Exhibit 10.9


 


THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN
HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THERE
ARE FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.


 


THE PURCHASE OF THE SECURITIES
INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ONLY BY PERSONS WHO CAN BEAR THE RISK OF THE LOSS OF THEIR ENTIRE INVESTMENT.


 


SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT


 


This Subscription Agreement
(this “Agreement”) is entered into as of March 5, 2021 between Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI, a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”), Hennessy Capital Partners VI LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”)
and Arena Capital Advisors, LLC for and on behalf of the funds and accounts it manages (the “Purchaser”).


 


RECITALS


 


WHEREAS, the Company was
incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization
or similar business combination with one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”);


 


WHEREAS, the Company intends
to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (the
“Registration Statement”) for its initial public offering (“IPO”) of units (the “Public
Units”), at a price of $10.00 per Public Unit, where each Public Unit is currently contemplated to be comprised of one
share of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”, and
the shares of Class A Common Stock included in the Public Units, the “Public Shares”), and a portion of one
redeemable warrant, where each whole warrant is initially exercisable to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise
price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (the “Warrants”, and the Warrants included in the Public Units,
the “Public Warrants”);


 


WHEREAS,
proceeds from the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants (as defined below) in an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate
gross proceeds from the IPO will be deposited into a trust account for the benefit of the holders of the Public Shares (the “Trust
Account”), as described in the Registration Statement;


 


WHEREAS, following the closing
of the IPO (the “IPO Closing”), the Company will seek to identify and consummate a Business Combination;


 


WHEREAS, in connection with
the IPO, the Sponsor and the Purchaser will purchase, in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the IPO Closing,
Warrants which are identical to the Public Warrants except that they will be non-redeemable (in certain circumstances) and exercisable
on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor, the Purchaser or their respective permitted transferees (the “Private
Placement Warrants”), for a purchase price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant;


 


WHEREAS, the parties wish to
enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Purchaser shall subscribe for and purchase (i) a portion of the total number of
shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Class B Common Stock” and collectively
with the shares of Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”) at the closing of the Business Combination from
the Sponsor (“Founder Shares”) and (ii) Private Placement Warrants (together with the Founder Shares, the “Subscribed
Securities”) at the IPO Closing from the Company; and


 


WHEREAS, the Company and
the Sponsor intend for the purchase of Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants as set forth herein to be made pursuant to
Section 4(a)(1) and Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), respectively.


 




     


     


    

 


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration
of the premises, representations, warranties and the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


 


1. Sale and Purchase.


 


(a)
Securities.


 


(i) Subject to the terms
and conditions hereof, the Purchaser hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company
agrees to issue and sell to the Purchaser, the number of Private Placement Warrants equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Private
Placement Warrants to be sold by the Company in connection with the IPO, at a purchase price of $1.50 per warrant (the “Initial
Purchase Price”).


 


(ii) On the Business Combination
Closing (as defined below), the Purchaser shall purchase from the Sponsor, and the Sponsor shall transfer and sell to the Purchaser,
the greater of: (A) 25% of the Initial Subscriber Founder Shares (the “Minimum Share Amount”) and (B) the Initial Subscriber
Founder Shares, less such number of shares subject to any Ownership Reduction (as defined below) and any Change in Investment Reduction
(as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, the number of “Initial Subscriber Founder Shares” shall be equal
to eleven percent (11%) of all of the Founder Shares issued and outstanding upon consummation of the IPO, subject to adjustment
as described herein. The purchase price for the Initial Subscriber Founder Shares shall be $0.006 per share, and shall be paid
by wire transfer of immediately available funds or other means approved by the Sponsor. If the Business Combination Closing has
not occurred by the date that is 24 months from the IPO Closing or any stockholder-approved extension period, then no such purchases
shall occur pursuant to this Section 1(a)(ii).


 


(iii) The Purchaser acknowledges
that the Subscribed Securities, and any securities of the Company that may be distributed to the Purchaser on account of the Subscribed
Securities (collectively, the “Securities”), will be subject to restrictions on transfer as set forth in this
Agreement.


 


(iv) The Company shall notify
the Purchaser in writing of the anticipated date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (the “Effective Date”)
at least three (3) Business Days (as defined below) prior to the Effective Date, and the Purchaser shall remit the balance of the
Initial Purchase Price for the Private Placement Warrants to the Company’s transfer agent (to be held in escrow pending the
IPO Closing), by wire transfer of immediately available funds or other means approved by the Company, on the date that is one (1)
Business Day prior to the Effective Date, or such other date as the Company and the Purchaser may agree upon in writing; provided,
however, that if the actual number of Public Units offered and sold in the IPO is less than 15,000,000 or greater than 60,000,000,
then the Purchaser shall not be obligated to remit the Initial Purchase Price as set forth in Section 1(a)(i) and any of the Purchaser,
the Company or the Sponsor may in its sole discretion terminate this Agreement which shall be of no further force or effect. As
used herein, “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday
nor a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the City of New York,
New York. If the IPO Closing has not occurred by the date that is seven (7) Business Days after the date on which the Purchaser
remitted the balance of its Initial Purchase Price to the Company’s transfer agent, then, unless the Purchaser otherwise
agrees in writing, the Company will promptly cause its transfer agent to return such amounts to the Purchaser. If the IPO Closing
has not occurred by June 30, 2021, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.


 






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(v) In the event that the underwriters’
over-allotment option in connection with the IPO (the “Over-allotment Option”) is exercised, the Purchaser
agrees to purchase an additional number of Private Placement Warrants equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Private Placement
Warrants to be sold by the Company in connection with the Over-allotment Option at a price of $1.50 per warrant. The Company shall
notify the Purchaser in writing of the anticipated date of each closing of the exercise of the Over-allotment Option, if any (each,
an “Over-allotment Closing”) at least three (3) Business Days prior to such Over-allotment Closing, and the
Purchaser shall pay the purchase price for the Private Placement Warrants to be purchased in connection with such Over-allotment
Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds or other means approved by the Company on that date that is one (1) Business
Day prior to such Over-allotment Closing (to be held in escrow pending such Over-allotment Closing), or such other date as the
Company and the Purchaser may agree upon in writing. If the Over-allotment Closing has not occurred by the date that is seven
(7) Business Days after the date on which the Purchaser remitted the purchase price for the Private Placement Warrants to be purchased
in connection with such Over-allotment Closing, then, unless the Purchaser otherwise agrees in writing, the Company will promptly
cause its transfer agent to return such amounts to the Purchaser.


 


(vi) On the date of the IPO
Closing, the Company shall issue to the Purchaser the number of Private Placement Warrants that it has purchased pursuant to Section
1(a)(i). On the date of each Over-allotment Closing, if any, the Company shall issue to Purchaser the number of Private Placement
Warrants that it has purchased pursuant to Section 1(a)(v). On each of the IPO Closing, an Over-allotment Closing and the Business
Combination Closing, the Purchaser shall deliver to the Company a schedule setting forth the number of Founder Shares and Private
Placement Warrants, as applicable, to be purchased by the Purchaser at such closing.


 


(b) Closing Conditions.
The Purchaser’s obligation to purchase the Subscribed Securities and the Sponsor’s and the Company’s obligation
to sell the Subscribed Securities to the Purchaser is conditioned upon satisfaction of the following conditions precedent (any
or all of which may be waived by the Company, the Sponsor and the Purchaser in its sole discretion with respect to the other parties’
conditions):


 


(i) On the IPO Closing
or the Business Combination Closing, as applicable, no legal, administrative or regulatory action, suit or proceeding shall be
pending which seeks to restrain or prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and


 


(ii) The representations
and warranties of the Company, the Sponsor and the Purchaser, contained in this Agreement shall have been true and correct on the
date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct on the IPO Closing or the Business Combination Closing, as applicable, as
if made on the date of such closing (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4(b) and 4(h), which shall
be true and correct as of the IPO Closing).


 


(c) Delivery of Securities.


 


(i) The Company shall register
the Purchaser as the owner of the Private Placement Warrants with the Company’s transfer agent by book entry on or prior
to the date of the IPO Closing (provided that prior to the Company’s appointment of a transfer agent it shall register the
Purchaser as the owner of such securities in the Company’s stock ledger upon issuance thereof).


 


(ii) Each register and book
entry for the Securities shall contain a notation, and each certificate (if any) evidencing the Securities shall be stamped or
otherwise imprinted with a legend (in addition to any other required legends, as applicable), in substantially the following form:


 


“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE
NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION,
AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN VIOLATION OF SUCH ACT AND LAWS.


 






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THE SALE, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION, OR TRANSFER
OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A CERTAIN SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE
HOLDER AND THE OTHER PARTIES THERETO. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.”


 


(d) Legend Removal. Following
the expiration of the transfer restrictions set forth in Section 6(a), if the Securities are eligible to be sold without
restriction under, and without the Company being in compliance with the current public information requirements of, Rule 144 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or if they are registered for resale under the
Securities Act pursuant to a shelf registration statement, then at the Purchaser’s written request, the Company will use
its best efforts to cause the Company’s transfer agent to remove the legend set forth in Section 1(c)(ii), subject
to compliance by the Purchaser with the reasonable and customary procedures for such removal required by the Company or its transfer
agent. In connection therewith, if required by the Company’s transfer agent, the Company will promptly cause an opinion
of counsel to be delivered to and maintained with its transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and
directions required by the transfer agent that authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Securities without any such
legend.


 


(e) Registration Rights.
On the Effective Date, the Company shall enter into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”)
with the Sponsor and certain other parties thereto, in substantially the form provided to the Purchaser prior to the date hereof.


 


2. Potential Forfeiture.


 


(a) If the Purchaser does
not purchase at least 9.9% of the Public Shares sold by the Company in the IPO, then the Purchaser shall automatically forfeit
its right to purchase any of the Initial Subscriber Founder Shares and shall forfeit all right, title or interest in, the Initial
Subscriber Founder Shares.


 


(b) If either (A) the Purchaser does
not beneficially own or hold, directly or indirectly, at least 9.9% of the Public Shares (the “Forfeiture Threshold”)
as of the date of the vote by the Company’s stockholders to approve the Business Combination or the Business Day immediately
prior to the closing of the Business Combination or (B) the Purchaser redeems all or a portion of its Public Shares in connection
with the Business Combination that results in the Purchaser owning less than the Forfeiture Threshold, then the number of Initial
Subscriber Founder Shares that the Purchaser may purchase pursuant to Section 1(a)(ii) shall be reduced pro rata by a fraction,
the numerator of which shall equal the Forfeiture Threshold less the number of Public Shares held by the Purchaser after giving
effect to any redemptions of the Public Shares by the Purchaser, and the denominator shall equal the Forfeiture Threshold (the
“Ownership Reduction”). By way of example and without limiting the foregoing, in the event the Purchaser owns
five percent (5%) of the Public Shares (after giving effect to any redemptions of their Public Shares), the Purchaser shall forfeit
50% of its Initial Subscriber Founder Shares, in which case the Ownership Reduction shall equal 50% of the Initial Subscriber Founder
Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, no Ownership Reduction shall result in the Purchaser having to forfeit or transfer any Private
Placement Warrants.


 


(c) The Purchaser agrees
that if, prior to a Business Combination, the Sponsor’s managing members deem it necessary in order to facilitate a Business
Combination by the Company for the Sponsor to forfeit, transfer, exchange or amend the terms of all or any portion of the Founder
Shares and/or the Private Placement Warrants or to enter into any other arrangements with respect to the Founder Shares and/or
the Private Placement Warrants (including, without limitation, a transfer of the Sponsor’s membership interests representing
an interest in any of the foregoing) to facilitate the consummation of such Business Combination, including voting in favor of
any amendment to the terms of the Founder Shares and/or the Private Placement Warrants (each, a “Change in Investment”),
such Change in Investment shall apply pro rata to Purchaser (the “Change in Investment Reduction”) and the
Sponsor based on the relative number of Founder Shares and/or Private Placement Warrants held by each. By way of example and without
limiting the foregoing, in the event 50% of the Sponsor’s Founder Shares and/or Private Placement Warrants are forfeited
or transferred by the Sponsor as part of such Business Combination, the Purchaser shall forfeit or transfer 50% of its Initial
Subscriber Founder Shares and/or Private Placement Warrants on substantially the same terms and conditions as the Sponsor, in
which case the Change in Investment Reduction shall equal 50% of the Initial Subscriber Founder Shares.


 






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(d) Solely by way of example
to illustrate the provisions of Section 2, in the event the Sponsor forfeited or transferred 50% of its Initial Subscriber
Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants to facilitate the consummation of a Business Combination, the Ownership Reduction
is 50% and the Change in Investment Reduction is 50%, then the percentage of the Initial Subscriber Founder Shares to be purchased
by the Purchaser shall be reduced 100% to zero; provided, however, that the Purchaser shall still have the right to purchase the
Minimum Share Amount. In addition, the Purchaser shall forfeit or transfer 50% of its Private Placement Warrants.


 


3. Representations and
Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company as follows, as of the date hereof:


 


(a) Organization and Power.
The Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and
has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted.


 


(b) Authorization. The
Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser,
will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with
its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any
other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or (ii) as limited by laws relating
to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.


 


(c) Governmental Consents and
Filings. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing
with, any federal, state or local governmental authority is required on the part of the Purchaser in connection with the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for filings pursuant to applicable securities laws, rules or regulations.


 


(d) Compliance with
Other Instruments. The execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement and the consummation by the
Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any violation or default (i) under any provisions
of its organizational documents, (ii) under any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree to which it is a party or by which
it is bound, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iv) under any lease,
agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (v) under any provision of federal or
state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Purchaser, in each case (other than clause (i)), which would have a material
adverse effect on the Purchaser’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


 


(e) Purchase Entirely for
Own Account. This Agreement is made with the Purchaser in reliance upon the Purchaser’s representation to the Company,
which by the Purchaser’s execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby confirms, that the Securities to be acquired by
the Purchaser will be acquired for investment for the Purchaser’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a
view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof in violation of any state or federal securities laws, and that the Purchaser
has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same in violation of law. By
executing this Agreement, the Purchaser further represents that the Purchaser does not presently have any contract, undertaking,
agreement or arrangement with any Person (other than the Company) to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to
any third Person, with respect to any of the Securities. For purposes of this Agreement, “Person” means an individual,
a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other
entity or any government or any department or agency thereof.


 


(f) Disclosure of Information.
The Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions
of the offering of the Securities, as well as the terms of the Company’s proposed IPO, with the Company’s management.


 




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(g) Restricted Securities.
The Purchaser understands that the offer and sale of the Securities to the Purchaser has not been and will not be registered under
the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon,
among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Purchaser’s representations as
expressed herein. The Purchaser understands that the Securities are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal
and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, the Purchaser must hold the Securities indefinitely unless they are
registered with the SEC and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements
is available. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Securities except pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement. The Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification
is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding
period for the Securities, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and
which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has confidentially
submitted the Registration Statement for its proposed IPO. The Purchaser understands that the offering of Securities and transactions
contemplated hereunder are not and are not intended to be part of the IPO, and that the Purchaser will not be able to rely on the
protection of Section 11 of the Securities Act with respect to its purchase of Securities hereunder.


 


(h) No Public Market.
The Purchaser understands that no public market now exists for the Securities, and that the Company has not made any assurances
that a public market will ever exist for the Securities.


 


(i) High Degree of Risk.
The Purchaser understands that the purchase of the Private Placement Warrants involves a high degree of risk which could cause
the Purchaser to lose all or part of its investment.


 


(j) Accredited Investor.
The Purchaser is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.


 


(k) No General Solicitation.
Neither the Purchaser, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners has either directly or
indirectly, including, through a broker or finder (i) to its knowledge, engaged in any general solicitation, or (ii) published
any advertisement in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities.


 


(l) Place of Investment Decision.
The Purchaser’s investment decision was made in the office or offices located at the address of the Purchaser set forth on
the signature page hereof.


 


(m) Adequacy of Financing.
The Purchaser will, when such funds are due hereunder, have sufficient funds to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement.


 


(o) No Other Representations
and Warranties; Non-Reliance. Except for the specific representations and warranties contained in this Section 3 and
in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, none of the Purchaser nor any person acting on behalf of the Purchaser
nor any of the Purchaser’s affiliates (the “Purchaser Parties”) has made, makes or shall be deemed to
make any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Purchaser and this offering, and the Purchaser
Parties disclaim any such representation or warranty. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly made by
the Company in Section 4 of this Agreement and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, the Purchaser
Parties specifically disclaim that they are relying upon any other representations or warranties that may have been made by the
Company, any person on behalf of the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates (collectively, the “Company Parties”)
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.


 


4. Representations, Warranties
and Covenants of the Company. The Company represents, warrants and covenants to the Purchaser as follows:


 


(a) Organization and Corporate
Power. The Company is incorporated and validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of Delaware and
has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted.


 




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(b) Capitalization. The authorized
share capital of the Company consists, as of the date hereof: 


 


(i) 200,000,000 shares of Class
A Common Stock, none of which is issued and outstanding.


 


(ii) 20,000,000 shares
of Class B Common Stock, 4,312,500 of which are issued and outstanding and held by the Sponsor and the other initial stockholders
of the Company. All of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock have been duly authorized, are fully paid and nonassessable
and were issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.


 


(iii) 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, none of which is issued and outstanding.


 


(c) Authorization. All
corporate action required to be taken by the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders in order to authorize the Company
to enter into this Agreement, and to issue the Private Placement Warrants, has been taken on or prior to the date hereof. All action
on the part of the stockholders, directors and officers of the Company necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the performance of all obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and the issuance and delivery of the Private Placement
Warrants has been taken on or prior to the date hereof. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute
the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms except (i)
as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application
relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability
of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.


 


(d) Valid Issuance of
Private Placement Warrants.


 


(i) The Private Placement
Warrants, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will
be validly issued and fully paid, as applicable, and free of all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, liens, encumbrances and charges
with respect to the issue thereof and restrictions on transfer other than restrictions on transfer specified under this Agreement,
applicable state and federal securities laws and liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by the Purchaser. Assuming the accuracy
of the representations of the Purchaser in this Agreement and subject to the filings described in Section 4(e) below, the
Private Placement Warrants will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations.


 


(ii) No “bad actor” disqualifying
event described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i)-(viii) of the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”) is applicable
to the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any Company Covered Person (as defined below), except for a Disqualification
Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii–iv) or (d)(3), is applicable. “Company Covered Person” means, with
respect to the Company as an “issuer” for purposes of Rule 506 promulgated under the Securities Act, any Person listed
in the first paragraph of Rule 506(d)(1).


 


(e) IPO.


 


(i) The Company has provided
to the Purchaser, and will at all times prior to the consummation of the IPO promptly provide to the Purchaser, copies of all correspondence
sent by the Company to, or received by the Company from, the SEC.


 


(ii) The offers and sales
of securities in the IPO will be made pursuant to an effective Registration Statement and otherwise in compliance with the Securities
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and applicable state securities laws, rules and regulations.


 


(f) Governmental Consents and Filings.
Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchaser in this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization
of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority
is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
except for filings pursuant to Regulation D of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, if any.


 






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(g) Compliance with Other
Instruments. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement will not result in any violation or default (i) under any provisions of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws
or other governing documents of the Company, (ii) under any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree to which the Company is
a party or by which it is bound, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage to which the Company is a party or by which it is
bound, (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or (v)
under any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, in each case (other than clause
(i)) which would have a material adverse effect on the Company or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.


 


(h) Operations. As of
the date hereof, the Company has not conducted, and prior to the IPO Closing the Company will not conduct, any operations other
than organizational activities and activities in connection with offerings of the Securities.


 


(i) Foreign Corrupt Practices.
Neither the Company, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other Person acting on behalf of the Company has, in the course
of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment
or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or
domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; or (iv) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other
unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee.


 


(j) Compliance with Anti-Money
Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial
recordkeeping and reporting requirements and all other applicable U.S. and non-U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations,
including, but not limited to, those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the USA Patriot
Act of 2001 and the applicable money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder
and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively,
the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental
agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.


 


(k) Absence of Litigation.
There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory
organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of the Company’s
officers or directors, whether of a civil or criminal nature or otherwise, in their capacities as such.


 


(l) No General Solicitation.
Neither the Company, nor any of its officers, managers, employees, agents or members has either directly or indirectly, including,
through a broker or finder (i) engaged in any general solicitation or (ii) published any advertisement in connection with the offer
and sale of the Private Placement Warrants.


 


(m) Non-Public Information.
The Company represents and warrants that none of the information conveyed to the Purchaser in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will constitute material non-public information of the Company upon the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement.


 


(n) No Other Representations
and Warranties; Non-Reliance. Except for the specific representations and warranties contained in this Section 4 and
in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, none of the Company Parties has made, makes or shall be deemed to make
any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company or the offering of Securities hereunder, and
the Company Parties disclaim any such representation or warranty. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly
made by the Purchaser in Section 3 of this Agreement and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, the
Company Parties specifically disclaim that they are relying upon any other representations or warranties that may have been made
by the Purchaser Parties.


 






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5. Representations, Warranties
and Covenants of the Sponsor. The Sponsor represents, warrants and covenants as follows:


 


(a)
Organization and Power. The Sponsor is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction
of its formation and has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and as proposed to be
conducted.


 


(b) Authorization.
The Sponsor has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Sponsor,
will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Sponsor, enforceable against the Sponsor in accordance with its
terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other
laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or (ii) as limited by laws relating to the
availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.


 


(c) Encumbrances.
The Initial Subscriber Founder Shares to be sold to the Purchaser (i) are owned by the Sponsor free and clear of any security
interests, liens, claims or other encumbrances, subject only to restrictions upon transfer under the Securities Act and any applicable
state securities laws and as described in the Registration Statement, (ii) are subject to certain transfer restrictions as set
forth in the Registration Statement, and (iii) will not subject the Purchaser to personal liability upon its acquisition of such
Initial Subscriber Founder Shares by reason of being a holder of such Initial Subscriber Founder Shares.


 


(d) No Other Representations
and Warranties; Non-Reliance. Except for the specific representations and warranties contained in this Section 5 and in any
certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, none of the Sponsor Parties has made, makes or shall be deemed to make any
other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Sponsor or the offering of Securities hereunder, and the
Sponsor Parties disclaim any such representation or warranty. Except for the specific representations and warranties expressly
made by the Purchaser in Section 3 of this Agreement and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, the Sponsor
Parties specifically disclaim that they are relying upon any other representations or warranties that may have been made by the
Purchaser Parties.


 






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6. Additional Agreements
and Acknowledgements of the Purchaser.


 


(a) Transfer Restrictions. The
Purchaser agrees that it shall not Transfer (as defined below) (i) any Founder Shares (or any shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Founder Shares) until the earlier of (A) one year after the closing of the Business Combination (the “Business
Combination Closing”) and (B) the date following the Business Combination Closing on which the Company completes a liquidation,
merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders
having the right to exchange their Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (such period, the “Lock-up Period”)
or (ii) any Private Placement Warrants (or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants)
until 30 days after the Business Combination Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if subsequent to a Business Combination,
the closing price of the Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends,
reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period commencing
at least one hundred and fifty (150) days after the Business Combination Closing, the Founder Shares shall be released from the
lockup referenced in this Section 6(a). Notwithstanding the first sentence hereinabove, Transfers of the Securities are
permitted (i) to any other person or entity that holds Common Stock prior to the consummation of the IPO; (ii) to the Company’s
officers, directors or employees; (iii) in the case of an entity, as a distribution to its partners, stockholders or members upon
liquidation; (iv) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of the individual’s immediate family, to a trust, the
beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family, or an affiliate or such person, or to a charitable
organization; (v) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (vi)
in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (vii) by pledges to secure obligations incurred
in connection with purchases of the Company’s securities; (viii) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the
consummation of a Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the applicable Securities were originally
purchased; (ix) in the event of the Company’s liquidation, bankruptcy or dissolution prior to the completion of a Business
Combination; (x) to the Purchaser’s affiliates, to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by the Purchaser,
or to any investment manager or investment advisor of the Purchaser or an affiliate of any such investment manager or investment
advisor or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by such persons; (xi) to a nominee or custodian of a person
or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (i) through (x) above; and (xii) pursuant to the
provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement (each of the foregoing, a “Permitted Transferee”); provided,
however, that in the case of clauses (i) through (xi), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing
to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, including the forfeiture provisions of Section 2 and these transfer restrictions.
As used in this Agreement, “Transfer” shall mean the (x) sale or assignment of, offer to sell, contract or
agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly
or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call
equivalent position (within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder) with respect to, any of the Securities; (y)
entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership
of any of the Securities, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Securities, in cash or otherwise,
or (z) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (x) or (y); provided further, that this
Section 6(a) shall not prohibit the Purchaser from effecting a Short Sale (as defined below) with securities that do not constitute
“Securities” under this Agreement.


 






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(b) Trust Account.


 


(i) The Purchaser hereby acknowledges
that it is aware that the Company will establish the Trust Account for the benefit of its public stockholders upon the IPO Closing.
The Purchaser hereby agrees that it has no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account,
or any other asset of the Company as a result of any liquidation of the Company, except for redemption and liquidation rights,
if any, the Purchaser may have in respect of any Public Shares held by it.


 


(ii) The Purchaser hereby
agrees that it shall have no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“Claim”) to,
or to any monies in, the Trust Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that
it may have now or in the future, except for redemption and liquidation rights, if any, the Purchaser may have in respect of any
Public Shares held by it. In the event the Purchaser has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, the Purchaser shall
pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the property or any monies
in the Trust Account, except for redemption and liquidation rights, if any, the Purchaser may have in respect of any Public Shares
held by it.


 


(c) No Short Sales.
The Purchaser hereby agrees that neither it, nor any person or entity acting on its behalf, will engage in any Short Sales with
respect to securities of the Company prior to the closing of the Business Combination. For purposes of this Section 6(c), “Short
Sales” shall include, without limitation, all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation
SHO under the Exchange Act, and all types of direct and indirect stock pledges (other than pledges in the ordinary course of business
as part of prime brokerage arrangements), forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including
on a total return basis).


 






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(d) Use of Purchaser’s
Name. Neither the Company nor the Sponsor will, without the written consent of the Purchaser in each instance, use in advertising,
publicity or otherwise the name of the Purchaser or any of its affiliates, or any director, officer or employee of the Purchaser,
nor any trade name, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof owned
by the Purchaser or its affiliates or any information relating to the business or operations of the Purchaser or its affiliates
(including, for the avoidance of doubt, any investment vehicles, funds or accounts managed thereby). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company may disclose (i) Purchaser’s name and information concerning the Purchaser (A) to the extent required by law,
regulation or regulatory request, including in the Registration Statement or (B) to the Company’s lawyers, independent accountants
and to other advisors and service providers who reasonably require Purchaser’s information in connection with the provision
of services to the Company, are advised of the confidential nature of such information and are obligated to keep such information
confidential, and (ii) Purchaser’s name and the terms of this Agreement to the other Subscription Parties. The Company and
the Sponsor agree to provide to the Purchaser for Purchaser’s review any disclosure in any registration statement, proxy
statement or other document in advance of the submission, filing or disclosure of such document in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser or any of its affiliates, and will not make any such submission,
filing or disclosure without including any revisions reasonably requested in writing by the Purchaser or to the extent the Purchaser
has a good faith objection to such submission, filing or disclosure.


 


(e) Stock Exchange Listing.
The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to effect and maintain the listing of the Class A Common Stock and Warrants
on The Nasdaq Capital Market (or another national securities exchange) until the third anniversary of the Business Combination
Closing.


 


7. General Provisions.


 


(a) Notices. All notices
and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon
the earlier of actual receipt, or (i) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent, if sent by electronic mail
or facsimile (if any) during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the
recipient’s next Business Day, (iii) five (5) Business Days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iv) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier,
freight prepaid, specifying next Business Day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications sent to the Company
shall be sent to: Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI, 3415 N. Pines Way, Suite 204, Wilson, WY 83014, Attention: Daniel J. Hennessy,
Email: dhennessy@hennessycapllc.com, Gregory D. Ethridge, Email: gethridge@hennessycapllc.com and Nicholas A. Petruska, Email:
npetruska@hennessycapllc.com, with a copy to Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, Attention: Michael P. Heinz,
Email: mheinz@sidley.com and Dirk W. Andringa, Email: dandringa@sidley.com.


 


All communications to the
Purchaser shall be sent to the Purchaser’s mailing address or email address as set forth on the signature page hereto, or
to such email address, facsimile number (if any) or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with
this Section 7(a).


 


(b) No Finder’s Fees.
Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finder’s fee or commission in connection with this
transaction. The Purchaser agrees to indemnify and to hold harmless the Company from any liability for any commission or compensation
in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending
against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Purchaser or any of its officers, employees or representatives are
responsible. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser from any liability for any commission or compensation
in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending
against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.


 


(c) Survival of Representations
and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.


 


(d) Entire Agreement. This
Agreement, together with any other documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto or referenced herein,
constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior
understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any
way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.


 


(e) Successors. All of
the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties, and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to
the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors. Nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.


 




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(f) Assignments. Except
as otherwise specifically provided herein, no party hereto may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or
obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party.


 


(g) Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument.


 


(h) Headings. The section
headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation
of this Agreement.


 


(i) Governing Law. This
Agreement, the entire relationship of the parties hereto, and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract,
tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State
of New York, without giving effect to its choice of laws principles.


 


(j) Jurisdiction. The
parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of New York and the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or
based upon this Agreement, (ii) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement
except in state courts of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (iii) waive,
and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it
is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment
or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding
is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.


 


(k) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IN CONNECTION WITH ANY LITIGATION PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.


 


(l) Amendments. This
Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except with the prior written consent of the Company
and the Purchaser.


 


(m) Severability. The
provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the
validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any
party hereto or to any circumstance, is adjudged by a governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator not to be enforceable in
accordance with its terms, the parties hereto agree that the governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator making such determination
will have the power to modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete
specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.


 


(n) Expenses. Each of
the Company and the Purchaser will bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives,
financial advisors, legal counsel and accountants. The Company shall be responsible for the fees of its transfer agent, stamp taxes
and all of The Depository Trust Company’s fees associated with the issuance of the Securities and the securities issuable
upon conversion or exercise of the Securities.


 






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(o) Construction.
The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of
intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption
or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign law will be deemed also to refer to law as amended and all rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. 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 subdivision
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.


 


(p) Waiver. No waiver
by any party hereto of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not,
may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect
in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent occurrence.


 


(q) Specific Performance.
Each party hereto agrees that irreparable damage may occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was not performed by the
other party hereto in accordance with the terms hereof and that the such party shall be entitled to specific performance of the
terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity.


 


(r) Confidentiality. Except
as may be required by law, regulation or applicable stock exchange listing requirements (but subject in any case to the provisions
of Section 6(d) hereof), unless and until the transactions contemplated hereby and the terms hereof are publicly announced
or otherwise publicly disclosed by the Company, the parties hereto shall keep confidential and shall not publicly disclose the
existence or terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchaser shall be permitted to disclose any information
to its affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, advisors, director or indirect owners, agents and
representatives, in each case so long as such person or entity has been advised of the confidentiality obligations hereunder; provided
that the Purchaser shall be liable for any breach of such confidentiality obligations by any such person or entity.


 


[Signature page follows]


 




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IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the undersigned have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.


 


	 	COMPANY:
	 	 
	 	HENNESSY CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORP. VI
	 	 
	 	By: 	/s/ Daniel J. Hennessy
	 	Name: 	Daniel J. Hennessy
	 	Title: 	Chief Executive Officer
	 	 
	 	SPONSOR:
	 	 
	 	HENNESSY CAPITAL PARTNERS VI LLC
	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Daniel J. Hennessy
	 	Name:  	Daniel J. Hennessy
	 	Title: 	Managing Member



 






    15


     


    

 


	 	PURCHASER:
	 	 
	 	ARENA CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC. FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS IT MANAGES
	 	 
	 	/s/ S Perrett 
	 	Name:  	S Perrett
	 	Title: 	Arena Capital Advisors, LLC as General Partner for the funds and accounts
it manages.


 


	 	Purchaser’s Address for Notices:
	 	12121 Wilshire Blvd,
	 	Suite 1010
	 	Los Angeles, CA 90025


 






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Schedule


 


	 	 	Number of
 Subscribed Securities
	 	 	Initial Purchase Price	 
	Initial Subscriber Founder Shares	 	 	[   ]	 	 	$	[   ]	 
	Private Placement Warrants	 	 	[   ]	 	 	$	[   ]	 



 


Date of Closing:


 


At each of the IPO Closing,
an Over-allotment Closing and the Business Combination Closing, this schedule will be updated to reflect the number of Initial
Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants to be purchased at such closing.

 


 


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