Exhibit 10.5


 


Hennessy Capital Acquisition
Corp. III


 3485 N. Pines
Way, Suite 110


Wilson, WY 83014 


 


March 31, 2017


 


Hennessy Capital Partners III LLC


3485 N. Pines Way,
Suite 110


Wilson, WY 83014


 


	 	RE:	Securities Subscription Agreement




 


Ladies and Gentlemen:


 


We
are pleased to accept the offer Hennessy Capital Partners III LLC (the “Subscriber” or “you”)
has made to purchase 7,906,250 shares of common stock (the “Shares”), $.0001 par value per share (the “Common
Stock”), up to 1,031,250 of which are subject to complete or partial forfeiture by you if the underwriters of the initial
public offering (“IPO”) of Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. III, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
do not fully exercise their over-allotment option (the “Over-allotment Option”). The terms (this “Agreement”)
on which the Company is willing to sell the Shares to the Subscriber, and the Company and the Subscriber’s agreements regarding
such Shares, are as follows:


 


1.
Purchase of Common Stock. For the sum of $25,000 (the “Purchase Price”), which the Company acknowledges
receiving in cash, the Company hereby sells and issues the Shares to the Subscriber, and the Subscriber hereby purchases the Shares
from the Company, subject to forfeiture, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Concurrently with
the Subscriber’s execution of this Agreement, the Company is delivering to the Subscriber a certificate registered in the
Subscriber’s name representing the Shares (the “Original Certificate”), receipt of which the Subscriber
hereby acknowledges.


 


2.
Representations, Warranties and Agreements.


 


2.1
Subscriber’s Representations, Warranties and Agreements. To induce the Company to issue the Shares to the Subscriber,
the Subscriber hereby represents and warrants to the Company and agrees with the Company as follows:


 


2.1.1.
No Government Recommendation or Approval. The Subscriber understands that no federal or state agency has passed upon or
made any recommendation or endorsement of the offering of the Shares.


 


2.1.2.
No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Subscriber of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the formation and governing documents of the
Subscriber, (ii) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Subscriber is a party, (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation
to which the Subscriber is subject, or (iv) any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Subscriber is subject.


 


2.1.3.
Organization and Authority. The Subscriber is a Delaware limited liability company, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of Delaware and possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. Upon execution and delivery by you, this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement of Subscriber, enforceable
against Subscriber in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles
of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).


 


2.1.4.
Experience, Financial Capability and Suitability. Subscriber is: (i) sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate
the risks and benefits of the investment in the Shares and (ii) able to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Shares
for an indefinite period of time because the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act (as defined below) and therefore
cannot be resold unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Subscriber
is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Company and has the capacity to protect its own interests.
Subscriber must bear the economic risk of this investment until the Shares are sold pursuant to: (x) an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act or (y) an exemption from registration available with respect to such sale. Subscriber is able
to bear the economic risks of an investment in the Shares and to afford a complete loss of Subscriber’s investment in the
Shares.


 






     

     

    

 


2.1.5.
Access to Information; Independent Investigation. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Subscriber has had the opportunity
to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an investment in the Company, as well as
the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain additional information to verify
the accuracy of all information so obtained. In determining whether to make this investment, Subscriber has relied solely on Subscriber’s
own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon Subscriber’s own due diligence investigation and
the information furnished pursuant to this paragraph. Subscriber understands that no person has been authorized to give any information
or to make any representations which were not furnished pursuant to this Section 2 and Subscriber has not relied on any other representations
or information in making its investment decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations or its prospects.


 


2.1.6.
Regulation D Offering. Subscriber represents that it is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in
Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and acknowledges
the sale contemplated hereby is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption to “accredited investors” or
similar exemptions under federal and state law.


 


2.1.7.
Investment Purposes. The Subscriber is purchasing the Shares solely for investment purposes, for the Subscriber’s
own account and not for the account or benefit of any other person, and not with a view towards the distribution or dissemination
thereof. The Subscriber did not enter into this Agreement as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within
the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act.


 


2.1.8.
Restrictions on Transfer; Shell Company. Subscriber understands the Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving
a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act. Subscriber understands the Shares will be “restricted securities”
as defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and Subscriber understands that the certificate representing the Shares will
contain a legend in respect of such restrictions. If in the future the Subscriber decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise
transfer the Shares, such Shares may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only pursuant to: (i) an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, or (ii) an available exemption from registration. Subscriber agrees that if any transfer of
its Shares or any interest therein is proposed to be made, as a condition precedent to any such transfer, Subscriber may be required
to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company. Absent registration or an exemption, the Subscriber
agrees not to resell the Shares. Subscriber further acknowledges that because the Company is a shell company, Rule 144 may not
be available to the Subscriber for the resale of the Shares until one year following consummation of the initial business combination
of the Company, despite technical compliance with the certain requirements of Rule 144 and the release or waiver of any contractual
transfer restrictions.


 


2.1.9.
No Governmental Consents. No governmental, administrative or other third party consents or approvals are required, necessary
or appropriate on the part of Subscriber in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


 


2.2
Company’s Representations, Warranties and Agreements. To induce the Subscriber to purchase the Shares, the Company
hereby represents and warrants to the Subscriber and agrees with the Subscriber as follows:


 


2.2.1
Organization and Corporate Power. The Company is a Delaware corporation and is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction
in which the failure to so qualify would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, operating
results or assets of the Company. The Company possesses all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to carry out the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


 






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2.2.2.
No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of the Company, (ii) any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party, (iii) any law, statute, rule or regulation
to which the Company is subject, or (iv) any agreement, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is subject.


 


2.2.3.
Title to Securities. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof, the Shares will be duly
and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Upon issuance in accordance with, and payment pursuant to, the terms hereof the
Subscriber will have or receive good title to the Shares, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances of any kind, other
than (a) transfer restrictions hereunder and other agreements to which the Shares may be subject, (b) transfer restrictions under
federal and state securities laws, and (c) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due to the actions of the Subscriber.


 


2.2.4.
No Adverse Actions. There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending, threatened against or affecting
the Company which: (i) seek to restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of or otherwise affect the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or (ii) question the validity or legality of any transactions or seeks to recover damages or to obtain other
relief in connection with any transactions.


 


3.
Forfeiture of Shares.


 


3.1. Partial
or No Exercise of the Over-allotment Option. In the event the Over-allotment Option granted to the representative of the underwriters
of the IPO is not exercised in full, the Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that it shall forfeit any and all rights to such number
of Shares (up to an aggregate of 1,031,250 Shares and pro rata based upon the percentage of the Over-allotment Option exercised)
such that immediately following such forfeiture, the Subscriber (and all other initial stockholders prior to the IPO, if any) will
own an aggregate number of Shares (not including Shares issuable upon exercise of any warrants or any Common Stock purchased by
Subscriber in the IPO or in the aftermarket) equal to 20% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock immediately following the
IPO.


 


3.2.
Termination of Rights as Stockholder. If any of the Shares are forfeited in accordance with this Section 3, then after such
time the Subscriber (or successor in interest), shall no longer have any rights as a holder of such Shares, and the Company shall
take such action as is appropriate to cancel such Shares.


 


3.3.
Share Certificates. In the event an adjustment to the Original Certificate is required pursuant to this Section 3, then
the Subscriber shall return such Original Certificate to the Company or its designated agent as soon as practicable upon its receipt
of notice from the Company advising Subscriber of such adjustment, following which a new certificate (the “New Certificate”)
shall be issued in such amount representing the adjusted number of Shares held by the Subscriber. The New Certificate shall be
returned to the Subscriber as soon as practicable.


 


4.
Waiver of Liquidation Distributions; Redemption Rights. In connection with the Shares purchased pursuant to this Agreement,
the Subscriber hereby waives any and all right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any distributions by the Company
from the trust account which will be established for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders and into which substantially
all of the proceeds of the IPO will be deposited (the “Trust Account”), in the event of a liquidation of the
Company upon the Company’s failure to timely complete an initial business combination. For purposes of clarity, in the event
the Subscriber purchases Common Stock in the IPO or in the aftermarket, any additional Common Stock so purchased shall be eligible
to receive any liquidating distributions by the Company. However, in no event will the Subscriber have the right to redeem any
Shares into funds held in the Trust Account upon the successful completion of an initial business combination.


 


5.
Restrictions on Transfer.


 


5.1.
Securities Law Restrictions. In addition to any restrictions to be contained in that certain letter agreement (commonly
known as an “Insider Letter”) to be dated as of the closing of the IPO by and between Subscriber and the Company,
Subscriber agrees not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Shares unless, prior
thereto (a) a registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws with
respect to the Shares proposed to be transferred shall then be effective or (b) the Company has received an opinion from counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such registration is not required because such transaction is exempt from registration
under the Securities Act and the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder and with all applicable
state securities laws.


 






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5.2
Lock-up. Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares will be subject to lock-up provisions (the “Lock-up”) contained
in the Insider Letter. Pursuant to the Insider Letter, Subscriber will agree not to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise
dispose of all or any part of the Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s
initial business combination or (B) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar
transaction after its initial business combination that results in all of its stockholders having the right to exchange their shares
of common stock for cash, securities or other property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the last sale price of the Common Stock
equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like)
for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial business
combination, or (2) if the Company consummate a transaction after its initial business combination which results in its stockholders
having the right to exchange their shares for cash or property, the Shares will be released from the Lock-up.


 


5.3
Restrictive Legends. All certificates representing the Shares shall have endorsed thereon legends substantially as follows:


 


	 	 	“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT OR SUCH LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL, IS AVAILABLE.”


 


	 	 	“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO LOCKUP PROVISIONS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED DURING THE TERM OF THE LOCKUP PERIOD.”


 


5.3.
Additional Shares or Substituted Securities. In the event of the declaration of a stock dividend, the declaration of a special
dividend payable in a form other than Common Stock, a spin-off, a stock split, an adjustment in conversion ratio, a recapitalization
or a similar transaction affecting the Company’s outstanding Common Stock without receipt of consideration, any new, substituted
or additional securities or other property which are by reason of such transaction distributed with respect to any Shares subject
to this Section 5 or into which such Shares thereby become convertible shall immediately be subject to this Section 5 and Section
3. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the distribution of such securities or property shall be made to the number or class of Shares
subject to this Section 5 and Section 3.


 


5.4
Registration Rights. Subscriber acknowledges that the Shares are being purchased pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and will become freely tradable only after certain conditions are met or they are registered
pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into with the Company prior to the closing of the IPO.


 


6.
Other Agreements.


 


6.1.
Further Assurances. Subscriber agrees to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably
be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.


 


6.2.
Notices. All notices, statements or other documents which are required or contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing
and delivered: (i) personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight courier service or facsimile or electronic
transmission to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number most recently provided to such party or such
other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party and (iii) by electronic mail, to the electronic mail
address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may be designated in writing by such party.
Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on the day of delivery, if delivered personally,
on the business day following receipt of written confirmation, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission, one (1) business
day after delivery to an overnight courier service or five (5) days after mailing if sent by mail.


 






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6.3.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with that certain Insider Letter to be entered into between Subscriber and the
Company, substantially in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, embodies the entire agreement and understanding
between the Subscriber and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements
and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. No statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of any
kind not expressly set forth in this Agreement shall affect, or be used to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and
provisions of this Agreement.


 


6.4.
Modifications and Amendments. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended only by written agreement
executed by all parties hereto.


 


6.5.
Waivers and Consents. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be waived, or consent for the departure therefrom granted,
only by written document executed by the party entitled to the benefits of such terms or provisions. No such waiver or consent
shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver or consent with respect to any other terms or provisions of this Agreement,
whether or not similar. Each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which
it was given, and shall not constitute a continuing waiver or consent.


 


6.6.
Assignment. The rights and obligations under this Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior
written consent of the other party.


 


6.7.
Benefit. All statements, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement shall be binding on the
parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each party hereto. Nothing
in this Agreement shall be construed to create any rights or obligations except among the parties hereto, and no person or entity
shall be regarded as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.


 


6.8.
Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of New York applicable to contracts wholly performed within the borders of such state, without giving
effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.


 


6.9.
Severability. In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any provision, or any portion thereof,
contained in this Agreement shall be unreasonable or unenforceable in any respect, then such provision shall be deemed limited
to the extent that such court deems it reasonable and enforceable, and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect. In
the event that such court shall deem any such provision, or portion thereof, wholly unenforceable, the remaining provisions of
this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.


 


6.10.
No Waiver of Rights, Powers and Remedies. No failure or delay by a party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy
under this Agreement, and no course of dealing between the parties hereto, shall operate as a waiver of any such right, power or
remedy of such party. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy under this Agreement by a party hereto, nor any
abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce any such right, power or remedy, shall preclude such party from any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder. The election of any remedy by a party hereto
shall not constitute a waiver of the right of such party to pursue other available remedies. No notice to or demand on a party
not expressly required under this Agreement shall entitle the party receiving such notice or demand to any other or further notice
or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the party giving such notice or demand to any
other or further action in any circumstances without such notice or demand.


 


6.11.
Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made by the parties hereto in this Agreement
or in any other agreement, certificate or instrument provided for or contemplated hereby, shall survive the execution and delivery
hereof and any investigations made by or on behalf of the parties.


 






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6.12.
No Broker or Finder. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to the other that no broker, finder or other financial
consultant has acted on its behalf in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in such a way as to
create any liability on the other. Each of the parties hereto agrees to indemnify and hold the other harmless from any claim or
demand for commission or other compensation by any broker, finder, financial consultant or similar agent claiming to have been
employed by or on behalf of such party and to bear the cost of legal expenses incurred in defending against any such claim.


 


6.13.
Headings and Captions. The headings and captions of the various sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall in no way modify or affect the meaning or construction of any of the terms or provisions hereof.


 


6.14.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered
one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other
party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by
facsimile transmission or any other form of electronic delivery, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of
the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such signature page were
an original thereof.


 


6.15.
Construction. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including”
will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will
be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa,
unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,”
“hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and
not to any particular section unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant
contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant
contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject
matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate
the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.


 


6.16. Mutual
Drafting. This Agreement is the joint product of the Subscriber and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject
to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto.


 


7.
Voting and Redemption of Shares. Subscriber agrees to vote the Shares in favor of an initial business combination that the
Company negotiates and submits for approval to the Company’s stockholders and shall not seek redemption with respect to such
Shares. Additionally, the Subscriber agrees not to redeem any Shares in connection with a redemption or tender offer presented
to the Company’s stockholders in connection with an initial business combination negotiated by the Company.


 


8.
Indemnification. Each party shall indemnify the other against any loss, cost or damages (including reasonable attorneys’
fees and expenses) incurred as a result of such party’s breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in
this Agreement.


 


[Signature Page Follows]


 








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If the foregoing accurately
sets forth our understanding and agreement, please sign the enclosed copy of this Agreement and return it to us.


 


	 	Very
    truly yours, 
	 	 	 
	 	HENNESSY
    CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP III
	 		
	 	By:	/s/ Daniel J. Hennessy
	 	Name:	Daniel
    J. Hennessy 
	 	Title:	Chief
    Executive Officer 


 


Accepted and agreed this 31st
day of March, 2017


 


	HENNESSY
    CAPITAL PARTNERS III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company	 
	 

        By: Hennessy
        Capital LLC, its Managing Member
	 
	 	 	 
	By:	/s/ Daniel J. Hennessy	 
	Name:	Daniel
    J. Hennessy	 
	Title:	Manager	 


 


 


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