EXHIBIT 4.4
THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE OPTION BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES
THAT IT WILL NOT SELL, TRANSFER OR ASSIGN THIS PURCHASE OPTION EXCEPT AS HEREIN
PROVIDED AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE OPTION AGREES THAT IT WILL
NOT SELL, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATE THIS PURCHASE OPTION FOR A
PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE (DEFINED BELOW) TO ANYONE OTHER
THAN (I) EARLYBIRDCAPITAL, INC. ("EBC") OR AN UNDERWRITER OR A SELECTED DEALER
IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING, OR (II) A BONA FIDE OFFICER OR PARTNER OF EBC
OR OF ANY SUCH UNDERWRITER OR SELECTED DEALER.
THIS PURCHASE OPTION IS NOT EXERCISABLE PRIOR TO THE LATER OF (I) THE
CONSUMMATION BY ARDENT ACQUISITION CORPORATION ("COMPANY") OF A MERGER, CAPITAL
STOCK EXCHANGE, ASSET ACQUISITION OR OTHER SIMILAR BUSINESS COMBINATION
("BUSINESS COMBINATION") (AS DESCRIBED MORE FULLY IN THE COMPANY'S REGISTRATION
STATEMENT (DEFINED HEREIN)) AND (II) ______________, 2006. VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M.
EASTERN TIME, _____________, 2010.
UNIT PURCHASE OPTION
FOR THE PURCHASE OF
150,000 UNITS
OF
ARDENT ACQUISITION CORPORATION
1. PURCHASE OPTION.
THIS CERTIFIES THAT, in consideration of $_____ duly paid by or on
behalf of ____________________ ("Holder"), as registered owner of this Purchase
Option, to Ardent Acquisition Corporation ("Company"), Holder is entitled, at
any time or from time to time upon the later of (i) the consummation of a
Business Combination AND (ii) ___________, 2006 ("Commencement Date"), and at or
before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, _____________, 2010 ("Expiration Date"), but not
thereafter, to subscribe for, purchase and receive, in whole or in part, up to
One Hundred Fifty Thousand (150,000) units ("Units") of the Company, each Unit
consisting of one share of common stock of the Company, par value $.0001 per
share ("Common Stock"), and two warrants ("Warrant(s)") expiring four years from
the effective date ("Effective Date") of the registration statement
("Registration Statement") pursuant to which Units are offered for sale to the
public ("Offering"). Each Warrant is the same as the warrants included in the
Units being registered for sale to the public by way of the Registration
Statement ("Public Warrants") except that the Warrants have an exercise price of
$6.25 per share. If the Expiration Date is a day on which banking institutions
are authorized by law to close, then this Purchase Option may be exercised on
the next succeeding day which is not such a day in accordance with the terms
herein. During the period ending on the Expiration Date, the Company agrees not
to take any action that would
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terminate the Purchase Option. This Purchase Option is initially exercisable at
$9.90 per Unit so purchased; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any
of the events specified in Section 6 hereof, the rights granted by this Purchase
Option, including the exercise price per Unit and the number of Units (and
shares of Common Stock and Warrants) to be received upon such exercise, shall be
adjusted as therein specified. The term "Exercise Price" shall mean the initial
exercise price or the adjusted exercise price, depending on the context.
2. EXERCISE.
2.1 EXERCISE FORM. In order to exercise this Purchase Option, the exercise
form attached hereto must be duly executed and completed and delivered to the
Company, together with this Purchase Option and payment of the Exercise Price
for the Units being purchased payable in cash or by certified check or official
bank check. If the subscription rights represented hereby shall not be exercised
at or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Expiration Date this Purchase
Option shall become and be void without further force or effect, and all rights
represented hereby shall cease and expire.
2.2 LEGEND. Each certificate for the securities purchased under this
Purchase Option shall bear a legend as follows unless such securities have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Act"):
"The securities represented by this certificate have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Act") or
applicable state law. The securities may not be offered for sale,
sold or otherwise transferred except pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Act, or pursuant to an exemption
from registration under the Act and applicable state law."
2.3 CASHLESS EXERCISE.
2.3.1 DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT. In lieu of the payment of the
Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Units for which this Purchase Option
is exercisable (and in lieu of being entitled to receive Common Stock and
Warrants) in the manner required by Section 2.1, the Holder shall have the right
(but not the obligation) to convert any exercisable but unexercised portion of
this Purchase Option into Units ("Conversion Right") as follows: upon exercise
of the Conversion Right, the Company shall deliver to the Holder (without
payment by the Holder of any of the Exercise Price in cash) that number of
shares of Common Stock and Warrants comprising that number of Units equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (x) the "Value" (as defined below) of the portion
of the Purchase Option being converted by (y) the Current Market Value (as
defined below). The "Value" of the portion of the Purchase Option being
converted shall equal the remainder derived from subtracting (a) (i) the
Exercise Price multiplied by (ii) the number of Units underlying the portion of
this Purchase Option being converted from (b) the Current Market Value of a Unit
multiplied by the number of Units underlying the portion of the Purchase Option
being converted. As used herein, the term "Current Market Value" per Unit at any
date means the remainder derived from subtracting (x) the exercise price of the
Warrants multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants underlying one Unit from (y) (i) the Current Market
Price of the Common Stock multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of Common
Stock underlying one Unit, which shall include the shares of Common Stock
underlying the Warrants included in such Unit. The "Current Market Price" of a
share of Common Stock shall mean (i) if the Common Stock is listed on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, Nasdaq SmallCap
Market or NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor such as the
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Bulletin Board Exchange), the last sale price of the Common Stock in the
principal trading market for the Common Stock as reported by the exchange,
Nasdaq or the NASD, as the case may be; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed
on a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq National Market,
Nasdaq SmallCap Market or the NASD OTC Bulletin Board (or successor such as the
Bulletin Board Exchange), but is traded in the residual over-the-counter market,
the closing bid price for the Common Stock on the last trading day preceding the
date in question for which such quotations are reported by the Pink Sheets, LLC
or similar publisher of such quotations; and (iii) if the fair market value of
the Common Stock cannot be determined pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, such
price as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine, in good faith.
2.3.2 MECHANICS OF CASHLESS EXERCISE. The Cashless Exercise Right
may be exercised by the Holder on any business day on or after the Commencement
Date and not later than the Expiration Date by delivering the Purchase Option
with the duly executed exercise form attached hereto with the cashless exercise
section completed to the Company, exercising the Cashless Exercise Right and
specifying the total number of Units the Holder will purchase pursuant to such
Cashless Exercise Right.
3. TRANSFER.
3.1 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS. The registered Holder of this Purchase Option,
by its acceptance hereof, agrees that it will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge
or hypothecate this Purchase Option for a period of one year following the
Effective Date to anyone other than (i) EBC or an underwriter or a selected
dealer in connection with the Offering, or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner
of EBC or of any such underwriter or selected dealer. On and after the second
anniversary of the Effective Date, transfers to others may be made subject to
compliance with or exemptions from applicable securities laws. In order to make
any permitted assignment, the Holder must deliver to the Company the assignment
form attached hereto duly executed and completed, together with the Purchase
Option and payment of all transfer taxes, if any, payable in connection
therewith. The Company shall within five business days transfer this Purchase
Option on the books of the Company and shall execute and deliver a new Purchase
Option or Purchase Options of like tenor to the appropriate assignee(s)
expressly evidencing the right to purchase the aggregate number of Units
purchasable hereunder or such portion of such number as shall be contemplated by
any such assignment.
3.2 RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE ACT. The securities evidenced by this
Purchase Option shall not be transferred unless and until (i) the Company has
received the opinion of counsel for the Holder that the securities may be
transferred pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Act and
applicable state securities laws, the availability of which is established to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Company (the Company hereby agreeing that the
opinion of Graubard Miller shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the
availability of an exemption), or (ii) a registration statement or a
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement relating to such
securities has been filed by the Company and declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission and compliance with applicable state
securities law has been established.
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4. NEW PURCHASE OPTIONS TO BE ISSUED.
4.1 PARTIAL EXERCISE OR TRANSFER. Subject to the restrictions in Section 3
hereof, this Purchase Option may be exercised or assigned in whole or in part.
In the event of the exercise or assignment hereof in part only, upon surrender
of this Purchase Option for cancellation, together with the duly executed
exercise or assignment form and funds sufficient to pay any Exercise Price
and/or transfer tax, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Holder
without charge a new Purchase Option of like tenor to this Purchase Option in
the name of the Holder evidencing the right of the Holder to purchase the number
of Units purchasable hereunder as to which this Purchase Option has not been
exercised or assigned.
4.2 LOST CERTIFICATE. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence satisfactory
to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Purchase Option and
of reasonably satisfactory indemnification or the posting of a bond, the Company
shall execute and deliver a new Purchase Option of like tenor and date. Any such
new Purchase Option executed and delivered as a result of such loss, theft,
mutilation or destruction shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation
on the part of the Company.
5. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
5.1 DEMAND REGISTRATION.
5.1.1 GRANT OF RIGHT. The Company, upon written demand ("Initial
Demand Notice") of the Holder(s) of at least 51% of the Purchase Options and/or
the underlying Units and/or the underlying securities ("Majority Holders"),
agrees to register on one occasion, all or any portion of the Purchase Options
requested by the Majority Holders in the Initial Demand Notice and all of the
securities underlying such Purchase Options, including the Units, Common Stock,
the Warrants and the Common Stock underlying the Warrants (collectively, the
"Registrable Securities"). On such occasion, the Company will file a
registration statement or a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement covering the Registrable Securities within sixty days after receipt of
the Initial Demand Notice and use its best efforts to have such registration
statement or post-effective amendment declared effective as soon as possible
thereafter. The demand for registration may be made at any time during a period
of five years beginning on the Effective Date. The Company covenants and agrees
to give written notice of its receipt of any Initial Demand Notice by any
Holder(s) to all other registered Holders of the Purchase Options and/or the
Registrable Securities within ten days from the date of the receipt of any such
Initial Demand Notice.
5.1.2 TERMS. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant
to registering the Registrable Securities, including the expenses of any legal
counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of
the Registrable Securities, but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting
commissions. The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to qualify or
register the Registrable Securities in such States as are reasonably requested
by the Majority Holder(s); provided, however, that in no event shall the Company
be required to register the Registrable Securities in a State in which such
registration would cause (i) the Company to be obligated to qualify to do
business in such State, or would subject the Company to taxation as a foreign
corporation doing business in such jurisdiction or (ii) the principal
stockholders of the Company to be obligated to escrow their shares of capital
stock of the Company. The Company shall cause any registration statement or
post-effective amendment filed pursuant to the demand rights granted under
Section 5.1.1 to remain effective
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for a period of nine consecutive months from the effective date of such
registration statement or post-effective amendment.
5.2 "PIGGY-BACK" REGISTRATION.
5.2.1 GRANT OF RIGHT. In addition to the demand right of
registration, the Holders of the Purchase Options shall have the right for a
period of seven years commencing on the Effective Date, to include the
Registrable Securities as part of any other registration of securities filed by
the Company (other than in connection with a transaction contemplated by Rule
145(a) promulgated under the Act or pursuant to Form S-8); provided, however,
that if, in the written opinion of the Company's managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, for such offering, the inclusion of the Registrable
Securities, when added to the securities being registered by the Company or the
selling stockholder(s), will exceed the maximum amount of the Company's
securities which can be marketed (i) at a price reasonably related to their then
current market value, and (ii) without materially and adversely affecting the
entire offering, then the Company will still be required to include the
Registrable Securities, but may require the Holders to agree, in writing, to
delay the sale of all or any portion of the Registrable Securities for a period
of 90 days from the effective date of the offering, provided, further, that if
the sale of any Registrable Securities is so delayed, then the number of
securities to be sold by all stockholders in such public offering during such 90
day period shall be apportioned PRO RATA among all such selling stockholders,
including all holders of the Registrable Securities, according to the total
amount of securities of the Company owned by said selling stockholders,
including all holders of the Registrable Securities.
5.2.2 TERMS. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant
to registering the Registrable Securities, including the expenses of any legal
counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of
the Registrable Securities but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting
commissions related to the Registrable Securities. In the event of such a
proposed registration, the Company shall furnish the then Holders of outstanding
Registrable Securities with not less than fifteen days written notice prior to
the proposed date of filing of such registration statement. Such notice to the
Holders shall continue to be given for each applicable registration statement
filed (during the period in which the Purchase Option is exercisable) by the
Company until such time as all of the Registrable Securities have been
registered and sold. The holders of the Registrable Securities shall exercise
the "piggy-back" rights provided for herein by giving written notice, within ten
days of the receipt of the Company's notice of its intention to file a
registration statement. The Company shall cause any registration statement filed
pursuant to the above "piggyback" rights to remain effective for at least nine
months from the date that the Holders of the Registrable Securities are first
given the opportunity to sell all of such securities.
5.3 DAMAGES. Should the registration or the effectiveness thereof required
by Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof be delayed by the Company or the Company
otherwise fails to comply with such provisions, the Company shall, in addition
to any other equitable or other relief available to the Holder(s), be liable for
any and all incidental, special and consequential damages sustained by the
Holder(s), including, but not limited to, the loss of any profits that might
have been received by the holder upon the sale of shares of Common Stock or
Warrants (and shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants) underlying this
Purchase Option.
5.4 GENERAL TERMS.
5.4.1 INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify the Holder(s) of
the Registrable
5
Securities to be sold pursuant to any registration statement hereunder and each
person, if any, who controls such Holders within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Act or Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
("Exchange Act"), against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability
(including all reasonable attorneys' fees and other expenses reasonably incurred
in investigating, preparing or defending against litigation, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever whether arising out of any action between
the underwriter and the Company or between the underwriter and any third party
or otherwise) to which any of them may become subject under the Act, the
Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from such registration statement but only to
the same extent and with the same effect as the provisions pursuant to which the
Company has agreed to indemnify the underwriters contained in Section 5 of the
Underwriting Agreement between the Company, EBC and the other underwriters named
therein dated the Effective Date. The Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to
be sold pursuant to such registration statement, and their successors and
assigns, shall severally, and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its officers
and directors and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, against
all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all reasonable
attorneys' fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating,
preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which they may become
subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from information
furnished by or on behalf of such Holders, or their successors or assigns, in
writing, for specific inclusion in such registration statement to the same
extent and with the same effect as the provisions contained in Section 5 of the
Underwriting Agreement pursuant to which the underwriters have agreed to
indemnify the Company.
5.4.2 EXERCISE OF PURCHASE OPTIONS. Nothing contained in this
Purchase Option shall be construed as requiring the Holder(s) to exercise their
Purchase Options or Warrants underlying such Purchase Options prior to or after
the initial filing of any registration statement or the effectiveness thereof.
5.4.3 DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO HOLDERS. The Company shall furnish EBC,
as representative of the Holders participating in any of the foregoing
offerings, a signed counterpart, addressed to the participating Holders, of (i)
an opinion of counsel to the Company, dated the effective date of such
registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten
public offering, an opinion dated the date of the closing under any underwriting
agreement related thereto), and (ii) a "cold comfort" letter dated the effective
date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an
underwritten public offering, a letter dated the date of the closing under the
underwriting agreement) signed by the independent public accountants who have
issued a report on the Company's financial statements included in such
registration statement, in each case covering substantially the same matters
with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included
therein) and, in the case of such accountants' letter, with respect to events
subsequent to the date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered
in opinions of issuer's counsel and in accountants' letters delivered to
underwriters in underwritten public offerings of securities. The Company shall
also deliver promptly to EBC, as representative of the Holders participating in
the offering, the correspondence and memoranda described below and copies of all
correspondence between the Commission and the Company, its counsel or auditors
and all memoranda relating to discussions with the Commission or its staff with
respect to the registration statement and permit EBC, as representative of the
Holders, to do such investigation, upon reasonable advance notice, with respect
to information contained in or omitted from the registration statement as it
deems reasonably necessary to comply with applicable securities laws or rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). Such
investigation shall include access to books, records and properties and
opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers and
independent auditors, all to such reasonable extent and at such reasonable times
and as often as EBC, as
6
representative of the Holders, shall reasonably request. The Company shall not
be required to disclose any confidential information or other records to EBC, as
representative of the Holders, or to any other person, until and unless such
persons shall have entered into reasonable confidentiality agreements (in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company), with the Company with
respect thereto.
5.4.4 UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. The Company shall enter into an
underwriting agreement with the managing underwriter(s), if any, selected by any
Holders whose Registrable Securities are being registered pursuant to this
Section 5, which managing underwriter shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company. Such agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
to the Company, each Holder and such managing underwriters, and shall contain
such representations, warranties and covenants by the Company and such other
terms as are customarily contained in agreements of that type used by the
managing underwriter. The Holders shall be parties to any underwriting agreement
relating to an underwritten sale of their Registrable Securities and may, at
their option, require that any or all the representations, warranties and
covenants of the Company to or for the benefit of such underwriters shall also
be made to and for the benefit of such Holders. Such Holders shall not be
required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the
Company or the underwriters except as they may relate to such Holders and their
intended methods of distribution. Such Holders, however, shall agree to such
covenants and indemnification and contribution obligations for selling
stockholders as are customarily contained in agreements of that type used by the
managing underwriter. Further, such Holders shall execute appropriate custody
agreements and otherwise cooperate fully in the preparation of the registration
statement and other documents relating to any offering in which they include
securities pursuant to this Section 5. Each Holder shall also furnish to the
Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by
it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be
reasonably required to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities.
5.4.5 RULE 144 SALE. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Section 5 to the contrary, the Company shall have no obligation pursuant to
Sections 5.1 or 5.2 for the registration of Registrable Securities held by any
Holder (i) where such Holder would then be entitled to sell under Rule 144
within any three-month period (or such other period prescribed under Rule 144 as
may be provided by amendment thereof) all of the Registrable Securities then
held by such Holder, and (ii) where the number of Registrable Securities held by
such Holder is within the volume limitations under paragraph (e) of Rule 144
(calculated as if such Holder were an affiliate within the meaning of Rule 144).
5.4.6 SUPPLEMENTAL PROSPECTUS. Each Holder agrees, that upon receipt
of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event as a result of
which the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect,
includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, such Holder will
immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Holder's
receipt of the copies of a supplemental or amended prospectus, and, if so
desired by the Company, such Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the expense
of the Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of such
destruction) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's
possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at
the time of receipt of such notice.
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6. ADJUSTMENTS.
6.1 ADJUSTMENTS TO EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF SECURITIES. The Exercise
Price and the number of Units underlying the Purchase Option shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as hereinafter set forth:
6.1.1 STOCK DIVIDENDS - SPLIT-UPS. If after the date hereof, and
subject to the provisions of Section 6.4 below, the number of outstanding shares
of Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common
Stock or by a split-up of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then,
on the effective date thereof, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying
each of the Units purchasable hereunder shall be increased in proportion to such
increase in outstanding shares. In such case, the number of shares of Common
Stock, and the exercise price applicable thereto, underlying the Warrants
underlying each of the Units purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted in
accordance with the terms of the Warrants. For example, if the Company declares
a two-for-one stock dividend and at the time of such dividend this Purchase
Option is for the purchase of one Unit at $6.60 per whole Unit (each Warrant
underlying the Units is exercisable for $5.00 per share), upon effectiveness of
the dividend, this Purchase Option will be adjusted to allow for the purchase of
one Unit at $6.60 per Unit, each Unit entitling the holder to receive two shares
of Common Stock and four Warrants (each Warrant exercisable for $2.50 per
share).
6.1.2 AGGREGATION OF SHARES. If after the date hereof, and subject
to the provisions of Section 6.4, the number of outstanding shares of Common
Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination or reclassification of shares
of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date thereof, the
number of shares of Common Stock underlying each of the Units purchasable
hereunder shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding
shares. In such case, the number of shares of Common Stock, and the exercise
price applicable thereto, underlying the Warrants underlying each of the Units
purchasable hereunder shall be adjusted in accordance with the terms of the
Warrants.
6.1.3 REPLACEMENT OF SECURITIES UPON REORGANIZATION, ETC. In case of
any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
other than a change covered by Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2 hereof or that solely
affects the par value of such shares of Common Stock, or in the case of any
merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other
than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or
conveyance to another corporation or entity of the property of the Company as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is
dissolved, the Holder of this Purchase Option shall have the right thereafter
(until the expiration of the right of exercise of this Purchase Option) to
receive upon the exercise hereof, for the same aggregate Exercise Price payable
hereunder immediately prior to such event, the kind and amount of shares of
stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such
reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution
following any such sale or transfer, by a Holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company obtainable upon exercise of this Purchase Option and
the underlying Warrants immediately prior to such event; and if any
reclassification also results in a change in shares of Common Stock covered by
Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections
6.1.1, 6.1.2 and this Section 6.1.3. The provisions of this Section 6.1.3 shall
similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or
consolidations, sales or other transfers.
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6.1.4 CHANGES IN FORM OF PURCHASE OPTION. This form of Purchase
Option need not be changed because of any change pursuant to this Section, and
Purchase Options issued after such change may state the same Exercise Price and
the same number of Units as are stated in the Purchase Options initially issued
pursuant to this Agreement. The acceptance by any Holder of the issuance of new
Purchase Options reflecting a required or permissive change shall not be deemed
to waive any rights to an adjustment occurring after the Commencement Date or
the computation thereof.
6.2 [Intentionally Omitted]
6.3 SUBSTITUTE PURCHASE OPTION. In case of any consolidation of the
Company with, or merger of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger which does not result
in any reclassification or change of the outstanding Common Stock), the
corporation formed by such consolidation or merger shall execute and deliver to
the Holder a supplemental Purchase Option providing that the holder of each
Purchase Option then outstanding or to be outstanding shall have the right
thereafter (until the stated expiration of such Purchase Option) to receive,
upon exercise of such Purchase Option, the kind and amount of shares of stock
and other securities and property receivable upon such consolidation or merger,
by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company for which
such Purchase Option might have been exercised immediately prior to such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer. Such supplemental Purchase Option shall
provide for adjustments which shall be identical to the adjustments provided in
Section 6. The above provision of this Section shall similarly apply to
successive consolidations or mergers.
6.4 ELIMINATION OF FRACTIONAL INTERESTS. The Company shall not be required
to issue certificates representing fractions of shares of Common Stock or
Warrants upon the exercise of the Purchase Option, nor shall it be required to
issue scrip or pay cash in lieu of any fractional interests, it being the intent
of the parties that all fractional interests shall be eliminated by rounding any
fraction up to the nearest whole number of Warrants, shares of Common Stock or
other securities, properties or rights.
7. RESERVATION AND LISTING. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep
available out of its authorized shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose
of issuance upon exercise of the Purchase Options or the Warrants underlying the
Purchase Option, such number of shares of Common Stock or other securities,
properties or rights as shall be issuable upon the exercise thereof. The Company
covenants and agrees that, upon exercise of the Purchase Options and payment of
the Exercise Price therefor, all shares of Common Stock and other securities
issuable upon such exercise shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights of any stockholder. The
Company further covenants and agrees that upon exercise of the Warrants
underlying the Purchase Options and payment of the respective Warrant exercise
price therefor, all shares of Common Stock and other securities issuable upon
such exercise shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable
and not subject to preemptive rights of any stockholder. As long as the Purchase
Options shall be outstanding, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause
all (i) Units and shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Purchase
Options, (iii) Warrants issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Options and (iv)
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants included in the
Units issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Option to be listed (subject to
official notice of issuance) on all securities exchanges (or, if applicable on
the Nasdaq National Market, SmallCap Market, OTC Bulletin Board or any successor
trading market) on which the Units, the Common Stock or the Public Warrants
issued to the public in connection herewith may then be listed and/or quoted.
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8. CERTAIN NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.
8.1 HOLDER'S RIGHT TO RECEIVE NOTICE. Nothing herein shall be construed as
conferring upon the Holders the right to vote or consent as a stockholder for
the election of directors or any other matter, or as having any rights
whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company. If, however, at any time prior to
the expiration of the Purchase Options and their exercise, any of the events
described in Section 8.2 shall occur, then, in one or more of said events, the
Company shall give written notice of such event at least fifteen days prior to
the date fixed as a record date or the date of closing the transfer books for
the determination of the stockholders entitled to such dividend, distribution,
conversion or exchange of securities or subscription rights, or entitled to vote
on such proposed dissolution, liquidation, winding up or sale. Such notice shall
specify such record date or the date of the closing of the transfer books, as
the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall deliver to
each Holder a copy of each notice given to the other stockholders of the Company
at the same time and in the same manner that such notice is given to the
stockholders.
8.2 EVENTS REQUIRING NOTICE. The Company shall be required to give the
notice described in this Section 8 upon one or more of the following events: (i)
if the Company shall take a record of the holders of its shares of Common Stock
for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or distribution payable
otherwise than in cash, or a cash dividend or distribution payable otherwise
than out of retained earnings, as indicated by the accounting treatment of such
dividend or distribution on the books of the Company, or (ii) the Company shall
offer to all the holders of its Common Stock any additional shares of capital
stock of the Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares
of capital stock of the Company, or any option, right or warrant to subscribe
therefor, or (iii) a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company
(other than in connection with a consolidation or merger) or a sale of all or
substantially all of its property, assets and business shall be proposed.
8.3 NOTICE OF CHANGE IN EXERCISE PRICE. The Company shall, promptly after
an event requiring a change in the Exercise Price pursuant to Section 6 hereof,
send notice to the Holders of such event and change ("Price Notice"). The Price
Notice shall describe the event causing the change and the method of calculating
same and shall be certified as being true and accurate by the Company's
President and Chief Financial Officer.
8.4 TRANSMITTAL OF NOTICES. All notices, requests, consents and other
communications under this Purchase Option shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly made when hand delivered, or mailed by express mail or
private courier service: (i) If to the registered Holder of the Purchase Option,
to the address of such Holder as shown on the books of the Company, or (ii) if
to the Company, to the following address or to such other address as the Company
may designate by notice to the Holders:
Ardent Acquisition Corporation
1415 Kellum Place, Suite 205
Garden City, New York 11530
Attn: Barry J. Gordon, Chairman
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9. MISCELLANEOUS.
9.1 AMENDMENTS. The Company and EBC may from time to time supplement or
amend this Purchase Option without the approval of any of the Holders in order
to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein
that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to
make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder
that the Company and EBC may deem necessary or desirable and that the Company
and EBC deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders. All other
modifications or amendments shall require the written consent of and be signed
by the party against whom enforcement of the modification or amendment is
sought.
9.2 HEADINGS. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of
convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning
or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Purchase Option.
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Purchase Option (together with the other agreements
and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Purchase
Option) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject
matter hereof.
10.1 BINDING EFFECT. This Purchase Option shall inure solely to the
benefit of and shall be binding upon, the Holder and the Company and their
permitted assignees, respective successors, legal representative and assigns,
and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Purchase
Option or any provisions herein contained.
10.2 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. This Purchase Option shall
be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws. The Company hereby
agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or
relating in any way to this Purchase Option shall be brought and enforced in the
courts of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the
Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction,
which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection
to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient
forum. Any process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by
transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section
8 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and
binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company and the
Holder agree that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled
to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection
with the preparation therefor.
10.3 WAIVER, ETC. The failure of the Company or the Holder to at any time
enforce any of the provisions of this Purchase Option shall not be deemed or
construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way affect the
validity of this Purchase Option or any provision hereof or the right of the
Company or any Holder to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this
Purchase Option. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of
any of the provisions of this Purchase Option shall be effective unless set
forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or
which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach,
non-compliance or non-
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fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or
subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
10.4 EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Purchase Option may be executed in
one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become
effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties
hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto.
10.5 EXCHANGE AGREEMENT. As a condition of the Holder's receipt and
acceptance of this Purchase Option, Holder agrees that, at any time prior to the
complete exercise of this Purchase Option by Holder, if the Company and EBC
enter into an agreement ("Exchange Agreement") pursuant to which they agree that
all outstanding Purchase Options will be exchanged for securities or cash or a
combination of both, then Holder shall agree to such exchange and become a party
to the Exchange Agreement.
10.6 UNDERLYING WARRANTS. At any time after exercise by the Holder of this
Purchase Option, the Holder may exchange his Warrants (with a $6.25 exercise
price) for Public Warrants (with a $5.00 exercise price) upon payment to the
Company of the difference between the exercise price of his Warrant and the
exercise price of the Public Warrants.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Purchase Option to
be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the ____ day of __________, 2005.
ARDENT ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------
Name: Barry J. Gordon
Title: Chairman of the Board
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Form to be used to exercise Purchase Option:
Ardent Acquisition Corporation
1415 Kellum Place, Suite 205
Garden City, New York 11530
Date:_________________, 200__
The undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to exercise all or a
portion of the within Purchase Option and to purchase ____ Units of Ardent
Acquisition Corporation and hereby makes payment of $____________ (at the rate
of $_________ per Unit) in payment of the Exercise Price pursuant thereto.
Please issue the Common Stock and Warrants as to which this Purchase Option is
exercised in accordance with the instructions given below.
OR
The undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to convert its right to
purchase _________ Units purchasable under the within Purchase Option by
surrender of the unexercised portion of the attached Purchase Option (with a
"Value" based of $_______ based on a "Market Price" of $_______). Please issue
the securities comprising the Units as to which this Purchase Option is
exercised in accordance with the instructions given below.
------------------------------
Signature
------------------------------
Signature Guaranteed
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Name_____________________________________________________________
(Print in Block Letters)
Address__________________________________________________________
NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS FORM MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS
WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE WITHIN PURCHASE OPTION IN EVERY PARTICULAR WITHOUT
ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER, AND MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A
BANK, OTHER THAN A SAVINGS BANK, OR BY A TRUST COMPANY OR BY A FIRM HAVING
MEMBERSHIP ON A REGISTERED NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE.
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Form to be used to assign Purchase Option:
ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered Holder to effect a transfer of the
within Purchase Option):
FOR VALUE RECEIVED,______________________________________________
does hereby sell, assign and transfer unto______________________________________
the right to purchase __________ Units of Ardent Acquisition Corporation
("Company") evidenced by the within Purchase Option and does hereby authorize
the Company to transfer such right on the books of the Company.
Dated:___________________, 200_
------------------------------
Signature
------------------------------
Signature Guaranteed
NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS FORM MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS
WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE WITHIN PURCHASE OPTION IN EVERY PARTICULAR WITHOUT
ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER, AND MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A
BANK, OTHER THAN A SAVINGS BANK, OR BY A TRUST COMPANY OR BY A FIRM HAVING
MEMBERSHIP ON A REGISTERED NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE.
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