Exhibit 10.3


 


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


 


THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 16, 2021, is made and entered into by and among Athena
Technology Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Athena Technology Sponsor LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) and the undersigned parties listed on the signature
page hereto under “Holders” (each such party together with the Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes
a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder” and collectively the
“Holders”).


 


RECITALS


 


WHEREAS, the
Company has 9,816,667 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Founder Shares”),
issued and outstanding, up to 1,250,000 of which will be forfeited to the Company for no consideration depending on the extent
to which the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering exercise their over-allotment option;


  


WHEREAS, the
Founder Shares are convertible into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”),
on the terms and conditions provided in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation;


 


WHEREAS, on
March 16, 2021, the Company and the Sponsor entered into that certain Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement (the “Private
Placement Units Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase up to 700,000 Units (the “Private
Placement Units”) in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s
initial public offering;


 


WHEREAS, in
order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in connection with its search for and consummation of an initial Business
Combination (as defined below), the Sponsor, an affiliate of the Sponsor, certain of the Company’s officers and directors
or other third parties may loan to the Company funds as the Company may require, of which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be
convertible into private placement-equivalent units (“Working Capital Units”) at a price of $10.00 per
unit at the option of the lender; and


 


WHEREAS, the
Company and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration
rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.


 


NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as
follows:


 


ARTICLE I


DEFINITIONS


 


1.1 Definitions.
The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings
set forth below:


 


“Adverse Disclosure”
shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required
to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein
(in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not
misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (iii) the
Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.


 


“Agreement”
shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.


 






    1


     


    

 


“Board”
shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.


 


“Business Combination”
shall mean any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination
with one or more businesses, involving the Company.


 


“Commission”
shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.


 


“Common Stock”
shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.


 


“Company”
shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.


 


“Demand Registration”
shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.


 


“Demanding Holder”
shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.


 


“Exchange Act”
shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.


 


“Form S-1”
shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.


 


“Form S-3”
shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.


 


“Founder
Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto and shall be deemed to include the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof.


 


“Founder Shares Lock-up Period”
shall mean, with respect to the Founder Shares, the period ending on the earlier of (A) one year after the completion of the Company’s
initial Business Combination and (B) subsequent to the Business Combination, (x) if the closing 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 (y) the date 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 shares of Common Stock for cash, securities
or other property.


 


“Holders”
shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.


  


“Insider Letter”
shall mean that certain letter agreement, dated as of March 16, 2021, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and each of the Company’s
officers, directors and director nominees.


  


“Maximum Number of Securities”
shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.


 


“Misstatement”
shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration
Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made) not misleading.


 


“Permitted Transferees”
shall mean any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities
prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, Private Placement Lock-up Period or any other lock-up period, as
the case may be, under the Insider Letter, the Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement, this Agreement and any other applicable
agreement between such Holder and the Company, and to any transferee thereafter.


 


“Piggyback Registration”
shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.


 


“Private Placement Lock-up Period”
shall mean, with respect to Private Placement Units that are held by the initial purchasers of such Private Placement Units or
their Permitted Transferees, the Private Placement Units and the underlying shares of Common Stock, private placement warrants
(the “Private Placement Warrants”) and shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private
Placement Warrants, and that are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Units or their Permitted Transferees,
the period ending 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination.


 






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“Private Placement
Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto. 


 


“Private Placement
Units Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.


 


“Pro Rata”
shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.


 


“Prospectus”
shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as
amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.


 


“Registrable
Security” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares and the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion
of the Founder Shares, (b) the Private Placement Units (including any underlying shares of Common Stock, the Private Placement
Warrants and shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants), (c) any outstanding shares of
Common Stock or any other equity security (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other
equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (d) any equity securities (including the shares
of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such equity security) of the Company issuable upon conversion of any
working capital loans in an amount up to $1,500,000 made to the Company by a Holder (including the Working Capital Units and their
underlying securities) and (e) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such share of Common
Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation
or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable
Securities when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the
Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration
Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend
restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall
not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities
may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter
by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through,
a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.


 


“Registration”
shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the
requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement
becoming effective.


 


“Registration Expenses”
shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:


 


(A) all registration
and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.)
and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;


 


(B) fees and expenses
of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in
connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);


 


(C) printing, messenger,
telephone and delivery expenses;


 


(D) reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Company;


 


(E) reasonable fees
and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such
Registration; and


 






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(F) reasonable fees
and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration
to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration.


 


“Registration Statement”
shall mean any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including
the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such
registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.


 


“Requesting Holder”
shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.


 


“Securities Act”
shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.


 


“Sponsor”
shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.


 


“Underwriter”
shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part
of such dealer’s market-making activities.


 


“Underwritten Registration”
or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company
are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.


 


“Working
Capital Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.


 


ARTICLE II


REGISTRATIONS


 


2.1 Demand
Registration.


 


2.1.1 Request
for Registration. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, at any time and from
time to time on or after the date the Company consummates the Business Combination, the Holders of at least fifteen percent (15%)
of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities (the “Demanding Holders”)
may make a written demand for Registration of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe
the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such
written demand a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of
the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such
demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable
Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s
Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify
the Company, in writing, within five (5) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the
Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled
to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall effect,
as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the
Demand Registration, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders pursuant
to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3)
Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration under this subsection 2.1.1 with respect to any or all Registrable
Securities; provided, however, that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form
S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-1”) has
become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting
Holders in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement.


 


2.1.2 Effective
Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement,
a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement
filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission
and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, further,
that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration
pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or
state court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to
have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated,
and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to
continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five (5) days, of such
election; and provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration
Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration
becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.


 






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2.1.3 Underwritten
Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest
of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities
pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder
or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s
participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten
Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten
Offering under this subsection 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s)
selected for such Underwritten Offering by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration.


    


2.1.4 Reduction
of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand
Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the
dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell,
taken together with all other Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Common Stock, if
any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held
by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can
be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method,
or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable,
the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the
Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders
and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder
and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable
Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Registration (such
proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding
the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the
foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders (Pro Rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities
that each Holder has so requested) exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection
2.2.1 hereof, without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number
of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the
Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that
the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Common Stock or other
equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate
written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.


 


2.1.5 Demand
Registration Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest
of the Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under subsection 2.1.1 shall have the right to
withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to
the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant
to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the
Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under
this subsection 2.1.5.


 






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2.2 Piggyback
Registration.


 


2.2.1 Piggyback
Rights. If, at any time on or after the date the Company consummates a Business Combination, the Company proposes to file a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations
exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders
of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section
2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit
plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering
of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall
give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less
than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount
and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing
Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity
to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after
receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). The
Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its
best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities
requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same
terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition
of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to
distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter
into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.


  


2.2.2 Reduction
of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback
Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration
in writing that the dollar amount or number of the shares of Common Stock that the Company desires to sell, taken together with
(i) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements
with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which
registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock, if any,
as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders
of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:


 


(a) If the Registration
is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or
other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable
Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof
(pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that such Holder has requested be included in such Registration),
which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities
has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested
pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, which can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;


 


(b) If the Registration
is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include
in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities,
other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second,
to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities
of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata
based on the number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Registration and the aggregate
number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Registration, which can be sold without
exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached
under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can
be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities
has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Common Stock or other equity securities for the account
of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with
such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.


 






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2.2.3 Piggyback
Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration
for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her
or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with
the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the
result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration
Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration
Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.


  


2.2.4 Unlimited
Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof
shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof.


 


2.3 Registrations
on Form S-3. The Holders of Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company,
pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), register the resale
of any or all of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement that may be available
at such time (“Form S-3”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated
to effect such request through an Underwritten Offering. Within five (5) days of the Company’s receipt of a written request
from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice
of the proposed Registration on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities
who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3
shall so notify the Company, in writing, within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As
soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than twelve (12) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request
for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall register all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as
are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders
joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof if (i)
a Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any
other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and
such other equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $10,000,000.


 


2.4 Restrictions
on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith
estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company
initiated Registration and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration
pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause
the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the
Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good
faith judgment of the Board such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result
that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish
to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would
be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed in the near future and that it is therefore
essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing
for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its
obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period.


 






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ARTICLE III


COMPANY PROCEDURES


 


3.1 General
Procedures. If at any time on or after the date the Company consummates a Business Combination the Company is required to effect
the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale
of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall,
as expeditiously as possible:


 


3.1.1 prepare and
file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its
reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities
covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;


 


3.1.2 prepare and
file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the
Prospectus, as may be requested by the Holders or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations
thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement
are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;


 


3.1.3 prior to filing
a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if
any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of
such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case
including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement
(including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities
included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;


   


3.1.4 prior to any
public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by
the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the
Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may
request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered
with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company
and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included
in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then otherwise so subject;


 


3.1.5 cause all such
Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued
by the Company are then listed;


 


3.1.6 provide a transfer
agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement;


 


3.1.7 advise each
seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any
stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain
its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;


 


3.1.8 at least five
(5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement,
furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities and its counsel, including, without limitation, providing
copies promptly upon receipt of any comment letters received with respect to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus;


 






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3.1.9 notify the
Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement 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 a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;


 


3.1.10 permit a representative
of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any
attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the
preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information
reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however,
that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information; and provided further, the Company
may not include the name of any Holder or Underwriter or any information regarding any Holder or Underwriter in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, any document that is to be incorporated
by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any response to any comment letter, without the prior written consent
of such Holder or Underwriter and providing each such Holder or Underwriter a reasonable amount of time to review and comment on
such applicable document, which comments the Company shall include unless contrary to applicable law;


 


3.1.11 obtain a “cold
comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration
which the participating Holders may rely on, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold
comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest
of the participating Holders;


 


3.1.12 on the date
the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel
representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if
any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion
is being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included
in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders;


 


3.1.13 in the event
of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form,
with the managing Underwriter of such offering;


 


3.1.14 make available
to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months
beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement
which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor
rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);


 


3.1.15 if the Registration
involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000, use its reasonable efforts
to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be
reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and


 


3.1.16 otherwise,
in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection
with such Registration.


 


3.2 Registration
Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that
the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’
commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration
Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.


 






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3.3 Requirements
for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of
the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s
securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary
questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may
be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.


 


3.4 Suspension
of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains
a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until such Holder has received
copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants
to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until such Holder is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued
use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure
or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons
beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the
filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event
more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company
exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred
to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities.
The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section
3.4.


 


3.5 Reporting
Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting
company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable
grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings. The Company further covenants
that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable
such Holder to sell shares of Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the
Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a
written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.


   


ARTICLE IV


INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION


 


4.1 Indemnification.


 


4.1.1 The Company
agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each
person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
expenses (including attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration
Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission
of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as
the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein.
The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within
the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.


 


4.1.2 In connection
with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the
Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents
and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities
and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or
any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only
to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such
Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several,
not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities
shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant
to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors
and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the
foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.


 






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4.1.3 Any person
entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to
which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification
hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified
party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect
to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified
party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the
indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled
to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel
(plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable
judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified
parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry
of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is
so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement 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.


  


4.1.4 The indemnification
provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of
securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions
as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s
indemnification is unavailable for any reason. 


 


4.1.5 If the indemnification
provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless
an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as
a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action
in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s
and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however,
that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds
received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the
losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections
4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred
by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method
of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall
be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.


 






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ARTICLE V


MISCELLANEOUS


 


5.1 Notices.
Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed
to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person
or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail, telecopy, telegram
or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed
sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on
which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail, telecopy, telegram
or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at
such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed,
if to the Company, to: 125 Townpark Drive, Suite 300, Kennesaw, GA 30144, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address
or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any
time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty
(30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.


 


5.2 Assignment;
No Third Party Beneficiaries.


 


5.2.1 This Agreement
and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in
part.


 


5.2.2 Prior to the
expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period or the Private Placement Lock-up Period, as the case may be, no Holder may assign
or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with
a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee but only if such Permitted Transferee agrees to become
bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement.


  


5.2.3 This Agreement
and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the
permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.


 


5.2.4 This Agreement
shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement
and Section 5.2 hereof.


  


5.2.5 No assignment
by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company
unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof
and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and
provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer
or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.


 


5.3 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed
an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.


 


5.4 Governing
Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY
AGREE THAT (I) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS
AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION
OF SUCH JURISDICTION, AND (II) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT
IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


 






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5.5 Amendments
and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable
Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement
may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however,
that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in such Holder’s
capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders
(in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company
and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies
under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise
of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights
or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.


 


5.6 Other Registration
Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to
require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration
filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company
represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms
and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement
shall prevail.


 


5.7 Term.
This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (ii) the date as
of which (A) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the
applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated
thereafter by the Commission)) or (B) the Holders of all Registrable Securities are permitted to sell the Registrable Securities
without registration pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision) under the Securities Act with no volume or other restrictions
or limitations. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.


 


[Signature Page Follows]


 




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IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.


 


	 	COMPANY:
	 	 
	 	ATHENA TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Phyllis W. Newhouse
	 	 	Name: 	 Phyllis W. Newhouse
	 	 	Title:	Chief
Executive Officer 
	 	 
	 	HOLDER:
	 	 
	 	ATHENA TECHNOLOGY SPONSOR LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Phyllis W. Newhouse
	 	 	Name: 	 Phyllis W. Newhouse
	 	 	Title: 	Managing Member


 


 


[Signature Page to Registration Rights
Agreement]