Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                                 EXECUTION COPY

                            NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.

                     ---------------------------------------

                              ONE CAMBRIDGE CENTER
                               CAMBRIDGE, MA 02142

                                       As of July 17, 2003

Fleet National Bank
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA  02110
Attn:    Fred P. Lucy
         Vice President

Banc of America Strategic Solutions, Inc.
335 Madison Avenue
NY1-503-05-06
Attn:    Bill Crawford
         Managing Director

         RE:     SECOND AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT
                 AGREEMENT ("AMENDMENT")

Gentlemen:

         Reference hereby is made to that certain Second Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement dated as of December 31, 2002, as amended by that certain First
Amendment dated as of July 8, 2003 (as the same may be further amended,
restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), by and among, on the one hand, Nextera Enterprises, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Company"), and certain of its subsidiaries (individually
and collectively, jointly and severally, the "Subsidiaries"), the lenders from
time to time party thereto (such lenders, together with their respective
successors and assigns, are referred to hereinafter individually as a "Lender"
and collectively as the "Lenders"), Fleet National Bank, a national banking
association, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together
with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent"). Capitalized terms used but
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Credit Agreement.

         Company has requested, among other things, that the Agent and Lenders
amend certain provisions contained in the Credit Agreement and the Agent and
Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
<PAGE>
         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of any Loans or advances or grant of
credit heretofore or hereafter made to or for the account of Company by Agent
and Lenders, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

         1. Recitals. Company acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing
recitals are true and accurate and are incorporated herein by reference.

         2. Amendments to Credit Agreement. Company, Agent and Lenders agree
that the Credit Agreement shall be amended as follows:

         (a) Section 1 to the Credit Agreement (Definitions; Certain Rules of
Construction) is hereby amended by inserting therein the following definitions
in the appropriate alphabetical order:

                  (i) "Second Amendment" means that certain Second Amendment to
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among, Company,
Subsidiaries, Agent and Lenders and the other parties thereto.

         (b) Section 1 to the Credit Agreement (Definitions; Certain Rules of
Construction) is hereby amended by deleting the following definitions in their
entirety and replacing them with the following:

                  (i) "Junior Credit Participation Agreement" means the Amended
and Restated Junior Credit Participation Agreement dated as of July 17, 2003
among Knowledge Universe, Agent and Lenders.

         (c) Section 10.5.1 of the Credit Agreement (Leverage Ratio) is hereby
deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

         "10.5.1 Leverage Ratio. The Company shall not permit for any period set
forth below (measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Company),
the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Senior Debt (measured as of the last day of
each fiscal quarter of the Company) to (b) Consolidated EBITDA to be more than
the ratio corresponding to such period in the table set forth below. For
purposes of the Leverage Ratio, the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA shall be
based on Consolidated EBITDA for the immediately preceding twelve (12) months
ended as of the last day of such quarter. In addition, for purposes of the
Leverage Ratio, the calculations and ratios set forth below shall not be
impacted by up to $2,500,000 of new loans made to the Company in connection with
the Junior Credit Participation Agreement, and all of such new loans shall be
excluded from the calculations and ratios for the Leverage Ratio in all
respects.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   PERIOD ENDING               LEVERAGE RATIO
   -------------               --------------
<S>                            <C>
   September 30, 2003          10.90:1.00
   December 31, 2003           52.00:1.00
   March 31, 2004              17.40:1.00
   June 30, 2004               7.50:1.00"
</TABLE>

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
         (d) Section 10.5.2 of he Credit Agreement (Current Ratio) is hereby
deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

         "10.5.2 Current Ratio. The ratio of Consolidated Current Assets to
Consolidated Current Liabilities (measured on the last day of each fiscal
quarter of the Company) shall not at any time be less than the ratio
corresponding to such period in the table set forth below. In addition, for
purposes of the Current Ratio, the calculations and ratios set forth below shall
not be impacted by up to $2,500,000 of new loans made to the Company in
connection with the Junior Credit Participation Agreement, and all of such new
loans shall be excluded from the calculations and ratios for the Current Ratio
in all respects.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   FISCAL QUARTER ENDED           RATIO
   --------------------           -----
<S>                               <C>
   September 30, 2003             1.05:1.00
   December 31, 2003              1.05:1.00
   March 31, 2004                 0.23:1.00*
   June 30, 2004                  0.24:1.00*
</TABLE>

         *The ratios set forth for the periods ending March 31, 2004 and June
30, 2004 assume that the Credit Obligations owing to the Lenders are carried as
current liabilities on the balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries at
such date determined in accordance with GAAP on a Consolidated basis. In the
event that the foregoing obligations are not carried as current liabilities on
the balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such date determined in
accordance with GAAP on a Consolidated basis, then the ratios for such periods
shall be adjusted accordingly."

         (e) Section 10.5.3 of the Credit Agreement (Total Debt Service Ratio)
is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

         "10.5.3 Total Debt Service Ratio. The ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA
minus actual cash payments made or accrued on account of taxes and Capital
Expenditures (measured on the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Company) to
(b) Consolidated Total Debt Service (excluding the Cambridge Acquisition Note)
shall not at any time be less than the ratios corresponding to such period in
the table set forth below. In addition, for purposes of the Total Debt Service
Ratio, the calculations and ratios set forth below shall not be impacted by up
to $2,500,000 of new loans made to the Company in connection with the Junior
Credit Participation Agreement, and all of such new loans shall be excluded from
the calculations and ratios for the Total Debt Service Ratio in all respects.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             FISCAL QUARTER ENDED               TOTAL DEBT SERVICE RATIO
             --------------------               ------------------------
<S>                                             <C>
   September 30, 2003                           .20:1.00
   June 30, 2004                                .25:1.00"
</TABLE>

         (f) A new Section 10.5.5 (Minimum Consolidated EBITDA) is hereby added
to the Credit Agreement in the appropriate order as follows:

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
         "10.5.5 Minimum Consolidated EBITDA. Minimum Consolidated EBITDA
(defined below) shall not at any time be less than the applicable amount
corresponding to such period in the table set forth below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   APPLICABLE AMOUNT         MEASUREMENT DATE AND APPLICABLE PERIOD
   -----------------         --------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>
   $530,000                  December 31, 2003, for the last twelve month period
                             then ended

   $1,580,000                March 31, 2004, for the last twelve month period then
                             ended
</TABLE>

For purposes of this Section 10.5.5 the new term "Minimum Consolidated EBITDA"
shall mean for any period, the total of:

         (a) Consolidated Net Income;

         plus (b) all amounts deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income
in respect of:

                  (i)      depreciation and amortization and other non-recurring
                           non-cash charges, but excluding all Special
                           Compensation and Other Charges (defined below),

                  (ii)     interest expense, and

                  (iii)    taxes based upon or measured by net income,

         minus (c) all cash payments (excluding $2,675,000 for the Company's
fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 and $720,000 for the Company's fiscal year
ended December 31, 2003) made during such period on account of real estate
restructuring transactions, reductions in force and facilities, and unfavorable
equipment leases from discontinued operations;

         minus (d) all amounts included in Consolidated Net Income in respect of
deferred income tax benefits and other non-cash income items.

         For purposes of this Section 10.5.5 "Special Compensation and Other
Charges" shall mean special charges from time to time incurred or paid by the
Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Lexecon Employment
Agreements, and which: (i) shall not be treated as an expense in respect of
non-cash charges or amortization; (ii) shall not impact amortization in any way;
and (iii) (notwithstanding their exclusion from the definition of Minimum
Consolidated EBITDA) shall be in an amount equal to $1,000,000 in each quarter
of 2004.

         In addition, Company and its Subsidiaries acknowledge and agree that
amortization of the Lexecon Employee Agreements may not for any purpose be
greater than or less than the following amounts on the following dates:
$1,941,000 on March 31, 2003, $1,941,000 June 30,

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
2003, $2,499,000 on September 30, 2003, $2,499,000 on December 31, 2003 and $0
on the last day of each quarter period thereafter.

         (g) Exhibit 11.1.1. of the Credit Agreement (Organization and Business)
is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Amended and Restated Exhibit
11.1.1 (Organization and Business) attached hereto.

         (h) Exhibit 11.1.2. of the Credit Agreement (U.S. Subsidiaries) is
hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Amended and Restated Exhibit
11.1.2. (U.S. Subsidiaries) attached hereto.

         (i) Section 12.1.3(a) of the Credit Agreement (Lexecon Employees) is
hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

         "12.1.3(a) Lexecon Employees. The Company shall fail to timely satisfy
         any of its obligations under the Lexecon Employment Agreements,
         including without limitation, its obligations pursuant to Section 2(c)
         of each such agreement to deposit $10,000,000 (to total $20,000,000 in
         the aggregate) in immediately available funds on or before January 15,
         2004 into accounts at banks or investment firms designated by Dennis
         Carlton and Daniel Fischel, as applicable."

         (j) Section 18 of the Credit Agreement (Notices) is hereby deleted in
its entirety and replaced with the following:

         "18. Notices. Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement or any
other Credit Document, any notice required to be given pursuant to this
Agreement or any other Credit Document shall be given in writing. Any notice,
consent, approval, demand or other communication in connection with this
Agreement or any other Credit Document shall be deemed to be given if given in
writing (including telex, telecopy or similar teletransmission) addressed as
provided below (or to the addressee at such other address as the addressee shall
have specified by notice actually received by the addressor), and if either (a)
actually delivered in fully legible form to such address (evidenced in the case
of a telex by receipt of the correct answerback) or (b) in the case of a letter,
unless actual receipt of the notice is required by any Credit Document five (5)
days shall have elapsed after the same shall have been deposited in the United
States mails, with first class postage prepaid and registered or certified.

         If to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to it at its address set
forth in Exhibit 11.1.1, as amended from time to time (and as further
supplemented pursuant to Sections 10.4.1 and 10.4.2), to the attention of the
chief financial officer.

         If to any Lender or the Agent, to it at its address set forth below or
in the Register, with a copy to the Agent.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
         If to Agent and/or Fleet:

         Fleet National Bank
         100 Federal Street
         Boston, MA  02110
         Attn:    Fred P. Lucy, Vice President
         Telecopy: (617) 434-4775

         With a copy to:

         Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP
         One Financial Center
         Boston, MA 02111
         Attn:    William R. Baldiga, Esquire
                  Mary D. Bucci, Esquire
         Telecopy: (617) 856-8201

         If to Banc of America Strategic Solutions, Inc.:

         Banc of America Strategic Solutions, Inc.
         335 Madison Avenue
         NY1-503-05-06
         Attn:    Bill Crawford, Managing Director
         Telecopy: (212) 503-7080"

         3. Bonus Account Matters.

         (a) Initial Borrowing; Repayment. In accordance with Section 8.2(b)
(New Bonus Account) of the Credit Agreement, the Company shall be permitted to
use up to $568,000 of the funds held in the New Bonus Account for its immediate
cash needs on account of payroll and payroll taxes (which borrowing shall
constitute one of the four (4) borrowings permitted prior to the Maturity Date);
provided, however, that notwithstanding the requirement in Section 8.2(b) that
the Company shall replenish any and all of the New Bonus Account Funds so
borrowed in full in cash within thirty (30) days, the Company shall be permitted
on a one time basis to repay such funds on or before November 17, 2003. The
Agent's and Lenders' decision to permit repayment on November 17, 2003 is a
courtesy to the Company and does not reflect the Agent's and Lenders' intention,
or a commitment by the Agent and Lenders, to honor any such repayment extension
request in the future. Under the Credit Agreement, the Agent and Lenders are not
obligated to honor such repayment extension requests and do not intend to honor
any such requests in the future, unless the Agent and Lenders elect to do so in
their sole and absolute discretion. The Company's failure to replenish the New
Bonus Account funds in full in cash on or before November 17, 2003 shall
constitute an Event of Default under this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and
the Credit Documents.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
         (b) Payments. Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 8.2(b) (New
Bonus Account) of the Credit Agreement or in any other provision of the Credit
Agreement or Credit Documents, the Company shall fund cash in an amount equal to
the Agreed Percentage (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of all employee
bonuses which are earned but unpaid on account of periods ended (i) July 2003,
August 2003 and September 2003, in each case on or before September 17, 2003;
and (ii) October 2003, November 2003 and December 2003, in each case on or
before December 17, 2003 (except any accrued bonuses not subject to this Section
or Section 8.2 of the Credit Agreement, as designated in their discretion by the
Agent and the Lenders in writing), which funds shall disbursed by the Company
only to fund such bonuses, and thereafter the Company shall deposit additional
cash into the New Bonus Account if additional bonuses are earned and/or accrued
and not immediately paid in accordance with Section 8.2 of the Credit Agreement.

         4. Consent to Second Amendment Junior Credit Participation Agreement.
In accordance with Section 15.2 of the Credit Agreement, each of the Company and
its Subsidiaries acknowledges that (i) on or before the date of this Amendment,
the Lenders shall sell a junior credit participation in the Term Loan to
Knowledge Universe in an aggregate amount of $7,500,000 ($5,000,000 previously
was paid and $2,500,000 shall be paid on the date hereof); (ii) Company's and
its Subsidiaries' consent to the sale of a junior credit participation is not
required under the Credit Agreement; and (iii) the Lenders' sale of the junior
credit participation in the Term Loan shall not affect their obligations for
repayment of the entire unpaid balance of the Credit Obligations (including, but
not limited to, any portion thereof in respect to which the junior credit
participation has been issued) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or
any Credit Document and that the respective priorities, rights, obligations and
privileges of the Lenders and New Lender vis-a-vis each other shall be governed
by the Amended and Restated Junior Credit Participation Agreement attached
hereto as Exhibit 7(iv) (described below).

         5. Waiver Fee. The Company acknowledges and agrees that, as partial
consideration for the Agent's and Lenders' agreements and commitments hereunder,
the Company shall pay to the Agent, for distribution to each Lender (except for
Knowledge Universe, who waives any and all rights to such waiver fee in all
respects) in accordance with such Lender's proportionate share of the principal
amount of all outstanding Loans, a waiver fee in the amount of $187,500, which
fee shall be immediately earned in its entirety on the date hereof and paid in
cash or Cash Equivalents by the Company to the Agent by 2:00 p.m. on the dates
and in the amounts set forth in the table below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAYMENT DATE             PAYMENT AMOUNT
------------             --------------
<S>                      <C>
August 15, 2003          $31,250, which installment shall be waived if the Loans
                         have been repaid in full in Cash Equivalents on or
                         before such date.

November 15, 2003        $31,250, which installment shall be waived if the Loans
                         have been repaid in full in Cash Equivalents on or
                         before such date.
</TABLE>

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>
February 15, 2004        $31,250, which installment shall be waived if the Loans
                         have been repaid in full in Cash Equivalents on or
                         before such date.

May 16, 2004             $31,250, which installment shall be waived if the Loans
                         have been repaid in full in Cash Equivalents on or
                         before such date.

August 15, 2004          $31,250, which installment shall be waived if the Loans
                         have been repaid in full in Cash Equivalents on or
                         before such date.

November 15, 2004        $31,250, which installment shall be waived if the Loans
                         have been repaid in full in Cash Equivalents on or
                         before such date.
</TABLE>

         6. Waiver of Events of Default. Subject to satisfaction of the
conditions precedent set forth in Section 6 below, Agent and Lenders hereby
waive the Events of Default set forth on Schedule D-1 hereto (the "Specified
Events of Default"). The waiver herein is limited to the specifics hereof, shall
not excuse future non-compliance with the Credit Agreement, and, except as
expressly set forth herein, shall not operate as a waiver or an amendment of any
right, power, or remedy of Agent and Lenders, nor as a consent to or waiver of
any further or other matter, under the Credit Agreement or Credit Documents. The
Agent and Lenders expressly reserve all rights and remedies available to them as
a result of non-Specified Defaults or Events of Default.

         7. Conditions Precedent. Agent's and Lenders' obligations to enter into
this Amendment and perform their respective obligations hereunder are subject to
the condition precedent that the Agent and Lenders shall have received the
following documents and other items, satisfactory to Agent and Lenders in their
sole discretion, duly executed where appropriate by authorized representatives
of Company and its Subsidiaries:

         (a) Documentation. Agent and Lenders shall have received, in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent and Lenders and their counsel, a duly executed
copy of the following:

         (i) this Amendment.

         (ii) evidence satisfactory to Agent and Lenders that the execution,
delivery and performance of this Amendment have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action.

         (iii) Second Amended and Restated Warrants in favor of the Lenders as
to (a) Warrant Nos. 6 and 7 to purchase an aggregate of 1,418,351 shares of the
Company's Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.86 per share, as
amended and restated substantially in the form of Exhibits 7(iii)(a)(i)-(ii)
attached hereto; and (b) Warrant Nos. 8 and 9 to purchase an aggregate of
400,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.60 per
share, substantially in the form of Exhibits 7(iii)(b)(i)-(ii) attached hereto.

                                       -8-
<PAGE>
         (iv) each of Knowledge Universe, Agent and Lenders shall have duly
authorized, executed and delivered a junior, last out participation by Knowledge
Universe, Inc. in the Term Loan in an amount of not less than $7,500,000 (as
described more fully in Section 4) in substantially the form of Exhibit 7(iv)
hereto, and Knowledge Universe shall have purchased and fully paid for such
participation.

         (v) such additional documents, instruments and certificates as the
Agent and Lenders and their counsel shall reasonably require in connection
therewith, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and Lenders and
their counsel.

         (b) Payments. Payment of all accrued but unpaid interest and all
accrued but unreimbursed expenses, fees and other charges incurred by Lenders
through the closing date, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and
expenses.

         (c) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist, except as
previously disclosed and consented to by the Agent and Lenders.

         (d) No Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto and
consented to by the Agent and Lenders, there is not litigation, arbitration,
proceeding or investigation pending, or to the knowledge of the Company's or its
Subsidiaries' officers, threatened against Company or any of its Subsidiaries
that, if adversely determined would result in a material judgment not fully
covered by insurance or that would otherwise have a material adverse effect on
the assets, business or prospects of Company of any of its Subsidiaries.

         8. Conditions Subsequent. In addition to the foregoing, the Company
hereby agrees that it shall deliver to Agent an amendment to that certain
Irrevocable Letter of Credit dated April 16, 2001, as amended through the date
of this Amendment (to update the reference to Agent's mail stop number) on or
before August 18, 2003. A failure to timely satisfy the condition contained in
this Section 8 shall immediately constitute an Event of Default under the Credit
Documents.

         9. Acknowledgment of Credit Obligations. Company hereby acknowledges
and agrees that it is unconditionally liable to Agent and Lenders for the full
and immediate payment of each of the Credit Obligations under the Credit
Obligations and Credit Documents, including, without limitation, the
"Obligations" set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference, plus all charges, fees, costs and expenses that may arise under the
Credit Agreement and Credit Documents, plus all attorneys' fees, disbursements
and costs of collection incurred in connection with such Credit Obligations by
Agent and Lenders and that Company does not have any defenses, counterclaims or
set-offs with respect to the full and immediate payment and performance of any
or all obligations under the Credit Agreement, Credit Document or the Credit
Obligations.

         10. Enforceability of Obligations; Acknowledgment of Events of Default.
Company agrees that (i) the Credit Agreement and Credit Documents are in full
force and effect, and enforceable against Company in accordance with their
respective terms; (ii) the existing Events of Default under the Credit Agreement
and Credit Documents constitute material defaults under the Credit Documents;
(iii) any notices that might be given and any grace periods or cure periods
which must expire, prior to Agent and Lenders exercising any of their rights and
remedies in

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
connection with the Credit Agreement or Credit Documents, have been given,
complied with and expired and, in any event, are hereby waived and relinquished
by Company; and (iv) Agent and Lenders have not waived or relinquished and by
executing this Amendment Agent and Lenders shall not be deemed to have waived or
relinquished any of their rights or remedies under the Credit Agreement or
Credit Documents, all of which rights and remedies are in full force and effect,
are fully available to Agent and Lenders, and are expressly reserved by Agent
and Lenders.

         11. Representations and Warranties. Company makes the following
representations and warranties:

         (a) Authority. Company and its Subsidiaries are duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of their organization and in each
jurisdiction where Company or its Subsidiaries are required to be qualified to
do business. Company and its Subsidiaries are duly authorized to enter into, and
perform its obligations under this Amendment and the agreements, instruments and
documents contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance by
Company and its Subsidiaries of this Amendment will not violate Company's or it
Subsidiaries' charters, partnership agreements, or operating agreements, any law
or any provision thereof, nor (except under the Credit Agreement and Credit
Documents) are there any grounds for acceleration under, any agreement, note, or
instrument which is binding upon Company or its Subsidiaries.

         (b) No Misrepresentations. Without limiting any rights or remedies
Agent and Lenders may have under law or equity, Company agrees that all
statements and information provided by Company to Agent and Lenders pursuant to,
or in connection with, this Amendment or the negotiations leading to this
Amendment, have been and are true, complete and correct in all material
respects, and none of such items contain any omissions of any fact or matter
necessary to keep the statements and information therein from being misleading.

         12. Release of Claims. In consideration for Agent and Lenders entering
into this Amendment, Company and its Subsidiaries hereby release and forever
discharge Agent and Lenders, and their respective successors, assigns, agents,
shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, parent
corporations, subsidiary corporations, affiliated corporations, affiliates, and
each of them, from any and all claims, debts, demands, obligations, costs,
expenses, actions and causes of action, of every nature and description, known
and unknown, whether or not related to the subject matter of this Amendment,
which Company or its Subsidiaries now has or at any time may have held, by
reason of any matter, cause or thing occurred, done, omitted or suffered to be
done prior to the date of this Amendment. Company and its Subsidiaries waive the
benefits of any law, which may provide in substance: "A general release does not
extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his
favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have
materially affected his settlement with the debtor." Company and its
Subsidiaries understand that the facts which they believe to be true at the time
of making the release provided for herein may later turn out to be different
than they now believe, and that information which is not known or suspected may
later be discovered. Company and its Subsidiaries accept this possibility, and
Company and its Subsidiaries assume the risk of the facts turning out to be
different and new information being discovered; and Company and its Subsidiaries
further agree that the release provided for herein shall in all respects
continue to be effective and not subject to termination or rescission because

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
of any difference in such facts or any new information. This release is fully
effective on the date of execution hereof. Agent and Lenders are not releasing
Company or its Subsidiaries from any claims, debts, Credit Obligations,
obligations, guarantees, demands, costs, expenses, actions or causes of action.

         13. General Provisions.

         (a) Integration; Amendment; Waivers. This Amendment, the Credit
Agreement and Credit Documents set forth in full all of the terms of the
agreement between the parties and are intended as the full, complete and
exclusive contract governing the relationship between the parties, superceding
all other discussions, promises, representations, warranties, agreements and the
understandings between the parties with respect thereto. No term of this
Amendment or the Credit Agreement or Credit Documents may be modified or
amended, nor may any rights thereunder be waived, except in a writing signed by
the party against whom enforcement of the modification, amendment or waiver is
sought. Any waiver of any condition in, or breach of, any of the foregoing in a
particular instance shall not operate as a waiver of other or subsequent
conditions or breaches of the same or a different kind. Agent's and Lenders'
exercise or failure to exercise any rights under any of the foregoing in a
particular instance shall not operate as a waiver of its right to exercise the
same or different rights in subsequent instances. Except as expressly provided
to the contrary in this Amendment, or in another written agreement, all the
terms, conditions, and provisions of the Credit Agreement and Credit Documents
shall continue in full force and effect. This Amendment shall constitute a
Credit Document.

         (b) Payment of Expenses. Without limiting the terms of the Credit
Agreement or Credit Documents, Company or its Subsidiaries shall pay all costs
and expenses incurred by or on behalf of Agent and Lenders (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and costs of collection)
arising under or in connection with this Amendment or the Credit Agreement or
the Credit Documents, including, without limitation, in connection with (i) the
negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and the
Credit Documents, and any and all consents, waivers or other documents or
instruments relating thereto; (ii) the filing and recording of any other
documents or instruments of further assurances filed or recorded in connection
with the Credit Agreement or any Credit Document; (iii) any other action
required in the course of administration hereof, including, but not limited to
all fees and expenses arising out of any audits, appraisals, inspections; and
(iv) the defense or enforcement of the Credit Agreement and Credit Documents,
whether or not there is any litigation between the parties. All costs and
expenses shall be added to the Credit Obligations, as Agent and Lenders shall
determine, and shall earn interest at the highest rate provided for under the
Credit Agreement and Credit Documents.

         (c) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Amendment does not create, and
shall not be construed as creating, any rights enforceable by any person not a
party to this Amendment.

         (d) Severability. If any provision of this Amendment is held by a court
of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining
provisions of this Amendment shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
         (e) Counterparts; Telecopy Execution. This Amendment may be executed in
any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts,
each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original,
and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same
Amendment. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telecopy
shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of
this Amendment. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Amendment
by telecopy also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this
Amendment but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not
affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Amendment. The
foregoing shall apply to each other Credit Document mutatis mutandis.

         (f) Time of Essence. Time is of the essence in each of the obligations
of Company and its Subsidiaries and with respect to all conditions to be
satisfied by Company and its Subsidiaries.

         (g) Construction; Voluntary Agreement. This Amendment has been prepared
through the joint efforts of all of the parties. Neither its provisions nor any
alleged ambiguity shall be interpreted or resolved against any party on the
ground that such party's counsel was the drafter of this Amendment. Each of the
parties declares that such party has carefully read this Amendment and the
agreements, documents and instruments being entered into in connection herewith
and that such party knows the contents hereof and has signed this Amendment
freely and voluntarily. The parties hereto acknowledge that they have been
represented in negotiations for and preparation of this Amendment and the
agreements, documents and instruments being entered into in connection herewith
by counsel of their own choosing, and that each of them has read the Amendment
and had its contents fully explained by such counsel and is fully aware of its
contents and legal effect.

         (h) Governing Law; Forum Selection. This Amendment has been entered
into and shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As
a material part of the consideration to the parties for entering into this
Amendment, each party (i) agrees that, at the option of Lender, all actions and
proceedings based upon, arising out of or relating in any way directly or
indirectly to, this Amendment, the Credit Agreement, or the Credit Documents,
shall be litigated exclusively in federal or state courts located in Suffolk
County, Massachusetts; (ii) consents to the jurisdiction of any such courts and
consent to the service of process in any such action or proceeding (whether or
not litigated in courts located in Suffolk County, Massachusetts) by personal
delivery or any other method permitted by law; and (iii) waives any and all
rights to transfer or change the venue of any such action or proceeding to any
court located outside Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

         (i) Further Assurances. Company and its Subsidiaries agree, at their
costs and expense, to take all further actions, execute all further documents,
agreement or instruments and obtain such additional consents and approvals as
Agent and Lenders may from time to time request, in their discretion, with
respect to the purposes, terms, and conditions of this Amendment and the Credit
Agreement and Credit Documents and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Amendment.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
         (j) Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the parties
hereto shall be given in accordance with the Credit Agreement, as amended by
this Amendment.

         (k) Acknowledgment of Guarantors. Each Guarantor, for value received,
hereby assents to the Company's execution and delivery of this Amendment, and
the performance by Company of its agreements and obligations hereunder. This
Amendment and the performance or consummation of any transaction that may be
contemplated under this Amendment, shall not limit, restrict, extinguish or
otherwise impair any Guarantor's liabilities and obligations to Agent and
Lenders under its respective Guaranty and Security Agreement. Each Guarantor
acknowledges and agrees that (i) its respective Guaranty and Security Agreement
remains in full force and effect and is fully enforceable against such Guarantor
in accordance with its terms; and (ii) it has no offsets, claims or defenses to
or in connection with its obligations under its respective Guaranty and Security
Agreement, all of which offsets, claims and/or defenses are hereby waived.

         (l) Acknowledgement of Junior Creditor. Junior Creditor, for value
received, hereby assents to the Company's execution and delivery of this
Amendment, and the performance by Company of its agreements and obligations
hereunder. This Amendment and the performance or consummation of any transaction
that may be contemplated under this Amendment, shall not limit, restrict,
extinguish or otherwise impair Junior Creditor's liabilities and obligations to
Agent and Lender under the Subordination Agreement. Junior Creditor acknowledges
and agrees that (i) its Subordination Agreement remains in full force and effect
and is fully enforceable against Junior Creditor in accordance with its terms;
and (ii) it has no offsets, claims or defenses to or in connection with its
obligations under its respective Subordination Agreement, all of which offsets,
claims and/or defenses are hereby waived.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
Executed under seal on the date set forth above.

                            COMPANY:

                            NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.
                            One Cambridge Center
                            Cambridge, MA  02142
                            Telecopy:  (617) 715-0201

                            By: /s/ Michael P. Muldowney
                               ______________________________
                               Name:  Michael P. Muldowney
                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                            SUBSIDIARIES AND GUARANTORS:

                            CE ACQUISITION CORP.
                            ERG ACQUISITION CORP.
                            LEXECON INC.
                            NETNEXT, INC.
                            NEXTERA BUSINESS PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.
                            NEXTERA INTERACTIVE, INC.
                            SCANADA, INC.
                            NEXTERA & COMPANY, LLC
                            NEXTERA INTERNATIONAL, LLC

                            By: /s/ Michael P. Muldowney
                               ______________________________
                               Name:  Michael P. Muldowney
                               Title: Officer

                           As an authorized officer of each of the foregoing
                           corporations or limited liability companies.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
                           AGENT AND LENDER:

                           FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                           By: /s/ Fred P. Lucy
                              -------------------------
                                Name:    Fred P. Lucy
                                Title:   Vice President

                           FLEET NATIONAL BANK
                           100 Federal Street
                           MA DE 1006A
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                           Telecopy: (617) 434-4775

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
                           LENDER:

                           BANC OF AMERICA STRATEGIC
                           SOLUTIONS, INC.

                           By: /s/ Bill Crawford
                              ____________________________
                              Name:   Bill Crawford
                              Title:  Managing Director

                           BANC OF AMERICA STRATEGIC
                           SOLUTIONS, INC.
                           335 Madison Avenue
                           NY1-503-05-06
                           New York, NY  10017-4605
                           Telecopy: (212) 503-7080

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
                           TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                           ACKNOWLEDGED, AGREED AND
                           CONSENTED TO:

                           AS JUNIOR CREDITOR, GUARANTOR AND OBLIGOR:

                           KNOWLEDGE UNIVERSE, INC.

                           By: /s/ Stanley E. Maron
                               --------------------------------
                               Name: Stanley E. Maron
                               Title:   Secretary

                           Address:    Maron & Sandler
                                       Attn: Stan Maron
                                       1250 4th Street
                                       Suite 550
                                       Santa Monica, CA 90401

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE A

                                  (Litigation)

Attached.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE B

                                  (Obligations)

                     (Unpaid Principal as of July 16, 2003)*

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Revolving Credit Loans:                     $3,000,000

Term Loans:                                 $22,600,320.68

Letters of Credit:                          $0
</TABLE>

*plus (i) any monies loaned to the Company under the Credit Agreement in
connection with any junior credit participation agreement(s); and (ii) all
accrued and accruing interest, costs, fees, attorneys' fees and disbursements
and other charges as provided under the Credit Agreement and/or Credit
Documents.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE D-1
                          (Specified Events of Default)

         1. Leverage Ratio. Company failed to maintain a ratio of (a)
Consolidated Total Senior Debt to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of less than 3.75:1.00
for the period ending June 30, 2003, in violation of Section 10.5.1 of the
Credit Agreement.

         2. Current Ratio. Company failed to maintain a ratio of Consolidated
Current Assets to Consolidated Current Liabilities of at least 1.3:1.00 for the
period ending June 30, 2003, in violation of Section 10.5.2 of the Credit
Agreement.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT 11.1.1.
                           (Organization and Business)

Attached.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT 11.1.2
                               (U.S. Subsidiaries)

Attached.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
                            EXHIBIT 7(iii)(a)(i)-(ii)
               (Second Amendment and Restated Warrants - 6 and 7)

Attached.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
                            EXHIBIT 7(iii)(b)(i)-(ii)
               (Second Amendment and Restated Warrants - 8 and 9)

Attached.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT 7(iv)
                     (Junior Credit Participation Agreement)

Attached.

                                      -25-<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                                  July 17, 2003

Fleet National Bank
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA  02110
Attn:    Fred P. Lucy
         Vice President

Banc of America Strategic Solutions, Inc.
335 Madison Avenue
NY1-503-05-06
Attn:   Bill Crawford
         Managing Director

      RE:   AMENDED AND RESTATED JUNIOR CREDIT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

Gentlemen:

      Reference is made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between, on one hand, Nextera Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and on the other hand, Fleet National Bank, as agent ("Agent") for
itself and the other lenders party thereto (the "Lenders"), dated as of December
31, 2002, as amended by that certain First Amendment dated as of July 8, 2003
and that certain Second Amendment dated the date hereof (as the same may be
further amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"), together with any other agreements, supplements,
documents and instruments relating thereto or executed in connection therewith,
all as from time to time amended and supplemented (collectively, the "Credit
Documents").

      The undersigned, Knowledge Universe, Inc., a Delaware corporation with an
address at 1250 4th Street, Suite 550, Santa Monica, California 90401 ("Junior
Credit Participant"), has requested that Agent and Lenders sell to Junior Credit
Participant a Junior Credit Participation (as hereinafter defined) in the
advances, loans and other financial accommodations presently outstanding and
which may hereafter be extended by Agent and Lenders to Company, pursuant to the
Credit Documents and all other indebtedness now or hereafter owed by Company to
Agent and Lenders in connection therewith or otherwise, and Agent and Lenders
have agreed to do so, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

      Junior Credit Participant previously purchased a $5,000,000 Junior Credit
Participation pursuant to that certain Junior Credit Participation Agreement
dated as of December 31, 2002 (the "Prior Credit Participation Agreement") and
wishes to purchase an additional junior participation in the amount of
$2,500,000. Junior Credit Participant requests that the Prior Junior
<PAGE>
Credit Participation Agreement bet deemed of no further force and effect, and be
replaced, in all respects, by this Amended and Restated Junior Credit
Participation Agreement.

      In consideration of these premises, the mutual covenants herein contained
and for other valuable consideration, Junior Credit Participant hereby agrees
with Agent and Lenders as follows:

      1.    Certain Defined Terms.

            (a)   "Obligations" as used in this Agreement shall mean and
                  include, without limitation, the advances, loans and other
                  financial accommodations and all other obligations and
                  liabilities now or hereafter owed by Company to Agent and
                  Lenders under the Credit Documents or otherwise, whether
                  direct or indirect and whether fixed or contingent, and shall
                  also include interest or charges accruing after the filing of
                  a bankruptcy petition or similar proceeding, whether or not
                  such interest or charges are recoverable from the Company.

            (b)   "Paid in Full", "Payment in Full", "Repaid in Full", or
                  "Repayment in Full" or any similar terms when used in
                  connection with the Obligations shall mean the final
                  indefeasible payment in full of such Obligations in cash or
                  immediately available funds and termination of all lending
                  commitments or, in the case of Obligations consisting of
                  contingent obligations in respect of letters of credit,
                  bankers' acceptances or other reimbursement or payment type
                  guaranties under the Credit Documents, the setting apart of
                  cash sufficient to discharge such portion of the Obligations
                  in an account for the exclusive benefit of the holders
                  thereof, in which such holders shall be granted a first
                  priority perfected security interest which shall have been
                  retained by Agent and Lenders, in each case, for a period of
                  time in excess of all applicable preference or other similar
                  periods under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and other applicable
                  insolvency laws, state or Federal.

            (c)   "Permitted Cash Payment Conditions" shall mean, as to each
                  particular Permitted Cash Payment, each of the following:

                  (i)   immediately before and after giving effect to any
                        Permitted Cash Payment there is no Default or Event of
                        Default which has occurred and is continuing under any
                        Credit Document;

                  (ii)  for any period, such Permitted Cash Payment shall be
                        payable no sooner than the day that the subject funds
                        are received by the Agent in immediately available funds
                        (or, if later, the day that such funds become
                        immediately available) and shall be paid promptly after
                        the Lenders' receipt of any and all payments of
                        principal and interest owing to them for the same
                        period;

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
                  (iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Lenders a
                        written certificate (together with independent written
                        evidence) signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the
                        Company which certifies that the Company is in
                        compliance with the Investment Banking Benchmarks set
                        forth in Section 5.3 of the Credit Agreement and due to
                        be completed on or before the scheduled date of such
                        Permitted Cash Payment; and

                  (iv)  the Company shall be in compliance with all financial
                        and other covenants and provisions to be performed or
                        observed by it under any Credit Document immediately
                        before and after giving effect to any such Permitted
                        Cash Payment.

            (d)   Other Terms. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein
                  shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the
                  Credit Documents.

      2. Sale and Purchase of Junior Credit Participation. Junior Credit
Participant hereby agrees to purchase, and does hereby purchase, from Agent and
Lenders and Agent and Lenders hereby agree to sell, and do hereby sell, to
Junior Credit Participant an undivided Junior Credit Participation of Seven
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) Dollars (the "Junior Credit
Participation") in the Obligations and in the property, security interests
and/or guarantees received by Agent and Lenders as security for the Obligations
(the "Collateral"), and in all moneys received by Agent and Lenders on account
of the Obligations and/or as proceeds of the Collateral (the "Collections"),
except as hereinafter provided. Receipt of the purchase price of the Junior
Credit Participation is acknowledged by Agent and Lenders. ($5,000,000
previously was paid and $2,500,000 has been paid on the date hereof). Agent and
Lenders have provided to Junior Credit Participant a Participation Certificate
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

      3. Application of Proceeds. Agent and Lenders may apply all or any part of
the proceeds of the Collateral, payments received from Company and credits for
Company's account to all or any part of the Obligations and in such order as
Agent and Lenders may elect in Agent's and Lenders' sole and absolute
discretion, except that unless an Event of Default has occurred under the Credit
Agreement or any Credit Document, Agent and Lenders shall not amend Section 5.3
of the Credit Agreement (dealing with distributions upon the occurrence of one
or more Transactions (as defined in the Credit Agreement)) without the prior
written consent of the Junior Credit Participant. Specifically, and without
limitation of the foregoing, Junior Credit Participant acknowledges that Agent
and Lenders may, and intend to, apply the proceeds of the Collateral, in the
event of a liquidation or other disposition of the Collateral after the
occurrence of an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement or any Credit
Document, first to the portion of the Loans not sold to Junior Credit
Participant; accordingly, the effect of this Agreement is to subordinate Junior
Credit Participant's interests in the Obligations to Agent's and Lenders'
interests in all of the Obligations upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
and Junior Credit Participant acknowledges and agrees to the same.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
      4. Freedom of Dealing. It is understood and agreed by Junior Credit
Participant that, in Agent's and Lenders' sole and absolute discretion, Agent
and Lenders may continue to extend additional advances, loans and other
financial accommodations to Company, including, without limitation, after
default and/or commencement and during the continuation of any case under the
U.S. Bankruptcy Code with respect to Company ("Post-Petition Advances") and the
Junior Credit Participation shall be subject and subordinate to such
Post-Petition Advances and in the security therefor on the same terms and
conditions as are set forth herein.

      5. Reservation of Rights. Agent and Lenders shall have the sole right to
manage, perform, modify, restructure, extend, supplement and enforce the Credit
Documents, Obligations and the Collateral, and to waive, discharge, exercise and
enforce all privileges, rights and remedies exercisable or enforceable by Agent
and Lenders thereunder, for the joint benefit of Agent and Lenders and Junior
Credit Participant, in accordance with Agent's and Lenders' sole and absolute
discretion and the exercise of Agent's and Lenders' business judgment, and
without charge to Junior Credit Participant for any costs or expenses incurred
by Agent and Lenders in connection therewith; provided, however, that Junior
Credit Participant shall pay its pro rata share of any out-of-pocket expenses
(including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of Agent's and Lenders'
counsel) of recovery, defense and enforcement of the Obligations and the
Collateral which exceeds the amount recovered from Company or from the
Collateral or otherwise for Company's account ONLY if as to such expenses any of
the following conditions apply: (A) such expenses may be satisfied out of
Collateral liquidations, payments or other recoveries later received (or
reserved for such purpose) on the Obligations in accordance with Section 3
above, or (B) such expenses were incurred at Junior Credit Participant's
request, or (C) such expenses were incurred on account of any action or threat
of action, or breach of any obligation to the Agent or the Lenders with respect
to the Obligations or the Credit Documents, by Junior Credit Participant or any
affiliate or representative thereof. Agent and Lenders will use normal prudence
and business judgment in handling the collection and enforcement of the
Obligations and realization upon the Collateral, but shall not be liable to
Junior Credit Participant for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good
faith or on the written advice of counsel. With respect to any actions or
inaction taken by Agent and Lenders in good faith or on the written advice of
counsel, Junior Credit Participant expressly releases Agent and Lenders from any
and all liability and responsibility (express or implied), for any loss,
depreciation of or delay in collecting or failing to realize on any Collateral,
the Obligations or any guaranties therefor and for any mistake, omission or
error in judgment in passing upon or accepting any Collateral or in making
examinations or audits or for granting indulgences or extensions to Company, any
account debtor or any guarantor. Junior Credit Participant hereby pledges,
assigns and grants to Agent and Lenders any right it may have to seek recovery
on account of the Junior Credit Participation, including, without limitation,
any right to commence litigation, vote to accept or reject a Chapter 11 plan or
to otherwise vote on or direct any part of any bankruptcy case or any similar
proceeding affecting the Obligations.

      6. No Representations or Warranties. Agent and Lenders make no
representation or warranty (express or implied) and shall have no
responsibility, as to the validity, value, enforceability or collectibility of
the Obligations or the Credit Documents, or as to the title to, validity,
priority, value, perfection or sufficiency of the Collateral, or any other
guarantees or collateral of any kind, or as to the financial condition of
Company or any account debtors. Junior

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
Credit Participant is thoroughly familiar with and has complete and current
information concerning the financial condition and creditworthiness of Company.

      7. Independent Credit Decision. Junior Credit Participant acknowledges
that it has received and reviewed copies of all of the Credit Documents. Agent
and Lenders may, from time to time, in Agent's and Lenders' discretion and
without notice to or consent of Junior Credit Participant, amend, modify, renew
and/or release in whole or in part the Obligations, the Credit Documents, the
Collateral and any guaranties therefor, as well as extend advances, loans and
other financial accommodations to Company in excess of any formulas under the
Credit Documents, without notice to or the consent of Junior Credit Participant.
Agent and Lenders shall, from time to time, furnish Junior Credit Participant
with copies of such other papers and documents relating to the Obligations and
the Collateral and with statements describing the status of the Obligations and
the Collateral, as Junior Credit Participant may reasonably request, but it is
expressly agreed that Junior Credit Participant shall have no access and no
right to review, examine, or audit Agent's and Lenders' books, records, and
accounts relating to the Obligations or the Company, except for copies of the
Credit Documents as the Junior Credit Participant may request.

      8. Distributions. Interest shall accrue from the date hereof on the
outstanding principal on the Junior Credit Participation at a rate equal to ten
percent (10%) per annum, compounded monthly, based on the calendar year, but in
no case shall the interest rate exceed the maximum rate allowed by law. The
Company may make and the Junior Credit Participant may receive and retain on a
current cash basis payments of accrued interest and principal repayment on the
Junior Credit Participation (the "Permitted Cash Payments") in accordance with
the terms and conditions of this Amended and Restated Junior Credit
Participation Agreement, so long as the Permitted Cash Payment Conditions are
and shall continue to be satisfied. Such Permitted Cash Payments shall be in an
amount equal to the accrued, scheduled, mandatory cash payments of principal and
interest on the Junior Credit Participation in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Amended and Restated Junior Credit Participation Agreement,
including, without limitation, subordination terms; provided, however, that
Permitted Cash Payments on account of (i) principal, shall not exceed $73,529
per month at any time, except that in addition to such amount, the Company shall
also be permitted to make the following principal payments on the following
dates, provided that the Permitted Cash Payment Conditions are and continue to
be satisfied on each such payment date: $500,000 on October 31, 2003, $500,000
on December 31, 2003 and $1,500,000 on January 1, 2005; and (ii) interest, for
any period, shall not exceed interest at an annual rate in excess of the rate of
interest actually paid to the Lenders for the same period (without respect to
the rate of interest charged after the occurrence of a Default or Event of
Default under the Credit Documents); and provided, further, that interest at a
greater rate may PIK for later payment in cash after all of the Loans owing to
the Agent and Lenders have been Repaid in Full in cash. The Company shall not be
entitled to make-up payments that are disallowed as a result of this Section 8;
rather, any such disallowed payment shall be paid directly to the Lenders as a
permanent additional prepayment of the then-outstanding Loans in such manner and
order as Agent and Lenders deem appropriate in their sole and absolute
discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, after termination of the Credit
Documents and Payment in Full to Agent and Lenders of Agent's and Lenders' share
and the shares of Agent's and Lenders' other senior participants in all
principal and interest on the Obligations and the other items chargeable

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
to Company's account and due to Agent and Lenders (including, without
limitation, attorneys' fees and legal expenses), Agent and Lenders remit to
Junior Credit Participant any monies or other payment actually received by them
that remain following such Payment in Full on the Obligations.

      9.    Subordinated Status.

            (a)   Junior Credit Participant's Junior Credit Participation in the
                  Obligations, the Collateral and the Collections is in all
                  respects junior and subordinate to Agent's and Lenders'
                  interests and those of Agent's and Lenders' other senior
                  participants (if any) therein, and accordingly Agent and
                  Lenders and such other senior participants shall first be
                  Repaid in Full all of Agent's and Lenders' respective shares
                  in the Obligations (including, without limitation,
                  indebtedness of Company to Agent and Lenders, Post-Petition
                  Advances and all charges, commissions, interest, costs,
                  expenses and attorney's fees chargeable to Company in
                  connection with the Obligations or the Collateral) prior to
                  any repayment of all or any part of the Junior Credit
                  Participation (except only for Permitted Cash Payments on
                  Junior Credit Participant's interest in the Obligations, as
                  provided above).

            (b)   All Collections received shall be applied first to the payment
                  of all costs and expenses incurred in effecting such
                  Collections (including, without limitation, any costs,
                  expenses, attorneys' fees and charges relating to the
                  Obligations, Collateral and Collections), then to the unpaid
                  balance of all Obligations, in such amount and/or order as
                  Agent and Lenders elect in Agent's and Lenders' sole and
                  absolute discretion, such Collections to be first retained and
                  applied by Agent and Lenders until Repayment in Full of the
                  principal of and interest on Agent's and Lenders' share and
                  the shares of Agent's and Lenders' other senior participants
                  in all such Obligations (except only for Permitted Cash
                  Payments on Junior Credit Participant's interest in the
                  Obligations, as provided above) and, except to the extent any
                  order of any court provides otherwise, after termination of
                  the Credit Documents, any surplus to be remitted to Junior
                  Credit Participant.

            (c)   The Obligations, the Collateral and the Collections thereon
                  shall be held by Agent and Lenders in Agent's and Lenders' own
                  name, but, to the extent of Junior Credit Participant's junior
                  interest therein, as agent and trustee for Junior Credit
                  Participant and subject to Junior Credit Participant's rights
                  with respect thereto as herein set forth. Agent and Lenders do
                  not assume, have made no warranties and shall not have (except
                  only for the contractual obligations specifically set forth
                  herein) any fiduciary obligations or duties or other liability
                  to Junior Credit Participant for the repayment of the Junior
                  Credit Participation or any interest equivalent thereon.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
            (d)   The Junior Credit Participation may not be re-sold,
                  sub-participated, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of
                  by Junior Credit Participant. Junior Credit Participant hereby
                  represents and warrants that no portion of the proceeds of the
                  Obligations has been advanced to or for the account of Junior
                  Credit Participant by Company, that no portion of Junior
                  Credit Participant's payment to Agent and Lenders for the
                  Junior Credit Participation represents, directly or
                  indirectly, any proceeds of the Obligations and that this
                  Agreement is valid, binding and enforceable with respect to
                  Junior Credit Participant.

      10. Assigned Interests. Upon Payment in Full of principal, interest and
charges with respect to Agent's and Lenders' interest and of Agent's and
Lenders' other senior participants in the Obligations and termination of the
Credit Documents, Agent and Lenders agree to assign to Junior Credit Participant
all Collateral for the Obligations and Agent's and Lenders' rights with respect
thereto without representations, warranties or recourse of any kind or nature
whatsoever.

      11. Administrative Charges. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, Junior Credit Participant shall not share in and
Agent and Lenders shall retain as Agent's and Lenders' sole property and for
Agent's and Lenders' exclusive benefit all interest charges, commissions and
fees and administrative, handling and service charges with respect to the
Obligations and the Collateral (except only for Permitted Cash Payments on
Junior Credit Participant's interest in the Obligations, as provided above).

      12. Waiver of Jury Trial. JUNIOR CREDIT PARTICIPANT, AGENT AND LENDERS
EACH HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED JUNIOR CREDIT PARTICIPATION
AGREEMENT AND FURTHER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT OF OFFSET OR RIGHT TO INTERPOSE
ANY COUNTERCLAIM IN ANY SUCH ACTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO EXPRESSLY
SUBMITS IN ADVANCE TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
SUFFOLK COUNTY IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND THE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
RELATING TO ANY CLAIM, DISPUTE OR OTHER MATTER PERTAINING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY
TO THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED JUNIOR CREDIT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT.

      13. Notices. All notices hereunder by Agent and Lenders to Junior Credit
Participant shall be deemed given if addressed to Junior Credit Participant, at
its address set forth above and sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, or sent by telex or telecopy. All notices hereunder by Junior
Credit Participant to Agent and Lenders shall be deemed given if addressed to
Agent and Lenders at Agent's and Lenders' address set forth above and directed
to the attention of Fred P. Lucy, Vice President, and delivered by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, or by telex or telecopy.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
      14. Headings. The Section headings in this Amended and Restated Junior
Credit Participation Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall
not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the
provisions hereof.

      15. Severability. If any provision of this Amended and Restated Junior
Credit Participation Agreement shall for any reason be held to be held to be
invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provision hereof, but this Amended and Restated Junior Credit
Participation Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein.

      16. Effective Date. This Amended and Restated Junior Credit Participation
Agreement shall be effective upon the receipt by Agent of a counterpart hereof
execution by or on behalf of Lenders, Junior Credit Participant and Company.

      17. Amendments. This Amended and Restated Junior Credit Participation
Agreement (a) may not be amended, modified or terminated orally or by any course
of dealing, except an agreement in writing signed by Agent and Lenders and
Junior Credit Participant, (b) shall remain in full force and effect until all
Obligations and Post-Petition Advances are Paid in Full and the Credit Documents
are terminated, unless, prior thereto, Agent and Lenders, in Agent's and
Lenders' discretion, determine to repurchase the Junior Credit Participation,
(c) shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective legal
representatives, executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of the
parties hereto and shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and (d) may be executed in
counterparts, all of which shall constitute a complete agreement.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Junior Credit Participant has executed this instrument
under seal as of this 17th day of July, 2003.

                                             KNOWLEDGE UNIVERSE, INC.,
                                             as Junior Credit Participant

                                             By: /s/ Stanley E. Maron
                                                --------------------------
                                                   Name:  Stanley E. Maron
                                                   Title: Secretary

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

FLEET NATIONAL BANK

By:    /s/ Fred P. Lucy
       ----------------------------------------------
       Name:  Fred P. Lucy
       Title: Vice President

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
BANC OF AMERICA  STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, INC.

By:    /s/ Bill Crawford
       ----------------------------------------------
       Name:  Bill Crawford
       Title: Managing Director

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
CONSENTED TO:

NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.

By:    /s/ Michael P. Muldowney
       ----------------------------------------------
       Name:  Michael P. Muldowney
       Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT A

                            Participation Certificate

Date: July 17, 2003

Amount of Certificate: $7,500,000

            Fleet National Bank ("Agent") hereby certifies that Knowledge
            Universe, Inc. ("Junior Credit Participant"), pursuant to the terms
            and subject to the conditions of an Amended and Restated Junior
            Credit Participation Agreement dated as of July 17, 2003 between
            Agent, Lenders (as defined in such Amended and Restated Junior
            Credit Participation Agreement) and Junior Credit Participant, has
            purchased an undivided junior participation interest in the Term
            Loan (as defined in such Amended and Restated Junior Credit
            Participation Agreement) in the above-referenced amount.

THIS CERTIFICATE AMENDS, RESTATES AND REPLACES IN ITS ENTIRETY THE PARTICIPATION
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRIOR CREDIT PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
("PRIOR PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE"), WHICH PRIOR PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE IS
DEEMED OF NO FURTHER FORCE AND EFFECT.

THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE except as provided in the above referenced
Amended and Restated Junior Credit Participation Agreement.

                                    FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Agent for itself and
                                    the other Lenders

                                    By: /s/ Fred P. Lucy
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                         Fred P. Lucy, Vice President

                                      -12-

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