporation shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange.
SECTION 4.2.         Early Termination Notice.
(a)    If (i) the Corporation chooses to exercise its termination right under Section 4.1(a) (“Voluntary Early Termination”), (ii) a Change of Control has or is reasonably expected to occur or (iii) a Material Breach occurs, the Corporation shall, in each case, deliver to the Members a reasonably detailed notice of the Corporation’s decision to exercise such right or the occurrence of such event, as applicable (an “Early Termination Notice”). In the case of an Early Termination Notice delivered with respect to a Voluntary Early Termination, the Corporation may withdraw such Early Termination Notice and rescind its Voluntary Early Termination at any time prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment is paid.
(b)    The Corporation shall deliver a schedule showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment (an “Early Termination Schedule”) (i) simultaneously with the delivery of an Early Termination Notice or (ii) in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or Section 4.1(c), as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of the Change of Control or Material Breach giving rise to such termination. The date on which such Early Termination Schedule becomes final in accordance with Section 2.4(a) shall be the “Early Termination Reference Date”.
SECTION 4.3.     Payment upon Early Termination.
(a)    Timing of Payment. By the date that is 5 Business Days after the Early Termination Reference Date (such date, the “Final Payment Date” in respect of the Early Termination Payment), the Corporation shall pay in full to each Member an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment Attributable to such Member. Such Early Termination Payment shall be made by the Corporation by wire transfer or other electronic payment method of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by the applicable Member.
(b)    Amount of Payment. The “Early Termination Payment” payable to a Member pursuant to Section 4.3(a) shall equal the present value, discounted at the Agreed Rate and determined as of the Early Termination Reference Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments (other than any Tax Benefit Payments in respect of Taxable Years ending prior to the Early Termination Effective Date) that would be required to be paid by the Corporation to such Member, beginning from the Early Termination Effective Date and using the Valuation Assumptions. For the avoidance of doubt, an Early Termination Payment shall be made to each Member in accordance with this Agreement, regardless of whether such Member has Exchanged all of its Units as of the Early Termination Effective Date.
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ARTICLE V
Subordination and Late Payments
SECTION 5.1.    Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payment required to be made by the Corporation to the Members under this Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations owed in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporation (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any trade payables, intercompany debt or other similar obligations) (“Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu in right of payment with all current or future obligations of the Corporation that are not Senior Obligations.
SECTION 5.2.     Late Payments by the Corporation. Subject to the proviso in the third sentence of Section 4.1(c), the amount of any Payment not made to any Member by the applicable Final Payment Date shall be payable together with “Default Rate Interest”, calculated at the Default Rate and accruing on the amount of the unpaid Payment from the applicable Final Payment Date until the date on which the Corporation makes such Payment to such Member; provided, further, that if any unpaid portion of any Tax Benefit Payment is the subject of a Reconciliation Dispute and is finally determined in such Reconciliation Dispute to be due and payable, then interest shall accrue on such unpaid portion at the Default Rate (in place of the Agreed Rate) from the date that is thirty (30) days following the due date for the applicable Tax Benefit Schedule until the date of actual payment.
ARTICLE VI
Tax Matters; Consistency; Cooperation
SECTION 6.1.     Participation in the Corporation’s and MarketWise’s Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein or in Article IX of the Operating Agreement, the Corporation shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all tax matters concerning the Corporation or MarketWise, including preparing, filing or amending any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall notify the relevant Members of, and keep them reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit by any Taxing Authority of the Corporation, MarketWise or any of MarketWise’s Subsidiaries, the outcome of which is reasonably expected to materially adversely affect such Members’ rights and obligations under this Agreement, and any such Member shall have the right to participate in and to monitor at its own expense (but not to control) any such portion of any such audit; provided, that the Corporation shall not settle or fail to contest any issue pertaining to any Basis Adjustments or the deduction of Imputed Interest, in each case, that is reasonably expected to materially adversely affect any Member’s rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of such Member, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided further, that neither the Corporation nor MarketWise shall be required to take any action, or refrain from taking any action, that is inconsistent with any provision of the Combination Agreement or the Operating Agreement.
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SECTION 6.2.    Consistency. Except upon the written advice of the Advisory Firm and except for items that are explicitly described as “deemed” or treated in a similar manner by the terms of this Agreement, all calculations and determinations made hereunder, including any Basis Adjustments, the Schedules and the determination of any Realized Tax Benefits or Realized Tax Detriments, shall be made in accordance with the elections, methodologies and positions taken by the Corporation and MarketWise on their respective Tax Returns. Each Member shall prepare its Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement and any related calculations or determinations made hereunder, including the terms of Section 2.1 and the Schedules provided to each such Member, except as otherwise required by Law or a Determination. If the Corporation and any Member, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve any disagreement with respect to the foregoing within sixty (60) calendar days, the Corporation and such Member shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures under Section 7.8 or the Resolution of Dispute procedures under Section 7.7, as applicable, unless otherwise agreed by the Corporation and such Member. In the event that an Advisory Firm is replaced with another Advisory Firm acceptable to the Audit Committee, the Parties shall cause such replacement Advisory Firm to perform its services necessitated by this Agreement using procedures and methodologies consistent with those of the previous Advisory Firm, unless otherwise required by applicable Law or a Determination or unless the Corporation and all of the Members agree to the use of other procedures and methodologies.
SECTION 6.3.     Cooperation.
(a)    Each Member shall (i) furnish to the Corporation in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the Corporation may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return of MarketWise or any of its Subsidiaries or contesting or defending any related audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (ii) make itself available to the Corporation and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the Corporation or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (i) above and (iii) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter.
(b)    MarketWise shall reimburse the Members for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred pursuant to Section 6.3(a).
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1.     Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and (i) delivered personally, (ii) sent by e-mail or (iii) sent by overnight courier, in each case, addressed as follows:
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If to the Corporation, to:
MarketWise Group, Inc.
1125 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210
Attn: Dale Lynch, CFO
E-mail: dlynch@marketwise.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to the Corporation) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
Suite 3700, 811 Main Street
Houston, Texas, 77002
Attention: Ryan J. Maierson, Jonathan P. Solomon
Email: Ryan.Maierson@lw.com, Jonathan.Solomon@lw.com
If to any other Member, to the address and e-mail address specified on such Member’s signature page to the applicable Joinder.
Unless otherwise specified herein, such notices, requests, consents or other communications shall be deemed effective (i) on the date received, if personally delivered, (ii) on the date received if delivered by e-mail on a Business Day, or if not delivered on a Business Day, on the first Business Day thereafter and (iii) 2 Business Days after being sent by overnight courier. Each of the Parties shall be entitled to specify a different address by giving notice as aforesaid to each of the other Parties.
SECTION 7.2.     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by e-mail transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.3.     Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.4.     Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other terms and provisions hereunder shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in
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any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner.
SECTION 7.5.         Assignments; Amendments; Successors; No Waiver.
(a)    Assignment. No Member may assign, sell, pledge or otherwise alienate or transfer any interest in this Agreement, including the right to receive any payments under this Agreement, to any Person without such Person executing and delivering a Joinder agreeing to succeed to the applicable portion of such Member’s interest in this Agreement and to become a Party for all purposes of this Agreement (the “Joinder Requirement”); provided, that no such Person shall have any rights under Section 6.1 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Member sells, exchanges, distributes or otherwise transfers Units to any Person in accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement, such Member shall have the option to assign to such transferee of such Units its rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units; provided that such transferee has satisfied the Joinder Requirement. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Member transfers Units in accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement but does not assign to the transferee of such Units its rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred Units, such Member shall continue to be entitled to receive the Tax Benefit Payments arising in respect of a subsequent Exchange of such Units. The Corporation may not assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any Person (other than in connection with an assignment pursuant to Section 7.5(c)) without Member Approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (and any purported assignment without such consent shall be null and void).
(b)    Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by and the Corporation with Member Approval; provided, that amendment of the definition of Change of Control will also require the written approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.
(c)    Successors. All of the terms and provisions hereunder shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Corporation shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by equity purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(d)    Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure by any Party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement, or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach
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thereof, shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
SECTION 7.6.     Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
SECTION 7.7.     Resolution of Disputes; Governing Law.
(a)    This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Any suit, dispute, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement shall be heard in the state or federal courts of the State of Delaware, and the parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such suit, action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHETHER WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT) AND SHALL HAVE THE SAME LEGAL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IF SERVED UPON SUCH PARTY PERSONALLY WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 7.01 (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT), TOGETHER WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH SERVICE TO SUCH PARTY, SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY.
(b)    Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, (i) any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in Section 7.7 and (ii) the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.
(c)    Each Party irrevocably consents to service of process by means of notice in the manner provided for in Section 7.1. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the right of any Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.
(d)    WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, INTENTIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ITS COUNSEL, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, WHETHER A CLAIM,
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COUNTERCLAIM, CROSS-CLAIM, OR THIRD PARTY CLAIM, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).
SECTION 7.8.     Reconciliation Procedures.
(a)    In the event that the Corporation and any Member are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to a Schedule prepared in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.4 or Section 4.2, as applicable, within the relevant time period designated in this Agreement (a “Reconciliation Dispute”), the procedures described in this paragraph (the “Reconciliation Procedures”) will apply. The applicable Parties shall, within 15 calendar days of the commencement of a Reconciliation Dispute, mutually select an expert in the particular area of disagreement (the “Expert”) and submit the Reconciliation Dispute to such Expert for determination. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting firm, and unless the Corporation and such Member agree otherwise, the Expert (and its employing firm) shall not have any material relationship with the Corporation or such Member or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the applicable Parties are unable to agree on an Expert within such 15 calendar-day time period, then the Corporation and the relevant Member shall cause the Expert to be selected by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise, which shall pick an Expert from a nationally recognized accounting firm that does not have any material relationship with the applicable Parties or other actual or potential conflict of interest. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to (i) a Basis Schedule, Early Termination Schedule or an amendment to either within 30 calendar days and (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within 15 calendar days or, in each case, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid by the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporation, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute, and its determinations pursuant to this Section 7.8(a) shall be binding on the applicable Parties and may be entered and enforced in any court having competent jurisdiction. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.8 or a dispute within the meaning of Section 7.7 shall be decided and resolved as a Dispute subject to the procedures set forth in Section 7.7.
(b)    The sum of (a) the costs and expenses relating to (i) the engagement (and, if applicable, selection by the arbitration panel) of such Expert and (ii) if applicable, amending any Tax Return in connection with the decision of such Expert and (b) the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Corporation and the Member incurred in the conduct of such proceeding described in Section 7.8(a) shall be allocated between the Corporation, on the one hand, and the Member, on the other hand, in the same proportion that the aggregate amount of the disputed items so submitted to the Expert that is unsuccessfully
25


disputed by each such party (as finally determined by the Expert) bears to the total amount of such disputed items so submitted, and each such party shall promptly reimburse the other party for the excess that such other party has paid in respect of such costs and expenses over the amount it has been so allocated. The Corporation may withhold payments under this Agreement to collect amounts due under the preceding sentence.
SECTION 7.9.     Withholding. The Corporation and its Affiliates shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment that is payable to any Member pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Corporation is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment by applicable Law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporation, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid by the Corporation to the relevant Member in respect of whom the deduction and withholding was made. Each Member shall promptly provide the Corporation with any applicable tax forms and certifications reasonably requested by the Corporation in connection with determining whether any such deductions and withholdings are required by applicable Law.
SECTION 7.10.     Admission of the Corporation into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.
(a)    If the Corporation is or becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 or other applicable sections of the Code governing affiliated or consolidated groups, or any corresponding provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law, then (i) the provisions hereunder shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole, and (ii) Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.
(b)    If the Corporation or any member of the MarketWise Group transfers one or more Reference Assets to a Person treated as a corporation for U.S. Federal income tax purposes (with which, in the case of the Corporation, the Corporation does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code or other applicable sections of the Code governing affiliated or consolidated groups, or any corresponding provisions of U.S. state or local tax Law), such transferor, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Payment due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such transfer. The consideration deemed to be received by the Corporation or MarketWise Group member, as the applicable transferor, shall be equal to the fair market value of the transferred asset plus the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered asset. For purposes of this Section 7.10, a transfer of a partnership interest shall be treated as a transfer of the transferring partner’s applicable share of each of the assets and liabilities of that partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, if the Corporation or any member of a group described in Section 7.10(a) transfers its assets pursuant to a transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” (within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code) in which such entity
26


does not survive, pursuant to a contribution described in Section 351(a) of the Code or pursuant to any other transaction to which Section 381(a) of the Code applies (other than any such reorganization or any such other transaction, in each case, pursuant to which such entity transfers assets to a corporation with which the Corporation or any member of the group described in Section 7.10(a) (other than any such member being transferred in such reorganization or other transaction) does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code or other applicable sections of the Code governing affiliated or consolidated groups), the transfer will not cause such entity to be treated as having transferred any assets to a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. Federal income tax purposes) pursuant to this Section 7.10(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) if the Members (individually or collectively) either have the right to designate a majority of the Board or otherwise have at least a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, this Section 7.10(a) shall only apply with respect to any such transfer of one or more Reference Assets to such a corporation to the extent that such transfer has been approved by a majority of the Independent Directors, and (2) after the occurrence of any such transfer as described in the first sentence of this Section 7.10(a), if the Corporation takes actions to ensure that the amount to be received by the Members hereunder and the timing thereof, taking into account such actions (which actions may, at the election of the Corporation, include the payment of an additional amount to a Member), would be the same amount and timing as if such transfer described in the first sentence Section 7.10(a) did not occur then this Section 7.10(a) shall not apply with respect to such transfer.
SECTION 7.11.     Confidentiality.
(a)    Each of the Members agrees to hold the Corporation’s Confidential Information in confidence and may not disclose or use such information except as otherwise authorized separately in writing by the Manager. “Confidential Information” as used herein includes all information concerning the Corporation, MarketWise or their Subsidiaries, in whatever form, whether written, electronic or oral, including, but not limited to, ideas, financial product structuring, business strategies, innovations and materials, all aspects of the Corporation’s and/or MarketWise’s business plan, proposed operation and products, corporate structure, financial and organizational information, analyses, proposed partners, software code and system and product designs, employees and their identities, equity ownership, the methods and means by which either the Corporation or MarketWise plans to conduct its business, all trade secrets, trademarks, tradenames and all intellectual property associated with the Corporation’s and/or MarketWise’s business. With respect to each Member, Confidential Information does not include information or material that: (a) is, or becomes, generally available to the public other than as a direct or indirect result of a disclosure by such Member or its Affiliates or representatives; (b) is, or becomes, available to such Member from a source other than the Corporation, MarketWise’s or their representatives, provided that such source is not, and was not, known to such Member to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or any other contractual, fiduciary or other legal obligation of confidentiality to, the Corporation, MarketWise or any of their Affiliates or representatives; (c) is approved for release by written authorization of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel of
27


MarketWise or of the Corporation, or any other officer designated by the Manager; (d) is or becomes independently developed by such Member without use of or reference to the Confidential Information or (e) is information necessary for a Member to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Returns.
(b)    Solely to the extent it is reasonably necessary or appropriate to fulfill its obligations or to exercise its rights under this Agreement, each of the Members may disclose Confidential Information to its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, directors, officers, employees, counsel, advisers, consultants, outside contractors and other agents, on the condition that such Persons keep the Confidential Information confidential to the same extent as such Member is required to keep the Confidential Information confidential; provided, that such Member shall remain liable with respect to any breach of this Section 7.11 by any such Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, directors, officers, employees, counsel, advisers, consultants, outside contractors and other agents (as if such Persons were party to this Agreement for purposes of this Section 7.11).
(c)    Notwithstanding Section 7.11(a) or Section 7.11(b), each of the Members may disclose Confidential Information (i) to the extent that such Member is required by Law (by oral questions, interrogatories, request for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any of the Confidential Information, (ii) for purposes of reporting to its stockholders and direct and indirect equity holders (each of whom are bound by customary confidentiality obligations) the performance of MarketWise and its Subsidiaries and for purposes of including applicable information in its financial statements to the extent required by applicable Law or applicable accounting standards; or (iii) to any bona fide prospective purchaser of the equity or assets of a Member, or the Units held by such Member (provided, in each case, that such Member determines in good faith that such prospective purchaser would be a Permitted Transferee (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of MarketWise dated as of the date hereof)), or a prospective merger partner of such Member (provided, that (i) such Persons will be informed by such Member of the confidential nature of such information and shall agree in writing to keep such information confidential in accordance with the contents of this Agreement and (ii) each Member will be liable for any breaches of this Section 7.11 by any such Persons (as if such Persons were party to this Agreement for purposes of this Section 7.11)). Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7.11 will restrict in any manner the ability of the Corporation to comply with its disclosure obligations under Law, and the extent to which any Confidential Information is necessary or desirable to disclose.
(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Members and each of their assignees (and each employee, representative or other agent of the Members or their assignees, as applicable) may disclose at their discretion to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Corporation, the Members and any of their transactions, and all materials of any kind (including tax opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Members relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.
28


SECTION 7.12.     Change in Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, in connection with an actual or proposed change in Law, a Member reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by such Member (or direct or indirect equity holders in such Member) in connection with any Exchange to be treated as ordinary income (other than with respect to assets described in Section 751(a) of the Code) rather than capital gain (or otherwise taxed at ordinary income rates) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes or would have other material adverse tax consequences to such Member or any direct or indirect owner of such Member, then, at the written election of such Member in its sole discretion (in an instrument signed by such Member and delivered to the Corporation) and to the extent specified therein by such Member, this Agreement shall cease to have further effect and shall not apply to an Exchange occurring after a date specified by such Member, or may be amended in a manner reasonably determined by such Member; provided that such amendment shall not result in an increase in any payments owed by the Corporation under this Agreement at any time as compared to the amounts and times of payments that would have been due in the absence of such amendment; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, such amendment shall not be treated as a termination of this Agreement that results in an Early Termination Payment obligation to the Corporation.
SECTION 7.13.     Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the interest paid or agreed to be paid hereunder with respect to amounts due to any Member hereunder shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If any Member shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the applicable payment (but in each case exclusive of any component thereof comprising interest) or, if it exceeds such unpaid non-interest amount, refunded to the Corporation. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged or received by any Member exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Member may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (i) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee or premium rather than interest, (ii) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof or (iii) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the payment obligations owed by the Corporation to such Member hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of the Parties to conform strictly to any applicable usury Laws.
SECTION 7.14.     Independent Nature of Rights and Obligations. The rights and obligations of each Member hereunder are several and not joint with the rights and obligations of any other Person. A Member shall not be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Person hereunder (other than its Affiliates or representatives as described herein), nor shall a Member have the right to enforce the rights or obligations of any other Person hereunder (other than obligations of the Corporation). The obligations of a Member hereunder are solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable solely by, the Corporation. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered in connection herewith, and no action taken by any Member pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Members acting as a partnership, association, joint
29


venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Members are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.
[Signature Page Follows this Page]
30


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Agreement as of the date first written above.
MARKETWISE, INC., AS THE CORPORATION
By:/s/ Mark Arnold
Name: Mark Arnold
Title: Chief Executive Officer
MARKETWISE, LLC
By: MarketWise, Inc., as its sole Managing Member
By:/s/ Mark Arnold
Name: Mark Arnold
Title:    Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]



MONUMENT & CATHEDRAL HOLDINGS, LLC
By:/s/ Myles H. Norin
Name:
Myles H. Norin
Title:
President
FRANK PORTER STANSBERRY
/s/ Frank Porter Stansberry
STEVEN SJUGGERUD
/s/ Steven Sjuggerud
MICHAEL PALMER
/s/ Michael Palmer
DAVID EIFRIG
/s/ David Eifrig
MARK ARNOLD
/s/ Mark Arnold
AMBER MASON
/s/ Amber Mason
RYAN MARKISH
/s/ Ryan Markish
FERNANDO CRUZ
/s/ Fernando Cruz
[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]


JARED KELLY
/s/ Jared Kelly
SEAN CARROLL
/s/ Sean Carroll
DALE LYNCH
/s/ Dale Lynch
MARCO FERRI
/s/ Marco Ferri
ALMA BEACON, LLC
By:/s/ Marco Ferri
Name:
Marco Ferri
Title:
Manager
MYLES NORIN, LLC
By: /s/ Myles H. Norin
Name:
Myles H. Norin
Title:Manager
ELIZABETH BONNER
/s/ Elizabeth Bonner
GREGORY H. BARNHILL MD ONLY QTIP TRUST
By:/s/ Lisa A. Barnhill
Name:
Lisa A. Barnhill
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]


GREGORY H. BARNHILL MARITAL TRUST B
By:/s/ Lisa A. Barnhill
Name:
 Lisa A. Barnhill
Title: Trustee
MATTHEW J. TURNER
/s/ Matthew J. Turner

[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]


ELIZABETH W. P. BONNER 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST NUMBER TWO
By:/s/ Margaret F. DeCampo
Name:
Margaret F. DeCampo
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ William R. Bonner, Jr.
Name:
William R. Bonner, Jr.
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ William Wesley Bonner
Name:
William Wesley Bonner
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ Maria Shepherd Bonner
Name:
Maria Shepherd Bonner
Title:
Trustee
ELIZABETH W.P. BONNER ELECTING SMALL BUSINESS TRUST
By:/s/ Margaret F. DeCampo
Name:
Margaret F. DeCampo
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ William R. Bonner Jr.
Name:
William R. Bonner, Jr.
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ William Wesley Bonner
Name:
William Wesley Bonner
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ Maria Shepherd Bonner
Name:
Maria Shepherd Bonner
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]


PALIMI, INC.
By:
/s/ Mark Ford
Name: Mark Ford
Title:President
DOUGLAS CASEY
/s/ Douglas Casey
STOKES HOLDING, LLC
By:/s/ Frank Porter Stansberry
Name: Frank Porter Stansberry
Title: Manager
CHARLESTON IVY, LLC
By:/s/ David Eifrig
Name: David Eifrig
Title: Manager
JAMA 2021, LLC
By:/s/ Mark Arnold
Name: Mark Arnold
Title: Manager
MARKISH FAMILY ENTERPRISES, LLC
By:/s/ Ryan Markish
Name: Ryan Markish
Title: Manager
CLL FAMILY, LLC
By:/s/ Fernando Cruz
Name: Fernando Cruz
Title: Authorized Member
[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]


Exhibit A
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
This JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of [l], 20[l] (this “Joinder”), is delivered pursuant to that certain Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of [l], 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Tax Receivable Agreement”), by and among MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), MarketWise, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MarketWise”), and each of the Members from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.
1.    Joinder to the Tax Receivable Agreement. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Corporation that, as of the date hereof, the undersigned has been assigned an interest in the Tax Receivable Agreement from a Member.1
2.    Joinder to the Tax Receivable Agreement. Upon the execution of this Joinder by the undersigned and delivery hereof to the Corporation, the undersigned hereby is and hereafter will be a Member under the Tax Receivable Agreement and a Party thereto, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a Member thereunder. The undersigned hereby agrees that it shall comply with and be fully bound by the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement as if it had been a signatory thereto as of the date thereof.
3.    Incorporation by Reference. All terms and conditions of the Tax Receivable Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in this Joinder as if set forth herein in full.
4.    Address. All notices under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the undersigned shall be direct to:
[Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Attn:
E-mail:
[Signature Page Follows this Page]
1 Note to Draft: Language to be added as applicable.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Joinder as of the day and year first above written.

[NAME OF NEW PARTY]
by
Name:
Title:
Acknowledged and agreed
as of the date first set forth above:
MARKETWISE, INC.
by
Name:
Title:
[Signature Page to Joinder Agreement]
Document
Exhibit 10.3
MARKETWISE, LLC

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

Dated as of July 21, 2021
THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM, AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article I. DEFINITIONS
2
Article II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
17
Section 2.01    Formation and Re-Domiciliation of Company
17
Section 2.02    Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement
17
Section 2.03    Name
17
Section 2.04    Purpose; Powers
17
Section 2.05    Principal Office; Registered Office
17
Section 2.06    Term
18
Section 2.07    No State-Law Partnership
18
Section 2.08    Liability
18
Article III. MEMBERS; UNITS; CAPITALIZATION
18
Section 3.01    Members
18
Section 3.02    Units
19
Section 3.03    Recapitalization; the Corporation’s Capital Contribution; the Corporation’s Purchase of Common Units and Sponsor Earnout Units; the Unit Redemption.
20
Section 3.04    Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units and Warrants.
21
Section 3.05    Repurchase or Redemption of Shares of Class A Common Stock
23
Section 3.06    Certificates Representing Units; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates; Registration and Transfer of Units
24
Section 3.07    Negative Capital Accounts
24
Section 3.08    No Withdrawal
24
Section 3.09    Loans From Members
25
Section 3.10    Corporate Stock Option Plans and Equity Plans
25
Section 3.11    Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Cash Option Purchase Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan
27
Article IV. DISTRIBUTIONS
28
Section 4.01    Distributions
28
Article V. CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS; TAX MATTERS
31
Section 5.01    Capital Accounts
31



Section 5.02    Allocations
32
Section 5.03    Regulatory Allocations
32
Section 5.04    Final Allocations
34
Section 5.05    Tax Allocations
34
Section 5.06    Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member
36
Article VI. MANAGEMENT
37
Section 6.01    Authority of Manager
37
Section 6.02    Actions of the Manager
38
Section 6.03    Resignation; No Removal
38
Section 6.04    Vacancies
38
Section 6.05    Transactions Between the Company and the Manager
38
Section 6.06    Reimbursement for Expenses
39
Section 6.07    Delegation of Authority
39
Section 6.08    Limitation of Liability of Manager
40
Section 6.09    Investment Company Act
41
Article VII. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS AND MANAGER
41
Section 7.01    Limitation of Liability and Duties of Members
41
Section 7.02    Lack of Authority
42
Section 7.03    No Right of Partition
42
Section 7.04    Indemnification
42
Article VIII. BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS, AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
43
Section 8.01    Records and Accounting
43
Section 8.02    Fiscal Year
43
Section 8.03    Inspection Rights
43
Article IX. TAX MATTERS
44
Section 9.01    Preparation of Tax Returns
44
Section 9.02    Tax Elections
44
Section 9.03    Tax Controversies
44
Section 9.04    Transaction Agreement
45
Article X. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF UNITS; CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
45



Section 10.01    Transfers by Members
45
Section 10.02    Permitted Transfers
46
Section 10.03    Restricted Units Legend
46
Section 10.04    Transfer
47
Section 10.05    Assignee’s Rights
47
Section 10.06    Assignor’s Rights and Obligations
47
Section 10.07    Overriding Provisions
48
Section 10.08    Spousal Consent
49
Section 10.09    Certain Transactions with respect to the Corporation
49
Article XI. REDEMPTION AND DIRECT EXCHANGE RIGHTS
51
Section 11.01    Redemption Right of a Member
51
Section 11.02    Election and Contribution of the Corporation
54
Section 11.03    Direct Exchange Right of the Corporation
55
Section 11.04    Reservation of shares of Class A Common Stock; Listing; Certificate of the Corporation
56
Section 11.05    Effect of Exercise of Redemption or Direct Exchange
56
Section 11.06    Tax Treatment
56
Article XII. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
57
Section 12.01    Substituted Members
57
Section 12.02    Additional Members
57
Article XIII. WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION; TERMINATION OF RIGHTS
58
Section 13.01    Withdrawal and Resignation of Members
58
Article XIV. DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
58
Section 14.01    Dissolution
58
Section 14.02    Winding up
59
Section 14.03    Deferment; Distribution in Kind
59
Section 14.04    Cancellation of Certificate
60
Section 14.05    Reasonable Time for Winding Up
60
Section 14.06    Return of Capital
60
Article XV. GENERAL PROVISIONS
60



Section 15.01    Power of Attorney
60
Section 15.02    Confidentiality
61
Section 15.03    Amendments
62
Section 15.04    Title to Company Assets
63
Section 15.05    Addresses and Notices
63
Section 15.06    Binding Effect; Intended Beneficiaries
64
Section 15.07    Creditors
64
Section 15.08    Waiver
64
Section 15.09    Counterparts
64
Section 15.10    Applicable Law
64
Section 15.11    Severability
65
Section 15.12    Further Action
65
Section 15.13    Execution and Delivery by Electronic Signature and Electronic Transmission
65
Section 15.14    Right of Offset
65
Section 15.15    Entire Agreement
66
Section 15.16    Remedies
66
Section 15.17    Descriptive Headings; Interpretation
66
Schedules
Schedule 1
Schedule of Pre-Transaction Members
Schedule 2
Schedule of Members
Exhibits
Exhibit A
Form of Joinder Agreement
Exhibit B-1
Form of Agreement and Consent of Spouse
Exhibit B-2
Form of Spouse’s Confirmation of Separate Property



MARKETWISE, LLC
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
This THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) of MarketWise, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of July 21, 2021, is entered into by and among the Company, MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), as the sole managing member of the Company, and each of the other Members (as defined herein).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used herein have the respective meaning ascribed to them in Article I;
WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a limited liability company pursuant to and in accordance with the Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time (the “Florida Act”), by the filing of Articles of Organization (the “Articles of Organization”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida on January 30, 2013;
WHEREAS, the Company redomiciled as a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware pursuant to and in accordance with the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act by the filing of a Certificate of Formation and a Certificate of Conversion with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 26, 2020 and the filing of Certificate of Conversion with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida on March 1, 2021;
WHEREAS, until December 31, 2014, the Company was not governed by a written operating agreement;
WHEREAS, certain of the Pre-Transaction Members (as defined below) entered into an Operating Agreement of the Company effective as of May 1, 2015 (the “Original Operating Agreement”);
WHEREAS, certain of the Pre-Transaction Members (as defined below) entered into the First Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Company effective as of January 1, 2018 (the “First A&R Operating Agreement”), which amended and restated the Original Operating Agreement;
WHEREAS, prior to the Effective Time (as defined below), the Company was governed by that certain Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of June 1, 2020 and effective as of December 1, 2019 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, together with all schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto, the “Second A&R LLC Agreement”), which the parties listed on Schedule 1 hereto executed in their capacity as members (including pursuant to
1


consents and joinders thereto) (collectively, the “Pre-Transaction Members”), and which amended and restated the First A&R Operating Agreement;
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2021, the Company, the Corporation, and the Pre-Transaction Members entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Transaction Agreement”) and that certain Recapitalization Instrument (the “Recapitalization Instrument”), pursuant to which, among other things, (i) immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Company’s Units were classified into two classes (Common Units and Sponsor Earnout Units (each, as defined below)), in each case, in such amounts and having the rights, powers and duties as are set forth in this Agreement (the “Recapitalization”); (ii) as of the Effective Time, the Corporation purchased (A) newly issued Common Units, Sponsor Earnout Units and Warrants from the Company pursuant to the Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription Agreement and Warrant Agreements and (B) Common Units from the Pre-Transaction Members pursuant to certain assignment agreements as described in the Transaction Agreement; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing matters, the Company and the Members desire to continue the Company without dissolution and amend and restate the Second A&R LLC Agreement in its entirety as of the Effective Time to reflect, among other things, (a) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, including the Recapitalization and the addition of the Corporation as a Member and its designation as sole Manager of the Company and (c) the other rights and obligations of the Members, the Company, the Manager and the Corporation, in each case, as provided and agreed upon in the terms of this Agreement as of the Effective Time, at which time the Second A&R LLC Agreement shall be superseded entirely by this Agreement and shall be of no further force or effect.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Second A&R LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety and the Company, the Corporation and the other Members, each intending to be legally bound, each hereby agrees as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be applied to the terms used in this Agreement for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary.
Additional Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.02.
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to the Capital Account of any Member as of the end of any Taxable Year, the amount by which the balance in such Capital Account is less than zero. For this purpose, such Member’s Capital Account balance shall be:
(a)    reduced for any items described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704- 1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5), and (6); and
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(b)    increased for any amount such Member is obligated to contribute or is treated as being obligated to contribute to the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (relating to partner liabilities to a partnership) or 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) (relating to minimum gain).
Admission Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06.
Affiliate” (and, with a correlative meaning, “Affiliated”) means, with respect to a specified Person, each other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. As used in this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of voting securities or by contract or other agreement or otherwise). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to each Member other than the Corporation, (a) a trust, family limited partnership or similar estate planning vehicle, under which the distribution of Units may be made only to beneficiaries who are such Member, his or her spouse, lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted), siblings, parents, or spouse’s parents; (b) a charitable remainder trust, the income of which shall be paid to such Member during his or her life, or (c) such Member’s spouse, lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted), siblings, parents or spouse’s parents, shall be an Affiliate for purposes hereof; provided, that “Affiliate” as used in Article X of this Agreement shall not include the foregoing sub-clause (c).
Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Articles of Organization” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Assignee” means a Person to whom a Unit has been transferred but who has not become a Member pursuant to Article XII.
Assumed Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Member, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the product of (A) the Distribution Tax Rate multiplied by (B) the estimated or actual cumulative taxable income or gain of the Company, as determined for federal income tax purposes, allocated to such Member for Taxable Years or Fiscal Periods commencing on or after the Effective Time, less prior losses of the Company allocated to such Member for Taxable Years or Fiscal Periods commencing on or after the Effective Time, to the extent such prior losses are available to reduce such income and have not previously been taken into account in the calculation of Assumed Tax Liability for any prior period, in each case, as determined by the Manager and, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account any Code Section 704(c) allocations (including “reverse” Section 704(c) allocation) over (ii) the cumulative Distributions made to such Member after the Effective Time pursuant to Sections 4.01(a), 4.01(b)(i), 4.01(b)(ii) and 4.01(b)(iii); provided that, in the case of the Corporation, such Assumed Tax Liability shall be computed without regard to any increases to the tax basis of the Company’s property pursuant to Sections 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code; provided further that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement and for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent any Member received a tax distribution from the Company pursuant to Section 4.1.3 of the
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Second A&R LLC Agreement as a part of the PSI Distribution with respect to any estimated taxable income or gain of the Company relating to Prepaid Subscription Income, which Prepaid Subscription Income is not taxable income or gain of the Company allocable under applicable Law to such Member until a taxable period (or portion thereof) that begins after the Effective Time, the estimated or actual cumulative taxable income or gain of the Company, as determined for federal income tax purposes, allocated to such Member for any Taxable Year or Fiscal Period commencing on or after the Effective Time pursuant to clause (i)(B) of this definition shall not include any such taxable income or gain relating to such Prepaid Subscription Income and any such tax distribution shall not be taken into account in the distributions described in clause (ii) of the this definition.
Base Rate” means, on any date, a variable rate per annum equal to the rate of interest most recently published by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” at large U.S. money center banks.
Black-Out Period” means any “black-out” or similar period under the Corporation’s policies covering trading in the Corporation’s securities to which the applicable Redeeming Member is subject (or will be subject at such time as it owns Class A Common Stock), which period restricts the ability of such Redeeming Member to immediately resell shares of Class A Common Stock to be delivered to such Redeeming Member in connection with a Share Settlement.
Book Value” means, with respect to any property of the Company, the Company’s adjusted basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, adjusted from time to time to reflect the adjustments required or permitted by Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d) through (g) and (m) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s).
Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which banks located in New York City, New York are authorized or required by Law to close.
Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Member in accordance with Section 5.01.
Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of any cash, cash equivalents, promissory obligations or the Fair Market Value of other property that such Member (or such Member’s predecessor) contributes (or is deemed to contribute) to the Company pursuant to Article III hereof.
Cash and Cash Equivalents” means the cash and cash equivalents, including checks, money orders, marketable securities, short-term instruments, negotiable instruments, funds in time and demand deposits or similar accounts on hand, in lock boxes, in financial institutions or elsewhere, together with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, and all bank, brokerage or other similar accounts.
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Cash Settlement” means immediately available funds in U.S. dollars in an amount equal to the Redeemed Units Equivalent provided that such funds were received from a Qualified Offering.
Certificate” means the Company’s Certificate of Formation as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as amended or amended and restated from time to time.
Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and excluding the Permitted Transferees) becomes the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting Securities representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Corporation;
(2) the stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or there is consummated a sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets (including a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company);
(3) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the Voting Securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent, or are not converted into, Voting Securities representing in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or
(4) the Corporation ceases to be the sole Manager of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, preferred stock and/or any other class or classes of capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
Change of Control Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.09(a).
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Change of Control Transaction” means any Change of Control that was approved by the Corporate Board prior to such Change of Control.
Class A Common Stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.
Class B Common Stock” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.
Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference herein to a specific section of the Code shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future Law as in effect for the relevant taxable period.
Common Share Price” means the share price equal to the VWAP for a period of at least twenty (20) Trading Days out of thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination (as adjusted as appropriate to reflect any stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Class A Common Stock), extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change or transaction with respect to Class A Common Stock (which adjustment shall be subject to the reasonable mutual agreement of Corporation and the Seller Representative (as defined in the Transaction Agreement)).
Common Unit” means a Unit designated as a “Common Unit” and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Common Units in this Agreement.
Common Unit Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Redemption, the VWAP for the five (5) consecutive full Trading Days ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Redemption Date, subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock.
Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03(b).
Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription Agreement” means that certain Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Corporation.
Common Unitholder” means a Member who is the registered holder of Common Units.
Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Competitor” means any Person who is engaged, or after the date hereof engages, in the business of publishing financial newsletter products or other health, information or newsletter products.
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Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.02(a).
Conversion Date” means, with respect to any Sponsor Earnout Unit, the date on which the Sponsor Earnout Class A Share corresponding thereto has been released from escrow pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement and the Escrow Agreement (as defined in the Transaction Agreement).
Corporate Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation.
Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement, together with its successors and assigns.
Corresponding Rights” means any rights issued with respect to a share of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock pursuant to a “poison pill” or similar stockholder rights plan approved by the Corporate Board.
Credit Agreements” means any promissory note, mortgage, loan agreement, indenture or similar instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes a borrower, as such instruments or agreements may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and including any one or more refinancing or replacements thereof, in whole or in part, with any other debt facility or debt obligation, for as long as the payee or creditor to whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owes such obligation is not an Affiliate of the Company.
DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as it may be amended from time to time.
Delaware Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
Direct Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03(a).
Discount” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.06.
Disinterested Majority” means a majority of the directors of the Corporate Board who are disinterested, as determined by the Corporate Board in accordance with the DGCL, with respect to the matter being considered by the Corporate Board; provided, that to the extent a matter being considered by the Corporate Board is required to be considered by disinterested directors under the rules of the Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange, the principal national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, such rules with respect to the definition of disinterested director shall apply solely with respect to such matter.
Distributable Cash” means, as of any relevant date on which a determination is being made by the Manager regarding a potential distribution pursuant to Section 4.01(a), the amount of cash that could be distributed by the Company for such purposes in accordance with any
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applicable Credit Agreements (and without otherwise violating any applicable provisions of any applicable Credit Agreements) and applicable Law.
Distribution Catch-Up Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(a).
Distribution” (and, with a correlative meaning, “Distribute”) means each distribution made by the Company to a Member with respect to such Member’s Units, whether in cash, property or securities of the Company and whether by liquidating distribution or otherwise; provided, however, that none of the following shall be a Distribution: (a) any recapitalization or any exchange of securities of the Company, in each case, that does not result in the distribution of cash or property (other than securities of the Company) to Members, and any subdivision (by Unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse Unit split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units or (b) any other payment made by the Company to a Member that is not properly treated as a “distribution” for purposes of Sections 731, 732, or 733 or other applicable provisions of the Code.
Distribution Tax Rate” means a rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined federal, state and local income tax rate for a Taxable Year applicable to a corporate or individual taxpayer (whichever is higher) resident in Baltimore, Maryland, taking into account the character of the relevant items of income or gain (e.g., ordinary or capital), the estimated deductibility of state and local income taxes for federal income tax purposes (but only to the extent such taxes are deductible under the Code) and deductions under Section 199A of the Code, as applicable, in each case, as reasonably determined by the Manager.
Effective Time” means the time of the “Closing” as defined in the Transaction Agreement.
Election Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(b).
Equity Plan” means any stock or equity purchase plan, restricted stock or equity plan or other similar equity compensation plan now or hereafter adopted by the Company or the Corporation.
Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, (a) Units or other equity interests in such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, other classes or groups thereof having such relative rights, powers and duties as may from time to time be established by the Manager pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including rights, powers and/or duties senior to existing classes and groups of Units and other equity interests in the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company), (b) obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable into any equity interests in such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person, and (c) warrants, options or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any equity interests in such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person.
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Escrow Agreement” means that certain Escrow Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation, Ascendant Sponsor LP, Shareholder Representative Services LLC and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Event of Withdrawal” means the bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member or the occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company. “Event of Withdrawal” shall not include an event that (a) terminates the existence of a Member for income tax purposes (including, without limitation, (i) a change in entity classification of a Member under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3, (ii) a sale of assets by, or liquidation of, a Member pursuant to an election under Code Sections 336 or 338, or (iii) merger, severance, or allocation within a trust or among sub-trusts of a trust that is a Member) but that (b) does not terminate the existence of such Member under applicable state law (or, in the case of a trust that is a Member, does not terminate the trusteeship of the fiduciaries under such trust with respect to all the Units of such trust that is a Member).
Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations.
Exchange Election Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03(b).
Excluded Instruments” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(b).
Fair Market Value” of a specific asset of the Company will mean the amount which the Company would receive in an all-cash sale of such asset in an arms-length transaction with a willing unaffiliated third party, with neither party having any compulsion to buy or sell, consummated on the day immediately preceding the date on which the event occurred which necessitated the determination of the Fair Market Value (and after giving effect to any transfer taxes payable in connection with such sale), as such amount is determined by the Manager (or, if pursuant to Section 14.02, the Liquidators) in its good faith judgment using all factors, information and data it deems to be pertinent.
First A&R Operating Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
First Tier Vesting Event” means the occurrence of either of the following events during the time period between the date hereof and the four-year anniversary of the date hereof: (a) the date on which the Common Share Price is equal to or greater than $12.00 or (b) if the Corporation consummates a transaction (not including the transactions contemplated by or pursuant to the Transaction Agreement) which results in the shareholders of the Corporation having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property having a value equaling or exceeding $12.00 per share (for any non-cash proceeds, as determined based on the agreed valuation set forth in the applicable definitive agreements for such transaction or, in the absence of such valuation, as determined in good faith by the Corporate Board). For the avoidance of doubt, a First Tier Vesting Event shall not occur more than once.
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Fiscal Period” means any interim accounting period within a Taxable Year established by the Manager and which is permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code.
Fiscal Year” means the Company’s annual accounting period established pursuant to Section 8.02.
Florida Act” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Governmental Entity” means (a) the United States of America, (b) any other sovereign nation, (c) any state, province, county, municipal, district, territory or other political subdivision of (a) or (b) of this definition, including, but not limited to, any county, municipal or other local subdivision of the foregoing, or (d) any agency, arbitrator or arbitral body (public or private), authority, board, body, bureau, commission, court, department, entity, instrumentality, organization (including any public international organization such as the United Nations) or tribunal exercising executive, legislative, judicial, quasi-judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government on behalf of (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.
HSR Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c).
Indemnified Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(a).
Internal Revenue Service” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Investment Company Act” means the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
Joinder” means a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A to this Agreement.
Law” means all laws, statutes, acts, constitutions, treaties, principles of common law, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations of any Governmental Entity.
Liquidator” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.02.
LLC Employee” means an employee of, or other service provider (including, without limitation, any management member whether or not treated as an employee for the purposes of U.S. federal income tax) to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case acting in such capacity.
Losses” means items of loss or deduction of the Company determined according to Section 5.01(b).
Management Earnout Unit” means a Common Unit issued to the Corporation pursuant to Section 3.10(c)(iii) in respect of any Management Earnout Class A Share.
Management Earnout Class A Share” means a share of Class A Common Stock issued by the Corporation pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Transaction Agreement to an LLC Employee
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or to an escrow agent to hold on behalf of an LLC Employee in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement until such time as such share is either released to such LLC Employee or the Corporation in accordance with such Escrow Agreement.
Manager” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.
Market Price” means, with respect to a share of Class A Common Stock as of a specified date, the last sale price per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, or if no such sale took place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if the Class A Common Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in shares of Class A Common Stock selected by the Corporate Board or, in the event that no trading price is available for the shares of Class A Common Stock, the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock, as determined in good faith by the Corporate Board.
Member” means, as of any date of determination, (a) each of the members named on the Schedule of Members and (b) any Person admitted to the Company as a Substituted Member or Additional Member in accordance with Article XII, but in each case only so long as such Person is shown on the Company’s books and records as the owner of one or more Units, each in its capacity as a member of the Company.
Minimum Gain” means “partnership minimum gain” determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).
Net Loss” means, with respect to a Taxable Year, the excess if any, of Losses for such Taxable Year over Profits for such Taxable Year (excluding Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.03 and Section 5.04).
Net Profit” means, with respect to a Taxable Year, the excess if any, of Profits for such Taxable Year over Losses for such Taxable Year (excluding Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.03 and Section 5.04).
Non-Foreign Person Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.06(a).
Officer” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(b).
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Optionee” means a Person to whom a stock option is granted under any Stock Option Plan.
Original Operating Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Original Units” means the Class A Units and Class B Units (each as defined in Section I of the Second A&R LLC Agreement) of the Company.
Other Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.04.
Partnership Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03.
Percentage Interest” means, as among an individual class of Units and with respect to a Member at a particular time, such Member’s percentage interest in the Company determined by dividing the number of such Member’s Units of such class by the total number of Units of all Members of such class at such time. The Percentage Interest of each Member shall be calculated to the fourth decimal place.
Permitted Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
Permitted Transferee” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
Person” means an individual or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, joint venture or any other organization or entity, whether or not a legal entity.
Pre-Transaction Members” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Prepaid Subscription Income” means any income, deferred revenue, deferred subscription income, or any other similar types of advance payments (as such term is defined in IRS Revenue Procedure 2004-34, 2004-22 I.R.B. 991) received in cash by the Company prior to the Effective Time that is accounted for by the Company under Section 455 of the Code, less any cash expenditures incurred by the Company in connection with earning such income.
Pro rata,” “pro rata portion,” “according to their interests,” “ratably,” “proportionately,” “proportional,” “in proportion to,” “based on the number of Units held,” “based upon the percentage of Units held,” “based upon the number of Units outstanding,” and other terms with similar meanings, when used in the context of a number of Units of the Company relative to other Units, means as amongst an individual class of Units, pro rata based upon the number of such Units within such class of Units.
Profits” means items of income and gain of the Company determined according to Section 5.01(b).
PSI Distribution” means a distribution by the Company, to be made to the Members immediately prior to the Recapitalization, in accordance with the Company’s Second Amended
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and Restated Operating Agreement, of all Cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company as of such time.
Pubco Offer” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.09(b).
Qualified Offering” means a follow-on or qualified public or private offering of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Corporation following the date hereof.
Quarterly Tax Distribution” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).
Recapitalization” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Redeemed Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).
Redeemed Units Equivalent” means the product of (a) the applicable number of Redeemed Units, multiplied by (b) the Common Unit Redemption Price.
Redeeming Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).
Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).
Redemption Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).
Redemption Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).
Redemption Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(a).
Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation, certain of the Members as of the date hereof and certain other Persons whose signatures are affixed thereto (together with any joinder thereto from time to time by any successor or assign to any party to such agreement).
Retraction Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(c).
Revised Partnership Audit Provisions” means Section 1101 of Title XI (Revenue Provisions Related to Tax Compliance) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, H.R. 1314, Public Law Number 114-74, as amended. Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference herein to a specific section of the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future Law as in effect for the relevant taxable period.
Schedule of Members” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).
SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.
Second A&R LLC Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
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Second Tier Vesting Event” means the occurrence of either of the following events during the time period between the date hereof and the four-year anniversary of the date hereof: (a) the date on which the Common Share Price is equal to or greater than $14.00 or (b) if the Corporation consummates a transaction (not including the transactions contemplated by or pursuant to the Transaction Agreement) which results in the shareholders of the Corporation having the right to exchange their shares of Class A Common Stock for cash, securities or other property having a value equaling or exceeding $14.00 per share (for any non-cash proceeds, as determined based on the agreed valuation set forth in the applicable definitive agreements for such transaction or, in the absence of such valuation, as determined in good faith by the Corporate Board). For the avoidance of doubt, a Second Tier Vesting Event shall not occur more than once.
Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future Law.
Share Settlement” means a number of shares of Class A Common Stock (together with any Corresponding Rights) equal to the number of Redeemed Units.
Sponsor Earnout Unit” means a Unit designated as a “Sponsor Earnout Unit” having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Sponsor Earnout Units in this Agreement.
Sponsor Earnout Class A Share” means a share of Class A Common Stock designated as a “Sponsor Earn Out Share” and which is restricted subject to vesting, in each case pursuant to the Transaction Agreement and the Escrow Agreement. Each Sponsor Earnout Class A Share issued and outstanding from time to time shall correspond to a particular Sponsor Earnout Unit.
Stock Exchange” means Nasdaq Global Market.
Stock Option Plan” means any stock option plan now or hereafter adopted by the Company or by the Corporation, including the provisions of the Equity Plan permitting the grant of stock options.
Subscription Amount” means the cash amount received by the Company from the Corporation pursuant to the Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription Agreement.
Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, (b) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of the voting interests thereof are at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, (c) in any case, such Person
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controls the management thereof, or (d) such business entity is a variable interest entity of that Person. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of the Company shall be given effect only at such times that the Company has one or more Subsidiaries, and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, “Subsidiaries” of the Company shall include any and all of the Company’s direct and indirect, greater than fifty percent (50%) owned joint ventures.
Substituted Member” means a Person that is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to Section 12.01.
Tax Distributions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(b)(i).
Tax Receivable Agreement” means that certain Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation and the Company, on the one hand, and the Members (as such term is defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) party thereto, on the other hand (together with any joinder thereto from time to time by any successor or assign to any party to such agreement).
Taxable Year” means the Company’s accounting period for U.S. federal income tax purposes determined pursuant to Section 9.02.
Trading Day” means a day on which the Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).
Transaction Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Transfer” (and, with a correlative meaning, “Transferring”) means any sale, transfer, assignment, redemption, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of (whether directly or indirectly, whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of Law) (a) any interest (legal or beneficial) in any Equity Securities of the Company or (b) any equity or other interest (legal or beneficial) in any Member if substantially all of the assets of such Member consist solely of Units.
Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and (to the extent they can be relied upon) proposed regulations under the Code, as promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.
Unit” means the fractional interest of a Member in Profits, Losses and Distributions of the Company, and otherwise having the rights and obligations specified with respect to “Units” in this Agreement, including, but not limited to Common Units and Sponsor Earnout Units; provided, however, that any class or group of Units issued, including the Common Units and Sponsor Earnout Units, shall have the relative rights, powers and duties set forth in this Agreement applicable to such class or group of Units.
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Unit Redemption” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Unvested Corporate Shares” means shares of Class A Common Stock issuable pursuant to awards granted under the Equity Plan, or issued into escrow pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Transaction Agreement, that are not Vested Corporate Shares.
Upstairs Warrants” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(b).
VWAP” means with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock, the daily per share volume-weighted average price per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, or if no such sale took place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices per share of Class A Common Stock, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Class A Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if the Class A Common Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in shares of Class A Common Stock selected by the Corporate Board or, in the event that no trading price is available for the shares of Class A Common Stock, the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock, as determined in good faith by the Corporate Board.
Value” means (a) for any Stock Option Plan, the Market Price for the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of exercise of a stock option under such Stock Option Plan and (b) for any Equity Plan other than a Stock Option Plan, the Market Price for the Trading Day immediately preceding the Vesting Date.
Vested Corporate Shares” means the shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to awards granted under the Equity Plan, or issued into escrow pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Transaction Agreement, in each case, for which an applicable Vesting Date has occurred.
Vesting Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(c)(ii).
Vesting Event” means a First Tier Vesting Event or a Second Tier Vesting Event.
Voting Securities” of any Person means the capital stock or other Equity Securities of such Person normally entitled to vote in the election of directors or comparable governing body of such Person.
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Warrant Agreements” means warrant agreements between the Corporation and the Company, dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will issue Warrants to the Corporation.
Warrants” means warrants to purchase Common Units of the Company.
ARTICLE II.
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
Section 2.01    Formation and Re-Domiciliation of Company. The Company was formed on January 30, 2013 pursuant to the provisions of the Florida Act. The Company was re-domiciled to Delaware on March 1, 2021 pursuant to the provisions of the Florida Act and the Delaware Act.
Section 2.02    Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement. The Members hereby execute this Agreement for the purpose of amending, restating and superseding the Second A&R LLC Agreement in its entirety and otherwise establishing the affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Act. The Members hereby agree that during the term of the Company set forth in Section 2.06 the rights and obligations of the Members with respect to the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Delaware Act. No provision of this Agreement shall be in violation of the Delaware Act and to the extent any provision of this Agreement is in violation of the Delaware Act, such provision shall be void and of no effect to the extent of such violation without affecting the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement. Neither any Member nor the Manager nor any other Person shall have appraisal rights with respect to any Units.
Section 2.03    Name. The name of the Company is “MarketWise, LLC”. The Manager in its sole discretion may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time. Notification of any such change shall be given to all of the Members. The Company’s business may be conducted under its name and/or any other name or names deemed advisable by the Manager.
Section 2.04    Purpose; Powers. The primary business and purpose of the Company shall be to engage in such activities as are permitted under the Delaware Act and determined from time to time by the Manager in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Company shall have the power and authority to take (directly or indirectly through its Subsidiaries) any and all actions and engage in any and all activities necessary, appropriate, desirable, advisable, ancillary or incidental to accomplish the foregoing purpose.
Section 2.05    Principal Office; Registered Office. The principal office of the Company shall be located at such place or places as the Manager may from time to time designate, each of which may be within or outside the State of Delaware. The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be c/o Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, 19808, and the registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be Corporation Service
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Company. The Manager may from time to time change the Company’s registered agent and registered office in the State of Delaware.
Section 2.06    Term. The term of the Company commenced upon the filing of the Articles of Organization in accordance with the Florida Act and shall continue in perpetuity unless dissolved in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV.
Section 2.07    No State-Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member by virtue of this Agreement, for any purposes other than as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 2.07, and neither this Agreement nor any other document entered into by the Company or any Member relating to the subject matter hereof shall be construed to suggest otherwise. The Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and, if applicable, state or local income tax purposes, and that each Member and the Company shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment.
Section 2.08    Liability. Except as otherwise provided by the Delaware Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Member shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Member.
ARTICLE III.
MEMBERS; UNITS; CAPITALIZATION
Section 3.01    Members.
(a)    In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the Corporation (i) acquired newly issued Common Units, Sponsor Earnout Units and Warrants from the Company pursuant to the Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription Agreement and Warrant Agreements, and (ii) Common Units from the Pre-Transaction Members pursuant to certain assignment agreements as described in the Transaction Agreement, and was admitted as a Member.
(b)    The Company shall maintain a schedule setting forth: (i) the name and address of each Member; (ii) the aggregate number of outstanding Units and the number and class of Units held by each Member; (iii) the aggregate amount of cash Capital Contributions that has been made by the Members with respect to their Units; and (iv) the Fair Market Value of any property other than cash contributed by the Members with respect to their Units (including, if applicable, a description and the amount of any liability assumed by the Company or to which contributed property is subject) (such schedule, the “Schedule of Members”). The applicable Schedule of Members in effect as of the Effective Time and after giving effect to the Recapitalization is set forth as Schedule 2 to this Agreement. The Schedule of Members may be updated by the Manager in the Company’s books and records from time to time, and as so updated, it shall be
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the definitive record of ownership of each Unit of the Company and all relevant information with respect to each Member. The Company shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a Person registered on its records as the owner of Units for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in Units on the part of any other Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the Delaware Act.
(c)    No Member shall be required or, except as approved by the Manager pursuant to Section 6.01 and in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement, permitted to (i) loan any money or property to the Company, (ii) borrow any money or property from the Company or (iii) make any additional Capital Contributions.
Section 3.02    Units.
(a)    Interests in the Company shall be represented by Units, or such other securities of the Company, in each case as the Manager may establish in its discretion in accordance with the terms and subject to the restrictions hereof. At the Effective Time, the Units will be comprised of (i) a single class of Common Units and (ii) a single class of Sponsor Earnout Units.
(b)    Subject to Section 3.04(a), the Manager may (i) issue additional Common Units (but not additional Sponsor Earnout Units) at any time in its sole discretion and (ii) create one or more classes or series of Units or preferred Units solely to the extent such new class or series of Units or preferred Units are substantially economically equivalent to a class of common or other stock of the Corporation or class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, respectively; provided, that as long as there are any Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) (i) no such new class or series of Units may deprive such Members of, or dilute or reduce, the allocations and distributions they would have received, and the other rights and benefits to which they would have been entitled, in respect of their Units if such new class or series of Units had not been created and (ii) no such new class or series of Units may be issued, in each case, except to the extent (and solely to the extent) the Company actually receives cash in an aggregate amount, or other property with a Fair Market Value in an aggregate amount, equal to the aggregate distributions that would be made in respect of such new class or series of Units if the Company were liquidated immediately after the issuance of such new class or series of Units. The Company may reissue any Common Units that have been repurchased or acquired by the Company; provided, that any such issuance, and the admission of any Person as a Member in connection therewith, is otherwise made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
(c)    Each Sponsor Earnout Unit will be held in accordance with this Agreement unless and until an applicable Vesting Event occurs with respect to such Sponsor Earnout Unit. Upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event, on the applicable Conversion Date, those Sponsor Earnout Units to which such Vesting Event relates will be immediately converted into an equal number of Common Units, with all rights and privileges of a Common Unit under this Agreement from and after the applicable Conversion Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if, upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event, a filing is required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR Act”) for the immediate conversion of any Sponsor Earnout Unit into an equal number of Common Units, then the
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Conversion Date with respect to each such Sponsor Earnout Unit shall be delayed until the earlier of (i) such time as the required filing under the HSR Act has been made and the waiting period applicable to such conversion under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated or (ii) such filing is no longer required, at which time such conversion shall automatically occur without any further action by the holders of any such Sponsor Earnout Unit. Each of the Members agree to promptly take all actions required to make such filing under the HSR Act and the filing fee for such filing shall be paid by the Company. Upon the occurrence of (i) a First Tier Vesting Event, if ever, the Sponsor Earnout Units which are issued and outstanding as of the date of such occurrence and (subject to Section 3.04(a)) are set forth on Schedule 2 under the column labeled “First Tier Sponsor Earnout Units” will automatically vest on the applicable Conversion Date and (subject to the second sentence of this Section 3.02(c)) will convert immediately into an equal number of Common Units and (ii) a Second Tier Vesting Event, if ever, the Sponsor Earnout Units which are issued and outstanding as of the date of such occurrence and (subject to Section 3.04(a)) are set forth on Schedule 2 under the column labeled “Second Tier Sponsor Earnout Units” will automatically vest on the applicable Conversion Date and (subject to the second sentence of this Section 3.02(c)) will convert immediately into an equal number of Common Units (such that following the occurring of a Second Tier Vesting Event, no Sponsor Earnout Units shall remain outstanding). For the avoidance of doubt, if a First Tier Vesting Event has not occurred prior to the occurrence of a Second Tier Vesting Event, then upon the occurrence of a Second Tier Vesting Event, a First Tier Vesting Event shall be deemed to have also occurred, and all Sponsor Earnout Units will automatically vest on the applicable Conversion Date and (subject to the second sentence of this Section 3.02(c)) will convert immediately into an equal number of Common Units. For the avoidance of doubt, (A) if a First Tier Vesting Event or a Second Tier Vesting Event has not occurred prior to the fourth (4th) anniversary of the date hereof, all Sponsor Earnout Units which are issued and outstanding as of such date and are set forth on Schedule 2 under the column labeled “First Tier Sponsor Earnout Units” shall not vest or convert into a Common Unit under this Agreement, and instead shall immediately and automatically be canceled and extinguished for no consideration without any further action required by any Person and (B) if a Second Tier Vesting Event has not occurred prior to the fourth (4th) anniversary of the date hereof, all Sponsor Earnout Units which are issued and outstanding as of such date and are set forth on Schedule 2 under the column labeled “Second Tier Sponsor Earnout Units” shall not vest or convert into a Common Unit under this Agreement, and instead shall immediately and automatically be canceled and extinguished for no consideration without any further action required by any Person.
(d)    Subject to Sections 15.03(b) and Section 15.03(c), the Manager may amend this Agreement, without the consent of any Member or any other Person, in connection with the creation and issuance of such classes or series of Units, pursuant to Sections 3.02(b), 3.04(a) or 3.10.
Section 3.03    Recapitalization; the Corporation’s Capital Contribution; the Corporation’s Purchase of Common Units and Sponsor Earnout Units; the Unit Redemption.
(a)    In order to effect the Recapitalization, the number of Original Units that were issued and outstanding and held by the Pre-Transaction Members prior to the Effective Time as
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set forth opposite the respective Pre-Transaction Member’s name in Schedule 1 were converted pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement and the Recapitalization Instrument, immediately prior to the Effective Time, into the number of Common Units set forth opposite the name of the respective Pre-Transaction Member on the Schedule of Members attached hereto as Schedule 2 (provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the number of Common Units set forth on Schedule 2 shall be net of any Pre-Transaction Members’ Common Units purchased by the Corporation), and such Common Units are hereby issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and the holders of such Common Units are Members hereunder.
(b)    Following the Recapitalization, pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the Company issued to the Corporation, and the Corporation acquired 28,003,096 newly issued Common Units, 3,051,000 newly issued Sponsor Earnout Units and 30,980,000 Warrants in exchange for the Subscription Amount pursuant to the Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription Agreement (the “Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription”) and the Warrant Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the Corporation shall be admitted as a Member with respect to all Common Units and/or Sponsor Earnout Units it holds from time to time and (ii) each Warrant shall be treated as a “noncompensatory option” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.721-2(f) and 1.761-3(b)(2) and shall not be treated as a partnership interest pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.761-3(a). The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the transaction described in this Section 3.03(b) will result in a “revaluation of partnership property” and corresponding adjustments to Capital Account balances as described in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) of the Treasury Regulations.
Section 3.04    Authorization and Issuance of Additional Units and Warrants.
(a)    Except as otherwise determined by the Manager, the Company, the Manager and the Corporation shall undertake all actions, including, without limitation, an issuance, reclassification, distribution, division or recapitalization, with respect to the Common Units, the Sponsor Earnout Units, the Class A Common Stock (including the Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares) or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, to maintain at all times (i) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by the Corporation, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (not including the Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares), (ii) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Sponsor Earnout Units owned by the Corporation, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares, and (iii) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries), directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, in each case, disregarding, for purposes of maintaining the one-to-one ratio, (A) Unvested Corporate Shares, (B) treasury stock or (C) preferred stock or other debt or Equity Securities (including any Corresponding Rights) issued by the Corporation that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock (except to the extent the net proceeds from such other securities, including any exercise or purchase price payable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof, has been contributed by the Corporation to the equity capital of the Company) ; provided that, in each of the foregoing cases of clauses (A) and (C), the issuance of Class A Common Stock in connection with the Vesting Date, conversion, exercise or exchange, as applicable, of such Unvested Corporate
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Shares, preferred stock or other debt or Equity Securities, as applicable, shall not be disregarded for purposes of this Section 3.04. Except as otherwise determined by the Manager, in the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases or redeems Class A Common Stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager, the Company and the Corporation shall take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries, repurchases or redemptions, the number of outstanding Common Units and Sponsor Earnout Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation will equal on a one-for-one basis the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares). Except as otherwise determined by the Manager, in the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases or redeems the Corporation’s preferred stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager, the Company and the Corporation shall take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries, repurchases or redemptions, the Corporation, directly or indirectly, holds (in the case of any issuance, transfer or delivery) or ceases to hold (in the case of any repurchase or redemption) Equity Securities in the Company which (in the good faith determination by the Manager) are in the aggregate substantially economically equivalent to the outstanding preferred stock of the Corporation so issued, transferred, delivered, repurchased or redeemed. Except as otherwise determined by the Manager, in the event the Corporation issues, transfers or delivers from treasury stock or repurchases or redeems Class B Common Stock in a transaction not contemplated in this Agreement, the Manager, and the Company shall take all actions such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries, repurchases or redemptions, the number of outstanding Common Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries), directly or indirectly, will equal on a one-for-one basis the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. Except as otherwise determined by the Manager, the Company, the Manager and the Corporation shall not undertake any subdivision (by any Common Unit or Sponsor Earnout Unit split, stock split, Common Unit or Sponsor Earnout Unit distribution, stock distribution, reclassification, division, recapitalization or similar event) or combination (by reverse Common Unit or Sponsor Earnout Unit split, reverse stock split, reclassification, division, recapitalization or similar event) of the Common Units or Sponsor Earnout Units, Class A Common Stock (including Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares) or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of Class A Common Stock, Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares, Class B Common Stock or Common Units (including Sponsor Earnout Units, as applicable) respectively, to maintain at all times (x) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (not including the Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares), (y) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Sponsor Earnout Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation and the number of outstanding Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares or (z) a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, in each case, unless such action is necessary to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between either the number of Common Units and Sponsor Earnout Units owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including Sponsor Earnout Class A Shares) or the number of Common Units owned by Members (other than the
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Corporation and its Subsidiaries) and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, in each case as contemplated by the first sentence of this Section 3.04(a).
(b)    Excluding warrants, options or similar instruments governed by Section 3.10 (the “Excluded Instruments”), the exercise of which shall be governed by such Section 3.10 and not this Section 3.04(b), in the event any holder of a warrant to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Upstairs Warrants”) exercises an Upstairs Warrant, then the Corporation shall cause a corresponding exercise (including by effecting such exercise in the same manner, i.e., by payment of a cash exercise price or on a cashless basis) of a Warrant with similar terms held by the Corporation, such that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued in connection with the exercise of such Upstairs Warrants shall be matched with a corresponding number of Common Units issued by the Company to the Corporation pursuant to a Warrant Agreement. Upon the valid exercise of a Warrant by the Corporation in accordance with a Warrant Agreement pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall issue to the Corporation the number of Common Units contemplated thereby, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances other than those arising under applicable securities laws and this Agreement. The Corporation agrees that it will not exercise any Warrants other than in connection with the corresponding exercise of an Upstairs Warrant. In the event that an Upstairs Warrant is redeemed, the Company will redeem a Warrant with similar terms held by the Corporation.
(c)    The Company shall only be permitted to issue additional Common Units, and/or establish other classes or series of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company to the Persons and on the terms and conditions provided for in Section 3.02, this Section 3.04, Section 3.10 and Section 3.11. Subject to the foregoing, the Manager may cause the Company to issue additional Common Units authorized under this Agreement and/or establish other classes or series of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company at such times and upon such terms as the Manager shall determine and the Manager shall amend this Agreement as necessary in connection with the issuance of additional Common Units, to establish other classes or series of Units or other Equity Securities in the Company, or admission of additional Members under this Section 3.04, in each case without the requirement of any consent or acknowledgement of any other Member.
Section 3.05    Repurchase or Redemption of Shares of Class A Common Stock. Except as otherwise determined by the Manager, if at any time, any shares of Class A Common Stock are repurchased or redeemed (whether by exercise of a put or call, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Corporation for cash, then the Manager shall cause the Company, immediately prior to such repurchase or redemption of Class A Common Stock, to redeem a corresponding number of Common Units held (directly or indirectly) by the Corporation, at an aggregate redemption price equal to the aggregate purchase or redemption price of the shares of Class A Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by the Corporation (plus any expenses related thereto) and upon such other terms as are the same for the shares of Class A Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by the Corporation; provided, if the Corporation uses funds received from distributions from the Company or the net proceeds from an issuance of Class A Common Stock to fund such repurchase or redemption, then the Company shall cancel a corresponding number of Common Units held (directly or indirectly) by the Corporation for no consideration. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
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Company shall not make any repurchase or redemption if such repurchase or redemption would violate any applicable Law.
Section 3.06    Certificates Representing Units; Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates; Registration and Transfer of Units.
(a)    Units shall not be certificated unless otherwise determined by the Manager. If the Manager determines that one or more Units shall be certificated, each such certificate shall be signed by or in the name of the Company, by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Secretary or any other officer designated by the Manager, representing the number of Units held by such holder. Such certificate shall be in such form (and shall contain such legends) as the Manager may determine. Any or all of such signatures on any certificate representing one or more Units may be a facsimile, engraved or printed, to the extent permitted by applicable Law. No Units shall be treated as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code unless all Units then outstanding are certificated; notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, including Section 15.03, the Manager is authorized to amend this Agreement in order for the Company to opt-in to the provisions of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code without the consent or approval of any Member of any other Person.
(b)    If Units are certificated, the Manager may direct that a new certificate representing one or more Units be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Company alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon delivery to the Manager of an affidavit of the owner or owners of such certificate, setting forth such allegation. The Manager may require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Company a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.
(c)    To the extent Units are certificated, upon surrender to the Company or the transfer agent of the Company, if any, of a certificate for one or more Units, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, in compliance with the provisions hereof, the Company shall issue a new certificate representing one or more Units to the Person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Manager may prescribe such additional rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate relating to the issue, Transfer and registration of Units.
Section 3.07    Negative Capital Accounts. No Member shall be required to pay to any other Member or the Company any deficit or negative balance which may exist from time to time in such Member’s Capital Account (including upon and after dissolution of the Company).
Section 3.08    No Withdrawal. No Person shall be entitled to withdraw any part of such Person’s Capital Contribution or Capital Account or to receive any Distribution from the Company, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
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Section 3.09    Loans From Members. Loans by Members to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.01(c), the amount of any such advances shall be a debt of the Company to such Member and shall be payable or collectible in accordance with the terms and conditions upon which such advances are made.
Section 3.10    Corporate Stock Option Plans and Equity Plans.
(a)    Options Granted to Persons other than LLC Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, a stock option granted over shares of Class A Common Stock to a Person other than an LLC Employee is duly exercised, the following will occur or be deemed to have occurred:
(i)    The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Company in an amount equal to the exercise price paid to the Corporation by such exercising Person in connection with the exercise of such stock option.
(ii)    Notwithstanding the amount of the Capital Contribution actually made pursuant to Section 3.10(a)(i), the Corporation shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company as a Capital Contribution, in lieu of the Capital Contribution actually made and in consideration of additional Common Units, an amount equal to the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock as of the date of such exercise multiplied by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock then being issued by the Corporation in connection with the exercise of such stock option.
(iii)    The Corporation shall receive in exchange for such Capital Contributions (as deemed made under Section 3.10(a)(ii)), a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which such option was exercised.
(b)    Options Granted to LLC Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, a stock option granted over shares of Class A Common Stock to an LLC Employee is duly exercised:
(i)    The Corporation shall be deemed to sell to the Optionee, and the Optionee shall be deemed to purchase from the Corporation, for a cash price per share equal to the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock at the time of the exercise, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the quotient of (x) the exercise price payable by the Optionee in connection with the exercise of such stock option divided by (y) the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock at the time of such exercise.
(ii)    The Corporation shall sell to the Company (or if the Optionee is an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, the Corporation shall sell to such Subsidiary), and the Company (or such Subsidiary, as applicable) shall purchase from the Corporation, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the difference between (x) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock as to which such stock option is being exercised minus (y) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock sold
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pursuant to Section 3.10(b)(i) hereof. The purchase price per share of Class A Common Stock for such sale of shares of Class A Common Stock to the Company (or such Subsidiary) shall be the Value of a share of Class A Common Stock as of the date of exercise of such stock option.
(iii)    The Company shall transfer to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, the Subsidiary shall transfer to the Optionee) at no additional cost to such LLC Employee and as additional compensation (and not a distribution) to such LLC Employee, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock described in Section 3.10(b)(ii).
(iv)    The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Company in an amount equal to all proceeds received (from whatever source, but excluding any payment in respect of payroll taxes or other withholdings) by the Corporation in connection with the exercise of such stock option. The Corporation shall receive for such Capital Contribution, a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which such option was exercised.
(c)    Restricted Stock Granted to LLC Employees. If (i) at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a Stock Option Plan) any shares of Class A Common Stock are issued to an LLC Employee (including any shares of Class A Common Stock that are subject to forfeiture in the event such LLC Employee terminates his or her employment with the Company or any Subsidiary or that are otherwise subject to vesting or other conditions) in consideration for services performed for the Company or any Subsidiary, or (ii) any Management Earn Out Class A Shares are issued by the Corporation:
(i)    The Corporation shall issue such number of shares of (x) Class A Common Stock as are to be issued to such LLC Employee in accordance with the Equity Plan or (y) Management Earnout Class A Shares as are to be issued to such LLC Employee (or into escrow to be held on behalf of such LLC Employee), as applicable;
(ii)    On the date (such date, the “Vesting Date”) that the Value of such shares is includible in taxable income of such LLC Employee, the following events will be deemed to have occurred: (1) the Corporation shall be deemed to have sold such shares of Class A Common Stock or Management Earnout Class A Shares, as applicable, to the Company (or if such LLC Employee is an employee of, or other service provider to, a Subsidiary, to such Subsidiary) for a purchase price equal to the Value of such shares of Class A Common Stock or Management Earnout Class A Shares, as applicable, (2) the Company (or such Subsidiary) shall be deemed to have delivered such shares of Class A Common Stock or Management Earnout Class A Shares, as applicable, to such LLC Employee, (3) the Corporation shall be deemed to have contributed the purchase price for such shares of Class A Common Stock or Management Earnout Class A Shares, as applicable, to the Company as a Capital Contribution, and (4) in the case where such LLC Employee is an employee of a Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to have contributed such amount to the capital of the Subsidiary; provided, that the Corporation
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or the Company, as applicable, shall promptly notify such other party after becoming aware of any action that is reasonably likely to cause a Vesting Date to be set (including as a result of making of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to a Management Earnout Class A Share); and
(iii)    The Company shall issue to the Corporation on the Vesting Date a number of Common Units equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Management Class A Earnout Shares, as applicable, issued under Section 3.10(c)(i) in consideration for a Capital Contribution that the Corporation is deemed to make to the Company pursuant to clause (3) of Section 3.10(c)(ii) above.
(iv)    In the event that shares of Class A Common Stock described in this Section 3.10(c) are forfeited after a Vesting Date has occurred, the Common Units issued to the Corporation pursuant to Section 3.10(c)(iii) with respect to such Class A Common Stock shall also be forfeited.
(d)    Future Stock Incentive Plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or applied to preclude or restrain the Corporation from adopting, modifying or terminating stock incentive plans for the benefit of employees, directors or other business associates of the Corporation, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates. The Members acknowledge and agree that, in the event that any such plan is adopted, modified or terminated by the Corporation, amendments to this Section 3.10 may become necessary or advisable and that any approval or consent to any such amendments requested by the Corporation shall be deemed granted by the Manager and the Members, as applicable, without the requirement of any further consent or acknowledgement of any other Member.
(e)    Anti-dilution adjustments. For all purposes of this Section 3.10, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and the corresponding number of Common Units shall be determined after giving effect to all anti-dilution or similar adjustments that are applicable, as of the date of exercise or vesting, to the option, warrant, restricted stock or other equity interest that is being exercised or becomes vested under the applicable Stock Option Plan or other Equity Plan and applicable award or grant documentation.
Section 3.11    Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Cash Option Purchase Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Article III, all amounts received or deemed received by the Corporation in respect of any dividend reinvestment plan, cash option purchase plan, stock incentive or other stock or subscription plan or agreement, either (a) shall be utilized by the Corporation to effect open market purchases of shares of Class A Common Stock, or (b) if the Corporation elects instead to issue new shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to such amounts, shall be contributed by the Corporation to the Company in exchange for additional Common Units. Upon such contribution, the Company will issue to the Corporation a number of Common Units equal to the number of new shares of Class A Common Stock so issued.
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ARTICLE IV.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 4.01    Distributions.
(a)    Distributable Cash; Other Distributions. To the extent permitted by applicable Law and hereunder, Distributions to Members may be declared by the Manager out of Distributable Cash or other funds or property legally available therefor in such amounts, at such time and on such terms (including the payment dates of such Distributions) as the Manager in its sole discretion shall determine using such record date as the Manager may designate. All Distributions made under this Section 4.01 shall be made to the Members holding Common Units as of the close of business on such record date on a pro rata basis in accordance with each Member’s Percentage Interest of such Common Units (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any distributions made pursuant to Section 4.01(b)(v)) as of the close of business on such record date; provided, however, that the Manager shall have the obligation to make Distributions as set forth in Sections 4.01(b) and 14.02; provided, further, that notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, no Distributions shall be made to any Member to the extent such Distribution would render the Company insolvent or violate the Delaware Act. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, “insolvency” means the inability of the Company to meet its payment obligations when due. In furtherance of the foregoing, it is intended that the Manager shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law and hereunder, have the right in its sole discretion to make Distributions of Distributable Cash to the Members pursuant to this Section 4.01(a) in such amounts as shall enable the Corporation to meet its obligations, including its obligations pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement (to the extent such obligations are not otherwise able to be satisfied as a result of Tax Distributions required to be made pursuant to Section 4.01(b)). For the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise provided in Section 4.01(b), no holder of any Sponsor Earnout Unit or Management Earnout Unit shall be entitled to receive any Distributions in respect thereof, unless and until such Sponsor Earnout Unit is converted into a Common Unit in accordance with the terms hereof or the Management Earnout Class A Share related to such Management Earnout Unit is released from escrow pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Transaction Agreement (after which time, such holder shall be entitled to Distributions in respect of such Common Unit that are declared from and after the time of such conversion or release); provided, that, no later than five (5) Business Days following the conversion of a Sponsor Earnout Unit into a Common Unit or release of a Management Earnout Class A Share from escrow pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Transaction Agreement, as applicable, the Company shall pay the holder of such Sponsor Earnout Unit or the Management Earnout Unit relating to such released Management Earnout Class A Share, as applicable, all Distributions pursuant to this Section 4.01(a) (and if any in-kind Distribution was made prior to such conversion or release, to the extent feasible (and not requiring any approval other than that of the Manager in its capacity as such) identical property, or if not feasible (or if requiring any such approval), an amount in cash equal to the greater of the Fair Market Value (on a per Common Unit basis) of such in-kind Distribution (x) at the time such Distribution was made and (y) at the time such Distribution Catch-Up Payment is made) that were made prior to such conversion or release, as applicable, and that would have been made to such holder with respect to such Sponsor Earnout Unit or the Management Earnout Unit relating to such released Management Earnout Class A Share, as
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applicable, had such Sponsor Earnout Unit already converted into a Common Unit or had the Management Earnout Unit related to such released Management Earnout Class A Share been issued on the Effective Date and not subject to the restriction on Distributions otherwise set forth in this sentence, as applicable, prior to the declaration and making of such Distribution (each such distribution, a “Distribution Catch-Up Payment”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Distribution Catch-Up Payments shall not include any Tax Distributions. To the extent that the conversion date in respect of a Sponsor Earnout Unit or escrow release date in respect of a Management Earnout Class A Share, as applicable, occurs following the date that a Distribution is declared under this Section 4.01(a) but on or before the date such Distribution is paid, then the amount distributable on each Unit in such Distribution shall not be included in the Distribution Catch-Up Payment, and instead, the holder of such Sponsor Earnout Unit or the Management Earnout Unit relating to the released Management Earnout Class A Share, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive such Distribution when paid to the holders of Common Units, assuming such holder continues to hold a Common Unit on the record date with respect to such Distribution (and if not, such Distribution shall be included in the Distribution Catch-Up Payment).
(b)    Tax Distributions.
(i)    With respect to each Taxable Year, the Company shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, make cash distributions (“Tax Distributions”) to each Member in accordance with, and to the extent of, such Member’s Assumed Tax Liability. Tax Distributions pursuant to this Section 4.01(b)(i) shall be estimated by the Company on a quarterly basis and, to the extent feasible, shall be distributed to the Members (together with a statement showing the calculation of such Tax Distribution and an estimate of the Company’s net taxable income allocable to each Member for such period) on a quarterly basis on April 15th, June 15th, September 15th and December 15th (or such other dates for which corporations or individuals are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, whichever is earlier) (each, a “Quarterly Tax Distribution”); provided, that the foregoing shall not restrict the Company from making a Tax Distribution on any other date as the Company determines is necessary to enable the Members to timely make estimated income tax payments. Quarterly Tax Distributions shall take into account the estimated taxable income or loss of the Company for the Taxable Year through the end of the relevant quarterly period. A final accounting for Tax Distributions shall be made for each Taxable Year after the allocation of the Company’s actual net taxable income or loss has been determined and any shortfall in the amount of Tax Distributions a Member received for such Taxable Year based on such final accounting shall promptly be distributed to such Member. For the avoidance of doubt, any excess Tax Distributions a Member receives with respect to any Taxable Year shall reduce future Tax Distributions otherwise required to be made to such Member with respect to any subsequent Taxable Year.
(ii)    To the extent a Member otherwise would be entitled to receive less than its Percentage Interest of Common Units of the aggregate Tax Distributions to be paid pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) (other than any distributions made pursuant to Section 4.01(b)(v)) on any given date, the Tax Distributions to such Member shall be increased to
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ensure that all Distributions made pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) are made pro rata in accordance with the Members’ respective Percentage Interests of Common Units. If, on the date of a Tax Distribution, there are insufficient funds on hand to distribute to the Members the full amount of the Tax Distributions to which such Members are otherwise entitled, Distributions pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) shall be made to the Members pro rata in accordance with their Percentage Interest of Common Units, to the extent of available funds in accordance with their Percentage Interests of Common Units and the Company shall make future Tax Distributions as soon as sufficient funds become available to pay the remaining portion of the Tax Distributions to which such Members are otherwise entitled.
(iii)    In the event of any audit by, or similar event with, a Governmental Entity that affects the calculation of any Member’s Assumed Tax Liability for any Taxable Year (other than an audit conducted pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions for which no election is made pursuant to Section 6226 thereof and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder), or in the event the Company files an amended tax return or administrative adjustment request, each Member’s Assumed Tax Liability with respect to such year shall be recalculated by giving effect to such event (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account interest or penalties). Any shortfall in the amount of Tax Distributions the Members and former Members received for the relevant Taxable Years based on such recalculated Assumed Tax Liability promptly shall be distributed to such Members and the successors of such former Members, except, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent Distributions were made to such Members and former Members pursuant to Section 4.01(a) and this Section 4.01(b) in the relevant Taxable Years sufficient to cover such shortfall.
(iv)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tax Distributions pursuant to this Section 4.01(b) (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any distributions made pursuant to Section 4.01(b)(v)), if any, shall be made to a Member only to the extent all previous Tax Distributions to such Member pursuant to Section 4.01(b) with respect to the Taxable Year are less than the Tax Distributions such Member otherwise would have been entitled to receive with respect to such Taxable Year pursuant to this Section 4.01(b).
(v)    Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a final accounting for distributions under Section 4.1.3 of the Second A&R LLC Agreement in respect of the taxable income of the Company shall be made by the Company following the Effective Time and, based on such final accounting, the Company shall make a distribution to the Pre-Transaction Members (or in the case of any Pre-Transaction Member that no longer exists, the successor of such Pre-Transaction Member) in accordance with the applicable terms of the Second A&R LLC Agreement to the extent of any shortfall in the amount of distributions the Pre-Transaction Members received prior to the Effective Time under Section 4.1.3 of the Second A&R LLC Agreement with respect to taxable income of the Company for such portion of such Taxable Year that will be allocated to the Pre-Transaction Members (determined pursuant to Section 706 of the Code and as otherwise expressly provided for in Section 9.14 of the
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Transaction Agreement). For the avoidance of doubt, the amount of distributions to be made pursuant to this Section 4.01(b)(v) shall be calculated pursuant to the methodology set forth in Section 4.1.3 of the Second A&R LLC Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary, shall not include any amount attributable to Prepaid Subscription Income described in the definition of Assumed Tax Liability.
ARTICLE V.
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS; TAX MATTERS
Section 5.01    Capital Accounts.
(a)    The Company shall maintain a separate Capital Account for each Member according to the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). For this purpose, the Company may (in the discretion of the Manager), upon the occurrence of the events specified in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), increase or decrease the Capital Accounts in accordance with the rules of such Treasury Regulations and Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g) to reflect a revaluation of the Company’s property; provided, that (1) if any noncompensatory options (including the Warrants) are outstanding upon the occurrence of any revaluation of the Company’s property, the Company shall adjust the Book Values of its properties in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2) and (2) the Company shall effect a revaluation of the Company’s property upon the conversion of any Sponsor Earnout Units into Common Units upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s).
(b)    For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to the Company to be allocated pursuant to this Article V and to be reflected in the Capital Accounts of the Members, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for this purpose); provided, however, that:
(i)    the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall include those items described in Code Section 705(a)(l)(B) or Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) and Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), without regard to the fact that such items are not includible in gross income or are not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
(ii)    if the Book Value of any property of the Company is adjusted pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) or (f), the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such property;
(iii)    items of income, gain, loss or deduction attributable to the disposition of property of the Company having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of such property;
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(iv)    items of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions with respect to property of the Company having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted basis for tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the property’s Book Value in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g); and
(v)    to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset of the Company pursuant to Code Sections 732(d), 734(b) or 743(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis).
Section 5.02    Allocations. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.03 and Section 5.04, Net Profits and Net Losses for any Taxable Year or Fiscal Period shall be allocated among the Capital Accounts of the Members pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests of Common Units.
Section 5.03    Regulatory Allocations.
(a)    Losses attributable to partner nonrecourse debt (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4)) shall be allocated in the manner required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). Except as otherwise provided for in Section 5.03(b), if there is a net decrease during a Taxable Year in partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain (as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3)), Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) shall be allocated to the Members in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4).
(b)    Nonrecourse deductions (as determined according to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1)) for any Taxable Year shall be allocated pro rata among the Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests of Common Units. If there is a net decrease in the Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year, each Member shall be allocated Profits for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, for subsequent Taxable Years) in the amounts and of such character as determined according to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f). This Section 5.03(b) is intended to be a minimum gain chargeback provision that complies with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.
(c)    If any Member that unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or Distribution described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) has an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as of the end of any Taxable Year, after all other allocations pursuant to Sections 5.02, 5.03, 5.04 and 5.05 have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.03(c) were not in this Agreement, then Profits for such Taxable Year shall be allocated to such Member in proportion to, and to the extent of, such Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. This Section 5.03(c) is intended to be a qualified income offset provision as described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.
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(d)    If the allocation of Net Losses (or items of Losses) to a Member as provided in Section 5.02 would create or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit, there shall be allocated to such Member only that amount of Losses as will not create or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit. The Net Losses that would, absent the application of the preceding sentence, otherwise be allocated to such Member shall be allocated to the other Members in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests of Common Units, subject to this Section 5.03(d).
(e)    Profits and Losses described in Section 5.01(b)(v) shall be allocated in a manner consistent with the manner that the adjustments to the Capital Accounts are required to be made pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(j) and (m).
(f)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (1) no allocations of Net Profits or Net Losses shall be made in respect of any Sponsor Earnout Units in determining Capital Accounts unless and until such Sponsor Earnout Units are converted into Common Units upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event; (2) in the event the Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to the definition of Book Value upon the conversion of any Sponsor Earnout Units into Common Units, any Net Profits or Net Losses resulting from such adjustment shall, in the manner reasonably determined by the Manager, be allocated among the Members such that the Capital Account balance relating to each Common Unit (including the Sponsor Earnout Units that have been converted into Common Units), after taking into account the Distribution Catch-Up Payment, is equal in amount immediately after making such allocation in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); provided, that if the foregoing allocations pursuant to clause (2) are insufficient to cause the Capital Account balance relating to each Common Unit to be so equal in amount, then the Manager, in its reasonable discretion, shall cause a Capital Account reallocation in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3) to cause the Capital Account balance relating to each Common Unit to be so equal in amount and (3) with respect to any Management Earnout Unit relating to a Management Earnout Class A Share for which a Code Section 83(b) election was not made by the management recipient of such Management Earnout Class A Share upon issuance of such Management Earnout Class A Share, Net Profits (or, if necessary, gross items thereof) for any Taxable Year of the Company in which the Vesting Date for such Management Earnout Class A Share occurs shall be specially allocated to the related Management Earnout Unit in an amount that equals the Distribution Catch-Up Payment with respect to such Management Earnout Unit.
(g)    The allocations set forth in Section 5.03(a) through and including Section 5.03(e) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2 of the Treasury Regulations. The Regulatory Allocations may not be consistent with the manner in which the Members intend to allocate Net Profit and Net Loss of the Company or make Distributions. Accordingly, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article V, but subject to the Regulatory Allocations, income, gain, deduction and loss with respect to the Company shall be reallocated among the Members so as to eliminate the effect of the Regulatory Allocations and thereby cause the respective Capital Accounts of the Members to be in the amounts (or as close thereto as possible) they would have been if Net Profit and Net
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Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) had been allocated without reference to the Regulatory Allocations. In general, the Members anticipate that this will be accomplished by specially allocating other Profit and Loss (and such other items of income, gain, deduction and loss) among the Members so that the net amount of the Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each such Member is zero. In addition, if in any Taxable Year or Fiscal Period there is a decrease in partnership minimum gain, or in partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain, and application of the minimum gain chargeback requirements set forth in Section 5.03(a) or Section 5.03(b) would cause a distortion in the economic arrangement among the Members, the Manager may, if it does not expect that the Company will have sufficient other income to correct such distortion, request the Internal Revenue Service to waive either or both of such minimum gain chargeback requirements pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f)(4). If such request is granted, this Agreement shall be applied in such instance as if it did not contain such minimum gain chargeback requirement.
Section 5.04    Final Allocations. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement except Section 5.03, the Manager shall make appropriate adjustments to allocations of Net Profits and Net Losses to (or, if necessary, allocate items of gross income, gain, loss or deduction of the Company among) the Members upon the liquidation of the Company (within the meaning of Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g) of the Treasury Regulations), the transfer of substantially all the Units (whether by sale or exchange or merger) or sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, such that, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Accounts of the Members are proportionate to their Percentage Interests of Common Units. In each case, such adjustments or allocations shall occur, to the maximum extent possible, in the Taxable Year of the event requiring such adjustments or allocations.
Section 5.05    Tax Allocations.
(a)    The income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of the Company will be allocated, for federal, state and local income tax purposes, among the Members in accordance with the allocation of such income, gains, losses, deductions and credits among the Members for computing their Capital Accounts; provided that if any such allocation is not permitted by the Code or other applicable Law, the Company’s subsequent income, gains, losses, deductions and credits will be allocated among the Members so as to reflect as nearly as possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.
(b)    Items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with Code Section 704(c) so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value using the traditional method set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b).
(c)    If the Book Value of any asset of the Company is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.01(a), including adjustments to the Book Value of any asset of the Company in connection with the execution of this Agreement, subsequent allocations of items of taxable income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the
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adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value using the traditional method set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b).
(d)    Allocations of tax credits, tax credit recapture, and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the Members as determined by the Manager taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii).
(e)    For purposes of determining a Member’s share of the Company’s “excess nonrecourse liabilities” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), each Member’s interest in income and gain shall be determined pursuant to any proper method, as reasonably determined by the Manager; provided, that each year the Manager shall use its reasonable best efforts (using in all instances any proper method permitted under applicable Law, including without limitation the “additional method” described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3)) to allocate a sufficient amount of the excess nonrecourse liabilities to those Members who would have at the end of the applicable Taxable Year, but for such allocation, taxable income due to the deemed distribution of money to such Member pursuant to Section 752(b) of the Code that is in excess of such Member’s adjusted tax basis in its Units; provided, further, that with respect to any of the Company’s “excess nonrecourse liabilities” that arise after the Effective Time, the Manager shall not be required to allocate “excess nonrecourse liabilities” in the manner described in the preceding proviso to the extent that the Manager determines in its sole discretion made in good faith that such allocation would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on the Corporation (for this purpose, any such allocation that results in the Corporation having a lower tax basis in its interests in the Company but that does not otherwise cause the Corporation to have taxable income in the applicable Taxable Year in excess of the taxable income it otherwise would have been expected to have in such Taxable Year (including as a result of an actual or deemed distribution made to the Corporation in such Taxable Year) utilizing a different permissible allocation of “excess nonrecourse liabilities” shall not be considered a material adverse impact).
(f)    If, as a result of an exercise of a noncompensatory option (including the Warrants) to acquire an interest in the Company, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Company shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x). If, pursuant to Section 5.03(f), the Manager causes a Capital Account reallocation in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Manager shall make corrective allocations in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).
(g)    In the event any Common Units issued pursuant to Section 3.10(c) are subsequently forfeited, the Company may make forfeiture allocations with respect to such Common Units in the Taxable Year of such forfeiture in accordance with the principles of proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(c), taking into account any amendments thereto and any temporary or final Treasury Regulations issued pursuant thereto.
(h)    Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.05 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local income taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing,
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any Member’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, Distributions or other items of the Company pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
Section 5.06    Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member. If the Company or any other Person in which the Company holds an interest is obligated to pay any amount to a Governmental Entity (or otherwise makes a payment to a Governmental Entity) that is specifically attributable to a Member or a Member’s status as such (including federal income taxes, additions to tax, interest and penalties as a result of obligations of the Company pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions, federal withholding taxes, state personal property taxes and state unincorporated business taxes, but excluding payments such as payroll taxes, withholding taxes, benefits or professional association fees and the like required to be made or made voluntarily by the Company on behalf of any Member based upon such Member’s status as an employee of the Company), then such Member shall indemnify the Company in full for the entire amount paid (including interest, penalties and related expenses). The Manager may offset Distributions to which a Member is otherwise entitled under this Agreement against such Member’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 5.06. To the extent there are any amounts outstanding with respect to the Redeemed Units that are the subject of a Redemption or Direct Exchange as of the Redemption Date, the Redeeming Member shall fully satisfy its indemnification obligation under this Section 5.06 on the Redemption Date, immediately prior to the Redemption or Direct Exchange and in no event shall the Corporation have any liability with respect to any liability underlying such Redeeming Member’s indemnification obligation under this Section 5.06 that is outstanding on or prior to the date of such Redemption or Direct Exchange. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each Member agrees that any Cash Settlement such Member is entitled to receive pursuant to Article XI may be offset by an amount equal to such Member’s obligation to indemnify the Company under this Section 5.06 and that such Member shall be treated as receiving the full amount of such Cash Settlement and paying to the Company an amount equal to such obligation. A Member’s obligation to make payments to the Company under this Section 5.06 shall survive the transfer or termination of any Member’s interest in any Units of the Company, the termination of this Agreement and the dissolution, liquidation, winding up and termination of the Company. In the event that the Company has been terminated prior to the date such payment is due, such Member shall make such payment to the Manager (or its designee), which shall distribute such funds in accordance with this Agreement. The Company may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Member under this Section 5.06, including instituting a lawsuit to collect such contribution with interest calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus 300 basis points (but not in excess of the highest rate per annum permitted by Law). Each Member hereby agrees to furnish to the Company such information and forms as required or reasonably requested by the Company in order to comply with any Laws and regulations governing withholding of tax or in order to claim any reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding to which the Member is legally entitled. The Company may withhold any amount that it reasonably determines is required to be withheld from any amount otherwise payable to any Member hereunder, and any such withheld amount shall be deemed to have been paid to such Member for all purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise reimbursed by such Member under this Section 5.06. For the avoidance of doubt, any income taxes, penalties, additions to tax and interest payable by the Company or any fiscally transparent entity in which
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the Company owns an interest that are attributable to income or gain that is (or otherwise would be) passed through to the Members under applicable Law shall be treated as specifically attributable to the Members and shall be allocated among the Members such that the burden of (or any diminution in distributable proceeds resulting from) any such amounts is borne by those Members to whom such amounts are specifically attributable, in each case as reasonably determined by the Manager. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to the extent of any conflict between this Section 5.06 and Section 9.14 of the Transaction Agreement, Section 9.14 of the Transaction Agreement shall control with respect to the matters described therein.
ARTICLE VI.
MANAGEMENT
Section 6.01    Authority of Manager; Officer Delegation.
(a)    Except for situations in which the approval of any Member(s) is specifically required by this Agreement, (i) all management powers over the business and affairs of the Company shall be exclusively vested in the Corporation, as the sole managing member of the Company (the Corporation, in such capacity, the “Manager”), (ii) the Manager shall conduct, direct and exercise full control over all activities of the Company and (iii) no other Member shall have any right, authority or power to vote, consent or approve any matter, whether under the Delaware Act, this Agreement or otherwise. The Manager shall be the “manager” of the Company for the purposes of the Delaware Act. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Manager of all such powers and rights conferred on the Members by the Delaware Act with respect to the management and control of the Company. Any vacancies in the position of Manager shall be filled in accordance with Section 6.04.
(b)    Without limiting the authority of the Manager to act on behalf of the Company, the day-to-day business and operations of the Company shall be overseen and implemented by officers of the Company (each, an “Officer” and collectively, the “Officers”), subject to the limitations imposed by the Manager. An Officer may, but need not, be a Member. Each Officer shall be appointed by the Manager and shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly designated and shall qualify or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any one Person may hold more than one office. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement (including in Section 6.07 below), the salaries or other compensation, if any, of the Officers of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Manager. The authority and responsibility of the Officers shall be limited to such duties as the Manager may, from time to time, delegate to them. Unless the Manager decides otherwise, if the title is one commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to such person of the authorities and duties that are normally associated with that office. All Officers shall be, and shall be deemed to be, officers and employees of the Company. An Officer may also perform one or more roles as an officer of the Manager. Any Officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Manager.
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(c)    Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Manager shall have the power and authority to effectuate the sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition of any, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (including the exercise or grant of any conversion, option, privilege or subscription right or any other right available in connection with any assets at any time held by the Company) or the merger, consolidation, conversion, division, reorganization or other combination of the Company with or into another entity, for the avoidance of doubt, without the prior consent of any Member or any other Person being required.
Section 6.02    Actions of the Manager. The Manager may act through any Officer or through any other Person or Persons to whom authority and duties have been delegated pursuant to Section 6.07.
Section 6.03    Resignation; No Removal. The Manager may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Members; provided, however, that any such resignation shall be subject to the appointment of a new Manager in accordance with Section 6.04. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Members (subject to the appointment of a new Manager in accordance with Section 6.04), and the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. For the avoidance of doubt, the Members have no right under this Agreement to remove or replace the Manager. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no replacement of the Corporation as the Manager shall be effective unless proper provision is made, in compliance with this Agreement, so that the obligations of the Corporation, its successor or assign (if applicable) and any new Manager and the rights of all Members under this Agreement and applicable Law remain in full force and effect. No appointment of a Person other than the Corporation (or its successor or assign, as applicable) as the Manager shall be effective unless the Corporation (or its successor or assign, as applicable) and the new Manager (as applicable) provide all other Members with contractual rights, directly enforceable by such other Members against the Corporation (or its successor, as applicable) and the new Manager (as applicable), to cause (a) the Corporation to comply with all of the Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement (in its capacity as a Member) and (b) the new Manager to comply with all of the Manger’s obligations under this Agreement.
Section 6.04    Vacancies. Vacancies in the position of Manager occurring for any reason shall be filled by the Corporation (or, if the Corporation has ceased to exist without any successor or assign, then by the holders of a majority in interest of the voting capital stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such cessation). For the avoidance of doubt, the Members (other than the Corporation) have no right under this Agreement to fill any vacancy in the position of Manager.
Section 6.05    Transactions Between the Company and the Manager. The Manager may cause the Company to contract and deal with the Manager, or any Affiliate of the Manager, provided, that such contracts and dealings (other than contracts and dealings between the Company and its Subsidiaries) are (i) on terms comparable to and competitive with those available to the Company from others dealing at arm’s length, (ii) approved by the Members (other than the Manager) holding a majority of the Percentage Interests of the Members (other than the Manager) or (iii) approved by the Disinterested Majority, and in each case, otherwise are
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permitted by the Credit Agreements; provided that the foregoing shall in no way limit the Manager’s rights under Sections 3.02, 3.04, 3.05 or 3.10. The Members hereby approve each of the contracts or agreements between or among the Manager or its Affiliates (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries), on the one hand, and the Company or its Affiliates (other than the Manager and any of the Company’s Subsidiaries), on the other hand, entered into on or prior to the date of this Agreement in accordance with the Second A&R LLC Agreement or that the board of managers of the Company or the Corporate Board has approved in connection with the Recapitalization or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement as of the date of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Common Unit and Sponsor Earnout Unit Subscription Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement.
Section 6.06    Reimbursement for Expenses. The Manager shall not be compensated for its services as Manager of the Company except as expressly provided in this Agreement. The Members acknowledge and agree that the Manager’s Class A Common Stock is publicly traded and, therefore, the Manager has access to the public capital markets and that such status and the services performed by the Manager will inure to the benefit of the Company and all Members; therefore, the Manager shall be reimbursed by the Company for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company, including, without limitation, all fees, expenses and costs associated with being a public company (including, without limitation, public reporting obligations, proxy statements, stockholder meetings, Stock Exchange fees, transfer agent fees, legal fees, SEC and FINRA filing fees and offering expenses) and maintaining its corporate existence. In the event that shares of Class A Common Stock are sold to underwriters in any subsequent public offering at a price per share that is lower than the price per share for which such shares of Class A Common Stock are sold to the public in such subsequent public offering, after taking into account underwriters’ discounts or commissions and brokers’ fees or commissions (such difference, the “Discount”) (i) the Manager shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company in exchange for newly issued Common Units the full amount for which such shares of Class A Common Stock were sold to the public and (ii) the Company shall be deemed to have paid the Discount as an expense. In accordance with the foregoing and Sections 2.04(b) and 2.04(c) of the Transaction Agreement, the Manager also shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company in exchange for newly issued Common Units the Acquiror Transaction Costs and Company Transaction Costs (in each case, as defined therein). To the extent practicable, expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company shall be billed directly to and paid by the Company and, if and to the extent any reimbursements to the Manager or any of its Affiliates by the Company pursuant to this Section 6.06 constitute gross income to such Person (as opposed to the repayment of advances made by such Person on behalf of the Company), such amounts shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c) (unless otherwise required by the Code and Treasury Regulations) and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Members’ Capital Accounts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not bear any obligations with respect to income tax of the Manager or any payments made pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement other than in a manner that is expressly contemplated under this Agreement.
Section 6.07    Delegation of Authority. The Manager (a) may, from time to time, delegate to one or more Persons such authority and duties as the Manager may deem advisable,
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and (b) may assign titles (including, without limitation, chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, general counsel, senior vice president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer or assistant treasurer) and delegate certain authority and duties to such Persons, which may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time. Any number of titles may be held by the same individual. The salaries or other compensation, if any, of such agents of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Manager, subject to the other provisions in this Agreement.
Section 6.08    Limitation of Liability of Manager.
(a)    Except as otherwise provided herein or in an agreement entered into by such Person and the Company, neither the Manager nor any of the Manager’s Affiliates or Manager’s officers, directors, employees or other agents (collectively “Manager’s Representatives”) shall be liable to the Company, to any Member that is not the Manager or to any other Person bound by this Agreement for any act or omission performed or omitted by the Manager in its capacity as the sole managing member of the Company pursuant to authority granted to the Manager by this Agreement; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided herein, such limitation of liability shall not apply to the extent the act or omission was attributable to the Manager’s or a Manager’s Representative’s intentional misconduct or knowing violation of Law or for any present or future material breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by the Manager or any Manager’s Representative contained herein or in the Other Agreements with the Company. The Manager may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent (so long as such agent was selected in good faith and with reasonable care). The Manager shall be entitled to rely upon the advice of legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts, including financial advisors, and any act of or failure to act by the Manager in good faith reliance on such advice shall in no event subject the Manager to liability to the Company or any Member that is not the Manager.
(b)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, whenever this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein provides that the Manager shall act in a manner which is, or provide terms which are, “fair and reasonable” to the Company or any Member that is not the Manager, the Manager shall determine such appropriate action or provide such terms considering, in each case, the relative interests of each party to such agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable United States generally accepted accounting practices or principles, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or in any agreement contemplated herein or applicable provisions of Law or equity or otherwise.
(c)    In connection with the performance of its duties as the Manager of the Company, except as otherwise set forth herein, the Manager acknowledges that, solely in its capacity as Manager, it will owe to the Members the same fiduciary duties as it would owe to the stockholders of a Delaware corporation if it were a member of the board of directors of such a corporation and the Members were stockholders of such corporation.
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Section 6.09    Investment Company Act. The Manager shall use its best efforts to ensure that the Company shall not be subject to registration as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act.
ARTICLE VII.
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS AND MANAGER
Section 7.01    Limitation of Liability and Duties of Members.
(a)    Except as provided in this Agreement or in the Delaware Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company and no Member or Manager shall be obligated personally for any such debts, obligations, contracts or liabilities of the Company solely by reason of being a Member or the Manager (except to the extent and under the circumstances set forth in any non-waivable provision of the Delaware Act). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the failure of the Company to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business and affairs under this Agreement or the Delaware Act shall not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Members for liabilities of the Company.
(b)    In accordance with the Delaware Act and the laws of the State of Delaware, a Member may, under certain circumstances, be required to return amounts previously distributed to such Member. It is the intent of the Members that no Distribution to any Member pursuant to Articles IV or XIV shall be deemed a return of money or other property paid or distributed in violation of the Delaware Act. The payment of any such money or Distribution of any such property to a Member shall be deemed to be a compromise within the meaning of Section 18-502(b) of the Delaware Act, and, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any Member receiving any such money or property shall not be required to return any such money or property to the Company or any other Person, unless such distribution was made by the Company to its Members in clerical error. However, if any court of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to make any such payment, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member and not of any other Member.
(c)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, including Section 18-1101(c) of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (but subject, and without limitation, to Section 6.08 with respect to the Manager) or in any Agreement contemplated herein or applicable provisions of Law or equity or otherwise, the parties hereto hereby agree that to the extent that any Member (other than the Manager in its capacity as such) (or any Member’s Affiliate or any manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of any Member or of any Affiliate of a Member) has duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, to the Manager, to another Member, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Unit or to any other Person bound by this Agreement, all such duties (including fiduciary duties) are hereby eliminated, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and replaced with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein, if any; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not eliminate the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair
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dealing. The elimination of duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, the Manager, each of the Members, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Unit and each other Person bound by this Agreement and replacement thereof with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein, if any, are approved by the Company, the Manager, each of the Members, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Unit and each other Person bound by this Agreement.
Section 7.02    Lack of Authority. No Member, other than the Manager or a duly appointed Officer, in each case in its capacity as such, has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditure on behalf of the Company. The Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Manager of the powers conferred on it by Law and this Agreement.
Section 7.03    No Right of Partition. No Member, other than the Manager, shall have the right to seek or obtain partition by court decree or operation of Law of any property of the Company, or the right to own or use particular or individual assets of the Company.
Section 7.04    Indemnification.
(a)    Subject to Section 5.06, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Person (each an “Indemnified Person”) to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, substituted or replaced (but, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, in the case of any such amendment, substitution or replacement only to the extent that such amendment, substitution or replacement permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than the Company is providing immediately prior to such amendment, substitution or replacement), against all expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Person (or one or more of such Person’s Affiliates) by reason of the fact that such Person is or was a Member or an Affiliate thereof (other than as a result of an ownership interest in the Corporation) or is or was serving as the Manager or a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Manager, the Partnership Representative, or a director, manager, Officer, employee or other agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, officer, director, principal, member, employee or agent of another Person; provided, however, that no Indemnified Person shall be indemnified for any expenses, liabilities and losses suffered that are attributable to such Indemnified Person’s or its Affiliates’ fraud, willful misconduct or knowing violation of Law or for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by such Indemnified Person or its Affiliates contained herein or in Other Agreements with the Company. Reasonable expenses, including out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees, incurred by any such Indemnified Person in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding, including any appeal therefrom, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.
(b)    The right to indemnification and the advancement of expenses conferred in this Section 7.04 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, agreement, bylaw, action by the Manager or otherwise.
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(c)    The Company shall maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, or substantially equivalent insurance, at its expense, to protect any Indemnified Person against any expense, liability or loss described in Section 7.04(a) whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Indemnified Person against such expense, liability or loss under the provisions of this Section 7.04. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to purchase and maintain property, casualty and liability insurance in types and at levels customary for companies of similar size engaged in similar lines of business, as determined in good faith by the Manager, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (including employment practices coverage) with a carrier and in an amount determined necessary or desirable as determined in good faith by the Manager.
(d)    The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for in this Section 7.04 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only. No Member (unless such Member otherwise agrees in writing or is found in a non-appealable decision by a Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction to have personal liability on account thereof) shall have personal liability on account thereof or shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions to help satisfy such indemnity of the Company. The Company (i) shall be the primary indemnitor of first resort for such Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 7.04 and (ii) shall be fully responsible for the advancement of all expenses and the payment of all damages or liabilities with respect to such Indemnified Person which are addressed by this Section 7.04.
(e)    If this Section 7.04 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person pursuant to this Section 7.04 to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 7.04 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.
ARTICLE VIII.
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS, AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Section 8.01    Records and Accounting. The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, appropriate books and records with respect to the Company’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide any information, lists and copies of documents required pursuant to applicable Laws. All matters concerning (a) the determination of the relative amount of allocations and Distributions among the Members pursuant to Articles IV and V and (b) accounting procedures and determinations, and other determinations not specifically and expressly provided for by the terms of this Agreement, shall be determined by the Manager, whose determination shall be final and conclusive as to all of the Members absent manifest clerical error or common law fraud.
Section 8.02    Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year of the Company shall end on December 31 of each year or such other date as may be established by the Manager.
Section 8.03    Inspection Rights. The Company shall permit each Member and each of its designated representatives, at such Member’s sole cost and expense, to examine the books and
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records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at the principal office of the Company or such other location as the Manager shall reasonably approve during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice for any purpose reasonably related to such Member’s Units; provided, that Manager has a right to keep confidential from the Members certain information in accordance with Section 18-305 of the Delaware Act.
ARTICLE IX.
TAX MATTERS
Section 9.01    Preparation of Tax Returns. The Manager shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all tax returns required to be filed by the Company. The Manager shall use reasonable efforts (taking into account applicable extensions of time to file tax returns) to furnish, within two hundred fifteen (215) days of the close of each Taxable Year, to each Member a completed IRS Schedule K-1 (and any comparable state and local income tax form) and such other information as is reasonably requested by such Member relating to the Company that is necessary for such Member to comply with its tax reporting obligations. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, in its capacity as Partnership Representative, the Corporation shall have the authority to prepare the tax returns of the Company using such permissible methods and elections as it determines in its reasonable discretion, including without limitation the use of any permissible method under Section 706 of the Code for purposes of determining the varying Units of its Members.
Section 9.02    Tax Elections. The Taxable Year shall be the Fiscal Year set forth in Section 8.02, unless otherwise required by Section 706 of the Code. The Manager shall cause the Company and each of its Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes to have in effect an election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code (or any similar provisions of applicable state, local or foreign tax Law) for the Taxable Year that includes the Effective Time and each subsequent Taxable Year, and the Manager shall take commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Person in which the Company owns a direct or indirect equity interest (other than a Subsidiary) that is so treated as a partnership to have in effect any such election for such Taxable Years. Each Member will upon request supply any information reasonably necessary to give proper effect to any such elections.
Section 9.03    Tax Controversies. The Manager shall cause the Company to take all necessary actions required by Law to designate the Corporation as the “tax matters partner” of the Company within the meaning of Section 6231 of the Code (as in effect prior to repeal of such section pursuant to the Revised Partnership Audit Provisions) with respect any Taxable Year beginning on or before December 31, 2017. The Manager shall further cause the Company to take all necessary actions required by Law to designate the Corporation as the “partnership representative” of the Company as provided in Section 6223(a) of the Code with respect to any Taxable Year of the Company beginning after December 31, 2017, and if the “partnership representative” is an entity, the Corporation is hereby authorized to designate an individual to be the sole individual through which such entity “partnership representative” will act (in such capacities, including in similar capacities under analogous provisions of state or local Law,
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collectively, the “Partnership Representative”). The Company and the Members shall cooperate fully with each other and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Corporation (or its designated individual, as applicable) to become the Partnership Representative with respect to any taxable period of the Company with respect to which the statute of limitations has not yet expired (and causing any tax matters partner, partnership representative or designated individual designated prior to the Effective Time to resign, be revoked or replaced, as applicable), including (as applicable) by filing certifications pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 301.6231(a)(7)-1(d) and completing IRS Form 8979 or any other form or certificate required pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 301.6223-1(e)(1). The Partnership Representative shall have the right and obligation to take all actions authorized and required, by the Code and Treasury Regulations (and analogous provisions of state or local Law) for the Partnership Representative and is authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Company’s affairs by tax authorities, including any resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Company funds for professional services reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Each Member agrees to cooperate with the Company and the Partnership Representative and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Company or the Partnership Representative with respect to the conduct of such proceedings. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, with respect to any audit or other proceeding, the Partnership Representative shall be entitled to cause the Company (and any of its Subsidiaries) to make any available elections pursuant to Section 6226 of the Code (and similar provisions of state, local and other Law), and the Members shall cooperate to the extent reasonably requested by the Company in connection therewith. The Company shall reimburse the Partnership Representative for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Partnership Representative, including reasonable fees of any professional attorneys, in carrying out its duties as the Partnership Representative. The provisions of this Section 9.03 shall survive the transfer or termination of any Member’s interest in any Units of the Company, the termination of this Agreement and the termination of the Company, and shall remain binding on each Member for the period of time necessary to resolve all tax matters relating to the Company, and shall be subject to the provisions of the Tax Receivable Agreement, as applicable.
Section 9.04    Transaction Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to the extent of any conflict between this Article IX and Section 9.14 of the Transaction Agreement, Section 9.14 of the Transaction Agreement shall control with respect to the matters described therein.
ARTICLE X.
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF UNITS; CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Section 10.01    Transfers by Members. No holder of Units shall Transfer any interest in any Units, except Transfers (a) pursuant to and in accordance with Sections 10.02 and 10.09 or (b) approved in advance and in writing by the Manager, in the case of Transfers by any Member other than the Manager, or (c) in the case of Transfers by the Manager, to any Person who succeeds to the Manager in accordance with Section 6.04. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Transfer” shall not include (i) an event that terminates the existence of a Member for income
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tax purposes (including, without limitation, a change in entity classification of a Member under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3, a sale of assets by, or liquidation of, a Member pursuant to an election under Code Sections 336 or 338, or merger, severance, or allocation within a trust or among sub-trusts of a trust that is a Member), but that does not terminate the existence of such Member under applicable state Law (or, in the case of a trust that is a Member, does not terminate the trusteeship of the fiduciaries under such trust with respect to all the Units of such trust that is a Member) or (ii) any indirect Transfer of Units held by the Manager by virtue of any Transfer of Equity Securities in the Corporation.
Section 10.02    Permitted Transfers. The restrictions contained in Section 10.01 shall not apply to any of the following (each, a “Permitted Transfer” and each transferee, a “Permitted Transferee”): (i)(A) a Transfer pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange in accordance with Article XI hereof or (B) a Transfer by a Member to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) a Transfer to an Affiliate of such Member; provided, however, that (x) the restrictions contained in this Agreement will continue to apply to Units after any Permitted Transfer of such Units, and (y) in the case of the foregoing clause (ii), the Permitted Transferees of the Units so Transferred shall at the time of the Permitted Transfer agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, and prior to such Transfer the transferor will deliver a written notice to the Company and the Members, which notice will disclose in reasonable detail the identity of the proposed Permitted Transferee. If a Permitted Transfer pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence would result in a Change of Control, such Member must provide the Manager with written notice of such proposed Permitted Transfer at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the consummation of such Permitted Transfer. In the case of a Permitted Transfer of any Common Units by any Member holding Class B Common Stock to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with this Section 10.02, such Member shall also transfer a number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to the number of Common Units that were transferred by such Member in the transaction to such Permitted Transferee. All Permitted Transfers are subject to the additional limitations set forth in Section 10.07(b).
Section 10.03    Restricted Units Legend. The Units have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, in addition to the other restrictions on Transfer contained in this Agreement, cannot be sold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or if an exemption from such registration is then available with respect to such sale. To the extent such Units have been certificated, each certificate evidencing Units and each certificate issued in exchange for or upon the Transfer of any Units shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SPECIFIED IN THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF MARKETWISE, LLC, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED,
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RESTATED, AMENDED AND RESTATED, OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND MARKETWISE, LLC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED WITH RESPECT TO ANY TRANSFER. A COPY OF SUCH CONDITIONS SHALL BE FURNISHED BY MARKETWISE, LLC TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.”
The Company shall imprint such legend on certificates (if any) evidencing Units. The legend set forth above shall be removed from the certificates (if any) evidencing any Units which cease to be Units in accordance with the definition thereof.
Section 10.04    Transfer. Prior to Transferring any Units, the Transferring holder of Units shall cause the prospective Permitted Transferee to be bound by this Agreement and any other agreements executed by the holders of Units and relating to such Units in the aggregate to which the Transferring Member was a party (collectively, the “Other Agreements”) by executing and delivering to the Company counterparts of this Agreement and any applicable Other Agreements.
Section 10.05    Assignee’s Rights.
(a)    The Transfer of a Unit in accordance with this Agreement shall be effective as of the date of such Transfer (assuming compliance with all of the conditions to such Transfer set forth herein), and such Transfer shall be shown on the books and records of the Company. Profits, Losses and other items of the Company shall be allocated between the transferor and the transferee according to Code Section 706, using any permissible method as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Manager. Distributions made before the effective date of such Transfer shall be paid to the transferor, and Distributions made on or after such date shall be paid to the Assignee.
(b)    Unless and until an Assignee becomes a Member pursuant to Article XII, the Assignee shall not be entitled to any of the rights granted to a Member hereunder or under applicable Law, other than the rights granted specifically to Assignees pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that, without relieving the Transferring Member from any such limitations or obligations as more fully described in Section 10.06, such Assignee shall be bound by any limitations and obligations of a Member contained herein by which a Member would be bound on account of the Assignee’s Units (including the obligation to make Capital Contributions on account of such Units).
Section 10.06    Assignor’s Rights and Obligations. Any Member who shall Transfer any Unit in a manner in accordance with this Agreement shall cease to be a Member with respect to such Units and shall no longer have any rights or privileges, or, except as set forth in this Section 10.06, duties, liabilities or obligations, of a Member with respect to such Units or other interest (it being understood, however, that the applicable provisions of Sections 6.08 and 7.04 shall continue to inure to such Person’s benefit), except that unless and until the Assignee (if not already a Member) is admitted as a Substituted Member in accordance with the provisions of Article XII (the “Admission Date”), (i) such Transferring Member shall retain all of the duties, liabilities and obligations of a Member with respect to such Units, and (ii) the Manager may, in
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its sole discretion, reinstate all or any portion of the rights and privileges of such Member with respect to such Units for any period of time prior to the Admission Date. Nothing contained herein shall relieve any Member who Transfers any Units in the Company from any liability of such Member to the Company with respect to such Units that may exist as of the Admission Date or that is otherwise specified in the Delaware Act or for any liability to the Company or any other Person for any materially false statement made by such Member (in its capacity as such) or for any present or future breaches of any representations, warranties or covenants by such Member (in its capacity as such) contained herein or in the Other Agreements with the Company.
Section 10.07    Overriding Provisions.
(a)    Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Units in violation of this Agreement (including any prohibited indirect Transfers) shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, null and void ab initio, and the provisions of Sections 10.05 and 10.06 shall not apply to any such Transfers. For the avoidance of doubt, any Person to whom a Transfer is made or attempted in violation of this Agreement shall not become a Member and shall not have any other rights in or with respect to any rights of a Member of the Company with respect to the applicable Units. The approval of any Transfer in any one or more instances shall not limit or waive the requirement for such approval in any other or future instance. The Manager shall promptly amend the Schedule of Members to reflect any Permitted Transfer pursuant to this Article X.
(b)    Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 10.01 and Article XI and Article XII), in no event shall any Member Transfer any Units to the extent such Transfer would:
(i)    result in the violation of the Securities Act, or any other applicable federal, state or foreign Laws;
(ii)    cause an assignment under the Investment Company Act;
(iii)    in the reasonable determination of the Manager, be a violation of or a default (or an event that, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in an acceleration of any obligation under any Credit Agreement to which the Company or the Manager is a party; provided that the payee or creditor to whom the Company or the Manager owes such obligation is not an Affiliate of the Company or the Manager;
(iv)    be a Transfer to a Person who is not legally competent or who has not achieved his or her majority of age under applicable Law (excluding trusts for the benefit of minors);
(v)    be a Transfer to a Competitor;
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(vi)    cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” or to be taxed as a corporation pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code or any successor provision thereto under the Code; or
(vii)    result in the Company having more than one hundred (100) partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1) (determined pursuant to the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)).
(c)    Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Member that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code Transfer any Units (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with a Redemption or a Direct Exchange), unless such Member and the transferee have delivered to the Company, in respect of the relevant Transfer (or Redemption or Direct Exchange, as applicable), written evidence that all required withholding under Section 1446(f) of the Code will have been done and duly remitted to the applicable Governmental Entity or duly executed certifications (prepared in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations or other authorities) of an exemption from such withholding; provided, that the Company shall cooperate in the manner set forth in Section 11.06(a) with any reasonable requests from such Member for certifications or other information from the Company in connection with satisfying this Section 10.07(c) prior to the relevant Transfer (or Redemption or Direct Exchange, as applicable).
Section 10.08    Spousal Consent. In connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any Member who is a natural person will deliver to the Company an executed consent from such Member’s spouse (if any) in the form of Exhibit B-1 attached hereto or a Member’s spouse confirmation of separate property in the form of Exhibit B-2 attached hereto. If, at any time subsequent to the date of this Agreement such Member becomes legally married (whether in the first instance or to a different spouse), such Member shall cause his or her spouse to execute and deliver to the Company a consent in the form of Exhibit B-1 or Exhibit B-2 attached hereto. Such Member’s non-delivery to the Company of an executed consent in the form of Exhibit B-1 or Exhibit B-2 at any time shall constitute such Member’s continuing representation and warranty that such Member is not legally married as of such date.
Section 10.09    Certain Transactions with respect to the Corporation(a)    .
(a)    In connection with a Change of Control Transaction, the Manager shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require each Member (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) to effect a Redemption of all or a portion of such Member’s Units together with an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock, pursuant to which such Units and such shares of Class B Common Stock will be exchanged for shares of Class A Common Stock (or economically equivalent cash or securities of a successor entity) in accordance with the Redemption provisions of Article XI, mutatis mutandis (applied for this purpose as if the Corporation had delivered an Election Notice that specified a Share Settlement with respect to such Redemption) and otherwise in accordance with this Section 10.09(a). Any such Redemption pursuant to this Section 10.09(a) shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control Transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be contingent upon the consummation of such Change of Control Transaction and shall not be
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effective if such Change of Control Transaction is not consummated) (the date of such Redemption pursuant to this Section 10.09(a), the “Change of Control Date”). From and after the Change of Control Date, (i) the Units and any shares of Class B Common Stock subject to such Redemption shall be deemed to be transferred to the Corporation on the Change of Control Date and (ii) each such Member shall cease to have any rights with respect to the Units and any shares of Class B Common Stock subject to such Redemption (other than the right to receive shares of Class A Common Stock (or economically equivalent cash or Equity Securities in a successor entity) pursuant to such Redemption). In the event the Manager desires to initiate the provisions of this Section 10.09, the Manager shall provide written notice of an expected Change of Control Transaction to all Members within the earlier of (x) five (5) Business Days following the execution of a definitive agreement with respect to such Change of Control Transaction and (y) ten (10) Business Days before the proposed date upon which the contemplated Change of Control Transaction is to be effected, including in such notice such information as may reasonably describe the Change of Control Transaction, subject to applicable Law, including the date of execution of such definitive agreement or such proposed effective date, as applicable, the amount and types of consideration to be paid for shares of Class A Common Stock in the Change of Control Transaction and any election with respect to types of consideration that a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, shall be entitled to make in connection with a Change of Control Transaction (which election shall be available to each Member on the same terms as holders of shares of Class A Common Stock). Following delivery of such notice and on or prior to the Change of Control Date, the Members shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Corporation to effect such Redemption, including taking any action and delivering any document required pursuant to this Section 10.09(a) to effect such Redemption.
(b)    In the event that a tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid, recapitalization, or similar transaction with respect to Class A Common Stock (a “Pubco Offer”) is proposed by the Corporation or is proposed to the Corporation or its stockholders and approved by the Corporate Board or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the Corporate Board, the Manager shall provide written notice of the Pubco Offer to all Members within the earlier of (i) five (5) Business Days following the execution of a definitive agreement (if applicable) with respect to, or the commencement of (if applicable), such Pubco Offer and (ii) ten (10) Business Days before the proposed date upon which the Pubco Offer is to be effected, including in such notice such information as may reasonably describe the Pubco Offer, subject to applicable Law, including the date of execution of such definitive agreement (if applicable) or of such commencement (if applicable), the material terms of such Pubco Offer, including the amount and types of consideration to be received by holders of shares of Class A Common Stock in the Pubco Offer, any election with respect to types of consideration that a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock, as applicable, shall be entitled to make in connection with such Pubco Offer, and the number of Units (and the corresponding shares of Class B Common Stock) held by such Member that is applicable to such Pubco Offer. The Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) shall be permitted to participate in such Pubco Offer by delivering a written notice of participation that is effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Pubco Offer (and that is contingent upon consummation of such offer), and shall include such information necessary for consummation of such offer as requested by the Corporation. In the case of any Pubco Offer that was initially proposed by the
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Corporation, the Corporation shall use reasonable best efforts to enable and permit the Members (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries) to participate in such transaction to the same extent or on an economically equivalent basis as the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock, and to enable such Members to participate in such transaction without being required to exchange Units or shares of Class B Common Stock prior to the consummation of such transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Members be entitled to receive in such Pubco Offer aggregate consideration for each Common Unit that is greater than the consideration payable in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock in connection with a Pubco Offer (it being understood that payments under or in respect of the Tax Receivable Agreement shall not be considered part of any such consideration).
(c)    In the event that a transaction or proposed transaction constitutes both a Change of Control Transaction and a Pubco Offer, the provisions of Section 10.09(a) shall take precedence over the provisions of Section 10.09(b) with respect to such transaction, and the provisions of Section 10.09(b) shall be subordinate to provisions of Section 10.09(a), and may only be triggered if the Manager elects to waive the provisions of Section 10.09(a).
ARTICLE XI.
REDEMPTION AND DIRECT EXCHANGE RIGHTS
Section 11.01    Redemption Right of a Member.
(a)    Each Member (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries), from and after the expiration of any contractual lock-up period relating to the shares of the Corporation that may be applicable to such Member shall be entitled to cause the Company to redeem (a “Redemption”) its Common Units (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Common Units that are subject to vesting conditions) in whole or in part (the “Redemption Right”); provided, that if such a Member elects to cause the Redemption of less than 250,000 Common Units, then such Member shall be required to deliver the Redemption Notice with respect to such Redemption during the first fifteen (15) Business Days of any calendar quarter. A Member desiring to exercise its Redemption Right (each, a “Redeeming Member”) shall exercise such right by giving written notice (the “Redemption Notice”) to the Company with a copy to the Corporation. The Redemption Notice shall specify the number of Common Units (the “Redeemed Units”) that the Redeeming Member intends to have the Company redeem and a date, not less than five (5) Business Days nor more than ten (10) Business Days after delivery of such Redemption Notice (unless and to the extent that the Manager in its sole discretion agrees in writing to waive such time periods), on which exercise of the Redemption Right shall be completed (the “Redemption Date”); provided, however, that, the Company, the Corporation and the Redeeming Member may change the number of Redeemed Units and/or the Redemption Date specified in such Redemption Notice to another number and/or date by mutual agreement signed in writing by each of them; provided, further, that in the event the Corporation elects a Share Settlement, the Redemption may be conditioned (including as to timing) by the Redeeming Member on the closing of an underwritten distribution of the shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed Redemption. Subject to Section 11.03 and unless the Redeeming Member timely has delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section 11.01(c) or
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has revoked or delayed a Redemption as provided in Section 11.01(d), on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date):
(i)    the Redeeming Member shall Transfer and surrender, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances (x) the Redeemed Units to the Company (including any certificates representing the Redeemed Units if they are certificated), and (y) a number of shares of Class B Common Stock (together with any Corresponding Rights) equal to the number of Redeemed Units to the Corporation, to the extent applicable;
(ii)    the Company shall (x) cancel the Redeemed Units, (y) transfer to the Redeeming Member the consideration to which the Redeeming Member is entitled under Section 11.01(b), and (z) if the Common Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of Common Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Common Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 11.01(a) and the Redeemed Units; and
(iii)    the Corporation shall cancel and retire for no consideration the shares of Class B Common Stock (together with any Corresponding Rights) that were Transferred to the Corporation pursuant to Section 11.01(a)(i)(y) above.
(b)    The Corporation shall have the option (as determined solely by the Disinterested Majority) as provided in Section 11.02 to elect to have the Redeemed Units be redeemed in consideration for either a Share Settlement or a Cash Settlement; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Corporation may elect to have the Redeemed Units be redeemed in consideration for a Cash Settlement only to the extent that the Corporation has cash available in an amount equal to at least the Redeemed Units Equivalent, which cash was received from a Qualified Offering. The Corporation shall give written notice (the “Election Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to the Redeeming Member) of such election within three (3) Business Days of receiving the Redemption Notice; provided, that if the Corporation does not timely deliver an Election Notice, the Corporation shall be deemed to have elected the Share Settlement method (subject to the limitations set forth above).
(c)    In the event the Corporation elects the Cash Settlement in connection with a Redemption, the Redeeming Member may retract its Redemption Notice by giving written notice (the “Retraction Notice”) to the Company (with a copy to the Corporation) within three (3) Business Days of delivery of the Election Notice. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice shall terminate all of the Redeeming Member’s, the Company’s and the Corporation’s rights and obligations under this Section 11.01 arising from the related Redemption Notice.
(d)    In the event the Corporation elects a Share Settlement in connection with a Redemption, a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to revoke its Redemption Notice or delay the consummation of a Redemption if any of the following conditions exists:
(i)    any registration statement pursuant to which the resale of the Class A Common Stock to be registered for such Redeeming Member at or immediately
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following the consummation of the Redemption shall have ceased to be effective pursuant to any action or inaction by the SEC or no such resale registration statement has yet become effective;
(ii)    the Corporation shall have failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such Redemption;
(iii)    the Corporation shall have exercised its right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Redeeming Member to have its Class A Common Stock registered at or immediately following the consummation of the Redemption;
(iv)    the Redeeming Member is in possession of any material non-public information concerning the Corporation, the receipt of which results in such Redeeming Member being prohibited or restricted from selling Class A Common Stock at or immediately following the Redemption without disclosure of such information (and the Corporation does not permit disclosure of such information);
(v)    any stop order relating to the registration statement pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock was to be registered by such Redeeming Member at or immediately following the Redemption shall have been issued by the SEC;
(vi)    there shall have occurred a material disruption in the securities markets generally or in the market or markets in which the Class A Common Stock is then traded;
(vii)    there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any Governmental Entity that restrains or prohibits the Redemption;
(viii)    the Corporation shall have failed to comply in all material respects with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, and such failure shall have affected the ability of such Redeeming Member to consummate the resale of Class A Common Stock to be received upon such Redemption pursuant to an effective registration statement; or
(ix)    the Redemption Date would occur three (3) Business Days or less prior to, or during, a Black-Out Period.
If a Redeeming Member delays the consummation of a Redemption pursuant to this Section 11.01(d), the Redemption Date shall occur on the fifth (5th) Business Day following the date on which the condition(s) giving rise to such delay cease to exist (or such earlier day as the Corporation, the Company and such Redeeming Member may agree in writing).
(e)    The number of shares of Class A Common Stock (or Redeemed Units Equivalent, if applicable) (together with any Corresponding Rights) applicable to any Share Settlement or Cash Settlement shall not be adjusted on account of any Distributions previously made with
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respect to the Redeemed Units or dividends previously paid with respect to Class A Common Stock; provided, however, that if a Redeeming Member causes the Company to redeem Redeemed Units and the Redemption Date occurs subsequent to the record date for any Distribution with respect to the Redeemed Units but prior to payment of such Distribution, the Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive such Distribution with respect to the Redeemed Units on the date that it is made notwithstanding that the Redeeming Member Transferred and surrendered the Redeemed Units to the Company prior to such date; provided, further, however, that a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive any and all Tax Distributions that such Redeeming Member otherwise would have received in respect of income allocated to such Member for the portion of any Fiscal Year irrespective of whether such Tax Distribution(s) are declared or made after the Redemption Date.
(f)    In the case of a Share Settlement, in the event a reclassification or other similar transaction occurs following delivery of a Redemption Notice, but prior to the Redemption Date, as a result of which shares of Class A Common Stock are converted into another security, then a Redeeming Member shall be entitled to receive the amount of such other security (and, if applicable, any Corresponding Rights) that the Redeeming Member would have received if such Redemption Right had been exercised and the Redemption Date had occurred immediately prior to the record date of such reclassification or other similar transaction.
(g)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither the Company nor the Corporation shall be obligated to effectuate a Redemption if such Redemption could (as determined in the sole discretion of the Manager) cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” or to be taxed as a corporation pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code or successor provisions of the Code.
Section 11.02    Election and Contribution of the Corporation. Unless the Redeeming Member has timely delivered a Retraction Notice as provided in Section 11.01(c), or has revoked or delayed a Redemption as provided in Sections 11.01(d), subject to Section 11.03, on the Redemption Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Redemption Date) (i) the Corporation shall make a Capital Contribution to the Company (in the form of the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as determined by the Corporation in accordance with Section 11.01(b)), and (ii) the Company shall issue to the Corporation a number of Common Units equal to the number of Redeemed Units surrendered by the Redeeming Member. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to Section 11.03, in the event that the Corporation elects a Cash Settlement, the Corporation shall only be obligated to contribute to the Company an amount in respect of such Cash Settlement equal to the Redeemed Units Equivalent with respect to such Cash Settlement, which in no event shall exceed the amount actually paid by the Company to the Redeeming Member as the Cash Settlement. The timely delivery of a Retraction Notice shall terminate all of the Company’s and the Corporation’s rights and obligations under this Section 11.02 arising from the Redemption Notice.
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Section 11.03    Direct Exchange Right of the Corporation.
(a)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article XI (save for the limitations set forth in Section 11.01(b) regarding the Corporation’s option to select the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, and without limitation to the rights of the Members under Section 11.01, including the right to revoke a Redemption Notice), the Corporation may, in its sole and absolute discretion (as determined solely by the Disinterested Majority) (subject to the limitations set forth on such discretion in Section 11.01(b)), elect to effect on the Redemption Date the exchange of Redeemed Units for the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as the case may be, through a direct exchange of such Redeemed Units and the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as applicable, between the Redeeming Member and the Corporation (a “Direct Exchange”) (rather than contributing the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as the case may be, to the Company in accordance with Section 11.02 for purposes of the Company redeeming the Redeemed Units from the Redeeming Member in consideration of the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as applicable). Upon such Direct Exchange pursuant to this Section 11.03, the Corporation shall acquire the Redeemed Units and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as the owner of such Units.
(b)    The Corporation may, at any time prior to a Redemption Date (including after delivery of an Election Notice pursuant to Section 11.01(b)), deliver written notice (an “Exchange Election Notice”) to the Company and the Redeeming Member setting forth its election to exercise its right to consummate a Direct Exchange; provided, that such election is subject to the limitations set forth in Section 11.01(b) and does not unreasonably prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption or Direct Exchange on the Redemption Date. An Exchange Election Notice may be revoked by the Corporation at any time; provided, that any such revocation does not unreasonably prejudice the ability of the parties to consummate a Redemption or Direct Exchange on the Redemption Date. The right to consummate a Direct Exchange in all events shall be exercisable for all of the Redeemed Units that would have otherwise been subject to a Redemption.
(c)    Except as otherwise provided by this Section 11.03, a Direct Exchange shall be consummated pursuant to the same timeframe as the relevant Redemption would have been consummated if the Corporation had not delivered an Exchange Election Notice and as follows:
(i)    the Redeeming Member shall transfer and surrender, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances (x) the Redeemed Units and (y) a number of shares of Class B Common Stock (together with any Corresponding Rights) equal to the number of Redeemed Units, to the extent applicable, in each case, to the Corporation;
(ii)    the Corporation shall (x) pay to the Redeeming Member the Share Settlement or the Cash Settlement, as applicable, and (y) cancel and retire for no consideration the shares of Class B Common Stock (together with any Corresponding Rights) that were Transferred to the Corporation pursuant to Section 11.03(c)(i)(y) above; and
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(iii)    the Company shall (x) register the Corporation as the owner of the Redeemed Units and (y) if the Common Units are certificated, issue to the Redeeming Member a certificate for a number of Units equal to the difference (if any) between the number of Common Units evidenced by the certificate surrendered by the Redeeming Member pursuant to Section 11.03(c)(i)(x) and the Redeemed Units, and issue to the Corporation a certificate for the number of Redeemed Units.
Section 11.04    Reservation of shares of Class A Common Stock; Listing; Certificate of the Corporation. At all times the Corporation shall reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon a Share Settlement in connection with a Redemption or Direct Exchange, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall be issuable upon any such Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of any such Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange by delivery of purchased Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of the Corporation) or by way of Cash Settlement. The Corporation shall deliver Class A Common Stock that has been registered under the Securities Act with respect to any Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange to the extent a registration statement is effective and available with respect to such shares. The Corporation shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon any such Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange upon which the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock are listed at the time of such Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange (it being understood that any such shares may be subject to transfer restrictions under applicable securities Laws). The Corporation covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock issued in connection with a Share Settlement pursuant to a Redemption or Direct Exchange will, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The provisions of this Article XI shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with any corresponding provisions of the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation (if any).
Section 11.05    Effect of Exercise of Redemption or Direct Exchange. This Agreement shall continue notwithstanding the consummation of a Redemption or Direct Exchange by a Member and all rights set forth herein shall continue in effect with respect to the remaining Members and, to the extent the Redeeming Member has any remaining Units following such Redemption or Direct Exchange, the Redeeming Member. No Redemption or Direct Exchange shall relieve a Redeeming Member of any prior breach of this Agreement by such Redeeming Member.
Section 11.06    Tax Treatment.
(a)    In connection with any Redemption or Direct Exchange, the Redeeming Member shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to deliver such form, deliver to the Manager or the Company, as applicable, a certificate, dated as of the Redemption Date, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Manager or the Company, as applicable, certifying as to such Redeeming
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Member’s taxpayer identification number and that such Redeeming Member is a not a foreign person for purposes of Section 1445 and Section 1446(f) of the Code (which certificate may be an IRS Form W-9 if then sufficient for such purposes under applicable Law) (such certificate a “Non-Foreign Person Certificate”). If a Redeeming Member is unable to provide a Non-Foreign Person Certificate in connection with a Redemption or a Direct Exchange, then (i) such Redeeming Member and the Company shall cooperate to provide any other certification or determination described in proposed Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1446(f)-2(b) and 1.1446(f)-2(c) or otherwise permitted under applicable Law at the time of such Redemption or Direct Exchange, and the Manager or the Company, as applicable, shall be permitted to withhold on the amount realized by such Redeeming Member in respect of such Redemption or Direct Exchange to the extent required under in Section 1446(f) of the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder after taking into account the certificate or other determination provided pursuant this sentence and (ii) upon request and to the extent permitted under applicable Law, the Company shall deliver a certificate pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-11T(d)(2) certifying that fifty percent (50%) or more of the value of the gross assets of the Company does not consist of “U.S. real property interests” (as used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-11T), or that ninety percent (90%) or more of the value of the gross assets of the Company does not consist of “U.S. real property interests” plus “cash or cash equivalents” (as used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-11T); provided, that if the Company is not legally entitled to provide the certificate described in clause (ii), the Corporation shall be permitted to withhold on the amount realized by such Redeeming Member in respect of such Redemption or Direct Exchange to the extent required under in Section 1445 of the Code and Treasury Regulations.
(b)    Unless otherwise required by applicable Law, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that a Redemption or a Direct Exchange, as the case may be, shall be treated as a direct exchange of a Share Settlement or a Cash Settlement, as applicable, on the one hand, and the Redeemed Units, on the other hand, between the Corporation and the Redeeming Member for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes.
ARTICLE XII.
ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
Section 12.01    Substituted Members. Subject to the provisions of Article X hereof, in connection with the Permitted Transfer of a Unit hereunder, the Permitted Transferee shall become a Substituted Member on the effective date of such Transfer, which effective date shall not be earlier than the date of compliance with the conditions to such Transfer, and such admission shall be shown on the books and records of the Company, including the Schedule of Members.
Section 12.02    Additional Members. Subject to the provisions of Article X hereof, any Person that is not a Member as of the Effective Time may be admitted to the Company as an additional Member (any such Person, an “Additional Member”) only upon furnishing to the Manager (a) duly executed Joinder and counterparts to any applicable Other Agreements and (b) such other documents or instruments as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to effect such Person’s admission as a Member (including entering into such documents as may
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reasonably be requested by the Manager). Such admission shall become effective on the date on which the Manager determines in its sole discretion that such conditions have been satisfied and when any such admission is shown on the books and records of the Company, including the Schedule of Members.
ARTICLE XIII.
WITHDRAWAL AND RESIGNATION; TERMINATION OF RIGHTS
Section 13.01    Withdrawal and Resignation of Members. Except in the event of Transfers pursuant to Section 10.06 and the Manager’s right to resign pursuant to Section 6.03, no Member shall have the power or right to withdraw or otherwise resign as a Member from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article XIV. Any Member, however, that attempts to withdraw or otherwise resign as a Member from the Company without the prior written consent of the Manager upon or following the dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article XIV, but prior to such Member receiving the full amount of Distributions from the Company to which such Member is entitled pursuant to Article XIV, shall be liable to the Company for all damages (including all lost profits and special, indirect and consequential damages) directly or indirectly caused by the withdrawal or resignation of such Member. Upon a Transfer of all of a Member’s Units in a Transfer permitted by this Agreement, subject to the provisions of Section 10.06, such Member shall cease to be a Member.
ARTICLE XIV.
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 14.01    Dissolution. The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Additional Members or Substituted Members or the attempted withdrawal, removal, dissolution, bankruptcy or resignation of a Member. The Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a)    the decision of the Manager together with the written approval of the Members holding a majority of the Units then outstanding to dissolve the Company (excluding for purposes of such calculation the Corporation and all Units held directly or indirectly by it);
(b)    a dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801(4) of the Delaware Act, unless the Company is continued without dissolution pursuant thereto; or
(c)    the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Delaware Act.
Except as otherwise set forth in this Article XIV, the Company is intended to have perpetual existence. An Event of Withdrawal shall not in and of itself cause a dissolution of the Company and the Company shall continue in existence subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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Section 14.02    Winding up. Subject to Section 14.05, on dissolution of the Company, the Manager shall act as liquidating trustee or may appoint one or more Persons as liquidating trustee (each such Person, a “Liquidator”). The Liquidators shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Delaware Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as an expense of the Company. Until final distribution, the Liquidators shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, continue to operate the properties of the Company with all of the power and authority of the Manager. The steps to be accomplished by the Liquidators are as follows:
(a)    as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final liquidation, the Liquidators shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities and operations through the last day of the calendar month in which the dissolution occurs or the final liquidation is completed, as applicable;
(b)    the Liquidators shall pay, satisfy or discharge from the Company’s funds, or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including, without limitation, the establishment of a cash fund for contingent, conditional and unmatured liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidators may reasonably determine) the following: first, all expenses incurred in connection with the liquidation; second, all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company owed to creditors other than the Members; and third, all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company owed to the Members (other than any payments or distributions owed to such Members in their capacity as Members pursuant to this Agreement); and
(c)    following any payments pursuant to the foregoing Section 14.02(b), all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with Section 4.01(a) by the end of the Taxable Year during which the liquidation of the Company occurs (or, if later, by ninety (90) days after the date of the liquidation).
The distribution of cash and/or property to the Members in accordance with the provisions of this Section 14.02 and Section 14.03 below shall constitute a complete return to the Members of their Capital Contributions, a complete distribution to the Members of their interest in the Company and all of the Company’s property and shall constitute a compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of the Delaware Act. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.
Section 14.03    Deferment; Distribution in Kind. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14.02, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if upon dissolution of the Company the Liquidators determine that an immediate sale of part or all of the Company’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss (or would otherwise not be beneficial) to the Members, the Liquidators may, in their sole discretion and the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy the Company’s liabilities (other than loans to the Company by any Member(s)) and reserves. Subject to the order of priorities set forth in Section 14.02, the Liquidators may, in
59


their sole discretion, distribute to the Members, in lieu of cash, either (a) all or any portion of such remaining assets in-kind of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.02(c), (b) as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.02(c), undivided interests in all or any portion of such assets of the Company or (c) a combination of the foregoing. Any such Distributions in-kind shall be subject to (y) such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such assets as the Liquidators deem reasonable and equitable and (z) the terms and conditions of any agreements governing such assets (or the operation thereof or the holders thereof) at such time. Any assets of the Company distributed in kind will first be written up or down to their Fair Market Value, thus creating Profit or Loss (if any), which shall be allocated in accordance with Article V. The Liquidators shall determine the Fair Market Value of any property distributed.
Section 14.04    Cancellation of Certificate. On completion of the winding up of the Company as provided herein, the Manager (or such other Person or Persons as the Delaware Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to this Agreement that should be canceled and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. The Company shall continue in existence for all purposes of this Agreement until it is terminated pursuant to this Section 14.04.
Section 14.05    Reasonable Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Sections 14.02 and 14.03 in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding up.
Section 14.06    Return of Capital. The Liquidators shall not be personally liable for the return of Capital Contributions or any portion thereof to the Members (it being understood that any such return shall be made solely from assets of the Company).
ARTICLE XV.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 15.01    Power of Attorney.
(a)    Each Member hereby constitutes and appoints the Manager (or the Liquidator, if applicable) with full power of substitution, as his or her true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his, her or its name, place and stead, to:
(i)    execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) this Agreement, all certificates and other instruments and all amendments thereof which the Manager deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify, or continue the qualification of, the Company as a limited liability company in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own property; (B) all instruments which the Manager deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (C) all conveyances and other instruments or documents which the Manager deems appropriate or
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necessary to reflect the dissolution, winding up and termination of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a certificate of cancellation; and (D) all instruments relating to the admission, substitution or resignation of any Member pursuant to Article XII or XIII; and
(ii)    sign, execute, swear to and acknowledge all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments appropriate or necessary, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, to evidence, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action which is made or given by the Members hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in the reasonable judgment of the Manager, to effectuate the terms of this Agreement.
(b)    The foregoing power of attorney is irrevocable and coupled with an interest, and shall survive the death, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or termination of any Member and the transfer of all or any portion of his, her or its Units and shall extend to such Member’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives.
Section 15.02    Confidentiality.
(a)    Each of the Members (other than the Corporation) agrees to hold the Company’s Confidential Information in confidence and may not disclose or use such information except as otherwise authorized separately in writing by the Manager. “Confidential Information” as used herein includes all information concerning the Corporation, the Company or their Subsidiaries, in whatever form, whether written, electronic or oral, including, but not limited to, ideas, financial product structuring, business strategies, innovations and materials, all aspects of the Corporation’s and/or the Company’s business plan, proposed operation and products, corporate structure, financial and organizational information, analyses, proposed partners, software code and system and product designs, employees and their identities, equity ownership, the methods and means by which either the Corporation or the Company plans to conduct its business, all trade secrets, trademarks, tradenames and all intellectual property associated with the Corporation’s and/or Company’s business. With respect to each Member, Confidential Information does not include information or material that: (a) is, or becomes, generally available to the public other than as a direct or indirect result of a disclosure by such Member or its Affiliates or representatives; (b) is, or becomes, available to such Member from a source other than the Corporation, the Company or their representatives, provided that such source is not, and was not, known to such Member to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with, or any other contractual, fiduciary or other legal obligation of confidentiality to, the Corporation, the Company or any of their Affiliates or representatives; (c) is approved for release by written authorization of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel of the Company or of the Corporation, or any other officer designated by the Manager; or (d) is or becomes independently developed by such Member or its respective representatives without use of or reference to the Confidential Information.
(b)    Solely to the extent it is reasonably necessary or appropriate to fulfill its obligations or to exercise its rights under this Agreement, each of the Members may disclose Confidential Information to its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, directors, officers, employees, counsel, advisers, consultants, outside contractors and other agents, on the condition that such
61


Persons keep the Confidential Information confidential to the same extent as such Member is required to keep the Confidential Information confidential; provided, that such Member shall remain liable with respect to any breach of this Section 15.02 by any such Subsidiaries, Affiliates, partners, directors, officers, employees, counsel, advisers, consultants, outside contractors and other agents (as if such Persons were party to this Agreement for purposes of this Section 15.02).
(c)    Notwithstanding Section 15.02(a) or Section 15.02(b), each of the Members may disclose Confidential Information (i) to the extent that such Member is required by Law (by oral questions, interrogatories, request for information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any of the Confidential Information, (ii) for purposes of reporting to its stockholders and direct and indirect equity holders (each of whom are bound by customary confidentiality obligations) the performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries and for purposes of including applicable information in its financial statements to the extent required by applicable Law or applicable accounting standards; or (iii) to any bona fide prospective purchaser of the equity or assets of a Member, or the Units held by such Member (provided, in each case, that such Member determines in good faith that such prospective purchaser would be a Permitted Transferee), or a prospective merger partner of such Member (provided, that (i) such Persons will be informed by such Member of the confidential nature of such information and shall agree in writing to keep such information confidential in accordance with the contents of this Agreement and (ii) each Member will be liable for any breaches of this Section 15.02 by any such Persons (as if such Persons were party to this Agreement for purposes of this Section 15.02)). Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing in this Section 15.02 will restrict in any manner the ability of the Corporation to comply with its disclosure obligations under Law, and the extent to which any Confidential Information is necessary or desirable to disclose.
Section 15.03    Amendments. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended or modified upon the prior written consent of the Manager, together with the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the Units then outstanding (excluding all Units held directly or indirectly by the Corporation). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification:
(a)    to this Section 15.03 may be made without the prior written consent of the Manager and each of the Members;
(b)    to any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, which terms and conditions expressly require the approval or action of certain Persons, may be made without obtaining the consent of the requisite number or specified percentage of such Persons who are entitled to approve or take action on such matter; and
(c)    to any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement which would (A) reduce the amounts distributable to a Member pursuant to Articles IV and XIV in a manner that is not pro rata with respect to all Members, (B) increase the liabilities of such Member hereunder, (C) otherwise materially and adversely affect a holder of Units (with respect to such Units) in a manner materially disproportionate to any other holder of Units of the same class or series (with respect to such Units) (other than amendments, modifications and waivers necessary to
62


implement the provisions of Article XII) or (D) materially and adversely affect the rights of any Member under Article XI, shall be effective against such affected Member or holder of Units, as the case may be, without the prior written consent of such Member or holder of Units, as the case may be.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Manager may make any amendment to this Agreement (i) of an administrative nature that is necessary in order to implement the substantive provisions hereof, without the consent of any other Member; provided, that any such amendment does not adversely change the rights of the Members hereunder in any respect, or (ii) to reflect any changes to the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock or the issuance of any other capital stock of the Corporation.
Section 15.04    Title to Company Assets. Company assets shall be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Member, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such assets of the Company or any portion thereof. The Company shall hold title to all of its property in the name of the Company and not in the name of any Member. All assets of the Company shall be recorded as the property of the Company on its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such assets is held. The Company’s credit and assets shall be used solely for the benefit of the Company, and no asset of the Company shall be transferred or encumbered for, or in payment of, any individual obligation of any Member.
Section 15.05    Addresses and Notices. All notices and other communications to be given to any party hereunder shall be sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered by hand, courier or overnight delivery service, or when received in the form of an electronic transmission (receipt confirmation requested), and shall be directed to the address set forth, or at such address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the Company or the sending party.
To the Company:
MarketWise, LLC
1125 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(888) 261- 2693
Attention: Mark Arnold, Chief Executive Officer; Gary Anderson, General Counsel
Email: marnold@marketwise.com; ganderson@marketwise.com
with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
Suite 3700, 811 Main Street
Houston, Texas, 77002
Attention: Ryan J. Maierson, Jonathan P. Solomon
Email: Ryan.Maierson@lw.com, Jonathan.Solomon@lw.com
To the Corporation:
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MarketWise, Inc.
1125 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(888) 261- 2693
Attention: Mark Arnold, Chief Executive Officer; Gary Anderson, General Counsel
Email: marnold@marketwise.com; ganderson@marketwise.com
with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
Suite 3700, 811 Main Street
Houston, Texas, 77002
Attention: Ryan J. Maierson, Jonathan P. Solomon
Email: Ryan.Maierson@lw.com, Jonathan.Solomon@lw.com
To the Members, as set forth on Schedule 2.
Section 15.06    Binding Effect; Intended Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Ascendant Sponsor LP is an express third party beneficiary of Section 7.04 and may directly enforce (including by an action for specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable relief) each of the provisions set forth in Section 7.04 as though directly a party hereto.
Section 15.07    Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of or enforceable by any creditors of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and no creditor who makes a loan to the Company or any of its Affiliates may have or acquire (except pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement executed by the Company in favor of such creditor) at any time as a result of making the loan any direct or indirect interest in Profits, Losses, Distributions, capital or property of the Company other than as a secured creditor.
Section 15.08    Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 15.09    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which will be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement binding on all the parties hereto.
Section 15.10    Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Any suit, dispute, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement shall be heard in the state or federal
64


courts of the State of Delaware, and the parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such suit, action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid therein. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHETHER WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT) AND SHALL HAVE THE SAME LEGAL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IF SERVED UPON SUCH PARTY PERSONALLY WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 15.05 (INCLUDING BY PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT), TOGETHER WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF SUCH SERVICE TO SUCH PARTY, SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY.
Section 15.11    Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
Section 15.12    Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
Section 15.13    Execution and Delivery by Electronic Signature and Electronic Transmission. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement or contemplated hereby or entered into by the Company in accordance herewith, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of an electronic signature and/or electronic transmission, including by a facsimile machine or via email, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of electronic signature or electronic transmission to execute and/or deliver a document or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through such electronic transmission as a defense to the formation of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.
Section 15.14    Right of Offset. Whenever the Company or the Corporation is to pay any sum (other than pursuant to Article IV) to any Member, any amounts that such Member owes to
65


the Company or the Corporation which are not the subject of a good faith dispute may be deducted from that sum before payment. For the avoidance of doubt, the distribution of Units to the Corporation shall not be subject to this Section 15.14.
Section 15.15    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, those documents expressly referred to herein (including the Registration Rights Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement), any indemnity agreements entered into in connection with the Second A&R LLC Agreement with any member of the board of directors at that time and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way. For the avoidance of doubt, the Second A&R LLC Agreement is superseded in its entirety by this Agreement as of the Effective Time and shall be of no further force and effect thereafter, except to the extent reference thereto is contemplated in this Agreement, and only for such limited purposes as stated herein.
Section 15.16    Remedies. Each Member shall have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Person has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Person has under any Law. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement or any other agreements contemplated hereby shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by Law.
Section 15.17    Descriptive Headings; Interpretation. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. The use of the word “including” in this Agreement shall be by way of example rather than by limitation. Reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and if applicable hereof. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, no amendment or other modification to any agreement, document or instrument that requires the consent of any Person pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement will be given effect hereunder unless such Person has consented in writing to such amendment or modification. Wherever required by the context, references to a Fiscal Year shall refer to a portion thereof. The use of the words “or,” “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive. Each of the parties hereto agrees that they have been represented by independent counsel of its own choice during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the parties hereto and their counsel have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed or caused to be executed on their behalf this Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement as of the date first written above.
COMPANY:
MARKETWISE, LLC
By:/s/ Mark Arnold
Name:Mark Arnold
Title: Chief Executive Officer
MANAGER:
MARKETWISE, INC.
By:/s/ Mark Arnold
Name:Mark Arnold
Title: Chief Executive Officer
MEMBERS:
MONUMENT & CATHEDRAL HOLDINGS, LLC
By:/s/ Myles H. Norin
Name:
Myles H. Norin
Title:
President
FRANK PORTER STANSBERRY
/s/ Frank Porter Stansberry
STEVEN SJUGGERUD
/s/ Steven Sjuggerud
MICHAEL PALMER
/s/ Michael Palmer
[Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


MARK ARNOLD
/s/ Mark Arnold
AMBER MASON
/s/ Amber Mason
RYAN MARKISH
/s/ Ryan Markish
FERNANDO CRUZ
/s/ Fernando Cruz
JARED KELLY
/s/ Jared Kelly
SEAN CARROLL
/s/ Sean Carroll
DALE LYNCH
/s/ Dale Lynch
MARCO FERRI
/s/ Marco Ferri
ALMA BEACON, LLC
By:/s/ Marco Ferri
Name:
Marco Ferri
Title:
Manager
[Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


MYLES NORIN, LLC
By:/s/ Myles H. Norin
Name:
Myles H. Norin
Title:
Manager
ELIZABETH BONNER
/s/ Elizabeth Bonner
GREGORY H. BARNHILL MD ONLY QTIP TRUST
By:/s/ Lisa A. Barnhill
Name:
Lisa A. Barnhill
Title:
Trustee
GREGORY H. BARNHILL MARITAL TRUST B
By:/s/ Lisa A. Barnhill
Name:
Lisa A. Barnhill
Title:
Trustee
MATTHEW J. TURNER
/s/ Matthew J. Turner
[Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


ELIZABETH W. P. BONNER 2009 IRREVOCABLE TRUST NUMBER TWO
By:/s/ Margaret F. DeCampo
Name:
Margaret F. DeCampo
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ William R. Bonner, Jr.
Name:
William R. Bonner, Jr.
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ William Wesley Bonner
Name:
William Wesley Bonner
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ Maria Shepherd Bonner
Name:
Maria Shepherd Bonner
Title:
Trustee
ELIZABETH W.P. BONNER ELECTING SMALL BUSINESS TRUST
By:/s/ Margaret F. DeCampo
Name:
Margaret F. DeCampo
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ William R. Bonner, Jr.
Name:
William R. Bonner, Jr.
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ William Wesley Bonner
Name:
William Wesley Bonner
Title:
Trustee
By:/s/ Maria Shepherd Bonner
Name:
Maria Shepherd Bonner
Title:
Trustee
[Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


PALIMI, INC.
By:/s/ Mark Ford
Name:
Mark Ford
Title:
President
DOUGLAS CASEY
/s/ Douglas Casey
STOKES HOLDINGS, LLC
By:/s/ Mark Ford
Name:
Mark Ford
Title:
President
STOKES HOLDINGS, LLC
By:/s/ Frank Porter Stansberry
Name:
Frank Porter Stansberry
Title:
Manager
CHARLESTON IVY, LLC
By:/s/ David Eifrig
Name:
David Eifrig
Title:
Manager
JAMA 2021, LLC
By:/s/ Mark Arnold
Name:
Mark Arnold
Title:
Manager
MARKISH FAMILY ENTERPRISES, LLC
By:/s/ Ryan Markish
Name:
Ryan Markish
Title:
Manager
[Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


CCL FAMILY, LLC
By:/s/ Fernando Cruz
Name:
Fernando Cruz
Title:
Authorized Member
[Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement]


SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE OF PRE-TRANSACTION MEMBERS




SCHEDULE 2*
SCHEDULE OF MEMBERS

* This Schedule of Members shall be updated from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, including to reflect any adjustment with respect to any subdivision (by Unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse Unit split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units, or to reflect any additional issuances of Units pursuant to this Agreement.



Exhibit A
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
This JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of _________________, 20___ (this “Joinder”), is delivered pursuant to that certain Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of [  ], 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”) by and among MarketWise, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole managing member of the Company (the “Corporation”), and each of the Members from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the LLC Agreement.
1.    Joinder to the LLC Agreement. Upon the execution of this Joinder by the undersigned and delivery hereof to the Corporation, the undersigned hereby is and hereafter will be a Member under the LLC Agreement and a party thereto, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a Member thereunder. The undersigned hereby agrees that it shall comply with and be fully bound by the terms of the LLC Agreement as if it had been a signatory thereto as of the date thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that it has received a copy of the LLC Agreement and has reviewed the same and understands its contents.
2.    Incorporation by Reference. All terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in this Joinder as if set forth herein in full.
3.    Address. All notices under the LLC Agreement to the undersigned shall be direct to:
[Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Attn:
Facsimile:
E-mail:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Joinder as of the day and year first above written.
[NAME OF NEW MEMBER]
By:
Name:
Title:



Acknowledged and agreed
as of the date first set forth above:

MARKETWISE, LLC
By: MARKETWISE, INC., its Managing Member
By:
Name:
Title:



Exhibit B-1
FORM OF AGREEMENT AND CONSENT OF SPOUSE
The undersigned spouse of _____________________________ (the “Member”), a party to that certain Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of [  ], 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) by and among MarketWise, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole managing member of the Company, and each of the Members from time to time party thereto (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Agreement), acknowledges on his or her own behalf that:
I have read the Agreement and understand its contents. I acknowledge and understand that under the Agreement, any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in the Units owned by the Member is subject to the terms of the Agreement, which include certain restrictions on Transfer.
I hereby consent to and approve the Agreement. I agree that said Units and any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in such Units are subject to the provisions of the Agreement and that I will take no action at any time to hinder operation of the Agreement on said Units or any interest I may have, community property or otherwise, in said Units.
I hereby acknowledge that the meaning and legal consequences of the Agreement have been explained fully to me and are understood by me, and that I am signing this Agreement and consent without any duress and of free will.
Dated: _____________________________
[NAME OF SPOUSE]
By:
Name:



Exhibit B-2
FORM OF SPOUSE’S CONFIRMATION OF SEPARATE PROPERTY
I, the undersigned, the spouse of _____________________________ (the “Member”), who is a party to that certain Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of [  ], 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) by and among MarketWise, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole managing member of the Company, and each of the Members from time to time party thereto (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings set forth in the Agreement), acknowledge and confirm that the Units owned by said Member are the sole and separate property of said Member, and I hereby disclaim any interest in same.
I hereby acknowledge that the meaning and legal consequences of this Member’s spouse’s confirmation of separate property have been fully explained to me and are understood by me, and that I am signing this Member’s spouse’s confirmation of separate property without any duress and of free will.
Dated: _____________________________
[NAME OF SPOUSE]
By:
Name:

Document
Exhibit 10.4
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT AGREEMENT
This Indemnification and Advancement Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of ________ __, 2021 by and between MarketWise, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ______________, [a member of the Board of Directors/ an officer] of the Company (“Indemnitee”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous Agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering indemnification and advancement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification and advancement of expenses against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers, and other persons with respect to indemnification and advancement of expenses;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance, to indemnification, and to advancement of expenses may increase the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest
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extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and is not a substitute therefor, nor diminishes or abrogates any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, DGCL and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as an officer or director without adequate additional protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified and be advanced expenses.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1.Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a [director/officer] of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law). This Agreement does not create any obligation on the Company to continue Indemnitee in such position and is not an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee.
Section 2.Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
(a)“Agent” means any person who is authorized by the Company or an Enterprise to act for or represent the interests of the Company or an Enterprise, respectively.
(b)A “Change in Control” occurs upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
i.Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities unless the change in relative beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
ii.Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(b)(i), 2(b)(iii) or 2(b)(iv) of this Agreement) whose
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election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
iii.Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;
iv.Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and
v.Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
vi.For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms have the following meanings:
1“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
2“Person” has the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person excludes (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
3“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner excludes any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.
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(c) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was acting as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or Agent of the Company or an Enterprise.
(d)“Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(e)“Enterprise” means any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity for which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, or Agent.
(f)“Expenses” includes all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, (“ERISA”) excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 14(d) of this Agreement only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable in the good faith judgment of such counsel will be presumed conclusively to be reasonable. Expenses, however, do not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(g)“Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
(h) “Potential Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Company enters into any written or oral agreement, undertaking or arrangement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control; (ii) any Person or the Company publicly announces an intention to take or consider taking actions which if consummated would constitute a Change in Control; (iii) any Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
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5% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors increases his beneficial ownership of such securities by 5% or more over the percentage so owned by such Person on the date hereof; or (iv) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control has occurred.
(i)The term “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting pursuant to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. A Proceeding also includes a situation the Indemnitee believes in good faith may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding.
Section 3.Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company will indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
Section 4.Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company will indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. The Company will not indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses under this Section 4 related to any claim, issue or matter in a Proceeding for which Indemnitee has been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless, and only to the extent that, the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought determines upon
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application by Indemnitee that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.
Section 5.Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding to the extent that Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, will be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 6.Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party but to which Indemnitee is a witness, deponent, interviewee, or otherwise asked to participate.
Section 7.Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.
Section 8.Additional Indemnification. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4 or 5 of this Agreement, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (including, but not limited to, the DGCL and any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that expand the Company’s ability to indemnify its officers and directors) if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor).
Section 9.Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company is not obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment to Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding:
(a)for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except to the extent provided in Section 16(b) of this Agreement and except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or
(b)for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b)
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of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including, but not limited, to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or
(c)initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, including a Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement, (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
Section 10.Advances of Expenses.
(a)The Company will advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) not initiated by Indemnitee or any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee if (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company or Enterprise, including a proceeding initiated pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement or (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation. The Company will advance the Expenses within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.
(b)Advances will be unsecured and interest free. Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company, thus Indemnitee qualifies for advances upon the execution of this Agreement and delivery to the Company. No other form of undertaking is required other than the execution of this Agreement. The Company will make advances without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.
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Section 11.Procedure for Notification of Claim for Indemnification or Advancement.
(a)Indemnitee will notify the Company in writing of any Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. Indemnitee will include in the written notification to the Company a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding and provide such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to advancement of Expenses or indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. Indemnitee’s failure to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any obligation it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company will not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification or advancement.
(b)The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
Section 12.Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.
(a)Unless a Change of Control has occurred, the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification will be made:
i.by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board;
ii.by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board;
iii. if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by written opinion provided by Independent Counsel selected by the Board; or
iv.if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company.
(b)If a Change in Control has occurred, the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification will be made by written opinion provided by Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee requests such selection be made by the Board).
(c) The party selecting Independent Counsel pursuant to subsection (a)(iii) or (b) of this Section 12 will provide written notice of the selection to the other party. The notified party may, within ten (10) days after receiving written notice of the selection of Independent Counsel, deliver to the selecting party a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this
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Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court of Chancery has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within thirty (30) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, Independent Counsel has not been selected or, if selected, any objection to has not been resolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court of Chancery for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court designates. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel will be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
(d)Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. The Company will advance and pay any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making the indemnification determination irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing of the determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied and providing a copy of any written opinion provided to the Board by Independent Counsel.
(e)If it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company will make payment to Indemnitee within ten (10) days after such determination.
Section 13.Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
(a)In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met
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such applicable standard of conduct, will be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b)If the determination of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification has not made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement within sixty (60) days after the latter of (i) receipt by the Company of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) and (ii) the final disposition of the Proceeding for which Indemnitee requested Indemnification (the “Determination Period”), the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee will be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law. The Determination Period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, the Determination Period may be extended an additional fifteen (15) days if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a)(iv) of this Agreement.
(c)The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(d)For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee acted based on the records or books of account of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or an Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, financial advisor or other expert selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise. Further, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company,” as referred to in this Agreement if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan. The provisions of this Section 13(d) is not exclusive and does not limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e)The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise may not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement.
Section 14.Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a)Indemnitee may commence litigation against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) the Company does not advance Expenses pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) the determination of entitlement to indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement within the Determination Period, (iv) the Company does not indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 5 or 6 or the second to last sentence of Section 12(d) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) the Company does not indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3, 4, 7 or 8 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee must commence such Proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such Proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause does not apply in respect of a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company will not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b)If a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 will be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee may not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company will have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be and will not introduce evidence of the determination made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement.
(c)If a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to
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make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d)The Company is, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
(e)It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance to Indemnitee such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action concerning this Agreement, Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company, or concerning any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company. and will indemnify Indemnitee against any and all such Expenses unless the court determines that each of the Indemnitee’s claims in such Proceeding were made in bad faith or were frivolous or are prohibited by law.
Section 15.Establishment of Trust.
(a)In the event of a Potential Change in Control or a Change in Control, the Company will, upon written request by Indemnitee, create a trust for the benefit of Indemnitee (the “Trust”) and from time to time upon written request of Indemnitee will fund such Trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy the reasonably anticipated indemnification and advancement obligations of the Company to the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding for which Indemnitee has demanded indemnification and/or advancement prior to the Potential Change in Control or Change in Control (the “Funding Obligation”). The trustee of the Trust (the “Trustee”) will be a bank or trust company or other individual or entity chosen by the Indemnitee and reasonably acceptable to the Company. Nothing in this Section 15 relieves the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
(b)The amount or amounts to be deposited in the Trust pursuant to the Funding Obligation will be determined by mutual agreement of the Indemnitee and the Company or, if the Company and the Indemnitee are unable to reach such an agreement, by Independent Counsel selected in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. The terms of the Trust will provide that, except upon the consent of both the Indemnitee and the Company, upon a Change in Control: (i) the Trust may not be revoked, or the principal thereof invaded, without the written consent of the Indemnitee; (ii) the Trustee will advance, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, within two (2) business days of a request by the Indemnitee; (iii) the Company will continue to fund the Trust in accordance with the Funding Obligation; (iv) the Trustee will promptly pay to the Indemnitee all amounts for which the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise; and (v) all unexpended funds in such
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Trust revert to the Company upon mutual agreement by the Indemnitee and the Company or, if the Indemnitee and the Company are unable to reach such an agreement, by Independent Counsel selected in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement, that the Indemnitee has been fully indemnified under the terms of this Agreement. New York law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) governs the Trust and the Trustee will consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of Delaware Court of Chancery, in accordance with Section 25 of this Agreement.
Section 16.Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a)The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement may not be limited or restricted by any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement in any way with respect to any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status occurring prior to any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy is cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b)The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of Expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated.
i.The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees:
1)the Company is the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any request for indemnification or advancement of Expenses made pursuant to this Agreement concerning any Proceeding arising from or related to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with the Company;
2) the Company is primarily liable for all indemnification and indemnification or advancement of Expenses obligations for any Proceeding arising from or related to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise;
3)any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated to indemnify Indemnitee and/or advance Expenses to Indemnitee in respect of any proceeding are secondary to the obligations of the Company’s obligations;
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4)the Company will indemnify Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or insurer of any such Person; and
ii.the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated from any claim of contribution, subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration or indemnification, or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company to Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement.
iii.In the event any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss for Indemnitee, the payor has a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for the Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance of Expenses to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated.
iv.Any indemnification or advancement of Expenses provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated is specifically in excess over the Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses or any valid and collectible insurance (including but not limited to any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Company.
(c)To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees or agents of the Enterprise, the Company will obtain a policy or policies covering Indemnitee to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies, including coverage in the event the Company does not or cannot, for any reason, indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee as required by this Agreement. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to this Agreement, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company will give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies. Indemnitee agrees to assist the Company efforts to cause the insurers to pay such amounts and will comply with the terms of such policies, including selection of approved panel counsel, if required.
(d)The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee for any Proceeding concerning Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with an Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such Enterprise. The Company and Indemnitee intend that any such Enterprise (and its insurers) be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s
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Corporate Status with such Enterprise. The Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses to Indemnitee is secondary to the obligations the Enterprise or its insurers owe to Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees to take all reasonably necessary and desirable action to obtain from an Enterprise indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise.
(e)In the event of any payment made by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee from any Enterprise or insurance carrier. Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 17.Duration of Agreement. This Agreement continues until and terminates upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee ceases to serve as a director [officer] of the Company or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement relating thereto. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement are binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
Section 18.Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions will be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) will be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
Section 19.Interpretation. Any ambiguity in the terms of this Agreement will be resolved in favor of Indemnitee and in a manner to provide the maximum indemnification and advancement of Expenses permitted by law. The Company and Indemnitee intend that this Agreement provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification in excess of that expressly provided, without limitation, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of the Company stockholders or disinterested directors, or applicable law.
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Section 20.Enforcement.
(a)The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving or continuing to serve as a director or officer of the Company.
(b)This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law, and is not a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.
Section 21.Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement is binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be deemed or constitutes a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor will any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 22.Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company does not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 23.Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand to the other party, (b) sent by reputable overnight courier to the other party or (c) sent by facsimile transmission or electronic mail, with receipt of oral confirmation that such communication has been received:
(a)If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee provides to the Company.
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(b)If to the Company to:
MarketWise, Inc.
1125 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Attention: Mark Arnold, Chief Executive Officer; Gary
Anderson, General Counsel
Email: marnold@marketwise.com;
ganderson@marketwise.com
with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
Suite 3700
811 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
Attention: Ryan J. Maierson
Telephone: (713) 546-7420
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.
Section 24.Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
Section 25.Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties are governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or Proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement may be brought only in the Delaware Court of Chancery and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery for purposes of any action or Proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or Proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (iv) waive, and agree not
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to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or Proceeding brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
Section 26.Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together constitutes one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 27.Headings. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute part of this Agreement or affect the construction thereof.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
MARKETWISE, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:

[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]


INDEMNITEE
By:
Name:
Address:
[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]
Document
Exhibit 10.5
https://cdn.kscope.io/c181828cb014d9674ee9ab5038298f9f-marketwiselogo1aa.jpg




Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy

Effective July 21, 2021



NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

INTRODUCTION
Non-employee members of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of MarketWise, Inc. (the “Company”) shall be eligible to receive cash and equity compensation as set forth in this Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (this “Policy”). The cash and equity compensation described in this Policy shall be paid or be made, as applicable, automatically and without further action of the Board, to each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Non-Employee Director”) unless such Non-Employee Director declines the receipt of such cash or equity compensation by written notice to the Company. This Policy shall become effective as of the date and immediately following the time the transactions contemplated by that certain Business Combination Agreement dated as of March 1, 2021, by and among Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp., MarketWise, LLC, all of the members of MarketWise, LLC and, solely in its capacity as the representative of the sellers, Shareholder Representative Services LLC, as amended from time to time, are consummated (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board. This Policy may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board at any time in its sole discretion.
1. CASH COMPENSATION
1.1    Annual Retainers. Each Non-Employee Director shall receive an annual retainer of $35,000 for service on the Board.
1.2    Additional Annual Retainers. In addition, a Non-Employee Director shall receive the following annual retainers:
(a)Non-Employee Chairperson of the Board. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chairperson of the Board (the “Non-Employee Board Chairperson”) shall receive an additional annual retainer of $90,000 for such service.
(b)Lead Independent Director. A Non-Employee Director serving as Lead Independent Director shall receive an additional annual retainer of $45,000 for such service.
(c)Audit Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chairperson of the Audit Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $20,000 for such service. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member of the Audit Committee (other than the Chairperson of the Audit Committee) shall receive an additional annual retainer of $9,000 for such service.
(d)Compensation Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $15,000 for such service. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member of the Compensation Committee (other than the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee) shall receive an additional annual retainer of $6,000 for such service.
(e)    Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate
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NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

Governance Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $9,000 for such service. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (other than the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) shall receive an additional annual retainer of $5,000 for such service.
1.3    Payment of Retainers. The annual retainers described in Sections 1.1 and 1.2 shall be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and shall be paid by the Company in arrears on a quarterly prorated portion basis (where applicable) not later than the fifteenth day following the end of each calendar quarter. In the event a Non-Employee Director does not serve as a Non-Employee Director, or in the applicable positions described in Section 1.2, for an entire calendar quarter, such Non-Employee Director shall receive a prorated portion of the annual retainer(s) otherwise payable to such Non-Employee Director for such calendar quarter pursuant to Sections 1.1 and 1.2, with such prorated portion determined by multiplying such otherwise payable retainer(s) by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during which the Non-Employee Director serves as a Non-Employee Director or in the applicable positions described in Section 1.2 during the applicable calendar quarter and the denominator of which is the number of days in the applicable calendar quarter.
2. EQUITY COMPENSATION
2.1    Non-Employee Directors shall be granted the equity awards described below. The awards described below shall be granted under and shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan or any other applicable Company equity incentive plan then maintained by the Company (such plan, as may be amended from time to time, the “Equity Plan”) and shall be granted subject to the execution and delivery of award agreements, in substantially the forms previously approved by the Board. All applicable terms of the Equity Plan apply to this Policy as if fully set forth herein, and all equity grants hereunder are subject in all respects to the terms of the Equity Plan.
(a)Effective Date Awards. Each Non-Employee Director who (i) serves on the Board as of the Effective Date and (ii) will continue to serve as a Non-Employee Director immediately following the Effective Date, shall be automatically granted, on the date that a Form S-8 Registration Statement is filed to register the shares of common stock of the Company to be issued under the 2021 Incentive Award Plan, an award of restricted stock units that has an aggregate fair value on the date of grant of $150,000, except for the Lead Independent Director whose award of restricted stock units shall have an aggregate fair value on the date of grant of $165,000 (as determined in accordance with FASB Accounting Codification Topic 718 (“ASC 718”) and subject to adjustment as provided in the Equity Plan in each case). The awards described in this Section 2.1(a) shall be referred to herein as the “Effective Date Awards.” For the avoidance of doubt, a Non-Employee Director eligible to receive an Effective Date Award shall not be eligible to receive an Initial Award (as defined below).
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NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

(b)Annual Awards. Each Non-Employee Director who (i) serves on the Board as of the date of any annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders (an “Annual Meeting”) after the Effective Date and (ii) will continue to serve as a Non-Employee Director immediately following such Annual Meeting, shall be automatically granted, on the date of such Annual Meeting, an award of restricted stock units that has an aggregate fair value on the date of grant of $150,000, except for the Lead Independent Director and any Non-Employee Board Chairperson whose awards of restricted stock units shall each have an aggregate fair value on the date of grant of $165,000 (as determined in accordance with ASC 718 and subject to adjustment as provided in the Equity Plan). The awards described in this Section 2.1(b) shall be referred to as the “Annual Awards.” For the avoidance of doubt, a Non-Employee Director elected for the first time to the Board at an Annual Meeting shall receive only an Annual Award in connection with such election, and shall not receive any Initial Award on the date of such Annual Meeting as well.
(c)Annual Awards. Each Non-Employee Director who (i) serves on the Board as of the date of any annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders (an “Annual Meeting”) after the Effective Date and (ii) will continue to serve as a Non-Employee Director immediately following such Annual Meeting, shall be automatically granted, on the date of such Annual Meeting, an award of restricted stock units that has an aggregate fair value on the date of grant of $150,000, except for the Lead Independent Director and any Non-Employee Board Chairperson whose awards of restricted stock units shall each have an aggregate fair value on the date of grant of $165,000 (as determined in accordance with ASC 718 and subject to adjustment as provided in the Equity Plan). The awards described in this Section 2.1(b) shall be referred to as the “Annual Awards.” For the avoidance of doubt, a Non-Employee Director elected for the first time to the Board at an Annual Meeting shall receive only an Annual Award in connection with such election, and shall not receive any Initial Award on the date of such Annual Meeting as well.
(d)Termination of Employment of Employee Directors. Members of the Board who are employees of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company who subsequently terminate their employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company and remain on the Board will not receive an Initial Award pursuant to Section 2.1(c) above, but to the extent that they are otherwise eligible, will be eligible to receive, after termination from employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company, Annual Awards as described in Section 2.1(b) above.
(e)Vesting of Awards Granted to Non-Employee Directors. Each Effective Date Award, Annual Award and Initial Award shall vest on the earlier of (i) the day immediately preceding the date of the first Annual Meeting following the date of grant and (ii) the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing in service on the Board through the applicable vesting date. No portion of an Effective Date
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NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

Award, Annual Award or Initial Award that is unvested at the time of a Non-Employee Director’s termination of service on the Board shall become vested thereafter. All of a Non-Employee Director’s Effective Date Awards, Annual Awards and Initial Awards shall vest in full immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the Equity Plan), to the extent outstanding at such time.
3. EXPENSES
The Company will reimburse each Non-Employee Director for ordinary, necessary and reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses to cover in-person attendance at and participation in Board meetings and meetings of any committee of the Board; provided, that the Non-Employee Director timely submit to the Company appropriate documentation substantiating such expenses in accordance with the Company’s travel and expense policy applicable to directors, as in effect from time to time. To the extent that any taxable reimbursements are provided to any Non-Employee Director, they will be provided in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including, but not limited to, the following provisions: (i) the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement during such individual’s taxable year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year; (ii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense must be made no later than the last day of such individual’s taxable year that immediately follows the taxable year in which the expense was incurred; and (iii) the right to any reimbursement may not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
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Document
Exhibit 10.6
MARKETWISE, INC.
2021 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The Plan’s purpose is to enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to the Company by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities. Capitalized terms used in the Plan are defined in Article XI.
ARTICLE II
ELIGIBILITY
Service Providers are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations described herein.
ARTICLE III.
ADMINISTRATION AND DELEGATION
3.1Administration. The Plan is administered by the Administrator. The Administrator has authority to determine which Service Providers receive Awards, grant Awards and set Award terms and conditions, subject to the conditions and limitations in the Plan. The Administrator also has the authority to take all actions and make all determinations under the Plan, to interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and to adopt, amend and repeal Plan administrative rules, guidelines and practices as it deems advisable. The Administrator may correct defects and ambiguities, supply omissions and reconcile inconsistencies in the Plan or any Award as it deems necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and any Awards. The Administrator’s determinations under the Plan are in its sole discretion and will be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or any Award. The Administrator may institute and determine the terms and conditions of an Exchange Program.
3.2Appointment of Committees. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more Committees or officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Board may abolish any Committee or re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority at any time.
ARTICLE IV
STOCK AVAILABLE AWARDS
4.1Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Article VII and the terms of this Article IV, Awards may be made under the Plan covering up to the Overall Share Limit. Shares issued under the Plan may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or treasury Shares.
4.2Share Recycling. If all or any part of an Award expires, lapses or is terminated, exchanged for cash, surrendered to an Exchange Program, repurchased, canceled without having been fully exercised or forfeited, in any case, in a manner that results in the Company acquiring Shares at a price not greater than the price (as adjusted to reflect any Equity Restructuring) paid by the Participant for such Shares or not issuing any Shares covered by the Award, the unused Shares covered by the Award will, as applicable, become or again be available for Award grants under the Plan. Further, Shares delivered (either by actual delivery or attestation) to the Company by a Participant to satisfy the applicable exercise or purchase price of an Award and/or to satisfy any applicable tax withholding obligation (including Shares retained by the Company from the Award being exercised or purchased and/or creating the tax obligation) will, as applicable, become or again be available for Award grants under the Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not count against the Overall Share Limit.
4.3Incentive Stock Option Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no more than 32,045,000 Shares may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options.
4.4Substitute Awards. In connection with an entity’s merger or consolidation with the Company or the Company’s acquisition of an entity’s property or stock, the Administrator may grant Awards in substitution for




any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted before such merger or consolidation by such entity or its affiliate in accordance with Applicable Laws. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Administrator deems appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in the Plan. Substitute Awards will not count against the Overall Share Limit (nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above), except that Shares acquired by exercise of substitute Incentive Stock Options will count against the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees or Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.
4.5Non-Employee Director Compensation. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan, the Administrator may establish compensation for non-employee Directors from time to time, subject to the limitations in the Plan. The Administrator will from time to time determine the terms, conditions and amounts of all such non-employee Director compensation in its discretion and pursuant to the exercise of its business judgment, taking into account such factors, circumstances and considerations as it shall deem relevant from time to time, provided that the sum of any cash compensation, or other compensation, and the value (determined as of the grant date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of Awards granted to a non-employee Director as compensation for services as a non-employee Director during any fiscal year of the Company may not exceed $750,000, increased to $1,000,000 of a non-employee Director’s initial service as a non-employee Director. The Administrator may make exceptions to these limits for individual non-employee Directors in extraordinary circumstances, as the Administrator may determine in its discretion, provided that the non-employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation or in other contemporaneous compensation decisions involving non-employee Directors.
ARTICLE V
STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
5.1General. The Administrator may grant Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to Service Providers subject to the limitations in the Plan, including any limitations in the Plan that apply to Incentive Stock Options. The Administrator will determine the number of Shares covered by each Option and Stock Appreciation Right, the exercise price of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right) to receive from the Company upon exercise of the exercisable portion of the Stock Appreciation Right an amount determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations of the Plan or that the Administrator may impose and payable in cash, Shares valued at such Fair Market Value or a combination of the two as the Administrator may determine or provide in the Award Agreement.
5.2Exercise Price. The Administrator will establish each Option’s and Stock Appreciation Right’s exercise price and specify the exercise price in the Award Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the exercise price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the grant date of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
5.3Duration. Each Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable at such times and as specified in the Award Agreement, provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in accordance




with Applicable Laws, the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right will not exceed ten years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the end of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, violates the non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other similar restrictive covenant provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the right of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to exercise any Option or Stock Appreciation Right issued to the Participant shall terminate immediately upon such violation unless the Company otherwise determines.
5.4Exercise. Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by delivering to the Company a written notice of exercise, in a form the Administrator approves (which may be electronic), signed by the person authorized to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, together with, as applicable, payment in full (i) as specified in Section 5.5 for the number of Shares for which the Award is exercised and (ii) as specified in Section 9.5 for any applicable taxes. Unless the Administrator otherwise determines, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
5.5Payment Upon Exercise. Subject to Section 10.8, any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods) and Applicable Laws, the exercise price of an Option must be paid by:
(a)cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or by check payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of one of the foregoing payment forms if one or more of the payment forms below is permitted;
(b)if there is a public market for Shares at the time of exercise, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or (B) the Participant’s delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator;
(c)to the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of Shares owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value;
(d)to the extent permitted by the Administrator, surrendering Shares then issuable upon the Option’s exercise valued at their Fair Market Value on the exercise date;
(e)to the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery of any other property that the Administrator determines is good and valuable consideration; or
(f)to the extent permitted by the Company, any combination of the above payment forms approved by the Administrator.
ARTICLE VI.
RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
6.1General. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock, or the right to purchase Restricted Stock, to any Service Provider, subject to the Company’s right to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant (or to require forfeiture of such shares) if conditions the Administrator specifies in the Award Agreement are not satisfied before the end of the applicable restriction period or periods that the Administrator establishes for such Award. In addition, the Administrator may grant to Service Providers Restricted Stock Units, which may be subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions during the applicable restriction period or periods, as set forth in an Award Agreement. The Administrator will determine and set forth in the Award Agreement the terms and conditions for each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Award, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in the Plan.




6.2Restricted Stock.
(a)Dividends. Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator provides otherwise in the Award Agreement. In addition, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, if any dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock of property other than an ordinary cash dividend, the Shares or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
(b)Stock Certificates. The Company may require that the Participant deposit in escrow with the Company (or its designee) any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, together with a stock power endorsed in blank.
(c)Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which such Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, such Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service along with proof of the timely filing thereof.
6.3Restricted Stock Units.
(a)Settlement. The Administrator may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Restricted Stock Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election, in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.
(b)Stockholder Rights. A Participant will have no rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any Restricted Stock Unit unless and until the Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit.
(c)Dividend Equivalents. If the Administrator provides, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, settled in cash or Shares and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents are granted and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement.
ARTICLE VII.
OTHER STOCK OR CASH BASED AWARDS
7.1Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be granted to Participants, including Awards entitling Participants to receive Shares to be delivered in the future and including annual or other periodic or long-term cash bonus awards (whether based on specified Performance Criteria or otherwise), in each case subject to any conditions and limitations in the Plan. Such Other Stock or Cash Based Awards will also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other Awards, as standalone payments and as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be paid in Shares, cash or other property, as the Administrator determines. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock or Cash Based Award, including any purchase price, performance goal (which may be based on the Performance Criteria), transfer restrictions, and vesting conditions, which will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII.
ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS
9.1Equity Restructuring. In connection with any Equity Restructuring, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article VII, the Administrator will equitably adjust each outstanding Award as it deems appropriate to reflect the Equity Restructuring, which may include adjusting the number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and/or the Award’s exercise price or grant price (if applicable), granting new




Awards to Participants, and making a cash payment to Participants. The adjustments provided under this Section 8.1 will be nondiscretionary and final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company; provided that the Administrator will determine whether an adjustment is equitable.
9.2Corporate Transactions. In the event of any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, amalgamation, repurchase, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or sale or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, Change in Control, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, other similar corporate transaction or event, other unusual or nonrecurring transaction or event affecting the Company or its financial statements or any change in any Applicable Laws or accounting principles, the Administrator, on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event (except that action to give effect to a change in Applicable Law or accounting principles may be made within a reasonable period of time after such change) and either automatically or upon the Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to (x) prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award granted or issued under the Plan, (y) to facilitate such transaction or event or (z) give effect to such changes in Applicable Laws or accounting principles:
(a)To provide for the cancellation of any such Award in exchange for either an amount of cash or other property with a value equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of the vested portion of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights under the vested portion of such Award, as applicable; provided that, if the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of the vested portion of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, in any case, is equal to or less than zero, then the Award may be terminated without payment;
(b)To provide that such Award shall vest and, to the extent applicable, be exercisable as to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the provisions of such Award;
(c)To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and/or applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;
(d)To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards and/or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Article IV hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued) and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards;
(e)To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; and/or
(f)To provide that the Award will terminate and cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after the applicable event.
9.3Administrative Stand Still. In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other extraordinary transaction or change affecting the Shares or the share price of Common Stock, including any Equity Restructuring or any securities offering or other similar transaction, for administrative convenience, the Administrator may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award for up to sixty days before or after such transaction.
9.4General. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no Participant will have any rights due to any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of any class, dividend payment, increase or decrease in the number of Shares of any class or dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the




Company or other corporation. Except as expressly provided with respect to an Equity Restructuring under Section 8.1 above or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of Shares of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of any class, will affect, and no adjustment will be made regarding, the number of Shares subject to an Award or the Award’s grant or exercise price. The existence of the Plan, any Award Agreements and the Awards granted hereunder will not affect or restrict in any way the Company’s right or power to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger, consolidation dissolution or liquidation of the Company or sale of Company assets or (iii) any sale or issuance of securities, including securities with rights superior to those of the Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares. The Administrator may treat Participants and Awards (or portions thereof) differently under this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX.
GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
9.1Transferability. Except as the Administrator may determine or provide in an Award Agreement or otherwise for Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or, subject to the Administrator’s consent, pursuant to a domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, will be exercisable only by the Participant. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, will include references to a Participant’s authorized transferee that the Administrator specifically approves.
9.2Documentation. Each Award will be evidenced in an Award Agreement, which may be written or electronic, as the Administrator determines. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.
9.3Discretion. Except as the Plan otherwise provides, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award to a Participant need not be identical, and the Administrator need not treat Participants or Awards (or portions thereof) uniformly.
9.4Termination of Service; Change in Status. The Administrator will determine, in its sole discretion, the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for Cause and all questions of whether a particular leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Service or any other change or purported change in a Participant’s Service Provider status affects an Award and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary may exercise rights under the Award, if applicable.
9.5Withholding. Each Participant must pay the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of, any taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with such Participant’s Awards by the date of the event creating the tax liability. The Company may deduct an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations based on the applicable statutory withholding rates (or such other rate as may be determined by the Company after considering any accounting consequences or costs) from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant. Subject to Section 10.8 and any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods), Participants may satisfy such tax obligations (i) in cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, by check made payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of one of the foregoing payment forms if one or more of the payment forms below is permitted, (ii) to the extent permitted by the Administrator, in whole or in part by delivery of Shares, including Shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value, (iii) if there is a public market for Shares at the time the tax obligations are satisfied, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to satisfy the tax obligations, or (B) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to satisfy the tax withholding; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator, or (iv) to the extent permitted by the Company, any combination of the foregoing payment forms approved by the Administrator. If any tax withholding




obligation will be satisfied under clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence by the Company’s retention of Shares from the Award creating the tax obligation and there is a public market for Shares at the time the tax obligation is satisfied, the Company may elect to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on the applicable Participant’s behalf some or all of the Shares retained and to remit the proceeds of the sale to the Company or its designee, and each Participant’s acceptance of an Award under the Plan will constitute the Participant’s authorization to the Company and instruction and authorization to such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in this sentence.
9.6Amendment of Award; Repricing. The Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including by substituting another Award of the same or a different type, changing the exercise or settlement date, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option. The Participant’s consent to such action will be required unless (i) the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Award, or (ii) the change is permitted under Article VIII or pursuant to Section 10.6.
9.7Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Shares under the Plan or remove restrictions from Shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all Award conditions have been met or removed to the Company’s satisfaction, (ii) as determined by the Company, all other legal matters regarding the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any Applicable Laws. The Company’s inability to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which the Administrator determines is necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any securities, will relieve the Company of any liability for failing to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained.
9.8Acceleration. The Administrator may at any time provide that any Award will become immediately vested and fully or partially exercisable, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise fully or partially realizable.
9.9Additional Terms of Incentive Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options only to employees of the Company, any of its present or future parent or subsidiary corporations, as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, respectively, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code. If an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, the exercise price will not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the Option’s grant date, and the term of the Option will not exceed five years. All Incentive Stock Options will be subject to and construed consistently with Section 422 of the Code. By accepting an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant agrees if requested by the Company to give prompt notice to the Company of dispositions or other transfers (other than in connection with a Change in Control) of Shares acquired under the Option made within (i) two years from the grant date of the Option or (ii) one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant, specifying the date of the disposition or other transfer and the amount the Participant realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, in such disposition or other transfer. Neither the Company nor the Administrator will be liable to a Participant, or any other party, if an Incentive Stock Option fails or ceases to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option or portion thereof that fails to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code for any reason, including becoming exercisable with respect to Shares having a fair market value exceeding the $100,000 limitation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.422-4, will be a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
ARTICLE.X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1No Right to Employment or Other Status. No person will have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award will not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan or any Award, except as expressly provided in an Award Agreement.




10.2No Rights as Stockholder; Certificates. Subject to the Award Agreement, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary will have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under an Award until becoming the record holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless the Administrator otherwise determines or Applicable Laws require, the Company will not be required to deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares may be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator). The Company may place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan that the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to comply with Applicable Laws.
10.3Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan will become effective on the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated by the Board, will remain in effect until the earlier of (i) the earliest date as of which all Awards granted under the Plan have been satisfied in full or terminated and no Shares approved for issuance under the Plan remain available to be granted under new Awards or (ii) the tenth anniversary of [_________]1, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date in accordance with the Plan. If the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Plan will not become effective and no Awards will be granted under the Plan.
10.4Amendment of Plan. The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided that no amendment, other than an increase to the Overall Share Limit, may materially and adversely affect any Award outstanding at the time of such amendment without the affected Participant’s consent. No Awards may be granted under the Plan during any suspension period or after Plan termination. Awards outstanding at the time of any Plan suspension or termination will continue to be governed by the Plan and the Award Agreement, as in effect before such suspension or termination. The Board will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws.
10.5Provisions for Foreign Participants. The Administrator may modify Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish subplans or procedures under the Plan to address differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters.
10.6Section 409A.
(a)General. The Company intends that all Awards be structured to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A, such that no adverse tax consequences, interest, or penalties under Section 409A apply. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator may, without a Participant’s consent, amend this Plan or Awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and retroactive actions) as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of Awards, including any such actions intended to (A) exempt this Plan or any Award from Section 409A, or (B) comply with Section 409A, including regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority that may be issued after an Award’s grant date. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to an Award’s tax treatment under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company will have no obligation under this Section 10.6 or otherwise to avoid the taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and will have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute noncompliant “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A.
(b)Separation from Service. If an Award constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, any payment or settlement of such Award upon a termination of a Participant’s Service Provider relationship will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A, be made only upon the Participant’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A), whether such “separation from service” occurs upon or after the Termination of Service of a Participant. For purposes of this Plan or any Award Agreement relating to any such payments or benefits, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment,” Termination of Service or like terms means a “separation from service.”
1 Note: To reflect the 10-year anniversary of the date the Board adopted the Plan.




(c)Payments to Specified Employees. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” required to be made under an Award to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A and as the Administrator determines) due to his or her “separation from service” will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, be delayed for the six-month period immediately following such “separation from service” (or, if earlier, until the specified employee’s death) and will instead be paid (as set forth in the Award Agreement) on the day immediately following such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (without interest). Any payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under such Award payable more than six months following the Participant’s “separation from service” will be paid at the time or times the payments are otherwise scheduled to be made.
10.7Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan or any Award, and such individual will not be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument executed in his or her capacity as an Administrator, director, officer, other employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee and agent of the Company or any Subsidiary that has been or will be granted or delegated any duty or power relating to the Plan’s administration or interpretation, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Administrator’s approval) arising from any act or omission concerning this Plan unless arising from such person’s own fraud or bad faith.
10.8Lock-Up Period. The Company may, at the request of any underwriter representative or otherwise, in connection with registering the offering of any Company securities under the Securities Act, prohibit Participants from, directly or indirectly, selling or otherwise transferring any Shares or other Company securities during a period of up to one hundred eighty days following the effective date of a Company registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or such longer period as determined by the underwriter.
10.9Data Privacy. As a condition for receiving any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this section by and among the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including the Participant’s name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Shares held in the Company or its Subsidiaries and affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data that the Company holds regarding such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents in this Section 10.9 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 10.9. For more information on the consequences of refusing or withdrawing consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.




10.10Severability. If any portion of the Plan or any action taken under it is held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provisions had been excluded, and the illegal or invalid action will be null and void.
10.11Governing Documents. If any contradiction occurs between the Plan and any Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company (or any Subsidiary) that the Administrator has approved, the Plan will govern, unless it is expressly specified in such Award Agreement or other written document that a specific provision of the Plan will not apply.
10.12Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, disregarding any state’s choice-of-law principles requiring the application of a jurisdiction’s laws other than the State of Delaware.
10.13Claw-back Provisions. All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit the Participant actually or constructively receives upon receipt or exercise of any Award or the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) will be subject to any Company claw-back policy, including any claw-back policy adopted to comply with Applicable Laws (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder) as set forth in such claw-back policy or the Award Agreement.
10.14Titles and Headings. The titles and headings in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, if any conflict, the Plan’s text, rather than such titles or headings, will control.
10.15Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan and all Awards will be administered only in conformance with Applicable Laws. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, the Plan and all Award Agreements will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws.
10.16Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under the Plan will be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary except as expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
10.17Broker-Assisted Sales. In the event of a broker-assisted sale of Shares in connection with the payment of amounts owed by a Participant under or with respect to the Plan or Awards, including amounts to be paid under the final sentence of Section 9.5: (a) any Shares to be sold through the broker-assisted sale will be sold on the day the payment first becomes due, or as soon thereafter as practicable; (b) such Shares may be sold as part of a block trade with other Participants in the Plan in which all participants receive an average price; (c) the applicable Participant will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and by accepting an Award, each Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale; (d) to the extent the Company or its designee receives proceeds of such sale that exceed the amount owed, the Company will pay such excess in cash to the applicable Participant as soon as reasonably practicable; (e) the Company and its designees are under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price; and (f) in the event the proceeds of such sale are insufficient to satisfy the Participant’s applicable obligation, the Participant may be required to pay immediately upon demand to the Company or its designee an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any remaining portion of the Participant’s obligation.
ARTICLE XI.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases will have the following meanings:
11.1Administrator” means the Board or a Committee to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee.




11.2Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans under U.S. federal and state securities, tax and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the applicable rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws and rules of any foreign country or other jurisdiction where Awards are granted.
11.3Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock or Cash Based Awards.
11.14Award Agreement” means a written agreement evidencing an Award, which may be electronic, that contains such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines, consistent with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
11.15Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
11.16Cause” means (i) if a Participant is a party to a written employment, severance or consulting agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or an Award Agreement in which the term “cause” is defined (a “Relevant Agreement”), “Cause” as defined in the Relevant Agreement, and (ii) if no Relevant Agreement exists, (A) repeated and gross failure to perform Participant’s material duties, after written notice of such performance has been given to Participant with 30 days to cure such nonperformance; (B) use of illegal drugs by Participant; (C) commission of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude or a misdemeanor involving fraud or dishonesty (for avoidance of doubt, a single driving while intoxicated (or other similar charge) shall not be considered a felony or crime of moral turpitude); (D) the perpetration of any act of fraud or material dishonesty against or affecting the Company, any of its affiliates, or any customer, agent or employee thereof; (E) material breach of fiduciary duty or material breach of this Agreement, after written notice of such breach has been given to Participant and, to the event such breach is curable, within 30 days to cure such breach; (F) repeated insolent or abusive conduct in the workplace, including but not limited to, harassment of others of a racial or sexual nature after notice of such behavior; (G) taking any action which is intended to harm or disparage the Company, holdings, their affiliates, or their reputations, or which would reasonably be expected to lead to unwanted or unfavorable publicity to the Company, holdings or their affiliates; or (H) engaging in any act of material self-dealing without prior notice to and consent by the Board.
11.17Change in Control” means and includes each of the following:
(a)A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a transaction or series of transactions that meets the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (c) below) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50 % of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or
(b)During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new Director(s) (other than a Director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in subsections (a) or (c) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
(c)The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s




assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
(i)which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
(ii)after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (ii) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or portion of any Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b) or (c) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
The Administrator shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.
11.8Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder.
11.9Committee” means one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board, which may include one or more Company directors or executive officers, to the extent Applicable Laws permit. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3, it is intended that each member of the Committee will be, at the time the Committee takes any action with respect to an Award that is subject to Rule 16b-3, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; however, a Committee member’s failure to qualify as a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 will not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.
11.10.Common Stock” means the Class A common stock of the Company.
11.11.Company” means MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.
11.12.Consultant” means any person, including any adviser, engaged by the Company or its parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity if the consultant or adviser: (i) renders bona fide services to the Company; (ii) renders services not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and (iii) is a natural person.
11.13.Designated Beneficiary” means the beneficiary or beneficiaries the Participant designates, in a manner the Administrator determines, to receive amounts due or exercise the Participant’s rights if the Participant dies or becomes incapacitated. Without a Participant’s effective designation, “Designated Beneficiary” will mean the Participant’s estate.




11.14.Director” means a Board member.
11.15.Disability” means a permanent and total disability under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as amended.
11.16.Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant under the Plan to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares.
11.17.Effective Date” means the date on which the transactions contemplated by that certain Business Combination Agreement, by and among Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp., Beacon Street Group, LLC, all members of Beacon Street Group, LLC and, solely in its capacity as the Seller Representative, Shareholder Representative Services LLC, dated as of March 1, 2021 as amended from time to time, are consummated, provided that the Board has adopted the Plan prior to or on such date, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.
11.18.Employee” means any employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
11.19.Equity Restructuring” means a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other Company securities) or the share price of Common Stock (or other Company securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.
11.20.Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
11.21.Exchange Program” shall mean a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have higher or lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, (ii) Holders would have the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator, and/or (iii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced or increased. The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion.
11.22.Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows: (i) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such Common Stock as quoted on such exchange for such date, or if no sale occurred on such date, the last day preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; (ii) if the Common Stock is not traded on a stock exchange but is quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the closing sales price on such date, or if no sales occurred on such date, then on the last date preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; or (iii) in any case the Administrator may determine the Fair Market Value in its discretion.
11.23.Greater Than 10% Stockholder” means an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively.
11.24.Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
11.25.Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option not intended or not qualifying as an Incentive Stock Option.
11.26.Option” means an option to purchase Shares.
11.27.Other Stock or Cash Based Awards” means cash awards, awards of Shares, and other awards valued wholly or partially by referring to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property.




11.28.Overall Share Limit” means the sum of (i) 32,045,000 Shares; and (ii) an annual increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2031, equal to the lesser of (A) 3% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (B) such smaller number of Shares as is determined by the Board.
11.29.Participant” means a Service Provider who has been granted an Award.
11.30.Performance Criteria” mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Administrator may select for an Award to establish performance goals for a performance period, which may include the following: net earnings or losses (either before or after one or more of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and non-cash equity-based compensation expense); gross or net sales or revenue or sales or revenue growth; net income (either before or after taxes) or adjusted net income; profits (including but not limited to gross profits, net profits, profit growth, net operation profit or economic profit), profit return ratios or operating margin; budget or operating earnings (either before or after taxes or before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); cash flow (including operating cash flow and free cash flow or cash flow return on capital); return on assets; return on capital or invested capital; cost of capital; return on stockholders’ equity; total stockholder return; return on sales; costs, reductions in costs and cost control measures; expenses; working capital; earnings or loss per share; adjusted earnings or loss per share; price per share or dividends per share (or appreciation in or maintenance of such price or dividends); regulatory achievements or compliance; implementation, completion or attainment of objectives relating to research, development, regulatory, commercial, or strategic milestones or developments; market share; economic value or economic value added models; division, group or corporate financial goals; customer satisfaction/growth; customer service; employee satisfaction; recruitment and maintenance of personnel; human resources management; supervision of litigation and other legal matters; strategic partnerships and transactions; financial ratios (including those measuring liquidity, activity, profitability or leverage); debt levels or reductions; sales-related goals; financing and other capital raising transactions; cash on hand; acquisition activity; investment sourcing activity; marketing initiatives; and other measures of performance selected by the Board or Committee whether or not listed herein, any of which may be measured in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease. Such performance goals also may be based solely by reference to the Company’s performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit of the Company or a Subsidiary, or based upon performance relative to performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to performance of other companies. The Committee may provide for exclusion of the impact of an event or occurrence which the Committee determines should appropriately be excluded, including (a) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and other unusual, infrequently occurring or non-recurring charges or events, (b) asset write-downs, (c) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (d) acquisitions or divestitures, (e) reorganization or change in the corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, (f) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company, Subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit or not within the reasonable control of management, (g) foreign exchange gains and losses, (h) a change in the fiscal year of the Company, (i) the refinancing or repurchase of bank loans or debt securities, (j) unbudgeted capital expenditures, (k) the issuance or repurchase of equity securities and other changes in the number of outstanding shares, (l) conversion of some or all of convertible securities to Common Stock, (m) any business interruption event (n) the cumulative effects of tax or accounting changes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or (o) the effect of changes in other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results.
11.31.Plan” means this 2021 Incentive Award Plan.
11.32.Restricted Stock” means Shares awarded to a Participant under Article VI subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.
11.33.Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Administrator to be of equal value as of such settlement date, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.
11.34.Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.




11.35.Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority thereunder.
11.36.Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
11.37.Service Provider” means an Employee, Consultant or Director.
11.38.Shares” means shares of Common Stock.
11.39.Stock Appreciation Right” means a stock appreciation right granted under Article V.
11.40.Subsidiary” means any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.
11.41.Substitute Awards” shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.
11.42.Termination of Service” means the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider.
* * * * *

Document
Exhibit 10.7
MARKETWISE, INC.
2021 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

ARTICLE I.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Plan is to assist Eligible Employees of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries in acquiring a stock ownership interest in the Company.
The Plan consists of two components: (i) the Section 423 Component and (ii) the Non-Section 423 Component. The Section 423 Component is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code and shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. The Non-Section 423 Component authorizes the grant of rights which need not qualify as rights granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. Rights granted under the Non-Section 423 Component shall be granted pursuant to separate Offerings containing such sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures as may be adopted by the Administrator and designed to achieve tax, securities laws or other objectives for Eligible Employees and Designated Subsidiaries but shall not be intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator or provided herein, the Non-Section 423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the Section 423 Component. Offerings intended to be made under the Non-Section 423 Component will be designated as such by the Administrator at or prior to the time of such Offering.
For purposes of this Plan, the Administrator may designate separate Offerings under the Plan in which Eligible Employees will participate. The terms of these Offerings need not be identical, even if the dates of the applicable Offering Period(s) in each such Offering are identical, provided that the terms of participation are the same within each separate Offering under the Section 423 Component (as determined under Section 423 of the Code). Solely by way of example and without limiting the foregoing, the Company could, but shall not be required to, provide for simultaneous Offerings under the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component of the Plan.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates. Masculine, feminine and neuter pronouns are used interchangeably and each comprehends the others.
2.1Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article XI.
2.2Agent” means the brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution, entity or person(s), if any, engaged, retained, appointed or authorized to act as the agent of the Company or an Employee with regard to the Plan.
2.3Applicable Law” shall mean the requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans under U.S. federal and state securities, tax and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the applicable rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable laws and rules of any foreign country or other jurisdiction where rights under this Plan are granted.
2.4Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5Code” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations issued thereunder.




2.6Common Stock” shall mean the Class A common stock of the Company and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted therefor pursuant to Article VIII.
2.7Company” shall mean MarketWise, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.
2.8Compensation” of an Eligible Employee means, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the gross base compensation received by such Eligible Employee as compensation for services to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary.
2.9Designated Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary designated by the Administrator in accordance with Section 11.2(b), such designation to specify whether such participation is in the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component. A Designated Subsidiary may participate in either the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component, but not both; provided that a Subsidiary that, for U.S. tax purposes, is disregarded from the Company or any Subsidiary that participates in the Section 423 Component shall automatically constitute a Designated Subsidiary that participates in the Section 423 Component.
2.10Effective Date” shall mean the date on which the transactions contemplated by that certain Business Combination Agreement, by and among Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp., Beacon Street Group, LLC, all members of Beacon Street Group, LLC and, solely in its capacity as the Seller Representative, Shareholder Representative Services LLC, dated as of March 1, 2021 as amended from time to time, are consummated, provided that the Board has adopted the Plan prior to or on such date, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.
2.11Eligible Employee” shall mean:
(a)an Employee who does not, immediately after any rights under this Plan are granted, own (directly or through attribution) stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of Shares and other securities of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary (as determined under Section 423(b)(3) of the Code). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code with regard to the attribution of stock ownership shall apply in determining the stock ownership of an individual, and stock that an Employee may purchase under outstanding options shall be treated as stock owned by the Employee.
(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may provide in an Offering Document that an Employee shall not be eligible to participate in an Offering Period under the Section 423 Component if: (i) such Employee is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code, (ii) such Employee has not met a service requirement designated by the Administrator pursuant to Section 423(b)(4)(A) of the Code (which service requirement may not exceed two years), (iii) such Employee’s customary employment is for twenty hours per week or less, (iv) such Employee’s customary employment is for less than five months in any calendar year and/or (v) such Employee is a citizen or resident of a foreign jurisdiction and the grant of a right to purchase Shares under the Plan to such Employee would be prohibited under the laws of such foreign jurisdiction or the grant of a right to purchase Shares under the Plan to such Employee in compliance with the laws of such foreign jurisdiction would cause the Plan to violate the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, further, that any exclusion in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) shall be applied in an identical manner under each Offering Period to all Employees, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(e).
(c)Further notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Non-Section 423 Component, the first sentence of Section 2.11(a) above shall apply in determining who is an “Eligible Employee,” except (i) the Administrator may limit eligibility further within the Company or a Designated Subsidiary so as to only designate some Employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary as Eligible Employees, and (ii) to the extent the restrictions in the first sentence in this definition are not consistent with applicable local laws, the applicable local laws shall control.
2.12Employee” shall mean any individual who renders services to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary in the status of an employee, and, with respect to the Section 423 Component, a person who is an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. For purposes of an individual’s participation in, or




other rights under the Plan, all determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive, notwithstanding that any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or Designated Subsidiary and meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2). Where the period of leave exceeds three (3) months and the individual’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the first day immediately following such three (3) month period.
2.13Enrollment Date” shall mean the first Trading Day of each Offering Period.
2.14Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
2.15Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows: (i) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such Shares as quoted on such exchange for such date, or if no sale occurred on such date, the last day preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; (ii) if the Common Stock is not traded on a stock exchange but is quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the closing sales price on such date, or if no sales occurred on such date, then on the last date preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; or (iii) without an established market for the Common Stock, the Administrator will determine the Fair Market Value in its discretion.
2.16_Non-Section 423 Component” shall mean those Offerings under the Plan, together with the sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures, if any, adopted by the Administrator as a part of this Plan, in each case, pursuant to which rights to purchase Shares during an Offering Period may be granted to Eligible Employees that need not satisfy the requirements for rights to purchase Shares granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” that are set forth under Section 423 of the Code.
2.17Offering” shall mean an offer under the Plan of a right to purchase Shares that may be exercised during an Offering Period as further described in Article IV hereof. Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator, each Offering to the Eligible Employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary shall be deemed a separate Offering, even if the dates and other terms of the applicable Offering Periods of each such Offering are identical, and the provisions of the Plan will separately apply to each Offering. To the extent permitted by Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(a)(1), the terms of each separate Offering under the Section 423 Component need not be identical, provided that the terms of the Section 423 Component and an Offering thereunder together satisfy Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(a)(2) and (a)(3).
2.18Offering Document” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1.
2.19Offering Period” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1.
2.20“Parent” shall mean any corporation, other than the Company, in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if, at the time of the determination, each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
2.21Participant” shall mean any Eligible Employee who has executed a subscription agreement and been granted rights to purchase Shares pursuant to the Plan.
2.22Payday” means the regular or recurring established day for payment of Compensation to an Employee of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary.
2.23Plan” shall mean this 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, including both the Section 423 Component and Non-Section 423 Component and any other sub-plans or appendices hereto, as may be amended from time to time.




2.24Purchase Date” shall mean the last Trading Day of each Purchase Period or such other date as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Offering Document.
2.25Purchase Period” shall refer to one or more periods within an Offering Period, as designated in the applicable Offering Document; provided, however, that, in the event no purchase period is designated by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document, the purchase period for each Offering Period covered by such Offering Document shall be the same as the applicable Offering Period.
2.26Purchase Price” shall mean the purchase price designated by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document (which purchase price, for purposes of the Section 423 Component, shall not be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Enrollment Date or on the Purchase Date, whichever is lower); provided, however, that, in the event no purchase price is designated by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document, the purchase price for the Offering Periods covered by such Offering Document shall be 85 % of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Enrollment Date or on the Purchase Date, whichever is lower; provided, further, that the Purchase Price may be adjusted by the Administrator pursuant to Article VIII and shall not be less than the par value of a Share.
2.27Section 423 Component” shall mean those Offerings under the Plan, together with the sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures, if any, adopted by the Administrator as a part of this Plan, in each case, pursuant to which rights to purchase Shares during an Offering Period may be granted to Eligible Employees that are intended to satisfy the requirements for rights to purchase Shares granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” that are set forth under Section 423 of the Code.
2.28Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.29Share” shall mean a share of Common Stock.
2.30Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, other than the Company, in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of the determination, each of the corporations other than the last corporation in an unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain; provided, however, that a limited liability company or partnership may be treated as a Subsidiary to the extent either (a) such entity is treated as a disregarded entity under Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(a) by reason of the Company or any other Subsidiary that is a corporation being the sole owner of such entity, or (b) such entity elects to be classified as a corporation under Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(a) and such entity would otherwise qualify as a Subsidiary. In addition, with respect to the Non-Section 423 Component, Subsidiary shall include any corporate or non-corporate entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect equity interest or significant business relationship.
2.31Trading Day” shall mean a day on which national stock exchanges in the United States are open for trading.
ARTICLE III
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
3.1.Number of Shares. Subject to Article VIII, the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to rights granted under the Plan shall be 6,409,000 Shares. In addition to the foregoing, subject to Article VIII, on the first day of each calendar year beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2031, the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be increased by that number of Shares equal to the least of (a) 0.5% of the Shares outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (b) such smaller number of Shares as determined by the Board. If any right granted under the Plan shall for any reason terminate without having been exercised, the Shares not purchased under such right shall again become available for issuance under the Plan.
3.2.Shares Distributed. Any Shares distributed pursuant to the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury shares or Shares purchased on the open market.




ARTICLE IV
OFFERING PERIODS; OFFERING DOCUMENTS; PURCHASE DATES
4.1Offering Periods. The Administrator may from time to time grant or provide for the grant of rights to purchase Shares under the Plan to Eligible Employees during one or more periods (each, an “Offering Period”) selected by the Administrator. The terms and conditions applicable to each Offering Period shall be set forth in an “Offering Document” adopted by the Administrator, which Offering Document shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall deem appropriate and shall be incorporated by reference into and made part of the Plan and shall be attached hereto as part of the Plan. The provisions of separate Offering or Offering Periods under the Plan need not be identical.
4.2Offering Documents. Each Offering Document with respect to an Offering Period shall specify (through incorporation of the provisions of this Plan by reference or otherwise):
(a)the length of the Offering Period, which period shall not exceed twenty-seven months;
(b)the maximum number of Shares that may be purchased by any Eligible Employee during such Offering Period, which, in the absence of a contrary designation by the Administrator, shall be [ l ] Shares; and
(c)such other provisions as the Administrator determines are appropriate, subject to the Plan.
ARTICLE V
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
5.1Eligibility. Any Eligible Employee who shall be employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary on a given Enrollment Date for an Offering Period shall be eligible to participate in the Plan during such Offering Period, subject to the requirements of this Article V and, for the Section 423 Component the limitations imposed by Section 423(b) of the Code.
5.2Enrollment in Plan.
(a)Except as otherwise set forth in an Offering Document or determined by the Administrator, an Eligible Employee may become a Participant in the Plan for an Offering Period by delivering a subscription agreement to the Company by such time prior to the Enrollment Date for such Offering Period (or such other date specified in the Offering Document) designated by the Administrator and in such form as the Company provides.
(b)Each subscription agreement shall designate either (i) a whole percentage of such Eligible Employee’s Compensation or (ii) or a fixed dollar amount, in either case, to be withheld by the Company or the Designated Subsidiary employing such Eligible Employee on each Payday during the Offering Period as payroll deductions under the Plan. In either event, the designated percentage or fixed dollar amount may not be less than 1% and may not be more than the maximum percentage specified by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document (which percentage shall be [ l ]% in the absence of any such designation) as payroll deductions. The payroll deductions made for each Participant shall be credited to an account for such Participant under the Plan and shall be deposited with the general funds of the Company.
(c)A Participant may increase or decrease the percentage of Compensation or the fixed dollar amount designated in his or her subscription agreement, subject to the limits of this Section 5.2, or may suspend his or her payroll deductions, at any time during an Offering Period; provided, however, that the Administrator may limit the number of changes a Participant may make to his or her payroll deduction elections during each Offering Period in the applicable Offering Document (and in the absence of any specific designation by the Administrator, a Participant shall be allowed to decrease (but not increase) his or her payroll deduction elections one time during each Offering Period). Any such change or suspension of payroll deductions shall be effective with the first full payroll period following ten business days after the Company’s receipt of the new subscription agreement (or such shorter or longer period as may be specified




by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document). In the event a Participant suspends his or her payroll deductions, such Participant’s cumulative payroll deductions prior to the suspension shall remain in his or her account and shall be applied to the purchase of Shares on the next occurring Purchase Date and shall not be paid to such Participant unless he or she withdraws from participation in the Plan pursuant to Article VII.
(d)Except as otherwise set forth in an Offering Document or determined by the Administrator, a Participant may participate in the Plan only by means of payroll deduction and may not make contributions by lump sum payment for any Offering Period.
5.3Payroll Deductions. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Offering Document, payroll deductions for a Participant shall commence on the first Payday following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last Payday in the Offering Period to which the Participant’s authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by the Participant as provided in Article VII or suspended by the Participant or the Administrator as provided in Section 5.2 and Section 5.6, respectively. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan to the contrary, in non-U.S. jurisdictions where participation in the Plan through payroll deductions is prohibited, the Administrator may provide that an Eligible Employee may elect to participate through contributions to the Participant’s account under the Plan in a form acceptable to the Administrator in lieu of or in addition to payroll deductions; provided, however, that, for any Offering under the Section 423 Component, the Administrator shall take into consideration any limitations under Section 423 of the Code when applying an alternative method of contribution.
5.4Effect of Enrollment. A Participant’s completion of a subscription agreement will enroll such Participant in the Plan for each subsequent Offering Period on the terms contained therein until the Participant either submits a new subscription agreement, withdraws from participation under the Plan as provided in Article VII or otherwise becomes ineligible to participate in the Plan.
5.5Limitation on Purchase of Shares. An Eligible Employee may be granted rights under the Section 423 Component only if such rights, together with any other rights granted to such Eligible Employee under “employee stock purchase plans” of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary, as specified by Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, do not permit such employee’s rights to purchase stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to accrue at a rate that exceeds $25,000 of the Fair Market Value of the Shares (determined as of the first day of the Offering Period during which such rights are granted) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time. This limitation shall be applied in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code.
5.6Suspension of Payroll Deductions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 5.5 (with respect to the Section 423 Component) or the other limitations set forth in this Plan, a Participant’s payroll deductions may be suspended by the Administrator at any time during an Offering Period. The balance of the amount credited to the account of each Participant that has not been applied to the purchase of Shares by reason of Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, Section 5.5 or the other limitations set forth in this Plan shall be paid to such Participant in one lump sum in cash as soon as reasonably practicable after the Purchase Date.
5.7Foreign Employees. In order to facilitate participation in the Plan, the Administrator may provide for such special terms applicable to Participants who are citizens or residents of a foreign jurisdiction, or who are employed by a Designated Subsidiary outside of the United States, as the Administrator may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. Except as permitted by Section 423 of the Code, with respect to the Section 423 Component, such special terms may not be more favorable than the terms of rights granted under the Section 423 Component to Eligible Employees who are residents of the United States. Such special terms may be set forth in an addendum to the Plan in the form of an appendix or sub-plan (which appendix or sub-plan may be designed to govern Offerings under the Section 423 Component or the Non-Section 423 Component, as determined by the Administrator). To the extent that the terms and conditions set forth in an appendix or sub-plan conflict with any provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the appendix or sub-plan shall govern. The adoption of any such appendix or sub-plan shall be pursuant to Section 11.2(f). Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures, with respect to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed in non-U.S. jurisdictions, regarding the exclusion of particular Subsidiaries




from participation in the Plan, eligibility to participate, the definition of Compensation, handling of payroll deductions or other contributions by Participants, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, data privacy security, payroll tax, withholding procedures, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold payroll deductions or contributions.
5.8Leave of Absence. During leaves of absence approved by the Company meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2) under the Code, a Participant may continue participation in the Plan by making cash payments to the Company on his or her normal Payday equal to his or her authorized payroll deduction.
ARTICLE VI
GRANT AND EXERCISE OF RIGHTS
6.1Grant of Rights. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, each Eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period shall be granted a right to purchase the maximum number of Shares specified under Section 4.2, subject to the limits in Section 5.5, and shall have the right to buy, on each Purchase Date during such Offering Period (at the applicable Purchase Price), such number of whole Shares as is determined by dividing (a) such Participant’s payroll deductions accumulated prior to such Purchase Date and retained in the Participant’s account as of the Purchase Date, by (b) the applicable Purchase Price (rounded down to the nearest Share). The right shall expire on the earlier of: (x) the last Purchase Date of the Offering Period, (y) last day of the Offering Period and (z) the date on which the Participant withdraws in accordance with Section 7.1 or Section 7.3.
6.2Exercise of Rights. On each Purchase Date, each Participant’s accumulated payroll deductions and any other additional payments specifically provided for in the applicable Offering Document will be applied to the purchase of whole Shares, up to the maximum number of Shares permitted pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Offering Document, at the Purchase Price. No fractional Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of rights granted under the Plan, unless the Offering Document specifically provides otherwise. Any cash in lieu of fractional Shares remaining after the purchase of whole Shares upon exercise of a purchase right will be credited to a Participant’s account and carried forward and applied toward the purchase of whole Shares for the next following Offering Period. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator may determine and may be issued in certificated form or issued pursuant to book-entry procedures.
6.3Pro Rata Allocation of Shares. If the Administrator determines that, on a given Purchase Date, the number of Shares with respect to which rights are to be exercised may exceed (a) the number of Shares that were available for issuance under the Plan on the Enrollment Date of the applicable Offering Period, or (b) the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan on such Purchase Date, the Administrator may in its sole discretion provide that the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the Shares available for purchase on such Enrollment Date or Purchase Date, as applicable, in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all Participants for whom rights to purchase Shares are to be exercised pursuant to this Article VI on such Purchase Date, and shall either (i) continue all Offering Periods then in effect, or (ii) terminate any or all Offering Periods then in effect pursuant to Article IX. The Company may make pro rata allocation of the Shares available on the Enrollment Date of any applicable Offering Period pursuant to the preceding sentence, notwithstanding any authorization of additional Shares for issuance under the Plan by the Company’s stockholders subsequent to such Enrollment Date. The balance of the amount credited to the account of each Participant that has not been applied to the purchase of Shares shall be paid to such Participant in one lump sum in cash as soon as reasonably practicable after the Purchase Date or such earlier date as determined by the Administrator.
6.4Withholding. At the time a Participant’s rights under the Plan are exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time some or all of the Shares issued under the Plan is disposed of, the Participant must make adequate provision for the Company’s federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, that arise upon the exercise of the right or the disposition of the Shares. At any time, the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the Participant’s Compensation or Shares received pursuant to the Plan the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Shares by the Participant.




6.5Conditions to Issuance of Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for, or make any book entries evidencing, Shares purchased upon the exercise of rights under the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(a)The admission of such Shares to listing on all stock exchanges, if any, on which the Shares is then listed;
(b)The completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal law or under the rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body, that the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;
(c)The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency that the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;
(d)The payment to the Company of all amounts that it is required to withhold under federal, state or local law upon exercise of the rights, if any; and
(e)The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the rights as the Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.
ARTICLE VII
WITHDRAWAL; CESSATION OF ELIGIBILITY
7.1Withdrawal. A Participant may withdraw all but not less than all of the payroll deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise his or her rights under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Company in a form acceptable to the Company no later than one week prior to the end of the Offering Period. All of the Participant’s payroll deductions credited to his or her account during an Offering Period shall be paid to such Participant as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of notice of withdrawal and such Participant’s rights for the Offering Period shall be automatically terminated, and no further payroll deductions for the purchase of Shares shall be made for such Offering Period. If a Participant withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions shall not resume at the beginning of the next Offering Period unless the Participant timely delivers to the Company a new subscription agreement.
7.2Future Participation. A Participant’s withdrawal from an Offering Period shall not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan that may hereafter be adopted by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary or in subsequent Offering Periods that commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.
7.3Cessation of Eligibility. Upon a Participant’s ceasing to be an Eligible Employee for any reason, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan pursuant to this Article VII and the payroll deductions credited to such Participant’s account during the Offering Period shall be paid to such Participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under Section 12.4, as soon as reasonably practicable, and such Participant’s rights for the Offering Period shall be automatically terminated. If a Participant transfers employment from the Company or any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Section 423 Component to any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Non-Section 423 Component, such transfer shall not be treated as a termination of employment, but the Participant shall immediately cease to participate in the Section 423 Component; however, any contributions made for the Offering Period in which such transfer occurs shall be transferred to the Non-Section 423 Component, and such Participant shall immediately join the then-current Offering under the Non-Section 423 Component upon the same terms and conditions in effect for the Participant’s participation in the Section 423 Component, except for such modifications otherwise applicable for Participants in such Offering. A Participant who transfers employment from any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Non-Section 423 Component to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Section 423 Component shall not be treated as terminating the Participant’s employment and shall remain a Participant in the Non-Section 423 Component until the earlier of (i) the end of the current Offering Period under the Non-Section 423 Component or (ii) the Enrollment Date of the first Offering Period in which the Participant is eligible to participate following such




transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may establish different rules to govern transfers of employment between entities participating in the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component, consistent with the applicable requirements of Section 423 of the Code.
ARTICLE VIII
ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN SHARES
8.1Changes in Capitalization. Subject to Section 8.3, in the event that the Administrator determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), change in control, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, combination, repurchase, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or sale or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, as determined by the Administrator, affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Administrator to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any outstanding purchase rights under the Plan, the Administrator shall make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (a) the aggregate number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 and the limitations established in each Offering Document pursuant to Section 4.2 on the maximum number of Shares that may be purchased); (b) the class(es) and number of Shares and price per Share subject to outstanding rights; and (c) the Purchase Price with respect to any outstanding rights.
8.2Other Adjustments. Subject to Section 8.3, in the event of any transaction or event described in Section 8.1 or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate (including without limitation any change in control), or of changes in Applicable Law or accounting principles, the Administrator, in its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any right under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:
(a)To provide for either (i) termination of any outstanding right in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been obtained upon the exercise of such right had such right been currently exercisable or (ii) the replacement of such outstanding right with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion;
(b)To provide that the outstanding rights under the Plan shall be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar rights covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;
(c)To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding rights under the Plan and/or in the terms and conditions of outstanding rights and rights that may be granted in the future;
(d)To provide that Participants’ accumulated payroll deductions may be used to purchase Shares prior to the next occurring Purchase Date on such date as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion and the Participants’ rights under the ongoing Offering Period(s) shall be terminated; and
(e)To provide that all outstanding rights shall terminate without being exercised.
8.3No Adjustment Under Certain Circumstances. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, no adjustment or action described in this Article VIII or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Section 423 Component of the Plan to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.




8.4No Other Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Administrator under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of Shares subject to outstanding rights under the Plan or the Purchase Price with respect to any outstanding rights.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION
9.1Amendment, Modification and Termination. The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time; provided, however, that approval of the Company’s stockholders shall be required to amend the Plan to: (a) increase the aggregate number, or change the type, of shares that may be sold pursuant to rights under the Plan under Section 3.1 (other than an adjustment as provided by Article VIII); or (b) change the corporations or classes of corporations whose employees may be granted rights under the Plan.
9.2Certain Changes to Plan. Without stockholder consent and without regard to whether any Participant rights may be considered to have been adversely affected (and, with respect to the Section 423 Component of the Plan, after taking into account Section 423 of the Code), the Administrator shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, add or revise Offering Period share limits, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld from Compensation during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company’s processing of payroll withholding elections, establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Shares for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participant’s Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion to be advisable that are consistent with the Plan.
9.3Actions In the Event of Unfavorable Financial Accounting Consequences. In the event the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:
(a)altering the Purchase Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Purchase Price;
(b)shortening any Offering Period so that the Offering Period ends on a new Purchase Date, including an Offering Period underway at the time of the Administrator action; and
(c)allocating Shares.
Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Participant.
9.4Payments Upon Termination of Plan. Upon termination of the Plan, the balance in each Participant’s Plan account shall be refunded as soon as practicable after such termination, without any interest thereon, or the Offering Period may be shortened so that the purchase of Shares occurs prior to the termination of the Plan.
ARTICLE X
TERM OF PLAN
The Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date. The effectiveness of the Plan shall be subject to approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company within twelve months following the date the Plan is first




approved by the Board. No right may be granted under the Plan prior to such stockholder approval. No rights may be granted under the Plan during any period of suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan.
ARTICLE XI
ADMINISTRATION
11.1Administrator. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Administrator of the Plan shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board to which the Board delegates administration of the Plan). The Board may at any time vest in the Board any authority or duties for administration of the Plan. The Administrator may delegate administrative tasks under the Plan to the services of an Agent or Employees to assist in the administration of the Plan, including establishing and maintaining an individual securities account under the Plan for each Participant.
11.2Authority of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(a)To determine when and how rights to purchase Shares shall be granted and the provisions of each offering of such rights (which need not be identical).
(b)To designate from time to time which Subsidiaries of the Company shall be Designated Subsidiaries, which designation may be made without the approval of the stockholders of the Company.
(c)To impose a mandatory holding period pursuant to which Employees may not dispose of or transfer Shares purchased under the Plan for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its discretion.
(d)To construe and interpret the Plan and rights granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Administrator, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.
(e)To amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as provided in Article IX.
(f)Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Administrator deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to carry out the intent that the Plan be treated as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code for the Section 423 Component.
(g)The Administrator may adopt sub-plans applicable to particular Designated Subsidiaries or locations, which sub-plans may be designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code. The rules of such sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 3.1 hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan.
11.3Decisions Binding. The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any rights granted pursuant to the Plan, any subscription agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1Restriction upon Assignment. A right granted under the Plan shall not be transferable other than by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant. Except as provided in Section 12.4 hereof, a right under the Plan may not be exercised to any extent except by the Participant. The Company shall not recognize and shall be under no duty to recognize any assignment or alienation of the Participant’s interest in the Plan, the Participant’s rights under the Plan or any rights thereunder.




12.2Rights as a Stockholder. With respect to Shares subject to a right granted under the Plan, a Participant shall not be deemed to be a stockholder of the Company, and the Participant shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder, until such Shares have been issued to the Participant or his or her nominee following exercise of the Participant’s rights under the Plan. No adjustments shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash securities, or other property) or distribution or other rights for which the record date occurs prior to the date of such issuance, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or as determined by the Administrator.
12.3Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions or contributions of a Participant under the Plan.
12.4Designation of Beneficiary.
(a)A Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any Shares and/or cash, if any, from the Participant’s account under the Plan in the event of such Participant’s death subsequent to a Purchase Date on which the Participant’s rights are exercised but prior to delivery to such Participant of such Shares and cash. In addition, a Participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the Participant’s account under the Plan in the event of such Participant’s death prior to exercise of the Participant’s rights under the Plan. If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse as his or her beneficiary shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse.
(b)Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Participant at any time by written notice to the Company. In the event of the death of a Participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such Participant’s death, the Company shall deliver such Shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such Shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the Participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.
12.5Notices. All notices or other communications by a Participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.
12.6Equal Rights and Privileges. Subject to Section 5.7, all Eligible Employees will have equal rights and privileges under the Section 423 Component so that the Section 423 Component of this Plan qualifies as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Subject to Section 5.7, any provision of the Section 423 Component that is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code will, without further act or amendment by the Company, the Board or the Administrator, be reformed to comply with the equal rights and privileges requirement of Section 423 of the Code. Eligible Employees participating in the Non-Section 423 Component need not have the same rights and privileges as other Eligible Employees participating in the Non-Section 423 Component or as Eligible Employees participating in the Section 423 Component.
12.7Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.
12.8No Employment Rights. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any person (including any Eligible Employee or Participant) the right to remain in the employ of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or affect the right of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any person (including any Eligible Employee or Participant) at any time, with or without cause.
12.9Notice of Disposition of Shares. Each Participant shall if requested by the Company give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any Shares purchased upon exercise of a right under




the Section 423 Component of the Plan if such disposition or transfer is made: (a) within two years from the Enrollment Date of the Offering Period in which the Shares were purchased or (b) within one year after the Purchase Date on which such Shares were purchased. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by the Participant in such disposition or other transfer.
12.10Governing Law. The Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware, disregarding any state’s choice of law principles requiring the application of a jurisdiction’s laws other than the State of Delaware.
12.11Electronic Forms. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and in the discretion of the Administrator, an Eligible Employee may submit any form or notice as set forth herein by means of an electronic form approved by the Administrator. Before the commencement of an Offering Period, the Administrator shall prescribe the time limits within which any such electronic form shall be submitted to the Administrator with respect to such Offering Period in order to be a valid election.

Document
Exhibit 16.1
July 27, 2021

Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549
Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have read MarketWise, Inc.’s (formally known as Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp.) statements included under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated July 27, 2021. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm under Item 4.01, in which we were informed of our dismissal on July 21, 2021. We are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements contained therein.

Very truly yours,
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
New York, New York

Document
Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of MarketWise, Inc.
Entity NameJurisdiction of Formation
MarketWise, LLCDelaware
Beacon Street Services, LLCDelaware
Bonner & Partners, LLC
Maryland
Casey Research, LLCFlorida
Chaikin Resources, LLCDelaware
Chaikin Analytics, LLCDelaware
Chaikin Investments, LLCDelaware
Common Sense Publishing, LLCFlorida
Empire Financial Research, LLCDelaware
Harbor Publishing, LLCMaryland
InvestorPlace Media Holdings, LLCDelaware
InvestorPlace Media, LLCDelaware
KOC Publishing, LLCDelaware
Legacy Research Group, LLCFlorida
Omnia Research, LLCFlorida
Signal to Noise, LLCDelaware
Stansberry & Associates Investment Research, LLCMaryland
Stansberry China, LLCDelaware
Tradesmith, LLCFlorida
VRSH, LLC d/b/a AltimetryDelaware
Winans Media Group, LLC
Maryland
RoundTable Research, LLC
Delaware

Document
Exhibit 99.1
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Defined terms included below have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K and, if not defined in the Form 8-K. Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to MarketWise, Inc. and its subsidiaries after the Closing, and Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp. prior to the Closing.
Introduction
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements present the combination of the financial information of ADAC and MarketWise, LLC, adjusted to give effect to the Transactions, including:
the reverse recapitalization between ADAC and MarketWise, LLC, whereby no goodwill or other intangible assets are recorded;
the consummation of the PIPE Investment pursuant to the Subscription Agreements; and
the effectiveness of the Tax Receivable Agreement.
ADAC was a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses. ADAC was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on February 11, 2020. On July 28, 2020, ADAC consummated its initial public offering of 41,400,000 units, including 5,400,000 units that were issued pursuant to the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option. The units were sold at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds to ADAC of $414,000,000. Simultaneously with the consummation of the initial public offering, ADAC completed the private sale of 10,280,000 private placement warrants at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds to ADAC of $10,280,000. The 20,700,000 public warrants issued in the ADAC units and the 10,280,000 private placement warrants were each exercisable for one ADAC Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50. Following the initial public offering, including the exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of the private placement warrants, a total of $414,000,000 was placed in the Trust Account. At the close of the Transactions, immediately prior to the effect of redemptions, there was approximately $414,270,280 held in the Trust Account. ADAC had 24 months from the closing of its initial public offering (by July 28, 2022) to complete an initial business combination.
MarketWise, LLC was organized in the State of Maryland as a limited liability company on January 30, 2013. It was reorganized in the State of Florida as a limited liability company effective May 1, 2015 and, effective February 26, 2021, was reorganized in the State of Delaware as a limited liability company. MarketWise is a leading multi-brand platform of subscription businesses that provides premium financial research, software, education, and tools for self-directed investors. MarketWise offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality, independent investment research, as well as several software and analytical tools, on a subscription basis.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021 combines the historical balance sheets of ADAC and MarketWise, LLC on a pro forma basis as if the Transactions and related transactions had been consummated on March 31, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 combines the historical statements of operations of ADAC and MarketWise, LLC for such period on a pro forma basis as if the Transactions and related transactions had been consummated on January 1, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 combines the historical statements of operations of ADAC and MarketWise, LLC for such period on a pro forma basis as if the Transactions and related transactions had been consummated on January 1, 2020.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what MarketWise’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Transactions occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the pro forma condensed consolidated
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financial information may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of MarketWise. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.
The historical financial information of ADAC was derived from the audited financial statements of ADAC as of and for the period from February 11, 2020 to December 31, 2020, and the unaudited financial statements of ADAC as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021, both of which are incorporated by reference into this Report. The historical financial information of MarketWise was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of MarketWise, LLC as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the unaudited financial statements of MarketWise, LLC as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021, both of which are incorporated by reference into this Report. This information should be read together with ADAC’s and MarketWise, LLC’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, the sections titled “ADAC’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “MarketWise’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial information incorporated by reference into this Report.
We expect the Transactions to be accounted for akin to a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. The Transactions do not result in a change in control of MarketWise, LLC as Monument & Cathedral controls both MarketWise, LLC and MarketWise through its rights to (x) nominate the majority of the members of the board of directors of MarketWise, LLC under MarketWise, LLC’s existing operating agreement and (y) through its control of MarketWise, LLC prior to Closing, seven of the nine directors to be appointed to the board of directors of MarketWise effective upon the Closing. Under the guidance in ASC 805 for transactions between entities under common control, the assets, liabilities, and non-controlling interests of MarketWise, LLC and ADAC are recognized at their carrying amounts on the date of the Transactions.
The historical financial information has been adjusted to give pro forma effect for certain transaction accounting adjustments to provide relevant information necessary for an accurate understanding of the combined company upon consummation of the Transactions, Domestication, and PIPE Investment. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings, or cost savings that may be associated with the Transactions.
Description of the Transactions
On March 1, 2021, ADAC entered into the Transaction Agreement with MarketWise, LLC and the Existing MarketWise Equityholders. Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, prior to the Closing, ADAC (i) consummated the Domestication, by virtue of which each then issued and outstanding ADAC Class B ordinary share converted automatically into an ADAC Class A ordinary share, and immediately thereafter each then issued and outstanding ADAC Class A ordinary share converted automatically, on a one-to-one basis, into a share of MarketWise Class A common stock, (ii) entered into the Certificate of Incorporation to, among other things, (a) change the name of “Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp.” to “MarketWise, Inc.,” (b) convert all then-outstanding ADAC Class A ordinary shares and ADAC Class B ordinary shares into MarketWise Class A common stock, and (c) authorize the issuance of MarketWise Class B common stock, (iii) adopted the Bylaws, and (iv) entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement with MarketWise, LLC and the Existing MarketWise Equityholders.
Additionally, at the Closing, the Existing MarketWise Equityholders, MarketWise, and MarketWise, LLC entered into the MarketWise Third A&R Operating Agreement, which, among other things, (i) restructured the capitalization of MarketWise, LLC to (a) authorized the issuance of MarketWise Units to MarketWise and (b) reclassify the existing units of MarketWise, LLC held by the MarketWise Members into MarketWise Units on a one-for-one basis and (ii) appointed MarketWise as the managing member of MarketWise, LLC.
Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, MarketWise is organized in an “Up-C” structure whereby the MarketWise Members received a class of non-economic common stock (MarketWise Class B common stock) in MarketWise while retaining economic interests in MarketWise, LLC that are exchangeable for MarketWise Class A common stock or redeemable for cash. When a holder of MarketWise Class B common stock exchanges MarketWise Units for shares of MarketWise Class A common stock or redeems
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such MarketWise Units for cash, a number of shares of MarketWise Class B common stock equal to the number of such MarketWise Units will be immediately retired and will no longer be outstanding.
The consideration received by the Existing MarketWise Equityholders consisted entirely of equity consideration of 291,092,300 MarketWise Units (and accompanying shares of MarketWise Class B common stock) valued at $291,092,300 based on a $2.9 billion equity value.
The following summarizes the pro forma combined ownership of MarketWise common stock as of immediately following the consummation of the Transactions, assuming the earnout contingency relating to the Sponsor Earn Out Shares and MarketWise Management Member Earn Out Shares has not yet been met:
Shareholder
No. of Shares(3)
% Ownership
Existing MarketWise Equityholders(1)(2)
291,092,30092.10 %
Public shareholders2,653,096 0.08 %
Initial Shareholders(2)
7,299,000 2.31 %
PIPE Investors15,000,000 4.75 %
Total316,044,396 100.00 %
__________________
(1)The Existing MarketWise Equityholders hold one share of MarketWise Class B common stock for each MarketWise Unit held by such Existing MarketWise Equityholder. The MarketWise Class B common stock has the same voting rights as the MarketWise Class A common stock but no economic rights.
(2)Excludes 3,051,000 Sponsor Earn Out Shares and up to 2,000,000 MarketWise Management Member Earn Out Shares, as the earnout contingency has not yet been met.
(3)Excludes shares of MarketWise Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of 20,700,000 public warrants and 10,280,000 private placement warrants.
The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Transactions are based on certain currently available information and certain assumptions and methodologies that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited condensed pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments and it is possible the difference may be material. We believe that our assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Transactions based on information available to management at this time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations and financial position would have been had the Transactions taken place on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the post-combination company. They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of ADAC and MarketWise.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
(In thousands, except per share information)
MarketWise, LLC (Historical)ADAC (Historical)Transaction AdjustmentsMarketWise
Pro Forma
Net revenue$119,341 $— $— $119,341 
Related party revenue373 — — 373 
Total net revenue119,714 — — 119,714 
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue132,812 (bb)— 64,600 (bb)197,412 
Sales and marketing91,785 (bb)— 7,949 (bb)99,734 
General and administrative507,429 (bb)446 267,021 (bb)774,450 
(446)(dd)
Research and development1,778 — — 1,778 
Depreciation and amortization751 — — 751 
Related party expense20 30 (30)(dd)20 
Total operating expenses734,575 476 339,094 1,074,145 
Loss from operations(614,861)(476)(339,094)(954,431)
Other (expense) income, net(227)— — (227)
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities— 22,138 — 22,138 
Interest income, net48 (48)(aa)
Net (loss) income before income taxes(615,083)21,710 (339,142)(932,515)
Income tax benefit— — 281 (cc)281 
Net (loss) income(615,083)21,710 (338,861)(932,234)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest(630)— (878,696)(ee)(879,326)
Net (loss) income attributable to MarketWise, Inc.$(614,453)$21,710 $(52,908)
Loss per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted24,954 
Basic and diluted loss per share$(2.12)
Included in cost of revenue, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses are stock-based compensation expenses as follows:
Cost of revenue$114,348 $— $64,600 (bb)$178,948 
Sales and marketing14,070 — 7,949 (bb)22,019 
General and administrative472,657 — 267,021 (bb)739,678 
Total stock-based compensation expense$601,075 $— $339,570 $940,645 
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Change in fair value$551,544 $— $266,500 (bb)$818,044 
Vested units43,880 — 73,070 (bb)116,950 
Distributions5,651 — — (bb)5,651 
Total stock-based compensation expense$601,075 $— $339,570 $940,645 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands, except per share information)
MarketWise, LLC (Historical)ADAC (Historical)Transaction AdjustmentsMarketWise
Pro Forma
Net revenue$360,793 $— $— $360,793 
Related party revenue3,386 — — 3,386 
Total net revenue364,179 — — 364,179 
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue154,605 (bb)— 173,514 (bb)328,119 
Sales and marketing214,257 (bb)— 17,847 (bb)232,104 
General and administrative526,561 (bb)300 743,632 (bb)1,270,193 
(300)(dd)
Research and development4,770 — — 4,770 
Depreciation and amortization2,553 — — 2,553 
Related party expense122 50 (50)(dd)122 
Total operating expenses902,868 350 934,643 1,837,861 
Loss from operations(538,689)(350)(934,643)(1,473,682)
Other (expense) income, net(2,879)— — (2,879)
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities— (28,526)— (28,526)
Financing costs— (964)964 (aa)— 
Interest income, net477 210 (210)(aa)477 
Net loss before income taxes(541,091)(29,630)(933,889)(1,504,610)
Income tax expense— — (320)(cc)(320)
Net loss(541,091)(29,630)(934,209)(1,504,930)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest(2,718)— (1,357,035)(ee)(1,359,753)
Net loss attributable to MarketWise, Inc.$(538,373)$(29,630)$(145,177)
Loss per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted24,954 
Basic and diluted loss per share$(5.82)
Included in cost of revenue, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses are stock-based compensation expenses as follows:
Cost of revenue$102,736 $— $173,514 (bb)$276,250 
Sales and marketing10,567 — 17,847 (bb)28,414 
General and administrative440,297 — 743,632 (bb)1,183,929 
Total stock-based compensation expense$553,600 $— $934,993 $1,488,593 
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Change in fair value$456,457 $— $861,923 (bb)$1,318,380 
Vested units18,745 — 73,070 (bb)91,815 
Distributions78,398 — — (bb)78,398 
Total stock-based compensation expense$553,600 $— $934,993 $1,488,593 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
As of March 31, 2021
(In thousands)
MarketWise, LLC (Historical)MarketWise, LLC
Pro Forma Adjustments
MarketWise, LLC
Pro Forma
ADAC (Historical)Transaction AdjustmentsMarketWise
Pro Forma
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents184,712 (184,712)(i)$— $695 $414,258 (a)$121,018 
150,000 (b)
(41,976)(c)
(14,490)(d)
(387,469)(g)
Accounts receivable, net13,119 13,119 — 13,119 
Prepaid expenses9,590 9,590 271 9,861 
Related party receivables736 736 — 736 
Related party notes receivable, current— 
Restricted cash500 500 — 500 
Deferred contract acquisition costs58,520 58,520 — 58,520 
Other current assets1,926 1,926 — 1,926 
Total current assets269,105 (184,712)84,393 966 120,323 205,682 
Property and equipment, net1,365 1,365 — 1,365 
Operating lease right-of-use assets12,287 12,287 — 12,287 
Intangible assets, net9,749 9,749 — 9,749 
Goodwill23,177 23,177 — 23,177 
Deferred contract acquisition costs, noncurrent98,396 98,396 — 98,396 
Related party notes receivable, noncurrent1,148 1,148 — 1,148 
Other assets698 698 — 698 
Investments held in Trust Account— — 414,258 (414,258)(a) — 
Total assets
415,925 (184,712)231,213 415,224 (293,935)352,502 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables6,697 6,697 308 7,005 
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Related party payables, net5,081 5,081 10 5,091 
Accrued expenses61,953 61,953 77 62,030 
Deferred revenue and other contract liabilities321,312 321,312 — 321,312 
Operating lease liabilities1,195 1,195 — 1,195 
Other current liabilities23,728 23,728 — 23,728 
Total current liabilities419,966 — 419,966 395 — 420,361 
Class B members’ units1,188,659 (1,188,659)(m)— — — 
Deferred revenue and other contract liabilities, noncurrent343,801 343,801 — 343,801 
Deferred underwriting commissions— — 14,490 (14,490)(d) — 
Derivative liabilities, noncurrent4,737 4,737 31,663 36,400 
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent7,829 7,829 — 7,829 
Total liabilities1,964,992 (1,188,659)776,333 46,548 (14,490)808,391 
Commitments and Contingencies:— — — — 
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption— — 363,676 (363,676)(g) — 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Class A members’ units (1,543,098)1,543,098 (k)— — — 
Class A ordinary shares— — (1)(f) — 
Class B ordinary shares— — (1)(e) — 
Class A common stock— — — (b)
— (f)
(e)
Class B common stock— — — 29 (j)29 
Additional paid-in capital — (184,712)(i)1,845,595 12,918 149,998 (b) 1,852,608 
502,079 (l)(41,976)(c)
1,528,228 (m)(f)
(23,793)(g)
(29)(j)
(82,186)(l)
(7,920)(h)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(34)(34)— (34)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)— (1,543,098)(k)(1,882,667)(7,920)7,920 (h) (1,882,667)
(339,569)(m)
Non-controlling interest (5,935)(502,079)(l)(508,014)— 82,186 (r)(425,828)
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Total stockholders' equity (deficit)(1,549,067)1,003,947 (545,120)5,000 84,231 (455,889)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
$415,925 $(184,712)$231,213 $415,224 $(293,935)$352,502 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.




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NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.Accounting Policies
Following consummation of the Transactions, management will perform a comprehensive review of the two entities’ accounting policies. As a result of the review, management may identify differences between the accounting policies of the two entities which, when conformed, could have a material impact on the financial statements of the post-combination company. Based on its initial analysis, management has not identified differences that would have a material impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information.
2.Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Transactions and has been prepared for informational purposes only.
The historical financial information has been adjusted to give pro forma effect for certain transaction accounting adjustments to provide relevant information necessary for an accurate understanding of the combined company upon consummation of the Transactions, Domestication, and PIPE Investment.
The pro forma combined provision for income taxes does not necessarily reflect the amounts that would have resulted had MarketWise filed consolidated income tax returns during the period presented.
The pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations are based upon the number of shares of MarketWise common stock outstanding, assuming the Transactions occurred on January 1, 2020.
Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(aa)Reflects the elimination of interest income earned on investments held in the Trust Account.
(bb)Reflects a non-recurring additional non-cash compensation expense of $339.6 million and $935.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively, related to the acceleration of the vesting as part of the Transactions for incentive compensation units of MarketWise, LLC granted to certain key employees (the “Class B Units”). Prior to the Transactions, the Class B Units were classified as liabilities because MarketWise, LLC’s existing operating agreement provided for call and put options for the Class B Units. This resulted in a requirement to expense all distributions to Class B Units, any valuation increases (non-cash) in the Class B Units, and the vesting of Class B Units (non-cash). Stock-based compensation related to the Class B Units also impacted 2021 and 2020 operating expenses of MarketWise, LLC and totaled $601.1 million and $553.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively. The following tables present the stock-based compensation expense included within the cost of revenue, sales and marketing, and general and administrative financial statement line items, as well as the stock-based compensation expense broken out by the change in fair value of the liability-classified Class B Units, the vesting of Class B Units, and the related cash distributions to Class B Units. Upon the consummation of the Transactions, MarketWise, LLC’s existing operating agreement was replaced with the Third A&R Operating Agreement and all of MarketWise, LLC’s existing units were converted into new MarketWise Units that are considered common equity, and no longer generate this type of stock-based compensation. Upon consummation of the Transactions, MarketWise implemented a traditional equity compensation plan and expects to incur greatly reduced stock-based compensation expense that will be similar to that of other public companies.
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
(In thousands)MarketWise, LLC (Historical)ADAC (Historical)Transaction AdjustmentsMarketWise
Pro Forma
Cost of revenue$114,348 $— $64,600 $178,948 
Sales and marketing14,070 — 7,949 22,019 
General and administrative472,657 — 267,021 739,678 
Total stock-based compensation expense$601,075 $— $339,570 $940,645 
Change in fair value$551,544 $— $266,500 $818,044 
Vested units43,880 — 73,070 116,950 
Distributions5,651 — — 5,651 
Total stock-based compensation expense$601,075 $— $339,570 $940,645 

Year Ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands)MarketWise, LLC (Historical)ADAC (Historical)Transaction AdjustmentsMarketWise Pro Forma
Cost of revenue$102,736 $— $173,514 $276,250 
Sales and marketing10,567 — 17,847 28,414 
General and administrative440,297 — 743,632 1,183,929 
Total stock-based compensation expense$553,600 $— $934,993 $1,488,593 
Change in fair value$456,457 $— $861,923 $1,318,380 
Vested units18,745 — 73,070 91,815 
Distributions78,398 — — 78,398 
Total stock-based compensation expense$553,600 $— $934,993 $1,488,593 

(cc)Reflects the adjustment to income tax expense as a result of the tax impact on the pro forma adjustments at the estimated effective tax rate of 2.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, after adjusting for additional stock-based compensation expense and the change in the fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities, which are non-deductible for tax purposes.
(dd)Reflects the elimination of ADAC’s historical income and expenses, including administrative support services, which ceases at closing.
(ee)Represents the allocation of net loss to the non-controlling interests due to the Retained Units held by the Existing MarketWise Equityholders. The amount has been calculated as follows:
MarketWise pro forma net loss before income taxes, excluding change in fair value of warrant liabilities; less net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of MarketWise, LLC; multiplied by the Retained Units of the Existing MarketWise Equityholders of 92.1%.
As a result, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, the net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests held by the Existing MarketWise Equityholders amounts to $878.7 million. The non-controlling interest related to other entities that are included in the MarketWise, LLC amount totaled $0.6 million.
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For the year ended December 31, 2020, the net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests held by the Existing MarketWise Equityholders amounts to $1,357.0 million. The non-controlling interest related to other entities that are included in the MarketWise, LLC amount totaled $2.7 million.
Loss per Share
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021
Year Ended December 31, 2020
(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Pro forma net loss $(52,908)$(145,177)
Denominator:
Public shareholders2,655 2,655 
PIPE Investors15,000 15,000 
Initial Shareholders 7,299 7,299 
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted24,954 24,954 
Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share(1)(2)(3)
$(2.12)$(5.82)
__________________
(1)Because basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are the same in a net loss position, combined pro forma net loss per share excludes 20,700,000 public warrants and 10,280,000 private placement warrants.
(2)The combined pro forma net loss per share excludes the impact of 3,051,000 Sponsor Earn Out Shares and up to 2,000,000 MarketWise Management Member Earn Out Shares, as the earnout contingency has not been met.
(3)Shares of MarketWise Class B common stock do not participate in the earnings or losses of MarketWise and, therefore, are not participating securities. As such, a separate presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share of MarketWise Class B common stock under the two-class method has not been presented.
Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(a)Reflects the reclassification of the Trust Account to cash and cash equivalents that became available at the time of the Transactions.
(b)Reflects proceeds of $150.0 million from the issuance and sale of 15,000,000 shares of MarketWise Class A common stock in the PIPE Investment pursuant to the Subscription Agreements.
(c)Reflects the payment of transaction costs incurred by ADAC and MarketWise for legal, financial advisory, and other professional fees reflected as a decrease in additional paid-in capital.
(d)Reflects the settlement of $14.5 million in deferred underwriters’ discounts.
(e)Reflects the conversion of ADAC Class B ordinary shares into MarketWise Class A common stock.
(f)Reflects the conversion of ADAC Class A ordinary shares into MarketWise Class A common stock.
(g)Reflects cash payment of $387.5 million to redeeming shareholders of ADAC Class A ordinary shares and the related reclassification of $363.7 million carrying value to additional paid-in capital.
(h)Reflects reclassification of ADAC’s historical accumulated deficit.
(i)Reflects the distribution by MarketWise, LLC made to the Existing MarketWise Equityholders immediately prior to the recapitalization, in accordance with MarketWise, LLC’s existing operating agreement, of all cash and cash equivalents of MarketWise, LLC as of such time.
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(j)Represents the issuance of 291.1 million shares of MarketWise Class B common stock to the Existing MarketWise Equityholders with a resulting decrease in additional paid-in capital.
(k)Represents the allocation of accumulated losses of MarketWise, LLC reclassified into retained earnings.
(l)Represents the allocation of net assets to the non-controlling interests, which are primarily due to the Retained Units of the Existing MarketWise Equityholders.
(m)Represents:
1.the additional compensation expense of $339.6 million recorded in accumulated deficit and related to the acceleration of the vesting for Class B Units of MarketWise, LLC;
2.the corresponding elimination of the historical liability of $1,188.7 million; and
3.the resulting increase in additional paid-in capital (see footnote (bb) to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations).
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