AMBOW EDUCATION HOLDING LTD. REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit 7.05
EXECUTION VERSION
AMBOW EDUCATION HOLDING LTD.
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 26, 2011, by and among Ambow Education Holding Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), Campus Holdings Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Investor”), Dr. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the “Co-Investor Shareholder”), and Spin- Rich Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, wholly-owned by Dr. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (the “Co-Investor”, and together with the Co-Investor Shareholder, the “Co-Investor Group”).
WHEREAS, the Investor may from time to time acquire Ambow Shares as contemplated by that certain Participation Agreement by and among Investor and certain other parties dated of even date herewith (the “Participation Agreement”);
WHEREAS, in order to provide for an orderly disposition of the Ambow Shares held by the Investor upon any Transfer Event (as defined in the Participation Agreement), the Company desires to grant the registration rights contained herein to the Investor and its successors and permitted assigns.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, which consideration’s sufficiency is acknowledged, accepted and agreed by the parties hereto, the parties hereto agree as follows:
| 1. | DEFINITIONS |
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in Appendix A to the Participation Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Class A Ordinary Shares” means the Class A ordinary shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share, including any Class A Ordinary Shares held in the form of ADSs.
“Class B Ordinary Shares” means the Class B ordinary shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share.
“Holder” shall mean the Co-Investor Group and the Investor which holds Registrable Securities and any holder of Registrable Securities to whom the registration rights conferred by this Agreement have been duly and validly transferred in accordance with Section 2.11 hereto.
“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c) hereto.
“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c) hereto.
“Initiating Holder” shall mean the Investor or any member of the Co-Investor Group.
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“Investor Rights Agreement” shall mean the Third Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated September 8, 2008 by and among the Company and the holders of registrable securities (as defined therein) that are a party thereto.
“Registrable Securities” shall mean (i) the Class A Ordinary Shares owned or once owned by the Investor (including any Class A Ordinary Shares held in the form of ADSs), (ii) any Class A Ordinary Shares (including any Class A Ordinary Shares held in the form of ADSs) issued or issuable pursuant to the conversion of any Class B Ordinary Shares owned or once owned by the Investor, (iii) any Class A Ordinary Shares (including any Class A Ordinary Shares held in the form of ADSs) issuable or issued or distributed in respect of any such Ambow Shares specified in (i) or (ii) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise), and (iv) any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement; provided, however, that Registrable Securities shall not include any Class A Ordinary Shares described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above which have previously been registered or which have been sold to the public either pursuant to a registration statement or Rule 144, or which have been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s registration rights under this Agreement are not validly assigned in accordance with this Agreement.
The terms “register,” “registered” and “registration” shall refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement.
“Registration Expenses” means all expenses in connection with or incident to the registration of Registrable Securities hereunder, including (a) all SEC and any NYSE registration and filing fees and expenses, (b) all fees and expenses in connection with the registration or qualification of Registrable Securities for offering and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States of America, (c) all expenses relating to the preparation, printing, distribution and reproduction of any Registration Statement required to be filed hereunder, each prospectus included therein or prepared for distribution pursuant hereto, each amendment or supplement to the foregoing, the expenses of preparing Registrable Securities in a form for delivery for purchase pursuant to such registration or qualification and the expense of printing or producing any underwriting agreement(s) and agreement(s) among underwriters and any “blue sky” or legal investment memoranda, any selling agreements and all other documents approved for use in writing by the Company to be used in connection with the offering, sale or delivery of Registrable Securities, (d) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses of the Company and out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred by or for the Company’s personnel for travel undertaken for any “road show” made in connection with the offering of securities registered thereby, (e) fees and expenses of any transfer agent and registrar with respect to the delivery of any Registrable Securities and any escrow agent or custodian involved in the offering, (f) fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel of the Company and independent registered public accounting firm of the Company incurred in connection with the registration, qualification and offering of the Registrable Securities (including the expenses of any opinions or “comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance), (g) fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and any other persons retained by the Company, including special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration, (h) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company desires such insurance and (i) the fees
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and expenses incurred by the Company and its advisers in connection with the quotation or listing of Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or automated securities quotation system. Any Selling Expenses (as defined below) shall not be “Registration Expenses.”
“Restricted Securities” shall mean any securities of the Company required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.8(b) hereof.
“Rule 144” shall mean Rule 144 as promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the SEC.
“Rule 145” shall mean Rule 145 as promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the SEC.
“Selling Expenses” shall mean all brokerage commissions attributable to the sale of any of the Registrable Securities, and any commissions, fees, discounts or expenses of any underwriter or placement agent incurred in connection with an offering of securities registered in accordance with this Agreement, any transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and any fees and expenses of counsel or other advisors to a Holder and any other out-of-pocket expenses of a Holder.
| 2. | REGISTRATION RIGHTS |
2.1 Requested Registration.
(a) Request for Registration. Subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 2.1, if the Company shall receive from any Initiating Holder a written request signed by such Initiating Holder that the Company effect any registration with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities (such request shall state the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be disposed of by such Initiating Holder), the Company will:
(i) promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to all other Holders; and
(ii) as soon as practicable, file and use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration (including, without limitation, filing post-effective amendments, appropriate qualifications under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws, and appropriate compliance with the Securities Act) and to permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of such Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request received by the Company within twenty (20) days after such written notice from the Company is mailed or delivered.
(b) Limitations on Requested Registration. The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any such registration pursuant to this Section 2.1:
(i) Prior to a Transfer Event;
EXECUTION VERSION
(ii) If the anticipated aggregate proceeds therefrom are less than $10,000,000;
(iii) In any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification, or compliance, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;
(iv) After the Company has initiated three (3) such registrations pursuant to this Section 2.1; or
(v) During the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration; provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective.
(c) Deferral. If (i) in the good faith judgment of the Board, the filing of a registration statement covering the Registrable Securities would be materially detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes, as a result, that it is in the best interests of the Company to defer the filing of such registration statement at such time, and (ii) the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the President of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board, it would be materially detrimental to the Company for such registration statement to be filed in the near future and that it is, therefore, in the best interests of the Company to defer the filing of such registration statement, then (in addition to the limitations set forth in Section 2.1(b)(v) above) the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than one hundred eighty (180) days after receipt of the request of the Initiating Holders, and, provided further, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any twelve-month period.
(d) Other Shares. The registration statement filed pursuant to the request of the Initiating Holder may, subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(e), include shares held by Holders other than the Initiating Holder, and may include securities of the Company being sold for the account of the Company.
(e) Underwriting. If an Initiating Holder intends to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by its request by means of an underwriting, it shall so advise the Company as a part of its request made pursuant to Section 2.1 and the Company shall include such information in the written notice given pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i). In such event, the right of any Holder to include all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in such registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities to the extent provided herein. The Company shall (together with all Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the representative of the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders, which underwriters are reasonably acceptable to the Company.
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If a person who has requested inclusion in such registration as provided above does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting, such person shall be excluded therefrom by written notice from the Company, the underwriter or the Initiating Holders. The securities so excluded shall also be withdrawn from registration. Any Registrable Securities or other securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall also be withdrawn from such registration.
2.2 Company Registration.
(a) Company Registration. If the Company shall determine to register any of its securities either for its own account or the account of a security holder or holders, other than a registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.3, a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans, a registration relating to the offer and sale of debt securities, a registration relating to a corporate reorganization or other Rule 145 transaction, or a registration on any registration form that does not permit secondary sales, the Company will:
(i) promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to all Holders; and
(ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in such registration (and any related qualification under blue sky laws or other compliance), except as set forth in Section 2.2(b) below, and in any underwriting involved therein, all of such Registrable Securities as are specified in a written request or requests made by any Holder or Holders received by the Company within ten (10) days after such written notice from the Company is mailed or delivered. Such written request may specify all or a part of a Holder’s Registrable Securities.
(b) Underwriting. If the registration of which the Company gives notice is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the Company shall so advise the Holders as a part of the written notice given pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(i). In such event, the right of any Holder to registration pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company and the other holders of securities of the Company with registration rights to participate therein distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the representative of the underwriter or underwriters selected by the Company.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.2, if the underwriters advise the Company in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, the Company may (subject to the limitations set forth below) limit the number of Registrable Securities to be included in the registration and underwriting. The Company may limit, to the extent so advised by the underwriters, the amount of Registrable Securities to be included in such registration, provided that the aggregate of the Registrable Securities to be included in such registration may not be so reduced to less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total value of all securities included in such registration. The exclusion of Registrable Securities under the Investor Rights Agreement and this Agreement shall only be made on a pro rata basis.
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If a person who has requested inclusion in such registration as provided above does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting, such person shall also be excluded therefrom by written notice from the Company or the underwriter. The Registrable Securities or other securities so excluded shall also be withdrawn from such registration. Any Registrable Securities or other securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such registration.
(c) Right to Terminate Registration. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2.2 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any Holder has elected to include securities in such registration.
2.3 Registration on Form F-3/S-3.
(a) Request for Form F-3/S-3 Registration. The Company represents and warrants that on the date hereof it satisfies the registrant requirements set forth in general instruction I.A. to Form F-3 for purposes of registering securities on Form F-3 under the Securities Act and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to continue to meet such registrant requirements for the registration of securities on Form F-3 or Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms. If the Company shall receive from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities a written request that the Company effect any registration on Form F-3 or Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement with respect to all or part of the Registrable Securities (such request shall state the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be disposed of and the intended methods of disposition of such shares by such Holder or Holders), the Company will take all such action with respect to such Registrable Securities as required by Section 2.1(a)(i) and (ii).
(b) Limitations on Form ▇-▇/▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇ Registration. The Company shall not be obligated to effect, or take any action to effect, any such registration pursuant to this Section 2.3:
(i) In the circumstances described in either Section 2.1(b)(i), Section 2.1(b)(iii), or Section 2.1(b)(v);
(ii) If the Holders, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) on Form F-3 or Form S-3 at an aggregate price to the public of less than $2,000,000; or
(iii) If, in a given twelve-month period, the Company has effected one (1) such registration in such period.
(c) Deferral. The provisions of Section 2.1(c) shall apply to any registration pursuant to this Section 2.3.
(d) Underwriting. If the Holders of Registrable Securities requesting registration under this Section 2.3 intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, the provisions of Sections 2.1(e) shall apply to such registration. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, registrations effected pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall not be counted as requests for registration or registrations effected pursuant to Section 2.1.
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2.4 Expenses of Registration. All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with registrations pursuant to Section 2.1 and Section 2.3 shall be paid by the applicable Holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration pro rata among each other on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities so registered. All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with registrations pursuant to Section 2.2 shall be paid by the Company. All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Holders shall be borne by the holders of securities included in such registration pro rata among each other on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities so registered.
2.5 Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration effected by the Company pursuant to Section 2, the Company will keep each Holder advised in writing as to the initiation of each registration and as to the completion thereof. At its expense, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to:
(a) Keep such registration effective for a period ending on the earlier of the date which is sixty (60) days from the effective date of the registration statement or such time as the Holder or Holders have completed the distribution described in the registration statement relating thereto.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement for the period set forth in subsection (a) above;
(c) Furnish such number of prospectuses, including any preliminary prospectuses, and other documents incident thereto, including any amendment of or supplement to the prospectus, as a Holder from time to time may reasonably request;
(d) Use its reasonable best efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders; provided, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions.
(e) Notify each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in light of the circumstances then existing, and following such notification promptly prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such shares, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in light of the circumstances then existing;
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(f) Provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such registration statement and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration;
(g) Cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed; and
(h) In connection with any underwritten offering pursuant to a registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1, enter into an underwriting agreement in form reasonably necessary to effect the offer and sale of Ordinary Shares, provided such underwriting agreement contains reasonable and customary provisions, and provided further, that each Holder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such an agreement.
2.6 Indemnification.
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, each of its officers, directors and partners, legal counsel, and accountants and each person controlling such Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, with respect to which registration, qualification, or compliance has been effected pursuant to this Section 2, and each underwriter, if any, and each person who controls within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act any underwriter, against all expenses, claims, losses, damages, and liabilities (or actions, proceedings, or settlements in respect thereof) arising out of or based on: (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any prospectus, offering circular, or other document (including any related registration statement, notification, or the like) incident to any such registration, qualification, or compliance, (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation (or alleged violation) by the Company of the Securities Act, any state securities laws or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any offering covered by such registration, qualification, or compliance, and the Company will reimburse each such Holder, each of its officers, directors, partners, legal counsel, and accountants and each person controlling such Holder, each such underwriter, and each person who controls any such underwriter, for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action; provided that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by such Holder, any of such Holder’s officers, directors, partners, legal counsel or accountants, any person controlling such Holder, such underwriter or any person who controls any such underwriter and stated to be specifically for use therein; and provided, further that, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).
(b) To the extent permitted by law, each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by such Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration, qualification, or compliance is being effected, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, officers, partners, legal counsel, and accountants and each underwriter, if any, of the Company’s securities covered by such a
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registration statement, each person who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, each other such Holder, and each of their officers, directors, and partners, and each person controlling such Holder, against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on: (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular, or other document, or (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Company and such Holders, directors, officers, partners, legal counsel, and accountants, persons, underwriters, or control persons for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular, or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder and stated to be specifically for use therein; provided, however, that the obligations of such Holder hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claims, losses, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and provided that in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 2.6 exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.
(c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this Section 2.6 (the “Indemnified Party”) shall give notice to the party required to provide indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom; provided that counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such defense at such party’s expense; and provided further that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Section 2.6, to the extent such failure is not prejudicial. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Each Indemnified Party shall furnish such information regarding itself or the claim in question as an Indemnifying Party may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with defense of such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.6 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to herein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and of the Indemnified Party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and of the Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
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alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or by the Indemnified Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.
2.7 Information by Holder. Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the distribution proposed by such Holder as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration, qualification, or compliance referred to in this Section 2.
2.8 Restrictions on Transfer; Legend.
(a) The holder of each certificate representing Registrable Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to comply in all respects with the provisions of this Section 2.8. Each Holder agrees not to make any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition of all or any portion of the Restricted Securities, or any beneficial interest therein, unless and until (i) such Holder shall have given prior written notice to the Company of such Holder’s intention to make such disposition, (ii) such disposition is made in accordance with applicable law, including any restrictions on transfer resulting from applicable securities laws, and (iii) such disposition is made in accordance with restrictions on transfer set forth in the Company’s articles of association.
(b) Each certificate representing Registrable Securities shall (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Agreement) be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend substantially similar to the following (in addition to any legend required under applicable state securities laws):
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF CERTAIN STATES. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
The Holders consent to the Company making a notation on its records and giving instructions to any transfer agent of the Restricted Securities in order to implement the restrictions on transfer established in this Section 2.8.
(c) The legend referring to federal and state securities laws identified in Section 2.8(b) hereof stamped on a certificate evidencing the Restricted Securities and the share transfer instructions and record notations with respect to such Restricted Securities shall be removed and the Company shall issue a certificate without such legend to the holder of such Restricted Securities if (i) such securities are registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) such holder provides the Company with
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an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that a public sale or transfer of such securities may be made without registration under the Securities Act.
(d) So long as the Investor and its Affiliates collectively beneficially own less than 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares, the Company acknowledges that it would not treat the Investor as an affiliate for purposes of Rule 144 as currently in effect solely as a result of such share ownership.
2.9 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC that may permit the sale of the Restricted Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to:
(a) Make and keep public information regarding the Company available as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times from and after ninety (90) days following the effective date of the first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to the general public;
(b) File with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements; and
(c) So long as a Holder owns any Restricted Securities, furnish to the Holder forthwith upon written request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
2.10 Delay of Registration. No Holder shall have any right to take any action to restrain, enjoin, or otherwise delay any registration as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Section 2.
2.11 Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights. The rights to cause the Company to register securities granted to a Holder by the Company under this Section 2 may be transferred or assigned by a Holder only to an Affiliate of such Holder or to a transferee or assignee of not less than 1,500,000 shares of Registrable Securities; provided that, in each case (i) the Company is given written notice prior to said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are intended to be transferred or assigned and (ii) the transferee or assignee of such rights assumes in writing the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.
2.12 Termination of Registration Rights. The right of any Holder to request registration or inclusion in any registration pursuant to Section 2.1, Section 2.2 or Section 2.3 shall terminate on the later of (i) the second anniversary of the Transfer Event; or (ii) August 4, 2015; provided, however, that the rights and obligations under Section 2.6 shall survive such termination.
2.13 No Conflict. The Company represents and warrants that execution and performance by the Company of this Agreement does not violate any provision of any existing agreement, instrument or contract to which the Company is a party.
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| 3. | GENERAL PROVISIONS |
3.1 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, consents, instructions or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and faxed, mailed or delivered to each party at the respective addresses of the parties as set forth in the Participation Agreement, or in the case of the Company, to 18th Floor, Building A, Chengjian Plaza, ▇▇.▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇. All such notices and communications will be deemed effectively given the earlier of (i) when received, (ii) when delivered personally, (iii) one (1) Business Day after being delivered by facsimile (with receipt of appropriate confirmation), (iv) one (1) Business Day after being deposited with an overnight courier service of recognized standing or (v) four (4) days after being deposited in the U.S. mail, first class with postage prepaid.
3.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the other Transaction Documents constitutes and contain the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, agreements, understandings, duties or obligations between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof.
3.3 Governing Law and Dispute Resolution. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the Laws of the State of New York, without reference to any conflicts of Law provisions. Any Dispute shall be resolved in the manner and in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 12(b) of the Participation Agreement.
3.4 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, then such provision(s) shall be: (a) excluded from this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision(s) were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms and (b) replaced by a mutually acceptable provision, which being valid, legal, enforceable and in compliance with applicable law comes closest to the intention of the parties underlying such illegal, invalid or unenforceable term. To the extent that any right granted hereunder to the Investor or the Co-Investor Group, are deemed to be superior to the registration rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities under the Investor Rights Agreement, such right shall be replaced by a provision which is deemed to be no more than pari passu with the registration rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities under the Investor Rights Agreement.
3.5 Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power, or remedy accruing to any Holder, upon any breach, default or noncompliance of the Company under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power, or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach, default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence therein, or of any similar breach, default or noncompliance thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent, or approval of any kind or character on any Holder’s part of any breach, default or noncompliance under the Agreement or any waiver on such Holder’s part of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement, by law, or otherwise afforded to Holders, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
3.6 Third Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any person, other than the parties hereto and their successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
EXECUTION VERSION
3.7 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto, except that the Company may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement.
3.8 Captions. The captions to sections of this Agreement have been inserted for identification and reference purposes only and shall not be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.
3.9 Counterparts; Telecopy Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. A facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction of this Agreement may be executed by one or more parties, and an executed copy of this Agreement may be delivered by one or more parties by facsimile or similar electronic transmission device pursuant to which the signature of or on behalf of such party can be seen, and such execution and delivery shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes. At the request of any party, all parties agree to execute an original of this Agreement as well as any facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction hereof.
3.10 Adjustments for Share Splits, Etc. Wherever in this Agreement there is a reference to a specific number of shares of the Company of any class or series, then, upon the occurrence of any subdivision, combination or share dividend of such class or series of shares, the specific number of shares so referenced in this Agreement shall automatically be proportionally adjusted to reflect the effect on the outstanding shares of such class or series of shares by such subdivision, combination or share dividend.
3.11 Aggregation of Shares. All shares held or acquired by affiliated entities or persons shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.
3.12 Amendment. Except as expressly provided herein, and subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 3.12, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated other than by a written instrument referencing this Agreement and signed by the Investor and the Co-Investor Group. Any such amendment, waiver, discharge or termination effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be binding upon each Holder and each future holder of all such securities of Holder.
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EXECUTION VERSION
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
| AMBOW EDUCATION HOLDING LTD. | ||
| a Cayman Islands company | ||
| By: | /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | |
| Name: | ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | |
| Title: | Director | |
| SPIN-RICH LTD. a British Virgin Islands company | ||
| By: | /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | |
| Name: | ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | |
| Title: | Director | |
| ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | ||
| /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | ||
SIGNATURE PAGE TO
EXECUTION VERSION
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.
| CAMPUS HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||||
| a British Virgin Islands company | ||||
| By: |
|
, its | ||
| By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ |
|||
| Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ | |||
| Title: | Director | |||
SIGNATURE PAGE TO