[PRE 14C] HWH International Inc. Preliminary Information Statement
HWH International Inc. filed a Preliminary Information Statement (PRE 14C) describing corporate changes and voting results tied to a reorganization. The filing shows a proposed change of the parent corporation from a Delaware to a Nevada entity (listed as “NEW HWH”). The document includes vote totals and ownership stakes:
The statement lists governance items (charter and bylaw amendments, director procedures, indemnification, fiduciary duties) that shareholders were asked to vote on. The filing text provided is partial and appears to contain table fragments and signatures rather than a full narrative of outcomes or transaction economics.
HWH International Inc. ha presentato una Informativa Preliminare (PRE 14C) descrivendo cambiamenti societari e risultati di voto legati a una riorganizzazione. La sottomissione mostra un cambiamento proposto della capogruppo da una entità del Delaware a una entità del Nevada (indicata come “NEW HWH”). Il documento include totali di voti e partecipazioni azionarie:
Lo statement elenca temi di governance (emendamenti dello statuto e del regolamento, procedure dei direttori, indennizzo, doveri fiduciari) sui quali gli azionisti erano chiamati a votare. Il testo della sottomissione fornito è parziale e sembra contenere frammenti di tabelle e firme piuttosto che un racconto completo degli esiti o dell’economia della transazione.
HWH International Inc. presentó un Documento de información preliminar (PRE 14C) que describe cambios corporativos y resultados de votación vinculados a una reorganización. La presentación muestra un cambio propuesto de la sociedad matriz de una entidad de Delaware a una de Nevada (listada como “NEW HWH”). El documento incluye totales de votos y participaciones:
La declaración enumera temas de gobernanza (enmiendas al estatuto y reglamento, procedimientos de directores, indennización, deberes fiduciarios) sobre los que se solicitó a los accionistas votar. El texto de la presentación proporcionado es parcial y parece contener fragmentos de tablas y firmas, más que una narrativa completa de los resultados o la economía de la transacción.
HWH International Inc.가 예비 정보 진술서(PRE 14C)를 제출하여 기업 변화와 재구성과 관련된 투표 결과를 설명했습니다. 제출서는 모회사 법인이 델라웨어에서 네바다 법인으로 변경될 것을 제안하고 있으며(‘NEW HWH’로 기재), 문서에는 투표 총수와 소유 지분이 포함되어 있습니다: Chan Heng Fai와 관련된
성명은 주주들이 투표하도록 요청받은 정관 및 내규 수정, 이사 절차, 면책, 재무상 충성 의무 등 통치 항목을 나열합니다. 제출된 진술은 부분적이며 표 조각과 서명으로 구성되어 있어 결과나 거래 경제학의 전체 서술을 담고 있는 것으로 보이지 않습니다.
HWH International Inc. a déposé une Déclaration d’information préliminaire (PRE 14C) décrivant des changements d’entreprise et des résultats de vote liés à une réorganisation. Le dépôt montre un changement proposé de la société mère d’une entité du Delaware vers une entité du Nevada (désignée comme « NEW HWH »). Le document inclut les totaux de votes et les participations :
La déclaration liste des questions de gouvernance (amendements des statuts et du règlement intérieur, procédures des administrateurs, indemnisation, devoirs fiduciaires) sur lesquelles les actionnaires devaient voter. Le texte fourni est partiel et semble contenir des fragments de tableaux et des signatures, plutôt qu’un récit complet des résultats ou de l’économie de la transaction.
HWH International Inc. hat eine Vorläufige Informationsmitteilung (PRE 14C) eingereicht, die Unternehmensänderungen und Wahlergebnisse im Zusammenhang mit einer Umstrukturierung beschreibt. Die Einreichung zeigt eine vorgeschlagene Änderung der Muttergesellschaft von einer Delaware- zu einer Nevada-Einheit (aufgeführt als „NEW HWH“). Das Dokument enthält StimmTotals und Eigentumsanteile:
Die Stellungnahme listet Governance-Punkte (Satzungs- und Geschäftsordnungsergänzungen, Direktorenverfahren, Entschädigung, treuhänderische Pflichten) auf die von den Aktionären abzustimmen waren. Die bereitgestellte Erklärung ist teilweise und scheint Tabellenfragmente und Unterschriften zu enthalten statt einer vollständigen Erzählung der Ergebnisse oder der Transaktionsökonomie.
HWH International Inc. قدمت بيان معلومات أولية (PRE 14C) يوصف تغييرات الشركات ونتائج التصويت المرتبطة بإعادة التنظيم. يظهر التقديم تغيير مقترح في الشركة الأم من كيان دلاوير إلى كيان نيفادا (مدرج كـ“NEW HWH”). يتضمن المستند إجماليات الأصوات وحصص الملكية:
تدرج البيان بنود الحوكمة (تعديلات النظام الأساسي واللوائح، إجراءات المدراء، التعويض، الواجبات الائتمانية) التي طُلب من المساهمين التصويت عليها. النص المقدم للإيداع هوش جزئي ويبدو أنه يحتوي على أجزاء جداول وتواقيع بدل سرد كامل للنتائج أو اقتصاد الصفقة.
HWH International Inc. 已提交一份 初步信息声明(PRE 14C),描述与重组相关的公司变动和投票结果。该申报显示拟将母公司从一个 特拉华州 实体变更为一个 内华达州 实体(列为“NEW HWH”)。文档包含投票总数和所有权比例:
声明列出治理事项(章程及附则修订、董事程序、赔偿、信托义务),股东需就其进行投票。所提供的申报文本为部分文本,似乎包含表格片段和签名,而非对结果或交易经济学的完整叙述。
- Ownership percentages disclosed showing clear vote totals (e.g.,
5,114,709 ,78.4% ) - Governance items enumerated (charter/bylaw amendments, indemnification, inspection rights) which provides transparency on proposed corporate changes
- High ownership concentration with >
78.4% controlled by one individual/affiliates, which may limit minority influence - Document appears incomplete; fragments and table excerpts prevent a full assessment of transaction economics or definitive outcomes
Insights
Reorganization and concentrated voting control are the clear governance themes.
The filing signals a corporate re-domiciliation from Delaware to Nevada and multiple governance proposals including charter and bylaw amendments, director vacancy procedures, inspection rights, and indemnification. The vote tallies show a high concentration of voting power: one individual and affiliated entities control a dominant >
Concentrated ownership can enable swift approval of governance changes but raises minority-holder monitoring considerations. Watch for finalized proxy disclosures and any descriptions of material economic effects or charter language changes that could alter shareholder rights in the coming filings.
Ownership disclosures show aligned sponsor and insider holdings that exceed typical control thresholds.
Reported figures list Chan Heng Fai and related Alset entities with overlapping large stakes (notably
Investors should compare these ownership percentages to total outstanding shares in subsequent definitive filings to confirm dilution risk and any related-party transaction disclosures that affect minority investors over the next reporting cycle.
HWH International Inc. ha presentato una Informativa Preliminare (PRE 14C) descrivendo cambiamenti societari e risultati di voto legati a una riorganizzazione. La sottomissione mostra un cambiamento proposto della capogruppo da una entità del Delaware a una entità del Nevada (indicata come “NEW HWH”). Il documento include totali di voti e partecipazioni azionarie:
Lo statement elenca temi di governance (emendamenti dello statuto e del regolamento, procedure dei direttori, indennizzo, doveri fiduciari) sui quali gli azionisti erano chiamati a votare. Il testo della sottomissione fornito è parziale e sembra contenere frammenti di tabelle e firme piuttosto che un racconto completo degli esiti o dell’economia della transazione.
HWH International Inc. presentó un Documento de información preliminar (PRE 14C) que describe cambios corporativos y resultados de votación vinculados a una reorganización. La presentación muestra un cambio propuesto de la sociedad matriz de una entidad de Delaware a una de Nevada (listada como “NEW HWH”). El documento incluye totales de votos y participaciones:
La declaración enumera temas de gobernanza (enmiendas al estatuto y reglamento, procedimientos de directores, indennización, deberes fiduciarios) sobre los que se solicitó a los accionistas votar. El texto de la presentación proporcionado es parcial y parece contener fragmentos de tablas y firmas, más que una narrativa completa de los resultados o la economía de la transacción.
HWH International Inc.가 예비 정보 진술서(PRE 14C)를 제출하여 기업 변화와 재구성과 관련된 투표 결과를 설명했습니다. 제출서는 모회사 법인이 델라웨어에서 네바다 법인으로 변경될 것을 제안하고 있으며(‘NEW HWH’로 기재), 문서에는 투표 총수와 소유 지분이 포함되어 있습니다: Chan Heng Fai와 관련된
성명은 주주들이 투표하도록 요청받은 정관 및 내규 수정, 이사 절차, 면책, 재무상 충성 의무 등 통치 항목을 나열합니다. 제출된 진술은 부분적이며 표 조각과 서명으로 구성되어 있어 결과나 거래 경제학의 전체 서술을 담고 있는 것으로 보이지 않습니다.
HWH International Inc. a déposé une Déclaration d’information préliminaire (PRE 14C) décrivant des changements d’entreprise et des résultats de vote liés à une réorganisation. Le dépôt montre un changement proposé de la société mère d’une entité du Delaware vers une entité du Nevada (désignée comme « NEW HWH »). Le document inclut les totaux de votes et les participations :
La déclaration liste des questions de gouvernance (amendements des statuts et du règlement intérieur, procédures des administrateurs, indemnisation, devoirs fiduciaires) sur lesquelles les actionnaires devaient voter. Le texte fourni est partiel et semble contenir des fragments de tableaux et des signatures, plutôt qu’un récit complet des résultats ou de l’économie de la transaction.
HWH International Inc. hat eine Vorläufige Informationsmitteilung (PRE 14C) eingereicht, die Unternehmensänderungen und Wahlergebnisse im Zusammenhang mit einer Umstrukturierung beschreibt. Die Einreichung zeigt eine vorgeschlagene Änderung der Muttergesellschaft von einer Delaware- zu einer Nevada-Einheit (aufgeführt als „NEW HWH“). Das Dokument enthält StimmTotals und Eigentumsanteile:
Die Stellungnahme listet Governance-Punkte (Satzungs- und Geschäftsordnungsergänzungen, Direktorenverfahren, Entschädigung, treuhänderische Pflichten) auf die von den Aktionären abzustimmen waren. Die bereitgestellte Erklärung ist teilweise und scheint Tabellenfragmente und Unterschriften zu enthalten statt einer vollständigen Erzählung der Ergebnisse oder der Transaktionsökonomie.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
☒ | Preliminary Information Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)) |
☐ | Definitive Information Statement |
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11. |
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
(5) | Total fee paid: | |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: | |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
(3) | Filing Party: | |
(4) | Date Filed: | |
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
NOTICE OF ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT OF MAJORITY STOCKHOLDERS
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.:
This Notice and the accompanying Information Statement are being furnished to the stockholders of HWH INTERNATIONAL INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “HWH,” “we,” or “us”), in connection with the actions taken by written consent of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.
On October 10, 2025, the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company approved by written consent (i) the reincorporation of the Company in Nevada; and (ii) the Company’s 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2025 Plan”).
As the matters set forth in this Information Statement have been duly authorized and approved by the written consent of the holders of more than a majority of our common stock, namely (i) Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, an individual; (ii) Alset Inc., a Texas corporation; (iii) Alset International Limited, a Singapore limited company; and (iv) Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “Majority Stockholders”) on October 10, 2025, your vote or consent is not requested or required to approve the Reincorporation and the 2025 Plan. This Information Statement is being provided solely for your information, and also serves the purpose of informing stockholders of the matters described herein pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder. You do not need to do anything in response to this Notice and the Information Statement.
You are urged to read the Information Statement in its entirety.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
THE INFORMATION STATEMENT IS BEING MAILED ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 20, 2025 TO STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD AS OF OCTOBER 10, 2025.
Sincerely, | ||
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Chan Heng Fai | |
Name: | Chan Heng Fai | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
GENERAL INFORMATION | 1 | |
REINCORPORATION | 2 | |
THE 2025 PLAN | 11 | |
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS | 13 | |
OTHER INFORMATION | 14 | |
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS | 15 | |
ANNEX A | MERGER AGREEMENT | A-1 |
ANNEX B | NEVADA ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION | B-1 |
ANNEX C | NEVADA BYLAWS | C-1 |
ANNEX D | THE 2025 PLAN | D-1 |
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HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
INFORMATION STATEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “HWH,” “we,” or “us”), is distributing this information statement solely for purposes of informing our stockholders of record as of October 10, 2025 (the “Record Date”), in the manner required by Regulation 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), of the action taken by written consent by the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, namely (i) Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, an individual; (ii) Alset Inc., a Texas corporation; (iii) Alset International Limited, a Singapore limited company; and (iv) Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “Majority Stockholders”) to approve (i) the reincorporation of the Company in Nevada; and (ii) the Company’s 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2025 Plan”)
What is the Purpose of the Information Statement?
This Information Statement is being furnished to you pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act to notify our stockholders of the corporate actions taken by the Majority Stockholders pursuant to the Written Consent.
Summary of the Corporate Actions
The Reincorporation
We propose to change our state of incorporation from the State of Delaware to the State of Nevada, which we refer herein to as the “Reincorporation.” The Company would effect the Reincorporation by merging (the “Merger”) with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada, which we refer to herein as “HWH Nevada,” pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Upon completion of the Merger, HWH Nevada will be the “Surviving Company” and will continue to operate our business under its current name, “HWH International Inc.”
The Board of Directors will effect the Merger and cause the requisite filings with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada only if the Board determines that the Merger would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The Board may determine in its discretion not to effect the Merger. No further action on the part of stockholders will be required to either implement or abandon the Merger.
On October 10, 2025, the Majority Shareholders, being the record holders of 5,067,334 shares of our common stock, constituting approximately 78.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, consented in writing to approve the Reincorporation.
The 2025 Plan
On October 10, 2025, the Majority Shareholders, being the record holders of 5,067,334 shares of our common stock, constituting approximately 78.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, consented in writing to approve the 2025 Plan.
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NASDAQ Rules
Pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5635(c), stockholder approval must be obtained prior to the issuance of securities when any equity compensation arrangement is made or materially amended, pursuant to which stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees. Accordingly, the Company is required to have the approval of stockholders holding a majority of our issued and outstanding common stock in order to adopt and issue securities under the 2025 Plan.
Voting and Vote Required
The Company is not seeking consents, authorizations or proxies from you. Under the DGCL and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Merger and the 2025 Plan may be approved, without a meeting of stockholders, by a resolution of our Board of Directors, followed by the written consent of stockholders representing a majority of the voting power of our outstanding shares of common stock.
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal
Under the DGCL and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Company stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights with respect to the Reincorporation nor the 2025 Plan.
Notice Pursuant to Section 14(c)
This Information Statement serves the purpose of informing stockholders of the matters described herein pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder.
Effective Date
Under applicable federal securities laws, the Reincorporation cannot be effected and the 2025 Plan could not be implemented until at least 20 calendar days following the date a Definitive Information Statement has been provided to our stockholders. A Definitive Information Statement cannot be furnished to our stockholders until ten days after the filing of a Preliminary Information Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as such neither the Merger nor the 2025 Plan could become effective sooner than November 10, 2025.
THE REINCORPORATION
Background and Rationale
We propose to change our state of incorporation from the State of Delaware to the State of Nevada, which we refer herein to as the “Reincorporation.” The Company would effect the Reincorporation by merging (the “Merger”) with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada, which we refer to herein as “HWH Nevada,” pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Upon completion of the Merger, HWH Nevada will be the “Surviving Company” and will continue to operate our business under its current name, “HWH International Inc.”
Reincorporation in Nevada will not result in a material change in our business, management, assets, liabilities or net worth. The principal effects of the proposed reincorporation will be that:
1. | The affairs of the Company will cease to be governed by Delaware corporation laws and will become subject to Nevada corporation laws. See “Comparison of Stockholder Rights Before and After the Reincorporation” below. | |
2. | The resulting Nevada corporation (“HWH Nevada”) will be the same entity as the current Delaware corporation (“HWH Delaware”) and will continue with all of the rights, titles and interests of HWH Delaware, will continue with the same officers and directors of HWH Delaware, the rights of creditors of HWH Delaware will continue to exist, and the ownership interest of the stockholders of HWH Delaware will be converted to an identical interest in HWH Nevada. |
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General
The Board has unanimously approved and the Majority Stockholders have approved the reincorporation of the Company from the State of Delaware to the State of Nevada (the “Reincorporation”). The Company would effect the Reincorporation by utilizing a Nevada corporation which is a wholly owned subsidiary and adopting an agreement and plan of merger, the proposed form of which is attached hereto as Annex A (the “Merger”) and filing a certificate of merger in Delaware and articles of merger in Nevada. At the effective time of the Merger, the Articles of Incorporation in the form attached hereto as Annex B (the “Nevada Articles of Incorporation”), and the Bylaws in the form attached hereto Annex C (the “Nevada Bylaws”), will govern HWH Nevada. All descriptions of the Nevada Articles of Incorporation and Nevada Bylaws are qualified by and subject to the more complete information set forth in those documents.
Apart from being governed by the proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation, Nevada Bylaws and Nevada corporation law, for all other purposes, the Company as a Nevada corporation will possess the same rights, privileges, powers and franchises and real and mixed property. All debts due to HWH Delaware will be vested in HWH Nevada, and all debts, liabilities and liens of HWH Delaware will be the debts, liabilities and liens of HWH Nevada. HWH Nevada will continue with the same officers and directors of HWH Delaware, the rights of creditors of HWH Delaware will continue to exist, and the ownership interest of the stockholders of HWH Delaware will be converted to an identical interest in HWH Nevada. No regulatory approval (other than various filings with Secretary of State of Nevada and Delaware discussed above) is required to effect the Reincorporation.
Reasons for the Reincorporation
The Board believes that the Company can save a significant amount of money from having to pay a franchise tax in Delaware by reincorporating in Nevada. The Company, while incorporated in the state of Delaware, is required to pay a corporate franchise tax each year, however the State of Nevada does not have a franchise tax. We paid franchise tax in the amount of $48,810 for the tax year 2024 and $205,000 for the tax year 2023. We estimate that we will save approximately $37,000 per year on franchise taxes if this proposal is approved.
Comparison of Stockholder Rights Before and After the Reincorporation
The statutory corporate laws of Nevada, as governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”), are similar in many respects to those of Delaware, as governed by the DGCL. However, there are certain differences that may affect your rights as a stockholder, as well as the corporate governance of the Company. The following are summaries of certain material differences between the rights of our stockholders under Nevada and Delaware law.
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The following discussion is a brief summary. It does not provide a complete description of the differences that may affect you. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the NRS and DGCL.
DGCL and DGCL Certificate and DGCL Bylaws | NRS and Nevada Articles and Nevada Bylaws | |||
Business Combinations Statute | The DGCL prohibits certain transactions between a Delaware corporation and an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date the interested stockholder acquired its stock.
“Interested stockholder” is broadly defined as a person (including the affiliates and associates of such person) that is directly or indirectly a beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation.
Prohibited transactions include: (i) mergers, (ii) consolidations, (iii) sales or other dispositions of assets having an aggregate market value of 10% or more of either the consolidated assets or the outstanding stock of a company, and (iv) certain transactions that would result in the issuance or transfer of stock of a company, increase the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of ownership in a company, or grant the interested stockholder disproportionate financial benefits.
The DGCL provides an exception to this prohibition if: (i) the business combination or the transaction in which the stockholder became an interested stockholder is approved by that company’s board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder, (ii) the interested stockholder acquired at least 85% of the voting stock of that company in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder, or (iii) the business combination is approved by a majority of the board of directors and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by disinterested stockholders at an annual or special meeting (and not by written consent).
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation does not alter the effect of the Delaware business combinations statute. |
Nevada law prohibits certain business combinations between a Nevada corporation and an interested stockholder for three years after such person becomes an interested stockholder. Generally, an interested stockholder is a holder who is the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of a corporation’s outstanding stock and at any time within three years immediately before the date in question was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the then outstanding stock of the corporation. After the three year period, business combinations remain prohibited unless they are (a) approved by the board of directors prior to the date that the person first became an interested stockholder or by a majority of the outstanding voting power not beneficially owned by the interested party, or (b) the interested stockholder satisfies certain fair-value requirements. An interested stockholder is (i) a person that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of a corporation, or (ii) an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the past three years, was an interested stockholder of the corporation. NRS 78.411-.444.
The proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation enables the Company to opt out of this statutory rule. |
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DGCL and DGCL Certificate and DGCL Bylaws | NRS and Nevada Articles and Nevada Bylaws | |||
Approval of Mergers | Under Delaware law, any merger with a third party must be approved by a majority of the stockholders.
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Under Nevada law, a majority of outstanding shares entitled to vote, as well as approval by the board of directors, is required for a merger or a sale of substantially all of the assets of the corporation. Generally, Nevada law does not require a stockholder vote of the surviving corporation in a merger if: (a) the plan of merger does not amend the existing articles of incorporation; (b) each share of stock of the surviving corporation outstanding immediately before the effective date of the merger is an identical outstanding share after the merger; (c) the number of voting shares outstanding immediately after the merger, plus the number of voting shares issued as a result of the merger, either by the conversion of securities issued pursuant to the merger or the exercise of rights and warrants issued pursuant to the merger, will not exceed by more than 20% the total number of voting shares of the surviving domestic corporation outstanding immediately before the merger; and (d) the number of participating shares outstanding immediately after the merger, plus the number of participating shares issuable as a result of the merger, either by the conversion of securities issued pursuant to the merger or the exercise of rights and warrants issued pursuant to the merger, will not exceed by more than 20% the total number of participating shares outstanding immediately before the merger. NRS 92A.130.
Neither the proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation nor the proposed Nevada Bylaws change this statutory rule. |
Appraisal Rights or Dissenter’s Rights | Under Delaware law, stockholders have no appraisal rights in the event of a merger or consolidation of the corporation if the stock of the Delaware corporation is listed on a national securities exchange (the Company currently meets this condition by virtue of its listing on the NASDAQ market) or if such stock is held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders. Stockholders of a Delaware parent corporation have no appraisal rights in a merger between that parent corporation and a subsidiary corporation wholly owned by that parent corporation. Even if appraisal rights would not otherwise be available under Delaware law in the cases described above, stockholders would still have appraisal rights if they are required by the terms of the agreement of merger and consolidation to accept for their stock anything other than:
(1) shares of stock;
(A) of the surviving corporation; or
(B) of any other corporation which shares at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders;
(2) cash in lieu of fractional shares; or
(3) a combination of such shares and such cash.
Otherwise, stockholders of a Delaware corporation have appraisal rights in consolidations and mergers.
Under Delaware law, any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights will also be available as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation involving such corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation has no such provisions. |
Under the NRS, a stockholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment for, the fair value of his or her shares in the event of (i) certain acquisitions of a controlling interest in the corporation, (ii) consummation of a plan of merger to which the domestic corporation is a constituent entity, if approval by the stockholders is required and the stockholder is entitled to vote on the merger or if the domestic corporation is a subsidiary and is merged with its parent, (iii) a plan of exchange in which the domestic corporation is a constituent entity whose interests will be acquired; (iv) a plan of conversion in which the domestic corporation is a constituent entity whose interests will be converted; (v) any corporate action taken pursuant to a vote of the stockholders, if the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors provides that voting or nonvoting stockholders are entitled to dissent and obtain payment for their shares; or (vi) any corporate action pursuant to which the stockholder would be obligated, as a result of the corporate action, to accept money or scrip rather than receive a fraction of a share in exchange for the cancellation of all the stockholder’s outstanding shares, except where the stockholder would not be entitled to receive such payment pursuant to certain sections in the NRS.
Holders of securities that are listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an organized market and held by at least 2,000 stockholders of record with a market value of at least $20,000,000 are generally not entitled to dissenter’s rights. However, this exception is not available if (i) the articles of incorporation of the corporation issuing the shares provide that such exception is not available, (ii) the resolution of the board of directors approving the plan of merger, conversion or exchange expressly provide otherwise or (iii) the holders of the class or series of stock are required under the plan of merger or exchange to accept for the shares anything except cash, shares of stock as described in NRS 92A.390(3) or a combination thereof. The NRS prohibits a dissenting stockholder from voting his or her shares or receiving certain dividends or distributions after his or her dissent.
The Nevada Articles of Incorporation and Nevada Bylaws do not provide for dissenter’s rights in addition to those provided by the NRS. |
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DGCL and DGCL Certificate and DGCL Bylaws | NRS and Nevada Articles and Nevada Bylaws | |||
Stockholder Consent to Action Without a Meeting | Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, any action that can be taken at a meeting of the stockholders can be taken without such meeting if written consent thereto is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having the minimum number of votes necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were presented and voted.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation allows for stockholder action by written consent. |
Nevada law provides that, unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if the holders of outstanding stock having at least a majority of the voting power consent to the action in writing.
The proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation allows stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. | ||
Procedures for Filling Vacant Directorships | Under Delaware law, unless the certificate of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation has no such provisions. |
All vacancies, including those caused by an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, unless it is otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, pursuant to a resignation by a director, the board may fill the vacancy or vacancies with each director so appointed to hold office during the remainder of the term of office of the resigning director or directors. NRS 78.335.
The proposed Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS. | ||
Right to Call Meetings | Delaware law provides that special meetings of the stockholders may be called by the board of directors or such other persons as are authorized in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation provides that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the board of directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the directors. Stockholders may not, therefore, call a special meeting. |
Under Nevada Law, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, the entire board of directors, any two directors or the president may call annual and special meetings of the stockholders and directors. NRS 78.310
The proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation and NV Bylaws are consistent with the NRS. | ||
Voting by Proxy | Under Delaware law, a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. A proxy is valid for three years from its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy. | Each proxy authorized by a stockholder shall be valid until its expiration or revocation in a manner permitted by the laws of Nevada. In Nevada proxies are valid for six months from the date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period of up to seven years. | ||
Charter Amendments | Delaware law provides that amendments to the certificate of incorporation must be approved by the holders of a majority of the corporation’s stock entitled to vote thereon, unless the certificate of incorporation provides for a greater number.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation has no such provisions.
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Nevada law requires the adoption of a resolution by the corporation’s board of directors followed by the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the corporation.
If any proposed amendment would adversely alter or change any preference or any relative or other right given to any class or series of outstanding shares, then the amendment must be approved by the vote, in addition to the affirmative vote otherwise required, of the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of each class or series adversely affected by the amendment. NRS 78.390.
The proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation is consistent with the NRS. | ||
Bylaw Amendments | Under Delaware law, stockholders of a corporation entitled to vote have the right to amend, repeal or adopt the bylaws. If the corporation’s certificate of incorporation so provides, the corporation’s board of directors also has the have the right to amend, repeal or adopt the bylaws.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation provides that the existing Delaware bylaws may be amended, repealed, altered or adopted (i) by stockholder action with the affirmative vote of the holders of at the majority of the voting power of all the shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class or (ii) by director action with the affirmative vote of at least the majority of the directors then in office. |
Nevada law provides that, unless otherwise prohibited by any bylaw adopted by the stockholders, the directors may adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw, including any bylaw adopted by the stockholders. The articles of incorporation may grant the authority to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws exclusively to the directors. NRS 78.120.
The proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation and Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS. In addition, the Nevada Bylaws state that any amendment or repeal of the Bylaws by stockholders requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation. |
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DGCL and DGCL Certificate and DGCL Bylaws | NRS and Nevada Articles and Nevada Bylaws | |||
Removal of Directors | Under Delaware law, subject to the exceptions discussed below, a majority of stockholders then entitled to vote at an election of directors may remove a director with or without cause.
If the board of directors of a Delaware corporation is classified (i.e., elected for staggered terms), a director may only be removed for cause, unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.
If a corporation uses cumulative voting and less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against his or her removal would be sufficient to elect him or her if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors. Where a corporation’s certificate of incorporation provides that separate classes or series of stockholders are entitled, as such a class or series, to elect separate directors, in calculating the sufficiency of votes for removal of such a director, only the votes of the holders of such a class or series are considered.
Neither the existing Delaware certificate of incorporation nor bylaws allow: (i) the removal of directors, other than for cause, (ii) cumulative voting, or (iii) the election of separate directors by separate classes or series of stockholders voting as such a class or series. |
Any one or all of the directors of a corporation may be removed by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the voting power of a corporation’s issued and outstanding stock. Nevada law does not distinguish between removal of directors with or without cause. NRS 78.335.
The proposed Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS. | ||
Inspection of Books and Records | Under Delaware law, any stockholder may inspect the corporation’s books and records upon written demand under oath stating the purpose of the inspection. If the corporation refuses to permit inspection or does not reply to the demand within five business days after the demand has been made, the stockholder may apply to the Court of Chancery for an order to compel such inspection.
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Inspection rights under Nevada law are more limited. The NRS grants any person who has been a stockholder of record of a corporation for at least six months immediately preceding the demand, or any person holding, or thereunto authorized in writing by the holders of, at least 5% of all of its outstanding shares, upon at least five days’ written demand the right to inspect in person or by agent or attorney, during usual business hours (i) the articles of incorporation, and all amendments thereto, (ii) the bylaws and all amendments thereto and (iii) a stock ledger or a duplicate stock ledger, revised annually, containing the names, alphabetically arranged, of all persons who are stockholders of the corporation, showing their places of residence, if known, and the number of shares held by them respectively. The stockholder shall furnish an affidavit to the Nevada corporation stating that the inspection is not desired for a purpose which is in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the corporation and that the stockholder has not at any time sold or offered for sale any list of stockholders.
In addition, the NRS grants certain stockholders the right to inspect the books of account and records of a corporation for any proper purpose. The right to inspect the books of account and all financial records of a corporation, to make copies of records and to conduct an audit of such records is granted only to a stockholder who owns at least 15% of the issued and outstanding shares of a Nevada corporation, or who has been authorized in writing by the holders of at least 15% of such shares. However, these requirements do not apply to any corporation that furnishes to its stockholders a detailed, annual financial statement or any corporation that has filed during the preceding 12 months all reports required to be filed pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
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DGCL and DGCL Certificate and DGCL Bylaws | NRS and Nevada Articles and Nevada Bylaws | |||
Distributions and Dividends | Under Delaware law, a corporation may, subject to any restrictions contained in its certificate of incorporation, pay dividends out of surplus and, if there is not surplus, out of net profits for the current and/or the preceding fiscal year, unless the capital of the corporation is less than the capital represented by issued and outstanding stock having preferences on asset distributions.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation provides that dividends may be declared and paid or set apart for payment upon the Company’s common stock out of any assets or funds of the Company legally available for the payment of dividends and may be payable in cash, stock or otherwise.
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Except as otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, a board of directors may authorize and the corporation may make distributions to its stockholders, including distributions on shares that are partially paid. However, no distribution may be made if, after giving effect to such distribution: (a) the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or (b) except as otherwise specifically allowed by the articles of incorporation, the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.
The proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation and the proposed Nevada Bylaws do not change this statutory rule. | ||
Indemnification of Directors and Officers | Delaware law permits a corporation to indemnify directors, officers, employees, or agents against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, to which such director, officer, employee or agent may be a party, provided such a director, officer, employee or agent acted in good faith and reasonably believed: (i) in the case of a civil, administrative or investigative proceeding, that his or her conduct was in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or (ii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, that he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
In connection with an action by or in the right of the corporation against a director, officer, employee or agent, the corporation has the power to indemnify such director, officer, employee or agent for expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such suit: (i) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and (ii) if such person is found liable to the corporation, only if ordered by a court of law. Section 145 of the DGCL provides that such section is not exclusive of any other indemnification rights, which may be granted by a corporation to its directors, officers, employees or agents.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for indemnification of directors and officers (including advancement of expenses) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. |
A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the person: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the person is liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. However, indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue, or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement, unless and only to the extent that the court determines the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.
The proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation and the proposed Nevada Bylaws are consistent with the NRS. |
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DGCL and DGCL Certificate and DGCL Bylaws | NRS and Nevada Articles and Nevada Bylaws | |||
Limited Liability of Directors | Delaware law permits the adoption of a provision in the certificate of incorporation limiting or eliminating the monetary liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders by reason of a director’s breach of the fiduciary duty of care.
Delaware law does not, however, permit any limitation of the liability of a director for: (i) breaching the duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) failing to act in good faith, (iii) engaging in intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iv) obtaining an improper personal benefit from the corporation, or (v) declaring an illegal dividend or approving an illegal stock purchase or redemption.
The existing Delaware certificate of incorporation eliminates the monetary liability of a director to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. |
Under Nevada law, unless the articles of incorporation or an amendment thereto (filed on or after October 1, 2003) provides for greater individual liability, a director or officer is not individually liable to the corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer unless it is proven that: (a) the director’s or officer’s act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer; and (b) the breach of those duties involved intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law.
Consistent with this statutory rule, the proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation provide that the personal liability of the directors of the corporation is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS. The proposed Nevada Bylaws do not change this statutory rule. | ||
Fiduciary Duties of Directors | Delaware imposes duties of care and loyalty on directors of Delaware corporations, subject to the business judgment rule which provides a presumption that a director acted on an informed basis, in good faith, and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. Delaware imposes liability upon directors who willfully or recklessly disregard their duties as directors so as to constitute an utter failure to carry out their fiduciary duties.
Directors of a Delaware corporation owe fiduciary duties both to the stockholders and the corporation. |
Nevada law requires that directors and officers of Nevada corporations exercise their powers in good faith and with a view to the interests of the corporation but, unlike other jurisdictions, fiduciary duties of directors and officers are codified in the NRS. As a matter of law, directors and officers are presumed to act in good faith, on an informed basis and with a view to the interests of the corporation in making business decisions. In performing such duties, directors and officers may exercise their business judgment through reliance on information, opinions, reports, financial statements and other financial data prepared or presented by corporate directors, officers or employees who are reasonably believed to be reliable and competent. Professional reliance may also be extended to legal counsel, public accountants, advisers, bankers or other persons reasonably believed to be competent, and to the work of a committee (on which the particular director or officer does not serve) if the committee was established and empowered by the corporation’s board of directors, and if the committee’s work was within its designated authority and was about matters on which the committee was reasonably believed to merit confidence. However, directors and officers may not rely on such information, opinions, reports, books of account or similar statements if they have knowledge concerning the matter in question that would make such reliance unwarranted. |
Mechanism for Reincorporation into Nevada
The process for changing the Company from a Delaware corporation to a Nevada corporation will be for the Company to merge into its Nevada subsidiary by adopting the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement calls for the surviving Nevada corporation to adopt the proposed Nevada Articles of Incorporation, which will be the articles of incorporation of the Company after the Reincorporation.
Stock
At the effective time of the Reincorporation, each outstanding share of Common Stock of HWH Delaware will automatically be converted into one share of common stock of HWH Nevada. If you hold physical stock certificates, you do not have to exchange your existing stock certificates of the Company for stock certificates of the resulting Nevada corporation; however, after the Reincorporation, any stockholder desiring a new form of stock certificate may submit the existing stock certificate to Vstock Transfer, LLC, 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, NY 11598. The number of authorized shares of the Company’s stock will increase at the effective time of the Reincorporation. Under the Nevada Articles of Incorporation, the Company will have 500,000,000 shares authorized, including 450,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reincorporation
We intend the Merger to be a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Assuming the Merger qualifies as a tax-free reorganization, the holders of our common stock will not recognize any gain or loss under the U.S. federal income tax laws as a result of the consummation of the Reincorporation, and neither will the Company nor the Surviving Company. Each stockholder will have the same basis in Surviving Company common stock received as a result of the Reincorporation as that holder has in our common stock held at the time the Merger is consummated. Each holder’s holding period in Surviving Company common stock received as a result of the Merger will include the period during which such holder held our common stock at the time the Merger is consummated, provided the latter was held by such holder as a capital asset at the time of consummation of the Merger.
This Information Statement only discusses U.S. federal income tax consequences and has done so only for general information. It does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular stockholders based upon individual circumstances or to stockholders who are subject to special rules, such as financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, foreign holders or holders who acquired their shares as compensation, whether through employee stock options or otherwise. This Information Statement does not address the tax consequences under state, local or foreign laws.
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code, laws, regulations, rulings and decisions in effect as of the date of this Information Statement, all of which are subject to differing interpretations and change, possibly with retroactive effect. The Company has neither requested nor received a tax opinion from legal counsel or rulings from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the consequences of reincorporation. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions would not alter the consequences discussed above.
You should consult your own tax advisor to determine the particular tax consequences to you of the Reincorporation, including the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and other tax laws.
Accounting Treatment of the Merger
In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company will be merged with and into the Surviving Company, with the Surviving Company being the surviving corporation; accordingly, the Merger is not expected to be accounted for as a business combination and as a result no goodwill is expected to be recorded. The incumbent officers and directors of the Company will also be the officers and directors of the Surviving Company at the Effective Time. Since the Merger is not expected to be accounted for as a business combination, no goodwill is expected to be recorded in connection therewith and the costs incurred in connection with the Merger are expected to be expensed.
Securities Law Consequences
At the effective time of the Reincorporation, the common stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “HWH.” There will be no interruption in the trading of the common stock as a result of the Reincorporation. We will continue to file periodic reports and other documents with the SEC and provide to stockholders the same types of information that we have previously filed and provided. We and our stockholders will be in the same respective positions under the federal securities laws after the Reincorporation as we and our stockholders were prior to the Reincorporation.
Approval
On October 10, 2025, our Majority Stockholders approved the Reincorporation.
Board Discretion to Implement the Reincorporation
Our Board of Directors, in its discretion, may or may not elect to effect the Reincorporation.
No Appraisal Rights
Stockholders do not have any appraisal or dissenters’ rights under Delaware law or under our Certificate of Incorporation in connection with the Reincorporation.
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THE 2025 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
Overview of the 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan
On October 10, 2025, our Board and Majority Shareholders approved and ratified the 2025 Plan, covering up to 1,295,280 shares of common stock. The purpose of the 2025 Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and our related corporations by enhancing the ability of the Company to attract and retain qualified employees, consultants, officers, and directors, by creating incentives and rewards for their contributions to the success of the Company and its related corporations. The 2025 Plan will be administered by our Board or by the Compensation Committee. The following awards may be granted under the 2025 Plan:
● | Options | |
● | Restricted Awards | |
● | Other Stock-Based Awards |
Summary of Material Features of the 2025 Plan
The following summary of the material terms of the 2025 Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2025 Plan, a copy of which is included as Exhibit A to this information statement. You also may obtain a copy of the 2025 Plan, free of charge, by writing to the Company, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 4800 Montgomery Lane Suite 210, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Effective Date
In accordance with Exchange Act Rule 14c-2, the 2025 Plan will become effective no sooner than twenty (20) calendar days following the mailing of this Information Statement.
Plan Administration
The Board had delegated administrative authority with respect to the 2025 Plan to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to:
● | promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and procedures relating to the implementation of the 2025 Plan; | |
● | select the employees, Non-Employee Directors (as defined in the 2025 Plan), and Consultants (as defined in the 2025 Plan) who will be granted Awards; | |
● | determine the number and types of Awards to be granted to each participant; | |
● | determine the number of shares, or share equivalents to be subject to each Award; | |
● | determine the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 2025 Plan) of shares if no public market exists for such shares; | |
● | determine the option price, purchase price, base price, or similar feature for any Award; | |
● | accelerate vesting of Awards and waive any restrictions; and | |
● | determine all the terms and conditions of all Award Agreements (as defined in the 2025 Plan), consistent with the requirements of the 2025 Plan. |
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Available Awards Under the 2025 Plan
The types of awards that may be granted by the Compensation Committee under the 2025 Plan include:
Options
Options to purchase common stock may be incentive stock options meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or nonqualified options which are not eligible for such tax-favored treatment. Up to 20% of our outstanding shares, representing 1,295,280 shares of common stock, may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options under the 2025 Plan. Incentive stock options will conform with the statutory and regulatory requirements specified pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, as in effect on the date such incentive stock option is granted. Incentive stock options may not be granted under the 2025 Plan after the tenth anniversary of its adoption, and may only be granted to employees of the Company or one of its subsidiaries. If options intended to be incentive stock options are granted to a participant in excess of the $100,000 annual limitation set forth in Section 422(d)(1) of the Code, the options will be incentive stock options to the maximum extent allowed and will be nonqualified stock options as to any excess over that limitation. Incentive stock options must expire not more than 10 years from the date of grant. The 2025 Plan does not specify a maximum term for nonqualified options. The exercise price per share must be not less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted for both incentive stock options and nonqualified options. Incentive stock options granted to a participant holding more than 10% of the common stock must expire not more than five years from the date of grant, and the exercise price per share must be not less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted.
Restricted Awards
Restricted Awards may take the form of restricted shares. Restricted shares are shares of common stock which are subject to such limitations as the Board, or Compensation Committee deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, restrictions on sale or transfer. Additionally, restricted shares may be subject to forfeiture in the event the recipient terminates employment or service as a director or consultant during a specified period, or fails to meet designated performance goals, if any. Stock certificates representing restricted shares are issued in the name of the recipient but are held by the Company until the expiration of any restrictions, at which time the restrictive legends are removed from the stock certificates. Beginning with the date of issuance of restricted shares and prior to forfeiture, the recipient is entitled to the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares, including voting and dividend rights. Shares issued as stock dividends will be subject to the same restrictions as the related restricted shares.
Other Stock-Based Awards
The Board, or Compensation Committee may grant other awards that involve payments or grants of shares of common stock or are measured by or in relation to shares of common stock. The 2025 Plan provides flexibility to design new types of stock-based or stock-related awards to attract and retain employees, directors and consultants in a competitive environment.
Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization
In the event of a change in capitalization, the Board, or Compensation Committee will make such proportionate adjustments in the aggregate number of shares for which awards may be granted under the 2025 Plan, the maximum number of shares which may be awarded to any participant, and the number of shares covered by, and the exercise or base price of, any outstanding awards, as the committee in its sole discretion may deem appropriate.
Duration, Termination and Amendment of the 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan
The 2025 Plan will remain in effect until the tenth anniversary of its adoption, or, if earlier, when awards have been granted covering all available shares under the 2025 Plan or the 2025 Plan is otherwise terminated by the Board. The Board may terminate the 2025 Plan at any time, but any such termination will not affect any outstanding awards. The Board may also amend the 2025 Plan from time to time, provided that no amendment may be made without stockholder approval if such approval is required by applicable law or the requirements of an applicable stock exchange or registered securities association. Pursuant to such provisions, the Board has approved an increase in the shares of capital stock authorized for issuance under the 2025 Plan as described above, and now submits such amendment to stockholders for approval.
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Approval
The approval of the 2025 Plan, including for purposes of Nasdaq Rule 5635, requires the approval of the holders of our outstanding shares of common stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. As of the close of business on the Record date, we had 6,476,400 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share of outstanding common stock is entitled to one vote on matters submitted for stockholder approval.
The stockholders who have the authority to vote a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock approved the 2025 Plan by a written consent dated October 10, 2025. Pursuant to Rule 14c-2(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, such action may not be effected until at least 20 calendar days following the mailing of this Information Statement to our common stockholders.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
None of our officers and directors, nor any of their associates, has any interest in the actions approved by our stockholders and described in this Information Statement except in their capacity as holders of our Common Stock (which interest does not differ from that of the other holders of our Common Stock).
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS
The table below sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the Record Date for:
● | each person we believe beneficially holds more than 5% of our outstanding common shares (based solely on our review of SEC filings); |
● | each of our “named executive officers” and directors; and |
● | all of our current directors and executive officers as a group. |
The number of shares beneficially owned by a person includes shares issuable under options, warrants and other securities convertible into common stock held by that person and that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. Percentage calculations assume, for each person and group, that all shares that may be acquired by such person or group pursuant to options, warrants and other convertible securities currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date are outstanding. Nevertheless, shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of presently unexercised options, warrants and other convertible securities are not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the “Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned” by any other person or any other group.
Except as otherwise indicated in the table or its footnotes, the persons in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.
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As of the Record Date, we had 6,476,400 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owners(1) | Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned | ||||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: | ||||||||
Chan Heng Fai (2) | 5,114,709 | 78.4 | % | |||||
Rongguo Wei | - | - | ||||||
Wong Tat Keung | - | - | ||||||
Wong Shui Yeung | - | - | ||||||
Lim Sheng Hon Danny | - | - | ||||||
William Wu | - | - | ||||||
All directors and executive officers, as a group (7 individuals) | 5,114,709 | 78.4 | % | |||||
Five Percent Stockholders: | ||||||||
Chan Heng Fai (2) | 5,114,709 | 78.4 | % | |||||
Alset Inc. (3) | 5,112,109 | 78.4 | % | |||||
Alset International Limited | 1,991,669 | 30.8 | % | |||||
Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC | 582,850 | 8.9 | % |
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them.
(2) Includes (i) 535,475 shares and warrants convertible into 47,375 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value held by Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC; (ii) 2,600 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Chan; (iii) 1,991,669 shares of common stock held by Alset International Limited; and (iv) 2,537,590 shares of common stock held by Alset Inc., over which Mr. Chan may be deemed to possess indirect beneficial ownership as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Alset Inc. and Alset International Limited.
(3) Includes (i) 535,475 shares and warrants convertible into 47,375 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value held by Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC; and (ii) 1,991,669 shares of common stock held by Alset International Limited; over which Alset Inc. may be deemed to possess beneficial ownership and (iii) 2,537,590 shares of common stock directly held by Alset Inc.
OTHER INFORMATION
SEC Periodic Reports and Additional Information
The Company is subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance with the Exchange Act, the Company files reports, documents and other information with the SEC. These reports and other information filed with the SEC by the Company may be inspected and are available for copying at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies may be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its principal office in Washington, D.C. The SEC also maintains an internet website that contains periodic and other reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Company, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.
Copies of all documents we file with the SEC will be provided without charge to each stockholder as of the Record Date upon request. Requests may be directed to our Corporate Secretary, at HWH INTERNATIONAL INC., 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, telephone: (301) 971-3955.
Householding of Materials
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of proxy materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our Information Statement may have been sent to multiple Company stockholders in each household unless otherwise instructed by such Company stockholders. We will deliver promptly a separate copy of the Information Statement to any Company stockholder upon written or oral request to our Corporate Secretary, at HWH International Inc., 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, telephone: (301) 971-3955. Any Company stockholder wishing to receive separate copies of our proxy statement or annual report to Company stockholders in the future, or any Company stockholder who is receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, should contact the Company stockholder’s bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or the Company stockholder may contact us at the above address and phone number.
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Distribution of the Information Statement
We will make arrangements with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries who are record holders of our common stock for the forwarding of this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of our common stock. We will reimburse these brokers, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses they incur in connection with the forwarding of the Information Statement.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This information statement includes forward-looking statements. You can identify our forward-looking statements by the words “expects,” “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “estimates” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about us. The Company cautions you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that we cannot predict, including those risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the Company has expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
THE ACTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE ACTIONS NOR UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NEITHER A REQUEST FOR YOUR VOTE NOR A PROXY STATEMENT, BUT RATHER AN INFORMATION STATEMENT DESIGNED TO INFORM YOU OF THE ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACTIONS AND OTHER RELEVANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
Sincerely, | ||
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC. | ||
Dated: October 10, 2025 | By: | /s/ Chan Heng Fai |
Name: | Chan Heng Fai | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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ANNEX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of October 10, 2025 (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into by and between HWH International Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Corporation”), and HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent Corporation ( “New HWH”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Parent Corporation owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of New HWH;
WHEREAS, the board of directors of each of the Parent Corporation and New HWH has determined it advisable and in the best interests of such corporation and its stockholders that the Parent Corporation merge with and into New HWH, with New HWH being the surviving corporation (the “Merger”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the board of directors of each of the Parent Corporation and New HWH has approved and declared advisable this Agreement and directed that this Agreement be submitted to a vote of its stockholders.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the agreements of the parties contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1.
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Effective Time. “Effective Time” shall mean the date and time on which the Merger contemplated by this Agreement becomes effective pursuant to the laws of the States of Nevada and Delaware, as determined in accordance with Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
1.2 Merger. “Merger” shall refer to the merger of the Parent Corporation with and into New HWH as provided in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.
TERMS OF MERGER
2.1 Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, the Parent Corporation shall be merged with and into New HWH in accordance with applicable law. New HWH shall be the surviving entity resulting from the Merger and shall continue to exist and to be governed by the laws of the State of Nevada under the corporate name “HWH International Inc.” (the “Surviving Corporation”) At the Effective Time: (a) the separate existence of the Parent Corporation shall cease; (b) all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the Parent Corporation and New HWH is allocated to and vested, subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances on the property, in the Surviving Corporation without reversion or impairment, any further act or deed, or any transfer or assignment having occurred; (c) all liabilities and obligations of New HWH and the Parent Corporation (including, without limitation, all liabilities and obligations of the Parent Corporation with respect to rights of indemnification and to advancement of expenses under the Delaware General Corporation Law and the bylaws of the Parent Corporation held by persons entitled to such rights, whether or not any action, suit or proceeding had been brought against such persons at or prior to the Effective Time) shall be liabilities and obligations of the Surviving Corporation; (d) the Surviving Corporation shall be the primary obligor for such liabilities or obligations; and (e) the Surviving Corporation shall be substituted in any proceeding pending by or against the Parent Corporation or New HWH.
2.2 Effective Time. On the date of the closing of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Articles of Merger to be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada (the “Nevada Articles of Merger”) and a Certificate of Merger to be executed and filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations (the “Delaware Certificate of Merger”). The Merger shall become effective upon the date and time specified in the Nevada Articles of Merger and the Delaware Certificate of Merger (the “Effective Time”).
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2.3 Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation of New HWH as in effect at the Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
2.4 Bylaws. The Bylaws of New HWH as in effect at the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
2.5 Board of Directors. The persons who are directors of New HWH immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, after the Effective Time, be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, without change, until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The directors of the Parent Corporation shall be made directors of New HWH prior to the Effective Time.
2.6 Officers. The persons who are officers of New HWH immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, after the Effective Time, be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, without change, until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
SECTION 3.
EFFECT OF MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK
3.1 Effect of Merger on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parent Corporation or its stockholders, or the Surviving Corporation:
(a) Each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Parent Corporation (the “Parent Corporation Shares”) shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into one fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation (the “Surviving Corporation Shares”).
(b) Each Parent Corporation Share held in treasury of the Parent Corporation immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parent Corporation, be converted into one fully paid and non-assessable Surviving Corporation Share.
(c) Each outstanding warrant or option to purchase a Parent Corporation Share immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parent Corporation, be converted into a warrant or option to purchase a Surviving Corporation Share.
(d) Each share of capital stock of New HWH issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Surviving Corporation, be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and shall not be converted into shares or other securities of the Surviving Corporation or the right to receive cash or any other property or rights.
(e) At and after the Effective Time, each stock certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Parent Corporation Shares (a “Delaware Certificate”), shall be deemed and treated for all purposes to evidence ownership of, and to represent, the number of Surviving Corporation Shares into which the Parent Corporation Shares represented by such Delaware Certificate immediately prior to the Effective Time were converted pursuant to this Agreement. The registered holder of any Delaware Certificate outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, as such holder appears in the books and records of the Parent Corporation, or of the transfer agent in respect of the Parent Corporation Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall, until such Delaware Certificate is surrendered for transfer or exchange, have and be entitled to exercise any voting and other rights with respect to, and to receive any dividends or other distributions on, the Surviving Corporation Shares into which the Parent Corporation Shares represented by any such Delaware Certificate were converted pursuant this Agreement.
(f) Each holder of a Delaware Certificate shall, upon the surrender of such Delaware Certificate to the Surviving Corporation, or the transfer agent in respect of the Surviving Corporation Shares for cancellation after the Effective Time, be entitled to receive from the Surviving Corporation, or the transfer agent in respect of the Surviving Corporation Shares, a certificate (a “Nevada Certificate”) representing the number of Surviving Corporation Shares, into which the Parent Corporation Shares, represented by such Delaware Certificate were converted pursuant to this Agreement. If any such Nevada Certificate is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Delaware Certificate surrendered for exchange is registered, such exchange shall be conditioned upon (i) the Delaware Certificate so surrendered being properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and (ii) the person requesting such exchange either paying any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of the Nevada Certificate in a name other than that of the registered holder of the Delaware Certificate surrendered, or establishing to the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation, or the transfer agent in respect of Surviving Corporation Shares, that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.
(g) Where no Delaware Certificate has been issued in the name of a holder of Parent Corporation Shares, a “book entry” (i.e., a computerized or manual entry) shall be made in the shareholder records of the Surviving Corporation to evidence the issuance to such holder of an equal number of Surviving Corporation Common Shares.
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3.2 Equity Plans.
(a) As of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall assume the 2025 HWH International Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Equity Plan”).
(b) Each outstanding option under the Equity Plan shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action of the part of the holder of such option, be converted into and become an option to purchase the same number of Surviving Corporation Shares, at the same option price per share and upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as set forth in the applicable plan and any related award agreement as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(c) The terms and conditions of any restricted stock award shall not be changed as a result of the Merger and shall continue to apply to the Surviving Corporation Shares subject to the Equity Plan and any applicable award agreement.
(d) The Surviving Corporation shall assume each of the Parent Corporation’s other employee benefit plans and arrangements and the obligations of the Parent Corporation thereunder upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as set forth in such plans and arrangements as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
(e) Prior to the Effective Time, the Parent Corporation shall take all actions as are reasonably necessary to effect the treatment of the Equity Plan, options and restricted shares as set forth in this Section 3.2 in accordance with applicable law and the terms of the Equity Plan, if applicable, and any contracts evidencing the options and restricted shares.
SECTION 4.
MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 Plan of Reorganization. Each party to this Agreement agrees to treat the Merger for all income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
4.2 Stockholder Approval. This Agreement will be submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Parent Corporation in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and to a vote of the sole shareholder of New HWH in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada. In the event that this Agreement shall not be adopted by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Parent Corporation or the sole shareholder of New HWH entitled to vote thereon, this Agreement shall thereupon be terminated without further action of the parties hereto.
4.3 Amendment. Subject to the provisions of applicable law, at any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties hereto may modify, amend or supplement this Agreement, whether before or after the adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Parent Corporation or the sole shareholder of New HWH; provided, however, that after any such adoption, there shall not be made any amendment that by law requires the further approval by such stockholders of the Parent Corporation or the sole shareholder of New HWH without such further approval
4.4 Abandonment. At any time before the Effective Time, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by the board of directors of either the Parent Corporation or the Surviving Corporation or both, notwithstanding the adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Parent Corporation or the sole shareholder of New HWH.
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4.5 Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when required by the Surviving Corporation or by its successors or assigns, there shall be executed and delivered on behalf of the Parent Corporation such deeds and other instruments, and there shall be taken or caused to be taken by it all such further and other action, as shall be appropriate, advisable or necessary in order to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation the title to and possession of all property, interests, assets, rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises and authority of the Parent Corporation, and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. The officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized in the name and on behalf of the Parent Corporation or otherwise, to take any and all such action and to execute and deliver any and all such deeds and other instruments.
4.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts shall together constitute the same agreement.
4.7 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE IN AND IN ALL RESPECTS SHALL BE INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED AND GOVERNED BY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
4.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties both written and oral, between the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
4.9 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or any circumstance, is determined by any court or other authority of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefore in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.
4.10 Headings. The headings therein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.
4.11 Service of Process. The Surviving Corporation agrees that it may be served with process in the State of Nevada in any proceeding for enforcement of any obligation of any constituent corporation of the State of Nevada, as well as for enforcement of any obligation of the Surviving Corporation arising from the Merger, and does hereby irrevocably appoint the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada as its agent to accept service of process in any such suit or proceeding. The address to which a copy of such process shall be mailed by the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada is _____________.
[Signatures on next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned corporations have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
PARENT CORPORATION: | ||
HWH International Inc., a Delaware corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Chan Heng Fai | |
Name: | Chan Heng Fai | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
NEW HWH: | ||
HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Rongguo Wei | |
Name: | Rongguo Wei | |
Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
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ANNEX B
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR SURVIVING COMPANY
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the Corporation is HWH INTERNATIONAL INC. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE
The name of the Corporation’s registered agent and address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Nevada is NORTHWEST REGISTERED AGENT LLC, 732 S 6th ST, STE N, Las Vegas, NV, 89101. The Corporation may, from time to time, in the manner provided by law, change the registered agent and registered office within the State of Nevada. The Corporation may also maintain an office or offices for the conduct of its business, either within or without the State of Nevada.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The nature of the business or purposes of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under Chapter 78 of Nevada Revised Statutes (the “NRS”). The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
1. The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is five hundred million (500,000,000), of which (i) four hundred and fifty million (450,000,000) shares be designated as common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, which shares shall not be subject to any preemptive rights, and (ii) fifty million (50,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.0001 per share.
2. Pursuant to NRS §78.195 and §78.196, a statement of the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights thereof, in respect of each class of capital stock is as follows:
A. | PREFERRED STOCK |
(i) The board of directors is hereby expressly authorized at any time, and from time to time, to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in one or more series, with such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and qualifications or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue thereof adopted by a majority of the board of directors then in office a including (without limiting the generality thereof) the following as to each such series: (a) the designation of such series; (b) the dividends, if any, payable with respect to such series, the rates or basis for determining such dividends, and any conditions and dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, the preferences, if any, of such dividends over, or the relation of such dividends to, the dividends payable on the common stock or any other series of preferred stock, whether such dividends shall be noncumulative or cumulative, and, if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall be cumulative; (c) whether shares of such series shall be redeemable at the option of the board of directors or the holder, or both, upon the happening of a specified event and, if redeemable, whether for cash, property or rights, including securities of the Corporation, the time, prices or rates and any adjustment and other terms and conditions of such redemption; (d) the terms and amount of any sinking, retirement or purchase fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of such series; (e) whether shares of such series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or any other series of preferred stock, at the option of the Corporation or of the holder, or both, or upon the happening of a specified event and, if provision be made for such conversion or exchange, the terms, prices, rates, adjustments and any other terms and conditions thereof; (f) the extent, if any, to which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled to vote with respect to the election of directors or otherwise, including, without limitation, the extent, if any, to which such holders shall be entitled, voting as a series or as a part of a class, to elect one or more directors upon the happening of a specified event or otherwise; (g) the restrictions, if any, on the issue or reissue of shares of such series or any other series; (h) the extent, if any, to which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled to preemptive rights; and (i) the rights of the holders of shares of such series upon the liquidation of the Corporation or any distribution of its assets.
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(ii) Unless the board of directors provides to the contrary in the resolution which fixes the characteristics of a series of preferred stock, neither the consent by series, or otherwise, of the holders of any outstanding preferred stock nor the consent of the holders of any outstanding common stock shall be required for the issuance of any new series of preferred stock regardless of whether the rights and preferences of the new series of preferred stock are senior or superior, in any way, to the outstanding series of preferred stock or the common stock.
(iii) Before the Corporation shall issue any shares of preferred stock of any series, a certificate of designation setting forth a copy of the resolution or resolutions of the board of directors, and establishing the voting powers, designations, preferences, the relative, participating, optional, or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions, if any, relating to the shares of preferred stock of such series, and the number of shares of preferred stock of such series authorized by the board of directors to be issued shall be made and signed by an officer of the corporation and filed in the manner prescribed by the NRS.
B. | COMMON STOCK |
(i) Dividends and Distributions. No payment of dividends or distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of common stock unless and until the holders of preferred stock receive any preferential amounts to which they are entitled under this Article IV or in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of shares of preferred stock. Subject to the limitation set forth in the preceding sentence and except as provided by these Articles of Incorporation or in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of shares of preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and distributions as may be declared upon such shares of common stock, from time to time by a resolutions or resolutions adopted by the board of directors.
(ii) Voting Rights. All holders of common stock shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting. Subject to the provisions of any applicable law and except as otherwise provided in these Articles of Incorporation or by the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of shares of preferred stock, all voting rights shall be vested solely in the common stock. The holders of shares of common stock shall be entitled to vote upon the election of directors and upon any other matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote. Each share of common stock issued and outstanding shall be entitled to one noncumulative vote. A fraction of a share of common stock shall not be entitled to any voting rights whatsoever.
(iii) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Except as otherwise provided in these Articles of Incorporation and subject to the rights of holders, if any, of preferred stock to receive preferential liquidation distributions to which they are entitled under this Article IV or under the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of shares of preferred stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Corporation, all assets of the Corporation shall be shared pro rata among the holders of the common stock.
3. Except as otherwise providing in these Articles of Incorporation or by applicable law, the Corporation’s capital stock, regardless of class, may be issued for such consideration and for such corporate purposes as the board of directors may from time to time determine by a resolution or resolutions adopted by a majority of the board of directors then in office.
4. As specifically permitted pursuant to § 78.288 of the NRS, the Corporation may make a distribution (including dividends on, or redemptions or repurchases of shares of its capital stock) even if, after giving effect to such distributions, the total assets of the Corporation would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed at the time of a dissolution to satisfy the preferential rights of any preferred shareholders.
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ARTICLE V
STOCKHOLDER ACTION
1. Action without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action to be so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having a majority of the number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Nevada, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall, to the extent required by applicable law, be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing, and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the corporation.
2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by statute and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, and special meetings of stockholders may not be called by any other person or persons. Only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VI
BYLAWS
1. Amendment by Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the By-laws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed by the board of directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.
2. Amendment by Stockholders. The By-laws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed at any annual meeting of stockholders, or special meeting of stockholders called for such purpose, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that if the board of directors recommends that stockholders approve such amendment or repeal at such meeting of stockholders, such amendment or repeal shall only require the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION; EXCULPATION
(A) Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted under the NRS (including, without limitation, NRS 78.7502, NRS 78.751, and 78.752) and other applicable law, the Corporation shall indemnify directors and officers of the Corporation in their respective capacities as such and in any and all other capacities in which any of them serves at the request of the Corporation.
(B) Limitation on Liability. The liability of directors and officers of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS. If the NRS is amended to further eliminate or limit or authorize corporate action to further eliminate or limit the liability of directors or officers, the liability of directors and officers of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS, as so amended from time to time.
(C) Repeal and Conflicts. Any amendment to or repeal of any provision or section of this Article VII shall be prospective only, and shall not apply to or have any effect on the right or protection of, or the liability or alleged liability of, any director or officer of the Corporation existing prior to or at the time of such amendment or repeal. In the event of any conflict between any provision or section of this Article VII and any other article of the Articles of Incorporation, the terms and provisions of this Article VII shall control.
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ARTICLE VIII
FORUM AND JURISDICTION
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the state and federal courts of the State of Nevada shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the NRS or the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article VIII. To the fullest extent not inconsistent with any applicable U.S. federal laws, any and all “internal actions” (as defined in NRS 78.046) must be tried in a court of competent jurisdiction before the presiding judge as the trier of fact and not before a jury. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in these Articles of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Whenever any vote of the holders of capital stock of the Corporation is required to amend or repeal any provision of these Articles, and in addition to any other vote of holders of capital stock that is required by these Articles or by law, such amendment or repeal shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, and the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of each class entitled to vote thereon as a class, at a duly constituted meeting of stockholders called expressly for such purpose.
ARTICLE X
CONTROL SHARE ACQUISTION AND INTERESTED STOCKHOLDERS OPT OUT PROVISIONS
(A) Control Share Acquisition Exemption. The Corporation elects not to be governed by the provisions of NRS §78.378 through NRS §78.3793, inclusive, generally known as the “Control Share Acquisition Statute.”
(B) Combinations With Interested Stockholders. The Corporation elects not to be governed by the provisions of NRS §78.411 through NRS §78.444, inclusive.
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ANNEX C
BYLAWS FOR SURVIVING COMPANY
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
(the “Corporation”)
ARTICLE I
Stockholders
SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders (any such meeting being referred to in these By-laws as an “Annual Meeting”) shall be held at the hour, date and place within or without the United States which is fixed by the Corporation’s board of directors (“Board of Directors”), which time, date and place may subsequently be changed at any time by vote of the Board of Directors. If no Annual Meeting has been held for a period of thirteen (13) months after the Corporation’s last Annual Meeting, a special meeting in lieu thereof may be held, and such special meeting shall have, for the purposes of these By-laws or otherwise, all the force and effect of an Annual Meeting. Any and all references hereafter in these By-laws to an Annual Meeting or Annual Meetings also shall be deemed to refer to any special meeting(s) in lieu thereof.
SECTION 2. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be brought before an Annual Meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this By-law, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who is present (in person or by proxy) at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-law as to such nomination or business. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (ii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring nominations or business properly before an Annual Meeting (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 (or any successor rule) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), and such stockholder must comply with the notice and other procedures set forth in Article I, Section 2(a)(2) and (3) of this By-law to bring such nominations or business properly before an Annual Meeting. In addition to the other requirements set forth in this By-law, for any proposal of business to be considered at an Annual Meeting, it must be a proper subject for action by stockholders of the Corporation under Nevada law.
(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (ii) of Article I, Section 2(a)(1) of this By-law, the stockholder must (i) have given Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (ii) have provided any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this By-law and (iii) together with the beneficial owner(s), if any, on whose behalf the nomination or business proposal is made, have acted in accordance with the representations set forth in the Solicitation Statement (as defined below) required by this By-law. To be timely, a stockholder’s written notice shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event the Annual Meeting is first convened more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, or if no Annual Meeting were held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the scheduled date of such Annual Meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made (such notice within such time periods shall be referred to as “Timely Notice”). Such stockholder’s Timely Notice shall set forth:
(A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected);
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(B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person (as defined below);
(C) (i) the name and address of the stockholder giving the notice, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and the names and addresses of the other Proposing Persons (if any) and (ii) as to each Proposing Person, the following information: (a) the class or series and number of all shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by such Proposing Person or any of its affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act), including any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person or any of its affiliates or associates has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future, (b) all Synthetic Equity Interests (as defined below) in which such Proposing Person or any of its affiliates or associates, directly or indirectly, holds an interest including a description of the material terms of each such Synthetic Equity Interest, including without limitation, identification of the counterparty to each such Synthetic Equity Interest and disclosure, for each such Synthetic Equity Interest, as to (x) whether or not such Synthetic Equity Interest conveys any voting rights, directly or indirectly, in such shares to such Proposing Person, (y) whether or not such Synthetic Equity Interest is required to be, or is capable of being, settled through delivery of such shares and (z) whether or not such Proposing Person and/or, to the extent known, the counterparty to such Synthetic Equity Interest has entered into other transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such Synthetic Equity Interest, (c) any proxy (other than a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Act), agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Proposing Person has or shares a right to, directly or indirectly, vote any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, (d) any rights to dividends or other distributions on the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, and (e) any performance-related fees (other than an asset based fee) that such Proposing Person, directly or indirectly, is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or any Synthetic Equity Interests (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) are referred to, collectively, as “Material Ownership Interests”) and (iii) a description of the material terms of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether or not in writing) entered into by any Proposing Person or any of its affiliates or associates with any other person for the purpose of acquiring, holding, disposing or voting of any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation;
(D) (i) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings by and among any of the Proposing Persons, or by and among any Proposing Persons and any other person (including with any proposed nominee(s)), pertaining to the nomination(s) or other business proposed to be brought before the meeting of stockholders (which description shall identify the name of each other person who is party to such an agreement, arrangement or understanding), and (ii) identification of the names and addresses of other stockholders (including beneficial owners) known by any of the Proposing Persons to support such nominations or other business proposal(s), and to the extent known the class and number of all shares of the Corporation’s capital stock owned beneficially or of record by such other stockholder(s) or other beneficial owner(s); and
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(E) a statement whether or not the stockholder giving the notice and/or the other Proposing Person(s), if any, will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a business proposal, at least the percentage of voting power of all of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation required under applicable law to approve the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, at least the percentage of voting power of all of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation reasonably believed by such Proposing Person to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder (such statement, the “Solicitation Statement”).
For purposes of this Article I of these By-laws, the term “Proposing Person” shall mean the following persons: (i) the stockholder of record providing the notice of nominations or business proposed to be brought before a stockholders’ meeting, and (ii) the beneficial owner(s), if different, on whose behalf the nominations or business proposed to be brought before a stockholders’ meeting is made. For purposes of this Section 2 of Article I of these By-laws, the term “Synthetic Equity Interest” shall mean any transaction, agreement or arrangement (or series of transactions, agreements or arrangements), including, without limitation, any derivative, swap, hedge, repurchase or so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, the purpose or effect of which is to, directly or indirectly: (a) give a person or entity economic benefit and/or risk similar to ownership of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, in whole or in part, including due to the fact that such transaction, agreement or arrangement provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or avoid a loss from any increase or decrease in the value of any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, (b) mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk of or manage the risk of share price changes for, any person or entity with respect to any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, (c) otherwise provide in any manner the opportunity to profit or avoid a loss from any decrease in the value of any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, or (d) increase or decrease the voting power of any person or entity with respect to any shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation.
(3) A stockholder providing Timely Notice of nominations or business proposed to be brought before an Annual Meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information (including, without limitation, the Material Ownership Interests information) provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this By-law shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to such Annual Meeting, and such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the fifth (5th) business day after the record date for the Annual Meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date), and not later than the close of business on the eighth (8th) business day prior to the date of the Annual Meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting).
(4) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Article I, Section 2(a)(2) of this By-law to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least ten (10) days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance with the second sentence of Article I, Section 2(a)(2), a stockholder’s notice required by this By-law shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
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(b) General.
(1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of this By-law shall be eligible for election and to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at an Annual Meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this By-law or in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-law. If neither the Board of Directors nor such designated committee makes a determination as to whether any stockholder proposal or nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-law, the presiding officer of the Annual Meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether the stockholder proposal or nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this By-law. If the Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof or the presiding officer, as applicable, determines that any stockholder proposal or nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this By-law, such proposal or nomination shall be disregarded and shall not be presented for action at the Annual Meeting.
(2) Except as otherwise required by law, nothing in this Article I, Section 2 shall obligate the Corporation or the Board of Directors to include in any proxy statement or other stockholder communication distributed on behalf of the Corporation or the Board of Directors information with respect to any nominee for director or any other matter of business submitted by a stockholder.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article I, Section 2, if the nominating or proposing stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the Annual Meeting to present a nomination or any business, such nomination or business shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Article I, Section 2, to be considered a qualified representative of the proposing stockholder, a person must be authorized by a written instrument executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such written instrument or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the written instrument or electronic transmission, to the presiding officer at the meeting of stockholders.
(4) For purposes of this By-law, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this By-law, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this By-law. Nothing in this By-law shall be deemed to affect any rights of (i) stockholders to have proposals included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor rule), as applicable, under the Exchange Act and, to the extent required by such rule, have such proposals considered and voted on at an Annual Meeting or (ii) the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances.
SECTION 3. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by statute, the entire Board of Directors, any two directors or the president or Chief Executive Officer may call special meetings of the stockholders and directors. The Board of Directors may postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders. Only those matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered or acted upon at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and stockholder proposals of other business shall not be brought before a special meeting of stockholders to be considered by the stockholders unless such special meeting is held in lieu of an annual meeting of stockholders in accordance with Article I, Section 1 of these By-laws, in which case such special meeting in lieu thereof shall be deemed an Annual Meeting for purposes of these By-laws and the provisions of Article I, Section 2 of these By-laws shall govern such special meeting.
SECTION 4. Notice of Meetings; Adjournments.
(a) A notice of each Annual Meeting stating the hour, date and place, if any, of such Annual Meeting and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the Annual Meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat by delivering such notice to such stockholder or by mailing it, postage prepaid, addressed to such stockholder at the address of such stockholder as it appears on the Corporation’s stock transfer books. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given to stockholders, any notice to stockholders may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 78.370 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”).
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(b) Notice of all special meetings of stockholders shall be given in the same manner as provided for Annual Meetings, except that the notice of all special meetings shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting has been called.
(c) Notice of an Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders need not be given to a stockholder if a waiver of notice is executed, or waiver of notice by electronic transmission is provided, before or after such meeting by such stockholder or if such stockholder attends such meeting, unless such attendance is for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
(d) The Board of Directors may postpone and reschedule any previously scheduled Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders and any record date with respect thereto, regardless of whether any notice or public disclosure with respect to any such meeting has been sent or made pursuant to Section 2 of this Article I of these By-laws or otherwise. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment, postponement or rescheduling of any previously scheduled meeting of stockholders commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice under this Article I of these By-laws.
(e) When any meeting is convened, the presiding officer may adjourn the meeting if (i) no quorum is present for the transaction of business, (ii) the Board of Directors determines that adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable the stockholders to consider fully information which the Board of Directors determines has not been made sufficiently or timely available to stockholders, or (iii) the Board of Directors determines that adjournment is otherwise in the best interests of the Corporation. When any Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders is adjourned to another hour, date or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting other than an announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken of the hour, date and place, if any, to which the meeting is adjourned and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days from the meeting date, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat and each stockholder who, by law or under the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may hereafter be amended and/or restated, the “Articles of Incorporation”) or these By-laws, is entitled to such notice.
SECTION 5. Quorum. The holders of thirty-five percent (35%) of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders. If less than a quorum is present at a meeting, the holders of voting stock representing a majority of the voting power present at the meeting or the presiding officer may adjourn the meeting from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article I. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. The stockholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
SECTION 6. Voting and Proxies. Stockholders shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote owned by them of record according to the stock ledger of the Corporation as of the record date, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation. Stockholders may vote either (i) in person, (ii) by written proxy or (iii) by a transmission permitted by Section 78.355 of the NRS. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission permitted by Section 78.355 of the NRS may be substituted for or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. Proxies shall be filed in accordance with the procedures established for the meeting of stockholders. Except as otherwise limited therein or as otherwise provided by law, proxies authorizing a person to vote at a specific meeting shall entitle the persons authorized thereby to vote at any adjournment of such meeting, but they shall not be valid after final adjournment of such meeting. A proxy with respect to stock held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by or on behalf of any one of them unless at or prior to the exercise of the proxy the Corporation receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them.
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SECTION 7. Action at Meeting. When a quorum is present at any meeting of stockholders, any matter before any such meeting (other than an election of a director or directors) shall be decided by a majority of the votes properly cast for and against such matter, except where a larger vote is required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws. Any election of directors by stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes properly cast on the election of directors.
SECTION 8. Stockholder Lists. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary (or the Corporation’s transfer agent or other person authorized by these By-laws or by law) shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting in the manner provided by law. The list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting as provided by law.
SECTION 9. Presiding Officer. The Board of Directors shall designate a representative to preside over all Annual Meetings or special meetings of stockholders, provide that if the Board of Directors does not so designate such a presiding officer, then the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, shall preside over such meetings. If the Board of Directors does not so designate such a presiding officer and there is no Chairperson of the Board or the Chairperson of the Board is unable to so preside or is absent, then the Chief Executive Officer, if one is elected, shall preside over such meetings, provided further that if there is no Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Executive Officer is unable to so preside or is absent, then the President shall preside over such meetings. The presiding officer at any Annual Meeting or special meeting of stockholders shall have the power, among other things, to adjourn such meeting at any time and from time to time, subject to Sections 4 and 5 of this Article I. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of the stockholders shall be determined by the presiding officer.
SECTION 10. Inspectors of Elections. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the presiding officer shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Any inspector may, but need not, be an officer, employee or agent of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall perform such duties as are required by the NRS, including the counting of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors. The presiding officer may review all determinations made by the inspectors, and in so doing the presiding officer shall be entitled to exercise his or her sole judgment and discretion and he or she shall not be bound by any determinations made by the inspectors. All determinations by the inspectors and, if applicable, the presiding officer, shall be subject to further review by any court of competent jurisdiction.
ARTICLE II
Directors
SECTION 1. Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors except as otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation or required by law.
SECTION 2. Number and Terms. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be seven, provided that the number may be increased or decreased from time to time by an amendment to these By-laws or by resolution duly adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors. At the first annual meeting of shareholders and at each annual meeting thereafter, the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors shall elect directors, each of whom shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal.
SECTION 3. Qualification. No director need be a stockholder of the Corporation.
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SECTION 4. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by election at an annual or special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose, or may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors even when the majority of the remaining directors is less than a quorum of the total number of directors specified in the Articles of Incorporation or the By-laws. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office.
A directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by election at an annual or special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose, or may be filled by the Board of Directors for a term of office continuing only until the next election of one or more directors by the shareholders; provided that the Board of Directors may not fill more than two (2) directorships during the period between any two (2) successive annual meetings of shareholders.
SECTION 5. Removal. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of the director or directors, at any meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose.
SECTION 6. Resignation. A director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, the President or the Secretary. A resignation shall be effective upon receipt, unless the resignation otherwise provides.
SECTION 7. Regular Meetings. The regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held, without notice other than under this Section 7, on the same date and at the same place as the Annual Meeting following the close of such meeting of stockholders. Other regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such hour, date and place as the Board of Directors may by resolution from time to time determine and publicize by means of reasonable notice given to any director who is not present at the meeting at which such resolution is adopted.
SECTION 8. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called, orally or in writing, by or at the request of a majority of the directors, the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, or the President. The person calling any such special meeting of the Board of Directors may fix the hour, date and place thereof.
SECTION 9. Notice of Meetings. Notice of the hour, date and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or in case of the death, absence, incapacity or refusal of such persons, by the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, or the President or such other officer designated by the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, or the President. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director in person, by telephone, or by facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic communication, sent to his or her business or home address, at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to his or her business or home address, at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when hand-delivered to such address, read to such director by telephone, deposited in the mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid if mailed, dispatched or transmitted if sent by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail or other form of electronic communications. A written waiver of notice signed before or after a meeting by a director and filed with the records of the meeting shall be deemed to be equivalent to notice of the meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because such meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Except as otherwise required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
SECTION 10. Quorum. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Any business which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed may be transacted at such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present. For purposes of this section, the total number of directors includes any unfilled vacancies on the Board of Directors.
SECTION 11. Action at Meeting. At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the directors present shall constitute action by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws.
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SECTION 12. Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board of Directors. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form. Such consent shall be treated as a resolution of the Board of Directors for all purposes.
SECTION 13. Manner of Participation. Directors may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting in accordance herewith shall constitute presence in person at such meeting for purposes of these By-laws.
SECTION 14. Presiding Director. The Board of Directors shall designate a representative to preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors, provided that if the Board of Directors does not so designate such a presiding director or such designated presiding director is unable to so preside or is absent, then the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors. If both the designated presiding director, if one is so designated, and the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, are unable to preside or are absent, the Board of Directors shall designate an alternate representative to preside over a meeting of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 15. Committees. The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, may elect one or more committees, including, without limitation, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may delegate thereto some or all of its powers except those which by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws may not be delegated. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any such committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted so far as possible in the same manner as is provided by these By-laws for the Board of Directors. All members of such committees shall hold such offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may abolish any such committee at any time. Any committee to which the Board of Directors delegates any of its powers or duties shall keep records of its meetings and shall report its action to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 16. Compensation of Directors. Directors shall receive such compensation for their services as shall be determined by a majority of the Board of Directors, or a designated committee thereof, provided that directors who are serving the Corporation as employees and who receive compensation for their services as such, shall not receive any salary or other compensation for their services as directors of the Corporation.
ARTICLE III
Officers
SECTION 1. Enumeration. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers, including, without limitation, a Chairperson of the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer and one or more Vice Presidents (including Executive Vice Presidents or Senior Vice Presidents), Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, as the Board of Directors may determine.
SECTION 2. Election. At the regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors shall elect the President, the Treasurer and the Secretary. Other officers may be elected by the Board of Directors at such regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors or at any other regular or special meeting.
SECTION 3. Qualification. No officer need be a stockholder or a director. Any person may occupy more than one office of the Corporation at any time.
SECTION 4. Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws each of the officers of the Corporation shall hold office until the regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors following the next Annual Meeting and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.
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SECTION 5. Resignation. Any officer may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the Corporation addressed to the President or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be effective upon receipt, unless the resignation otherwise provides.
SECTION 6. Removal. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.
SECTION 7. Absence or Disability. In the event of the absence or disability of any officer, the Board of Directors may designate another officer to act temporarily in place of such absent or disabled officer.
SECTION 8. Vacancies. Any vacancy in any office may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 9. President. The President shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
SECTION 10. Chairperson of the Board. The Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
SECTION 11. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer, if one is elected, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
SECTION 12. Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents. Any Vice President (including any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President) and any Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
SECTION 13. Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and except as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may otherwise provide, have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause to be kept accurate books of account. The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds, securities, and valuable documents of the Corporation. He or she shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Any Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
SECTION 14. Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors (including committees of the Board of Directors) in books kept for that purpose. In his or her absence from any such meeting, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting shall record the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall have charge of the stock ledger (which may, however, be kept by any transfer or other agent of the Corporation). The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation, and the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary shall have authority to affix it to any instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, the seal may be attested by his or her signature or that of an Assistant Secretary. The Secretary shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary may perform his or her duties and responsibilities. Any Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
SECTION 15. Other Powers and Duties. Subject to these By-laws and to such limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, the officers of the Corporation shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
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ARTICLE IV
Capital Stock
SECTION 1. Certificates of Stock. Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate of the capital stock of the Corporation in such form as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Such certificate shall be signed by the Chairperson of the Board, the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. The Corporation seal and the signatures by the Corporation’s officers, the transfer agent or the registrar may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the time of its issue. Every certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer and every certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class or series of stock shall contain such legend with respect thereto as is required by law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in these Bylaws, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares (except that the foregoing shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation), and by the approval and adoption of these Bylaws the Board of Directors has determined that all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock may be uncertificated, whether upon original issuance, re-issuance, or subsequent transfer.
SECTION 2. Transfers. Subject to any restrictions on transfer and unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, shares of stock that are represented by a certificate may be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate theretofore properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, with transfer stamps (if necessary) affixed, and with such proof of the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Shares of stock that are not represented by a certificate may be transferred on the books of the Corporation by submitting to the Corporation or its transfer agent such evidence of transfer and following such other procedures as the Corporation or its transfer agent may require.
SECTION 3. Record Holders. Except as may otherwise be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect thereto, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock, until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these By-laws.
SECTION 4. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date: (a) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting and (b) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (i) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and (ii) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
SECTION 5. Replacement of Certificates. In case of the alleged loss, destruction or mutilation of a certificate of stock of the Corporation, a duplicate certificate may be issued in place thereof, upon such terms as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
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ARTICLE V
Indemnification
SECTION 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Article:
(a) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is serving or has served (i) as a Director of the Corporation, (ii) as an Officer of the Corporation, (iii) as a Non-Officer Employee of the Corporation, or (iv) as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, foundation, association, organization or other legal entity which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1(a), a Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee of the Corporation who is serving or has served as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be serving at the request of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Corporate Status” shall not include the status of a person who is serving or has served as a director, officer, employee or agent of a constituent corporation absorbed in a merger or consolidation transaction with the Corporation with respect to such person’s activities prior to said transaction, unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Corporation;
(b) “Director” means any person who serves or has served the Corporation as a director on the Board of Directors of the Corporation;
(c) “Disinterested Director” means, with respect to each Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought hereunder, a Director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to such Proceeding;
(d) “Expenses” means all attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of expert witnesses, private investigators and professional advisors (including, without limitation, accountants and investment bankers), travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, costs of preparation of demonstrative evidence and other courtroom presentation aids and devices, costs incurred in connection with document review, organization, imaging and computerization, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements, costs or expenses of the type customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settling or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding;
(e) “Liabilities” means judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, excise taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement;
(f) “Non-Officer Employee” means any person who serves or has served as an employee or agent of the Corporation, but who is not or was not a Director or Officer;
(g) “Officer” means any person who serves or has served the Corporation as an officer of the Corporation appointed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation;
(h) “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, inquiry, investigation, administrative hearing or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative; and
(i) “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other entity of which the Corporation owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of the Corporation) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power of the voting capital equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity, or (B) fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity.
SECTION 2. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
(a) Subject to the operation of Section 4 of this Article V of these By-laws, each Director and Officer shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the NRS, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), and to the extent authorized in this Section 2.
(1) Actions, Suits and Proceedings Other than By or In the Right of the Corporation. Each Director and Officer shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation against any and all Expenses and Liabilities that are incurred or paid by such Director or Officer or on such Director’s or Officer’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), which such Director or Officer is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Director’s or Officer’s Corporate Status, if such Director or Officer acted in good faith and in a manner such Director or Officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
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(2) Actions, Suits and Proceedings By or In the Right of the Corporation. Each Director and Officer shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation against any and all Expenses that are incurred by such Director or Officer or on such Director’s or Officer’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein by or in the right of the Corporation, which such Director or Officer is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Director’s or Officer’s Corporate Status, if such Director or Officer acted in good faith and in a manner such Director or Officer reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; provided, however, that no indemnification shall be made under this Section 2(a)(2) in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Director or Officer shall have been finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Corporation, unless, and only to the extent that, the Court of Chancery or another court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such Director or Officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such Expenses that such court deems proper.
(3) Survival of Rights. The rights of indemnification provided by this Section 2 shall continue as to a Director or Officer after he or she has ceased to be a Director or Officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives.
(4) Actions by Directors or Officers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall indemnify any Director or Officer seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Director or Officer only if such Proceeding (including any parts of such Proceeding not initiated by such Director or Officer) was authorized in advance by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, unless such Proceeding was brought to enforce such Officer’s or Director’s rights to indemnification or, in the case of Directors, advancement of Expenses under these By-laws in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.
SECTION 3. Indemnification of Non-Officer Employees. Subject to the operation of Section 4 of this Article V of these By-laws, each Non-Officer Employee may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the NRS, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against any or all Expenses and Liabilities that are incurred by such Non-Officer Employee or on such Non-Officer Employee’s behalf in connection with any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding, or any claim, issue or matter therein, which such Non-Officer Employee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in by reason of such Non-Officer Employee’s Corporate Status, if such Non-Officer Employee acted in good faith and in a manner such Non-Officer Employee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The rights of indemnification provided by this Section 3 shall exist as to a Non-Officer Employee after he or she has ceased to be a Non-Officer Employee and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may indemnify any Non-Officer Employee seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Non-Officer Employee only if such Proceeding was authorized in advance by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
SECTION 4. Determination. Unless ordered by a court, no indemnification shall be provided pursuant to this Article V to a Director, to an Officer or to a Non-Officer Employee unless a determination shall have been made that such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Such determination shall be made by (a) a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, (b) a committee comprised of Disinterested Directors, such committee having been designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (even though less than a quorum), (c) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or if a majority of Disinterested Directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by the stockholders of the Corporation.
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SECTION 5. Advancement of Expenses to Directors Prior to Final Disposition.
(a) The Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Director in connection with any Proceeding in which such Director is involved by reason of such Director’s Corporate Status within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a written statement from such Director requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by such Director and shall be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such Director to repay any Expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Director is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Director seeking advancement of expenses hereunder in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Director only if such Proceeding (including any parts of such Proceeding not initiated by such Director) was (i) authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or (ii) brought to enforce such Director’s rights to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under these By-laws.
(b) If a claim for advancement of Expenses hereunder by a Director is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Corporation of documentation of Expenses and the required undertaking, such Director may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and if successful in whole or in part, such Director shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of such advancement of Expenses under this Article V shall not be a defense to an action brought by a Director for recovery of the unpaid amount of an advancement claim and shall not create a presumption that such advancement is not permissible. The burden of proving that a Director is not entitled to an advancement of expenses shall be on the Corporation.
(c) In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Director has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the NRS.
SECTION 6. Advancement of Expenses to Officers and Non-Officer Employees Prior to Final Disposition.
(a) The Corporation may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, advance any or all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of any Officer or any Non-Officer Employee in connection with any Proceeding in which such person is involved by reason of his or her Corporate Status as an Officer or Non-Officer Employee upon the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from such Officer or Non-Officer Employee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by such Officer or Non-Officer Employee and shall be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay any Expenses so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Officer or Non-Officer Employee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses.
(b) In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the Officer or Non-Officer Employee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the NRS.
SECTION 7. Contractual Nature of Rights.
(a) The provisions of this Article V shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each Director and Officer entitled to the benefits hereof at any time while this Article V is in effect, in consideration of such person’s past or current and any future performance of services for the Corporation. Neither amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of this Article V nor the adoption of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article V shall eliminate or reduce any right conferred by this Article V in respect of any act or omission occurring, or any cause of action or claim that accrues or arises or any state of facts existing, at the time of or before such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption of an inconsistent provision (even in the case of a proceeding based on such a state of facts that is commenced after such time), and all rights to indemnification and advancement of Expenses granted herein or arising out of any act or omission shall vest at the time of the act or omission in question, regardless of when or if any proceeding with respect to such act or omission is commenced. The rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article V shall continue notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and distributes of such person.
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(b) If a claim for indemnification hereunder by a Director or Officer is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Corporation of a written claim for indemnification, such Director or Officer may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, such Director or Officer shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. The failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of such indemnification under this Article V shall not be a defense to an action brought by a Director or Officer for recovery of the unpaid amount of an indemnification claim and shall not create a presumption that such indemnification is not permissible. The burden of proving that a Director or Officer is not entitled to indemnification shall be on the Corporation.
(c) In any suit brought by a Director or Officer to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder, it shall be a defense that such Director or Officer has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the NRS.
SECTION 8. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to advancement of Expenses set forth in this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other right which any Director, Officer, or Non-Officer Employee may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise.
SECTION 9. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee against any liability of any character asserted against or incurred by the Corporation or any such Director, Officer or Non-Officer Employee, or arising out of any such person’s Corporate Status, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the NRS or the provisions of this Article V.
SECTION 10. Other Indemnification. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or provide advancement of Expenses to any person under this Article V as a result of such person serving, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or enterprise (the “Primary Indemnitor”). Any indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Article V owed by the Corporation as a result of a person serving, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, partner, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall only be in excess of, and shall be secondary to, the indemnification or advancement of Expenses available from the applicable Primary Indemnitor(s) and any applicable insurance policies.
ARTICLE VI
Miscellaneous Provisions
SECTION 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. Seal. The Board of Directors shall have power to adopt and alter the seal of the Corporation.
SECTION 3. Execution of Instruments. All deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes and other obligations to be entered into by the Corporation in the ordinary course of its business without director action may be executed on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, the President or the Treasurer or any other officer, employee or agent of the Corporation as the Board of Directors or the executive committee of the Board may authorize.
SECTION 4. Voting of Securities. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, the Chairperson of the Board, if one is elected, the President or the Treasurer may waive notice of and act on behalf of the Corporation, or appoint another person or persons to act as proxy or attorney in fact for the Corporation with or without discretionary power and/or power of substitution, at any meeting of stockholders or shareholders of any other corporation or organization, any of whose securities are held by the Corporation.
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SECTION 5. Resident Agent. The Board of Directors may appoint a resident agent upon whom legal process may be served in any action or proceeding against the Corporation.
SECTION 6. Corporate Records. The original or attested copies of the Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and records of all meetings of the incorporators, stockholders and the Board of Directors and the stock transfer books, which shall contain the names of all stockholders, their record addresses and the amount of stock held by each, may be kept outside the State of Nevada and shall be kept at the principal office of the Corporation, at an office of its counsel, at an office of its transfer agent or at such other place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 7. Articles of Incorporation. All references in these By-laws to the Articles of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and/or restated and in effect from time to time.
SECTION 8. Exclusive Jurisdiction of Nevada Courts. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the state and federal courts of the State of Nevada shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the NRS or the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 8. To the fullest extent not inconsistent with any applicable U.S. federal laws, any and all “internal actions” (as defined in NRS 78.046) must be tried in a court of competent jurisdiction before the presiding judge as the trier of fact and not before a jury. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 8.
SECTION 9. Amendment of By-laws.
(a) Amendment by Directors. Except as provided otherwise by law, these By-laws may be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.
(b) Amendment by Stockholders. These By-laws may be amended or repealed at any Annual Meeting, or special meeting of stockholders called for such purpose in accordance with these By-Laws, by the affirmative vote of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that if the Board of Directors recommends that stockholders approve such amendment or repeal at such meeting of stockholders, such amendment or repeal shall only require the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such amendment or repeal, voting together as a single class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, stockholder approval shall not be required unless mandated by the Articles of Incorporation, these By-laws, or other applicable law.
SECTION 10. Notices. If mailed, notice to stockholders shall be deemed given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given to stockholders, any notice to stockholders may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 78.370 of the NRS.
SECTION 11. Waivers. A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder or director, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether given before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting need be specified in such a waiver.
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ANNEX D
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
2025 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
1. DEFINITIONS.
Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, as used in this HWH International Inc. 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan, have the following meanings:
Administrator means the Board of Directors, unless it has delegated power to act on its behalf to the Committee, in which case the Administrator means the Committee.
Affiliate means a corporation which, for purposes of Section 424 of the Code, is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, direct or indirect.
Agreement means an agreement between the Company and a Participant delivered pursuant to the Plan and pertaining to a Stock Right, in such form as the Administrator shall approve.
Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.
Cause means, with respect to a Participant (a) dishonesty with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (b) insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, (c) unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, (d) breach by a Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, and (e) conduct substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate; provided, however, that any provision in an agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of Cause for termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination, shall supersede this definition with respect to that Participant. The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of Cause will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.
Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended including any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto.
Committee means the committee of the Board of Directors to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
Common Stock means shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share.
Company means HWH International Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Consultant means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant that provides bona fide services to the Company or its Affiliates, provided that such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s or its Affiliates’ securities.
Disability or Disabled means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
Employee means any employee of the Company or of an Affiliate (including, without limitation, an employee who is also serving as an officer or director of the Company or of an Affiliate), designated by the Administrator to be eligible to be granted one or more Stock Rights under the Plan.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock means:
(1) If the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and sales prices are regularly reported for the Common Stock, the closing or, if not applicable, the last price of the Common Stock on the composite tape or other comparable reporting system for the trading day on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date;
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(2) If the Common Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded on the over-the-counter market, if sales prices are not regularly reported for the Common Stock for the trading day referred to in clause (1), and if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock are regularly reported, the mean between the bid and the asked price for the Common Stock at the close of trading in the over-the-counter market for the trading day on which Common Stock was traded on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date; and
(3) If the Common Stock is neither listed on a national securities exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the Administrator, in good faith, shall determine.
ISO means an option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
Non-Qualified Option means an option which is not intended to qualify as an ISO.
Option means an ISO or Non-Qualified Option granted under the Plan.
Participant means an Employee, officer, director, Consultant or advisor of the Company or an Affiliate to whom one or more Stock Rights are granted under the Plan. As used herein, “Participant” shall include “Participant’s Survivors” where the context requires.
Plan means this HWH International Inc. 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shares means shares of the Common Stock as to which Stock Rights have been or may be granted under the Plan or any shares of capital stock into which the Shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the Plan. The Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury, or both.
Stock-Based Award means a grant by the Company under the Plan of an equity award or an equity based award which is not an Option or a Stock Grant.
Stock Grant means a grant by the Company of Shares under the Plan.
Stock Right means a right to Shares or the value of Shares of the Company granted pursuant to the Plan — an ISO, a Non-Qualified Option, a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award.
Survivor means a deceased Participant’s legal representatives and/or any person or persons who acquired the Participant’s rights to a Stock Right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
2. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.
The Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Shares by Employees and directors of and certain Consultants to the Company and its Affiliates in order to attract and retain such people, to induce them to work for the benefit of the Company or of an Affiliate and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company or of an Affiliate. The Plan provides for the granting of ISOs, Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards.
3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) The number of Shares which may be issued from time to time pursuant to this Plan shall be twenty percent (20%) of the total issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date of the adoption of this plan, or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in accordance with Paragraph 24 of the Plan.
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In addition, on the first day of each calendar year, for a period of not more than ten (10) years, commencing January 1, 2026, or the first business day of the calendar year if the first day of the calendar year falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Shares available under this Plan will automatically increase in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 31 of the preceding fiscal year or (ii) such number of shares of Common Stock as determined by the Board of Directors.
(b) If an Option ceases to be “outstanding”, in whole or in part (other than by exercise), or if the Company shall reacquire (at not more than its original issuance price) any Shares issued pursuant to a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or if any Stock Right expires or is forfeited, cancelled, or otherwise terminated or results in any Shares not being issued, the unissued or reacquired Shares which were subject to such Stock Right shall again be available for issuance from time to time pursuant to this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Stock Right is exercised, in whole or in part, by tender of Shares or if the Company’s or an Affiliate’s tax withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding Shares, the number of Shares deemed to have been issued under the Plan for purposes of the limitation set forth in Paragraph 3(a) above shall be the number of Shares that were subject to the Stock Right or portion thereof, and not the net number of Shares actually issued. However, in the case of ISOs, the foregoing provisions shall be subject to any limitations under the Code.
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
The Administrator of the Plan will be the Board of Directors, except to the extent the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Committee, in which case the Committee shall be the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to:
(a) Interpret the provisions of the Plan and all Stock Rights and to make all rules and determinations which it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;
(b) Determine which Employees, directors and Consultants shall be granted Stock Rights;
(c) Determine the number of Shares for which a Stock Right or Stock Rights shall be granted;
(d) Specify the terms and conditions upon which a Stock Right or Stock Rights may be granted;
(e) Amend any term or condition of any outstanding Stock Right, including, without limitation, to accelerate the vesting schedule or extend the expiration date, provided that (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted by the Plan; (ii) any such amendment shall not impair the rights of a Participant under any Stock Right previously granted without such Participant’s consent or in the event of death of the Participant the Participant’s Survivors; and (iii) any such amendment shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such amendment would cause any adverse tax consequences to the Participant, including, but not limited to, the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code and described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv) below with respect to ISOs and pursuant to Section 409A of the Code; and
(f) Adopt any appendices applicable to residents of any specified jurisdiction as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with or take advantage of any tax or other laws applicable to the Company, any Affiliate or to Participants or to otherwise facilitate the administration of the Plan, which appendices may include additional restrictions or conditions applicable to Stock Rights or Shares issuable pursuant to a Stock Right; provided, however, that all such interpretations, rules, determinations, terms and conditions shall be made and prescribed in the context of not causing any adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code and preserving the tax status under Section 422 of the Code of those Options which are designated as ISOs. Subject to the foregoing, the interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be final, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if the Administrator is the Committee. In addition, if the Administrator is the Committee, the Board of Directors may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.
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To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Board of Directors or the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any other person selected by it. The Board of Directors or the Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be authorized to grant a Stock Right to any director of the Company or to any “officer” of the Company as defined by Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act.
5. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.
The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, name the Participants in the Plan; provided, however, that each Participant must be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate at the time a Stock Right is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may authorize the grant of a Stock Right to a person not then an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate; provided, however, that the actual grant of such Stock Right shall be conditioned upon such person becoming eligible to become a Participant at or prior to the time of the execution of the Agreement evidencing such Stock Right. ISOs may be granted only to Employees who are deemed to be residents of the United States for tax purposes. Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock- Based Awards may be granted to any Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate. The granting of any Stock Right to any individual shall neither entitle that individual to, nor disqualify him or her from, participation in any other grant of Stock Rights or any grant under any other benefit plan established by the Company or any Affiliate for Employees, directors or Consultants.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
Each Option shall be set forth in writing in an Option Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Administrator may provide that Options be granted subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the terms and conditions specifically required under this Plan, as the Administrator may deem appropriate including, without limitation, subsequent approval by the shareholders of the Company of this Plan or any amendments thereto. The Option Agreements shall be subject to at least the following terms and conditions:
(a) Non-Qualified Options: Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards for any such Non-Qualified Option:
(i) Exercise Price: Each Option Agreement shall state the exercise price (per share) of the Shares covered by each Option, which exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option provided, that if the exercise price is less than Fair Market Value, the terms of such Option must comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code unless granted to a Consultant to whom Section 409A of the Code does not apply.
(ii) Number of Shares: Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which it pertains.
(iii) Option Periods: Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it first is exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be exercised, and may provide that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in installments over a period of months or years, or upon the occurrence of certain conditions or the attainment of stated goals or events.
(iv) Option Conditions: Exercise of any Option may be conditioned upon the Participant’s execution of a Share purchase agreement in form satisfactory to the Administrator providing for certain protections for the Company and its other shareholders, including requirements that:
A. The Participant’s or the Participant’s Survivors’ right to sell or transfer the Shares may be restricted; and
B. The Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may be required to execute letters of investment intent and must also acknowledge that the Shares will bear legends noting any applicable restrictions.
(v) Term of Option: Each Option shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.
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(b) ISOs: Each Option intended to be an ISO shall be issued only to an Employee who is deemed to be a resident of the United States for tax purposes, and shall be subject to the following terms and conditions, with such additional restrictions or changes as the Administrator determines are appropriate but not in conflict with Section 422 of the Code and relevant regulations and rulings of the Internal Revenue Service:
(i) Minimum standards: The ISO shall meet the minimum standards required of Non-Qualified Options, as described in Paragraph 6(a) above, except clause (i) and (v) thereunder.
(ii) Exercise Price: Immediately before the ISO is granted, if the Participant owns, directly or by reason of the applicable attribution rules in Section 424(d) of the Code:
A. 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option; or
B. More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option.
(iii) Term of Option: For Participants who own:
A. 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide; or
B. More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than five years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.
(iv) Limitation on Yearly Exercise: The Option Agreements shall restrict the amount of ISOs which may become exercisable in any calendar year (under this or any other ISO plan of the Company or an Affiliate) so that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the date each ISO is granted) of the stock with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year does not exceed $100,000.
7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK GRANTS.
Each Stock Grant to a Participant shall state the principal terms in an Agreement duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards:
(a) Each Agreement shall state the purchase price per share, if any, of the Shares covered by each Stock Grant, which purchase price shall be determined by the Administrator but shall not be less than the minimum consideration required by the Delaware General Corporations Law, if any, on the date of the grant of the Stock Grant;
(b) Each Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant pertains; and
(c) Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company to restrict or reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant, including the time and events upon which such rights shall accrue and the purchase price therefor, if any.
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8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.
The Administrator shall have the right to grant other Stock-Based Awards based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of Shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Shares and the grant of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards or stock units. The principal terms of each Stock-Based Award shall be set forth in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company.
The Company intends that the Plan and any Stock-Based Awards granted hereunder be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code or meet the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and be operated in accordance with Section 409A so that any compensation deferred under any Stock-Based Award (and applicable investment earnings) shall not be included in income under Section 409A of the Code. Any ambiguities in the Plan shall be construed to affect the intent as described in this Paragraph 8.
9. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.
An Option (or any part or installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company or its designee (in a form acceptable to the Administrator, which may include electronic notice), together with provision for payment of the aggregate exercise price in accordance with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set forth in the Option Agreement. Such notice shall be signed by the person exercising the Option (which signature may be provided electronically in a form acceptable to the Administrator), shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall contain any representation required by the Plan or the Option Agreement. Payment of the exercise price for the Shares as to which such Option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of the exercise to the aggregate cash exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by having the Company retain from the Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of exercise to the aggregate exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm, and approved by the Administrator, or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b), (c), and (d) above or (f) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall accept only such payment on exercise of an ISO as is permitted by Section 422 of the Code.
The Company shall then reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Option was exercised to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be). In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance. The Shares shall, upon delivery, be fully paid, non-assessable Shares.
10. PAYMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.
Any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award requiring payment of a purchase price for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is being granted shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) and having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of payment to the purchase price of the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a) and (b) above; or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine.
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The Company shall when required by the applicable Agreement, reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was made to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be), subject to any escrow provision set forth in the applicable Agreement. In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance.
11. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER.
No Participant to whom a Stock Right has been granted shall have rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Stock Right except after due exercise of an Option or issuance of Shares as set forth in any Agreement, tender of the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, for the Shares being purchased and registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant.
12. ASSIGNABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK RIGHTS.
By its terms, a Stock Right granted to a Participant shall not be transferable by the Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) as approved by the Administrator in its discretion and set forth in the applicable Agreement provided that no Stock Right may be transferred by a Participant for value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ISO transferred except in compliance with clause (i) above shall no longer qualify as an ISO. The designation of a beneficiary of a Stock Right by a Participant, with the prior approval of the Administrator and in such form as the Administrator shall prescribe, shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this Paragraph. Except as provided above during the Participant’s lifetime a Stock Right shall only be exercisable by or issued to such Participant (or his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any Stock Right or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to the provisions of this Plan, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon a Stock Right, shall be null and void.
13. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate before the Participant has exercised an Option, the following rules apply:
(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate (for any reason other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 14, 15, and 16, respectively), may exercise any Option granted to him or her to the extent that the Option is exercisable on the date of such termination of service, but only within such term as the Administrator has designated in a Participant’s Option Agreement.
(b) Except as provided in Subparagraph (c) below, or Paragraph 15 or 16, in no event may an Option intended to be an ISO, be exercised later than three months after the Participant’s termination of employment.
(c) The provisions of this Paragraph, and not the provisions of Paragraph 15 or 16, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes Disabled or dies after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy; provided, however, in the case of a Participant’s Disability or death within three months after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may exercise the Option within one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service, but in no event after the date of expiration of the term of the Option.
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(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a Participant’s termination of employment, termination of director status or termination of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an Option, the Administrator determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then such Participant shall forthwith cease to have any right to exercise any Option.
(e) A Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who is absent from the Company or an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide; provided, however, that, for ISOs, any leave of absence granted by the Administrator of greater than ninety days, unless pursuant to a contract or statute that guarantees the right to reemployment, shall cause such ISO to become a Non- Qualified Option on the 181st day following such leave of absence.
(f) Except as required by law or as set forth in a Participant’s Option Agreement, Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of a Participant’s status within or among the Company and any Affiliates, so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.
14. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause prior to the time that all his or her outstanding Options have been exercised:
(a) All outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause will immediately be forfeited.
(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service but prior to the exercise of an Option, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then the right to exercise any Option is forfeited.
15. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:
(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability may exercise any Option granted to such Participant:
(i) To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability; and
(ii) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability.
(b) A Disabled Participant may exercise the Option only within the period ending one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability, notwithstanding that the Participant might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if the Participant had not been terminated due to Disability and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.
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(c) The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.
16. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:
(a) In the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, such Option may be exercised by the Participant’s Survivors:
(i) To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of death; and
(ii) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of death of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the Participant’s date of death.
(b) If the Participant’s Survivors wish to exercise the Option, they must take all necessary steps to exercise the Option within one year after the date of death of such Participant, notwithstanding that the decedent might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if he or she had not died and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.
17. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS.
In the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason before the Participant has accepted a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award and paid the purchase price, if required, such grant shall terminate.
For purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, a Participant to whom a Stock Grant has been issued under the Plan who is absent from work with the Company or with an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.
In addition, for purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, any change of employment or other service within or among the Company and any Affiliates shall not be treated as a termination of employment, director status or consultancy so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.
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18. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant), other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 19, 20, and 21, respectively, before all forfeiture provisions or Company rights of repurchase shall have lapsed, then the Company shall have the right to cancel or repurchase that number of Shares subject to a Stock Grant as to which the Company’s forfeiture or repurchase rights have not lapsed.
19. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause:
(a) All Shares subject to any Stock Grant whether or not then subject to forfeiture or repurchase shall be immediately subject to repurchase by the Company at par value.
(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then all Shares subject to any Stock Grant that remained subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company had a repurchase right on the date of termination shall be immediately forfeited to the Company.
20. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if a Participant ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of Disability, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of Disability as would have lapsed had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the date of Disability.
The Administrator shall make the determination both as to whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.
21. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply in the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of death, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of death as would have lapsed had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the Participant’s date of death.
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22. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT.
Unless the offering and sale of the Shares shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue Shares under the Plan unless and until the following conditions have been fulfilled:
(a) The person who receives a Stock Right shall warrant to the Company, prior to the receipt of Shares, that such person is acquiring such Shares for his or her own account, for investment, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such Shares, in which event the person acquiring such Shares shall be bound by the provisions of the following legend (or a legend in substantially similar form) which shall be endorsed upon the certificate evidencing the Shares issued pursuant to such exercise or such grant:
“The shares represented by this certificate have been taken for investment and they may not be sold or otherwise transferred by any person, including a pledgee, unless (1) either (a) a Registration Statement with respect to such shares shall be effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it that an exemption from registration under such Act is then available, and (2) there shall have been compliance with all applicable state securities laws.”
(b) At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued in compliance with the Securities Act without registration thereunder.
23. DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.
Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options granted under this Plan which as of such date shall not have been exercised and all Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards which have not been accepted, to the extent required under the applicable Agreement, will terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights of a Participant or a Participant’s Survivors have not otherwise terminated and expired, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors will have the right immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation to exercise or accept any Stock Right to the extent that the Stock Right is exercisable or subject to acceptance as of the date immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any outstanding Stock-Based Awards shall immediately terminate unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specifically provided in the applicable Agreement.
24. ADJUSTMENTS.
Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant’s rights with respect to any Stock Right granted to him or her hereunder shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Participant’s Agreement:
(a) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If (i) the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common Stock, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Common Stock, each Stock Right and the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable thereunder shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made including, in the exercise or purchase price per share, to reflect such events. The number of Shares subject to the limitations in Paragraph 3(a) and 4(c) shall also be proportionately adjusted upon the occurrence of such events.
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(b) Corporate Transactions. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation (a “Corporate Transaction”), the Administrator or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the “Successor Board”), shall, as to outstanding Options, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that such Options must be exercised (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made partially or fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph), within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period such Options which have not been exercised shall terminate whether or not vested; or (iii) terminate such Options in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Option would have been exercisable (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made partially or fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph) less the aggregate exercise price thereof. For purposes of determining the payments to be made pursuant to Subclause (iii) above, in the case of a Corporate Transaction the consideration for which, in whole or in part, is other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be valued at the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
With respect to outstanding Stock Grants, the Administrator or the Successor Board, shall make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Stock Grants on the same terms and conditions by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Stock Grants either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding Shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity. In lieu of the foregoing, in connection with any Corporate Transaction, the Administrator may provide that, upon consummation of the Corporate Transaction, each outstanding Stock Grant shall be terminated in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising such Stock Grant (to the extent such Stock Grant is no longer subject to any forfeiture or repurchase rights then in effect or, at the discretion of the Administrator, all forfeiture and repurchase rights being waived upon such Corporate Transaction).
In taking any of the actions permitted under this Paragraph 24(b), the Administrator shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Stock Rights, all Stock Rights held by a Participant, or all Stock Rights of the same type, identically.
(c) Recapitalization or Reorganization. In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company other than a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option or accepting a Stock Grant after the recapitalization or reorganization shall be entitled to receive for the price paid upon such exercise or acceptance if any, the number of replacement securities which would have been received if such Option had been exercised or Stock Grant accepted prior to such recapitalization or reorganization.
(d) Adjustments to Stock-Based Awards. Upon the happening of any of the events described in Subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) above, any outstanding Stock-Based Award shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such Subparagraphs. The Administrator or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to be made under this Paragraph 24, including, but not limited to the effect of any, Corporate Transaction and, subject to Paragraph 4, its determination shall be conclusive.
(e) Modification of Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) above with respect to Options shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such adjustments would (i) constitute a “modification” of any ISOs (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or (ii) cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders of Options, including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. If the Administrator determines that such adjustments made with respect to Options would constitute a modification or other adverse tax consequence, it may refrain from making such adjustments, unless the holder of an Option specifically agrees in writing that such adjustment be made and such writing indicates that the holder has full knowledge of the consequences of such “modification” on his or her income tax treatment with respect to the Option. This paragraph shall not apply to the acceleration of the vesting of any ISO that would cause any portion of the ISO to violate the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv).
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25. ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Stock Rights. Except as expressly provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property (including without limitation, securities) of the Company prior to any issuance of Shares pursuant to a Stock Right.
26. FRACTIONAL SHARES.
No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the person exercising a Stock Right shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares equal to the Fair Market Value thereof.
27. CONVERSION OF ISOs INTO NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS; TERMINATION OF ISOs.
The Administrator, at the written request of any Participant, may in its discretion take such actions as may be necessary to convert such Participant’s ISOs (or any portions thereof) that have not been exercised on the date of conversion into Non-Qualified Options at any time prior to the expiration of such ISOs, regardless of whether the Participant is an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate at the time of such conversion. At the time of such conversion, the Administrator (with the consent of the Participant) may impose such conditions on the exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the Administrator in its discretion may determine, provided that such conditions shall not be inconsistent with this Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Participant the right to have such Participant’s ISOs converted into Non-Qualified Options, and no such conversion shall occur until and unless the Administrator takes appropriate action. The Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, may also terminate any portion of any ISO that has not been exercised at the time of such conversion.
28. WITHHOLDING.
In the event that any federal, state, or local income taxes, employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“F.I.C.A.”) withholdings or other amounts are required by applicable law or governmental regulation to be withheld from the Participant’s salary, wages or other remuneration in connection with the issuance of a Stock Right or Shares under the Plan or for any other reason required by law, the Company may withhold from the Participant’s compensation, if any, or may require that the Participant advance in cash to the Company, or to any Affiliate of the Company which employs or employed the Participant, the statutory minimum amount of such withholdings unless a different withholding arrangement, including the use of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or a promissory note, is authorized by the Administrator (and permitted by law). For purposes hereof, the fair market value of the shares withheld for purposes of payroll withholding shall be determined in the manner set forth under the definition of Fair Market Value provided in Paragraph 1 above, as of the most recent practicable date prior to the date of exercise. If the Fair Market Value of the shares withheld is less than the amount of payroll withholdings required, the Participant may be required to advance the difference in cash to the Company or the Affiliate employer. The Administrator in its discretion may condition the exercise of an Option for less than the then Fair Market Value on the Participant’s payment of such additional withholding.
29. NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.
Each Employee who receives an ISO must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Employee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. A Disqualifying Disposition is defined in Section 424(c) of the Code and includes any disposition (including any sale or gift) of such Shares before the later of (a) two years after the date the Employee was granted the ISO, or (b) one year after the date the Employee acquired Shares by exercising the ISO, except as otherwise provided in Section 424(c) of the Code. If the Employee has died before such Shares are sold, these holding period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur thereafter.
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30. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
The Plan will terminate on the date which is ten years from the earlier of the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors and the date of its approval by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may be terminated at an earlier date by vote of the shareholders or the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that any such earlier termination shall not affect any Agreements executed prior to the effective date of such termination. Termination of the Plan shall not affect any Stock Rights theretofore granted.
31. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS.
The Plan may be amended by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may also be amended by the Administrator, including, without limitation, to the extent necessary to qualify any or all outstanding Stock Rights granted under the Plan or Stock Rights to be granted under the Plan for favorable federal income tax treatment as may be afforded incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code (including deferral of taxation upon exercise), and to the extent necessary to qualify the Shares issuable under the Plan for listing on any national securities exchange or quotation in any national automated quotation system of securities dealers. In addition, if the Nasdaq Stock Market amends its corporate governance rules so that such rules no longer require stockholder approval of “material amendments” of equity compensation plans, then, from and after the effective date of such an amendment to such rules, no amendment of the Plan which (i) materially increases the number of shares to be issued under the Plan (other than to reflect a reorganization, stock split, merger, spin-off or similar transaction); (ii) materially increases the benefits to Participants, including any material change to: (a) permit a repricing (or decrease in exercise price) of outstanding Options, (b) reduce the price at which Shares or Options may be offered, or (c) extend the duration of the Plan; (iii) materially expands the class of Participants eligible to participate in the Plan; or (iv) expands the types of awards provided under the Plan shall become effective unless stockholder approval is obtained. Any amendment approved by the Administrator which the Administrator determines is of a scope that requires shareholder approval shall be subject to obtaining such shareholder approval. Any modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect his or her rights under a Stock Right previously granted to him or her. With the consent of the Participant affected, the Administrator may amend outstanding Agreements in a manner which may be adverse to the Participant but which is not inconsistent with the Plan. In the discretion of the Administrator, outstanding Agreements may be amended by the Administrator in a manner which is not adverse to the Participant.
32. EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP.
Nothing in this Plan or any Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Company or an Affiliate from terminating the employment, consultancy or director status of a Participant, nor to prevent a Participant from terminating his or her own employment, consultancy or director status or to give any Participant a right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any Affiliate for any period of time.
33. GOVERNING LAW.
This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.
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