ex_459786.htm


 


EXHIBIT 10.1


 


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT



dated as of



December 29, 2022



by and between



STARCO BRANDS, INC.


 


and



THE INVESTORS LISTED HEREIN


 


 


 





 










 








 


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


 


This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of December 29, 2022 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between Starco Brands, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Acquiror”) and the stockholders of the Acquiror listed on Schedule A hereto (the “Investors” and each, an “Investor”).


 


WHEREAS, the Investors will receive shares of Common Stock (as defined below) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Acquiror, Starco Merger Sub II, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Skylar Body, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Skylar Body, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Shareholder Representative Services LLC, solely in its capacity as the representative of the Company Holders; and


 


WHEREAS, the Acquiror is granting to the Investors certain rights to have such shares of Common Stock registered for resale to the public on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.


 


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


 


ARTICLE 1

Definitions


 


Section 1.01. Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:


 


As used herein the following terms have the following respective meanings:


 


“Acquiror” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.


 


“Additional Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.


 


“Affiliate,” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144 under the Securities Act.


 


“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, together with any exhibits, schedules, appendices or other attachments thereto.


 


“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day in which banks are not required or authorized to be closed in Los Angeles, California.


 


“Closing Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.


 


“Common Stock” means shares of the Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Acquiror.


 


“Damages” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.


 





 










 








 


“Effective Date” means the date that the Registration Statement is first declared effective by the SEC.


 


“Effectiveness Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).


 


“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


 


“Filing Date” means the date that is 120 calendar days after the later of (i) the date that the Acquiror is eligible to register its Common Stock for resale on Form S-3, and (ii) the date that the Voting Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, in each case, if such day is not a Business Day, then the next day that is a Business Day.


 


“Free Writing Prospectus” has the meaning set form in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.


 


“Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03.


 


“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03.


 


“Indemnity Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.


 


“Investor’s Counsel” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).


 


“Investors” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.


 


“Joinder Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(a).


 


“Merger Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.


 


“Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02.


 


“OTC” means the OTC Markets Group.


 


“Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, a government or any department or agency thereof and any other legal entity.


 


“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.


 


“Registrable Securities” means, at any time, any Securities issued to the Investors in connection with the Merger Agreement, whether Closing Merger Consideration, Additional Merger Consideration or Sephora Holdback Consideration, together with any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization, exchange or similar event with respect to the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Registrable Securities may be reduced pro rata amongst the Investors as necessary to comply with any limitations imposed on the registration of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act and any SEC rules and regulations.


 





 










 








 


“Registration Statement” means each registration statement required to be filed under Section 2 with respect to the Registrable Securities, including (in each case) the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.


 


“Rule 144,” “Rule 144A,” “Rule 172,” “Rule 405,” “Rule 415,” and “Rule 424” means Rule 144, Rule 144A, Rule 172, Rule 405, Rule 415 and Rule 424, respectively, promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rules may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC having substantially the same effect as such Rule.


 


“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.


 


“Securities” means Common Stock of the Acquiror, including any Common Stock issued in connection with the exercise of outstanding options or warrants.


 


“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


 


“Selling Expenses” means all underwriting discounts, selling fees or commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to any sale of Registrable Securities.


 


“Sephora Holdback Consideration” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.


 


“Shelf Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a)(i).


 


“Takedown Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a)(i).


 


“Trading Day” means (a) a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market (other than the OTC), or (b) if the Common Stock is not listed or quoted on a Trading Market (other than the OTC), a day on which the Common Stock is quoted in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the OTC, or (c) if the Common Stock is not listed or quoted on any Trading Market, a day on which the Common Stock is quoted in the over-the-counter market as reported by the Pink Sheets LLC (or any similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices); provided, that, in the event that the Common Stock is not listed or quoted as set forth in (a), (b) and (c) hereof, then Trading Day shall mean a Business Day.


 


“Trading Market” means whichever of the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market or OTC on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question.


 


“Transfer” means, with respect to any Registrable Securities, (a) when used as a verb, to sell, assign, dispose of, exchange, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise transfer such Registrable Securities or any participation or interest therein, whether directly or indirectly, or agree or commit to do any of the foregoing and (b) when used as a noun, a direct or indirect sale, assignment, disposition, exchange, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, or other transfer of such Registrable Securities or any participation or interest therein or any agreement or commitment to do any of the foregoing.


 


“Transferee” means a Person to whom Registrable Securities are Transferred by such Investor; provided that such Transfer is not made in a registered offering or pursuant to Rule 144.


 





 










 








 


“Voting Agreement” means that certain Voting Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2022, by and among the Acquiror and the stockholders of the Acquiror listed therein.


 


Section 1.02    . Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof. References to Articles, Sections or Exhibits are to Articles, Sections and Exhibits of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All Exhibits annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized term used in any Exhibit but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively.


 


ARTICLE 2    


Registration Rights


Section 2.01   Registration Statement.


 


(a)    On or prior to the Filing Date, the Acquiror shall prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement covering the resale of all Registrable Securities for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 (or any successor provision); provided, that if any Registrable Securities are issued after the Filing Date or the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective, the Acquiror shall take commercially reasonable steps to include such Registrable Securities in the Registration Statement or file a new Registration Statement covering the resale of such Registrable Securities within 120 days after such Registrable Securities are issued; provided, that the Acquiror qualifies to include such Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement on Form S-3 at such time.


 


(b)    The Acquiror shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as possible, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earlier of (i) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement or under Rule 144 or (ii) the date on which all Registrable Securities may be immediately sold to the public by non-affiliates without registration or restriction (including, without limitation, as to volume by each holder thereof) under the Securities Act (the “Effectiveness Period”).


 





 










 








 


(c)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Acquiror may, by written notice to the Investors, suspend sales under a Registration Statement after the Effective Date thereof and/or require that each Investor immediately cease the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant thereto and/or defer the filing of any subsequent Registration Statement if the Acquiror is engaged in a material merger, acquisition or sale or another event has occurred and the Board of Directors of the Acquiror determines in good faith, by appropriate resolutions, that, as a result of such activity or event, (a) it would be materially detrimental to the Acquiror (other than as relating solely to the price of the Common Stock) to maintain a Registration Statement at such time or (b) it is in the best interests of the Acquiror to suspend sales under such Registration Statement at such time. Upon receipt of such notice by the Investors, each Investor shall immediately discontinue any sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration until the Investors are advised in writing by the Acquiror that the current Prospectus or amended Prospectus, as applicable, may be used. In no event, however, shall this right be exercised to suspend sales beyond the period during which (in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Acquiror) the failure to require such suspension would be materially detrimental to the Acquiror. Immediately after the end of any suspension period under this Section 2.01(c), the Acquiror shall use reasonable best efforts to take all necessary actions (including filing any required supplemental Prospectus) to restore the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement and the ability of each Investor to publicly resell its Registrable Securities pursuant to such effective Registration Statement.


 


Section 2.02     Registration Procedures.


 


In connection with the Acquiror’s registration obligations hereunder, the Acquiror shall:


 


(a)    Not less than five (5) Trading Days prior to the filing of a Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish to the Investors and counsel to the Investors (“Investor’s Counsel”) copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents (other than any document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) will be subject to the review of the Investors and the Investor’s Counsel. The Acquiror shall reflect in each such document when so filed with the SEC all reasonable comments, as determined in the discretion of the Acquiror’s legal counsel and professional advisors, regarding the description of the transactions under the Merger Agreement, the Investors or the plan of distribution as the Investors may reasonably and promptly propose, which shall be no later than three (3) Trading Days after the Investors have been so furnished with copies of such documents as aforesaid.


 


(b)    (i) Subject to Section 2.01(c), prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, including post-effective amendments, to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective, as to the applicable Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness Period and prepare and file with the SEC such additional Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act all of the Registrable Securities; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; and (iii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Investors thereof set forth in the Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented.


 





 










 








 


(c)     Notify the Investors as promptly as reasonably possible, and if requested by the Investors confirm such notice in writing no later than two (2) Trading Days thereafter, of any of the following events: (i) the SEC issues any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or initiates any proceedings for that purpose; (ii) the Acquiror receives notice of any suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose; or (iii) the financial statements included in any Registration Statement become ineligible for inclusion therein or any Registration Statement or Prospectus or other document contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.


 


(d)    Use its reasonable best efforts to avoid the issuance of or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, as soon as possible.


 


(e)    Promptly deliver to the Investors, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto as the Investors may reasonably request. The Acquiror hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by the Investors in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto to the extent permitted by federal and state securities laws and regulations.


 


(f)     Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, during the Effectiveness Period, use reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Investors in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as each Investor requests in writing, to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective for so long as required, but not to exceed the duration of the Effectiveness Period, and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Acquiror shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.


 


(g)    Cooperate with each Investor to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book-entry records, as required by such Investor, representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates or records, as applicable, shall be free, to the extent permitted by the Transaction Documents and under law, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such certificates to be in such denominations and registered in such names as each Investor may reasonably request.


 





 










 








 


(h)    Upon the occurrence of any event described in Section 2.02(c), as promptly as reasonably possible, prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered, neither the Registration Statement nor such Prospectus will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.


 


(i)    Comply with all rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to the registration of the Registrable Securities.


 


(j)    Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 172 under the Securities Act, file any final Prospectus, including any supplement or amendment thereof, with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, reasonably promptly inform the Investors in writing if, at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Acquiror does not satisfy the conditions specified in Rule 172 and, as a result thereof, the Investors are required to make available a Prospectus in connection with any disposition of Registrable Securities and take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to facilitate the registration of the Registrable Securities hereunder.


 


(k)    Use reasonable best efforts to cause all Common Stock included in the Registrable Securities to be listed on the national securities exchange, if any, on which similar securities issued by the Acquiror are then listed.


 


(l)    With respect to each Free Writing Prospectus or other materials to be included in the Disclosure Package, ensure that no Registrable Securities be sold “by means of” (as defined in Rule 159A(b) promulgated under the Securities Act) such Free Writing Prospectus or other materials without the prior written consent of the Investors, which Free Writing Prospectuses or other materials shall be subject to the prior reasonable review of the Investors and Investor’s Counsel provided, however, the Acquiror shall not be responsible or liable for any use of a Free Writing Prospectus by an Investor without the prior written consent of the Acquiror.


 


(m)    As expeditiously as possible and within the deadlines specified by the Securities Act, make all required filings of all prospectuses and Free Writing Prospectuses with the SEC.


 


(n)    As expeditiously as possible and within the deadlines specified by the Securities Act, make all required filing fee payments in respect of any registration statement or prospectus used under this Agreement (and any offering covered thereby).


 


  (q)    To take all other reasonable steps necessary to effect the registration and disposition of the Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.


 





 










 








 


Section 2.03     Investor Information. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Acquiror to complete the registration or Prospectus supplement filing pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of any Investor that such Investor furnishes to the Acquiror the information reasonably requested by the Acquiror and such other information regarding such Investor, the Registrable Securities and other Common Stock held by such Investor and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by such Investor as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities or file a Prospectus supplement with respect to the Registrable Securities and each Investor shall complete and execute such documents in connection with the foregoing as the Acquiror may reasonably request.


 


Section 2.04     Registration Expenses. The Acquiror shall pay all fees and expenses (other than Selling Expenses) incurred in connection with the performance of or compliance with Section 2 of this Agreement by the Acquiror, including without limitation (a) all registration and filing fees and expenses including, without limitation, those related to filings with the SEC, FINRA, any Trading Market and in connection with applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws, (b) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities), (c) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (d) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Acquiror, (e) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Acquiror in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including fees and expenses of the Acquiror’s independent certified public accountants and counsel, (f) all listing fees to be paid by the Acquiror to the Trading Market and (g) the reasonable and customary fees and expenses of one firm of counsel to the Investors (which firm shall be selected by the Investors). All reasonable Selling Expenses incurred in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities shall be borne by the Investors or other holders selling such Registrable Securities in proportion to such Investors’ or other holders’ Registrable Securities sold.


 


ARTICLE 3

Indemnification


 


Section 3.01    . Indemnification by the Acquiror. The Acquiror agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Investor and their Affiliates and their respective its officers, directors, employees, partners and agents, and each Person, if any, who controls such Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable expenses of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “Damages”) caused by or relating to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or prospectus or any filing or document incidental to the registration of the Registrable Securities (as amended or supplemented if the Acquiror shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or free-writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405), or caused by or relating to any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such Damages are caused by or related to any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission so made based upon information furnished in writing to the Acquiror by such Investor expressly for use therein. The Acquiror also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless underwriters of the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Investor provided in this Section 3.01.


 





 










 








 


Section 3.02     Indemnification by Participating Investors. Each Investor holding Registrable Securities included in any registration statement agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquiror, its officers, directors, employees, partners and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Acquiror within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity from the Acquiror to such Investor provided in Section 3.01, but only with respect to information furnished in writing by such Investor expressly for use in any registration statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities (as amended or supplemented thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or free-writing prospectus. Each such Investor also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless underwriters of the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Acquiror provided in this Section 3.02. No Investor shall be liable under this Section 3.02 for any Damages in excess of the proceeds received by such Investor in the sale of Registrable Securities of such Investor to which such Damages relate; provided, however, that no limitation on liability shall be imposed for any Damages that are a result of fraud or intentional misrepresentation on behalf of such Investor.


 


Section 3.03    . Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Article 3, such Person (an “Indemnified Party”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all fees and expenses, provided that the failure of any Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure to notify. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (a) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed, in writing, to the retention of such counsel, (b) in the reasonable judgment of such Indemnified Party representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them, including one or more defenses or counterclaims that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party, or (c) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed to assume the defense within thirty (30) days of notice pursuant to this Section 3.03. It is understood that, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Indemnified Parties. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Parties from and against any loss or liability (to the extent stated above) by reason of such settlement or judgment. Without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, no Indemnifying Party shall effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liabilities and obligations arising out of such proceeding, does not include any injunctive or other equitable or non-monetary relief applicable to or affecting such Indemnified Party, and (c) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party.


 





 










 








 


ARTICLE 4

Miscellaneous


 


Section 4.01. Binding Effect; Assignability; Benefit.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. Any Investor that ceases to own beneficially any Acquiror securities shall cease to be bound by the terms hereof (other than the provisions of Article 3 applicable to such Investor with respect to any offering of Registrable Securities completed before the date such Investor ceased to own any Acquiror securities, and this Article 4).


 


(a)    Neither this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder or by reason hereof shall be assignable by any party hereto pursuant to any Transfer of Registrable Securities or otherwise, except that each Investor may assign rights hereunder to any Transferee of such Investor who executes and deliver to the Acquiror an agreement to be bound by this Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto (a “Joinder Agreement”) and shall thenceforth be an “Investor”.


 


(b)    Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other than the parties hereto, and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.


 


Section 4.02. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications (each, a “Notice”) to any party shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, mailed by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid and return receipt requested or sent by commercial overnight courier, courier fees prepaid (if available; otherwise, by the next best class of service available), to the parties at the following addresses or sent by electronic transmission:


 





 










 








 


(a)          if to the Acquiror to:


 


Starco Brands, Inc.

250 26th Street, Suite 200

Santa Monica, CA 90402

Attention: Ross Sklar

Email: Ross@thestarcogroup.com


 


with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:


 


Proskauer Rose LLP

2029 Century Park East, Suite 2400

Los Angeles, CA 90067-3010

Attention: Will Chuchawat

Email: WChuchawat@proskauer.com


 


(b)          if to an Investor to the address and email set forth on the signature page hereto for such Investor,


 


with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:


 


Russ, August & Kabat, LLP

12424 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Floor


Los Angeles, CA 90025

Attention: Lauren Geisser


Email: lgeisser@raklaw.com


 


All such notices or other communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of the personal delivery, on the third Business Day after the mailing or dispatch thereof, or in the case of electronic mail or facsimile transmission, on the date received, subject to confirmation of receipt; provided that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.


 


Section 4.03. Waiver; Amendment; Termination. Any party that is entitled to the benefits hereof may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties, and (b) waive compliance with any of the agreements of any other party or conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party to any waiver shall be valid if set forth in an instrument in writing signed and delivered on behalf of such party. Waivers shall operate to waive only the specific matter described in the writing and shall not impair the rights of the party granting the waiver in other respects or at other times. A party’s waiver of a breach of a provision of this Agreement, or failure (on one or more occasions) to enforce a provision of, or to exercise a right under, this Agreement, shall not constitute a waiver of a similar breach, or of such provision or right other than as explicitly waived. This Agreement may not be amended or supplemented except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of the Acquiror and a majority-in-interest of the Investors.


 





 










 








 


Section 4.04. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects (including as to validity, interpretation and effect) by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any conflict of laws rules or principles that would require or permit the application of another jurisdiction’s laws.


 


Section 4.05. Jurisdiction. The parties hereby agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought exclusively in any state or federal court sitting in Wilmington, Delaware and hereby expressly submits to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts for the purposes thereof and expressly waives any claim of improper venue and any claim that such courts are an inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section 4.02 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party.


 


Section 4.06. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.


 


Section 4.07. Specific Enforcement. Each party hereto acknowledges that the remedies at law of the other parties for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement would be inadequate and difficult to determine and, in recognition of this fact, any party to this Agreement, without posting any bond or furnishing other security, and in addition to all other remedies that may be available, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy that may then be available.


 


Section 4.08. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed (including by facsimile or e-mail transmission) with counterpart signature pages or in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which shall, taken together, be considered one and the same agreement, it being understood that each party need not sign the same counterpart. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have executed and delivered this Agreement. Until and unless each party has executed and delivered this Agreement, this Agreement shall have no effect and no party shall have any right or obligation hereunder (whether by virtue of any other oral or written agreement or other communication).


 


Section 4.09. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, both oral and written, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.


 





 










 








 


Section 4.10. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner so that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.


 


Section 4.11. Independent Nature of Investors' Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Investor hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Investor hereunder, and no Investor shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Investor hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing, and no action taken by any Investor pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Investors as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Investors are in any way acting in concert with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Investor shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights, including the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Investor to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.


 


[Signature pages follow]


 





 










 








 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement or have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.


 


 


	 	ACQUIROR:	 
	 	 	 
	
			 

				
			STARCO BRANDS, INC.

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Ross Sklar

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Ross Sklar

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Chief Executive Officer

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			INVESTORS:

				
			 

			
	 	 	 
	 	Amplify LA Capital III, LP	 
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Paul Bricault

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Paul Bricault

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Managing Director

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			Amplify LA Opportunity Fund LP

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Paul Bricault

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Paul Bricault

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Managing Director

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			Bernard Zion

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Bernard Zion

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Bernard Zion

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			



 





 










 








 


	
			 

				
			Brian Magida

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Brian Magida

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Brian Magida

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			Catherine Chen

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Catherine Chen

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Catherine Chen

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			FirstMark Capital IV, L.P.

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Eric Cheung

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Eric Cheung

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			General Counsel

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			GingerBread Capital LLC

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Susan Doell

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Susan Doell

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Secretary/Treasurer

				
			 

			



 





 










 








 


	
			 

				
			Katz Family Trust

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Karen Katz

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Karen Katz

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Co-Trustee

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			Upfront VI Partners, L.P.

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	 	By:	Upfront GP VI, LLC, its general partner	 
	 	By:	Upfront Ventures Management, LLC, its managing member	 
	 	 	 	 
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Stuart Lander

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Stuart Lander

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Chief Operating Partner

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			Upfront VI, L.P.

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	 	By:	Upfront GP VI, LLC, its general partner	 
	 	By:	Upfront Ventures Management, LLC, its managing member	 
	 	 	 	 
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Stuart Lander

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Stuart Lander

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Chief Operating Partner

				
			 

			



 


	
			 

				
			The Vipin Jain and Jagdeep Chhabra AB Living Trust

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			 

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			By: 

				
			/s/ Vipin Jain

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Vipin Jain

				
			 

			
	
			 

				
			 

				
			Trustee

				
			 

			



 





 










 








 


 


SCHEDULE A


 


INVESTORS


 


	
			1.         Amplify.LA Capital III, LP

			
	
			2.         Amplify.la Opportunity Fund L.P.

			
	
			3.         Bernard Zion

			
	
			4.         Brian Magida

			
	
			5.         Catherine Chen

			
	
			6.         FirstMark Capital IV, L.P.

			
	
			7.         GingerBread Capital LLC

			
	
			8.         Karen Katz, Co-Trustee, Katz Family Trust

			
	
			9.         Upfront VI Partners, L.P.

			
	
			10.       Upfront VI, L.P.

			
	
			11.       The Vipin Jain and Jagdeep Chhabra AB Living Trust Jain

			



 



 




 




 


EXHIBIT A


 


JOINDER TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


 


This Joinder Agreement (this “Joinder Agreement”) is made as of the date written below by the undersigned (the “Joining Party”) in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 29, 2022 (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and between Starco Brands, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Acquiror”) and the Investors signatories thereto (the “Investors”). Capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.


 


The Joining Party hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Joinder Agreement, the Joining Party shall be deemed to be a party to the Registration Rights Agreement as of the date hereof as a “Transferee” of an Investor thereto, and shall have all of the rights and obligations of an “Investor” thereunder as if it had executed the Registration Rights Agreement. The Joining Party hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Registration Rights Agreement.


 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date written below.


 


Date: ___________ ___, ______


 


	
			[NAME OF JOINING PARTY]

			
	
			By:

				 
	 	
			Name:

				 
	 	
			Title:

				 



 


Address for Notices: