U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 1-A
Amendment #1
REGULATION A+ OFFERING CIRCULAR - - PART II -TIER II
Dated 7/12/2021
PURSUANT TO REGULATION A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
TERNIO, LLC
a Delaware Limited Liability Company
3010 Haven Reserve
Milton, Georgia 30004
210-913-4445
54,347,827
Units of Class B Non-Voting Common Units at
$0.46
per Unit
Maximum Offering:
$25,000,000.42
See The Offering and Securities Being Offered For Further Details
None of the Securities Offered Are Being Sold By Present Security Holders.
This Offering Will Commence Upon Qualification of this Offering by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Will Terminate 360 days from the Date of Qualification by the Securities And Exchange Commission, unless Extended or Terminated Earlier By The Issuer.
AN OFFERING STATEMENT PURSUANT TO REGULATION A RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR IS SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED BEFORE THE OFFERING STATEMENT FILED WITH THE COMMISSION IS QUALIFIED. THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR MAY THERE BE ANY SALES OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL BEFORE REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. WE MAY ELECT TO SATISFY OUR OBLIGATION TO DELIVER A FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR BY SENDING YOU A NOTICE WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF OUR SALE TO YOU THAT CONTAINS THE URL WHERE THE FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR OR THE OFFERING STATEMENT IN WHICH SUCH FINAL OFFERING CIRCULAR WAS FILED MAY BE OBTAINED.
Capitalized but undefined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the Ternio, LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement (the Operating Agreement), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A. The mailing address of the Company is 310 Haven Reserve, Milton, Georgia 30004 and the telephone number is (210) 913-4445.
1
INVESTMENT IN SMALL BUSINESSES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK, AND INVESTORS SHOULD NOT INVEST ANY FUNDS IN THIS OFFERING UNLESS THEY CAN AFFORD TO LOSE THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT. SEE BELOW AND REVIEW ALL THE RISK FACTORS THAT MANAGEMENT BELIEVES PRESENT THE MOST SUBSTANTIAL RISKS TO AN INVESTOR IN THIS OFFERING. AN INVESTMENT IN THIS COMPANY SHOULD ONLY BE MADE IF YOU ARE CAPABLE OF EVALUATING THE RISKS AND MERITS OF THIS INVESTMENT AND IF YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO BEAR THE ENTIRE LOSS OF YOUR INVESTMENT, SHOULD THAT OCCUR.
IN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION INVESTORS MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUER AND THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS AND RISKS INVOLVED. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED OR APPROVED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY. FURTHERMORE, THESE AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION DOES NOT PASS UPON THE MERITS OF ANY SECURITIES OFFERED OR THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, NOR DOES IT PASS UPON THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY OFFERING CIRCULAR OR SELLING LITERATURE. THESE SECURITIES ARE OFFERED UNDER AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION. HOWEVER, THE COMMISSION HAS NOT MADE AN INDEPENDENT DETERMINATION THAT THESE SECURITIES ARE EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.
Because these securities are being offered on a best efforts basis, the following disclosures are hereby made:
| Price to Public | Commissions1 | Proceeds to Company2 | Proceeds to
|
Per Unit | $0.46 | $0.03 | $0.43 | - |
Minimum Investment | $460.00 | $32.20 | $427.80 | - |
Maximum Offering | $25,000,000.42 | $1,750,000.03 | $15,466,800.39 | $7,783,200.00 |
1
The Units are being offered on a best efforts basis through OpenDeal Broker LLC ( ODB ), a broker-dealer registered with the Commission and admitted to membership in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ( FINRA ) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation ( SIPC ). As of the date of this Offering Circular, the Company is a party to a selling agreement with ODB. A cash commission of 6% of the aggregate Offering Price will be paid to ODB with respect to all Units sold in this Offering. In addition to the 6% commission, ODB will also receive a securities commission, payable in Units, equal to 2% of all Units sold in this Offering. We may be required to indemnify ODB and possibly other parties with respect to disclosures made in this Offering Circular. We reserve the right, in connection with this Offering, to enter into posting agreements with equity crowdfunding firms not associated with FINRA member firms, for which we may pay non-contingent fees as compensation. See Plan of Distribution for details regarding the compensation payable to third-parties in connection with this Offering.
2
Does not reflect payment of expenses of this Offering, which are estimated to not exceed $50,000.00 and which include, among other things, legal fees, accounting costs, reproduction expenses, due diligence, marketing, consulting, broker-dealer out-of-pocket expenses, administrative services, technology provider fees, banking fees, other costs of blue sky compliance, and actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company selling the Units, but which do not include any type of commissions to be paid to any broker-dealer. If the Company engages the services of additional broker-dealers in connection with the Offering, their commissions will be an additional expense of the Offering. See the Plan of Distribution for details regarding the compensation payable in connection with this Offering. This amount represents the proceeds of the Offering to the Company, which will be used as set out in Use of Proceeds.
3
The fees and commissions with respect to the Selling Stockholder Shares will be paid by the selling stockholders. See Plan of Distribution ..
2
GENERALLY, NO SALE MAY BE MADE TO YOU IN THIS OFFERING IF THE AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE YOU PAY IS MORE THAN 10% OF THE GREATER OF YOUR ANNUAL INCOME OR NET WORTH. DIFFERENT RULES APPLY TO ACCREDITED INVESTORS AND NON-NATURAL PERSONS. BEFORE MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION THAT YOUR INVESTMENT DOES NOT EXCEED APPLICABLE THRESHOLDS, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REVIEW RULE 251(D)(2)(I)(C) OF REGULATION A. FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON INVESTING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REFER TO WWW.INVESTOR.GOV.
This offering consists of Class B Non-Voting Common Units (the Units or individually, each a Unit) that are being offered on a best efforts basis, which means that there is no guarantee that any minimum amount will be sold. The term Offering refers to the offer of Units pursuant to this Offering Circular. The Units are being offered and sold by Ternio, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (Ternio, we, our or the Company). There are
4,347,9277
Class B Non-Voting Common Units being offered at a price of
$0.46
per Class B Non-Voting Unit with a minimum purchase of One
Thousand (1,000)
Units per investor. The Units are being offered on a best-efforts basis to an unlimited number of accredited investors and an unlimited number of non-accredited investors only by the Company. The Units are initially being offered directly through the Company. However, the Company reserves the right to engage in one or more FINRA member broker-dealers or other third-party placement agents in the discretion of the Company. The maximum aggregate amount of the Units offered is
$25,000,000.42
(the Maximum Offering). There is no minimum number of Units (other than the per investor minimum of
1,000
Units) that needs to be sold in order for funds to be released to the Company and for this Offering to hold its first closing.
The Units are being offered pursuant to Regulation A of Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for Tier 2 offerings. The Units will only be issued to purchasers who satisfy the requirements set forth in Regulation A. This Offering will commence after qualification by the Commission and is expected to expire on the first of: (i) all of the Units offered are sold; or (ii) the close of business 360 days from the date of qualification by the Commission, unless sooner terminated or extended by the Companys CEO, or (iii) the date upon which a determination is made by the Company to terminate the Offering in the Companys sole and absolute discretion. Pending each closing, payments for the Units will be deposited in a bank account to be held for the Company. Funds will be promptly refunded without interest, for sales that are not consummated. All funds received shall be held only in a non-interest-bearing bank account. Upon closing under the terms as set out in this Offering Circular, funds will be immediately transferred to the Company where they will be available for use in the operations of the Companys business in a manner consistent with the Use Of Proceeds in this Offering Circular. The Companys website is not incorporated into this Offering Circular.
Concurrent with this offering, the Company is also offerings the Company Offered Units in a separate offering being made pursuant Rule 506(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act. (the Concurrent Regulation D Offering ). We are not offering the Selling Unit Holder Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering. We are making the Concurrent Regulation D Offering by way of a separate offering document that will be made available only to persons who can verify to us that they are accredited investors, as such term is defined in Regulation D. We may commence selling the Company Offered Shares in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering before the date on which this Regulation A offering is qualified by the SEC.
THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS CONCERNING THE COMPANY OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON.
_____________________________________
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE NOT TO CONSTRUE THE CONTENTS OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR, OR OF ANY PRIOR OR SUBSEQUENT COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR AFFILIATES, AS INVESTMENT, LEGAL, FINANCIAL OR TAX ADVICE.
_____________________________________
BEFORE INVESTING IN THIS OFFERING, PLEASE REVIEW ALL DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY, ASK ANY QUESTIONS OF THE COMPANYS MANAGEMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ANSWERED AND CONSULT YOUR OWN COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANT AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS AS TO LEGAL, TAX AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS CONCERNING THIS INVESTMENT.
3
_____________________________________
THERE IS NO PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE COMMON UNITS OR ANY OTHER SECURITIES OF THIS COMPANY, NOR WILL ANY SUCH MARKET DEVELOP AS A RESULT OF THIS OFFERING. A LEGALLY COMPLIANT TRADING MARKET FOR THE COMMON UNITS MAY NEVER BE DEVELOPED. TRADING OF COMMON UNITS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED UNLESS AND UNITHOLDERS ARE NOTIFIED OTHERWISE BY THE COMPANY, WHICH MAY REQUIRE UNITHOLDERS TO HOLD THEIR UNITS INDEFINITELY. AN INVESTMENT IN THIS OFFERING IS HIGHLY SPECULATIVE, AND YOU SHOULD ONLY INVEST IF YOU ARE PREPARED TO LOSE YOUR ENTIRE INVESTMENT.
_____________________________________
THE UNITS ARE OFFERED BY THE COMPANY SUBJECT TO THE COMPANYS RIGHT TO REJECT ANY TENDERED SUBSCRIPTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ITS ABSOLUTE DISCRETION, AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE UNITS. THE COMPANY MAY REJECT ANY OFFER IN WHOLE OR IN PART AND NEED NOT ACCEPT OFFERS IN THE ORDER RECEIVED.
_____________________________________
INVESTORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPRESENT THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO BEAR THE ECONOMIC RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT AND THAT THEY (OR THEIR PURCHASER REPRESENTATIVES) ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND UNDERSTAND THE TERMS AND RISKS OF THIS OFFERING. THE CONTENTS OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. EACH INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN ATTORNEY, ACCOUNTANT OR BUSINESS ADVISOR AS TO LEGAL, TAX AND RELATED MATTERS CONCERNING THIS INVESTMENT. ALL FINAL DECISIONS IN RESPECT TO SALES OF SECURITIES WILL BE MADE BY THE COMPANY, WHICH RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVOKE THE OFFER AND TO REFUSE TO SELL TO ANY PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR.
_____________________________________
NO OFFERING LITERATURE OR ADVERTISING IN ANY FORM SHOULD BE RELIED ON IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING EXCEPT FOR THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR, ANY EXHIBITS ATTACHED AND THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN BOTH. NO PERSONS, EXCEPT THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENTS AND SUCH REGISTERED BROKER-DEALERS AS THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO UTILIZE, HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS MEMORANDUM AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR NOR ANY SALE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE THE IMPLICATION THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
_____________________________________
THE INVESTMENT DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR INVOLVES RISK AND IS OFFERED ONLY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN AFFORD TO ASSUME SUCH RISKS FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME AND WHO AGREE TO PURCHASE THE SECURITIES THAT ARE BEING OFFERED HEREUNDER ONLY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TOWARDS A TRANSFER, RESALE, EXCHANGE OR FURTHER DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH. FEDERAL LAW AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS LIMIT THE RESALE OF SUCH SECURITIES AND IT IS THEREFORE URGED THAT EACH POTENTIAL INVESTOR SEEK COUNSEL CONCERNING SUCH LIMITATIONS.
4
_____________________________________
THE COMPANY AS DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR HAS ARBITRARILY DETERMINED THE PRICE OF SECURITIES, AND EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD MAKE AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF THE FAIRNESS OF SUCH PRICE UNDER ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES AS DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR.
_____________________________________
THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR DOES NOT KNOWINGLY CONTAIN ANY UNTRUE STATEMENT OF A MATERIAL FACT OR OMIT A MATERIAL FACT, AND ANY SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION IS DONE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PREPARERS OF THIS DOCUMENT OR THE COMPANY. AS SUCH, THE COMPANY BELIEVES THAT THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR CONTAINS A FAIR SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF ALL MATTERS, DOCUMENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES MATERIAL TO THIS OFFERING.
_____________________________________
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFERING OR WHO DESIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTATION TO VERIFY THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR SHOULD CONTACT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE COMPANY. ANY PROJECTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN OR OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO A POTENTIAL INVESTOR MUST BE VIEWED ONLY AS ESTIMATES. ALTHOUGH ANY PROJECTIONS ARE BASED UPON ASSUMPTIONS, WHICH THE COMPANY BELIEVES TO BE REASONABLE, THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY WILL DEPEND UPON FACTORS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT THE COMPANYS ACTUAL PERFORMANCE WILL MATCH THE PROJECTIONS.
_____________________________________
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE NOT TO CONSTRUE THE CONTENTS OF THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR, OR OF ANY PRIOR OR SUBSEQUENT COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR AFFILIATES, AS INVESTMENT, LEGAL, FINANCIAL OR TAX ADVICE.
_____________________________________
BEFORE INVESTING IN THIS OFFERING, PLEASE REVIEW ALL DOCUMENTS\ CAREFULLY, ASK ANY QUESTIONS OF THE COMPANYS MANAGEMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ANSWERED AND EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN PROFESSIONAL TAX, LEGAL AND INVESTMENT ADVISORS TO ASCERTAIN THE MERITS AND RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE UNITS DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR PRIOR TO SUBSCRIBING TO SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY.
NASAA UNIFORM LEGEND
FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL STATES: THE PRESENCE OF A LEGEND FOR ANY GIVEN STATE REFLECTS ONLY THAT A LEGEND MAY BE REQUIRED BY THAT STATE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO MEAN AN OFFER OR SALE MAY BE MADE IN A PARTICULAR STATE. IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT OFFERS OR SALES MAY BE LAWFULLY MADE IN ANY GIVEN STATE, YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED TO CONTACT THE COMPANY. THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS (COMMONLY CALLED BLUE SKY LAWS).
5
IN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION INVESTORS MUST RELY ON THEIR OWN EXAMINATION OF THE PERSON OR ENTITY CREATING THE SECURITIES AND THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING, INCLUDING THE MERITS AND RISKS INVOLVED. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY AUTHORITY.
FURTHERMORE, THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THE ACCURACY OR DETERMINED THE ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT, AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.
_____________________________________
NOTICE TO FOREIGN INVESTORS
IF THE PURCHASER LIVES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, IT IS THE PURCHASER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FULLY OBSERVE THE LAWS OF ANY RELEVANT TERRITORY OR JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PURCHASE OF THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING OBTAINING REQUIRED GOVERNMENTAL OR OTHER CONSENTS OR OBSERVING ANY OTHER REQUIRED LEGAL OR OTHER FORMALITIES. THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DENY THE PURCHASE OF THE SECURITIES BY ANY FOREIGN PURCHASER.
_____________________________________
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 1-A, Offering Circular and any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein contain forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this Offering Circular and any documents incorporated by reference and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company with respect to, among others things: (i) the development of the Company and its products; (ii) the targeting of markets; (iii) trends affecting the Companys financial condition or results of operation; (iv) the Companys business plan and growth strategies; (v) the industries in which the Company participates; and (vi) the ability of the Company to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet its operating needs and pay off its existing indebtedness, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact or relating to present facts or current conditions included in this Offering Circular, and any documents incorporated by reference are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Company's current reasonable expectations and projections relating to its financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as may, could, will, should, can have, likely, assume, expect, anticipate, plan, intend, believe, predict, project, estimate, forecast, outlook, potential, or continue, or the negative of these terms, and other comparable terminology and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected, expressed or implied, in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. They involve risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond the Company's control) and assumptions. are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect its actual operating and financial performance and cause its performance to differ materially from the performance anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect or change, the Company's actual operating and financial performance may vary in material respects from the performance projected in these forward-looking statements.
6
The Company discloses important factors that could cause its actual results to differ materially from its expectations under the caption Risk Factors below. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf. The Company has based its forward-looking statements on its current expectations about future events. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Although the Company believes its forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect its actual operating and financial performance and cause its performance to differ materially from the performance anticipated in the forward looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect or change, the Company's actual operating and financial performance may vary in material respects from the performance projected in these forward-looking statements.
Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this Offering Circular or any documents incorporated by reference herein speak only as of the date of this Offering Circular or any documents incorporated by reference herein. Factors or events that could cause the Companys actual operating and financial performance to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company disclaims any obligation, and undertakes no obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events/developments or otherwise or to conform these statements to actual results. whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. The Company urges you to carefully consider these matters, and the risk factors described in this Offering Circular, prior to making an investment in its Units.
_____________________________________
About This Form 1-A and Offering Circular
In making an investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained in this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. The Company has not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. We are offering to sell and seeking offers to buy the Units only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this Form 1-A and Offering Circular is accurate only as of the date of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular, regardless of the time of delivery of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date.
Statements contained herein as to the content of any agreements or other documents are summaries and, therefore, are necessarily selective and incomplete and are qualified in their entirety by the actual agreements or other documents. The Company will provide the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the Company's management concerning terms and conditions of the Offering, the Company or any other relevant matters and any additional reasonable information to any prospective investor prior to the consummation of the sale of the Units. This Form 1-A and Offering Circular do not purport to contain all of the information that may be required to evaluate the Offering and any recipient hereof should conduct its own independent analysis. The statements of the Company contained herein are based on information believed to be reliable. No warranty can be made as to the accuracy of such information or that circumstances have not changed since the date of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. The Company does not expect to update or otherwise revise this Form 1-A, Offering Circular or other materials supplied herewith. The delivery of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular at any time does not imply that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this Form 1-A and Offering Circular. This Form 1-A and Offering Circular are submitted in connection with the Offering described herein and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose.
______________________________________________________________________________
7
Contents
8
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Offering Circular and/or incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular. For full offering details, please (1) thoroughly review this Form 1-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (2) thoroughly review this Offering Circular and (3) thoroughly review any attached documents to or documents referenced in, this Form 1-A and Offering Circular.
Issuer | Ternio, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company |
Type of Offering: | Class B Non-Voting Common Unit (Unit) |
Price Per Unit: |
|
Minimum Investment: |
|
Maximum Offering: | The total offering proceeds are up to $25,000,000.42. |
Investor Qualifications: | Purchasers may be accredited investors or nonaccredited investors. Non-accredited investors are limited in the number of Units they may purchase. |
Use of Proceeds: | See the description below in the section of Use of Proceeds. |
Voting Rights | Each Holder of Common Units shall be entitled to one vote per Unit for each matter that a holder of a Common Unit is entitled to vote on in accordance with Amended and Restated Operating Agreement. |
Length of Offering | Units will be offered on a continuous basis until either (a) the date upon which the Company confirms that it has received in the bank account gross proceeds of
|
Concurrent Regulation D Offering | Concurrent with this offering, we also are offering the Company Offered Shares under Rule 506(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act. (the Concurrent Regulation D Offering ). The Selling Unit Holder Units will not be offered by way of the Concurrent Regulation D Offering. The Concurrent Regulation D Offering will be made pursuant to a separate offering document only to persons who can verify to us that they are accredited investors, as such term is defined in Regulation D. The Company Offered Units that we sell in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering will be restricted securities under the Securities Act, which means that they cannot be offered for sale, sold, assigned or otherwise transferred unless the transaction is registered under the Securities Act or unless there is an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and state securities laws available with respect to such transaction. We may commence selling the Company Offered Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering before the date on which this Regulation A offering is qualified by the SEC. We have not allocated any specific number of Company Offered Units to the Concurrent Regulation D Offering or this offering and we may sell up to all of the Company Offered Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering, which would significantly reduce the number of Company Offered Units available for sale in this offering. See Plan of Distribution and Concurrent Regulation D Offering. |
9
10
Our Ability to Succeed Depends on our Ability to Grow our Business and Achieve Profitability. The introduction of new products and services, and expansion of our distribution channels will contribute significantly to our operational results, and we will continue to develop new and innovative ways to manufacture our products and expand our distribution in order to maintain our growth and achieve profitability. Our future operational success and profitability will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to:
·
Our ability to manage costs;
·
The increasing level of competition in the advertising industry;
·
Our ability to continuously offer new and improved products;
·
Our ability to maintain efficient, timely and cost-effective production and delivery of our products;
·
The efficiency and effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts in building product and brand awareness;
·
Our ability to identify and respond successfully to emerging trends in the advertising and block card industry;
·
The level of consumer acceptance of our products;
·
Regulatory compliance costs; and
·
General economic conditions and consumer confidence.
We may not be successful in executing our growth strategy, and even if we achieve targeted growth, we may not be able to sustain profitability. Failure to execute any material part of our growth strategy successfully would significantly impair our future growth and our ability to attract and sustain investments in our business.
Development Stage Business. We commenced operations in 2018. The likelihood of the Companys success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications, and delays frequently encountered in connection with the expansion of a business, operation in a competitive industry, and the continued development of advertising, promotions and a corresponding customer base. There is a possibility that the Company could sustain losses in the future and there can be no assurances that the Company will operate profitably.
Inadequacy of Funds. Gross offering proceeds of a maximum of $10,000,000 may be realized. Management believes that such proceeds will capitalize and sustain the Company sufficiently to allow for the implementation of the Companys business plan; however, this cannot be assured. If only a fraction of this Offering is sold, or if certain assumptions contained in managements business plans prove to be incorrect, the Company may have inadequate funds to develop its business fully.
Dependence on Management. The Company's success is heavily dependent upon the continued active participation of the Company's current executive officers, Daniel Gouldman and Ian Kane, as well as other key personnel and consultants. Some of them will have concurrent responsibilities at other entities. Loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. Further, the Company's success and achievement of the Company's growth plans depend on the Company's ability to recruit, hire, train and retain other highly qualified personnel. Competition for qualified employees and management personnel among companies in industries that the Company is participating in is intense, and the loss of any of such persons, or an inability to attract, retain and motivate any additional highly skilled employees required for the expansion of the Company's activities, could have a materially adverse effect on it. The inability to attract and retain the necessary personnel, consultants and advisors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
11
Life Insurance Policies on Any Such People. The Company is dependent upon management in order to conduct its operations and execute its business plan, however, the Company has not purchased any insurance policies with respect to those individuals in the event of their death or disability. Therefore, should any of these key personnel, management or consultants die or become disabled, the Company will not receive any compensation that would assist with such person's absence. The loss of such person could negatively affect the Company and its operations.
Risks of Borrowing. Although the Company does not intend to incur any additional debt from the investment commitments provided in this Offering and to the contrary intends to gradually extinguish existing debt, should the Company fail to eliminate its existing debt or need to obtain secure bank debt in the future, possible risks could arise. If the Company incurs additional indebtedness, a portion of the Companys cash flow will have to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such new indebtedness. Typical loan agreements also might contain restrictive covenants, which may impair the Companys operating flexibility. Such loan agreements would also provide for default under certain circumstances, such as failure to meet certain financial covenants. A default under a loan agreement could result in the loan becoming immediately due and payable and, if unpaid, a judgment in favor of such lender which would be senior to the rights of members of the Company. A judgment creditor would have the right to foreclose on any of the Companys assets resulting in a material adverse effect on the Companys business, operating results or financial condition.
The Companys Business Plan Is Speculative. The Companys present business and planned business are speculative and subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that the Company will generate significant revenues or profits. An investment in the Companys Common Units is speculative and there is no assurance that investors will obtain any return on their investment. Investors will be subject to substantial risks involved in an investment in the Company, including the risk of losing their entire investment.
Unanticipated Obstacles to Execution of the Business Plan. The Companys business plans may change significantly. Many of the Companys potential business endeavors are capital intensive and are subject to statutory or regulatory requirements. Management believes that the Companys chosen activities and strategies are achievable in light of current economic and legal conditions with the skills, background, and knowledge of the Companys principals and advisors. Management reserves the right to make significant modifications to the Companys stated strategies depending on future events.
Management Discretion as to Use of Proceeds. The net proceeds from this Offering will be used for the purposes described under Use of Proceeds. The Company reserves the right to use the funds obtained from this Offering for other similar purposes not presently contemplated which it deems to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders in order to address changed circumstances or opportunities. Because of the foregoing, the success of the Company will be substantially dependent upon the discretion and judgment of the Companys management with respect to application and allocation of the net proceeds of this Offering. Investors for the Shares offered hereby will be entrusting their funds to the Companys management, upon whose judgment and discretion the investors must depend.
Minimum Amount of Capital to be Raised. There is no minimum amount of Securities that need to be sold in this Offering for it to become effective (other than the 100 minimum number of Shares or even lots of 100 shares to be purchased by any investor) or for the Company to access the investment funds. All investor funds will be transferred from the transfer agents investment holding escrow account to the Company immediately upon the Companys request after unit issuance or at regular intervals (e.g., weekly). The Company cannot assure you that subscriptions for the entire Offering will be obtained. The Company has the right to terminate this Offering at any time, regardless of the number of Shares that have sold. The Companys ability to meet financial obligations, cash needs, and to achieve objectives, could be adversely affected if the entire offering of Shares is not fully subscribed.
12
Control by Management. As of
July 12
, 2021, our Managers owned approximately 97.6% of our authorized and issued units. Upon completion of this Offering, if all of the Units are sold, our executive officers will own approximately
72.3%
of our outstanding units and thus will have the ability to elect our Managers. Members will have not have the ability to control the Companys operations.
Return of Profits. The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common units. The Company currently intends to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of the Companys operations and holdings. As a result, the Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends to its shareholders for the foreseeable future.
No Assurances of Protection for Proprietary Rights; Reliance on Trade Secrets. In certain cases, the Company may rely on trade secrets to protect intellectual property, proprietary technology and processes, which the Company has acquired, developed or may develop in the future. There can be no assurances that secrecy obligations will be honored or that others will not develop similar or superior products or technology independently. The protection of intellectual property and/or proprietary technology through claims of trade secret status has been the subject of increasing claims and litigation by various companies both in order to protect proprietary rights as well as for competitive reasons even where proprietary claims are unsubstantiated. The prosecution of proprietary claims or the defense of such claims is costly and uncertain given the uncertainty and rapid development of the principles of law pertaining to this area. The Company, in common with other investment funds, may also be subject to claims by other parties with regard to the use of intellectual property, technology information and data, which may be deemed proprietary to others.
The Companys Continuing as a Going Concern Depends Upon Financing. If the Company does not raise sufficient working capital and continues to experience pre-operating losses, there will most likely be substantial doubt as to its ability to continue as a going concern. Because the Company has generated no revenue, all expenditures during the development stage have been recorded as pre-operating losses. Revenue operations have not commenced because the Company has not raised the necessary capital.
The Companys Expenses Could Increase Without a Corresponding Increase in Revenues. The Companys operating and other expenses could increase without a corresponding increase in revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial results and on your investment. Factors which could increase operating and other expenses include, but are not limited to (1) increases in the rate of inflation, (2) increases in taxes and other statutory charges, (3) changes in laws, regulations or government policies which increase the costs of compliance with such laws, regulations or policies, (4) significant increases in insurance premiums, (5) increases in borrowing costs, and (5) unexpected increases in costs of supplies, goods, materials, construction, equipment or distribution.
The Company's Business Model Is Evolving. The Company's business model is unproven and is likely to continue to evolve. Accordingly, the Company's initial business model may not be successful and may need to be changed. The Company's ability to generate significant revenues will depend, in large part, on the Company's ability to successfully market the Company's products and services to potential customers who may not be convinced of the need for the Company's products and services or who may be reluctant to rely upon third parties to develop and provide these products. The Company intends to continue to develop the Company's business model as the Company's market continues to evolve.
The Company Faces or Will Face Competition in the Company's Markets. The Company either faces, or will face significant competition in the United States and elsewhere. In some cases, the Companys competitors have or may have longer operating histories, established ties to the market and consumers, greater brand awareness, and greater financial, technical and marketing resources. The Company's ability to compete depends, in part, upon a number of factors outside the Company's control, including the ability of the Company's competitors to develop alternatives that are superior. If the Company fails to successfully compete in its markets, or if the Company incurs significant expenses in order to compete, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
13
A Data Security Breach Could Expose the Company to Liability and Protracted and Costly Litigation, And Could Adversely Affect the Company's Reputation and Operating Revenues. To the extent that the Company's activities involve the storage and transmission of confidential information and/or other data, the Company and/or third-party processors will receive, transmit and store confidential customer and other information. Encryption software and the other technologies used to provide security for storage, processing and transmission of confidential customer and other information may not be effective to protect against data security breaches by third parties. The risk of unauthorized circumvention of such security measures has been heightened by advances in computer capabilities and the increasing sophistication of hackers. Improper access to the Company's or these third parties' systems or databases could result in the theft, publication, deletion or modification of confidential customer and other information, as well as numerous other problems. A data security breach of the systems on which sensitive account information are stored could lead to fraudulent activity involving the Company's products and services, reputational damage, and claims or regulatory actions against the Company. If the Company is sued in connection with any data security breach, the Company could be involved in protracted and costly litigation. If unsuccessful in defending that litigation, the Company might be forced to pay damages and/or change the Company's business practices or pricing structure, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating revenues and profitability. The Company would also likely have to pay fines, penalties and/or other assessments imposed as a result of any data security breach.
The Company Depends on Third-Party Providers for A Reliable Internet Infrastructure and The Failure of These Third Parties, Or the Internet in General, For Any Reason Would Significantly Impair the Company's Ability to Conduct Its Business. Computer, website and/or information system breakdowns as well as cyber security attacks could impair the Companys ability to service its customers leading to reduced revenue from sales and/or reputational damage, which could have The Company will outsource some or all of its online presence and data management to third parties who host the actual servers and provide power and security in multiple data centers in each geographic location. These third-party facilities require uninterrupted access to the Internet. If the operation of the servers is interrupted for any reason, including natural disaster, financial insolvency of a third-party provider, or malicious electronic intrusion into the data center, its business would be significantly damaged. As has occurred with many Internet-based businesses, the Company may be subject to denial-of-service attacks in which unknown individuals bombard its computer servers with requests for data, thereby degrading the servers' performance. The Company cannot be certain it will be successful in quickly identifying and neutralizing these attacks. If either a third-party facility failed, or the Company's ability to access the Internet was interfered with because of the failure of Internet equipment in general or if the Company becomes subject to malicious attacks of computer intruders, its business and operating results will be materially adversely affected.
The Company's Employees May Engage in Misconduct or Improper Activities. The Company, like any business, is exposed to the risk of employee or contractor fraud or other misconduct. Misconduct by employees or contractors could include intentional failures to comply with laws or regulations, provide accurate information to regulators, comply with applicable standards, report financial information or data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to the Company. In particular, sales, marketing and business arrangements are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements. Employee misconduct could also involve improper or illegal activities which could result in regulatory sanctions and harm to the Company's reputation.
The Company Has Not Paid Distributions in The Past and Does Not Expect to Pay Distributions in the Near Future, So Any Return on Investment May Be Limited to The Value of the Common Units. The Company has never paid cash distributions to its investors and does not anticipate paying cash distributions in the foreseeable future. The payment of distributions to the Companys Common Unitholders will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting it at such time that management may consider relevant. While the Company intends to pay distributions in the future at such time as profitable operations are sustained and cash flow in excess of reinvestment required to achieve the Companys business objectives is available, there is no guarantee the Company will chose to pay distributions at that time, rather than reinvest in addition growth of the Company, such as by opening additional restaurants. If the Company does not pay distributions, the Companys Common Units may be less valuable.
14
An Investment in the Company's Common Units Could Result in A Loss of Your Entire Investment. An investment in the Company's Common Units offered in this Offering involves a high degree of risk and you should not purchase the Common Units if you cannot afford the loss of your entire investment. You may not be able to liquidate your investment for any reason in the near future.
Broker-Dealer Sales of Shares. The Shares are not included for trading on any exchange, and there can be no assurances that the Company will ultimately be registered on any exchange. It is the requirement by all U.S. exchanges and certain quotation systems that a company be a reporting company with the Securities and Exchange Commission to be eligible for listing or quotation by market makers. The Company is not and will not be a reporting company with the SEC in connection with this Offering.
No assurance can be given that the Units or any of the common units of the Company will ever qualify for inclusion on any trading market. As a result, the common units (including the Units) are covered by a Securities and Exchange Commission rule that imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell such securities to persons other than established customers and qualified investors. For transactions covered by the rule, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchasers written agreement to the transaction prior to the sale. Consequently, the rule may affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell the Companys securities and will affect the ability of members to sell their Shares in the secondary market.
Secondary Market. No application is currently being prepared for the Companys securities to be admitted to the Official Listing and trading on any regulated market. No application is being prepared to include the Companys securities to trading on an Over-the-Counter or Open Market, though the Company intends to apply for OTC-QB listing within twelve months of the close of this Offering. There can be no assurance that a liquid market for the Shares will develop or, if it does develop, that it will continue. If a market does develop, it may not be liquid. Therefore, investors may not be able to sell their Shares easily or at prices that will provide them with yield comparable to similar investments that have a developed secondary market. Illiquidity may have a severely adverse effect on the market value of the Shares and investors wishing to sell the Shares might therefore suffer losses.
Compliance with Securities Laws. The Shares are being offered for sale in reliance upon certain exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable state securities laws. If the sale of Shares were to fail to qualify for these exemptions, purchasers may seek rescission of their purchases of the Shares. If a number of purchasers were to obtain rescission, we would face significant financial demands, which could adversely affect the Company as a whole, as well as any non-rescinding purchasers.
Offering Price. The price of the Shares has been arbitrarily established by our current management, considering such matters as the state of the Companys business development, intellectual property, and the general condition of the industry in which it operates. The Offering price bears little relationship to the assets or net worth of the Company, or any other objective criteria.
Certain investors may be entitled to pay a lower price for our Class B Non-Voting Common Units. We and the selling
unit holders
are offering
units
of our Class B Non-Voting Common Units at a per share price of
$0.46
The Company has the right to enter into certain agreements with certain FINRA member broker dealers or placement agents and where such agreements may allow or permit certain Units to be purchased at a discount, and which in certain cases have the effect of immediately diluting the investment of other investors in this offering.
Lack of Firm Underwriter. The Shares are being offered on a best efforts basis by the management of the Company and any FINRA-registered broker dealer who subsequently may choose assist in sale of the Offering. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the management of the Company or any FINRA-registered broker-dealer that may be engaged in the future will sell the maximum number of Shares offered in the Offering, or any lesser amount.
15
Since the offering is being conducted on a best-efforts basis with no minimum amount required to be sold before any closing, we may not raise sufficient funds in this Offering for us to undertake our business expansion and other development efforts. There is no minimum dollar amount of units that must be sold in the Offering before we can hold a closing and disburse the net proceeds to us. Accordingly, the amount of proceeds we receive through the sale of Units in this Offering may be substantially less than the amount we require to undertake the business expansion and other development efforts described under the heading Use of Proceeds. We are relying upon the proceeds from this Offering, and the Concurrent Regulation D Offering, to fund our business plan for the next 12 to 24 months. If we sell less than the Maximum Amount, we may be required to still seek additional funding, which may not be available. If we do not raise sufficient funds in this Offering, or if we are not able to obtain additional funding, we may be required to modify or suspend our business plan, which could result in investors losing all or most of their investments.
The Units in This Offering Have Limited Protective Provisions. The Units in this Offering have limited protective provisions. As such, you will not be afforded protection, by any provision of the Units or as a Unitholder, in the event of a transaction that may adversely affect you, including a reorganization, restructuring, merger or other similar transaction involving the Company. If there is a liquidation event or change of control for the Company, the Units being offered do not provide you with any protection. In addition, there are no provisions attached to the Units in the Offering that would permit you to require the Company to repurchase the Units in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction involving the Company. The limited protective provisions of the Companys operating agreement are outlined in the Companys Amended & Restated Operating Agreement and are discussed further in the section of this Offering Circular entitled Distributions below.
No Guarantee of Return on Investment. There is no assurance that you will realize a return on your investment or that you will not lose your entire investment. For this reason, you should read this Offering Circular and all Exhibits and referenced materials carefully and should consult with your own attorney and business advisor prior to making any investment decision.
Projections: Forward Looking Information. Management has prepared projections regarding anticipated financial performance. The Companys projections are hypothetical and based upon a presumed financial performance of the Company, the addition of a sophisticated and well-funded marketing plan, and other factors influencing the business. The projections are based on managements best estimate of the probable results of operations of the Company and the investments made by management, based on present circumstances, and have not been reviewed by independent accountants and/or auditing counsel. These projections are based on several assumptions, set forth therein, which management believes are reasonable. Some assumptions, upon which the projections are based, however, invariably will not materialize due the inevitable occurrence of unanticipated events and circumstances beyond managements control. Therefore, actual results of operations will vary from the projections, and such variances may be material. Assumptions regarding future changes in sales and revenues are necessarily speculative in nature. In addition, projections do not and cannot take into account such factors as general economic conditions, unforeseen regulatory changes, the entry into a market of additional competitors, the terms and conditions of future capitalization, and other risks inherent to the Companys business. While management believes that the projections accurately reflect possible future results of operations, those results cannot be guaranteed.
IN ADDITION TO THE RISKS LISTED ABOVE, BUSINESSES ARE OFTEN SUBJECT TO RISKS NOT FORESEEN OR FULLY APPRECIATED BY THE COMPANYS MANAGEMENT. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FORESEE ALL RISKS THAT MAY AFFECT THE COMPANY. MOREOVER, THE COMPANY CANNOT PREDICT WHETHER THE COMPANY WILL SUCCESSFULLY EFFECTUATE THE COMPANY'S CURRENT BUSINESS PLAN. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS ENCOURAGED TO CAREFULLY ANALYZE THE RISKS AND MERITS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE UNITS AND SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN MAKING SUCH ANALYSIS, AMONG OTHER FACTORS, THE RISK FACTORS DISCUSSED ABOVE, AS WELL AS OTHERS NOT DISCUSSED ABOVE.
16
The term dilution refers to the reduction (as a percentage of the aggregate Units outstanding) that occurs for any given Unit when additional Units are issued. If all of the Class B Non-Voting Common Units in this Offering are fully subscribed and sold, the
Class B
Common Units offered herein will constitute approximately
21.78%
of the total
issues and
outstanding
Class B Common
Units of the Company;
20.9%
of the total authorized
Class B Common
Units of the Company;
and 20.49% of the total authorized Class A Common Unites, Class B Common Units and Preferred Units of the Company.
The Company anticipates that subsequent to this Offering, the Company may require additional capital. Such future fund raising will further dilute the percentage ownership of the Units sold herein in the Company. Your stake in the Company could be diluted due to the Company issuing additional Common Units or other securities such as stock, or securities or debt convertible into stock or additional classes of Units. When the Company issues more Units or other securities, the percentage of the Company that you own will decrease, even though the value of the Company may increase. If this event occurs, you may own a smaller piece of a larger company. An increase in number of Units outstanding could also result from a Unit offering (such as an initial public offering, an equity crowdfunding round, a venture capital round, or an angel investment), employees or others exercising equity or Unit options, employees or others being granted Units or equity or by conversion of certain instruments such as convertible bonds, other classes of Units or warrants into Units or other equity. If the Company decides to issue more Units or other securities, an investor could experience value dilution, with each Unit being worth less than before, and control dilution, with the total percentage an investor owns being less than before. There may also be earnings dilution, with a reduction in the amount earned per Unit, although this typically occurs only if the Company offers dividends, and most early-stage companies like the Company are unlikely to offer dividends, preferring to invest any earnings into the Company.
The type of dilution that negatively affects early-stage investors most occurs when the Company sells more Units or securities in a down round meaning at a lower valuation than in earlier offerings. This type of dilution might also happen upon conversion of convertible notes into Units. Typically, the terms of convertible notes issued by early-stage companies provide that in the event of another round of financing, the holders of the convertible notes get to convert their notes into equity at a discount to the price paid by the new investors, i.e., they get more Units than the new investors would for the same price. Additionally, convertible notes may have a price cap on the conversion price, which effectively acts as a Unit price ceiling. Either way, the holders of the convertible notes get more Units for their money than would new investors in that subsequent round. In the event that the financing is a down round the holders of the convertible notes will dilute existing equity holders, and even more than the new investors do, because they get more Units for their money. Investors should pay careful attention to the amount of convertible notes that a company has issued and may issue in the future, and the terms of those notes.
If you are making an investment expecting to own a certain percentage of the Company or expecting each Unit to hold a certain amount of value, its important to realize how the value of those Units can decrease by actions taken by the Company. Dilution can make drastic changes to the value of each Unit, ownership percentage, control, share of revenues and earnings per Unit.
17
If you invest in the Companys Class B Units, your interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the Offering price per Unit and the Company provided pro forma net tangible book value per Unit before and after this Offering. As of December 31, 2020, and subject to pending determinations of existing SAFE agreements and Preferred Units, the Company has based on
audited
financial statements for 2020, the net tangible book value of the Company to range between
$700,000
and a negative
$707,000.
Based on the number of Class A Common Units
(40)
Class B Common Units
(195,182,800)
and Preferred Units
(4,817,200)
issued and outstanding as of the date of this Offering Circular, the Company equates a potential net tangible book value range of
$0.0035
per Unit to a negative
$0.0035
per Unit on a pro forma basis. Net tangible book value per Unit consists of Unitholders equity adjusted for the retained earnings (deficit), divided by the total number of Units outstanding. The pro forma net tangible book value, assuming full subscription in this Offering and subject to the final determination of preferred units and outstanding SAFE agreements, would range between
$0.1319
per Unit and a negative
$0.1249
per Unit. Thus, if the Offering is fully subscribed, the net tangible book value per Unit owned by the Companys current Unitholders will have immediately increased by approximately
$0.1214
per Unit to
$0.1355
per Unit without any additional investment on their part and the net tangible book value per Unit for new investors will be immediately diluted. These calculations do not include the costs of the Offering, and such expenses will cause further dilution. The Company recognizes that this initial dilution substantially impacts Common Unit investors.
The offering circular described a Maximum Offering of up to 54,347,827 ($25,000,000.42) of its Class B Non-Voting Common Units (Units) comprised of up to (a) 36,347,827 Company offered Units and (b) 18,000,000 Selling Unit Holder Units that are being offered by certain selling unit holders who are affiliates of the Company, including 9,000,000 Units being offered by Ian Kane and 9,000,000 Units being offered by Grassroots Impact, LLC, an entity affiliated with Daniel Gouldman.
We are offering the Company Offered Units both pursuant to Regulation A of Section 3(b) of the Securities Act, for Tier 2 offerings, and Rule 506(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act on a concurrent basis. We may commence selling the Offering Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering before the date on which this Regulation A offering is qualified by the SEC. We are offering the Selling Unit Holders Units only pursuant to Regulation A.
Of the
54,347,827
Units being sold in this Offering, the following table provides for the current securityholders who are selling for their own account:
Selling Security Holder | No. of Class B Units owned Pre-Offering | No. of Class B Units being offered with Offering | No. of Class B Units owned Post-Offering |
Grassroots Impact, LLC | 97,591,400 | 9,000,000 | 88,591,400 |
Ian Kane | 97,591,400 | 9,000,000 | 88,591,400 |
Total number of Class B Units being offered by security holders |
| 18,000,000 | |
Percentage of pre-offering outstanding Class B Units being offered by security holders |
| 8.5% | |
All of the securities being sold in this Offering were authorized as of
July 5,
2021.
The Company will pay all of the expenses of the offering (other than the selling commissions payable with respect to the Selling Unit Holder Units sold in the offering), but will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of Selling Stockholder Shares in the offering.
18
The Offering is being conducted on a best-efforts basis without any minimum number of Units (other than the per investor minimum of 1,000 Units) or amount of proceeds required to be sold to distribute funds to the Company.
Offering Units will be available for purchase on the Republic platform (accessible at https://republic.co) pursuant to an agreement entered into with OpenDeal Broker LLC, or ODB, an SEC registered broker-dealer that is a member of FINRA and SIPC. See Online Marketing Platform ..
We intend, but are not required to, conduct an initial closing of this offering within 30 days after the qualification of this offering by the SEC. Thereafter, we intend to conduct additional closings on an intermittent basis, with at least one such closing in each subsequent 30-day period until the offering is completed or otherwise terminated as described above. At each closing, Units will be delivered via book entry to investors who have tendered funds for their shares, and such funds will become available to us. In the event that you tender funds for shares but we do not close on your purchase before we determine this offering to be completed, we will return funds to you without deduction or interest.
Online Marketing Platform
We are utilizing an online platform operated by OpenDeal Broker LLC, (ODB), a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member and SEC-registered clearing broker-dealer, in connection with the offering (the Platform). ODB is not affiliated with the Company. We have entered into an Amended and Restated Offering Listing Agreement with ODB (the ODB Agreement), under which ODB will:
·
Provide a landing page on the Platform for our offering of the Units and perform related services;
·
Review investor information, including KYC (Know Your Customer) data, perform AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and other compliance background checks, and provide a recommendation to us, vis a vis KYC and AML standards, whether or not to accept an investors subscription for Units;
·
Provide technical services to allow us to execute and deliver evidence of the executed subscription agreements to the relevant investor; and
·
Provide services that allow an investor to send consideration for the Shares to the escrow agent.
ODB has agreed, with respect to the Class B common stock issued to it as part of its commission, not to: (a) sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate such shares for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which this offering is qualified by the SEC to anyone other than: (i) to its affiliates or any selected dealer that may participate in the offering, or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of ODB or of any such selected dealer, in each case in accordance with FINRA Conduct Rule 5110(e)(1), or (b) cause such shares to be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such shares for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which this offering is qualified by the SEC, except as provided for in FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2).
In consideration for ODBs services, we will pay ODB a commission in cash equal to 6% of the dollar value of the Units issued to investors in this offering. In addition, we have agreed to issue to ODB a number of shares of Class B common stock equal to 2% of the Units issued to investors in this offering and to reimburse ODB for its reasonable fees and expenses.
We may also have to pay ODB additional fees if we terminate this offering under certain circumstances, and we will be responsible for certain fees that ODB may be required to pay to third parties for expenses incurred by ODB in connection with this offering. Pursuant to the ODB Agreement, such cancellation fees provide for a minimum fee of $10,000.00 to be paid to ODB in the event of the Companys cancellation.
We have not granted ODB registration rights with respect to the Class B common stock issuable to it under the ODB Agreement.
19
Under the ODB Agreement, ODB may also pass through certain ancillary costs to us up to $30,000, which could include financial consulting or advisory fees to be provided by ODB, subject to our approval. Further, under the ODB Agreement, ODB may also pass through certain administrative expenses to us up to $30,000, which could include FINRA fees and anti-money laundering, investor due diligence and accreditation service fees, which will be evidenced by the invoices third-parties sent to ODB for the incurrence of such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, administrative and ancillary fees cannot and will not exceed stated amounts in the listing agreement between the Company and ODB.
Under the ODB Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify and hold harmless ODB and its affiliates on terms and conditions customary in transactions such as those contemplated by the ODB Agreement.
We will also pay commission and fees to ODB in connection with the Concurrent Regulation D Offering as described below under the heading Concurrent Regulation D Offering ..
This Offering will commence on the qualification of this Offering Circular, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and continue for a period of 360 days. The Company may extend the Offering for an additional time period unless the Offering is completed or otherwise terminated by the Company. Funds received from investors will be counted towards the Offering only if the form of payment clears the banking system and represents immediately available funds held by the Company prior to the termination of the subscription period, or prior to the termination of the extended subscription period if extended by the Company, or as otherwise set out herein.
This is an offering made under an exemption from registration via Tier 2 of Regulation A.
Generally, no sale may be made to you in this offering if the aggregate purchase price you pay is more than 10% of the greater of your annual income or net worth. Different rules apply to accredited investors and non-natural persons. Before making any representation that your investment does not exceed applicable thresholds, we encourage you to review Rule 251(d)(2)(i)(C) of Regulation A. For general information on investing, we encourage you to refer to www.investor.gov.
As a Tier 2, Regulation A offering, investors must comply with the 10% limitation to investment in the offering, unless such investor is an accredited investor. The only investor in this offering exempt from this limitation is an accredited investor as defined under Rule 501 of Regulation D. If you meet one of the following tests you should qualify as an accredited investor
·
A person who had individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with their spouse or spousal equivalent in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;
·
A person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with their spouse or spousal equivalent, exceeds $1,000,000;
·
A director or executive officer of our company;
·
A person holding one of the following licenses in good standing: General Securities Representative license (Series 7), the Private Securities Offerings Representative license (Series 82), or the Investment Adviser Representative license (Series 65);
·
An entity all of whose beneficial equity owners meet one of the conditions in the first two bullets above;
·
An entity that has total assets in excess of $5,000,000, was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered and is one or more of the following (A) an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (B) a corporation, (C) a Massachusetts or similar business trust, (D) a partnership, or (E) a limited liability company;
20
·
A trust with total assets exceeding $5,000,000, which was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered and whose purchase is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he or she is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the securities offered;
·
A bank as defined in section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity;
·
A broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15 of the Exchange Act;
·
An investment adviser registered pursuant to section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or registered pursuant to the laws of a state;
·
An investment adviser relying on the exemption from registering with the SEC under section 203(l) or (m) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or the Investment Advisers Act;
·
An insurance company as defined in section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act;
·
An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the Investment Company Act, or a business development company as defined in section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act;
·
A Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
·
A Rural Business Investment Company as defined in section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act;
·
A plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;
·
An employee benefit plan within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and (A) the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined therein, in Section 3(21), which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser; or (B) the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000; or (C) the plan is a self-directed plan with investment decisions made solely by persons who are accredited investors as defined therein;
·
A private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act;
·
A family office, as defined in rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act: (A) with assets under management in excess of $5,000,000, (B) that is not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, and (C) whose prospective investment is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that such family office is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment;
·
A family client, as defined in rule 202(a)(11)(G)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act, of a family office meeting the requirements in the bullet above and whose prospective investment in the issuer is directed by such family office pursuant to clause (C) of that bullet; or
·
An entity, of a type not listed in the bullets above for entities, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, owning investments in excess of $5,000,000.
21
For purposes of calculating net worth a persons primary residence is not included as an asset; indebtedness that is secured by a primary residence, up to the estimated fair market value of the primary residence at the time of the purchase of securities, is not included as a liability (except that if the amount of such indebtedness outstanding at the time of the purchase of securities exceeds the amount outstanding 60 days before such time, other than as a result of the acquisition of the primary residence, the amount of such excess is included as a liability); and indebtedness that is secured by a primary residence in excess of the estimated fair market value of the primary residence at the time of the purchase of securities is included as a liability.
In determining income, an investor should add to the investors adjusted gross income any amounts attributable to tax exempt income received, losses claimed as a limited partner in any limited partnership, deduction claimed for depletion, contribution to an IRA or Keogh plan, alimony payments, and any amount by which income for long-term capital gains has been reduced in arriving at adjusted gross income.
Each investor must represent in writing that he/she/it meets the applicable requirements set forth above and in the Subscription Agreement, including, among other things, that (i) he/she/it is purchasing the Units for his/her/its own account and (ii) he/she/it has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he/she/it is capable of evaluating without outside assistance the merits and risks of investing in the Units, or he/she/it and his/her/its purchaser representative together have such knowledge and experience that they are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investing in the Units. Selling broker-dealers and other persons who may participate in the offering may make additional reasonable inquiries in order to verify an investor's suitability for an investment in the Company. Transferees of the Units may also be required to meet the above suitability standards or other standards applicable under federal and state securities law.
The Units may not be offered, sold, transferred, or delivered, directly or indirectly, to any person who (i) is named on the list of specially designated nationals or blocked persons maintained by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn or as otherwise published from time to time, (ii) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned Country, (iii) an organization controlled by a Sanctioned Country, or (iv) is a person residing in a Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to a sanctions program administered by OFAC. A Sanctioned Country means a country subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn or as otherwise published from time to time.
Furthermore, the Units may not be offered, sold, transferred, or delivered, directly or indirectly, to any person who (i) has more than fifteen percent (15%) of its assets in Sanctioned Countries or (ii) derives more than fifteen percent (15%) of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with, sanctioned persons or Sanctioned Countries. The sale of Units of the same class as those to be offered for the period of distribution will be limited and restricted to those sold through this Offering. Because the Common Units being sold are not publicly or otherwise traded, the market for the securities offered is presently stabilized.
Subscription Procedure
Using the Platform, prospective investors will be able to access and view offering materials, including this offering circular, and submit subscription requests to purchase Units in the offering. To purchase Units through the Platform, a prospective investor must have a brokerage account with ODB. When submitting a subscription request, a prospective investor will be required to agree to various terms and conditions by checking boxes and will be required to review and electronically sign any necessary documents, including a Subscription Agreement in the form filed as an exhibit to the offering statement of which this offering circular is a part. In addition, before committing to purchase Units, each potential investor must consent to receive the final offering circular and all other offering documents electronically. Prospective investors must also answer certain questions to determine compliance with the investment limitation set forth in Rule 251(d)(2)(i)(C) of Regulation A under the Securities Act, which is described above.
22
Prospective investors utilizing the Platform must deposit the funds intended for the purchase of Units in the offering in their ODB accounts. The funds can be provided by check, wire transfer, Automated Clearing House (ACH) push, ACH pull, direct deposit, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) or non-ACATS transfer. The funds that are deposited will remain at ODB in the investors accounts pending instructions to release the funds to the Escrow Agent named below when all conditions and contingencies relating to the offering have been met. Until such conditions have been met and a closing occurs, the funds are owned and controlled by the prospective investors. The funds in the prospective investors ODB accounts are swept into FDIC-insured bank accounts on a daily basis as part of ODBs cash sweep program until the conditions and contingencies of the offering are satisfied and the offering closes. Subject to applicable state securities laws, a subscriber may not revoke a subscription for Units.
Because there is no minimum number of units we are required to sell in this offering conduct a closing, the Company will notify ODB when it will conduct such closing. All such funds will then be transferred, if not previously transferred, to an escrow account with. Prime Trust, LLC (the Escrow Agent) until the earlier of the date of a closing with respect to such proceeds (at which time such proceeds shall be used to complete share purchases in the offering) To the extent we do not accept a subscribers subscription, proceeds that we receive from such subscriber shall be returned to the applicable investor without interest or deduction. Until there is a closing with respect to escrowed proceeds in the offering, we will not have any access to such proceeds. We may begin accepting investment proceeds into escrow at any time beginning two days after this offering circular has been qualified by the SEC. After a closing, ODB will send purchase confirmations to the investors.
If you decide to subscribe for any Units in this Offering, you must deliver a funds for acceptance or rejection. The minimum investment amount for a single investor is $460.00 for 1,000 Units unless reduced on a case-by-case basis by the Company.
The Company maintains the right to accept or reject subscriptions in whole or in part for any reason or for no reason. The Company maintains the right to accept subscriptions below the minimum investment amount or minimum per Unit investment amount in its discretion. All monies from rejected subscriptions will be returned by the Company to the investor, without interest or deductions.
We may decide to close the offering early or cancel it, in our sole discretion. If we extend the offering, we will provide that information in an amendment to this offering circular. If we close the offering early or cancel it, we may do so without notice to you, although if we cancel the offering all funds that may have been provided by any investors will be promptly returned without interest or deduction.
The price of the Units has been determined by us and does not necessarily bear any relationship to the value of our assets, net worth, revenues or other established criteria of value, and should not be considered indicative of the actual value of such shares. See Risk Factors
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for any of our securities. We do not intend to create a market for any of our securities. Consequently, investors may have to hold their shares of Class A common stock indefinitely. See Risk Factors
23
Concurrent Regulation D Offering
We also are offering the Company Offered Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act afforded by Rule 506(c) of Regulation D. We believe that certain types of institutional investors may be more attracted to Regulation D deals for a variety of reasons, and we want to provide them with the opportunity to invest in our Company. Since Regulation D is available only to the issuer of securities and not to any affiliate of that issuer or to any other person for resales of an issuer's securities, we are not permitted to offer the Selling Unit Holders Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering. We will offer and sell the Company Offered Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering by way of a separate offering document that will be made available only to prospective investors who can verify to us that they are accredited investors, as such term is defined in Regulation D, and which provide us with documentation that will allow us to verify such prospective investors status as an accredited investor. These methods may include any of the methods listed in Rule 506(c)(2)(ii) or other methods that we reasonably believe will allow us to satisfy the verification requirement. Sales of Company Offered Shares in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering will be made pursuant to a subscription agreement in which the prospective investor will make certain representations and covenants to us, including that such person:
1.
is acquiring the Company Offered Units for such persons own account, for investment purposes only and not for distribution or resale to others;
2.
either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Company Offered Units;
3.
has been afforded, (A) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering, (B) access to information about the Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment; and (C) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary for it to make an informed investment decision with respect to its investment in the Company Offered Units;
4.
understands that the Company Offered Units have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, that the Company is under no obligation to register the Company Offered Units for resale under the Securities Act or any state securities law and that the Company Offered Units and are restricted securities as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
5.
will not sell, assign, pledge, give, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Company Offered Units or any interest therein, or make any offer or attempt to do any of the foregoing, except pursuant to a registration of such securities under the Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws, or in a transaction which is exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws;
6.
agrees that the Company may notify its transfer agent (if any) that the Company Offered Shares acquired by such person are restricted securities and that a stop transfer order should be maintained as to such securities; and
24
7.
agrees that the certificate representing the Company Offered Shares will bear a restrictive legend substantially the following form:
THESE UNITS HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISOPSED OF (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER (IF REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY), IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD OR ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT
The Concurrent Regulation D Offering will be made available to prospective investors by way of a private placement memorandum (PPM) but only to those persons who can verify that they are accredited investors. Persons seeking to verify that they are accredited investors will be required to complete questionnaires and other forms and provide verification of their status as accredited investors in the manner described in the Private Placement Memorandum. Subscribers in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering will execute a subscription agreement appropriate for Regulation D offerings that includes the representations, warranties and covenants set forth above, among others.
We may commence selling the Company Offered Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering before the date on which this Regulation A offering is qualified by the SEC. We have not allocated any specific number of Company Offered Units to the Concurrent Regulation D Offering or this offering and we may sell up to all of the Company Offered Units in the Concurrent Regulation D Offering which would significantly reduce the number of Offering Units available for sale in this offering.
ITEM 6 USE OF PROCEEDS TO ISSUER
The Use of Proceeds is an estimate based on the Companys current business plan. The Company may find it necessary or advisable to reallocate portions of the net proceeds reserved for one category to another, or to add additional categories, and the Company will have broad discretion in doing so. Because the Offering is a best effort offering, the Company may close the Offering without sufficient funds for all the intended purposes set out below or even to cover the costs of the Offering.
The maximum gross proceeds from the sale of the Units in this Offering are
$25,000,000.42.
The net proceeds from the Offering to the Company, assuming it is fully subscribed, are expected to be approximately
$14,870,000.39,
after the allocating
$8,280,000
to selling unit holders and the payment of offering costs
and expenses.
The estimate of the budget for offering costs is an estimate only and the actual offering costs may differ from those expected by management.
Management of the Company has wide latitude and discretion in the use of proceeds from this Offering. Ultimately, management of the Company intends to use a substantial portion of the net proceeds for operations, marketing and general working capital. At present, managements best estimate of the use of proceeds is set out in the chart below. However, potential investors should note that this chart contains only the best estimates of the Companys management based upon information available to them at the present time, and that the actual use of proceeds is likely to vary from this chart based upon circumstances as they exist in the future, various needs of the Company at different times in the future, and the discretion of the Companys management at all times.
25
A portion of the proceeds from this Offering may be used to compensate or otherwise make payments to officers or managers of the issuer. The officers and managers of the Company may be paid salaries and receive benefits that are commensurate with similar companies, and a portion of the proceeds may be used to pay these ongoing business expenses.
The Company reserves the right to change the use of proceeds set out herein based on the needs of the ongoing business of the Company and the discretion of the Companys management. The Company may reallocate the estimated use of proceeds among the various categories or for other uses if management deems such a reallocation to be appropriate.
Gross Offering Proceeds |
| $5,750,000.00 | $11,500,000.00 | $17,250,000.00 | $25,000,000.42 |
|
| (12,500,000 Units) | (25,000,000.42 Units) | (37,500,000 Units) | (54,347,827 Units) |
Operational Costs/ General Expenses |
| $1,130,000.00 | $1,866,000.00 | $2,188,000.00 | $3,324,000.08 |
Marketing |
| $1,915,000 | $3,042,000 | $3,341,000 | $5,148,000.14 |
Product Development |
| $1,130,000.00 | $1,866,000.00 | $2,188,000.00 | $3,324,000.08 |
New Hires |
| $1,130,000.00 | $1,866,000.00 | $2,188,000.00 | $3,324,000.08 |
Selling Shareholders |
|
| $2,070,000.00 | $6,210,000.00 | $8,280,000.00 |
Offering Expenses |
| $ 100,000.00 | $ 100,000.00 | $ 100,000.00 | $ 100,000.00 |
Offering Commission Fees |
| $ 345,000.00 | $ 690,000.00 | $1,035,000.00 | $1,500,000.03 |
Total |
| $5,750,000.00 | $11,500,000.00 | $17,250,000.00 | $25,000,000.42 |
ITEM 7 DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Ternio is an enterprise blockchain company that started on January 1st, 2018; and while most well-known for BlockCard a global fintech platform Ternio provides real world interoperability between blockchain / cryptocurrency and traditional fintech / banking technology.
A simple explanation for BlockCard is that you can spend your cryptocurrencies anywhere a Visa, MC or Unionpay card is accepted. BlockCard allows for debit card issuance, bank accounts, buying and selling of cryptocurrencies, cryptoback rewards and other features for consumers; additionally Ternio whitelabels their technology for other fintech companies looking to solve real world problems using blockchain technology.
Marketing strategies
Ternio has built the BlockCard a fintech platform built on blockchain technology. Ternio markets its products through commercials on Youtube like this video or through digital advertising whether its Google search ads, display ads or social media ads. Our focus is on promoting the benefits of using digital cash on the blockchain and connecting that to an FDIC insured bank account, debit card or cryptoback rewards.
26
Products
BlockCard is a product found at www.getBlockCard.com. BlockCard is an account that allows customers to spend the value of their cryptocurrencies via a debit card like Visa or Mastercard. Customers will also have access to a bank account that will allow them to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. We will also offer decentralized wallets for users where they will hold their own cryptographic keys. Ternio does not offer custody service for cryptocurrencies with the exception of Stellar blockchain based tokens like TERN due to the various features it offers including multi-sig, freezing wallets and other various regulation friendly capabilities that allow us to better ensure AML and security compliance. We also whitelabel our services to other companies.
Target markets, including other countries where the applicant proposes to engage in virtual currency-related activities.
Ternio is actively working on expanding its geographical footprint. We will offer checking accounts in and a Mastercard product in 31 countries in Europe. Were actively working to partner with other banks and fintech partners in many countries across the world including Mexico, India, Kenya etc. Ternio will not offer products in countries that are currently under sanction by either the United States, the United Kingdom or Europe.
Methodology used to calculate the value of virtual currency in fiat currency.
The value of the virtual currency is determined by the market price on cryptocurrency exchanges. Each virtual currency is regularly paired with a US dollar equivalent and Ternio converts the tokens based on the market prices on exchanges. Ternio is connected to various exchanges such as Coinbase, Kraken, Paxos (Itbit), PrimeX (provided by Primetrust) among others.
Operating structure the applicant intends to employ, including any other entities routinely used to facilitate transactions.
Ternio, LLC is the parent company (incorporated in Delaware) that owns and operates the technology behind BlockCard. Because Ternio itself is not a cryptocurrency exchange we use trusted cryptocurrency exchange partners to facilitate the conversion from crypto into fiat.
Description of products.
BlockCard is a product found at www.getBlockCard.com. BlockCard is an account that allows customers to spend the value of their cryptocurrencies via a debit card like Visa or Mastercard. Customers will also have access to a bank account that will allow them to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. We will also offer decentralized wallets for users where they will hold their own cryptographic keys. Ternio does not offer custody service for cryptocurrencies with the exception of Stellar blockchain based tokens like TERN due to the various features it offers including multi-sig, freezing wallets and other various regulation friendly capabilities that allow us to better ensure AML and security compliance.
Domestic and international jurisdictions in which the applicant, or any parent, affiliate, or subsidiary, is licensed, or is otherwise authorized to engage in virtual currency, money transmission, or other financial services activity, or has applied for such authorization, and the amount of any bond or deposit furnished in each such jurisdiction. In each case, please also specify the type of activity for which the applicant is licensed or otherwise authorized.
Ternio is registered with the SEC and FINCEN in the United States and are in the process of applying for a license with the FCA in London regarding our involvement as a Fintech with crypto in Europe. Ternio is not required to have a license until January 10, 2021 in Europe to engage in crypto services, and due to our flow of funds, existing services, existing partners and present US law we are not required to maintain licenses as money transmitters.
27
As a technology company we facilitate fintech services as requested by our customers. Ternio does not custody fiat currencies at any time; we work with our banking partners who are able to operate under different laws and regulations. Additionally we presently and for the foreseeable future use companies who have a Bitlicense to facilitate the conversion from crypto to fiat. For our debit card services we utilize American and European banks and the use of the Visa or Mastercard cards are fully compliant through that traditional form of money transmission.
Trend Analysis of Cryptocurrencies in the Global Banking Sector
Cryptocurrencies have turned 11 years old and yet - the industry is still well ahead of mass adoption. The world of digital currency is bubbling with disruptive ideas and exciting innovations.
With a $369 billion market capitalization, the world of cryptocurrencies is only growing. The growth in cryptocurrencies is led by several factors in everything from a hedge against inflation, interest in cryptocurrencies as an investment and digital assets being used in many different use cases in everything from real estate, art, lending and a whole host of other applications.
The high cost of banking loans and services, bureaucratic and administrative barriers in the establishment of financial relationships, and data breaches are the primary manifestation of the world-wide concerns in the current banking industry, which has led to the rise in worldwide crypto adoption.
![[ternio_a002.gif]](ternio_a002.gif)
Crypto Wallet Users Growth- Reference Statista
Cryptos Addressing the Imperfection in the Banking System
Unlike government issued currencies that are centralized, digital assets do not require a central clearing house as they're built on blockchain technology.
A blockchain is a distributed ledger providing a real-time and shared view of all transactions including property records, monetary transactions, or other valued digital assets between engaging parties in a fully trusted environment.
28
The blockchain technology offers a way for two different parties to come to agreement on the state of a database, without the intervention of a middleman. By providing a ledger that nobody administers and tools like 'smart contracts', the technology can help financial institutions establish better governance and standards around data sharing and collaboration. With global banking a trillion dollar industry, the blockchain can disintermediate key services that bank provides, including:
![[ternio_a003.jpg]](ternio_a003.jpg)
A report published by Santander FinTech suggests that implementing blockchain technology into the financial sector could reduce the infrastructure cost by $20 billion/year. The possibility to significantly reduce IT costs has led to the investment of millions of dollars into this technology each year, shows data from PwC and Statista.
![[ternio_a004.jpg]](ternio_a004.jpg)
29
Blockchain also holds potential implications for global commerce by replacing current manual and paper-based processes with streamlined and automated processes. Today, trillions of dollars slosh around the globe through an outdated system of extra fees and slow payments. A public blockchain can behave as a tool to collaborate since its decentralized and no single entity can own it. This can cut down on the need for third-party verification to reduce the processing time as well as fees for traditional bank transfers. Here's a comparison of cost associated with bank transfer and crypto transaction for sending $1000 to India from the US:
![[ternio_a006.gif]](ternio_a006.gif)
Stablecoins- To Secure the Future of Crypto World
While digital currencies are a long way from completely replacing fiat, the last few years have seen upward growth in their transaction volume. In a report published by TokenInsight, the size of the digital asset space is growing with $23 billion of daily trading and $4.081 trillion of trading volume of the overall cryptocurrency industry.
Despite seeing such growth in their volume, digital currencies have still not achieved global acceptance mainly due to-
a)
The lack of reliability and trust.
b)
The uncertainty of global regulations and pressure from legislative governmental bodies.
c)
The volatile nature restricts the use of cryptocurrencies in day-to-day life.
But now, a promising category of cryptocurrencies, Stablecoins- seems poised to succeed where its predecessors failed. As the name suggests, a stablecoin distinguishes itself from the more famous but highly volatile digital currency brethren, like Bitcoin, in its focus on price stability.
30
The idea has long been in the air as the concept seems quite adequate to create cryptocurrencies that serve as a value measure and can withstand significant market volatility. The very first project of stablecoins, Tether, was launched in 2015, and its market value has grown from $304k to $12 billion.
![[ternio_a008.gif]](ternio_a008.gif)
The interest in stablecoins is growing exponentially because they're backed up by real monetary assets such as USD, GBP or other fiat currency held in a bank. Some notable announcements over the past couple of years:
1) The announcement by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to research digital currency with the help of MIT.
2) The announcement by People's Bank of China to pilot test DCEP
3) The proposition, forward and backward movement of Libra, Facebook's blockchain project.
4) JPMorgan moving ahead with plans to offer cryptocurrency-based transactions
In addition to these news stories, many worldwide developments have also caused ripples across the global financial services sector.
Projects Around the World Driving Great Interest in Cryptocurrencies
1) As a part of the government's initiative in digitizing Tunisia, LA Post-a financial institution- issued a blockchain-based digital version of the country's currency. The project had support from local Fintech firms and a Swiss-based software company. The e-dinar launched in 2015, and it's still a successful case of a digital coin being issued by a government.
2) The Marshall Islands have used the US dollar as its official currency since 1982. In 2018, the government of the Marshall Islands put forward an idea of introducing its own digital currency called Sovereign as a second legal tender that can supplement the US dollar.
3) In Venezuela, the government claims that it has issued a government-sponsored digital coin. Petro, the digital coin was issued by the Venezuela government two years ago, which is backed by a barrel of oil from the substantial reserves of the country. As per the government, Petro is complementary to the country's currency as legal tender.
31
4) Central banks in Asia are a step ahead in launching cryptocurrencies for future payment systems and cross-border transactions, with China, Hong Kong, and Thailand set to roll out sovereign digital tokens. The Peoples Bank of China states that its digital currency is progressing but hasnt shared any word on the launch date. Contrastingly, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Bank of Thailand successfully completed the initial phase of their currency project in the first quarter of 2020, and are now inviting banks to participate to test the real-world application of digital currencies.
5) On October 30th, 2019, the Association of German Banks published an article that covered the details for a 'crypto-based digital Euro'. Two weeks later, European commission organised an event called Convergence, the Global Blockchain Congress, where an official of European Central Bank confirmed that the bank is exploring blockchain technology to work on a digital EURO.
6) A month ago, Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, confirmed the development of a digital currency. The bank also published a paper in March 2020, stating the means by which a central bank digital currency could help meet the objectives in this digital age. As a matter of law, a UK court recognized cryptocurrencies as assets in a property ownership dispute in December 2019.
7) In March 2020, the U.S Democratic Party published a draft stimulus bill, which included a provision for digital dollars as a means to make payments to businesses and individuals hit in this pandemic. The call to create a digital dollar has grown ever since Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, said he's looking into the possibilities of a CBDC.
8) Among other banking entities, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has long been promoting the CBDC and believes cryptocurrencies can reduce the reliance on government-issued money. The former managing director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde has urged central banks in November 2018 to consider creating their own digital currency, which could satisfy public policy goals, including but not limited to, security and/or consumer protection, financial inclusion, and privacy in payments.
An Asymmetric Threat
Up until the end of 2016, digital currencies were not that well known. However, multiple developments in the industry brought forward the fact that there is a whole new industry being built in real time. This was admitted by the Bank of America in 2018 when they accepted that the threat posed by decentralization is real. While many can argue that crypto hasn't proved itself, the growth of cryptocurrency and blockchain space in 2020 is proof that decentralisation will.
The age of self-custody is upon us. Consumers are changing their habits thats happening. People can self-custody their own digital cash in a way that they never could before. This is not only leading to new business models for DEFI and lending P2P but also giving customers more control over their own decisions and eliminates the need for people to be stuck between either banks or cash money handlers like Western Union.
Customers will have the ability and desire to engage in mobile banking built on 21st century technology not tech built in the 1970s. They demand immediacy and convenience in their transactions which can be solved with blockchain. Theres reason to believe that financial institutions including banks may soon provide financial vehicles for investors to buy and trade digital assets.
ITEM 8 DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The Company owns no real property.
The Company is not involved in any litigation
32
ITEM 9 MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION, ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of our operations together with our financial statements and related notes appearing at the end of this Offering Circular. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the section entitled Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Offering Circular.
Ternio, LLC (which may be referred to as the Company, we, us, or our) was registered in the state of Delaware on January 1, 2018. The Company provides a debit card for cryptocurrency holders to use where major credit cards are accepted. The Company is headquartered in Georgia.
Ternio, LLC is presently wholly owned by original founders, previous option holders, preferred shareholders and investors from our previous Regulation CF offering, but as Shares in the Company are issued pursuant to this Offering, Ternio founders ownership as well
as
prior investors in the Company will be diluted. If the maximum amount is raised in this Offering, original founders will
own 73.2%
of the Company, prior investors from the first Regulation CF offering will
own 1.86%
and new investors from this Regulation A offering will own
22.5%.
98.1%
of shares in the Company are Class B Non-Voting Common
Stock
with the same rights and privileges as set out herein
with
1.9%
preferred unit-holders.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management's plans and basis of presentation:
The Company has experienced recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations. At December 31, 2020, the Company had approximate balances of cash and cash equivalents of
$0.89
million compared to $0.04 million at December 31, 2019, total unit-member holders' equity at December 31, 2020 of
$0.66
million compared to
($0.12)
million at December 31, 2019 and an accumulated deficit at December 31, 2020 of $0.5 million compared to $0.2 million at December 31, 2019. To date, the Company has in large part relied on equity financing to fund its operations.
The Companys current focus is on its BlockCard program, which has experienced significant growth since its launch in 2019. The Company's current strategy will continue to expose the Company to the numerous risks and volatility associated within the cryptocurrency sector.
The Company expects to continue to incur losses from operations for the near-term and these losses could be significant as the Company incurs costs and expenses associated with growth, as well as public company, legal and administrative related expenses being incurred. The Company is closely monitoring its cash balances, cash needs and expense levels.
Management's strategic plans include the following:
·
continuing expansion of its BlockCard program in the United States and internationally across Europe and Asia;
·
expansion of its white label program to other fintech companies;
·
additional financial services offerings to its existing customer base;
·
exploring other possible strategic options and financing opportunities available to the Company;
·
evaluating options to monetize, partner or license the Company's assets; and
·
continuing to implement cost control initiatives to conserve cash.
33
2020 Compared to 2019
Revenues
Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, totaled approximately
$9.4
million and $1.7 million, respectively. Revenues from BlockCard sales are impacted significantly from period to period
by the
changes in cryptocurrency prices.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 of approximately
$7.1
million consisted primarily of direct purchases of Ternio cryptocurrency or TERN from BlockCard holders to facilitate liquidity in the program. The cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 was approximately $0.6 million. The approximate increase of $6.1 million arose primarily from increases in BlockCard sales and increased cardholders in 2020 as compared to 2019.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled approximately
$2.5
million compared to
$0.9
million during the year ending December 31, 2019. The increase consisted primarily of outside contractors and compensation as the company expands, which increased to
$1.6
million in 2020 compared to
$0.4
million in 2019.
Net Income (Loss)
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized losses from operations of approximately $0.3 million compared to net income of
$0.16
million for year ended December 31, 2019.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At December 31, 2020, we had working capital of approximately
$1.1
million, which included cash and cash equivalents of
$0.1
million. We reported a net loss of
$0.35
million during the year ended December 31, 2020.
We understand that there is always the risk that we will incur losses from operations for either the near-term or long-term and these losses could be significant as we incur costs and expenses associated with recent and potential future growth, as well as public company, legal and administrative related expenses being incurred. We are closely monitoring our cash balances, cash needs and expense levels.
Funding our operations on a go-forward basis will rely significantly on our ability to continue to grow our BlockCard and while label programs. We expect to generate ongoing revenues from the sale of TERN cryptocurrency and our ability to provide a vehicle to use cryptocurrency for consumer transactions to generate cash for operations. Furthermore, regardless of our ability to generate revenue from the sale of our cryptocurrency assets, we will need to raise additional capital in the form of equity or debt to fund our operations and pursue our business strategy.
The ability to raise funds as equity, debt or conversion of cryptocurrency to maintain our operations is subject to many risks and uncertainties and, even if we were successful, future equity issuances would result in dilution to our existing stockholders and any future debt or debt securities may contain covenants that limit our operations or ability to enter into certain transactions. Our ability to realize revenue through BlockCard and white label sales involve a number of risks, including regulatory, financial and business risks, many of which are beyond our control. Additionally, the value of cryptocurrency has been extremely volatile recently and such volatility has recently been lower and future prices cannot be predicted.
34
If we are unable to generate sufficient revenue from our BlockCard and whitelabel program when needed or secure additional sources of funding, it may be necessary to significantly reduce our current rate of spending or explore other strategic alternatives.
Plan of Operations
Our plan of operation for the 12 months following the commencement of this Offering is as follows:
We intend to focus on expansion of our BlockCard platform, expansion of our whitelabel business, expansion into other geographical areas and to add more services for our customers to use.
There is always the reality that the proceeds from this Offering may not satisfy our cash requirements and it could be necessary to raise additional funds in the next twelve to eighteen months to implement the plan of operations. We also anticipate that we will have additional capital requirements after the next twelve months and throughout 2022. During that time frame, we understand the Company may not satisfy our cash requirements through sales and the proceeds from this Offering alone, and therefore we anticipate we may attempt to raise additional capital through the sale of additional securities in additional offerings, or through other methods of obtaining financing such as through loans or other debt. We cannot assure that we will have sufficient capital to finance our growth and business operations or that such capital will be available on terms that are favorable to us or at all. We could incur operating deficits in the foreseeable future.
Trend Information
Based on the results in 2020, the Company believes there is a market for its products in North America and other parts of the world. However, it is difficult to predict changing consumer preferences in cryptocurrency and the broader banking/fintech industries. If we are unable to react to changing consumer preferences, our sales could decrease.
The cryptocurrency market has seen a steady increase in adoption over the past several years and the Covid pandemic has led to an increase in customers looking to use digital services. The Company has experienced significant growth in the use of its BlockCard platform since May 2019. While the Companys release of BlockCard was one of the earlier so called crypto debit cards to be live in the marketplace there have been a number of companies that have announced an interest in launching comparable products. The Company feels this demonstrates sufficient demand in the marketplace for a product like BlockCard. The Company understands they could be incorrect and/or there could be current or future changes in the marketplace which make their products no longer viable in the marketplace.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include estimates associated with revenue recognition, intangible assets,
and
stock-based compensation.
The Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the accounting policies the Company has adopted. In order to get a full understanding of the Company's financial statements, one must have a clear understanding of the accounting policies employed. A summary of the Company's critical accounting policies follows:
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies, (including bitcoin, bitcoin cash and litecoin) are included in current assets in the consolidated balance sheets as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. Cryptocurrencies are recorded at cost less impairment.
35
An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, which is measured using the quoted price of the cryptocurrency at the time its fair value is being measured. In testing for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that an impairment exists, a quantitative impairment test is not necessary. If the Company concludes otherwise, it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test. To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the asset. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the new revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
· Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer
· Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
· Step 3: Determine the transaction price
· Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
· Step 5: Recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation
In order to identify the performance obligations in a contract with a customer, a company must assess the promised goods or services in the contract and identify each promised good or service that is distinct. A performance obligation meets ASC 606s definition of a distinct good or service (or bundle of goods or services) if both of the following criteria are met: The customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (i.e., the good or service is capable of being distinct), and the entitys promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (i.e., the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract).
If a good or service is not distinct, the good or service is combined with other promised goods or services until a bundle of goods or services is identified that is distinct.
The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The consideration promised in a contract with a customer may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both. When determining the transaction price, an entity must consider the effects of all of the following:
·
Variable consideration
·
Constraining estimates of variable consideration
·
The existence of a significant financing component in the contract
·
Noncash consideration
·
Consideration payable to a customer
Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The transaction price allocated to each performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or over time as appropriate.
36
The Company has entered contracts with several companies to provide whitelabel services of the BlockCard platform. These whitelabel contracts allow for their clients to withdraw from the agreement based on certain various criteria and understands that these partnerships may not prove to have a positive material impact on the Companys financials and could potentially lead to negative material impacts to the Company itself due to any number of various factors including a lack of financial viability, regulatory risks, security lapses or other issues.
Providing
received,
at which time revenue is recognized. There is no significant financing component in these transactions.
Fair value of the cryptocurrency award received is determined using the market rate of the related cryptocurrency at the time of receipt.
There is currently no specific definitive guidance under GAAP or alternative accounting framework for the accounting for cryptocurrencies recognized as revenue or held, and management has exercised significant judgment in determining the appropriate accounting treatment. In the event authoritative guidance is enacted by the FASB, the Company may be required to change its policies, which could have an effect on the Companys consolidated financial position and results from operations.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based payment awards exchanged for services at the estimated grant date fair value of the award. Stock options issued under the Companys incentive plans are granted with an exercise price equal to no less than the market price of the Companys stock at the date of grant. These options generally vest on the grant date or over a three- year period.
The Company estimates the fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent managements best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of managements judgment.
Expected Term - The expected term of options represents the period that the Companys stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding based on the simplified method, which is the half-life from vesting to the end of its contractual term.
Expected Volatility - The Company computes stock price volatility over expected terms based on its historical common stock trading prices.
Risk-Free Interest Rate - The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield available on U. S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term.
Expected Dividend - The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common shares and does not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future, and, therefore, uses an expected dividend yield of zero in its valuation models.
The Company elected to account for forfeited awards as they occur, as permitted by Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09. Ultimately, the actual expenses recognized over the vesting period will be for those shares that vested.
Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements
The Company continually assesses any new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability. When it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement affects the Company's financial reporting, the Company undertakes a review to determine the consequences of the change to its financial statements and believes that there are proper controls in place to ascertain that the Company's financial statements properly reflect the change.
We have considered recently issued accounting pronouncements and do not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
37
See Note 4 to our financial statements beginning on page F-1 of this Form 10-K for a description of recent accounting pronouncements applicable to our financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Additional Company Matters
The Company has not filed for bankruptcy protection nor has it ever been involved in receivership or similar proceedings. The Company is not presently involved in any legal proceedings material to the business or financial condition of the Company. The Company does not anticipate any material reclassification, merger, consolidation, or purchase or sale of a significant amount of assets not in the ordinary course of business, in the next 12 months.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2020, Ternio, LLC had 23 full-time contractors and employees, who were not an executive officer of the Company.
The directors and executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:
Name Position Age Term of Office Approx. Hours Per Week
Executive Officers
Daniel Gouldman, Chief Executive Officer, 43 years, 01-01-2018 to present, 75 hpw
Ian Kane, Chief Operating Officer, 36 years, 01-01-2018 to present, 75 hpw
ITEM 10 DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS and SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYEES
Daniel Gouldman
CEO || Founder of Ternio || Enterprise Scale Blockchain
Alpharetta, Georgia
Summary
Daniel Gouldman is the Founder and CEO of Ternio. Mr. Gouldman has co-founded multiple successful multimillion-dollar digital companies over the past several years in the online media space. Based out of Atlanta, he has assisted the digital efforts of the ACLU, political and non-political organizations. Prior to that, Daniel was a Vice President for a 40 billion company where he was responsible for over $55 million in annual revenues. In the past 20 years, Daniel has hired over 500 employees as he managed operations for mostly large multi-national corporations like Blockbuster Video, Axcess Financial and Public Storage.
38
Ian Kane
Founder @ Ternio / Driving Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Adoption
Charlotte, North Carolina Area
Summary
Ian Kane is one the founders and serves as the COO of Ternio, LLC, which provides white-label products to enterprise customers giving blockchain and cryptocurrency real world application. Ternio solved the issues related to blockchain scalability and payment utility of cryptocurrency to demonstrate how enterprise can use this tech to become better, faster, and more efficient. Mr. Kane has worked in technology & digital media for over 10 years with a heavy focus on business development, sales, and strategy. Ians career started as the 1st employee in a media startup which grew into a $50mm a year business during his tenure. Mr. Kane had the opportunity to work in both early stage and mature organizations, be a part of acquisitions on the buy and sell side, and drive go-to-market strategy for various data and media products. As an advisor and investor in other ad tech companies, Ian always looks to create value and continually broaden his knowledge of the everchanging landscape. Ians background enables him to bring unique insight and experience to the next set of challenges.
Corey Ballou
Chief Technology Officer at Ternio
Charlotte, North Carolina
Summary
Mr. Ballou oversees the development of Ternio's two core products: BlockCard and Lexicon. BlockCard is Ternios US based cryptocurrency debit card that lets you spend your crypto anywhere. Lexicon is a scalable, patent-pending enterprise blockchain solution built on top of Hyperledger Fabric.
Mr. Ballou is a seasoned developer that has been custom building websites and applications for over two decades. Mr. Ballou has five years of fast paced development experience at two leading design and development agencies in Charlotte followed by an additional six years working on building and launching startups for some amazing companies. Most notable is his work as lead developer for .COInternet. Briefly following a successful Super Bowl ad launch with partner GoDaddy, .CO was sold to Neustar for $109M in 2014. Mr. Ballou has owned and operated his own web development consultancy since 2012. Since then, Corey has had the pleasure of working with several successful startups to build out their custom web applications.
Coreys interest in the blockchain and crypto space came in 2014 upon hearing my favorite online payment processor, Stripe, had backed a crypto newcomer: Stellar. It was at this point in time, Corey fully grasped the potential impact Stellar could have on both improved settlement time and lower processing fees of online transactions. I started building custom applications in the crypto/blockchain space in 2017 and won a Stellar Build Challenge prize for my open source work on Lumenous.org (https://github.com/lumenousorg/lumenous)in early 2018.
39
Keith Johnson
Product Leader
Greater Atlanta Area
Summary
Keith Johnson is a disciplined and results driven Business Partner and engineer with demonstrated achievement in product management, strategy, and business development. Mr. Johnson has led both hardware, software, and managed services product teams with annual revenue in excess of $100M dollars. Keith has proven credibility to create bottom-line oriented product roadmaps and business plans.
VP of Product
2018 - Present (2 years)
Alpharetta, GA
Currrently, Mr. Johnson is the lead for product strategy & management for Ternio. Ternio's two core products are Lexicon and BlockCard. Lexicon is a scalable, patent-pending enterprise blockchain solution built on top of Hyperledger Fabric. BlockCard is an innovative digital payment solution that allows users to spend their Crypto in real-time anywhere Visa is accepted.
ITEM 11 COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Board of Managers
The Companys board of managers currently consists of two Common Managers: Daniel Gouldman and Ian Kane; and one Preferred Manager: Mark Morales.
None of the Companys managers are independent as defined in Rule 4200 of FINRAs listing standards. The Company may appoint an independent manager(s) to its board of managers in the future, particularly to serve on appropriate committees should they be established.
Committees of the Board of Managers
The Company may establish an audit committee, compensation committee, a nominating and governance committee and other committees to its board of managers in the future, but has not done so as of the date of this Offering Circular. Until such committees are established, matters that would otherwise be addressed by such committees will be acted upon by the entire board of managers.
Managers Compensation
The Company currently does not pay its managers any compensation for their services as board members, with the exception of reimbursing board related expenses. In the future, the Company may compensate managers, particularly those who are not also employees and who act as independent board members, on either a per meeting or fixed compensation basis.
40
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Managers
The Companys Amended and Restated Operating Agreement limits the liability of managers and officers of the Company to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. The Amended and Restated Operating Agreement states that the Company shall indemnify its managers and officers for all costs, losses, liabilities, and damages paid or incurred by such managers and/or officers in connection with the business of the Company, to the fullest extent provided or allowed by Delaware law. Expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred with respect to any claim, action, suit, proceeding, or investigation will be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the manager and/or officer to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he, she or it was not entitled to indemnification or, where indemnification is granted, to the extent the expenses so advanced exceed the indemnification to which he, she or it was entitled. The Company may also take steps deemed appropriate by the President to provide and secure indemnification of any manager and/or officer, including, without limitation, the execution of agreements for indemnification between the Company and individual officers or managers which may provide rights to indemnification which are broader or otherwise different than the rights authorized by Companys Amended and Restated Operating Agreement.
For additional information on indemnification and limitations on liability of the Companys managers, officers, and others, please review the Companys Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, which are attached as Exhibit 1A-2B to this Offering Circular.
There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of the Companys managers or officers as to which indemnification is required or permitted, and the Company is not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.
ITEM 12 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SECURITY HOLDERS
The following capitalization table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of the Companys Units as of the date of this Offering Circular. There is beneficial ownership of the Company Units at the time of this Offering by its managers or executive officers as set out below in the capitalization table.
Beneficial ownership and percentage ownership are determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and include voting or investment power with respect to Units. This information does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Unless otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to the Companys knowledge, each Unitholder named below possesses sole voting and investment power over their Units, where applicable. Percentage of beneficial ownership before the offering is based on
215,900,040
Units outstanding as of the date of this Offering Circular.
41
The following capitalization table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of all classes of the Companys Units as of the date of this Offering Circular. Percentages in the table have been rounded to the nearest tenth after the decimal.
Member |
| Percentage | Percentage | Voting | Voting | Non- | Total |
Total Authorized |
|
|
| 4,817,200 | 40 | 260,400,162 | 265,217,402 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian Kane |
| 47.5% | 36.8% | 0 | 20 | 97,591,400 | 97,591,420 |
Grassroots Impact, LLC |
| 47.5% | 36.8% | 0 | 20 | 97,591,400 | 97,591,420 |
Mark Morales |
| 2.4% | 1.8% | 4,817,200 | 0 | 0 | 4,817,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Issued |
| 100% | 79.9% | 4,817,200 | 40 | 195,182,800 | 200,000,040 |
Daniel Gouldman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of Ternio, LLC, has beneficial ownership of
47.5%
of the Company as of the date of this Offering Circular. Ian Kane, Chief Operations Officer and Manager of Ternio, LLC, has beneficial ownership of
47.5%
of the Company as of the date of this Offering Circular. Mark Morales is a Manager of Ternio and has a beneficial ownership of 2.4% of the Company as of the date of this Offering Circular.
No other officer or manager of the Company has beneficial ownership of the Company as of the date of this Offering Circular. As noted in the table above,
40
Voting Class A Common Units,
195,182,800
Non-Voting Class B Common Units, and
4,817,200
Preferred Units are outstanding as of the date of this Offering Circular.
ITEM 13 INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
There are no related party agreements or transactions between the Company and its Managers or its Executors.
ITEM 14 SECURITIES BEING OFFERED
General
The Securities being offered are up to 54,347,827 of its Class B Non-Voting Common Units to investors in this Offering at $0.46 per Unit for gross offering proceeds of $25,000,000.42. The Units are comprised of 36,347,827 of its Class B Non-Voting Common Units being offered by the Company and 18,000,000 being offered by Selling Unit Holders. The Units being offered are Units of equity in the Company as set out in the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement and Amended Articles of Articles of Organization and Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement. There are three classes of Units: Class A Voting Common Units, Class B Non-Voting Common Units and Preferred Units. The Class B Non-Voting Common Units, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable. This Offering Circular and this section do not purport to give a complete description of all rights related to the Units, and both are qualified in their entirety by the provisions of the Companys Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, a copy of which have been attached as Exhibits to this Offering Circular.
If all of the Class B Common Units in this Offering are sold, the Class B Non-Voting Common Units would represent approximately
98.1%
of the issued and outstanding combined Units of the Company. The Offering will remain open for 360 days from the date of this Offering Circular, unless terminated for any reason at the discretion of the Company, or unless extended for up to an additional three hundred sixty (360) days by the Company.
42
The Company reserves the unqualified discretionary right to reject any subscription for Units, in whole or in part. If the Company rejects any offer to subscribe for the Common Units, it will return the subscription payment, without interest or reduction. The Company's acceptance of your subscription will be effective when an authorized representative of the Company signs the Subscription Agreement.
There are three classes of Units: Class A Voting Common Units, Class B Non-Voting Common Units and Preferred Units. In this Offering, the Company is only selling Class B Non-Voting Common Units. The Company does not expect to create any additional classes of Units during the next 12 months, but the Company is not limited from creating additional classes which may have preferred dividend, voting and/or liquidation rights or other benefits not available to holders of its Units if it chooses to do so. The holders of the Class A Voting Common Units, Class B Non-Voting Common Units and Preferred Units have equal rights, preferences and privileges except that (a) as to certain distributions to Preferred Unitholders as set out below and (b) the holders of Class B Non-Voting Common Units (which are being sold in this Offering) have no voting rights (c) Class A Common Units nor Class B Non-Voting Common Units have no voting rights on matters submitted to Preferred Unitholders for a vote. The rights, preferences and privileges of the Common Units and Preferred Units are set forth in the Companys Amended and Restated Operating Agreement and are described in summary form in this section of the Offering Circular.
Subscription Price
The price per Unit in this Offering is
$0.46
per Common Unit. The minimum subscription that will be accepted from an investor is Four Hundred
Sixty
Dollars
($460.00)
(the Minimum Subscription), however, the Company reserves the right to accept a lower amount in the Companys absolute discretion.
A subscription for Four Hundred
Sixty
Dollars
($460.00)
or more in Class B Non-Voting Common Units may be made only by tendering to the Company an executed Subscription Agreement delivered with this Offering Circular and the subscription price in a form acceptable to the Company. The execution and tender of the documents required, as detailed in the materials, constitutes a binding offer to purchase the number of Common Units stipulated therein and an agreement to hold the offer open until the offer is accepted or rejected by the Company.
The subscription price of the Common Units has been arbitrarily determined by the Company's management without regard to the Company's assets or earnings or the lack thereof, book value or other generally accepted valuation criteria and does not represent nor is it intended to imply that the Units being offered have a market value or could be resold at that price, even if a sale were permissible. The valuation was arbitrarily determined by the Company, and not by an independent third party applying a specified valuation criteria. The subscription price is payable in check, wire transfer, ACH, credit or debit card payment or some other form acceptable to the Company as set out in this Offering Circular.
Voting Rights
The Class B Non-Voting Common Units being offered in this Offering Circular have limited or no voting rights. Control of the Company and nearly all management decisions affecting the Company will be exercised by the Managers who hold 66.6% of the voting units of the Company. Because the securities being sold in this Offering have limited voting rights and limited ability to affect the control and direction of the Company, holders of these Common Units should not expect to be able to influence any decisions by management of the Company through voting on Company matters as a result.
For a full description of the voting rights of the Companys Units offered herein, please review the
Amended and Restated Operating Agreement.
Distributions
The Company does not expect to make distributions for holders of the Companys Units in the foreseeable future. Distributions will be made, if at all (and subject to the rights of holders of additional classes of securities, if any), in the discretion of the Companys President, except as noted below. Based on the Companys Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, the President may, within 120 days of the end of each calendar year, determine to what extent, if any, the Company's cash on hand exceeds the current and anticipated needs, including, without limitation, needs for operating expenses, debt service, acquisitions, and reserves. To the extent such excess exists, the Company may make distributions to the Unitholders in accordance to their respective Sharing Ratios taking into consideration all the Units. The Sharing Ratios are membership interests (expressed as a percentage) of each Unitholder taking into the number of Units owned by each Unitholder divided by the total number applicable Units.
43
Liquidation Rights
In the event of the dissolution of the Company, the Companys property will be sold and any funds of the Company remaining after winding up the affairs of the Company will be distributed to creditors, including Unitholders who are creditors, to the extent permitted by law, in satisfaction of the Companys liabilities and after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company and the rights of the Preferred Unit Holders, the holders of Class B Common Units will be entitled to receive, in proportion to their Sharing Ratios, the remaining net assets of the Company. Only Preferred Unit holders shall have a liquidation preference.
Additional Matters
The Units will not be subject to further calls or assessment by the Company. There are no restrictions on alienability of the Units in the corporate documents other than those disclosed in this Offering Circular. The Units are uncertificated and, as such, will not contain legends, as such would exist on a traditional stock certificate. However, the language of any such legends applicable to the Units and as set out in this Offering Circular, will apply to each Unit and shall govern the purchaser and holder of each such Unit.
DISQUALIFYING EVENTS DISCLOSURE
Recent changes to Regulation A promulgated under the Securities Act prohibit an issuer from claiming an exemption from registration of its securities under such rule if the issuer, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any manager, executive officer, other officer participating in the offering of the interests, general partner or managing member of the issuer, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the voting power of the issuers outstanding voting equity securities, any promoter connected with the issuer in any capacity as of the date hereof, any investment manager of the issuer, any person that has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of purchasers in connection with such sale of the issuers interests, any general partner or managing member of any such investment manager or solicitor, or any manager, executive officer or other officer participating in the offering of any such investment manager or solicitor or general partner or managing member of such investment manager or solicitor has been subject to certain Disqualifying Events described in Rule 506(d)(1) of Regulation D subsequent to September 23, 2013, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Company is required to exercise reasonable care in conducting an inquiry to determine whether any such persons have been subject to such Disqualifying Events and is required to disclose any Disqualifying Events that occurred prior to September 23, 2013 to investors in the Company. The Company believes that it has exercised reasonable care in conducting an inquiry into Disqualifying Events by the foregoing persons and is aware of the no such Disqualifying Events.
It is possible that (a) Disqualifying Events may exist of which the Company is not aware and (b) the SEC, a court or other finder of fact may determine that the steps that the Company has taken to conduct its inquiry were inadequate and did not constitute reasonable care. If such a finding were made, the Company may lose its ability to rely upon exemptions under Regulation A, and, depending on the circumstances, may be required to register the Offering of the Companys Units with the SEC and under applicable state securities laws or to conduct a rescission offer with respect to the securities sold in the Offering.
INVESTOR ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS
The Common Units will be sold only to a person who is not an accredited investor if the aggregate purchase price paid by such person is no more than 10% of the greater of such persons annual income or net worth, not including the value of his primary residence, as calculated under Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In the case of sales to fiduciary accounts (Keogh Plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Qualified Pension/Profit Sharing Plans or Trusts), the above suitability standards must be met by the fiduciary account, the beneficiary of the fiduciary account, or by the donor who directly or indirectly supplies the funds for the purchase of the Common Units. Investor suitability standards in certain states may be higher than those described in this Offering Circular. These standards represent minimum suitability requirements for prospective investors, and the satisfaction of such standards does not necessarily mean that an investment in the Company is suitable for such persons.
44
Each investor must represent in writing that he/she meets the applicable requirements set forth above and in the Subscription Agreement, including, among other things, that (i) he/she is purchasing the Common Units for his/her own account and (ii) he/she has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he/she is capable of evaluating without outside assistance the merits and risks of investing in the Common Units, or he/she and his/her purchaser representative together have such knowledge and experience that they are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investing in the Common Units. Transferees of the Common Units will be required to meet the above suitability standards.
All potential purchasers of the Common Units will be required to comply with know-your-customer and anti-money laundering procedures to comply with various laws and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act is designed to detect, deter and punish terrorists in the United States and abroad. The Act imposes anti-money laundering requirements on brokerage firms and financial institutions. Since April 24, 2002, all United States brokerage firms have been required to have comprehensive anti-money laundering programs in effect. To help you understand these efforts, the Company wants to provide you with some information about money laundering and the Companys efforts to help implement the USA Patriot Act.
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegally obtained money so that the funds appear to come from legitimate sources or activities. Money laundering occurs in connection with a wide variety of crimes, including illegal arms sales, drug trafficking, robbery, fraud, racketeering and terrorism. The use of the United States financial system by criminals to facilitate terrorism or other crimes could taint its financial markets. According to the United States State Department, one recent estimate puts the amount of worldwide money laundering activity at $1 trillion a year. As a result, the Company believes it is very important to fully comply with these laws.
By submitting a subscription agreement to the Company, you will be agreeing to the following representations. You should check the Office of Foreign Assets Control (the OFAC) website at http://www.treas.gov/ofac before making the following representations:
(1)
You represent that the amounts invested by you in this Offering were not and are not directly or indirectly derived from any activities that contravene federal, state or international laws and regulations, including anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Federal regulations and Executive Orders administered by the OFAC prohibit, among other things, the engagement in transactions with, and the provision of services to, certain foreign countries, territories, entities and individuals. The lists of the OFAC-prohibited countries, territories, individuals and entities can be found on the OFAC website at http://www.treas.gov/ofac. In addition, the programs administered by the OFAC (the OFAC Programs) prohibit dealing with individuals (including specially designated nationals, specially designated narcotics traffickers and other parties subject to OFAC sanctions and embargo programs) or entities in certain countries, regardless of whether such individuals or entities appear on any OFAC list;
(2)
You represent and warrant that none of: (a) you; (b) any person controlling or controlled by you; (c) if you are a privately-held entity, any person having a beneficial interest in you; or (d) any person for whom you are acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment is a country, territory, entity or individual named on an OFAC list, or a person or entity prohibited under the OFAC Programs. Please be advised that the Company may not accept any subscription amounts from a prospective purchaser if such purchasers cannot make the representation set forth in the preceding sentence. You agree to promptly notify the Company should you become aware 8 These individuals include specially designated nationals, specially designated narcotics traffickers and other parties subject to OFAC sanctions and embargo programs. of any change in the information set forth in any of these representations. You are advised that, by law, the Company may be obligated to freeze the account of any purchaser, either by prohibiting additional subscriptions from it, declining any redemption requests and/or segregating the assets in the account in compliance with governmental regulations, and that the Company may also be required to report such action and to disclose such purchasers identity to the OFAC;
(3)
You represent and warrant that none of: (a) you; (b) any person controlling or controlled by you; (c) if you are a privately-held entity, any person having a beneficial interest in you; or (d) any person for whom you are acting as agent or nominee in connection with this investment is a senior foreign political figure9, or any immediate family10 member or close associate11 of a senior foreign political figure, as such terms are defined in the footnotes below; and
45
(4)
If you are affiliated with a non-U.S. banking institution (a Foreign Bank), or if you receive deposits from, make payments on behalf of, or handle other financial transactions related to a Foreign Bank, you represent and warrant to the Company that: (a) the Foreign Bank has a fixed address, and not solely an electronic address, in a country in which the Foreign Bank is authorized to conduct banking activities; (b) the Foreign Bank maintains operating records related to its banking activities; (c) the Foreign Bank is subject to inspection by the banking authority that licensed the Foreign Bank to conduct its banking activities; and (d) the Foreign Bank does not provide banking services to any other Foreign Bank that does not have a physical presence in any country and that is not a regulated affiliate.
The Company is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of your representations. The Company may, but under no circumstances will it be obligated to, require additional evidence that a prospective purchaser meets the standards set forth above at any time prior to its acceptance of a prospective purchasers subscription. You are not obligated to supply any information so requested by the Company, but the Company may reject a subscription from you or any person who fails to supply such information.
TAXATION ISSUES
As noted above, this Offering Circular is not providing, or purporting to provide any tax advice to anyone. Every potential investor is advised to seek the advice of his, her or its own tax professionals before making this investment. The securities sold in this Offering may have issues related to taxation at many levels, including tax laws and regulations at the state, local and federal levels in the Unites States, and at all levels of government in non-U.S. jurisdictions.
46
Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation A, the issuer certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Offering Circular and has duly caused this offering statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Milton, State of Georgia, on
July 12,
2021.
Ternio, LLC
By: /s/ Daniel Gouldman
Chief Executive Officer and Manager
This offering statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ Daniel Gouldman
Name: Daniel Gouldman
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Manager
Date:
July 12,
2021
By: /s/ Ian Kane
Name: Ian Kane
Title: Chief Operating Officer and Manager
Date:
July 12,
2021
By: /s/ Mark Morales
Name: Mark Morales
Title: Manager
Date:
July 12,
2021
47
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ADOPTING TYPED SIGNATURES
The undersigned hereby authenticate, acknowledge and otherwise adopt the typed signatures
above and as otherwise appear in this filing and Offering.
By: /s/ Daniel Gouldman
Name: Daniel Gouldman
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Manager
Date:
July 12,
2021
By: /s/ Ian Kane
Name: Ian Kane
Title: Chief Operating Officer and Manager
Date:
July 12,
2021
By: /s/ Mark Morales
Name: Mark Morales
Title: Manager
Date:
July 12,
2021
48
S E N S I B A S A N F I L I P P O L L P
CERTIFIED PUBL.IC ACCOUNTANTS AND BUSINESS ADVISORS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT
To the Board of Directors of
Ternio, LLC
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Ternio, LLC (the Company), which comprise the balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related statements of operations, changes in membership unitholders equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entitys preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entitys internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
![[ternio_a009.jpg]](ternio_a009.jpg)
San Jose, California
June 15, 2021
www .ssfllp.com
F-1
Ternio, LLC
Balance Sheet
December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
| 2020 |
|
| 2019 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
| $ | 893,707 |
|
| $ | 42,904 |
|
Other Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
| 114,166 |
|
|
| |
|
Digital Assets |
|
| 151,042 |
|
|
| 171,325 |
|
TERN Cryptocurrency |
|
| 183,822 |
|
|
| 167,833 |
|
Total Other Current Assets |
|
| 449,030 |
|
|
| 339,158 |
|
Total Current Assets |
|
| 1,342,737 |
|
|
| 382,062 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computer Equipment |
|
| 63,614 |
|
|
| 50,872 |
|
BlockCard Platform |
|
| 95,000 |
|
|
| 95,000 |
|
Web Domain |
|
| 16,689 |
|
|
| |
|
Accumulated Depreciation & Amortization |
|
| (77,889 | ) |
|
| (35,111 | ) |
Total Fixed Assets |
|
| 97,414 |
|
|
| 110,761 |
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
| $ | 1,440,151 |
|
| $ | 492,823 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' DEFICIT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts Payable |
| $ | |
|
| $ | 4,536 |
|
Member Payable |
|
| 53,038 |
|
|
| 71,566 |
|
Credit Card |
|
| 5,195 |
|
|
| |
|
Accrued Expenses |
|
| 42,394 |
|
|
| 31,889 |
|
Accrued Performance Awards - TERN |
|
| 150,198 |
|
|
| 158,477 |
|
Total Current Liabilities |
|
| 250,826 |
|
|
| 266,468 |
|
Long-Term Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EIDL Loan |
|
| 150,000 |
|
|
| |
|
PPP Loan |
|
| 4,280 |
|
|
| |
|
Total Long-Term Liabilities |
|
| 154,280 |
|
|
| |
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
|
| 405,106 |
|
|
| 266,468 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable Preferred Membership Units: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Preferred 8% Membership Units 240,860 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 respectively. Includes Cumulative preferred dividends of $54,430 and $27,215 as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 respectively. |
|
| 372,556 |
|
|
| 345,341 |
|
Members' Equity (Deficit) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Membership Interest Units 9,759,140 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE), net of issuance costs of $60,177 |
|
| 1,034,823 |
|
|
| 25,000 |
|
Additional Paid in Capital - Membership Unit Options |
|
| 167,995 |
|
|
| 19,007 |
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
| (540,329 | ) |
|
| (162,992 | ) |
Total Members' Equity (Deficit) |
|
| 662,488 |
|
|
| (118,985 | ) |
TOTAL LIABILITIES, PREFERRED MEMBERSHIP UNITS AND MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
| $ | 1,440,151 |
|
| $ | 492,823 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-2
Ternio, LLC
Statement of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
| 2020 |
|
| 2019 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Revenues |
| $ | 9,385,513 |
|
| $ | 1,740,653 |
|
Cost of Revenues |
|
| 7,144,963 |
|
|
| 616,654 |
|
Gross Profit |
|
| 2,240,551 |
|
|
| 1,123,999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and Administrative |
|
| 2,154,065 |
|
|
| 778,154 |
|
Sales and Marketing |
|
| 403,830 |
|
|
| 133,156 |
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
| 42,778 |
|
|
| 30,110 |
|
Impairment - Digital Assets |
|
| |
|
|
| 17,700 |
|
Total Operating Expenses |
|
| 2,600,673 |
|
|
| 959,120 |
|
Net Operating Income (Loss) |
|
| (360,122 | ) |
|
| 164,879 |
|
Other Income (Expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income |
|
| 10,000 |
|
|
| |
|
Total Other Income |
|
| 10,000 |
|
|
| |
|
Net Income (Loss) |
| $ | (350,122 | ) |
| $ | 164,879 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-3
TERNIO, LLC.
Statement of Membership Unitholders' Equity
|
| Redeemable Preferred Membership Units |
|
| Members' Common |
|
| Additional Paid in Capital - Membership Unit Options |
|
| Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE) |
|
| Accumulated Deficit |
|
| Total Members' Equity (Deficit) |
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2018 |
| $ | |
|
| $ | |
|
| $ | |
|
| $ | |
|
| $ | (300,656 | ) |
| $ | (300,656 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Membership Units Purchased |
|
| 318,126 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Redeemable Cumulative Preferred Dividend |
|
| 27,215 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| (27,215 | ) |
|
| (27,215 | ) |
Purchased Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 25,000 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 25,000 |
|
Additional Paid in Capital - Membership Unit Options |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 19,007 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 19,007 |
|
Net Income |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 164,879 |
|
|
| 164,879 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2019 |
|
| 345,341 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 19,007 |
|
|
| 25,000 |
|
|
| (162,992 | ) |
|
| (118,985 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Membership Unit purchased |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Cumulative Preferred Dividend |
|
| 27,215 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| (27,215 | ) |
|
| (27,215 | ) |
Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE), net of issuance costs of $60,177 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 1,009,823 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 1,009,823 |
|
Additional Paid in Capital - Membership Unit Options |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 148,988 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 148,988 |
|
Net Loss |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| (350,122 | ) |
|
| (350,122 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2020 |
| $ | 372,556 |
|
| $ | |
|
| $ | 167,995 |
|
| $ | 1,034,823 |
|
| $ | (540,329 | ) |
| $ | 662,488 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-4
Ternio, LLC
Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
| 2020 |
|
| 2019 |
| ||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (Loss) |
| $ | (350,122 | ) |
| $ | 164,879 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation & Amortization |
|
| 42,778 |
|
|
| 30,110 |
|
Mark to market adjustment on cryptocurrency awards |
|
| (8,279 | ) |
|
| (31,793 | ) |
Membership-unit option award compensation expense |
|
| 148,988 |
|
|
| 19,007 |
|
Fair market value upon issuance of cryptocurrency awards |
|
| |
|
|
| 5,118 |
|
Other Current Assets |
|
| (48,367 | ) |
|
| |
|
Digital Assets |
|
| (45,516 | ) |
|
| (166,914 | ) |
TERN Cryptocurrency |
|
| (15,989 | ) |
|
| (167,833 | ) |
Accounts Payable |
|
| 659 |
|
|
| (1,134 | ) |
Accrued Expenses |
|
| 10,505 |
|
|
| |
|
Total Adjustments to reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
| 84,779 |
|
|
| (313,439 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
| (265,342 | ) |
|
| (148,560 | ) |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed Assets |
|
| (29,430 | ) |
|
| (95,000 | ) |
Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
| (29,430 | ) |
|
| (95,000 | ) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment on Member Payable |
|
| (18,528 | ) |
|
| 41,566 |
|
Proceeds from EIDL Loan |
|
| 150,000 |
|
|
| |
|
Proceeds from PPP Loan |
|
| 4,280 |
|
|
| |
|
Proceeds from Redeemable Preferred Membership Unit |
|
| |
|
|
| 184,780 |
|
Proceeds from Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE), net of issuance costs of $60,177 |
|
| 1,009,823 |
|
|
| 25,000 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
| 1,145,575 |
|
|
| 251,346 |
|
Net cash increase for period |
|
| 850,802 |
|
|
| 7,786 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
| 42,904 |
|
|
| 35,119 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
| $ | 893,707 |
|
| $ | 42,904 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Disclosure on Non-cash Transactions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of Equity Funding Advance Proceeds to Redeemable Preferred Membership Units |
| $ | |
|
| $ | 133,346 |
|
Preferred Membership Unit Dividends |
| $ | 27,215 |
|
| $ | 27,215 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-5
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
Note 1. Organization
Ternio, LLC (which may be referred to as the "Company," "we," "us," or "our") was registered in the state of Delaware on January 1, 2018. The Company provides a debit card for cryptocurrency holders to use where major credit cards are accepted. The company issues bank accounts, debit cards and financial toolkit APIs - middleware enabling cryptocurrencies to be spent at 40 million merchants world-wide. Ternio supports multiple coins and is the only company enabling users to hold crypto until the point of sale. Other cards take a users cryptocurrency, converts to fiat, and places the USD value on a card which is the equivalent of buying a gift card. Deposit accounts made easy with a modern and intuitive interface that handles everything from tracking spend, purchasing or selling cryptocurrencies, or transferring funds. Ternio enables companies to build and scale financial products by bringing a suite of product APIs that will integrate seamlessly within your company's current or future technology needs. The Company is headquartered in Georgia.
Note 2. Risks and Uncertainties
The Company has a limited operating history. The Company's business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States and globally. A host of factors beyond the Company's control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse conditions may include, recession, downturn or otherwise, local competition or changes in consumer taste. These adverse conditions could affect the Company's financial condition and the results of its operations. As of December 31, 2020, the Company is operating as a going concern.
The Company participates in the cryptocurrency industry. As such, it may be exposed to changing regulations in the industry that could impact the financial performance of the Company because of the inherent risk of the industry and its participants. Changes in government regulation could adversely impact our business. The Company is subject to legislation and regulation at the federal and local levels and, in some instances, at the state level. The Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) and/or Congress may attempt to change the classification of or change the way that our online content platforms are regulated and/or change the framework under which Internet service providers are provided Safe Harbor for claims of copyright infringement, introduce changes to how digital advertising is regulated and consumer information is handled, changing rights and obligations of our competitors.
We are subject to a highly-evolving regulatory landscape and any adverse changes to, or our failure to comply with, any laws and regulations could adversely affect our brand, reputation, business, operating results, and financial condition. Our business is subject to extensive laws, rules, regulations, policies, orders, determinations, directives, treaties, and legal and regulatory interpretations and guidance in the markets in which we operate, including those governing financial services and banking, broker-dealers and ATS, crypto asset custody, exchange, and transfer, cross-border and domestic money and crypto asset transmission, privacy, data governance, data protection, cybersecurity, fraud detection, payment services (including payment processing and settlement services), consumer protection, tax, and anti-money laundering. Many of these legal and regulatory regimes were adopted prior to the advent of the internet, mobile technologies, crypto assets, and related technologies. As a result, they do not contemplate or address unique issues associated with the cryptocurrency industry, are subject to significant uncertainty, and vary widely across U.S. federal, state, and local and international jurisdictions. Moreover, the complexity and evolving nature of our business and the significant uncertainty surrounding the regulation of the cryptocurrency industry requires us to exercise our judgement as to whether certain laws, rules, and regulations apply to us, and it is possible that governmental bodies and regulators may disagree with our conclusions. To the extent we have not complied with such laws, rules, and regulations, we could be subject to significant fines, revocation of licenses, limitations on our products and services, reputational harm, and other regulatory consequences, each of which may be significant and could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. Modifications to existing requirements or imposition of new requirements or limitations could have an adverse impact on our business.
As discussed in Note 12, COVID-19 has been determined to be a global pandemic and as a result there may be a slowdown in the economy in the United States and globally which could adversely affect the results of the Company.
Concentrations of Risk
Cryptocurrency holdings and cash equivalents may subject the Company to a concentration of risk. The largest portion of Company holdings of cryptocurrency are in its TERN holdings. The Company holding of TERN is 26,978,281 tokens with a cost basis of $183,822 and 19,857,866 tokens with a cost basis of $167,833 at December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively. The Company's cash equivalent consists primarily of deposit account or money market funds. Certain bank deposits may at times be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC) insurance limits.
The Company is heavily dependent on its business to consumer (B2C) card program, estimated at 100% of its revenue in 2020 and 2019.
F-6
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
Note 3. Liquidity and Financial Condition
The Company has a limited operating history and operates as a going concern. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has relied on money from the members. Management anticipates the Company to achieve profitable operations as they execute their business plan.
The Company believes its current cash on hand is sufficient to meet its operating and capital requirements for at least the next twelve months from the date these financial statements are issued.
Note 3. Liquidity and Financial Condition
The Company has a limited operating history and operates as a going concern. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has relied on money from the members. Management anticipates the Company to achieve profitable operations as they execute their business plan.
The Company believes its current cash on hand is sufficient to meet its operating and capital requirements for at least the next twelve months from the date these financial statements are issued.
Note 4. Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheet and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of the Company's financial statements include estimates associated with asset valuations including the Company's cryptocurrency holdings, impairment analysis of intangibles, membership unit-based compensation and awards of intangible assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. From time to time, the Company's cash account balances exceed the balances as covered by the FDIC. The Company has never suffered a loss due to such excess balances. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company had $893,707 and $42,904 cash on hand, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for financial instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB'') Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurements. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:
Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 - observable inputs other than Level 1, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and model-derived prices whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable; and
Level 3 - assets and liabilities whose significant value drivers are unobservable.
F-7
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs are based on the Company's market assumptions. Unobservable inputs require significant management judgment or estimation. In some cases, the inputs used to measure an asset or liability may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is required to be classified using the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Such determination requires significant management judgment. The carrying amounts of the Company's financial assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Receivables and Credit Policy
Trade receivables from customers are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms, primarily requiring payment before services are rendered. Trade receivables are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Payments of trade receivables are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer's remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoice. The Company, by policy, routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers. As a result, the Company believes that its accounts receivable credit risk exposure is limited, and it has not experienced significant write-downs in its accounts receivable balances
On December 31, 2020 the Company had recognized $65,799 of customer funds in the FBO virtual account (For-Benefit-Of Accounts are accounts opened in the platform's name for the benefit of our users) under current assets as funds in transit as the funds have not yet moved into the Ternio managed operating account. This amount was moved to the Ternio managed operating account on January 5, 2021. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had no accounts receivable. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to any of its customers.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies, (including the Company's Ternio "TERN", bitcoin, and other 3rd party cryptocurrencies) are included in current assets in the accompanying balance sheet. Cryptocurrencies purchased are recorded at cost and sale of the Company's cryptocurrencies are accounted for in connection with the Company's revenue recognition policy disclosed below.
Cryptocurrencies held are accounted for as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, which is measured using the quoted price of the cryptocurrency at the time its fair value is being measured. In testing for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that an impairment exists, a quantitative impairment test is not necessary. If the Company concludes otherwise, it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test. To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the asset. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.
Purchases of cryptocurrencies by the Company are included within operating activities in the accompanying statement of cash flows. The sales of cryptocurrencies are included within operating activities in the accompanying statement of cash flows and any realized gains or losses from such sales are included in operating expenses in the statement of operations. The Company accounts for its gains or losses in accordance with specific identification. However, in the absence of the ability to specifically identify the cryptocurrency being sold, the Company will use the first in first out (FIFO) method of accounting in those cases.
As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company has $334,864 and $339,158 in cryptocurrency, respectively. Of this, $183,822 and $167,833 is for its own TERN currency in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally five years for computer related assets. Expenditures for renewals and improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity or extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When equipment is retired or sold, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the balance sheet accounts and the resultant gain or loss is reflected in income.
F-8
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Management reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Based on its reviews, management determined that its Bitcoin cryptocurrency was impaired by a total of $0 and $17,700 based upon an assessment as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company is a limited liability company. Accordingly, under the Internal Revenue Code, all taxable income or loss flows through to its members. Therefore, no provision for income tax has been recorded in the statements. Income from the Company is reported and taxed to members on their individual tax returns.
The Company complies with FASB ASC 740 for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a Company's financial statements, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. FASB ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Based on the Company's evaluation, it has been concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company's financial statements. The Company believes that its income tax positions would be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to its financial position.
Leases
Effective January 1, 2019, the Company accounts for its leases under ASC 842, Leases (ASC 842). Under this guidance, arrangements meeting the definition of a lease are classified as operating or financing leases, and are recorded on the balance sheet as both a right of use asset and lease liability, calculated by discounting fixed lease payments over the lease term at the rate implicit in the lease or the Company's incremental borrowing rate. Lease liabilities are increased by interest and reduced by payments each period, and the right of use asset is amortized over the lease term. For operating leases, interest on the lease liability and the amortization of the right of use asset result in straight-line rent expense over the lease term.
In calculating the right of use asset and lease liability, the Company elects to combine lease and non-lease components as permitted under ASC 842. The Company excludes short-term leases having initial terms of 12 months or less from the new guidance as an accounting policy election and recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
As of December 31, 2020 the Company had leases for less than one year and as of December 31, 2019 the Company had no leases.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the new revenue standard is that a Company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods. or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
Step 3: Determine the transaction price
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
Step 5: Recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation
F-9
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
In order to identify the performance obligations in a contract with a customer, the Company must assess the promised goods or services in the contract and identify each promised good or service that is distinct. A performance obligation meets ASC 606's definition of a "distinct" good or service (or bundle of goods or services) if both of the following criteria are met: The customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (i.e., the good or service is capable of being distinct), and the entity's promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (i.e., the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract). ·
If a good or service is not distinct, the good or service is combined with other promised goods or services until a bundle of goods or services is identified that is distinct.
The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The consideration promised in a contract with a customer may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both. When determining the transaction price, an entity must consider the effects of all of the following:
Variable consideration
Constraining estimates of variable consideration
The existence of a significant financing component in the contract
Noncash consideration
Consideration payable to a customer
Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The transaction price allocated to each performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or overtime as appropriate.
The companys revenue includes sales of its cryptocurrency TERN, transaction fees generated from customers using its BlockCard debit card and from the licensing (white label) of its BlockCard platform to outside parties.
The transaction consideration the Company receives, if any, is non-cash cryptocurrency in many cases, which the Company measures at fair value on the date received. For the year ended December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company had recognized revenue of $9,385,513 and of $1,740,653, respectively for the delivery of TERN cryptocurrency which is considered complete at the point of exchange at the timestamped point of transaction when the deposit of the purchased asset is received.
For the white label partnerships, the transaction consideration is made up of two parts, the tri-phasic implementation stage for a non-refundable fixed fee and revenue share of transactions after the white label partnership is implemented. The performance obligation under the companys white label program is considered complete once the following 3 phases of implementation are completed prior to initializing transactions and recognizing revenue in the same manner as for the sales of TERN:
Phase 1 - Microsite setup (if needed)
Phase 2 - Compliance document compilation
Phase 3 - Bank submission approval/denial
There is currently no specific definitive guidance under GAAP or alternative accounting framework for the accounting for cryptocurrencies recognized as revenue or held, and management has exercised significant judgment in determining the appropriate accounting treatment. In the event authoritative guidance is enacted by the FASB, the Company may be required to change its policies, which could have an effect on the Company's financial position and results from operations.
F-10
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
Cost of Revenue
The Company's cost of revenue consists primarily of the cost per token of its cryptocurrency TERN which is accounted for on first in first out (FIFO) cost basis for the wallets used to purchase TERN, independent of TERN Treasury holdings but is reviewed for impairment periodically as discussed in the section Cryptocurrency above. The cost per token is obtained from third parties such as the exchange used at the time of the transaction. Also included would be any other direct costs to obtain the revenue but excluding depreciation and amortization, which are separately stated in the Company's statement of operations.
Advertising Expenses
The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. In 2020 and 2019 the Company spent $403,830 and $133,156 respectively.
Contingent Liabilities
The Company recognizes contingent liabilities when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Disclosure in the notes to the financial statements is required for loss contingencies that do not meet both these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred. The Company expenses as incurred the costs of defending legal claims against the Company,
Research and Development
Research and development activities are expensed when incurred.
Software Development Costs - Internal Use
Preliminary project stage costs are expensed as they are incurred. If a decision is made to move forward with application development, this portion of the project is to be capitalized. Training costs are expensed as incurred as well as data conversion costs.
Capitalization of costs begin when the preliminary project stage is completed and management with relevant authority implicitly or explicitly authorize and commit to funding a project and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. When it is no longer probable the software will be completed and placed in service no further costs shall be capitalized and impairment is applied to existing balances. Capitalization ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use after all substantial testing is completed.
Once the development has been substantially completed, post-implementation operation stage costs including maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Upgrades and enhancements are defined as modifications to existing internal-use software that result in additional functionality-that is, modifications to enable the software to perform tasks that it was previously incapable of performing. Upgrades and enhancements normally require new software specifications and may require a change to all or part of the existing software specifications. In order for costs of specified upgrades and enhancements to internal use computer software to be capitalized it must be probable that those expenditures will result in additional functionality.
These upgrades and enhancements follow the same process of evaluation for capital and expense as typical software development costs. As we cannot separate on a reasonably cost-effective basis between maintenance and relatively minor upgrades and enhancements, those costs are expensed as incurred.
New software development activities trigger consideration of remaining useful lives of software that is to be replaced. When replacing software, unamortized costs are expensed when the new software is ready for its intended use.
Web domain registration and software development costs for the BlockCard platform eligible to be capitalized were $16,689 and $95,000 for the year ending December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively. Amortization cost was $31,926 and $19,954 for 2020 and 2019 respectively.
F-11
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
Patents and Trademarks
Cost to acquire a patent and trademark are recorded only if the amount spent is above capitalization thresholds. Once they do, costs other than R&D are capitalized and amortized over the lifespan protected by the patent or trademark or its useful life, if shorter. The company does have a patent System and Methods for Operating a Blockchain Network. It also has two trademarks: BlockCard and Lexicon. No costs have been capitalized as the expenditures have not reached the capitalization threshold at the balance sheet dates.
Membership Unit-based Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based payment awards exchanged for services at the estimated grant date fair value of the award. Membership unit options issued under the Company's long-term incentive plan is granted with an exercise price equal to no less than the market price of the Company's membership unit at the date of grant and expire within 30 days after termination of agreement with applicable suppliers. These options generally vest over a three - year period.
The Company estimates the fair value of membership unit option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions used in calculating the fair value of membership unit-based awards represent management's best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management's judgment.
Expected Term - The expected term of options represents the period that the Company's membership unit-based awards are expected to be outstanding based on the simplified method, which is the half-life from vesting to the end of its contractual term.
Expected Volatility - The Company computes membership unit price volatility over expected terms based on industry/competitor volatility levels in absence of trading price ranges being readily available for the Company.
Risk-Free Interest Rate - The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term.
Expected Dividend - The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common units and does not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future, and, therefore, uses an expected dividend yield of zero in its valuation models.
The Company elected to account for forfeited awards as they occur, as permitted by Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09. Ultimately, the actual expenses recognized over the vesting period will be for those shares that vested.
Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated all events that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date when the financial statements were issued. See Note 12.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
The Company continually assesses any new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability. When it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement affects the Company's financial reporting, the Company undertakes a study to determine the consequences of the change to its financial statements and assures that there are proper controls in place to ascertain that the Company's financial statements properly reflect the change.
F-12
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by, among other provisions, recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous U.S. GAAP. For public companies, ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. In transition, entities may also elect a package of practical expedients that must be applied in its entirety to all leases commencing before the adoption date, unless the lease is modified, and permits entities to not reassess (a) the existence of a lease, (b) lease classification or (c) determination of initial direct costs, as of the adoption date, effectively allowing entities to carryforward accounting conclusions under previous U.S. GAAP. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides entities an optional transition method to apply the guidance under Topic 842 as of the adoption date, rather than as of the earliest period presented. The Company adopted Topic 842 on January 1, 2019, using the optional transition method to apply the new guidance as of January 1, 2019, rather than as of the earliest period presented, and elected the package of practical expedients described above. Based on the analysis, on January 1, 2019, the Company recorded right of use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $0.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies the accounting for share-based payments granted to nonemployees for goods and services. Under the ASU, most of the guidance on such payments to nonemployees would be aligned with the requirements for share based payments granted to employees. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity's adoption date of Topic 606. The Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2019 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement" ("ASU 2018-13"), which makes a number of changes meant to add, modify or remove certain disclosure requirements associated with the movement amongst or hierarchy associated with Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 on January 1, 2020 and its adoption did not have any impact on the Company's financial statements and related disclosures.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12) which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements and related disclosures.
Note 5. Fixed Assets
Fixed assets consisted of the following as of December 31:
|
| 2020 |
|
| 2019 |
| ||
Computer equipment |
| $ | 63,614 |
|
| $ | 50,872 |
|
Software development costs |
|
| 111,689 |
|
|
| 95,000 |
|
Total cost of property and equipment |
|
| 175,303 |
|
|
| 145,872 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation |
|
| (77,889 | ) |
|
| (35,111 | ) |
Property and equipment, net |
| $ | 97,414 |
|
| $ | 110,761 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $42,778 and $30,110 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis for the periods the assets are in service.
F-13
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
Note 6. Other Obligations
Debt
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
On July 23, 2020 the Company received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan ("EIDL") for $150,000 subject to a 30 year repayment schedule beginning 12 months after loan inception and at an interest rate of 3.75%. The monthly payments will be $731 per month over the repayment term and can be paid back early without penalty. The collateral in which this security interest is granted includes the following property that Company now owns or shall acquire or create immediately upon the acquisition or creation thereof: all tangible In Process and intangible personal property, including, but not limited to: (a) inventory, (b) equipment, (c) instruments, including promissory notes, (d) chattel paper, including tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper, (e) documents, (f) letter of credit rights, (g) accounts, including health-care insurance receivables and credit card receivables, (h) deposit accounts, (i) commercial tort claims, (j) general intangibles, including payment intangibles and software, and (k) as-extracted collateral as such terms may from time to time be defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The security interest Company grants includes all accessions, attachments, accessories, parts, supplies and replacements for the Collateral, all products, proceeds and collections thereof and all records and data relating thereto.
On April 21, 2020 an EIDL grant was received for $10,000 which is not expected to be paid back according to Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Cares Act) guidance.
Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Loan
On May 11, 2020 the Company received a Payroll Protection Loan for $4,280. If the loan is not fully forgiven it will need to be paid back within 2 years at an interest rate of 1.0%. No collateral was required and payments are not required until Q3, 2021.
Note 7. Accrued Performance Awards
The Company has entered into agreements for several contractors to pay them performance awards most which vest over a one-to-three-year period. The awards are denominated in TERN. The company recognizes expenses over the vesting period and the liability is adjusted to fair market value at the date of the balance sheet for awards not issued. The mark to market adjustment was ($8,278) and ($31,793) for 2020 and 2019. respectively.
Note 8. Membership Unitholders' Equity and Redeemable Preferred Membership Units
Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE)
On May 21, 2019, the Company issued SAFE agreements for future equity for fair market value of $25,000. The agreement is not equity but provides for conversion to preferred membership units in the event of an equity financing or liquidity event and also carries a 20% discount to share price for the future equity based on a $15million post-money valuation cap. In a dissolution event the holder will receive similar preference as preferred unitholders.
2020 Transactions
Crowdfunded Offering
The Company held a successful crowdfunded offering ("Crowdfunded Offering") of $1,070,000 of Simple Agreements for Future Equity ("SAFEs"). The Crowdfunded Offering is being made through OpenDeal Portal Inc. (the "Intermediary" aka "Republic" or "Republic.co"). The Intermediary will be entitled to receive a 6% commission fee of the amount raised and 2% of the securities issued in this offering.
On November 8, 2019, the Company commenced this Crowdfunded Offering which successfully reached its minimum offering, but had not yet received the funds from the campaign until 2020 as the campaign was elected to be extended through the summer of 2020. In 2020, the Company received $1,009,823 net of fees as they achieved the maximum amount of the offering and $0 in 2019.
F-14
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
At the initial closing of the Crowdfunded Offering (if the minimum amount is sold), our authorized capital membership unit will consist of (i) 9,759,140 common shares, par value $0.000100 per share, of which 9,759,140 common shares will be issued and outstanding; and (ii) 240,860 Series A Preferred Shares, par value $15.00 per share, of which 240,860 Series A Preferred shares will be issued and outstanding.
The SAFEs are not currently equity interests in the Company and can be thought of as the right to receive equity at some point in the future upon the occurrence of certain events. The securities do not entitle the Investors to any dividends. Currently, there is no specific guideline from the FASB for the accounting treatment of the SAFE agreements. SAFE agreements can be thought of as naked warrants for the future purchase of equity in the company. The FASB directs for warrants to be recorded as equity. Since the SAFE agreements would not be refunded in the case the company does not issue equity in the future and because the Company is confident it will be issuing equity in the near term, the Company has elected to treat the aggregate amount raised under the SAFE Agreements as equity with the actual quantity of shares allocated to be determined at a later date using the guidance outlined below.
Upon each future equity financing of greater than $1,000,000 (an "Equity Financing"), the SAFEs are convertible at the option of the Company, into CF Shadow Series Securities, which are securities identical to those issued in such future Equity Financing except 1) they do not have the right to vote on any matters except as required by law, 2) they must vote in accordance with the majority of the investors in such future Equity Financing with respect to any such required vote and 3) they are not entitled to any inspection or information rights (other than those contemplated by Regulation CF). The Company has no obligation to convert the SAFEs in any/future financing.
If the Company elects to convert the SAFEs upon the first Equity Financing following the issuance of the securities, the Investor will receive the number of CF Shadow Series Securities equal to the greater of the quotient obtained by dividing the amount the Investor paid for the SAFEs (the "Purchase Amount") by:
(a)
the quotient of $15,000,000 divided by the aggregate number of issued and outstanding shares of capital membership unit, assuming full conversion or exercise of all convertible and exercisable Securities then outstanding, including shares of convertible. preferred membership unit and all outstanding vested or unvested options or warrants to purchase capital membership unit, but excluding (i) the issuance of all shares of capital membership unit reserved and available for future issuance under any of the Company's existing equity incentive plans, (ii) convertible promissory notes issued by the Company, (iii) any Simple Agreements for Future Equity, including the Securities (collectively, "Safes''), and (iv) any equity Securities that are issuable upon conversion of any outstanding convertible promissory notes or Safes,
OR
(b)
the lowest price per share of the Securities sold in such Equity Financing multiplied by 80%. The price (either (a) or (b)) determined immediately above shall be deemed the "First Financing Price" and may be used to establish the conversion price of the Securities at a later date, even if the Company does not choose to convert the Securities upon the first Equity Financing following the issuance of the Securities. The preferential or discounted rate is included as standard part of the SAFE agreements for downside protection for the investor in case of a subsequent round at a discounted valuation.
If the Company elects to convert the SAFEs upon an Equity Financing after the first Equity Financing following the issuance of the Securities, the Investor will receive the number of CF Shadow Series Securities equal to the quotient obtained by dividing: (a) the Purchase Amount by (b) the First Financing Price.
In the case of an initial public offering of the Company ("IPO") or Change of Control (see below) (either of these events, a "Liquidity Event") of the Company prior to any Equity Financing, the Investor will receive, at the option of the Investor, either (i) a cash payment equal to the Purchase Amount (subject to the following paragraph) or (ii) a number of shares of common membership unit of the Company equal to the Purchase Amount divided by the quotient of (a) $15,000,000 divided by (b) the number, as of immediately prior to the Liquidity Event, of shares of the Company's capital membership unit (on an as-converted basis) outstanding, assuming exercise or conversion of all outstanding vested and unvested options, warrants and other convertible securities, but excluding: (i) shares of common membership unit reserved and available for future grant under any equity incentive or similar plan; (ii) any Safes; and (iii) convertible promissory notes.
F-15
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
In connection with a cash payment described in the preceding paragraph, the Purchase Amount will be due and payable by the Company to the Investor immediately prior to, or concurrent with, the consummation of the Liquidity Event. If there are not enough funds to pay the Investors and holders of other SAFEs (collectively, the "Cash-Out Investors'') in full, then all of the Company's available funds will be distributed with equal priority and pro rata among the Cash-Out Investors in proportion to their Purchase Amounts. "Change of Control'' as used above and throughout this section, means (i) a transaction or transactions in which any person or group becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities entitled to elect the Company's board of directors, (ii) any reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company, in which the outstanding voting security holders of the Company fail to retain at least a majority of such voting securities following such transaction(s) or (iii) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
In the case of a Liquidity Event following any Equity Financing, the Investor will receive, at the option of the Investor, either (i) a cash payment equal to the Purchase Amount (as described above) or (ii) a number of shares of the most recently issued preferred membership unit equal to the Purchase Amount divided by the First Financing Price. Shares of preferred membership unit granted in connection therewith shall have the same liquidation rights and preferences as the shares of preferred membership unit issued in connection with the Company's most recent Equity Financing.
If there is a Dissolution Event (see below) before the Securities terminate, the Company will distribute, subject to the preferences applicable to any series of preferred membership unit then outstanding, all of its assets legally available for distribution with equal priority among the Investors, all holders of other SAFEs (on an as converted basis based on a valuation of common membership unit as determined in good faith by the Company's board of directors at the time of the Dissolution Event) and all holders of common membership unit. A "Dissolution Event" means (i) a voluntary termination. of operations by the Company, (ii) a general assignment for the benefit of the Company's creditors or (iii) any other liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company (excluding a Liquidity Event), whether voluntary or involuntary.
Redeemable Preferred Membership Units
On January 15, 2019, the Company issued 240,860 shares of 8% Series A $1.50 par value preferred membership unit for fair market value of $318,126. The membership units have full voting rights and antidilutive rights upon new issuances up to $15 million valuation and no antidilutive rights above that level. There is a cumulative preferred dividend which as of December 31, 2020 is $ 54,430.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the proceeds shall be paid as follows: Owners of the Preferred Units will be entitled to return of their capital contribution (i.e., the purchase price) plus accrued dividends in respect of the Units before owners of the Company's Preferred units will be entitled to return on their capital contributions in respect of the Preferred units. Upon a liquidation event and after the owners of Preferred units have received a return of their capital contributions, all owners of the Company's membership interests (i.e., preferred and Common units) will share in the remaining proceeds of the Company pro rata based on the number of units owned. A merger or consolidation (other than one in which stockholders of the Company own a majority by voting power of the outstanding units of the surviving or acquiring corporation) and a sale, lease, transfer, exclusive licensor other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company will be treated as a liquidation event (a "Deemed Liquidation Event"), thereby triggering payment of the liquidation preferences described above.
Except with respect to certain protective provisions, the holders of Preferred vote together with Common stock on all matters on an as converted basis. So long as ten (10%) percent, of Preferred Units are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or approval required under the Company's Charter or Bylaws, the Company will not, without the written consent of the holders of at least 51% of the Company's Preferred Units, either directly or by amendment, merger, consolidation, or otherwise: (i) liquidate, dissolve / wind-up the affairs of the Company, or effect any merger or consolidation or any other Deemed Liquidation Event; (ii) amend, alter, or repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws in a manner adverse to the Preferred Units; (iii) create or authorize the creation of or issue any other security convertible into or exercisable for any equity security, having rights, preferences or privileges senior to or on parity with the Preferred Units, or increase the authorized number of shares of Preferred Units; (iv) purchase or redeem or pay any dividend on any capital stock prior to the Preferred Units, other than units repurchased from former employees or consultants in connection with the cessation of their employment/services, at the lower of fair market value or cost; other than as approved by the Board; or (v) create or authorize the creation of any debt security if the Company's aggregate indebtedness would exceed $250,000 other than equipment leases or bank lines of credit unless such debt security has received the prior approval of the Board of Directors; (vii) create or hold membership interests in any subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary or dispose of any subsidiary stock or all or substantially all of any subsidiary assets; or (vii) increase or decrease the size of the Board of Directors.
F-16
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
In the event that the Company issues additional securities at a purchase price less than the current Preferred Units conversion price, such conversion price shall be adjusted in accordance with the following formula: ''Typical" weighted average: CP2= CP1*(A+B) / (A+C) CP2=Preferred Unit Conversion Price in effect immediately after new issue. CP1=Preferred Unit Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to new issue. A=Number of units of Class A and Class B units deemed to be outstanding immediately prior to new issue (includes all shares of outstanding Class A and Class B units, all units of outstanding preferred units on an as-converted basis, and all outstanding options on an as-exercised basis; and does not include any convertible securities converting into this round of financing). B=Aggregate consideration received by the Corporation with respect to the new issue divided by CP1C=Number of membership units issued in the subject transaction. The following issuances shall not trigger anti-dilution adjustment:(i) securities issuable upon conversion of any of the Preferred Units, or as a dividend or distribution on the Preferred Units; (ii) securities issued upon the conversion of any debenture, warrant, option, or other convertible security; (iii) Preferred units issuable upon a unit split, unit dividend, or any subdivision of units of Preferred; and (iv) units of Preferred units (or options to purchase such units of Preferred units) issued or issuable to employees or directors of, or consultants to, the Company pursuant to any plan approved by the Company's Board of Directors.
Each Preferred Unit will automatically be converted into Common units at the then applicable conversion rate in the event of the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering with a price of three (3x) times the Original Purchase Price (subject to adjustments for stock dividends, splits, combinations and similar events) and gross proceeds to the Company of not less than $30,000,000 (a "QPO"), or (ii) upon the written consent of the holders of 51%of the Preferred Units.
Unless prohibited by Delaware law governing distributions to stockholders, the Series A Preferred shall be redeemable at the option of holders of at least 51% of the Series A Preferred commencing any time after five (5) years at a price equal to the Original Purchase Price plus all accrued but unpaid dividends. Upon a redemption request from the holders of the required percentage of the Series A Preferred, all Series A Preferred shares shall be redeemed.
Note 9. Membership Options, Warrants and Restricted Common Units
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company's shareholders approved its 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2019 Plan"), which allows the Company to issue options to purchase common shares of the Company at fair market value. As of December 31, 2019 450,000 options were granted to contractors of the Company allowing them to purchase a common membership unit at $1.50 per share. The restricted membership unit rights have a grant date fair value of approximately $562,500 or $1.25 per share and vest over a period of three years and one month. No new options were granted in 2020.
Membership Unit-based Compensation
The Company's membership unit-based compensation expenses recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, were attributable to general and administrative expenses, which are included in the accompanying statement of operations.
The Company recognized total membership unit-based compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, from the following categories:
|
|
|
|
|
| Years Ended December 31, |
| |||||
|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
|
| 2019 |
| ||
Membership unit option awards under the Plan |
|
|
|
|
| $ | 148,988 |
|
| $ | 19,007 |
|
Total membership unit-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
| $ | 148,988 |
|
| $ | 19,007 |
|
F-17
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
Membership Unit Incentive Plan Options
The Company estimates the fair value of the share-based option awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (the "Black-Scholes model"). Using the Black-Scholes model, the value of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized over the requisite service period in the statement of operations. The Company attributes compensation to expense using the straight-line single option method for all options granted. The Company's determination of the estimated fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant under the 2019 Plan is affected by the following variables and assumptions:
·
The grant date exercise price - the estimated market price of the Company's common membership units on the date of the grant;
·
Expected option term - based on similar companies due to lack of historical experience with existing option holders estimated at 3 years;
·
Estimated dividend rates - based on historical and anticipated dividends over the life of the option; Legal term of the option - grants have legal lives of continuous employment +30 days;
·
Risk-free interest rates - with maturities that approximate the expected life of the options granted;
·
Calculated membership unit price volatility - calculated over the expected life of the options granted, which is calculated based on similar company experience in the same industry;
·
Option exercise behaviors - based on actual and projected employee membership unit option exercises and forfeitures. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
The Company currently provides membership unit-based compensation to contractors and consultants under the 2019 Plan. There were no new membership unit options issued during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company utilized assumptions in the estimation of fair value of membership unit-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, as follows:
|
| December 31, |
|
| December 31, |
| ||
Dividend Yield |
|
| 0 | % |
|
| 0 | % |
Expected Price Volatility |
|
| 152%-159% |
|
|
| 152%-159% |
|
Risk Free Interest Rate |
|
| 1.60 | % |
|
| 1.60 | % |
Expected Term |
|
| 3.08 Years |
|
|
| 3.08 Years |
|
A summary of membership unit option activity under the 2019 Plan for options to contractors, for the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Shares Underlying Options |
|
| Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
| Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) |
| |||
Outstanding at December 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 |
|
| $ | |
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 450,000 |
|
| $ | 1.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 |
|
| $ | |
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 |
|
| $ | |
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 450,000 |
|
| $ | 1.50 |
|
|
| 3 |
|
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 |
|
| $ | |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 |
|
| $ | |
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 0 |
|
| $ | |
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 450,000 |
|
| $ | 1.50 |
|
|
| 2 |
|
Vested at December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 105,000 |
|
| $ | 1.50 |
|
|
| 2 |
|
F-18
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2020 total membership unit-based compensation expense related to unvested options not yet recognized totaled $10,495, which would fully amortize in first quarter 2021 and as of December 31, 2019 $19,007, which was fully amortized in fourth quarter of 2019. Total compensation cost related to non-vested options unamortized is $394,505 and $541,767 in 2020 and 2019 respectively.
Note 10. Contingencies
The Company is subject at times to various claims, lawsuits and governmental proceedings relating to the Company's business and transactions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company cannot predict the final outcome of such proceedings. Where appropriate, the Company vigorously defends such claims, lawsuits and proceedings. Some of these claims, lawsuits and proceedings seek damages, including, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages, in amounts that could, if awarded, be significant. Certain of the claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in ordinary course of business are covered by the Company's insurance program. The Company maintains property, and various types of liability insurance in an effort to protect the Company from such claims. In terms of any matters where there is no insurance coverage available to the Company, or where coverage is available and the Company maintains a retention or deductible associated with such insurance, the Company may establish an accrual for such loss, retention or deductible based on current available information. In accordance with accounting guidance, if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred as of the date of the financial statements, and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable, then an accrual for the cost to resolve or settle these claims is recorded by the Company in the accompanying balance sheet. If it is reasonably possible that an asset may be impaired as of the date of the financial statement, then the Company discloses the range of possible loss. Expenses related to the defense of such claims are recorded by the Company as incurred and included in the accompanying statement of operations. Management, with the assistance of outside counsel, may from time to time adjust such accruals according to new developments in the matter, court rulings, or changes in the strategy affecting the Company's defense of such matters. On the basis of current. information, the Company does not believe there is a reasonable possibility that any material loss, if any, will result from any claims, lawsuits and proceedings to which the Company is subject to either individually, or in the aggregate.
The Company is not currently involved with and does not know of any pending or threatening litigation against the Company.
Note 11. Related Party Transactions
Member Payable
The Company has taken an advance from its members of $53,038 and $71,565 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively. These advances do not have a specified maturity date, and no interest rate is specified or being charged currently.
Note 12. Subsequent Events
Other Events
The COV/D-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and capital investments.
The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and the virus continues to spread in areas where we operate and sell our products and services. The COVID-19 pandemic and similarities in the future could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and capital investments. Several public health organizations have recommended, and some local governments have implemented, certain measures to slow and limit the transmission of the virus, including shelter in place and social distancing ordinances. Such preventive measures, that we may voluntarily put in place, may have a material adverse effect on our business for an indefinite period of time, such as the potential shut down of certain locations, decreased employee availability, potential border closures, disruptions to the businesses of our channel partners, and others. Our suppliers and customers may also face these and other challenges, which could lead to a disruption in labor, spending and consumer demand for our products and services.
F-19
Ternio, LLC.
Notes to Financial Statements
These issues may also materially affect our future access to our sources of liquidity, particularly our cash flows from operations, financial condition, capitalization, and capital investments. Although these disruptions may continue to occur, the long-term. economic impact and near-term financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to, possible impairment, restructuring, and other charges, cannot be reliably quantified or estimated at this time due to the uncertainty of future developments.
Management's Evaluation
Management has evaluated subsequent events through June 15, 2021, the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Based on this evaluation, no additional material events were identified which require adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
F-20
EXHIBIT A
TERNIO, LLC.
CLASS B COMMON UNIT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS
The securities offered hereby are highly speculative. Investing in units of Ternio, LLC involves significant risks. This investment is suitable only for persons who can afford to lose their entire investment. Furthermore, investors must understand that such investment could be illiquid for an indefinite period of time. No public market currently exists for the securities, and if a public market develops following this offering, it may not continue.
The securities offered hereby have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or any state securities or blue-sky laws and are being offered and sold in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and state securities or blue-sky laws. Although an offering statement (Offering Statement) has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), that offering statement does not include the same information that would be included in a registration statement under the Securities Act. The securities have not been approved or disapproved by the SEC, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon the merits of this offering or the adequacy or accuracy of the offering circular included in the offering statement or any other materials or information made available to subscriber in connection with this offering, including over the web-based platform maintained by OpenDeal Brokers, LLC at www.republic.com (the Platform). Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.
No sale may be made to persons in this offering who are not accredited investors if the aggregate purchase price is more than 10% of the greater of such investors annual income or net worth. The Company is relying on the representations and warranties set forth by each subscriber in this subscription agreement and the other information provided by subscriber in connection with this offering to determine compliance with this requirement.
Prospective investors may not treat the contents of the subscription agreement, the offering circular or any of the other materials available (collectively, the Offering Materials) or any prior or subsequent communications from the Company or any of its officers, employees or agents (including testing the waters materials) as investment, legal or tax advice. In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the Company and the terms of this offering, including the merits and the risks involved. Each prospective investor should consult the investors own counsel, accountant and other professional advisor as to investment, legal, tax and other related matters concerning the investors proposed investment.
The Securities cannot be sold or otherwise transferred except in compliance with the Securities Act. In addition, the securities cannot be sold or otherwise transferred except in compliance with applicable state securities or blue sky laws. Subscribers who are not accredited investors (as that term is defined in section 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the securities act) are subject to limitations on the amount they may invest, as set out in Section 2.5. The Company is relying on the representations and warranties set forth by each subscriber in this Subscription Agreement and the other information provided by subscriber in connection with this offering to determine the applicability to this offering of exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
[1]
The Company reserves the right in its sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever to modify, amend and/or withdraw all or a portion of the offering and/or accept or reject in whole or in part any prospective investment in the securities or to allot to any prospective investor less than the amount of securities such investor desires to purchase.
Except as otherwise indicated, the Offering Materials speak as of their date. Neither the delivery nor the purchase of the securities shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since that date.
[2]
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
This Subscription Agreement (Agreement) is made as of the date set forth below by and between the undersigned (Subscriber) and TERNIO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), and is intended to set forth certain representations, covenants and agreements between Subscriber and the Company with respect to the offering (the Offering) for sale by the Company of units of its Class B Common Units (the Units) as described in the Companys Offering Circular dated July 12, 2021 (the Offering Circular), a copy of which has been delivered to Subscriber. The Units are also referred to herein as the Securities.
ARTICLE 1
SUBSCRIPTION
1.1. Subscription. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Subscriber hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Company the number of Units set forth on the Subscription Agreement Signature Page, and the Company agrees to sell such Units to Subscriber at a purchase price of $1.00 per Share for the total amount set forth on the Subscription Agreement Signature Page (the Purchase Price), subject to the Companys right to sell to Subscriber such lesser number of Units as the Company may, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or desirable.
1.2. Delivery of Subscription Amount; Acceptance of Subscription; Delivery of Securities. Subscriber understands and agrees that this subscription is made subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) After the qualification by the SEC of the Offering Statement of the Company, contemporaneously with the electronic execution and delivery of this Agreement through the online platform maintained by OpenDeal Broker LLC located at https://republic.co (the Platform). Subscriber shall pay the Purchase Price for the Units by ACH debit transfer or wire transfer to an account designated by the Company;
(b) After the qualification by the SEC of the Offering Statement of the Company, payment of the Purchase Price shall be made by Subscriber through the Platform. Until the Offering Statement is declared qualified by the SEC, no payment from a Subscriber will be accepted by us;
(c) This subscription may be accepted or rejected in whole or in part, for any reason or for no reason, at any time prior to the Termination Date, by the Company at its sole and absolute discretion. In addition, the Company, at its sole and absolute discretion, may allocate to the Subscriber only a portion of the number of the Units that the Subscriber has subscribed for hereunder. The Company will notify the Subscriber whether this subscription is accepted (whether in whole or in part) or rejected. If the Subscribers subscription is rejected, the Subscribers payment (or portion thereof if partially rejected) will be returned to the Subscriber without interest and all of the Subscribers obligations hereunder shall
[3]
terminate. In the event of rejection of this subscription in its entirety, or in the event the sale of the Units (or any portion thereof) to the Subscriber is not consummated for any reason, this Agreement shall have no force or effect, except for Section 3.1 hereof, which shall remain in force and effect, and investors will have their subscription funds promptly refunded without interest thereon or deduction therefrom. This subscription shall be deemed to be accepted only when this Agreement has been signed by an authorized officer or agent of the Company, and the deposit of the payment of the purchase price for clearance will not be deemed an acceptance of this Agreement;
(d) The payment of the Subscription Amount (or, in the case of rejection of a portion of the Subscribers subscription, the part of the payment relating to such rejected portion) will be returned promptly, without interest or deduction, if Subscribers subscription is rejected in whole or in part or if the Offering is withdrawn or canceled;
(e) Upon the acceptance of the subscription by the Company and receipt of the Subscribers Purchase Price by the Company, Subscriber shall receive notice and evidence of the digital book-entry (or other manner of record) of the number of the Units owned by Subscriber reflected on the books and records of the Company, which books and records shall bear a notation that the Units were sold in reliance upon Regulation A.
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVERNANTS OF SUBSCRIBER
By executing this Subscription Agreement, Subscriber (and, if Subscriber is purchasing the Securities subscribed for hereby in a fiduciary capacity, the person or persons for whom Subscriber is so purchasing) represents and warrants, which representations and warranties are true and complete in all material respects as of the date of each Closing Date:
2.1. Requisite Power and Authority. Such Subscriber has all necessary power and authority under all applicable provisions of law to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement. All action on Subscribers part required for the lawful execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement has been or will be effectively taken prior to the Closing. If the Subscriber is purchasing the Units in a fiduciary capacity for another person or entity, including without limitation a corporation, partnership, trust or any other entity, the Subscriber has been duly authorized and empowered to execute this Agreement and all other subscription documents. Upon request of the Company, the Subscriber will provide true, complete and current copies of all relevant documents creating the Subscriber, authorizing its investment in the Company and/or evidencing the satisfaction of the foregoing. Upon execution and delivery, this Subscription Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of Subscriber, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights and (b) as limited by general principles of equity that restrict the availability of equitable remedies.
2.2. Investment Representations. Subscriber understands that the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act. Subscriber also understands that the Securities are being offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration contained in the Securities Act based in part upon Subscribers representations contained in this Subscription Agreement. Subscriber is purchasing the Units for Subscribers own account.
[4]
2.3. No Registration of Units. The Subscriber understands that the Units are not being registered under the Securities Act, on the ground that the issuance thereof is exempt under Regulation A of Section 3(b) of the Securities Act, and that reliance on such exemption is predicated in part on the truth and accuracy of the Subscribers representations and warranties, and those of the other purchasers of the Units in the Offering. The Subscriber further understands that the Units are not being registered under the securities laws of any states on the basis that the issuance thereof is exempt as an offer and sale not involving a registrable public offering in such state, since the Units are covered securities under the National Securities Market Improvement Act of 1996. The Subscriber covenants not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Units unless such Units have been registered under the Securities Act and under applicable state securities laws, or exemptions from such registration requirements are available.
2.4. Illiquidity and Continued Economic Risk. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that there is no ready public market for the Securities and that there is no guarantee that a market for their resale will ever exist. Subscriber must bear the economic risk of this investment indefinitely and the Company has no obligation to list the Securities on any market or take any steps (including registration under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) with respect to facilitating trading or resale of the Securities. Subscriber acknowledges that Subscriber is able to bear the economic risk of losing Subscribers entire investment in the Securities. Subscriber also understands that an investment in the Company involves significant risks and has taken full cognizance of and understands all of the risk factors relating to the purchase of Securities.
2.5. Accredited Investor Status or Investment Limits. Subscriber represents that either:
(a) Subscriber is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act. Subscriber represents and warrants that the information set forth in response to question (c) on the Subscription Agreement Signature Page hereto concerning Subscriber is true and correct; or
(b) The Purchase Price set out in paragraph (b) of the Subscription Agreement Signature Page, together with any other amounts previously used to purchase Securities in this offering, does not exceed 10% of the greater of the Subscribers annual income or net worth.
(c) Subscriber represents that to the extent it has any questions with respect to its status as an accredited investor, or the application of the investment limits, it has sought professional advice.
2.6. Shareholder Information. Within five days after receipt of a request from the Company, Subscriber hereby agrees to provide such information with respect to its status as a shareholder (or potential shareholder) and to execute and deliver such documents as may reasonably be necessary to comply with any and all laws and regulations to which the Company is or may become subject, including, without limitation, the need to determine the accredited status of the Companys shareholders. Subscriber further agrees that in the event it transfers any Securities, it will require the transferee of such Securities to agree to provide such information to the Company as a condition of such transfer.
2.7. Company Information. The Subscriber acknowledges that the Units are being offered pursuant to the Companys Offering Circular, (collectively, the Offering Circular) as filed with the SEC. By subscribing to the Offering, the Subscriber acknowledges that the Subscriber has received and reviewed a copy of the Offering Circular and any other information required by the Subscriber to make an investment decision with respect to the Units. Subscriber has read the Offering Circular filed with the SEC, including the section titled Risk Factors. Subscriber acknowledges that no representations or warranties have been
[5]
made to Subscriber, or to Subscribers advisors or representative, by the Company or others with respect to the business or prospects of the Company or its financial condition.
2.8. Valuation. Subscriber acknowledges that the price of the Securities was set by the Company on the basis of the Companys internal valuation and no warranties are made as to value. Subscriber further acknowledges that future offerings of Securities may be made at lower valuations, with the result that the Subscribers investment will bear a lower valuation.
2.9. No Minimum Offering Amount. Subscriber acknowledges that the Offering is being conducted on a best-efforts basis with no minimum amount required to be sold before any closing and the Company may not raise sufficient funds in the Offering to undertake its business expansion and other development efforts. If the Company sells less than the maximum amount offered, it may be required to seek additional funding, which may not be available.
2.10. Domicile. Subscriber maintains Subscribers domicile (and is not a transient or temporary resident) at the address shown on the signature page.
2.11. Broker Dealer Fees. Except for fees and commissions payable to broker dealers utilized by the Company in the Regulation A offering, no fees or commissions will be payable by the Company to brokers, finders or investment bankers with respect to the sale of any of the Common Stock or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Subscriber from and against any and all claims, demands or liabilities for brokers, finders, placement or other similar fees or commissions incurred by the Company or alleged to have been incurred by the Company in connection with the sale of the Common Stock or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.12. Foreign Investors. If Subscriber is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), Subscriber hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Securities or any use of this Subscription Agreement, including (a) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Securities, (b) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (c) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (d) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Securities. Subscribers subscription and payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Securities will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of the Subscribers jurisdiction.
2.13. No Physical Share Certificate. Subscriber acknowledges that the Units being purchased will be issued only in book-entry form rather than in a physical certificate.
ARTICLE 3
SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION
3.1. Survival; Indemnification. All representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement and the indemnification contained herein shall survive (a) the acceptance of this Agreement by the Company, (b) changes in the transactions, documents and instruments described herein which are not material or which are to the benefit of Subscriber, and (c) the death or disability of Subscriber. Subscriber acknowledges the meaning and legal consequences of the representations, warranties and
[6]
covenants in Article II hereof and that the Company has relied upon such representations, warranties and covenants in determining Subscribers qualification and suitability to purchase the Securities. Subscriber hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its officers, directors, employees, agents and controlling persons, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including attorneys fees and disbursements), judgments or amounts paid in settlement of actions arising out of or resulting from the untruth of any representation of Subscriber herein or the breach of any warranty or covenant herein by Subscriber. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no representation, warranty, covenant or acknowledgment made herein by Subscriber shall in any manner be deemed to constitute a waiver of any rights granted to it under the Securities Act or state securities laws.
ARTICLE 4
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
4.1. Captions and Headings. The Article and Section headings throughout this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall in no way be deemed to define, limit or add to any provision of this Agreement.
4.2. Notification of Changes. Subscriber agrees and covenants to notify the Company immediately upon the occurrence of any event prior to the consummation of this Offering that would cause any representation, warranty, covenant or other statement contained in this Agreement to be false or incorrect or of any change in any statement made herein occurring prior to the consummation of this Offering.
4.3. Assignability. This Agreement is not assignable by Subscriber, and may not be modified, waived or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such modification, waiver or termination is sought.
4.4. Binding Effect. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and assigns, and the agreements, representations, warranties and acknowledgments contained herein shall be deemed to be made by and be binding upon such heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and assigns.
4.5. Obligations Irrevocable. The obligations of Subscriber shall be irrevocable, except with the consent of the Company, until the consummation or termination of the Offering.
4.6. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement states the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written. No amendment of the Agreement shall be made without the express written consent of the parties.
4.7. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect any other provision hereof, which shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted.
4.8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware.
[7]
4.9. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, consents, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing. The undersigned and the Company each hereby agrees that all notices, confirmations and other communications regarding this Subscription Agreement specifically, and future communications in general between the parties, may be made by email, sent to the email address of record as set forth in this Subscription Agreement or as otherwise from time to time changed or updated and disclosed to the other party, without necessity of confirmation of receipt, delivery or reading, and such form of electronic communication is sufficient for all matters regarding the relationship between the parties. If any such electronically sent communication fails to be received for any reason, including but not limited to such communications being diverted to the recipients spam filters by the recipients email service provider, or due to a recipients change of address, or due to technology issues by the recipients service provider, the parties agree that the burden of such failure to receive is on the recipient and not the sender, and that the sender is under no obligation to resend communications via any other means, including but not limited to postal service or overnight courier, and that such communications shall for all purposes, including legal and regulatory, be deemed to have been delivered and received.
4.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement.
4.11. Digital Signatures. Digital (electronic) signatures, often referred to as an e-signature, enable paperless contracts and help speed up business transactions. The 2001 E-Sign Act was meant to ease the adoption of electronic signatures. The mechanics of this Subscription Agreements electronic signature include your signing this Agreement below by typing in your name, with the underlying software recording your IP address, your browser identification, the timestamp, and a securities hash within an SSL encrypted environment. This electronically signed Subscription Agreement will be available to both you and the Company, as well as any associated brokers, so they can store and access it at any time, and it will be stored and accessible on the Platform and hosting provider, including backups. You and the Company each hereby consents and agrees that electronically signing this Agreement constitutes your signature, acceptance and agreement as if actually signed by you in writing. Further, all parties agree that no certification authority or other third-party verification is necessary to validate any electronic signature; and that the lack of such certification or third-party verification will not in any way affect the enforceability of your signature or resulting contract between you and the Company. You understand and agree that your e-signature executed in conjunction with the electronic submission of this Subscription Agreement shall be legally binding and such transaction shall be considered authorized by you. You agree your electronic signature is the legal equivalent of your manual signature on this Subscription Agreement you consent to be legally bound by this Subscription Agreements terms and conditions.
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY.]
[8]
TERNIO, LLC
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE
The undersigned, desiring to purchase units of Class B Common Unit of TERNIO, LLC, by executing this signature page, hereby executes, adopts and agrees to all terms, conditions and representations of the Subscription Agreement.
(a)
The number of Units the undersigned hereby irrevocably subscribes for is:
___________________
(enter number of units)
(b)
The aggregate Purchase Price (based on a price of $1.00 per Share) for the Units the undersigned hereby irrevocably subscribes for is:
$__________________
(enter total Purchase Price)
(c)
Check the applicable box:
☐
The undersigned is an accredited investor (as that term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act). The undersigned has checked the appropriate box on the attached Certificate of Accredited Investor Status indicating the basis of such accredited investor status.
☐
The amount set forth in paragraph (b) above (together with any previous investments in the Securities pursuant to this offering) does not exceed 10% of the greater of the undersigneds net worth or annual income.
(d)
The Securities being subscribed for will be owned by, and should be recorded on the Companys books as held in the name of:
___________________________________________________________________________
(Print Names of Subscriber and Joint Subscriber)
[9]
INDIVIDUALS
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Subscriber has executed this Subscription Agreement _________________, 2021.
(Signature of Subscriber) |
| (Signature of Joint Subscriber) |
|
|
|
(Print Name) |
| (Print Name of Joint Subscriber) |
|
|
|
(Social Security No.) |
| (Social Security No. of Joint Subscriber) |
| ||
Address: | ||
| ||
Street | ||
| ||
City State Zip | ||
Please proceed to page 12 and complete the section titled MANNER IN WHICH TITLE IS TO BE HELD.
[10]
CORPORATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS, TRUSTS OR OTHER ENTITIES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Subscriber has executed this Subscription Agreement _______________, 2021.
Name of Subscriber |
|
|
|
By: |
|
| (Signature) |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
|
Title: |
|
|
|
Date: |
|
|
|
Taxpayer Identification No.: |
|
| |
| |
Address: | |
| |
Street | |
| |
City State Zip | |
Please proceed to page 12 and complete the section titled MANNER IN WHICH TITLE IS TO BE HELD.
[11]
MANNER IN WHICH TITLE IS TO BE HELD:
☐ | Community Property* | ☐ | Individual Property |
☐ | Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship* | ☐ | Separate Property |
☐ | Corporate or Fund Owners ** | ☐ | Tenants-in-Common* |
☐ | Pension or Profit-Sharing Plan | ☐ | Tenants-in-Entirety* |
☐
| Trust or Fiduciary Capacity (trust documents must accompany this form) | ☐
| Keogh Plan
|
☐ | Fiduciary for a Minor | ☐ | Individual Retirement Account |
|
|
| Other (Please indicate) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Signature of all parties required | |||
| |||
** In the case of a Fund, state names of all partners. | |||
[12]
COMPANY SIGNATURE PAGE
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
| |
|
|
|
TERNIO, LLC: |
| |
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
|
|
|
Name: | Daniel Gouldman |
|
Title: |
|
|
Date: |
|
|
[13]
CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS
The undersigned is an individual accredited investor, as that term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act). The undersigned has checked the box below indicating the basis on which it is representing its status as an accredited investor:
☐ a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity; a broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; an insurance company as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the Act; an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a business development company as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of that act; a small business investment company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; a plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000; an employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in Section 3(21) of such act, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are “accredited investors”;
☐ a private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
☐ an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;
☐ a natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with the undersigneds spouse, excluding the net value of his or her primary residence, at the time of this purchase exceeds $1,000,000 and having no reason to believe that net worth will not remain in excess of $1,000,000 for the foreseeable future, with net value for such purposes being the fair value of the residence less any mortgage indebtedness or other obligation secured by the residence, but subtracting such indebtedness or obligation only if it is a liability already considered in calculating net worth;
☐ a natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with the undersigned’s spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;
☐ a trust with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, whose purchase is directed by a person who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment; or
☐ an entity in which all of the equity holders are “accredited investors” by virtue of their meeting one or more of the above standards.
☐ an individual who is a manager or executive officer of Ternio, LLC
[14]
EXHIBIT B
![[ternio_exb001.jpg]](ternio_exb001.jpg)
EXHIBIT C
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
between
TERNIO, LLC
and
THE MEMBERS NAMED HEREIN
dated as of February 20, 2021
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Ternio, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), is entered into as of February 20, 2021 by and among the Company, the Members executing this Agreement as of the date hereof (collectively, the Initial Members), and each other Person who after the date hereof becomes a Member of the Company and becomes a party to this Agreement by executing a Joinder Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company was formed under the laws of the State of Delaware by the filing of a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the Secretary of State) on January 1, 2018 (the Certificate of Formation);
WHEREAS, the Members holding Common Units and Preferred Units (collectively, the Original Members) are parties to that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated May 17, 2019 (as so amended, modified, or supplemented, the Original Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Original Members desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein for the purposes of, and on the terms and conditions set forth in, this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Members wish to enter into this Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions governing the operation and management of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
I.
I.1.
Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.01:
Adjusted Capital Account Deficit means, with respect to any Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such Member's Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:
(a)
crediting to such Capital Account any amount which such Member is obligated to restore or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i); and
2
(b)
debiting to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6).
Adjusted Taxable Income of a Member for a Fiscal Year (or portion thereof) with respect to Units held by such Member means the federal taxable income allocated by the Company to the Member with respect to such Units (as adjusted by any final determination in connection with any tax audit or other proceeding) for such Fiscal Year (or portion thereof); provided, that such taxable income shall be computed (i) minus any excess taxable loss or excess taxable credits of the Company for any prior period allocable to such Member with respect to such Units that were not previously taken into account for purposes of determining such Member's Adjusted Taxable Income in a prior Fiscal Year to the extent such loss or credit would be available under the Code to offset income of the Member (or, as appropriate, the direct or indirect members of the Member) determined as if the income, loss, and credits from the Company were the only income, loss, and credits of the Member (or, as appropriate, the direct or indirect members of the Member) in such Fiscal Year and all prior Fiscal Years, and (ii) taking into account any special basis adjustment with respect to such Member resulting from an election by the Company under Code Section 754.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly (including through one or more intermediaries), controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, control, when used with respect to any specified Person, shall mean the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise; and the terms controlling and controlled shall have correlative meanings.
Agreement means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, as executed and as it may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as provided herein.
Applicable Law means all applicable provisions of (a) constitutions, treaties, statutes, laws (including the common law), rules, regulations, decrees, ordinances, codes, proclamations, declarations or orders of any Governmental Authority; (b) any consents or approvals of any Governmental Authority; and (c) any orders, decisions, advisory or interpretative opinions, injunctions, judgments, awards, decrees of, or agreements with, any Governmental Authority.
Applicable Pro Rata Portion means:
(a)
for purposes of Section 9.01, a Member's Preferred Pro Rata Portion of any New Preferred Securities proposed to be issued or sold by the Company and a Member's Common Pro Rata Portion of any New Common Securities proposed to be issued or sold by the Company; and
3
(b)
for purposes of Section 10.03, a Member's Preferred Pro Rata Portion of any Offered Preferred Units proposed to be Transferred by an Offering Member and a Member's Common Pro Rata Portion of any Offered Common Units proposed to be Transferred by an Offering Member.
Bankruptcy means, with respect to a Member, the occurrence of any of the following: the filing of an application by such Member for, or a consent to, the appointment of a trustee of such Member's assets; (b) the filing by such Member of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or the filing of a pleading in any court of record admitting in writing such Member's inability to pay its debts as they come due; (c) the making by such Member of a general assignment for the benefit of such Member's creditors; (d) the filing by such Member of an answer admitting the material allegations of, or such Member's consenting to, or defaulting in answering a bankruptcy petition filed against such Member in any bankruptcy proceeding; or (e) the expiration of [sixty (60)/NUMBER] days following the entry of an order, judgment or decree by any court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Member a bankrupt or appointing a trustee of such Member's assets.
BBA means the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.
Book Depreciation means, with respect to any Company asset for each Fiscal Year, the Company's depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deductions determined for federal income tax purposes, except that if the Book Value of an asset differs from its adjusted tax basis at the beginning of such Fiscal Year, Book Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Book Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Fiscal Year bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, that if the adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year is zero and the Book Value of the asset is positive, Book Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Book Value using any permitted method selected by the Board in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g)(3).
Book Value means, with respect to any Company asset, the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:
(a)
the initial Book Value of any Company asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such Company asset as of the date of such contribution;
(b)
immediately prior to the Distribution by the Company of any Company asset to a Member, the Book Value of such asset shall be adjusted to its gross Fair Market Value as of the date of such Distribution;
(c)
the Book Value of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross Fair Market Values, as determined by the Board, as of the following times:
4
(i)
the acquisition of an additional Membership Interest in the Company by a new or existing Member in consideration of a Capital Contribution of more than a de minimis amount;
(ii)
the Distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of property (other than cash) as consideration for all or a part of such Member's Membership Interest in the Company;
(iii)
the grant to a Service Provider of any Incentive Units; and
(iv)
the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g);
provided, that an adjustment pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) above need not be made if the Board reasonably determines that such adjustment is not necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members and that the absence of such adjustment does not adversely and disproportionately affect any Member;
(d)
the Book Value of each Company asset shall be increased or decreased, as the case may be, to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted tax basis of such Company asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Account balances pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m); provided, that Book Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this Section 1.01(d) to the extent that an adjustment pursuant to Section 1.01(c) above is made in conjunction with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this Section 1.01(d); and
(e)
if the Book Value of a Company asset has been determined pursuant to Section 1.01(a) or adjusted pursuant to Section 1.01(c) or Section 1.01(d) above, such Book Value shall thereafter be adjusted to reflect the Book Depreciation taken into account with respect to such Company asset for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Losses.
Business Day means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required to close.
Capital Contribution means, for any Member, the total amount of cash and cash equivalents and the Book Value of any property contributed to the Company by such Member.
Cause, with respect to any particular Service Provider, has the meaning set forth in any effective Award Agreement, employment agreement, or other written contract of engagement entered into between the Company and such Service Provider, or if none, then Cause means any of the following:
5
(a)
such Service Provider's repeated failure to perform substantially his duties as an employee or other associate of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries (other than any such failure resulting from his Disability) which failure, whether committed willfully or negligently, has continued unremedied for more than thirty (30) days after the Company has provided written notice thereof; provided, that a failure to meet financial performance expectations shall not, by itself, constitute a failure by the Service Provider to substantially perform his duties;
(b)
such Service Provider's fraud or embezzlement;
(c)
such Service Provider's material dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries;
(d)
such Service Provider's willful misconduct or gross negligence which is injurious to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries;
(e)
any conviction of, or the entering of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime that constitutes a felony (or any state-law equivalent) or that involves moral turpitude, or any willful or material violation by such Service Provider of any federal, state, or foreign securities laws;
(f)
any conviction of any other criminal act or act of material dishonesty, disloyalty, or misconduct by such Service Provider that has a material adverse effect on the property, operations, business, or reputation of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries;
(g)
the unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of illegal drugs by such Service Provider on the premises of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries while performing any duties or responsibilities with the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries;
(h)
the material violation by such Service Provider of any rule or policy of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries; or
(i)
the material breach by such Service Provider of any covenant undertaken in Article XI herein, any effective Award Agreement, employment agreement, or any written non-disclosure, non-competition, or non-solicitation covenant or agreement with the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.
Change of Control means: (a) the sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to a Third Party Purchaser; (b) a sale resulting in no less than a majority of the Common Units on a Fully Diluted Basis being held by a Third Party Purchaser; or (c) a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or reorganization of the Company with or into a Third Party Purchaser that results in the inability of the Members to
6
designate or elect a majority of the Managers (or the board of directors (or its equivalent) of the resulting entity or its parent company).
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Common Units means the Units having the privileges, preference, duties, liabilities, obligations, and rights specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement.
Company Minimum Gain means partnership minimum gain as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), substituting the term Company for the term partnership as the context requires.
Company Subsidiary means a Subsidiary of the Company.
Delaware Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, Title 6, Chapter 18, §§ 18-101, et seq., and any successor statute, as it may be amended from time to time.
Delay Condition means any of the following conditions: (a) the Company is prohibited from purchasing any Incentive Units by any Financing Document or by Applicable Law; (b) a default has occurred under any Financing Document and is continuing; (c) the purchase of any Incentive Units would, or in the good-faith opinion of the Board could, result in the occurrence of an event of default under any Financing Document or create a condition that would or could, with notice or lapse of time or both, result in such an event of default; or (d) the purchase of any Incentive Units would, in the good-faith opinion of the Board, be imprudent in view of the financial condition of the Company, the anticipated impact of the purchase of such Incentive Units on the Company's ability to meet its obligations under any Financing Document or otherwise in connection with its business and operations.
Disability with respect to any Service Provider, has the meaning set forth in any effective Award Agreement, employment agreement, or other written contract of engagement entered into between the Company and such Service Provider, or if none, then Disability means such Service Provider's incapacity due to physical or mental illness that: (a) shall have prevented such Service Provider from performing his duties for the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries on a full-time basis for ninety (90) or more consecutive days or an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days in any 365-day period; or (b)(i) the Board determines, in compliance with Applicable Law, is likely to prevent such Service Provider from performing such duties for such period of time and (ii) thirty (30) days have elapsed since delivery to such Service Provider of the determination of the Board and such Service Provider has not resumed such performance (in which case the date of termination in the case of a termination for Disability pursuant to this clause (b) shall be deemed to be the last day of such 30-day period).
Distribution means a distribution made by the Company to a Member, whether in cash, property, or securities of the Company and whether by liquidating distribution or
7
otherwise; provided, that none of the following shall be a Distribution: (a) any redemption or repurchase by the Company or any Member of any Units or Unit Equivalents; (b) any recapitalization or exchange of securities of the Company; (c) any subdivision (by a split of Units or otherwise) or any combination (by a reverse split of Units or otherwise) of any outstanding Units; or (d) any fees or remuneration paid to any Member in such Member's capacity as a Service Provider for the Company or a Company Subsidiary. Distribute when used as a verb shall have a correlative meaning.
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.
Estimated Tax Amount of a Member for a Fiscal Year means the Member's Tax Amount for such Fiscal Year as estimated in good faith from time to time by the Board. In making such estimate, the Board shall take into account amounts shown on Internal Revenue Service Form 1065 filed by the Company and similar state or local forms filed by the Company for the preceding taxable year and such other adjustments as in the reasonable business judgment of the Board are necessary or appropriate to reflect the estimated operations of the Company for the Fiscal Year.
Fair Market Value of any asset as of any date means the purchase price that a willing buyer having all relevant knowledge would pay a willing seller for such asset in an arm's length transaction, as determined in good faith by the Board based on such factors as the Board, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, considers relevant.
Financing Document means any credit agreement, guarantee, financing, or security agreement or other agreements or instruments governing indebtedness of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.
Fiscal Year means the calendar year, unless the Company is required to have a taxable year other than the calendar year, in which case Fiscal Year shall be the period that conforms to its taxable year.
Fully Diluted Basis means, as of any date of determination, (a) with respect to all the Units, all issued and outstanding Units of the Company and all Units issuable upon the exercise of any outstanding Unit Equivalents as of such date, whether or not such Unit Equivalent is at the time exercisable, or (b) with respect to any specified type, class, or series of Units, all issued and outstanding Units designated as such type, class, or series and all such designated Units issuable upon the exercise of any outstanding Unit Equivalents as of such date, whether or not such Unit Equivalent is at the time exercisable.
GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time.
8
Good Reason, with respect to any Service Provider, has the meaning set forth in any effective Award Agreement, employment agreement, or other written contract of engagement entered into between the Company and such Service Provider, or if none, then Good Reason means any of the following actions taken without the Service Provider's written consent:
(a)
a material reduction in the Service Provider's base salary or the Service Provider's ability to participate in Company incentive or bonus plans (other than a general reduction in base salary or bonuses that affects all salaried Service Providers equally);
(b)
the failure by the Company to pay to the Service Provider any material portion of the salary, bonus, or other benefits owed to such Service Provider;
(c)
a substantial adverse change in the Service Provider's duties and responsibilities or a material diminution in the Service Provider's title, responsibility, or authority; or
(d)
a transfer of the Service Provider's primary workplace by more than fifty (50) miles from the current workplace;
provided, that Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist unless (a) the Company fails to cure the event giving rise to Good Reason within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof given by the Service Provider to the Board, which notice shall (i) be delivered to the Board no later than twenty (20) days following the Service Provider's initial detection of the condition, and (ii) specifically set forth the nature of such event and the corrective action reasonably sought by the Service Provider; and (b) the Service Provider terminates his employment within thirty (30) days following the last day of the foregoing cure period.
Governmental Authority means any federal, state, local, or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of such government or political subdivision, or any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority or quasi-governmental authority (to the extent that the rules, regulations, or orders of such organization or authority have the force of law), or any arbitrator, court, or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.
Incentive Liquidation Value means, as of the date of determination and with respect to the relevant new Incentive Units to be issued, the aggregate amount that would be Distributed to the Members pursuant to Section 7.02, if, immediately prior to the issuance of the relevant new Incentive Units, the Company sold all of its assets for Fair Market Value and immediately liquidated, the Company's debts and liabilities were satisfied, and the proceeds of the liquidation were Distributed pursuant to Section 12.03(c).
Incentive Units means the Units having the privileges, preference, duties, liabilities, obligations, and rights specified with respect to Incentive Units in this Agreement and includes both Restricted Incentive Units and Unrestricted Incentive Units.
9
Initial Cost means, with respect to any Unit, the purchase price paid to the Company with respect to such Unit by the Member to whom such Unit was originally issued.
Initial Management Member means each Person identified as a Management Member as of the date hereof.
Initial Member has the meaning set forth in the term Member.
Joinder Agreement means the joinder agreement in form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Management Member means any Member other than Sponsor.
Member means (a) each Person identified on the Members Schedule as of the date hereof as a Member and who has executed this Agreement or a counterpart thereof (each, an Initial Member); and (b) and each Person who is hereafter admitted as a Member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Delaware Act, in each case so long as such Person is shown on the Company's books and records as the owner of one or more Units. The Members shall constitute the members (as that term is defined in the Delaware Act) of the Company.
Member Nonrecourse Debt means partner nonrecourse debt as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4), substituting the term Company for the term partnership and the term Member for the term partner as the context requires.
Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain means an amount, with respect to each Member Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Company Minimum Gain that would result if the Member Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).
Member Nonrecourse Deduction means partner nonrecourse deduction as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i), substituting the term Member for the term partner as the context requires.
Membership Interest means an interest in the Company owned by a Member, including such Member's right (based on the type and class of Unit or Units held by such Member), as applicable, (a) to a Distributive share of Net Income, Net Losses and other items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company; (b) to a Distributive share of the assets of the Company; (c) to vote on, consent to or otherwise participate in any decision of the Members as provided in this Agreement; and (d) to any and all other benefits to which such Member may be entitled as provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.
Net Income and Net Loss mean, for each Fiscal Year or other period specified in this Agreement, an amount equal to the Company's taxable income or taxable loss, or particular items thereof, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (where, for this purpose, all items of
10
income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a) (1) shall be included in taxable income or taxable loss), but with the following adjustments:
(a)
any income realized by the Company that is exempt from federal income taxation, as described in Code Section 705(a)(1)(B), shall be added to such taxable income or taxable loss, notwithstanding that such income is not includable in gross income;
(b)
any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B), including any items treated under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i) as items described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B), shall be subtracted from such taxable income or taxable loss, notwithstanding that such expenditures are not deductible for federal income tax purposes;
(c)
any gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Company property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of the property so disposed, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Book Value;
(d)
any items of depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions with respect to Company property having a Book Value that differs from its adjusted tax basis shall be computed by reference to the property's Book Value (as adjusted for Book Depreciation) in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g);
(e)
if the Book Value of any Company property is adjusted as provided in the definition of Book Value, then the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain or loss and included in the computation of such taxable income or taxable loss; and
(f)
to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company property 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).
Nonrecourse Liability has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(3).
Permitted Transfer means a Transfer of Preferred Units or Common Units carried out pursuant to Section 9.02.
Permitted Transferee means a recipient of a Permitted Transfer.
11
Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, Governmental Authority, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity.
Preferred Capital Value means, for any Preferred Unit at any time, the sum of the Capital Contributions attributable in respect of the acquisition of such Preferred Unit.
Preferred Units means the Units having the privileges, preference, duties, liabilities, obligations, and rights specified with respect to Preferred Units in this Agreement.
Preferred Unpaid Yield means, for any Preferred Unit at any time, the amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the aggregate Preferred Yield accrued on such Preferred Unit as of such time, over (b) the aggregate amount of all Distributions made by the Company in respect of such Preferred Unit pursuant to Section 7.02(a) as of such time.
Preferred Unreturned Capital Value means, for any Preferred Unit at any time, the amount of the Preferred Capital Value for such Preferred Unit, reduced by the aggregate amount of all Distributions made by the Company in respect of such Preferred Unit pursuant to Section 7.02(b) prior to such time.
Preferred Yield means, for any Preferred Unit at any time, the amount accrued as of such time in respect of such Preferred Unit (commencing with respect to such Preferred Unit on the date the Company issues or issued such Preferred Unit) at a rate of 8% per annum, compounded annually, on the sum of (a) the Preferred Unreturned Capital Value from time to time for such Preferred Unit through such time and (b) the Preferred Unpaid Yield from time to time on such Preferred Unit accumulated for all prior annual compounding periods.
Profits Interest has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(e).
Profits Interest Hurdle means an amount set forth in each Award Agreement reflecting the Incentive Liquidation Value of the relevant Incentive Units at the time the units are issued.
Public Offering means any underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement filed in accordance with the Securities Act.
Qualified Public Offering means the sale, in a firm commitment underwritten public offering led by a nationally recognized underwriting firm pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, of Units (or common stock of the Company or an IPO Entity) having an aggregate offering value (net of underwriters' discounts and selling commissions) of at least $60,000,000, following which at least 50% of the total Units (or common stock of the Company or an IPO Entity) on a Fully Diluted Basis shall have been sold to the public and shall be listed on any national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market System.
12
Quarterly Estimated Tax Amount of a Member for any calendar quarter of a Fiscal Year means the excess, if any of (a) the product of (i) a quarter (¼) in the case of the first calendar quarter of the Fiscal Year, half (½) in the case of the second calendar quarter of the Fiscal Year, three-quarters (¾) in the case of the third calendar quarter of the Fiscal Year, and one (1) in the case of the fourth calendar quarter of the Fiscal Year and (ii) the Member's Estimated Tax Amount for such Fiscal Year over (b) all Distributions previously made during such Fiscal Year to such Member.
Representative means, with respect to any Person, any and all directors, officers, employees, consultants, financial advisors, counsel, accountants, and other agents of such Person.
Rollover Commitment Letters means, collectively, those certain letter agreements, each dated as of the date hereof and a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B, by and between the Company and the respective Member named therein, pursuant to which the named Member has acquired that number of Common Units set forth opposite such Member's name on the Members Schedule as of the date hereof.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations thereunder, which shall be in effect at the time.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which a majority of the outstanding shares or other equity interests having the power to vote for directors or comparable managers are owned, directly or indirectly, by the first Person.
Tax Amount of a Member for a Fiscal Year means the product of (a) the Tax Rate for such Fiscal Year and (b) the Adjusted Taxable Income of the Member for such Fiscal Year with respect to its Units.
Tax Rate of a Member, for any period, means the highest marginal blended federal, state, and local tax rate applicable to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains, as appropriate, for such period for an individual residing in New York, New York, taking into account for federal income tax purposes the deduction under IRC Section 199A.
Third Party Purchaser means any Person who, immediately prior to the contemplated transaction, (a) does not directly or indirectly own or have the right to acquire any outstanding Preferred Units or Common Units (or applicable Unit Equivalents) or (b) is not a Permitted Transferee of any Person who directly or indirectly owns or has the right to acquire any Preferred Units or Common Units (or applicable Unit Equivalents).
Transfer means to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, hypothecate, or similarly dispose of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, or to enter into any contract, option, or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, or similar
13
disposition of, any Units owned by a Person or any interest (including a beneficial interest) in any Units or Unit Equivalents owned by a Person. Transfer when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. Transferor and Transferee mean a Person who makes or receives a Transfer, respectively.
Treasury Regulations means the final or temporary regulations issued by the United States Department of Treasury pursuant to its authority under the Code, and any successor regulations.
Unit means a unit representing a fractional part of the Membership Interests of the Members and shall include all types and classes of Units, including the Preferred Units, the Common Units, and the Incentive Units; provided, that any type or class of Unit shall have the privileges, preference, duties, liabilities, obligations, and rights set forth in this Agreement and the Membership Interests represented by such type or class or series of Unit shall be determined in accordance with such privileges, preference, duties, liabilities, obligations, and rights.
Unit Equivalents means any security or obligation that is by its terms, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exchangeable, or exercisable for Units, and any option, warrant, or other right to subscribe for, purchase, or acquire Units.
Unit Purchase Agreements means, collectively: with respect to Sponsor, the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement; with respect to the Initial Management Members owning Preferred Units as of the date hereof, the Management Subscription Agreements; and with respect to the Initial Management Members owning Common Units as of the date hereof, the Rollover Commitment Letters.
I.2.
Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) the words include, includes, and including shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation; (b) the word or is not exclusive; and (c) the words herein, hereof, hereby, hereto, and hereunder refer to this Agreement as a whole. The definitions given for any defined terms in this Agreement shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein: (x) to Articles, Sections, and Exhibits mean the Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits attached to, this Agreement; (y) to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and (z) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted. The Exhibits referred to herein shall be construed with, and as an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein.
14
II.
(a)
The Company was formed on January 1, 2018, pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act, upon the filing of the Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Original Agreement was entered into by Sponsor on May 17, 2019. This Agreement amends, restates and supersedes the Original Agreement in its entirety.
(b)
This Agreement shall constitute the limited liability company agreement (as that term is used in the Delaware Act) of the Company. The rights, powers, duties, obligations, and liabilities of the Members shall be determined pursuant to the Delaware Act and this Agreement. To the extent that the rights, powers, duties, obligations, and liabilities of any Member are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be under the Delaware Act in the absence of such provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Delaware Act, control.
II.2.
Name. The name of the Company is Ternio, LLC or such other name or names as the Board may from time to time designate; provided, that the name shall always contain the words Limited Liability Company or the abbreviation L.L.C. or the designation LLC.
II.3.
Principal Office. The principal office of the Company is located at 3010 Haven Reserve, Milton, Georgia 30004, or such other place as may from time to time be determined by the Board. The Board shall give prompt notice of any such change to each of the Members.
II.4.
Registered Office; Registered Agent.
(a)
The registered office of the Company shall be the office of the initial registered agent named in the Certificate of Formation or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board may designate from time to time in the manner provided by the Delaware Act and Applicable Law.
(b)
The registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered agent named in the Certificate of Formation or such other Person or Persons as the Board may designate from time to time in the manner provided by the Delaware Act and Applicable Law.
II.5.
Purpose; Powers.
(a)
The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Delaware Act and to engage in any and all activities necessary or incidental thereto.
15
(b)
The Company shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes for which it is formed, including the powers granted by the Delaware Act.
II.6.
Term. The term of the Company commenced on the date the Certificate of Formation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and shall continue in existence perpetually until the Company is dissolved in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
II.7.
No State-Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company shall not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member, Manager, or Officer of the Company shall be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, Manager or Officer of the Company, for any purposes other than as set forth in the first sentence of this Section 2.07.
III.
III.1.
Units Generally. The Membership Interests of the Members shall be represented by issued and outstanding Units, which may be divided into one or more types, classes, or series. Each type, class or series of Units shall have the privileges, preference, duties, liabilities, obligations, and rights, including voting rights, if any, set forth in this Agreement with respect to such type, class, or series. The Board shall maintain a schedule of all Members, their respective mailing addresses, and the amount and series of Units held by them (the Members Schedule), and shall update the Members Schedule upon the issuance or Transfer of any Units to any new or existing Member. A copy of the Members Schedule as of the execution of this Agreement is attached hereto as Schedule A.
III.2.
Authorization and Issuance of Preferred Units. Subject to compliance with Section 4.06(b), and Section 9.01(b), the Company is hereby authorized to issue a class of Units designated as Preferred Units. As of the date hereof and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and the Management Subscription Agreements, 240,860 Preferred Units are authorized, and 240,860 Preferred Units are issued and outstanding to the Members in the amounts set forth on the Members Schedule opposite each Member's name.
III.3.
Authorization and Issuance of Common Units. Subject to compliance with Section 9.01(b), the Company is hereby authorized to issue a class of Units designated as Class A Common Units and Class B Common Units. Class A Units shall be voting and embody all the voting rights in the Company; Class B Units shall be non-voting and not have any voting rights in the Company. As of the date hereof and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and the Rollover Commitment Letters, 2 Class A Common Units are authorized and 2 Class A Common Units are issued and outstanding in the amounts set forth on the Members Schedule opposite each Member's name.
16
As of the date hereof and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and the Rollover Commitment Letters, 12,259,138 Class B Common Units are authorized and 9,759,140 Class B Common Units are issued and outstanding in the amounts set forth on the Members Schedule opposite each Member's name.
III.4.
Authorization and Issuance of Incentive Units.
(a)
The Company is hereby authorized to issue Incentive Units to Managers, Officers, employees, consultants or other service providers of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (collectively, Service Providers). As of the date hereof, no Incentive Units are issued and outstanding in the amounts set forth on the Members Schedule opposite each Member's name. The Board is hereby authorized and directed to adopt a written plan pursuant to which all Incentive Units shall be granted in compliance with Rule 701 of the Securities Act or another applicable exemption (such plan as in effect from time to time, the Incentive Plan). In connection with the adoption of the Incentive Plan and issuance of Incentive Units, the Board is hereby authorized to negotiate and enter into award agreements with each Service Provider to whom it grants Incentive Units (such agreements, Award Agreements). Each Award Agreement shall include such terms, conditions, rights, and obligations as may be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, consistent with the terms herein.
(b)
The Board shall establish such vesting criteria for the Incentive Units as it determines in its discretion and shall include such vesting criteria in the Incentive Plan and/or the applicable Award Agreement for any grant of Incentive Units. As of the date hereof, none of the issued and outstanding Incentive Units shall be deemed vested. As used in this Agreement:
(i)
any Incentive Units that have not vested pursuant to the terms of the Incentive Plan and any associated Award Agreement are referred to as Restricted Incentive Units; and
(ii)
any Incentive Units that have vested pursuant to the terms of the Incentive Plan and any associated Award Agreement are referred to as Unrestricted Incentive Units.
(c)
Immediately prior to each subsequent issuance of Incentive Units following the initial issuance described in the second sentence of Section 3.04(a), the Board shall determine in good faith the Incentive Liquidation Value. In each Award Agreement that the Company enters into with a Service Provider for the issuance of new Incentive Units, the Board shall include an appropriate Profits Interest Hurdle for such Incentive Units on the basis of the Incentive Liquidation Value immediately prior to the issuance of such Incentive Units.
17
(d)
The Company and each Member hereby acknowledge and agree that, with respect to any Service Provider, such Service Provider's Incentive Units constitute a profits interest in the Company within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 93-27 (a Profits Interest), and that any and all Incentive Units received by a Service Provider are received in exchange for the provision of services by the Service Provider to or for the benefit of the Company in a Service Provider capacity or in anticipation of becoming a Service Provider. The Company and each Service Provider who receives Incentive Units hereby agree to comply with the provisions of Rev. Proc. 2001-43, and neither the Company nor any Service Provider who receives Incentive Units shall perform any act or take any position inconsistent with the application of Rev. Proc. 2001-43 or any future Internal Revenue Service guidance or other Governmental Authority that supplements or supersedes the foregoing Revenue Procedures.
(e)
Incentive units shall receive the following tax treatment:
(i)
the Company and each Service Provider who receives Incentive Units shall treat such Service Provider as the owner of such Incentive Units from the date of their receipt, and the Service Provider receiving such Incentive Units shall take into account his Distributive share of Net Income, Net Loss, income, gain, loss, and deduction associated with the Incentive Units in computing such Service Provider's income tax liability for the entire period during which such Service Provider holds the Incentive Units.
(ii)
each Service Provider that receives Incentive Units shall make a timely and effective election under Code Section 83(b) with respect to such Incentive Units and shall promptly provide a copy to the Company. Except as otherwise determined by the Board, both the Company and all Members shall (A) treat such Incentive Units as outstanding for tax purposes, (B) treat such Service Provider as a partner for tax purposes with respect to such Incentive Units and (C) file all tax returns and reports consistently with the foregoing. Neither the Company nor any of its Members shall deduct any amount (as wages, compensation, or otherwise) with respect to the receipt of such Incentive Units for federal income tax purposes.
(iii)
in accordance with the finally promulgated successor rules to Proposed Regulations Section 1.83-3(l) and IRS Notice 2005-43, each Member, by executing this Agreement, authorizes and directs the Company to elect a safe harbor under which the fair market value of any Incentive Units issued after the effective date of such Proposed Regulations (or other guidance) will be treated as equal to the liquidation value (within the meaning of the Proposed Regulations or successor rules) of the Incentive Units as of the date of issuance of such Incentive Units. In the event that the Company makes a safe harbor election as described in the preceding sentence, each Member hereby agrees to comply with all safe
18
harbor requirements with respect to Transfers of Units while the safe harbor election remains effective.
For the avoidance of doubt all Incentive Units, including Unrestricted Incentive Units, shall be subject to the rights of the holders of Common Units to drag along the holders of Incentive Units pursuant to Section 9.03.
III.5.
Other Issuances. In addition to the Preferred Units, Common Units, and Incentive Units, the Company is hereby authorized, subject to compliance with Section 4.06(b) and Section 9.01(b), to authorize and issue or sell to any Person any of the following (collectively, New Interests): (i) any new type, class, or series of Units not otherwise described in this Agreement, which Units may be designated as classes or series of the Preferred Units, Common Units, or Incentive Units but having different rights; and (ii) Unit Equivalents. The Board is hereby authorized, subject to Section 15.09, to amend this Agreement to reflect such issuance and to fix the relative privileges, preference, duties, liabilities, obligations, and rights of any such New Interests, including the number of such New Interests to be issued, the preference (with respect to Distributions, in liquidation, or otherwise) over any other Units, and any contributions required in connection therewith.
III.6.
Certification of Units.
(a)
The Board in its sole discretion may, but shall not be required to, issue certificates to the Members representing the Units held by such Member.
(b)
In the event that the Board shall issue certificates representing Units in accordance with Section 3.06(a), then in addition to any other legend required by Applicable Law, all certificates representing issued and outstanding Units shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:
THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO AN AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT AMONG THE COMPANY AND ITS MEMBERS, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE COMPANY. NO TRANSFER, SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE MADE EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT.
THE UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION
19
STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS, OR (B) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER.
IV.
IV.1.1.Admission of New Members.
(a)
New Members may be admitted from time to time (i) in connection with an issuance of Units by the Company, subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 4.06(b), and Section 9.01(b), as applicable, and (ii) in connection with a Transfer of Units, subject to compliance with the provisions of Article X, and in either case, following compliance with the provisions of Section 4.01(b).
(b)
In order for any Person not already a Member of the Company to be admitted as a Member, whether pursuant to an issuance or Transfer of Units, such Person shall have executed and delivered to the Company a written undertaking substantially in the form of the Joinder Agreement. Upon the amendment of the Members Schedule by the Board and the satisfaction of any other applicable conditions, including, if a condition, the receipt by the Company of payment for the issuance of the applicable Units, such Person shall be admitted as a Member and deemed listed as such on the books and records of the Company and thereupon shall be issued his, her, or its Units. The Board shall also adjust the Capital Accounts of the Members as necessary in accordance with Section 5.03.
IV.2.Representations and Warranties of Members. By execution and delivery of this Agreement or a Joinder Agreement, as applicable, each of the Members, whether admitted as of the date hereof or pursuant to Section 4.01, represents and warrants to the Company and acknowledges that:
(a)
The Units have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, are issued in reliance upon federal and state exemptions for transactions not involving a public offering and cannot be disposed of unless (i) they are subsequently registered or exempted from registration under the Securities Act and (ii) the provisions of this Agreement have been complied with;
(b)
Such Member is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended by Section 413(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and agrees that it will not take any action that could have an adverse effect on the availability of the exemption from registration provided by Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act with respect to the offer and sale of the Units;
20
(c)
Such Member's Units are being acquired for its own account solely for investment and not with a view to resale or distribution thereof;
(d)
Such Member has conducted its own independent review and analysis of the business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and such Member acknowledges that it has been provided adequate access to the personnel, properties, premises, and records of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries for such purpose;
(e)
The determination of such Member to acquire Units has been made by such Member independent of any other Member and independent of any statements or opinions as to the advisability of such purchase or as to the business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries that may have been made or given by any other Member or by any agent or employee of any other Member;
(f)
Such Member has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company and making an informed decision with respect thereto;
(g)
Such Member is able to bear the economic and financial risk of an investment in the Company for an indefinite period of time;
(h)
The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by such Member and do not require such Member to obtain any consent or approval that has not been obtained and do not contravene or result in a default in any material respect under any provision of any law or regulation applicable to such Member or other governing documents or any agreement or instrument to which such Member is a party or by which such Member is bound;
(i)
This Agreement is valid, binding, and enforceable against such Member in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights or general equity principles (regardless of whether considered at law or in equity); and
(j)
Neither the issuance of any Units to any Member nor any provision contained herein will entitle the Member to remain in the employment of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or affect the right of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to terminate the Member's employment at any time for any reason, other than as otherwise provided in such Member's employment agreement or other similar agreement with the Company or Company Subsidiary, if applicable.
21
None of the foregoing shall replace, diminish, or otherwise adversely affect any Member's representations and warranties made by it in any Unit Purchase Agreement or Award Agreement, as applicable.
IV.3.No Personal Liability. Except as otherwise provided in the Delaware Act, by Applicable Law or expressly in this Agreement, no Member will be obligated personally for any debt, obligation, or liability of the Company or of any Company Subsidiaries or other Members, whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, solely by reason of being a Member.
IV.4.No Withdrawal. A Member shall not cease to be a Member as a result of the Bankruptcy of such Member or as a result of any other events specified in § 18-304 of the Delaware Act. So long as a Member continues to hold any Units, such Member shall not have the ability to withdraw or resign as a Member prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company and any such withdrawal or resignation or attempted withdrawal or resignation by a Member prior to the dissolution or winding up of the Company shall be null and void. As soon as any Person who is a Member ceases to hold any Units, such Person shall no longer be a Member; provided, however, that this Agreement shall continue to apply with respect to any Units that have been called in accordance with Section 10.06 until full payment is made therefor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
IV.5.Death. The death of any Member shall not cause the dissolution of the Company. In such event the Company and its business shall be continued by the remaining Member or Members and the Units owned by the deceased Member shall automatically be Transferred to such Member's heirs; provided, that within a reasonable time after such Transfer, the applicable heirs shall sign a written undertaking substantially in the form of the Joinder Agreement.
(a)
Except as otherwise provided by this Agreement (including Section 4.06(b) and Section 14.09) or as otherwise required by the Delaware Act or Applicable Law:
(i)
each Member shall be entitled to two votes per Class A Common Unit on all matters upon which the Members have the right to vote under this Agreement; and
(ii)
all of the Preferred Units shall be entitled to one vote, such Preferred Members voting as a single Class; and
(iii)
Neither the Class B Common Non-voting or the Incentive Units (including the Unrestricted Incentive Units) shall not entitle the holders thereof to vote on any matters required or permitted to be voted on by the Members.
(b)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, at any time that there are any Preferred Units outstanding, the Company shall not, and shall
22
not permit any of the Company Subsidiaries to, engage in or cause any of the following transactions or take any of the following actions, and the Board shall not permit or cause the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to engage in, take, or cause any such action except with the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Units voting separately as a class:
(i)
the issuance of any Preferred Units beyond those issued and outstanding as of the date hereof pursuant to Section 3.02 or the issuance of any Units that are senior in any respect to the Preferred Units;
(ii)
the issuance of any securities by any Company Subsidiary beyond those issued and outstanding as of the date hereof;
(iii)
a merger, consolidation, conversion, or other similar transaction involving the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries in which the holders of the Common Units (or equivalent Company Subsidiary securities) immediately prior to such transaction hold in the aggregate less than a majority of the outstanding voting equity securities of the surviving entity immediately after such transaction;
(iv)
the sale, lease, or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; or
(v)
any action that results in a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
IV.7.Meetings.
(a)
Voting Units. As used herein, the term Voting Units shall mean:
the Class A Common Units, for purposes of calling or holding any meeting of the Members holding Class A or Class B Common Units, providing notice of such a meeting, forming a quorum for such a meeting, or taking any action by vote at a meeting or by written consent without a meeting, in all cases to take any action or conduct any business not described in Section 4.06(b); and
(ii)
the Preferred Units, for purposes of calling or holding any meeting of the Members holding Preferred Units, providing notice of such a meeting, forming a quorum for such a meeting, or taking any action by vote at a meeting or by written consent without a meeting, in all cases to take any action or conduct any business described in Section 4.06(b).
(b)
Calling the Meeting. Meetings of the Members may be called by (i) the Board or (ii) by a Member or group of Members holding more than 40% of the then- outstanding votes attributable to the relevant Voting Units. Only Members who hold the
23
relevant Voting Units (Voting Members) shall have the right to attend meetings of the Members.
(c)
Notice. Written notice stating the place, date, and time of the meeting and, in the case of a meeting of the Members not regularly scheduled, describing the purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not fewer than ten (10) days and not more than thirty (30) days before the date of the meeting to each Voting Member, by or at the direction of the Board or the Member(s) calling the meeting, as the case may be. The Voting Members may hold meetings at the Company's principal office or at such other place as the Board or the Member(s) calling the meeting may designate in the notice for such meeting.
(d)
Participation. Any Voting Member may participate in a meeting of the Voting Members 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 by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
(e)
Vote by Proxy. On any matter that is to be voted on by Voting Members, a Voting Member may vote in person or by proxy, and such proxy may be granted in writing, by means of Electronic Transmission, or as otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. Every proxy shall be revocable in the discretion of the Voting Member executing it unless otherwise provided in such proxy; provided, that such right to revocation shall not invalidate or otherwise affect actions taken under such proxy prior to such revocation.
(f)
Conduct of Business. The business to be conducted at such meeting need not be limited to the purpose described in the notice and can include business to be conducted by Voting Members holding Common Units and Voting Members holding Preferred Units; provided, that the appropriate Voting Members shall have been notified of the meeting in accordance with Section 4.07(c); and provided, further, that any Voting Member holding the appropriate Voting Units shall have the right to request removal from the meeting of any Voting Member holding only Preferred Units or only Common Units prior to any discussion of business at the meeting for which such Units do not have a vote pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. Attendance of a Member at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Member attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
IV.8.Quorum. A quorum of any meeting of the Voting Members shall require the presence of the Members holding a majority of the appropriate Voting Units held by all Members. Subject to Section 4.09, no action at any meeting may be taken by the Members unless the appropriate quorum is present. Subject to Section 4.09, no action may be taken by the Members at any meeting at which a quorum is present without the affirmative vote of Members holding a majority of the appropriate Voting Units held by all Members.
24
IV.9.Action Without Meeting. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.08, any matter that is to be voted on, consented to, or approved by Voting Members may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if consented to, in writing or by Electronic Transmission, by a Member or Members holding not less than a majority of the appropriate Voting Units held by all Members. A record shall be maintained by the Board of each such action taken by written consent of a Member or Members.
IV.10.Power of Members. The Members shall have the power to exercise any and all rights or powers granted to Members pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement and the Delaware Act. Except as otherwise specifically provided by this Agreement or required by the Delaware Act, no Member, in its capacity as a Member, shall have the power to act for or on behalf of, or to bind, the Company.
IV.11.Interest in Company Property. No real or personal property of the Company shall be deemed to be owned by any Member individually, but shall be owned by, and title shall be vested solely in, the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, each Member hereby irrevocably waives during the term of the Company any right that such Member may have to maintain any action for partition with respect to the property of the Company.
V.
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
V.1.Initial Capital Contributions. Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement and as set forth in the respective Unit Purchase Agreements, each Initial Member owning Preferred Units or Common Units has made the Capital Contribution giving rise to such Initial Member's initial Capital Account and is deemed to own the number, type, series, and class of Units, in each case, in the amounts set forth opposite such Initial Member's name on the Members Schedule as in effect on the date hereof.
V.2.Additional Capital Contributions.
(a)
No Member shall be required to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Company. Any future Capital Contributions made by any Member shall only be made with the consent of the Board and in connection with an issuance of Units made in compliance with this Agreement.
(b)
No Member shall be required to lend any funds to the Company and no Member shall have any personal liability for the payment or repayment of any Capital Contribution by or to any other Member.
V.3.Maintenance of Capital Accounts. The Company shall establish and maintain for each Member a separate capital account (a Capital Account) on its books and records in accordance with this Section 5.03. Each Capital Account shall be established and maintained in accordance with the following provisions:
25
(a)
Each Member's Capital Account shall be increased by the amount of:
(i)
such Member's Capital Contributions, including such Member's initial Capital Contribution;
(ii)
any Net Income or other item of income or gain allocated to such Member pursuant to Article VI; and
(iii)
any liabilities of the Company that are assumed by such Member or secured by any property Distributed to such Member.
(b)
Each Member's Capital Account shall be decreased by:
the cash amount or Book Value of any property Distributed to such Member pursuant to ARTICLE VII and Section 12.03(c);
the amount of any Net Loss or other item of loss or deduction allocated to such Member pursuant to ARTICLE VI; and
(iii)
the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or which are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company.
V.4.Succession Upon Transfer. In the event that any Units are Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the Transferor to the extent it relates to the Transferred Units and, subject to Section 6.04, shall receive allocations and Distributions pursuant to Article VI, ARTICLE VII, and Article XIII in respect of such Units.
V.5.Negative Capital Accounts. In the event that any Member shall have a deficit balance in his, her or its Capital Account, such Member shall have no obligation, during the term of the Company or upon dissolution or liquidation thereof, to restore such negative balance or make any Capital Contributions to the Company by reason thereof, except as may be required by Applicable Law or in respect of any negative balance resulting from a withdrawal of capital or dissolution in contravention of this Agreement.
V.6.No Withdrawal. No Member shall be entitled to withdraw any part of his, her or its Capital Account or to receive any Distribution from the Company, except as provided in this Agreement. No Member shall receive any interest, salary, or drawing with respect to its Capital Contributions or its Capital Account, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The Capital Accounts are maintained for the sole purpose of allocating items of income, gain, loss, and deduction among the Members and shall have no effect on the amount of any Distributions to any Members, in liquidation or otherwise.
26
V.7.Treatment of Loans from Members. Loans by any Member to the Company shall not be considered Capital Contributions and shall not affect the maintenance of such Member's Capital Account, other than to the extent provided in Section 5.03(a)(iii), if applicable.
V.8.Modifications. The foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. If the Board determines that it is prudent to modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any increases or decreases to the Capital Accounts, are computed in order to comply with such Treasury Regulations, the Board may authorize such modifications.
VI.
VI.1.
1.Allocation of Net Income and Net Loss. For each Fiscal Year (or portion thereof), except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Net Income and Net Loss (and, to the extent necessary, individual items of income, gain, loss, or deduction) of the Company shall be allocated among the Members in a manner such that, after giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.02, the Capital Account balance of each Member, immediately after making such allocations, is, as nearly as possible, equal to (i) the Distributions that would be made to such Member pursuant to Section 12.03(c) if the Company were dissolved, its affairs wound up and its assets sold for cash equal to their Book Value, all Company liabilities were satisfied (limited with respect to each Nonrecourse Liability to the Book Value of the assets securing such liability), and the net assets of the Company were Distributed, in accordance with Section 12.03(c), to the Members immediately after making such allocations, minus (ii) such Member's share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets.
VI.2.Regulatory and Special Allocations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.01:
(a)
If there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain (determined according to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d)(1)) during any Fiscal Year, each Member shall be specially allocated Net Income for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to such Member's share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.02(a) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(b)
Member Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated in the manner required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). Except as otherwise provided in
27
Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Member that has a share of such Member Minimum Gain shall be specially allocated Net Income for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to that Member's share of the net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Items to be allocated pursuant to this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.02(b) is intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c)
In the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or Distributions described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii) (d)(4), (5) or (6), Net Income shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit created by such adjustments, allocations or Distributions as quickly as possible. This Section 6.02(c) is intended to comply with the qualified income offset requirement in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(d)
The allocations set forth in Section 6.02(a), Section 6.02(b), and Section 6.02(c) above (the Regulatory Allocations) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the Treasury Regulations under Code Section 704. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article VI (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating Net Income and Net Losses among Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of such allocations of Net Income and Net Losses and other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to such Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.
(e)
The Company and the Members acknowledge that allocations like those described in Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(c) (Forfeiture Allocations) result from the allocations of Net Income and Net Loss provided for in this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company is entitled to make Forfeiture Allocations and, once required by applicable final or temporary guidance, allocations of Net Income and Net Loss will be made in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(xii)(c) or any successor provision or guidance.
VI.3.Tax Allocations.
(a)
Subject to Section 6.03(b) through Section 6.03(e), all income, gains, losses, and deductions of the Company shall be allocated, for federal, state, and local income tax purposes, among the Members in accordance with the allocation of such income, gains, losses, and deductions among the Members for computing their Capital Accounts, except that if any such allocation for tax purposes is not permitted by the Code or other Applicable Law, the Company's subsequent income, gains, losses, and
28
deductions shall be allocated among the Members for tax purposes, to the extent permitted by the Code and other Applicable Law, so as to reflect as nearly as possible the allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.
(b)
Items of Company taxable income, gain, loss, and deduction 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) and the traditional method of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b), 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.
(c)
If the Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) as provided in clause (c) of the definition of Book Value, subsequent allocations of items of taxable income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such asset for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c).
(d)
Allocations of tax credit, tax credit recapture, and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the Members according to their interests in such items as determined by the Board taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii).
(e)
The Company shall make allocations pursuant to this Section 6.03 in accordance with the traditional method in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d).
(f)
Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.03 are solely for purposes of federal, state, and local taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member's Capital Account or share of Net Income, Net Losses, Distributions, or other items pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement.
VI.4.Allocations in Respect of Transferred Units. In the event of a Transfer of Units during any Fiscal Year made in compliance with the provisions of Article X, Net Income, Net Losses, and other items of income, gain, loss, and deduction of the Company attributable to such Units for such Fiscal Year shall be determined using the interim closing of the books method.
VI.5.
Curative Allocations. In the event that the Partnership Representative determines, after consultation with counsel experienced in income tax matters, that the allocation of any item of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction is not specified in this Article VI (an Unallocated Item), or that the allocation of any item of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction hereunder is clearly inconsistent with the Members' economic interests in the Company (determined by reference to the general principles of Treasury Regulations Section
29
1.704-1(b) and the factors set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(3)(ii)) (a Misallocated Item), then the Board may allocate such Unallocated Items, or reallocate such Misallocated Items, to reflect such economic interests; provided, that no such allocation will be made without the prior consent of each Member that would be adversely and disproportionately affected thereby; and provided, further, that no such allocation shall have any material effect on the amounts Distributable to any Member, including the amounts to be Distributed upon the complete liquidation of the Company.
VII.
(a)
Subject to Section 7.01(b), Section 7.02, and Section 7.04, the Board shall have sole discretion regarding the amounts and timing of Distributions to Members, including to decide to forego payment of Distributions in order to provide for the retention and establishment of reserves of, or payment to third parties of, such funds as it deems necessary with respect to the reasonable business needs of the Company (which needs may include the payment or the making of provision for the payment when due of the Company's obligations, including, but not limited to, present and anticipated debts and obligations, capital needs and expenses, the payment of any management or administrative fees and expenses, and reasonable reserves for contingencies).
(b)
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not make any Distribution to Members if such Distribution would violate § 18-607 of the Delaware Act or other Applicable Law.
VII.2.
Priority of Distributions. After making all Distributions required for a given Fiscal Year under Section 7.04 and subject to the priority of Distributions pursuant to Section 13.03(c), if applicable, all Distributions determined to be made by the Board pursuant to Section 7.01 shall be made in the following manner:
(a)
first, to the Members pro rata in proportion to their holdings of Preferred Units, until Distributions under this Section 7.02(a) equal the Preferred Unpaid Yield in respect of all the Preferred Units owned by the Members as of the time of such Distribution;
(b)
second, to the Members pro rata in proportion to their holdings of Preferred Units, until Distributions under this Section 7.02(b) equal the aggregate amount of Capital Contributions attributable to the Members in respect of their acquisitions of Preferred Units;
(c)
third, to the Members holding Preferred Units, Class A Common Units, Class B Common Units, and Incentive Units pro rata in proportion to their aggregate
30
holdings of Preferred Units, Class A Common Units, Class B Common Units, and Incentive Units treated as one class of Units.
VII.3.
Limitations on Distributions to Incentive Units.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.02, no Distribution (other than Distributions pursuant to Section 7.04) shall be made to a Member on account of its Restricted Incentive Units. Any amount that would otherwise be Distributed to such a Member but for the application of the preceding sentence shall instead be retained in a segregated Company account to be Distributed in accordance with Section 7.02 by the Company and paid to such Member if, as and when the Restricted Incentive Unit to which such retained amount relates vests pursuant to Section 3.04(b).
(b)
It is the intention of the parties to this Agreement that Distributions to any Service Provider with respect to his Incentive Units be limited to the extent necessary so that the related Membership Interest constitutes a Profits Interest. In furtherance of the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Board shall, if necessary, limit any Distributions to any Service Provider with respect to his Incentive Units so that such Distributions do not exceed the available profits in respect of such Service Provider's related Profits Interest. Available profits shall include the aggregate amount of profit and unrealized appreciation in all of the assets of the Company between the date of issuance of such Incentive Units and the date of such Distribution, it being understood that such unrealized appreciation shall be determined on the basis of the Profits Interest Hurdle applicable to such Incentive Unit. In the event that a Service Provider's Distributions and allocations with respect to his Incentive Units are reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence, an amount equal to such excess Distributions shall be treated as instead apportioned to the holders of Common Units and Incentive Units that have met their Profits Interest Hurdle (such Incentive Units, Qualifying Incentive Units), pro rata in proportion to their aggregate holdings of Common Units and Qualifying Incentive Units treated as one class of Units.
VII.4.
Tax Advances.
(a)
Subject to any restrictions in any of the Company's and/or any Company Subsidiary's then applicable debt-financing arrangements, and subject to the Board's sole discretion to retain any other amounts necessary to satisfy the Company's and/or the Company Subsidiaries' obligations, at least five (5) days before each date prescribed by the Code for a calendar-year corporation to pay quarterly installments of estimated tax, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to Distribute cash to each Member in proportion to and to the extent of such Member's Quarterly Estimated Tax Amount for the applicable calendar quarter (each such Distribution, a Tax Advance).
(b)
If, at any time after the final Quarterly Estimated Tax Amount has been Distributed pursuant to Section 7.04(a) with respect to any Fiscal Year, the aggregate Tax
31
Advances to any Member with respect to such Fiscal Year are less than such Member's Tax Amount for such Fiscal Year (a Shortfall Amount), the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to Distribute cash in proportion to and to the extent of each Member's Shortfall Amount. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to Distribute Shortfall Amounts with respect to a Fiscal Year before the [75th] day of the next succeeding Fiscal Year; provided, that if the Company has made Distributions other than pursuant to this Section 7.04, the Board may apply such Distributions to reduce any Shortfall Amount.
(c)
If the aggregate Tax Advances made to any Member pursuant to this Section 7.04 for any Fiscal Year exceed such Member's Tax Amount (an Excess Amount), such Excess Amount shall reduce subsequent Tax Advances that would be made to such Member pursuant to this Section 7.04, except to the extent taken into account as an advance pursuant to Section 7.04(d).
(d)
Any Distributions made pursuant to this Section 7.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as advances on Distributions pursuant to Section 7.02 and shall reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount otherwise Distributable to such Member pursuant to Section 7.02.
VII.5.
Tax Withholding; Withholding Advances.
(a)
Tax Withholding. If requested by the Board, each Member shall, if able to do so, deliver to the Board:
(i)
an affidavit in form satisfactory to the Board that the applicable Member (or its members, as the case may be) is not subject to withholding under the provisions of any federal, state, local, foreign, or other Applicable Law;
(ii)
any certificate that the Board may reasonably request with respect to any such laws; and/or
(iii)
any other form or instrument reasonably requested by the Board relating to any Member's status under such law.
If a Member fails or is unable to deliver to the Board the affidavit described in Section 7.05(a)(i), the Board may withhold amounts from such Member in accordance with Section 7.05(b).
(b)
Withholding Advances. The Company is hereby authorized at all times to make payments (Withholding Advances) with respect to each Member in amounts required to discharge any obligation of the Company (as determined by the Tax Matters Representative based on the advice of legal or tax counsel to the Company) to withhold or make payments to any federal, state, local, or foreign taxing authority (a Taxing Authority) with respect to any Distribution or allocation by the Company of income or
32
gain to such Member (including payments made pursuant to Code Section 6225 and allocable to a Member as determined by the Tax Matters Representative in its sole discretion) and to withhold the same from Distributions to such Member. Any funds withheld from a Distribution by reason of this Section 7.05(b) shall nonetheless be deemed Distributed to the Member in question for all purposes under this Agreement and, at the option of the Board, shall be charged against the Member's Capital Account.
(c)
Repayment of Withholding Advances. Any Withholding Advance made by the Company to a Taxing Authority on behalf of a Member and not simultaneously withheld from a Distribution to that Member shall, with interest thereon accruing from the date of payment at a rate equal to the [prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal on the date of payment plus two percent (2.0%) per annum] (the Company Interest Rate):
(i)
be promptly repaid to the Company by the Member on whose behalf the Withholding Advance was made (which repayment by the Member shall not constitute a Capital Contribution, but shall credit the Member's Capital Account if the Board shall have initially charged the amount of the Withholding Advance to the Capital Account); or
(ii)
with the consent of the Board, be repaid by reducing the amount of the next succeeding Distribution or Distributions to be made to such Member (which reduction amount shall be deemed to have been Distributed to the Member, but which shall not further reduce the Member's Capital Account if the Board shall have initially charged the amount of the Withholding Advance to the Capital Account).
Interest shall cease to accrue from the time the Member on whose behalf the Withholding Advance was made repays such Withholding Advance (and all accrued interest) by either method of repayment described above.
(d)
Indemnification. Each Member hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the other Members from and against any liability with respect to taxes, interest, or penalties which may be asserted by reason of the Company's failure to deduct and withhold tax on amounts Distributable or allocable to such Member. The provisions of this Section 7.05(d) and the obligations of a Member pursuant to Section 7.05(c) shall survive the termination, dissolution, liquidation, and winding up of the Company and the withdrawal of such Member from the Company or Transfer of its Units. The Company may pursue and enforce all rights and remedies it may have against each Member under this Section 7.05, including bringing a lawsuit to collect repayment with interest of any Withholding Advances.
(e)
Overwithholding. Neither the Company nor the Board shall be liable for any excess taxes withheld in respect of any Distribution or allocation of income or gain to
33
a Member. In the event of an overwithholding, a Member's sole recourse shall be to apply for a refund from the appropriate Taxing Authority.
VII.6.
Distributions in Kind.
(a)
The Board is hereby authorized, in its sole discretion, to make Distributions to the Members in the form of securities or other property held by the Company; provided, that Tax Advances shall only be made in cash. In any non-cash Distribution, the securities or property so Distributed will be Distributed among the Members in the same proportion and priority as cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such securities or property would be Distributed among the Members pursuant to Section 7.02.
(b)
Any Distribution of securities shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Board determines are required or advisable to ensure compliance with Applicable Law. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Board may require that the Members execute and deliver such documents as the Board may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance with all federal and state securities laws that apply to such Distribution and any further Transfer of the Distributed securities, and may appropriately legend the certificates that represent such securities to reflect any restriction on Transfer with respect to such laws.
VIII.
VIII.1.
Establishment of the Board. A board of managers of the Company (the Board) is hereby established and shall be comprised of natural Persons (each such Person, a Manager) who shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.02. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed, operated, and controlled by or under the direction of the Board, and the Board shall have, and is hereby granted, the full and complete power, authority, and discretion for, on behalf of and in the name of the Company, to take such actions as it may in its sole discretion deem necessary or advisable to carry out any and all of the objectives and purposes of the Company, subject only to the terms of this Agreement.
VIII.2.
Board Composition; Vacancies.
(a)
The Company and the Members shall take such actions as may be required to ensure that the number of managers constituting the Board is at all times three (3), provided that a majority of the Board may increase or decrease the number of Managers in its sole discretion, provided at no time shall the number of Managers be less than three(3). The Board shall be comprised as follows:
34
(i)
two (2) individuals designated by the Class A Common Members (the Class A Managers), who shall initially be Daniel Gouldman and Ian Kane Initial Class A Managers); and
(ii)
one (1) individual designated by the Preferred Members (the Preferred Managers), who shall initially be Mark Morales; and
At all times, the composition of any board of directors of any Company Subsidiary shall be the same as that of the Board.
(b)
In the event that a vacancy is created on the Board at any time due to the death, Disability, retirement, resignation or removal of a Class A Manager, then the Class A Majority Unitholders shall have the right to designate an individual to fill such vacancy and the Company and each Member hereby agree to take such actions as may be required to ensure the election or appointment of such designee to fill such vacancy on the Board. In the event that the Class A Majority Unitholders shall fail to designate in writing a representative to fill a vacant Class A Manager position on the Board, and such failure shall continue for more than thirty (30) days after notice from the Company to Class A Members with respect to such failure, then the vacant position shall be filled by an individual designated by the Class A Managers then in office; provided, that such individual shall be removed from such position if the Class A Majority Unitholders so direct and simultaneously designate a new Sponsor Manager.
(c)
The Board shall maintain a schedule of all Managers with their respective mailing addresses (the Managers Schedule), and shall update the Managers Schedule upon the removal or replacement of any Manager in accordance with this Section 8.02 or Section 8.03. A copy of the Managers Schedule as of the execution of this Agreement is attached hereto as Schedule B.
VIII.3.
Removal; Resignation.
(a)
A Manager may be removed or replaced at any time from the Board , with cause, upon, and only upon, the written request of the Class A Majority Unitholders, provided that the Initial Class A Managers shall solely be removed or replaced for Cause or by resignation in accordance with Section 8.03(b). The Chief Executive Officer may be removed in the same manner as any other Officer of the Company, in accordance with Section 8.09.
(b)
A Manager may resign at any time from the Board by delivering his written resignation to the Board. Any such resignation shall be effective upon receipt thereof unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the occurrence of some other event. The Board's acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
35
(a)
Generally. The Board shall meet at such time and at such place as the Board may designate. Meetings of the Board may be held either in person or by means of telephone or video conference or other communications device that permits all Managers participating in the meeting to hear each other, at the offices of the Company or such other place (either within or outside the State of Delaware) as may be determined from time to time by the Board. Written notice of each meeting of the Board shall be given to each Manager at least 24 hours prior to each such meeting.
(b)
Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be held on the call of any three (3) Managers upon at least five (5) days' written notice (if the meeting is to be held in person) or one (1) day's written notice (if the meeting is to be held by telephone communications or video conference) to the Managers, or upon such shorter notice as may be approved by all the Managers. Any Manager may waive such notice as to himself.
(c)
Attendance and Waiver of Notice. Attendance of a Manager at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Manager attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that 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 Board need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
VIII.5.
Quorum; Manner of Acting.
(a)
Quorum. A majority of the Managers serving on the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Board. At all times when the Board is conducting business at a meeting of the Board, a quorum of the Board must be present at such meeting. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, then the Managers present at the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
(b)
Participation. Any Manager may participate in a meeting of the Board by means of telephone or video conference or other communications device that permits all Managers participating in the meeting to hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. A Manager may vote or be present at a meeting either in person or by proxy, and such proxy may be granted in writing, by means of Electronic Transmission, or as otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.
(c)
Binding Act. The Class A Managers shall each have one vote on all matters submitted to the Board or any committee thereof. With respect to any matter before the Board, the act of a majority of the Class A Managers constituting a quorum
36
shall be the act of the Board. Provided further, if the Class A Managers are not able to come to a majority decision during any three consecutive meetings of the Board, the Preferred Manager shall act the tie breaker and the act of the Board shall be a majority of all of the Managers.
VIII.6.
Action By Written Consent. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any action of the Board (or any committee of the Board) may be taken without a meeting if either (a) a written consent of a majority of the Class A Common Managers on the Board (or committee) shall approve such action; provided, that prior written notice of such action is provided to all Managers at least one day before such action is taken, or (b) a written consent constituting all of the Class A Common Managers on the Board (or committee) shall approve such action. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a vote at a meeting where a quorum was present and may be stated as such in any document or instrument filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
VIII.7.
Compensation; No Employment.
(a)
Each Manager shall be reimbursed for his reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of his duties as a Manager, pursuant to such policies as from time to time established by the Board. Nothing contained in this Section 8.07 shall be construed to preclude any Manager from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving reasonable compensation for such services.
(b)
This Agreement does not, and is not intended to, confer upon any Manager any rights with respect to continued employment by the Company, and nothing herein should be construed to have created any employment agreement with any Manager.
(a)
Establishment. The Board may, by resolution, designate from among the Managers one or more committees, each of which shall be comprised of one or more Managers; provided, that in no event may the Board designate any committee with all of the authority of the Board. Subject to the immediately preceding proviso, any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution forming such committee, shall have and may exercise the authority of the Board, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.08(b). The Board may dissolve any committee or remove any member of a committee at any time.
(b)
Limitation of Authority. No committee of the Board shall have the authority of the Board in reference to:
(i)
authorizing or making Distributions to the Members;
(ii)
authorizing the issuance of Preferred, Class A Common Units or Class B Common Units;
37
(iii)
approving a plan of merger or sale of the Company;
(iv)
recommending to the Members a voluntary dissolution of the Company or a revocation thereof;
(v)
filling vacancies in the Board; or
(vi)
altering or repealing any resolution of the Board that by its terms provides that it shall not be so amendable or repealable.
VIII.9.
Officers. The Board may appoint individuals as officers of the Company (the Officers) as it deems necessary or desirable to carry on the business of the Company and the Board may delegate to such Officers such power and authority as the Board deems advisable. No Officer need be a Member or Manager. Any individual may hold two or more offices of the Company. Each Officer shall hold office until his successor is designated by the Board or until his earlier death, resignation, or removal. Any Officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board. Any Officer may be removed by the Board (acting by majority vote of all Managers other than the Officer being considered for removal, if applicable) with or without cause at any time. A vacancy in any office occurring because of death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, may, but need not, be filled by the Board.
VIII.10.
No Personal Liability. Except as otherwise provided in the Delaware Act, by Applicable Law or expressly in this Agreement, no Manager will be obligated personally for any debt, obligation, or liability of the Company or of any Company Subsidiaries, whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, solely by reason of being a Manager.
IX.
IX.1.
General Restrictions on Transfer.
(a)
Each Member acknowledges and agrees that, until the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering, such Member (or any Permitted Transferee of such Member) shall not Transfer any Units or Unit Equivalents except as permitted pursuant to Section
10.2
or in accordance with the procedures described in, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
(i)
Transfers of Incentive Units shall not be permitted prior to the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering except:
pursuant to Section 9.02;
(B)
when required of a Drag-Along Member pursuant to Section 9.03;
38
as set forth in Section 9.04; or
(D)
as set forth in the Incentive Plan or applicable Award Agreement.
(ii)
Transfers of Units or Unit Equivalents (other than Incentive Units which are covered by Section 9.01(a)(i) above) by a Management Member (or any Permitted Transferee of a Management Member) shall not be permitted prior to the second anniversary of the date of this Agreement (after which time any such Transfer shall be subject to the restrictions in the first sentence of this Section 10.01(a)), except:
(A)
pursuant to Section 10.02;
when required of a Drag-Along Member pursuant to Section 9.03; or
No Transfer of Units or Unit Equivalents to a Person not already a Member of the Company shall be deemed completed until the prospective Transferee is admitted as a Member of the Company in accordance with Section 4.01(b) hereof.
(b)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (including Section 9.02), prior to the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering, each Member agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, Transfer any of its Units or Unit Equivalents, and the Company agrees that it shall not issue any Units or Unit Equivalents:
(i)
except as permitted under the Securities Act and other applicable federal or state securities or blue sky laws, and then, with respect to a Transfer of Units or Unit Equivalents, if requested by the Company, only upon delivery to the Company of an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Company to the effect that such Transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act;
(ii)
if such Transfer or issuance would cause the Company to be considered a publicly traded partnership under Section 7704(b) of the Code within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(1)(ii), including the look-through rule in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3);
(iii)
if such Transfer or issuance would affect the Company's existence or qualification as a limited liability company under the Delaware Act;
(iv)
if such Transfer or issuance would cause the Company to lose its status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes;
39
(v)
if such Transfer or issuance would cause the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; or
(vi)
if such Transfer or issuance would cause the assets of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to be deemed Plan Assets as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or its accompanying regulations or result in any prohibited transaction thereunder involving the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
In any event, the Board may refuse the Transfer to any Person if such Transfer would have a material adverse effect on the Company as a result of any regulatory or other restrictions imposed by any Governmental Authority.
(c)
Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Units or Unit Equivalents in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void, no such Transfer shall be recorded on the Company's books, and the purported Transferee in any such Transfer shall not be treated (and the purported Transferor shall continue be treated) as the owner of such Units or Unit Equivalents for all purposes of this Agreement.
(d)
For the avoidance of doubt, any Transfer of Units or Unit Equivalents permitted by Section 10.02 or made in accordance with the procedures described in Section 10.03, as applicable, and purporting to be a sale, transfer, assignment, or other disposal of the entire Membership Interest represented by such Units or Unit Equivalents, inclusive of all the rights and benefits applicable to such Membership Interest as described in the definition of the term Membership Interest, shall be deemed a sale, transfer, assignment, or other disposal of such Membership Interest in its entirety as intended by the parties to such Transfer, and shall not be deemed a sale, transfer, assignment, or other disposal of any less than all of the rights and benefits described in the definition of the term Membership Interest, unless otherwise explicitly agreed to by the parties to such Transfer.
IX.2.
Permitted Transfers. The provisions of Section 9.01(a) and Section 9.03 (with respect to the Dragging Member only) shall not apply to any of the following Transfers by any Member of any of its Units or Unit Equivalents:
(a)
With respect to Sponsor, to (i) any Affiliate of Sponsor and (ii) in the event of a winding up of Sponsor, any of its limited partners in accordance with its constitutive documents;
(b)
With respect to any Management Member, to (i) such Management Member's spouse, parent, siblings, descendants (including adoptive relationships and stepchildren), and the spouses of each such natural persons (collectively, Family Members), (ii) a trust under which the distribution of Units may be made only to such
40
Management Member and/or any Family Member of such Management Member, (iii) a charitable remainder trust, the income from which will be paid to such Management Member during his life, (iv) a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, the stockholders, partners, or members of which are only such Management Member and/or Family Members of such Management Member, or (v) by will or by the laws of intestate succession, to such Management Member's executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, legatees, or beneficiaries; provided, that any Management Member who Transfers Units shall remain bound by the provisions of Section 11.01; or
(c)
Pursuant to a Public Offering.
IX.3.
Drag-Along Rights.
(a)
Participation. At any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering, if one or more Members (together with their respective Permitted Transferees) holding no less than a majority of all the Common Units (such Member or Members, the Dragging Member), proposes to consummate, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, a Change of Control (a Drag-Along Sale), the Dragging Member shall have the right, after delivering the Drag-Along Notice in accordance with Section 9.03(c) and subject to compliance with Section 9.03(d), to require that each other Member (each, a Drag-Along Member) participate in such sale (including, if necessary, by converting their Unit Equivalents into the Units to be sold in the Drag- Along Sale) in the manner set forth in Section 10.04(b).
Sale of Units. Subject to compliance with Section 9.03(d):
(i)
If the Drag-Along Sale is structured as a sale resulting in a majority of the Common Units of the Company on a Fully Diluted Basis being held by a Third Party Purchaser, then each Drag-Along Member shall sell, with respect to each class or series of Units proposed by the Dragging Member to be included in the Drag-Along Sale, the number of Units and/or Unit Equivalents of such class or series (with Common Units and Incentive Units treated as one class for this purpose) equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of applicable Units on a Fully Diluted Basis held by such Drag-Along Member (with Common Units and Incentive Units treated as one class) by (ii) a fraction (x) the numerator of which is equal to the number of applicable Units on a Fully Diluted Basis that the Dragging Member proposes to sell in the Drag-Along Sale (with Common Units and Incentive Units treated as one class) and (y) the denominator of which is equal to the number of applicable Units on a Fully Diluted Basis held by the Dragging Member at such time (with Common Units and Incentive Units treated as one class); and
(ii)
If the Drag-Along Sale is structured as a sale of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries or as
41
a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or reorganization of the Company or other transaction requiring the consent or approval of the Members, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (including Section 4.06), each Drag-Along Member shall vote in favor of the transaction and otherwise consent to and raise no objection to such transaction. The Distribution of the aggregate consideration of such transaction shall be made in accordance with Section 12.03(c).
(c)
Sale Notice. The Dragging Member shall exercise its rights pursuant to this Section 9.03 by delivering a written notice (the Drag-Along Notice) to the Company and each Drag-Along Member no more than ten (10) Business Days after the execution and delivery by all of the parties thereto of the definitive agreement entered into with respect to the Drag-Along Sale and, in any event, no later than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the closing date of such Drag-Along Sale. The Drag-Along Notice shall make reference to the Dragging Members' rights and obligations hereunder and shall describe in reasonable detail:
(i)
The name of the person or entity to whom such Units are proposed to be sold;
(ii)
The proposed date, time, and location of the closing of the sale;
(iii)
The number of each class or series of Units to be sold by the Dragging Member, the proposed amount of consideration for the Drag-Along Sale, and the other material terms and conditions of the Drag-Along Sale, including a description of any non-cash consideration in sufficient detail to permit the valuation thereof and including, if available, the purchase price per Unit of each applicable class or series (which may take into account the Profits Interest Hurdle of any Incentive Units to be sold); and
(iv)
A copy of any form of agreement proposed to be executed in connection therewith.
(d)
Conditions of Sale. The obligations of the Drag-Along Members in respect of a Drag-Along Sale under this Section 9.03 are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(i)
The consideration to be received by each Drag-Along Member shall be the same form and amount of consideration to be received by the Dragging Member per Unit of each applicable class or series (the Distribution of which shall be made in accordance with Section 9.03(b)) and the terms and conditions of such sale shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.03(d)(iii), be the same as those upon which the Dragging Member sells its Units;
42
(ii)
If the Dragging Member or any Drag-Along Member is given an option as to the form and amount of consideration to be received, the same option shall be given to all Drag-Along Members; and
(iii)
Each Drag-Along Member shall execute the applicable purchase agreement, if applicable, and make or provide the same representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, and agreements as the Dragging Member makes or provides in connection with the Drag-Along Sale; provided, that each Drag-Along Member shall only be obligated to make individual representations and warranties with respect to its title to and ownership of the applicable Units, authorization, execution, and delivery of relevant documents, enforceability of such documents against the Drag-Along Member, and other matters relating to such Drag-Along Member, but not with respect to any of the foregoing with respect to any other Members or their Units; provided, further, that all representations, warranties, covenants, and indemnities shall be made by the Dragging Member and each Drag-Along Member severally and not jointly and any indemnification obligation shall be pro rata based on the consideration received by the Dragging Member and each Drag-Along Member, in each case in an amount not to exceed the aggregate proceeds received by the Dragging Member and each such Drag-Along Member in connection with the Drag-Along Sale.
Cooperation. Each Drag-Along Member shall take all actions as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the Drag-Along Sale, including, without limitation, entering into agreements and delivering certificates and instruments, in each case, consistent with the agreements being entered into and the certificates being delivered by the Dragging Member, but subject to Section 9.03(d)(iii).
(f)
Expenses. The fees and expenses of the Dragging Member incurred in connection with a Drag-Along Sale and for the benefit of all Drag-Along Members (it being understood that costs incurred by or on behalf of a Dragging Member for its sole benefit will not be considered to be for the benefit of all Drag-Along Members), to the extent not paid or reimbursed by the Company or the Third Party Purchaser, shall be shared by the Dragging Member and all the Drag-Along Members on a pro rata basis, based on the consideration received by each such Member; provided, that no Drag-Along Member shall be obligated to make any out-of-pocket expenditure prior to the consummation of the Drag-Along Sale.
IX.4.
Incentive Units Call Right.
(a)
Call Right. At any time prior to the consummation of a Qualified Public Offering or a Change of Control, following the termination of employment or other engagement of any Service Provider with the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, the Company may, at its election, require the Service Provider and any or all
43
of such Service Provider's Permitted Transferees to sell to the Company all or any portion of such Service Provider's Incentive Units at the following respective purchase prices:
(i)
For the Restricted Incentive Units, under all circumstances of termination, a price equal to the lesser of their Fair Market Value and their Initial Cost (the Cause Purchase Price).
(ii)
For the Unrestricted Incentive Units, their Cause Purchase Price, in the event of:
(A)
the termination of such Service Provider's employment or other engagement by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries for Cause; or
(B)
the resignation of such Service Provider for any reason other than Good Reason [at any time prior to the later of the fifth anniversary of the date hereof and the fifth anniversary of the date that such Service Provider began his employment or other engagement with the Company or Company Subsidiary.
(iii)
For the Unrestricted Incentive Units, a price equal to their Fair Market Value, in the event of:
(A)
the termination of such Service Provider's employment or other engagement by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries for a reason other than for Cause;
(B)
the resignation of such Service Provider at any time for Good Reason;
(C)
the resignation of such Service Provider for any reason other than Good Reason at any time following the fifth anniversary of the date hereof (or if later, the date that such Service Provider began his employment or other engagement with the Company or Company Subsidiary); or
(D)
the death or Disability of such Service Provider.
(b)
Procedures.
(i)
If the Company desires to exercise its right to purchase Incentive Units pursuant to this Section 9.04, the Company shall deliver to the Service Provider, within ninety (90) days after the termination of such Service Provider's employment or other engagement, a written notice (the Repurchase Notice) specifying the number of Incentive Units to be repurchased by the Company (the
44
Repurchased Incentive Units) and the purchase price therefor in accordance with Section 9.04(a).
(ii)
Each applicable Service Provider shall, at the closing of any purchase consummated pursuant to this Section 9.04, represent and warrant to the Company that:
(A)
such Service Provider has full right, title, and interest in and to the Repurchased Incentive Units;
such Service Provider has all the necessary power and authority and has taken all necessary action to sell such Repurchased Incentive Units as contemplated by this Section 9.04; and
(C)
the Repurchased Incentive Units are free and clear of any and all liens other than those arising as a result of or under the terms of this Agreement.
(iii)
Subject to Section 9.04(c) below, the closing of any sale of Repurchased Incentive Units pursuant to this Section 9.04 shall take place no later than thirty (30) days following receipt by the Service Provider of the Repurchase Notice. Subject to the existence of any Delay Condition, the Company shall pay the Call Purchase Price for the Repurchased Incentive Units by certified or official bank check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds. The Company shall give the Service Provider at least ten (10) days' written notice of the date of closing, which notice shall include the method of payment selected by the Company.
(c)
Delay Condition. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.04(b)(iii), the Company shall not be obligated to repurchase any Incentive Units if there exists a Delay Condition. In such event, the Company shall notify the Service Provider in writing as soon as practicable of such Delay Condition and the Company may thereafter:
(i)
Defer the closing and pay the Call Purchase Price at the earliest practicable date on which no Delay Condition exists, in which case, the Call Purchase Price shall accrue interest at the Company Interest Rate from the latest date that the closing could have taken place pursuant to Section 9.04(b)(iii) above (the Intended Call Closing Date) to the date the Call Purchase Price is actually paid; or
(ii)
Pay the Call Purchase Price with a subordinated note (fully subordinated in right of payment and exercise of remedies to the lenders' rights under any Financing Document) bearing interest at the Company Interest Rate from the Intended Call Closing Date until paid in full.
45
(d)
Cooperation. The Service Provider shall take all actions as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the sale contemplated by this Section 9.04, including, without limitation, entering into agreements and delivering certificates and instruments and consents as may be deemed necessary or appropriate.
(e)
Closing. At the closing of any sale and purchase pursuant to this Section 9.04, the Service Provider shall deliver to the Company a certificate or certificates representing the Incentive Units to be sold (if any), accompanied by evidence of transfer and all necessary transfer taxes paid and stamps affixed, if necessary, against receipt of the Call Purchase Price.
X.
(a)
Each Management Member acknowledges that during the term of this Agreement, he will have access to and become acquainted with trade secrets, proprietary information, and confidential information belonging to the Company, the Company Subsidiaries, and their Affiliates that are not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information concerning business plans, financial statements, and other information provided pursuant to this Agreement, operating practices and methods, expansion plans, strategic plans, marketing plans, contracts, customer lists, or other business documents which the Company treats as confidential, in any format whatsoever (including oral, written, electronic or any other form or medium) (collectively, Confidential Information). In addition, each Management Member acknowledges that: (i) the Company has invested, and continues to invest, substantial time, expense, and specialized knowledge in developing its Confidential Information; (ii) the Confidential Information provides the Company with a competitive advantage over others in the marketplace; and (iii) the Company would be irreparably harmed if the Confidential Information were disclosed to competitors or made available to the public. Without limiting the applicability of any other agreement to which any Management Member is subject, no Management Member shall, directly or indirectly, disclose or use (other than solely for the purposes of such Management Member monitoring and analyzing his investment in the Company or performing his duties as a Manager, Officer, employee, consultant, or other service provider of the Company) at any time, including, without limitation, use for personal, commercial, or proprietary advantage or profit, either during his association or employment with the Company or thereafter, any Confidential Information of which such Management Member is or becomes aware. Each Management Member in possession of Confidential Information shall take all appropriate steps to safeguard such information and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss, and theft.
46
(b)
Nothing contained in Section 11.01(a) shall prevent any Management Member from disclosing Confidential Information: (i) upon the order of any court or administrative agency; (ii) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority having jurisdiction over such Management Member; (iii) to the extent compelled by legal process or required or requested pursuant to subpoena, interrogatories, or other discovery requests; (iv) to the extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder; (v) to other Members; (vi) to such Management Member's Representatives who, in the reasonable judgment of such Management Member, need to know such Confidential Information and agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 11.01 as if a Management Member; or (vii) to any potential Permitted Transferee in connection with a proposed Transfer of Units from such Management Member, as long as such Transferee agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 11.01 as if a Management Member; provided, that in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii), such Management Member shall notify the Company and other Members of the proposed disclosure as far in advance of such disclosure as practicable (but in no event make any such disclosure before notifying the Company and other Members) and use reasonable efforts to ensure that any Confidential Information so disclosed is accorded confidential treatment satisfactory to the Company, when and if available.
(c)
The restrictions of Section 11.01(a) shall not apply to Confidential Information that: (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by a Management Member in violation of this Agreement; (ii) is or becomes available to a Management Member or any of its Representatives on a non- confidential basis prior to its disclosure to the receiving Management Member and any of its Representatives in compliance with this Agreement; (iii) is or has been independently developed or conceived by such Management Member without use of Confidential Information; or (iv) becomes available to the receiving Management Member or any of its Representatives on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, any other Member or any of their respective Representatives; provided, that such source is not known by the recipient of the Confidential Information to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with the disclosing Member or any of its Representatives.
X.2..Non-Compete; Non-Solicit.
(a)
Non-Compete. In light of each Management Member's access to Confidential Information and position of trust and confidence with the Company, each Management Member hereby agrees that, during the period of his continued employment or other engagement with the Company or any Company Subsidiary and for a period of one (1) year, running consecutively, beginning on the last day of the Management Member's employment or other engagement with the Company or any Company Subsidiary for any reason or no reason (the Restricted Period), such Management Member shall not (x) render services or give advice to, or affiliate with (as employee, partner, consultant, or otherwise), or (y) directly or indirectly through one or more of any
47
of their respective Affiliates, own, manage, operate, control, or participate in the ownership, management, operation, or control of, any Competitor or any division or business segment of any Competitor; provided, that nothing in this Section 10.02(a) shall prohibit such Management Member or any of his Permitted Transferees or any of their respective Affiliates from acquiring or owning, directly or indirectly:
(i)
Up to 2% of the aggregate voting securities of any Competitor that is a publicly traded Person; or
(ii)
Up to 2% of the aggregate voting securities of any Competitor that is not a publicly traded Person, so long as neither such Management Member nor any of its Permitted Transferees, directly or indirectly through one or more of their respective Affiliates, designates a member of the board of directors (or similar body) of such Competitor or its Affiliates or is granted any other governance rights with respect to such Competitor or its Affiliates (other than customary governance rights granted in connection with the ownership of debt securities).
For purposes of this Section 10.02(a), Competitor means any other Person engaged, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in the same or similar business as the Company.
(b)
Non-Solicit of Employees. In light of each Management Member's access to Confidential Information and position of trust and confidence with the Company, each Management Member further agrees that, during the Restricted Period, he shall not, directly or indirectly through one or more of any of their respective Affiliates, hire or solicit, or encourage any other Person to hire or solicit, any individual who has been employed by the Company or any Company Subsidiary within one (1) year prior to the date of such hiring or solicitation, or encourage any such individual to leave such employment. This Section 10.02(b) shall not prevent a Management Member from hiring or soliciting any employee or former employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary who responds to a general solicitation that is a public solicitation of prospective employees and not directed specifically to any Company or Company Subsidiary employees.
(c)
Non-Solicit of Clients. In light of each Management Member's access to Confidential Information and position of trust and confidence with the Company, each Management Member further agrees that, during the Restricted Period, he shall not, directly or indirectly through one or more of any of their respective Affiliates, solicit or entice, or attempt to solicit or entice, any clients, customers, or suppliers of the Company or any Company Subsidiary for purposes of diverting their business or services from the Company.
48
(d)
Blue Pencil. If any court of competent jurisdiction determines that any of the covenants set forth in this Section 10.02, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the duration or geographic scope of such provision, such court shall have the power to modify any such unenforceable provision in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Section 10.02, or by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law. The parties hereto expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them.
X.3.Other Business Activities. The parties hereto expressly acknowledge and agree that: (i) Members and their Affiliates are permitted to have, and may presently or in the future have, investments or other business relationships, ventures, agreements, or arrangements with entities engaged in the business of the Company, other than through the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (an Other Business); (ii) the Members and their Affiliates have or may develop a strategic relationship with businesses that are or may be competitive with the Company and the Company Subsidiaries; (iii) none of the Members or their Affiliates will be prohibited by virtue of the Sponsor's investment in the Company from pursuing and engaging in any such activities; (iv) none of the Members or their Affiliates will be obligated to inform the Company or any Management Member of any such opportunity, relationship, or investment (a Company Opportunity) or to present Company Opportunity, and the Company hereby renounces any interest in a Company Opportunity and any expectancy that a Company Opportunity will be offered to it; (v) nothing contained herein shall limit, prohibit, or restrict any Board designee of the Members from serving on the board of directors or other governing body or committee of any Other Business; and (vi) the Management Members will not acquire, be provided with an option or opportunity to acquire, or be entitled to any interest or participation in any Other Business as a result of the participation therein of any of the Members or their Affiliates. The parties hereto expressly authorize and consent to the involvement of the Members and/or their Affiliates in any Other Business; provided, that any transactions between the Company and/or the Company Subsidiaries and an Other Business will be on terms no less favorable to the Company and/or the Company Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm's-length transaction. The parties hereto expressly waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any rights to assert any claim that such involvement breaches any fiduciary or other duty or obligation owed to the Company or any Member or to assert that such involvement constitutes a conflict of interest by such Persons with respect to the Company or any Member.
XI.
49
XI.1.
Financial Statements. The Company shall furnish to each Member holding 5% or more of the Common Units of the Company (each, a Qualified Member) the following reports:
(a)
Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and Company Subsidiaries as at the end of each such Fiscal Year and audited consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and Members' equity for such Fiscal Year, in each case setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, accompanied by the certification of independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the Board, certifying to the effect that, except as set forth therein, such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with prior years, and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Company and Company Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the results of their operations and changes in their cash flows and Members' equity for the periods covered thereby.
(b)
Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarterly accounting period in each Fiscal Year (other than the last fiscal quarter of the Fiscal Year), unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and Company Subsidiaries as at the end of each such fiscal quarter and for the current Fiscal Year to date and unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and Members' equity for such fiscal quarter and for the current Fiscal Year to date, in each case setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods of the previous fiscal quarter, all in reasonable detail and all prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of notes thereto), and certified by the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company.
(c)
Monthly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each monthly accounting period in each fiscal quarter (other than the last month of the fiscal quarter), unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and Company Subsidiaries as at the end of each such monthly period and for the current Fiscal Year to date and unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flows, and Members' equity for each such monthly period and for the current Fiscal Year to date, all in reasonable detail and all prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of notes thereto).
XI.2.
Inspection Rights. Upon reasonable notice from a Qualified Member, the Company shall, and shall cause its Managers, Officers, and employees to, afford each Qualified Member and its Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours to (i) the Company's and the Company Subsidiaries' properties, offices, plants, and other facilities, (ii) the corporate, financial and similar records, reports, and documents of the Company and the Company
50
Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, all books and records, minutes of proceedings, internal management documents, reports of operations, reports of adverse developments, copies of any management letters, and communications with Members or Managers, and to permit each Qualified Member and its Representatives to examine such documents and make copies thereof, and (iii) the Company's and the Company Subsidiaries' Officers, senior employees, and public accountants, and to afford each Qualified Member and its Representatives the opportunity to discuss and advise on the affairs, finances, and accounts of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries with their Officers, senior employees, and public accountants (and the Company hereby authorizes said accountants to discuss with such Qualified Member and its Representatives such affairs, finances, and accounts).
XI.3.
Tax Matters Representative.
(a)
Appointment. The Members hereby appoint Daniel Gouldman as the partnership representative as provided in Code Section 6223(a) (the Tax Matters Representative). If Daniel Gouldman ceases to be the Tax Matters Representative for any reason, the Board shall appoint a new Tax Matters Representative. The Tax Matters Representative shall appoint an individual meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 301.6223-1(c)(3) as the sole person authorized to represent the Tax Matters Representative in audits and other proceedings governed by the partnership audit procedures set forth in Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code as amended by the BBA (the Revised Partnership Audit Rules).
(b)
Tax Examinations and Audits. The Tax Matters Representative is authorized and required to represent the Company (at the Company's expense) in connection with all examinations of the Company's affairs by Taxing Authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Company funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. The Tax Matters Representative shall have sole authority to act on behalf of the Company in any such examinations and any resulting judicial proceedings, and shall have sole discretion to determine whether the Company (either on its own behalf or on behalf of the Members) will contest or continue to contest any tax deficiencies assessed or proposed to be assessed by any Taxing Authority. The Company and its Members shall be bound by the actions taken by the Tax Matters Representative.
(c)
US Federal Tax Proceedings. In the event of an audit of the Company that is subject to the Revised Partnership Audit Rules, the Tax Matters Representative, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to make any and all elections and to take any actions that are available to be made or taken by the Tax Matters Representative or the Company under the Revised Partnership Audit Rules (including any election under Code Section 6226). If an election under Code Section 6226(a) is made, the Company shall furnish to each Member for the year under audit a statement of the Member's share of any adjustment set forth in the notice of final partnership adjustment, and each Member shall take such adjustment into account as required under Code Section 6226(b). To the extent
51
that the Tax Matters Representative does not make an election under Code Section 6221(b) or Code Section 6226, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make any modifications available under Code Section 6225(c)(3), (4), and (5), to the extent such modification would reduce any taxes payable by the Company. Each Member agrees to cooperate with the Tax Matters Representative and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Tax Matters Representative with respect to the conduct of examinations under the Revised Partnership Audit Rules; provided, that a Member shall not be required to file an amended federal income tax return, as described in Code Section 6225(c)(2)(A), or pay any tax due and provide information to the Internal Revenue Service as described in Code Section 6225(c)(2)(B).
(d)
Tax Returns and Tax Deficiencies. Each Member agrees that such Member shall not treat any Company item inconsistently on such Member's federal, state, foreign, or other income tax return with the treatment of the item on the Company's return. Any deficiency for taxes imposed on any Member (including penalties, additions to tax, or interest imposed with respect to such taxes and any tax deficiency imposed pursuant to Code Section 6226) will be paid by such Member and if required to be paid (and actually paid) by the Company, will be recoverable from such Member as provided in Section 7.05(d).
XI.4.
Tax Returns. At the expense of the Company, the Board (or any Officer that it may designate pursuant to Section 8.09) shall endeavor to cause the preparation and timely filing (including extensions) of all tax returns required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Code as well as all other required tax returns in each jurisdiction in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries own property or do business. As soon as reasonably possible after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Board or designated Officer will cause to be delivered to each Person who was a Member at any time during such Fiscal Year, IRS Schedule K-1 to Form 1065 and such other information with respect to the Company as may be necessary for the preparation of such Person's federal, state and local income tax returns for such Fiscal Year.
XI.5.
Company Funds. All funds of the Company shall be deposited in its name, or in such name as may be designated by the Board, in such checking, savings, or other accounts, or held in its name in the form of such other investments as shall be designated by the Board. The funds of the Company shall not be commingled with the funds of any other Person. All withdrawals of such deposits or liquidations of such investments by the Company shall be made exclusively upon the signature or signatures of such Officer or Officers as the Board may designate.
XII.
XII.1.
Events of Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs wound up only upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
52
(a)
The determination of the Board to dissolve the Company;
(b)
An election to dissolve the Company made by holders of a majority of the Common Units;
(c)
The sale, exchange, involuntary conversion, or other disposition or Transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Company; or
(d)
The entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under § 18-802 of the Delaware Act.
Effectiveness of Dissolution. Dissolution of the Company shall be effective on the day on which the event described in Section 12.01 occurs, but the Company shall not terminate until the winding up of the Company has been completed, the assets of the Company have been Distributed as provided in Section 12.03 and the Certificate of Formation shall have been cancelled as provided in Section 12.04.
XII.3.
Liquidation. If the Company is dissolved pursuant to Section 12.01, the Company shall be liquidated and its business and affairs wound up in accordance with the Delaware Act and the following provisions:
(a)
Liquidator. The Board, or, if the Board is unable to do so, a Person selected by the holders of a majority of the Common Units, shall act as liquidator to wind up the Company (the Liquidator). The Liquidator shall have full power and authority to sell, assign, and encumber any or all of the Company's assets and to wind up and liquidate the affairs of the Company in an orderly and business-like manner.
(b)
Accounting. As promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final liquidation, the Liquidator 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.
(c)
Distribution of Proceeds. The Liquidator shall liquidate the assets of the Company and Distribute the proceeds of such liquidation in the following order of priority, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of Applicable Law:
(i)
First, to the payment of all of the Company's debts and liabilities to its creditors (including Members, if applicable) and the expenses of liquidation (including sales commissions incident to any sales of assets of the Company);
(ii)
Second, to the establishment of and additions to reserves that are determined by the Board in its sole discretion to be reasonably necessary for any contingent unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company; and
53
(iii)
Third, to the Members in the same manner as Distributions are made under Section 7.02.
(d)
Discretion of Liquidator. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.03(c) that require the liquidation of the assets of the Company, but subject to the order of priorities set forth in Section 12.03(c), if upon dissolution of the Company the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Company's assets would be impractical or could cause undue loss to the Members, the Liquidator may defer the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy Company liabilities and reserves, and may, in its absolute discretion, Distribute to the Members, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.03(c), undivided interests in such Company assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation. Any such Distribution in kind will be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operating of such properties at such time. For purposes of any such Distribution, any property to be Distributed will be valued at its Fair Market Value.
XII.4.
Cancellation of Certificate. Upon completion of the Distribution of the assets of the Company as provided in Section 12.03(c) hereof, the Company shall be terminated and the Liquidator shall cause the cancellation of the Certificate of Formation in the State of Delaware and of all qualifications and registrations of the Company as a foreign limited liability company in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware and shall take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company.
Survival of Rights, Duties, and Obligations. Dissolution, liquidation, winding up, or termination of the Company for any reason shall not release any party from any Loss which at the time of such dissolution, liquidation, winding up, or termination already had accrued to any other party or which thereafter may accrue in respect of any act or omission prior to such dissolution, liquidation, winding up, or termination. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the foregoing shall replace, diminish, or otherwise adversely affect any Member's right to indemnification pursuant to Section 13.03.
XII.6.
Recourse for Claims. Each Member shall look solely to the assets of the Company for all Distributions with respect to the Company, such Member's Capital Account, and such Member's share of Net Income, Net Loss, and other items of income, gain, loss, and deduction, and shall have no recourse therefor (upon dissolution or otherwise) against the Board, the Liquidator or any other Member.
XIII.
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
XIII.1. Exculpation of Covered Persons.
54
(a)
Covered Persons. As used herein, the term Covered Person shall mean
(i)
each Member, (ii) each officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, controlling Affiliate, employee, agent, or representative of each Member, and each of their controlling Affiliates, and (iii) each Manager, Officer, employee, agent, or representative of the Company.
(b)
Standard of Care. No Covered Person shall be liable to the Company or any other Covered Person for any loss, damage, or claim incurred by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken by such Covered Person in his, her, or its capacity as a Covered Person, so long as such action or omission does not constitute fraud or willful misconduct by such Covered Person.
(c)
Good Faith Reliance. A Covered Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports, or statements (including financial statements and information, opinions, reports, or statements as to the value or amount of the assets, liabilities, Net Income, or Net Losses of the Company or any facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions might properly be paid) of the following Persons or groups: (i) another Manager; (ii) one or more Officers or employees of the Company; (iii) any attorney, independent accountant, appraiser, or other expert or professional employed or engaged by or on behalf of the Company; or (iv) any other Person selected in good faith by or on behalf of the Company, in each case as to matters that such relying Person reasonably believes to be within such other Person's professional or expert competence. The preceding sentence shall in no way limit any Person's right to rely on information to the extent provided in § 18-406 of the Delaware Act.
XIII.2.Liabilities and Duties of Covered Persons.
(a)
Limitation of Liability. This Agreement is not intended to, and does not, create or impose any fiduciary duty on any Covered Person. Furthermore, each of the Members and the Company hereby waives any and all fiduciary duties that, absent such waiver, may be implied by Applicable Law, and in doing so, acknowledges and agrees that the duties and obligation of each Covered Person to each other and to the Company are only as expressly set forth in this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Members to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person.
(b)
Duties. Whenever in this Agreement a Covered Person is permitted or required to make a decision (including a decision that is in such Covered Person's discretion or under a grant of similar authority or latitude), the Covered Person shall be entitled to consider only such interests and factors as such Covered Person desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Company or any other Person. Whenever in this
55
Agreement a Covered Person is permitted or required to make a decision in such Covered Person's good faith, the Covered Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Agreement or any other Applicable Law.
(a)
Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Act, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, substituted, or replaced (but, 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 Delaware Act permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment, substitution, or replacement), the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless, defend, pay, and reimburse any Covered Person against any and all losses, claims, damages, judgments, fines, or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees or other expenses incurred in investigating or defending against such losses, claims, damages, judgments, fines, or liabilities, and any amounts expended in settlement of any claims (collectively, Losses) to which such Covered Person may become subject by reason of:
(i)
Any act or omission or alleged act or omission performed or omitted to be performed on behalf of the Company, any Member, or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the foregoing in connection with the business of the Company; or
(ii)
The fact that such Covered Person is or was acting in connection with the business of the Company as a partner, member, stockholder, controlling Affiliate, manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company, any Member, or any of their respective controlling Affiliates, or that such Covered Person is or was serving at the request of the Company as a partner, member, manager, director, officer, employee, or agent of any Person including the Company or any Company Subsidiary;
provided, that (x) such Covered Person acted in good faith and in a manner believed by such Covered Person to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, and (y) such Covered Person's conduct did not constitute fraud or willful misconduct, in either case as determined by a final, nonappealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. In connection with the foregoing, the termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Covered Person did not act in good faith or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such Covered Person's conduct was unlawful, or that the Covered Person's conduct constituted fraud or willful misconduct.
56
(b)
Reimbursement. The Company shall promptly reimburse (and/or advance to the extent reasonably required) each Covered Person for reasonable legal or other expenses (as incurred) of such Covered Person in connection with investigating, preparing to defend, or defending any claim, lawsuit, or other proceeding relating to any Losses for which such Covered Person may be indemnified pursuant to this Section 13.03; provided, that if it is finally judicially determined that such Covered Person is not entitled to the indemnification provided by this Section 13.03, then such Covered Person shall promptly reimburse the Company for any reimbursed or advanced expenses.
(c)
Entitlement to Indemnity. The indemnification provided by this Section 13.03 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to indemnification to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any agreement or otherwise. The provisions of this Section 13.03 shall continue to afford protection to each Covered Person regardless of whether such Covered Person remains in the position or capacity pursuant to which such Covered Person became entitled to indemnification under this Section 14.03 and shall inure to the benefit of the executors, administrators, legatees, and distributees of such Covered Person.
(d)
Insurance. To the extent available on commercially reasonable terms, the Company may purchase, at its expense, insurance to cover Losses covered by the foregoing indemnification provisions and to otherwise cover Losses for any breach or alleged breach by any Covered Person of such Covered Person's duties in such amount and with such deductibles as the Board may determine; provided, that the failure to obtain such insurance shall not affect the right to indemnification of any Covered Person under the indemnification provisions contained herein, including the right to be reimbursed or advanced expenses or otherwise indemnified for Losses hereunder. If any Covered Person recovers any amounts in respect of any Losses from any insurance coverage, then such Covered Person shall, to the extent that such recovery is duplicative, reimburse the Company for any amounts previously paid to such Covered Person by the Company in respect of such Losses.
(e)
Funding of Indemnification Obligation. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, any indemnity by the Company relating to the matters covered in this Section 13.03 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and no Member (unless such Member otherwise agrees in writing) shall have personal liability on account thereof or shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions to help satisfy such indemnity by the Company.
Savings Clause. If this Section 13.03 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person pursuant to this Section 13.03 to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 13.03 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law.
57
(g)
Amendment. The provisions of this Section 13.03 shall be a contract between the Company, on the one hand, and each Covered Person who served in such capacity at any time while this Section 13.03 is in effect, on the other hand, pursuant to which the Company and each such Covered Person intend to be legally bound. No amendment, modification, or repeal of this Section 13.03 that adversely affects the rights of a Covered Person to indemnification for Losses incurred or relating to a state of facts existing prior to such amendment, modification, or repeal shall apply in such a way as to eliminate or reduce such Covered Person's entitlement to indemnification for such Losses without the Covered Person's prior written consent.
XIII.4.Survival. The provisions of this ARTICLE XIII shall survive the dissolution, liquidation, winding up, and termination of the Company.
XIV.
XIV.1. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors, and accountants, incurred in connection with the preparation and execution of this Agreement, or any amendment or waiver hereof, and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses.
XIV.2. Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and each Member hereby agrees, at the request of the Company or any other Member, to execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, conveyances, and assurances and to take such further actions as may be required to carry out the provisions hereof and give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
XIV.3. Notices. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given: (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or email of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the [third] day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 14.03):
If to the Company:
3010 Haven Reserve, Milton, Georgia 30004
E-mail: daniel@ternio.io
Attention: Daniel Gouldman, Board Member
58
If to a Management Member, to such Management Member's respective mailing address as set forth on the Members Schedule.
XIV.4. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience or reference only and are in no way intended to describe, interpret, define, or limit the scope, extent, or intent of this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.
XIV.5. Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable under Applicable Law in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Subject to Section 10.02(d), upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
XIV.6. Entire Agreement.
(a)
This Agreement, together with the Certificate of Formation, the Incentive Plan, each Award Agreement, the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, each Management Subscription Agreement and each Rollover Commitment Letter, and all related Exhibits and Schedules, constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter, including the Original Agreement.
(b)
In the event of an inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any provision of the Incentive Plan or an applicable Award Agreement with respect to the subject matter of the Incentive Plan or Award Agreement, the Board shall resolve such conflict in its sole discretion.
XIV.7. Successors and Assigns. Subject to the restrictions on Transfers set forth herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.
XIV.8. No Third-party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in ARTICLE XIII, which shall be for the benefit of and enforceable by Covered Persons as described therein, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto (and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns) and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer
59
upon any other Person, including any creditor of the Company, any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
XIV.9. Amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing executed by the Company and Members holding a majority of the Common Units. Any such written amendment or modification will be binding upon the Company and each Member; provided, that an amendment or modification modifying the rights or obligations of any Member in a manner that is disproportionately adverse to (i) such Member relative to the rights of other Members in respect of Units of the same class or series or (ii) a class or series of Units relative to the rights of another class or series of Units, shall in each case be effective only with that Member's consent or the consent of the Members holding a majority of the Units in that class or series, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, amendments to the Members Schedule following any new issuance, redemption, repurchase or Transfer of Units in accordance with this Agreement may be made by the Board without the consent of or execution by the Members.
XIV.10. Waiver. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach, or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power, or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 14.10 shall diminish any of the explicit and implicit waivers described in this Agreement, including in Section 4.07(f), Section 8.04(c), Section 9.03(b)(ii), and Section 14.13 hereof.
XIV.11. Governing Law. All issues and questions concerning the application, construction, validity, interpretation, and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of Delaware.
XIV.12. Submission to Jurisdiction. The parties hereby agree that any suit, action, or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware or in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware), so long as one of such courts shall have subject-matter jurisdiction over such suit, action, or proceeding, and that any case of action arising out of this Agreement shall be deemed to have arisen from a transaction of business in the State of Delaware. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents to the
60
jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding which is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient form. Service of process, summons, notice, or other document by registered mail to the address set forth in Section 14.03 shall be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.
XIV.13. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues and, therefore, each such party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
XIV.14. Equitable Remedies. Each party hereto acknowledges that a breach or threatened breach by such party of any of its obligations under this Agreement would give rise to irreparable harm to the other parties, for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy, and hereby agrees that in the event of a breach or a threatened breach by such party of any such obligations, each of the other parties hereto shall, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies that may be available to them in respect of such breach, be entitled to equitable relief, including a temporary restraining order, an injunction, specific performance and any other relief that may be available from a court of competent jurisdiction (without any requirement to post bond).
XIV.15. Attorneys' Fees. In the event that any party hereto institutes any legal suit, action, or proceeding, including arbitration, against another party in respect of a matter arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the prevailing party in the suit, action, or proceeding shall be entitled to receive, in addition to all other damages to which it may be entitled, the costs incurred by such party in conducting the suit, action or proceeding, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, and court costs.
XIV.16. Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies under this Agreement are cumulative and are in addition to and not in substitution for any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity or otherwise, except to the extent expressly provided in Section 13.02 to the contrary.
XIV.17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, email, or other means of Electronic Transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.
XIV.18. Initial Public Offering.
61
Initial Public Offering. If at any time the Board desires to cause (i) a Transfer of all or a substantial portion of (x) the assets of the Company or (y) the Units to a newly organized corporation or other business entity (an IPO Entity), (ii) a merger or consolidation of the Company into or with a IPO Entity as provided under § 18-209 of the Delaware Act or otherwise, or (iii) another restructuring of all or substantially all the assets or Units of the Company into an IPO Entity, including by way of the conversion of the Company into a Delaware corporation as provided under § 18-216 of the Delaware Act (any such corporation also herein referred to as an IPO Entity), in any such case in anticipation of or otherwise in connection with an Initial Public Offering of securities of an IPO Entity or its Affiliate (an Initial Public Offering), each Member shall take such steps to effect such Transfer, merger, consolidation, conversion, or other restructuring as may be reasonably requested by the Board, including, without limitation, executing and delivering all agreements, instruments, and documents as may be reasonably required and Transferring or tendering such Member's Units to an IPO Entity in exchange or consideration for shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the IPO Entity, determined in accordance with the valuation procedures set forth in Section 14.18(b).
(b)
Fair Market Value. In connection with a transaction described in Section 15.18(a), the Board shall, in good faith but subject to the following sentence, determine the Fair Market Value of the assets and/or Units Transferred to, merged with, or converted into shares of the IPO Entity, the aggregate Fair Market Value of the IPO Entity, and the number of shares of capital stock or other equity interests to be issued to each Member in exchange or consideration therefor. In determining Fair Market Value, (i) the offering price of the Initial Public Offering shall be used by the Board to determine the Fair Market Value of the capital stock or other equity interests of the IPO Entity and (ii) the Distributions that the Members would have received with respect to their Units, including Incentive Units, if the Company were dissolved, its affairs wound up, and Distributions made to the Members in accordance with Section 12.03(c) shall determine the Fair Market Value of the Units. In addition, any Units (including Incentive Units) to be converted into or redeemed or exchanged for shares of the IPO Entity shall receive shares with substantially equivalent economic, governance, priority, and other rights and privileges as in effect immediately prior to such transaction (disregarding the tax treatment of such transaction).
(c)
Appointment of Proxy. Each Member hereby makes, constitutes and appoints the Company, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, its true and lawful attorney, for it and in its name, place, and stead and for its use and benefit, to act as its proxy in respect of any vote or approval of Members required to give effect to this Section 14.18, including any vote or approval required under § 18-209 or § 18-216 of the Delaware Act. The proxy granted pursuant to this Section 14.18(c) is a special proxy coupled with an interest and is irrevocable.
62
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
63
![[ternio_exc001.jpg]](ternio_exc001.jpg)
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT
65
JOINDER AGREEMENT
Reference is hereby made to the Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated ________ ___, 2020, as amended from time to time (the LLC Agreement), a company organized under the laws of Delaware (the Company). Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 4.01 of the LLC Agreement, the undersigned hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a complete copy of the LLC Agreement and agrees that upon execution of this Joinder, such Person shall become a party to the LLC Agreement and shall be fully bound by, and subject to, all of the covenants, terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement as though an original party thereto and shall be deemed, and is hereby admitted as, a Member for all purposes thereof and entitled to all the rights incidental thereto, and shall hold the status of Common Member.
Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the LLC Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of ______,______.
[NEW MEMBER] |
|
|
|
|
By _________________________ |
Name: |
Title: |
66
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF ROLLOVER COMMITMENT LETTER
67
SCHEDULE A
MEMBERS SCHEDULE
![[ternio_exc003.gif]](ternio_exc003.gif)
68
SCHEDULE B
MANAGERS SCHEDULE
Manager Name and Address |
Daniel Gouldman |
Ian Kane |
Mark Morales |
69
EXHIBIT D
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT OF TERNIO, LLC
Amendment No. 1 to Operating Agreement of Ternio, LLC, dated as of July 5 (the Amendment) The undersigned, being the Managers of Ternio, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
Company), hereby agree to amend that certain Operating Agreement of Ternio, LLC of the Company dated as of the 20th day of February, 2021 (the LLC Agreement).
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1.
Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Amendment have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Existing Agreement.
2.
Amendments to the LLC Agreement. As of the Effective Date (defined below), the Existing Agreement is hereby amended or modified as follows:
(a)
Section 3.02 of the LLC Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Section 3.02 Authorization and Issuance of Preferred Units. Subject to compliance with Section 4.06(b) and Section 9.01(b), the Company is hereby authorized to issue a class of Units designated as Preferred Units. As of the date hereof and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and the Management Subscription Agreements, 4,817,200 Preferred Units are authorized, and 4,817,200 Preferred Units are issued and outstanding to the Members in the amounts set forth on the Members Schedule opposite each Member's name.
(b)
Section 3.03 of the LLC Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Section 3.03 Authorization and Issuance of Common Units. Subject to compliance with Section 9.01(b), the Company is hereby authorized to issue a class of Units designated as Class A Common Units and Class B Common Units. Class A Units shall be voting and embody all the voting rights in the Company; Class B Units shall be non-voting and not have any voting rights in the Company. As of the date hereof and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and the Rollover Commitment Letters, 40 Class A Common Units are authorized, and 40 Class A Common Units are issued and outstanding in the amounts set forth on the Members Schedule opposite each Member's name. As of the date hereof and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and the Rollover Commitment Letters, 260,400,162 Class B Common Units are authorized and 195,182,800 Class B Common Units are issued and outstanding in the amounts set forth on the Members Schedule opposite each Member's name.
3.
Date of Effectiveness; Limited Effect. This Amendment will be deemed effective as of the date first written above (the Effective Date). Except as expressly provided in this Amendment, all of the terms and provisions of the Existing LLC Agreement are and will remain
in full force and effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the amendments contained herein will not be construed as an amendment to or waiver of any other provision of the LLC Agreement. On and after the Effective Date, each reference in the LLC Agreement to this Agreement, the Agreement, hereunder, hereof, herein, or words of like import, and each reference to the LLC Agreement in any other agreements, documents, or instruments executed and delivered pursuant to, or in connection with, the LLC Agreement, will mean and be a reference to the Existing Agreement as amended by this Amendment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned managers have duly executed this Amendment No. 1 to Operating Agreement of Ternio, LLC as of July 5, 2021.
![[ternio_exd002.gif]](ternio_exd002.gif)
2
EXHIBIT E
UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF TERNIO, LLC
IN LIEU OF A MEETING
The undersigned, being all of the managers of Ternio, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), acting by written consent without a meeting pursuant to Section 18- 404 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, do hereby consent to the adoption of the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, the Managers of Ternio, LLC has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to effect a 20-for-1 unit split of its Class B Common Units, (the "Class B Common Unit"), in the form of a 100% unit dividend (the Class B Common Unit Split);
WHEREAS, the Managers of Ternio, LLC has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to effect a 20-for-1 unit split of its preferred units, (the "Preferred Unit"), in the form of a 100% unit dividend (the Preferred Unit Split);
WHEREAS, in order to provide sufficient authorized and unissued shares of Common Units and Preferred Unit to effect the Common Unit Split and the Preferred Unit Split, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to amend the Operating Agreement of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Units from 12,259,138 to 245,182,760 and to increase the number of authorized shares of Preferred Units from 240,860 to 4,817,200;
FURTHER WHEREAS, after giving affect to the 20-1 Common Unit Split, the Board has further determined that it is in the best interest of the Company to authorize an additional 15,217,392 Class B Common Units such that after the 20-1 Common Unit Split and the authorization of an additional 15,217,392 Class B Common Units, the total number of Class B Common Units shall be 260,400,152.
WHEREAS, the Company in the best interest of the Company and the Members desires to enter into Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement in the form of the Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Ternio, LLC as attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Managers of the Company have presented to the Board of Managers (the Board) with a proposal whereby the Company would amend the existing Offering to reflect an increase in the total number of Preferred and Common Units available to lower the per Common Unit offering price based on the 20-1 Preferred Unit, Class B Common Unit Split, and further the issuance of additional Class B Common Units post spit; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the Offering and any transactions related thereto are advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its Members.
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE:
Unit Split
RESOLVED, that each Member or Unit Holder of record as of the close of business on June 24, 2021, shall be entitled to receive on or as soon as practicable and without surrender of any certificates for its Units, 20 additional Units for each Unit of held by such stockholder, such Units shall be of the same class of Units such Member had previously held and shall have the right and privileges of such Units;
Authorization of Additional Class B Common Units
RESOLVED, after giving effect to the 20-1 Class B Common Unit Split, the Board declares it advisable and in the best interests of the Company to further authorize an additional 15,27,392 Class B Common Units;
Adoption of Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Ternio, LLC
RESOLVED, that the Board declares it advisable and in the best interests of the Company to amend the Operating Agreement of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Class B Common Units from 12,259,138 to 260,400,162;
RESOLVED, that the Board declares it advisable and in the best interests of the Company to amend the Operating Agreement of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Preferred Units from 240,860 to 4,817,200;
RESOLVED, that Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Ternio, LLC in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Ternio, LLC) is hereby adopted and approved, subject to the approval of such certificate by the stockholders of the Company; and, the Managers are instructed to place same or a copy thereof in the record book of the Company;
RESOLVED, that the Managers maintain a copy of the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, and any and all amendments, restatements, modifications, or supplements thereto, at the principal office of the Company, available for inspection by the Members;
Offering of Securities
RESOLVED, that the Board has determined it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its Members to undertake the Offering pursuant to which the Company will create,
issue and sell, on a current, delayed, or continuous basis, up to $25,000,000.42 aggregate principal amount of Class B Non-Voting Common Units of the Company (the Units) at an offering price of $.46 per Unit;
General
RESOLVED, that the Managers be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized and directed to do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such acts, deeds. and things, and to make, execute, and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, and delivered, all such agreements, undertakings, documents, instruments, or certificates in the name of the Company and to retain such counsel, agents, and advisors and to incur and pay such expenses, fees, and taxes as shall, in the opinion of the managers of the Company executing the same, be deemed necessary or advisable (such necessity or advisability to be conclusively evidenced by the execution thereof) to effectuate or carry out fully the purpose and interest of all of the foregoing resolutions; and that any and all such actions heretofore or hereafter taken by the managers relating to and within the terms of these resolutions be, and they hereby are, adopted, affirmed, approved, and ratified in all respects as the act and deed of the Company; and
RESOLVED, that any and all actions heretofore taken by any Authorized Officer(s) in connection with the matters contemplated hereby on or prior to the date on which the Board adopted these resolutions be, and they hereby are ratified, confirmed and approved; and
RESOLVED, that an executed copy of this Unanimous Written Consent shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the managers.
This Unanimous Written Consent may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which shall be deemed one instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned managers have duly executed this Unanimous Written Consent as of July 5, 2021.
![[ternio_exe002.gif]](ternio_exe002.gif)
EXHIBIT F
![[ternio_exf002.gif]](ternio_exf002.gif)
July 12, 2021
Ternio, LLC
3010 Haven Reserve
Milton, Georgia 30004
Re: Ternio, LLC (the Company) Offering Statement on Form 1-A (the Offering Statement)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to the Company, a limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, in connection with the filing of the Offering Statement under Regulation A+ of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed offering by the Company (the Offering) of up to 54,347,827 units of Class B Non-Voting Common Units (the Units) of the Company.
For purposes of rendering this opinion, we have examined originals or copies (certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction) of :
1.
Certificate of Formation of Ternio, LLC, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 1, 2018;
2.
Operating Agreement of the Company in the form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
3.
Amendment No.1 to the Companys Operating Agreement
4.
Resolutions of the Managers of the Company.
We have also examined such other certificates of public officials, such certificates of executive officers of the Company and such other records, agreements, documents and instruments as we have deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinion hereafter set forth.
In such examination, we have assumed: (i) the genuineness of all signatures, (ii) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (iii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (iv) the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or other copies and the authenticity of the originals of such documents and (v) that all records and other information made available to us by the Company on which we have relied are complete in all material respects. As to all questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied solely upon the above-referenced certificates or comparable documents and other documents delivered pursuant thereto, have not performed or had performed any independent research of public records and have assumed that certificates of or other comparable documents from public officials dated prior to the date hereof remain accurate as of the date hereof.
Based on the foregoing and on such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Units, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as described in the Offering Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as currently in effect, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law.
The opinion expressed herein is rendered as of the date hereof and is based on existing law, which is subject to change. Where our opinion expressed herein refers to events to occur at a future date, we have assumed that there will have been no changes in the relevant law or facts between the date hereof and such future date. We do not undertake to advise you of any changes in the opinion expressed herein from matters that may hereafter arise or be brought to our attention or to revise or supplement such opinion should the present laws of any jurisdiction be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.
Our opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters expressly stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated.
We hereby consent to the use of this letter as an exhibit to the Offering Statement and to any and all references to our firm in the offering circular that is a part of the Offering Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sincerely,
/s/ Craig Lerman
Craig R. Lerman, Esq.
Managing Attorney for Lerman Law Associates, PC
EXHIBIT G
![[ternio_exg001.jpg]](ternio_exg001.jpg)
![[ternio_exg002.jpg]](ternio_exg002.jpg)
![[ternio_exg003.jpg]](ternio_exg003.jpg)
![[ternio_exg004.jpg]](ternio_exg004.jpg)
![[ternio_exg005.jpg]](ternio_exg005.jpg)
![[ternio_exg006.jpg]](ternio_exg006.jpg)
![[ternio_exg007.jpg]](ternio_exg007.jpg)
![[ternio_exg008.jpg]](ternio_exg008.jpg)
![[ternio_exg009.jpg]](ternio_exg009.jpg)
![[ternio_exg010.jpg]](ternio_exg010.jpg)
![[ternio_exg011.jpg]](ternio_exg011.jpg)
![[ternio_exg012.jpg]](ternio_exg012.jpg)
![[ternio_exg013.jpg]](ternio_exg013.jpg)
![[ternio_exg014.jpg]](ternio_exg014.jpg)
![[ternio_exg015.jpg]](ternio_exg015.jpg)
![[ternio_exg016.jpg]](ternio_exg016.jpg)
![[ternio_exg017.jpg]](ternio_exg017.jpg)
![[ternio_exg018.jpg]](ternio_exg018.jpg)
N7;MV[=JU:]>NH4.'[MJU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU
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M7',-.M>@@PXZZ%QSS3777(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKB@ ,..." PXXX( ##CC@
M@ -.(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6
M!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6
M!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6
M!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6
M!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(/]6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@
M5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@5@1B12!6!&)%(%8$8D4@
M5@ DD)5 5@)9"60ED)5 5@)9"60ED)5 5@)9"60ED)5 5@)9"60ED)5 5@)9
M"60ED)5 5@)9"60ED)5 5@)9"60ED)5 5@)9"60ED)5 5@)9"60E$)<]7/9P
MV<-E#Y<]7/9PV<-E#Y<]7/9PV<-E#Y<]7/9PV<-E#Y<]7/9PV<-E#Y<]7/9P
MV<-E#Y<]7/9PV<-E#Y<]7/9PV<-E#Y<]7/9PV<-E#Y<]7/9PV<-E#Y<]7/9P
MV<-E#Y?_/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV
M<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV
M<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#90^7/5SV<-G#Q1Y<[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESL
MP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESL
MP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESL
MP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!_\4>7.S!Q1Y<
M[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[,'%'ESLP<4>7.S!Q1Y<[!$(%X%< N7;MV[=JU:]>N
M7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N
M7;NMTU=%:N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N
M7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;NVY]JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N
M7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N
M74-W[=JU:^BL7+MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N
M7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]?_KEV[=NW:-==<<\TUUUQSQ3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUURSQS777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS1[77'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--=>@@PXZZ*"##CCHH(/.-==<<\TU
MUUQS_\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<@PXZZ*"##CK@H(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CK@H(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,.
M.NA<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<__--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS32!6!&)%(-=<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777',-0*Y=NW;MVK5K
MUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KU[A UUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS377
M7'/--==<_W/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUR#SC777',-.E9<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--5=<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--7M<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
M +EV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7?^[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6M[KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NT:.G3HT*%#!PX=.G37KEV[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEUSS37_UUR##CKHH(,..N"@@PXZZ*"##CKH
MH(,..N"@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ%QSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS377
M7'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS377
M7'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS377
M7'/--==<<\TUUUQSC17HH'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS377
M7'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS#1?7
M7'/--==<<\TU_]=<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777',-.M=<<\TU@5QSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU@%QSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
MUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TU
M7%QSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--?_77'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==P< >C,F9-GCIXY>>;DH3/GTIPY>>;DF3/GVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;M
MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVIYKUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;M
MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVC5TZ-"!0X<.
MW;5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;M
MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;M
MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVO^U:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV
M[=HUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777(,..NB@
M@PXZX*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZX*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*!SS3G77'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUU[!B!3;>F(,..NB$@XT5UZ"##CKC8&,..NB@
M8PXXV%C!"CK77'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'.-%7/,,<<< N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N
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M:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;NATZ
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M7'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==< @<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSQ3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUURSQS777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\W_-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777(,..NB@ PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXXZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXXZ*"##CK77'/--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/-_S777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUP#D&O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[
M=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[A@X=.G3HP*%#
MAPX=.G3HT*%#APX<.G3HT*%#APX=.G3HT)V[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[
M=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[
M=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6OHSEU#=^W:-73HT*%#=__MVK5KUZY=
MNW;MVC5TX-"A0W?MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=
MNW;MVK5KUZY=NW;MVK5KUZY=NW8-';IKUZZANP;HVK5KUZY=0W?MVC777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777!/(-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/-
M-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777,/%
M-==<<\TUZ%QSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUS_<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--=>@@PXZZ* ##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CCHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"#
M#CCHH(/.-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/--==<_W/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<@PXZZ*"##CK@H(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CK@H(,..NB@
M@PXZZ*"##CKHH(/.-==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQS#4"N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[=JU:]>N7;MV[?_:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:-737KEV[=@T=.G3HSEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=@T<.G37
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KER[=NW:M6O7T%V[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NV:%737
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[=NW:M6O7
MKEV[=NW:M6O7KEV[A@X=NFO7KNVY=NW:M6O_UZ!SS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUR#
M#CKHH ,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,...B@@PXZZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"#
M#CKHH(,..NB@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,...B@@PXZUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS
MS3777'/--==<<\TU_]=<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQS#3KHH(,..N"@
M@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..N"@@PXZZ*"##CKHH(,..NB@<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<
M<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--?_7
M7'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<<\TUUUR#SC7H
MH(,..NB<<\TUUUQSS3777'/--==<#+'''/D,4<><]"1QQQSS#$')G/,
M04
<^@QQQQT
MY#''''/0D<<<<\R!R1QSS)$''7/,D<<<>= QQQQSS'')''/D04<><\PQ1QYS
MY#$''7G,,<<<>
=.0Q!QUYS*''''/H,4<>=,PQ!QUSS$''''G0D<<<=%RBQQQS
MS)''''/D04<>
6"2!QUYS*''''K,H<
=.0QQQQYS#$''7/,,4
<\Q!1QYST#%''G3,,8<><\Q!1QYST#%''G3,
M,8<><\Q!1QYST#%''G3,,8<><] Q1R=SY'')''3,D0
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MS#''''3D<