Representations and Warranties
The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties thereto with respect to, among other things, (a) organization, good standing and qualification, (b) capital structure, (c) corporate authority and approval, (d) licenses and permits, (e) taxes, (f) financial statements, (g) absence of certain changes, (h) no undisclosed liabilities, (i) intellectual property, IT assets and data privacy, (j) real property, (k) material contracts, (l) employee matters, (m) compliance with laws, (n) litigation, (o) transactions with related parties, (p) environmental matters, (q) insurance, (r) suppliers and customers and (o) regulatory matters.
Covenants
The Merger Agreement includes customary covenants of the parties with respect to operation of the business prior to consummation of the Transactions and efforts to satisfy conditions to consummation of the Transactions. The Merger Agreement also contains additional covenants of the parties, including, among others, covenants providing for SVF and Warehouse to cooperate in the preparation of the Registration Statement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) required to be filed in connection with the Transactions.
Prior to the Effective Time, SVF will approve and adopt the SVF Incentive Plan (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the SVF Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as defined in the Merger Agreement) subject to receipt of the requisite approval of the stockholders of SVF.
SVF Exclusivity Restrictions
During the period between the date of the Agreement and Closing (or the termination of the Merger Agreement by its terms), SVF may not, directly or indirectly, take any action to solicit, initiate, continue or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or enter into any agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or agreement in principle with, or encourage, respond, provide information to or commence due diligence with respect to, any person (other than Warehouse, its members or any of their affiliates or representatives), concerning, relating to or which is intended or is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, any offer, inquiry, proposal or indication of interest, written or oral relating to any business combination (a “Business Combination Proposal”) other than with Warehouse. As of the date of the Merger Agreement, SVF will immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any person conducted prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement with respect to, or which is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, a Business Combination Proposal.
Warehouse Exclusivity Restrictions
During the period between the date of the Merger Agreement and Closing (or the termination of the Merger Agreement by its terms), Warehouse may not (i) initiate any negotiations with respect to, or provide any non-public information or data concerning Warehouse or any of its Subsidiaries to any person relating to, an Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or Alternative Transaction (as defined in the Merger Agreement), or afford to any person access to the business, properties, assets or personnel of Warehouse or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or Alternative Transaction, (ii) enter into any acquisition agreement, merger agreement or similar definitive agreement, or any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or agreement in principle, or any other agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal or Alternative Transaction, (iii) grant any waiver, amendment or release under any confidentiality agreement or the anti-takeover laws of any state, or (iv) otherwise knowingly facilitate any such inquiries, proposals, discussions, or negotiations or any effort or attempt by any person to make an Acquisition Proposal or Alternative Transaction.
SVF Change in Recommendation
SVF is required to include in the Proxy Statement the recommendation of SVF’s board of directors (the “SVF Board”) to SVF’s stockholders that they approve the Proposals (as defined in the Merger Agreement) relating to the Transactions (the “SVF Board Recommendation”), except in the case of a Modification in Recommendation. The SVF Board shall be permitted to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify and/or modify, and/or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify and/or modify, the SVF Board recommendation (a “Modification in Recommendation”) if the SVF Board determines in good faith that a failure to make a Modification in Recommendation would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law. In such instance, SVF must provide to Warehouse three business days’ prior written notice and specify the reasons therefor in reasonable detail. During such three business days, if requested in writing by Warehouse, SVF must negotiate in good faith with Warehouse, including providing Warehouse with the opportunity to make a presentation to the SVF Board regarding the Merger Agreement and, to the extent applicable, any proposed revisions thereto. A Modification in Recommendation will not change the approval of the Merger Agreement or any other approval of the SVF Board or affect SVF’s obligations under the Merger Agreement.