Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                           NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.
                         343 CONGRESS STREET, SUITE 2100
                                BOSTON, MA 02110

                              As of March 30, 2001

Fleet National Bank
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA  02110

Bank of America
6610 Rockledge Drive, 6th Floor
Bethesda, MD  20817

        RE:    FOURTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated December 30, 1999, as
amended ("Credit Agreement") and all promissory notes, mortgages, guaranties,
agreements, documents and instruments entered into by Nextera Enterprises, Inc.
("Company") and any other person or obligor pursuant thereto (collectively, the
"Credit Documents") with or for the benefit of Fleet National Bank (f/k/a
BankBoston, N.A.), as agent ("Agent") for itself and the other lenders
(collectively "Lenders") or for the benefit of any other Lender. Except as
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings
given them in the Credit Agreement. This Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement is
referred to as the "Fourth Amendment" and supercedes and replaces the Third
Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 31, 2000.

        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.

        NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of any loan or advance or grant of
credit heretofore or hereafter made to or for the account of Company by 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. Amendments to the Credit Agreement. Subject to satisfaction of the
conditions precedent set forth in Section 18 below, the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended as follows:

               (a) Section 1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add
        the following definitions in their appropriate alphabetical order:

<PAGE>   2
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 2

                      "Consolidated EBITA" means, 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)    amortization and other non-cash charges
                                    (excluding depreciation);

                             (ii)   interest expense;

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

                             (iv)   special charges for non-recurring
                                    compensation expense, reductions in force,
                                    excess space, and asset write-downs,
                                    including goodwill; and

                             (v)    the Limited Waiver Fee and fees and costs
                                    associated with the Lenders' Consultant.

                      "Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement" means the Fourth
                      Amendment to this Agreement dated as of March 30, 2001.

                      "Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement Effective Date"
                      means the date on which all of the conditions precedent
                      contained in Section 18 of the Fourth Amendment to Credit
                      Agreement are satisfied.

               (b) "Consolidated EBITDA" means, 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, amortization and other
                                    non-cash charges;

                             (ii)   interest expense;

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

<PAGE>   3
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 3

                             (iv)   special charges for non-recurring
                                    compensation expense, reductions in force,
                                    excess space, and asset write-downs,
                                    including goodwill; and

                             (vi)   the Limited Waiver Fee and fees and costs
                                    associated with the Lenders' Consultant.

                (c) Section 2.3.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in
        its entirety and replaced as follows:

                      "2.3.5 Reimbursement of Letter of Credit Disbursement. At
                      such time as a Letter of Credit Issuer makes any
                      disbursement on a draft presented or accepted under a
                      Letter of Credit ("Letter of Credit Disbursement") the
                      Company shall pay to such Letter of Credit Issuer in
                      immediately available funds the amount of such Letter of
                      Credit Disbursement. Notwithstanding anything in this
                      Section 2.3.5 or otherwise, the reimbursement obligations
                      described in this Section 2.3.5 shall not apply to the
                      Guarantor L/C (as defined in Section 18 of the Fourth
                      Amendment to Credit Agreement)."

                (d) Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its
        entirety and replaced as follows:

                      "2.5 Option to Extend Maturities of Credits. So long as no
                      Default then exists, the Company may request, by notice to
                      the Lenders at least 90 days and not more than 120 days
                      prior to the Maturity Date, that the Maturity Date be
                      extended for an additional period not longer than 12
                      months, but in no event to a date later than March 29,
                      2003. The Lenders shall consider, and may deny such
                      request in their sole and absolute discretion, and if they
                      choose to approve such request, may propose additional
                      terms, including any changes in the interest rates, as a
                      condition to any extension. The Lenders shall provide a
                      written response to the Company not later than 45 days
                      after receipt of such request. In no event shall the
                      Maturity Date be extended hereunder without the consent of
                      each of the Lenders (giving effect to any Replacement
                      Lender under Section 11.3). In the event the Lenders offer
                      to extend the Maturity Date pursuant to this Section 2.5,
                      the Company may accept such offer by written notice
                      received by the Agent not later than 30 days after receipt
                      by the Company of such offer."

                (e) Section 4.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to
        add, after the end of Section 4.2.5 the following Section 4.2.6 as
        follows:

                      "4.2.6. Excess Consolidated EBITA. In addition to, and not
                      in substitution of the foregoing, Company shall pay to
                      Agent, for the benefit

<PAGE>   4
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 4

                      of Lenders, an amount equal to 50% of Company's Excess
                      Consolidated EBITA (as defined below) during each fiscal
                      quarter for the year to date period, which shall be
                      payable sixty (60) days following the end of such fiscal
                      quarter. The amount of Excess Consolidated EBITA shall be
                      determined by the Company in accordance with GAAP (and
                      shall be subject to review and approval by the Lenders) on
                      or prior to the thirtieth (30th) day after the end of each
                      fiscal quarter. The Company's obligation to make such
                      payments shall be in addition to and not in substitution
                      of the scheduled principal amortization required under
                      Section 7 of the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement.

                      The term "Excess Consolidated EBITA" shall mean, with
                      respect to each of the fiscal quarters set forth below the
                      amount by which the Company's Consolidated EBITA exceeds
                      the Trigger Amount (as set forth below) for the
                      corresponding periods measured on a cumulative basis for
                      the year to date period. By way of illustration only, if
                      the Company's Consolidated EBITA for the period ending
                      June 30, 2001 equals $2,855,000, then the split shall be
                      50-50. If the Consolidated EBITA for the period ending
                      September 30, 2001 equals $8,095,000, there shall be no
                      split taking into account the payment made to the Lenders
                      for the prior quarter.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                       Commencing April 1, 2001
                       and Ending:                  Trigger Amount
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>
                       June 30, 2001                $2,755,000
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                       September 30, 2001           $7,995,000
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                       December 31, 2001            $13,828,000
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                      Any amounts received pursuant to this Section 4.2.6 shall
                      be applied by the Lenders to reduce the principal balance
                      of the Loans (and shall be applied against the scheduled
                      principal amortization required under Section 7 of the
                      Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement by a like amount in
                      the inverse order of maturity and thereafter applied to
                      the Loans then outstanding in such order and manner as
                      Agent shall determine in its sole discretion)."

        2. Section 6.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to delete
Section 6.5.5 in its entirety.

        3. Financial Statements and Other Documents. In addition to the other
reports required by any Credit Agreement, Company shall furnish or cause to be
furnished to Agent and Lenders (each in such form and containing such detail as
are satisfactory to Agent):

<PAGE>   5
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 5

                (a) Cash Flow Report. A weekly report, to be provided no later
        than the third Business Day of each week, which sets forth Company's
        actual cash flow activity for the prior week and a reconciliation of
        actual cash activity to projected cash activity for such week;

                (b) Projections. A weekly report, to be provided no later than
        the third Business Day of each week, which sets forth Company's updated
        13-week rolling cash activity projection;

                (c) Backlog Report. A monthly report, to be provided no later
        than the fifteenth day of each calendar month, which sets forth an
        updated backlog report;

                (d) Miscellaneous Investments. A monthly report, to be provided
        no later than the fifteenth day of each calendar month, which sets forth
        a schedule of all investment and other property received or expected to
        be received from customers or otherwise, as partial payment for services
        or otherwise, and evidencing compliance (or non-compliance) with all
        actions requested by Agent and Lenders to provide Agent and Lenders with
        a continued perfected first priority lien on all such property;

                (e) Financial Statements. A monthly report, to be provided no
        later than the twenty-fifth day of each calendar month, which sets forth
        a comprehensive and operational report for the prior month containing
        such items as payable and receivable agings, an internally prepared
        Consolidated balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries, and
        Consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Company and its
        Subsidiaries, together with other financial reporting items in
        substantially the form of Company's internal reports;

                (f) Intellectual Property. A monthly report, to be provided no
        later than the fifteenth day of each calendar month, which sets forth an
        updated schedule of all intellectual property owned or used by the
        Company; and

                (g) Financial Covenants. A report, for the fiscal quarter ended
        June 2001, twenty-five days after the end of such fiscal quarter, and
        thereafter monthly, no later than the twenty-fifth calendar day of each
        month, which demonstrates the Company's compliance (or non-compliance)
        with the financial tests set forth in Section 17 of this Fourth
        Amendment.

        4. Ratification of Credit Documents. Except as modified in this Fourth
Amendment or in any other instruments or documents executed in connection
herewith, (a) all terms and conditions of the Credit Documents shall remain in
effect in accordance with their original tenor; and (b) nothing contained herein
shall constitute a waiver by the Agent and Lenders or of any of the Agent's and
Lenders' rights and remedies (including, without limitation, any of Agent's and
Lenders' rights or remedies as to, or any obligations owing to Agent and Lenders
of, any person who may be liable to Agent and Lenders on account of any of the
obligations, whether or not such person is a party hereto), all of which rights
and remedies are expressly reserved and not waived. Each agreement, covenant,
representation and warranty of any Obligors hereunder shall

<PAGE>   6
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 6

be deemed to be in addition to, and not in substitution for, the agreements,
covenants, representations and warranties previously made by Obligors. In the
event that there shall be any inconsistency between any provisions of this
Fourth Amendment and a provision set forth in any other Credit Document, the
provision most favorable to Agent and Lenders and most restrictive as to Company
shall govern.

        5. Release of Claims. Company hereby releases, waives and forever
relinquishes all claims, demands, obligations, liabilities and causes of action
of whatever kind or nature, whether known or unknown, which it has, may have, or
might assert now or in the future against Agent and Lenders and/or their
affiliates, participants, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents,
attorneys, accountants, consultants, successors and assigns, directly or
indirectly, arising out of, based upon, or in any manner connected with (i) any
transaction, event, circumstance, action, failure to act or occurrence of any
sort or type, whether known or unknown, which occurred, existed, was taken,
permitted or begun prior to the execution of this Fourth Amendment with respect
to the obligations, the Credit Documents and/or the administration thereof or
the obligations created thereby; (ii) any discussions, commitments,
negotiations, conversations or communications with respect to the refinancing,
restructuring or collection of any obligations; or (iii) any thing or matter
related to any of the foregoing. The inclusion of this paragraph in this Fourth
Amendment, and the execution of this Fourth Amendment by Agent and Lenders, does
not constitute an acknowledgment or admission by Agent and Lenders of liability
for any matter, or a precedent upon which liability may be asserted.

        6. Limited Waivers; Limited Waiver Period.

               (a) Consolidated Pro Forma Debt to Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA.
        Subject to satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section
        18 below, Lenders hereby waive any Event of Default that occurred under
        Section 6.5.1 of the Credit Agreement as a result of Company's failure
        to maintain a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Pro Forma
        EBITDA not in excess of 300% for the periods ending September 30, 2000,
        December 31, 2000 and March 31, 2001; such waiver shall not apply to any
        other provision of the Credit Agreement, shall be limited precisely as
        written and shall only be effective from November 14, 2000 through
        January 2, 2002 (the "Limited Waiver Period"). The Lenders expressly
        reserve all rights and remedies available to them (a) after the end of
        the Limited Waiver Period, and (b) as a result of non-specified Defaults
        or Events of Default. Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that,
        upon the expiration of the Limited Waiver Period (and absent further
        waivers by Lender as to the foregoing covenant, which further waivers
        Lenders may grant or deny in their absolute discretion), Company shall
        at such time be in default of the Credit Agreement as to such covenant
        and Lenders shall have available to them, and be able to exercise, all
        of the rights and remedies accorded under the Credit Agreement
        including, without limitation, with respect to Defaults or Events of
        Default under Section 6.5.1 of the Credit Agreement.

<PAGE>   7
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 7

               (b) Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA minus Capital Expenditures to
        Consolidated Pro Forma Interest Expense. Subject to satisfaction of the
        conditions precedent set forth in Section 18 below, Lenders hereby waive
        any Event of Default that occurred under Section 6.5.2 of the Credit
        Agreement as a result of Company's failure to maintain a Consolidated
        Pro Forma EBITDA minus Capital Expenditures to Consolidated Pro Forma
        Interest Expense ratio equal to or in excess of 3.00 to 1.00 for the
        periods ending September 30, 2000, December 31, 2000, and March 31,
        2001. Such waiver shall not apply to any other provision of the Credit
        Agreement, shall be limited precisely as written and shall only be
        effective during the Limited Waiver Period. The Lenders expressly
        reserve all rights and remedies available to them (a) after the end of
        the Limited Waiver Period, and (b) as a result of non-specified Defaults
        or Events of Default. Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that
        upon the expiration of the Limited Waiver Period (and absent further
        waivers by Lender as to the foregoing covenant, which further waivers
        Lenders may grant or deny in their absolute discretion), Company shall
        at such time be in default of the Credit Agreement as to such covenant
        and Lenders shall have available to them, and be able to exercise, all
        of the rights and remedies accorded under the Credit Agreement
        including, without limitation, with respect to Defaults or Events of
        Default under Section 6.5.2 of the Credit Agreement.

        7. Loans.

                (a) Borrowing Requests. The Company hereby acknowledges and
        agrees that during the Limited Waiver Period, the Company will not make,
        and the Agent and Lenders need not honor, any borrowing requests (or
        requests for the issuance, renewal, rollover or replacement of any
        Letters of Credit) under the Acquisition Loans, Revolving Loans or
        otherwise.

                (b) Acquisition Loans. Notwithstanding any applicable Maturity
        Date set forth in the Credit Agreement at Sections 2.2.1, 2.5 or
        otherwise, or in the Acquisition Notes with respect to the Acquisition
        Loans, the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Maximum
        Amount of Acquisition Credit shall be permanently reduced as follows:
        (i) to the principal balance outstanding as of March 30, 2001 (which is
        conclusively deemed to be $26,346,180.65); and (ii) thereafter by
        further reductions totaling $8,050,000 in the aggregate and in the
        amounts and on the dates set forth in the 2001 principal amortization
        schedule ("Acquisition Loan 2001 Principal Amortization Schedule")
        below:

              Acquisition Loan 2001 Principal Amortization Schedule

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         DATE                      REDUCTION OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                         ----                      -----------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>
                   April 30, 2001                             $250,000
                   May 31, 2001                               $350,000
                   June 29, 2001                              $450,000
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   8
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 8

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
                   July 31, 2001                            $  650,000
                   August 31, 2001                          $  850,000
                   September 28, 2001                       $1,000,000
                   October 31, 2001                         $1,500,000
                   November 30, 2001                        $1,500,000
                   December 31, 2001                        $1,500,000
</TABLE>

and (iii) after December 31, 2001, principal on the Acquisition Loan shall
continue to amortize as is set forth in the Credit Documents.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Company reimburses Letter of Credit
Issuer for a draw made on a Standby Letter of Credit within one (1) Business Day
of such draw, or if any Standby Letter of Credit is returned undrawn, then the
Lenders shall reduce the scheduled principal amortization required under the
Acquisition Loan 2001 Principal Amortization Schedule set forth above in this
Section 7 by a like amount in the inverse order of maturity.

                (c) Letters of Credit. Although the Company will not make, and
        the Lenders need not honor, any borrowing requests under the Revolving
        Loans or otherwise during the Limited Waiver Period, the Lenders shall
        continue to honor proper and timely draws on Letters of Credit which are
        currently outstanding in accordance with their terms and the Credit
        Agreement.

                (d) Revolving Credit. Company further acknowledges and agrees
        that the Maximum Amount of Revolving Credit is hereby permanently
        reduced to the principal balance outstanding as of March 30, 2001
        (inclusive of outstanding Letters of Credit as of March 30, 2001).
        Company further acknowledges and agrees that the Maximum Amount of
        Revolving Credit shall be permanently reduced by the face amount of any
        returned or cancelled Letters of Credit, and such returned or cancelled
        Letters of Credit shall not create availability under the Maximum Amount
        of Revolving Credit or otherwise.

                (e) LIBOR. Notwithstanding the foregoing, LIBOR Pricing Options
        will not be available during the Limited Waiver Period; provided that,
        Loans that are currently subject to a LIBOR Pricing Option shall convert
        to Base Rate borrowings at the end of their current respective LIBOR
        Interest Periods.

                (f) Reduction of Commitment Fees. The Lenders agree that the
        Acquisition Credit Commitment Fee and the Revolving Credit Commitment
        Fee shall reflect the foregoing permanent reductions in the Maximum
        Amount of Acquisition Credit and the Maximum Amount of Revolving Credit,
        respectively.

<PAGE>   9
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 8

        8. Interest. Notwithstanding anything in the Credit Agreement, Credit
Documents, Revolving Notes, Acquisition Notes or elsewhere to the contrary, the
Loans shall bear interest, to be paid on the first day of each month, at a rate
per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus 3.50%, of which 2% (the
"Incremental Accrued Portion") will be accrued and paid on January 2, 2002. The
Agent and the Lenders agree that the Company's obligation to pay such
Incremental Accrued Portion shall be waived if the Credit Obligations are paid
indefeasibly in full in cash or other immediately available funds and the
Agent's and Lenders' commitment to provide Loans or other financial
accommodations are terminated on or before December 15, 2001.

        9. Lenders' Consultant. Company hereby acknowledges that the Lenders
have elected in their own discretion to retain, at the Company's expense, The
Recovery Group as their consultant ("Lenders' Consultant"). During the Limited
Waiver Period, Company agrees to continue to grant complete access and
cooperation to Lenders' Consultant during normal business hours. Fees and
expenses of Lenders' Consultant shall be paid as invoiced (provided, however,
that the Lenders acknowledge that they do not intend to incur Lenders'
Consultant fees in excess of $150,000 during the Limited Waiver Period, but
reserve the right to do so in their discretion). Any Lenders' Consultant fees
shall be supported by the name of the individual providing the service, their
respective billing rate, and the hourly fee by week.

        10. Consultant; Professional Advisors. The Company hereby acknowledges
and agrees that it shall engage and, thereafter, that it shall continue to
retain a consultant reasonably acceptable to Lenders to assist with the
development and implementation of a business plan, which plan shall be delivered
to Lenders on or before May 15, 2001. The Company will also continue to retain
all presently engaged professional advisors, or for each such professional
advisor a replacement that is reasonably acceptable to Lenders.

        11. Limited Waiver Fee: As additional consideration to enter into this
Fourth Amendment, Company shall pay to the Lenders a fee ("Limited Waiver Fee")
(which shall be in addition to all other amounts to be paid by the Company)
which shall be earned by the delivery of the Lenders' signatures hereto and
comprised of two components as follows:

                (a) $900,000 paid in immediately available funds as set forth
        below:

                        (i)     $100,000 as of the date Lenders deliver their
                                signatures hereto; and

                        (ii)    $800,000 payable in installments of $100,000 on
                                the first day of each month commencing May 1,
                                2001; provided that, the Company's obligation to
                                pay such amounts as are described in this
                                Section 11(a)(ii) shall be applied as a
                                dollar-for-dollar reduction of the Credit
                                Obligations if the Credit Obligations are paid
                                indefeasibly in full in cash or other
                                immediately available funds and the Agent's and

<PAGE>   10
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 10

                                Lenders' commitment to provide loans or other
                                financial accommodations are terminated on or
                                before December 15, 2001; and

                (b) on or before April 23, 2001, and in form and substance
        satisfactory to Agent and Lenders and their counsel, (i) warrants to
        purchase 1,418,351 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock at an
        exercise price of $0.86 per share, exercisable at Lenders' sole
        discretion at any time prior to 18 months after payment in full of all
        Credit Obligations; and together with (ii) a written agreement between
        Lenders and the Company that upon the sale or other disposition (or any
        series of sale or dispositions) by the Company of any of the Company's
        assets with gross proceeds, in the aggregate, in excess of $10,000,000,
        Lenders can elect in their sole discretion to return such warrants in
        exchange for an additional $500,000 cash payment by the Company (except
        to the extent prohibited by a non-waiveable applicable law or
        regulation), which payment may be made out of any asset sale or other
        proceeds; and providing for a call right that can be exercised by the
        Company in exchange for an additional $750,000 cash payment by the
        Company, which payment may only be made from new financing sources
        (i.e., from sources other than the Company).

        12. Joinder Of Wholly Owned Subsidiaries. Pursuant to Section 2.9 of the
Guarantee and Security Agreement ("Guarantee and Security Agreement") dated as
of December 30, 1999 and Section 9.1 of the Subordination Agreement
("Subordination Agreement") dated as of December 30, 1999, each Wholly Owned
Subsidiary that is not already a party to the Joined Agreements (as defined
below) shall promptly initiate all corporate or other proceedings and obtain all
consents, approvals and authorizations ("Joinder Prerequisites") that are
required to permit each Wholly Owned Subsidiary to join in and become a party
(as fully as if the Wholly Owned Subsidiary had been an original signatory
thereto) to (a) the Credit Agreement and any amendments thereto as a Company,
(b) the Guarantee and Security Agreement as a Guarantor and Obligor thereunder
and (c) the Subordination Agreement as defined thereunder (the agreements
described in subsections (a), (b) and (c) are collectively referred to herein as
the "Joined Agreements"). Effective as of the date on which all of the Joinder
Prerequisites are satisfied (and in no event later than April 23, 2001), each
Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is not already a party to the Joined Agreements
shall join in and become a party to the Joined Agreements; subject, however, to
the same conditions, limitations and qualifications listed in Section 2.9 of the
Guarantee and Security Agreement, except that such conditions, limitations and
qualifications shall apply to both existing and future Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries. Each Company and each Wholly Owned Subsidiary shall also
immediately pledge and deliver to the Lenders its stock certificates or other
ownership interests as to each other business enterprise in which it has an
interest and any other investment property; provided, however, that in the event
that such a pledge by any Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary is prohibited
by any valid law, statute, rule or

<PAGE>   11
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 11

regulation or if a pledge of the stock of any Foreign Subsidiary would result in
a deemed repatriation of foreign earnings under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (including the "deemed dividend" provisions of Section 956), such pledge
will be limited to the extent necessary to comply with such prohibition or to
prevent such repatriation of foreign earnings.

        13. Acquisitions and Indebtedness. Notwithstanding Sections 6.6 and 6.9
of the Credit Agreement or any other provision in any Credit Document, Company
shall not during the Limited Waiver Period incur any Indebtedness of the type
described at the following Sections of the Credit Agreement: 6.6.1, 6.6.2,
6.6.6, 6.6.12 (and shall not, without limitation of the foregoing, request any
Acquisition Loans).

        14. Prohibition on Leases. Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that
it shall not enter into any new operating leases and/or capital leases; except
for (a) renewals of existing leases, (b) operating leases and/or capital leases
of Lexecon, Inc. for which amounts on account of such leases at least equal to
such lease payments are billed to and collected from customers, and (b) capital
leases, subject, however, to the maximum Capital Expenditure covenant described
in Section 17 of this Fourth Amendment.

        15. Certain Obligations. Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that it
shall not make any payments, including but not limited to regularly scheduled
payments of principal, interest or other charges, on account of any subordinated
debt, management fees to affiliates, dividends, bonus compensation to officers,
including but not limited to special incentive bonuses, retention or other
programs or charges, and whether or not such programs, bonuses or charges were
previously announced, except for bonus compensation set forth in the schedule
below with respect to the corresponding period (the, "Certain Obligations"):

                               Certain Obligations

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            -----------------------------------------------------------
            Period                                   Bonus Compensation
            -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>
            April 1, 2001 to June 30, 2001           $2,600,000
            -----------------------------------------------------------
            April 1, 2001 to September 30, 2001      $5,800,000
            -----------------------------------------------------------
            April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001       $7,400,000
            -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The Company agrees that it shall not pay Certain Obligations in excess of the
amounts set forth above for the corresponding period set forth above unless the
Lenders have issued their prior written consent. The Company further
acknowledges and agrees that all Certain Obligations shall be and are expressly
subordinated and junior in right of payment and exercise of remedies as set
forth in the Credit Agreement.

        16. Junior Creditor Acknowledgement. The undersigned Junior Creditor
hereby acknowledges and agrees that it shall not take any action or assert any
claim with respect to the Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined in the
Subordination Agreement) during the Limited Waiver Period; provided, however
that the Junior Creditor and the Company may restructure, exchange or convert
Subordinated Indebtedness into any equity or debt securities of the

<PAGE>   12
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 12

Company that are subordinated in priority and payment to the Loans. Except as
permitted in the foregoing sentence, the Junior Creditor shall not during the
Limited Waiver Period assert, collect, or enforce the Subordinated Indebtedness
or any part thereof or take any action to foreclose or realize on the
Subordinated Indebtedness, and the Junior Creditor will hold in trust and
immediately pay over to the Lenders in the same form of payment received, with
appropriate endorsements, any payment that the Company makes to the Junior
Creditor with respect to the Subordinated Indebtedness; provided, however, that
the Company may make Distributions of PIK Interest (but not in the form of cash
or other securities or other property of any type) on the Subordinated
Indebtedness in accordance with its terms.

        17. Financial Tests. In addition to and not in lieu of the financial
tests performed under Section 6 of the Credit Agreement, the Company shall be
subject to the following financial tests during the Limited Waiver Period:

                (a) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Company shall not permit
        for any period set forth below the ratio of (a) the sum of (i)
        Consolidated EBITDA for such period set forth below minus (ii) cash
        taxes paid divided by (b) cash interest payable to the Lenders
        (excluding the Incremental Accrued Portion described in Section 8 of
        this Fourth Amendment) plus debt amortization and the Limited Waiver Fee
        payable to the Lenders during such period (the "Fixed Charge Coverage
        Ratio") to be less than the ratio corresponding to such period in the
        table below. Such ratio for each period shall be calculated on a
        cumulative basis for the period commencing April 1, 2001 and ending on
        the date set forth in the table, with the first such calculation being
        made for the three month period ending June 30, 2001.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Period Commencing on April 1, 2001 and Ending:             Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
  June 30, 2001                                              1.50:1.00
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  July 31, 2001                                              1.44:1.00
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  August 31, 2001                                            1.52:1.00
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  September 30, 2001                                         1.51:1.00
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  October 31, 2001                                           1.43:1.00
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  November 30, 2001                                          1.38:1.00
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  December 31, 2001                                          1.33:1.00
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                (b) Cash Interest Coverage Ratio. Company shall not permit for
        any period set forth below the ratio of Consolidated EBITA divided by
        cash interest payable to the Lenders for any period set forth below to
        be less than the ratio corresponding to such period in the table below.
        Such ratio for each period shall be calculated on a cumulative basis for
        the period commencing April 1, 2001 and ending on the date set forth in
        the table, with the first such calculation being made for the three
        month period ending June 30, 2001.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Period Commencing on April 1, 2001 and Ending:             Cash Interest Coverage Ratio
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
  June 30, 2001                                              1.76:1.00
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  July 31, 2001                                              1.89:1.00
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   13
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 13

<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  August 31, 2001                                            2.32:1.00
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  September 30, 2001                                         2.59:1.00
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  October 31, 2001                                           2.80:1.00
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  November 30, 2001                                          2.96:1.00
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  December 31, 2001                                          3.06:1.00
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                (c) Minimum Consolidated EBITA. Company shall not for any period
        set forth below permit its cumulative Consolidated EBITA to be less than
        the amount corresponding to such period in the table below. Such
        comparison for each period shall be calculated on a cumulative basis for
        the period commencing April 1, 2001 and ending on the date set forth in
        the table, with the first such calculation being made for the three
        month period ending June 30, 2001.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Period Commencing on April 1, 2001 and Ending:             Consolidated EBITA
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
  June 30, 2001                                              $2,480,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  July 31, 2001                                              $3,514,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  August 31, 2001                                            $5,355,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  September 30, 2001                                         $7,195,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  October 31, 2001                                           $8,992,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  November 30, 2001                                          $10,783,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  December 31, 2001                                          $12,455,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                (d) Capital Expenditures. Company shall not make or incur during
        any period set forth below cumulative Capital Expenditures in excess of
        the amount set forth below corresponding to such period. Such comparison
        for each period shall be calculated on a cumulative basis for the period
        commencing April 1, 2001 and ending on the date set forth in the table,
        with the first such calculation being made for the three month period
        ending June 30, 2001.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Period Commencing on April 1, 2001  and Ending:            Capital Expenditures
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
  June 30, 2001                                              $2,675,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  July 31, 2001                                              $4,075,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  August 31, 2001                                            $4,500,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  September 30, 2001                                         $5,000,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  October 31, 2001                                           $5,500,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  November 30, 2001                                          $5,650,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  December 31, 2001                                          $5,800,000
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                (e) Investments. During the Limited Waiver Period, Company shall
        not make or incur Investments; except for (i) Investments arising from
        operation of Company's customary

<PAGE>   14
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 14

        cash management systems (i.e. the so-called "sweep account"), and (ii)
        Investments permitted under Sections 6.9.1, 6.9.2 and 6.9.3 of the
        Credit Agreement.

        18. Conditions Precedent. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Fourth Amendment or any of the other Credit Documents, and without affecting in
any manner the rights of Agent and Lenders under the other sections of this
Fourth Amendment, this Fourth Amendment shall not be effective as to the Agent
and Lenders unless and until each of the following conditions has been and
continues to be satisfied:

               (a) Documentation. On or before April 17, 2001, the 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 Fourth Amendment;

                        (ii)    Limited Guaranty in the form of Exhibit A
                                hereto;

                        (iii)   A Standby Letter of Credit to secure the Limited
                                Guaranty described in this Section 18 of this
                                Fourth Amendment, in substantially the form of
                                Exhibit B hereto and issued by a domestic
                                national bank or state-chartered banking
                                institution rated "A" or better by Standard &
                                Poor's Corporation (or, if such ratings are no
                                longer published, with a similar or better
                                (effective) rating by a similar independent
                                company) (the "Guarantor L/C"); and

                        (iv)    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) Payment of Expenses. 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) Receipt of Limited Waiver Fee. The Lenders shall have
        received $100,000 in payment of the first installment of the cash
        portion of the Limited Waiver Fee described in Section 11 hereof.

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

                (e) No Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule A hereto and
        consented to by the Lenders, there is no litigation, arbitration,
        proceeding or investigation pending, or to the knowledge of Company's
        officers, threatened against Company that, if adversely

<PAGE>   15
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 15

        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.

        19. Conditions Subsequent. In addition to the foregoing, the Company
hereby agrees that it shall satisfy all of the conditions set forth in this
Section 19. A failure to satisfy any of the conditions contained in this Section
19 on or before the dates set forth below shall immediately constitute an Event
of Default under the Credit Documents.

                (a) Unqualified Opinion. On or before April 19, 2001, Company
        shall deliver to Agent and Lenders a report of an independent certified
        public accountant of recognized national standing satisfactory to Agent
        and Lenders (e.g., Ernst & Young LLP), containing no material
        qualification, to the effect that they have audited the Consolidated
        financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance
        with generally accepted auditing standards and that such Consolidated
        financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
        financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries covered thereby
        at the dates thereof and the results of their operations for the periods
        covered thereby in conformity with GAAP.

                (b) Leasehold. On or before April 23, 2001, Company shall
        deliver to Agent and Lenders a fully executed (by all lessee(s) and
        lessor(s)) collateral assignment of lease and landlord's acknowledgement
        and consent with respect to Company's Boston, Massachusetts facility, in
        form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders.

                (c) Warrant. On or before April 23, 2001, Company shall deliver
        to Agent and Lenders the warrant described in Section 11 of this Fourth
        Amendment, together with the documentation described in Section 11 of
        this Fourth Amendment.

                (d) Junior Participation Agreement. On or before April 24, 2001,
        a Junior Participation Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
        Agent and Lenders.

                (e) Cash Management Arrangements: On or before April 24, 2001,
        the Company will provide Agent and Lenders with a schedule of all bank
        accounts maintained by it and its Subsidiaries. On or before thirty (30)
        days after the Company's receipt of written request by Agent, the
        Company and its Subsidiaries shall enter into cash management
        arrangements acceptable to Agent and Lenders, and at the Agent's and
        Lenders' direction Company shall provide that the proceeds of all
        receivables and other collateral (other than proceeds arising from any
        Foreign Subsidiary that would result in a deemed repatriation of foreign
        earnings under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including the "deemed
        dividend" provisions of Section 956) shall be paid into a "concentration
        account" maintained with the Agent.

                (f) List of Equity Investments. On or before April 24, 2001,
        Company shall deliver to Agent and Lenders an updated list of all equity
        holdings and/or investments taken in lieu of fees.

<PAGE>   16
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 16

                (g) ACH Services. The Company acknowledges that the Agent and
        Lenders intend to reduce and hereby confirm and reserve the right to
        terminate or require prefunding with respect to ACH services presently
        provided to the Company. The Company hereby agrees that it shall furnish
        to the Agent and Lenders its plan to either terminate or prefund such
        ACH services within 15 days of the delivery of the Company's signature
        hereto, which plan shall be on terms acceptable to the Agent and
        Lenders.

                (h) Cash Collateral for Standby Letters of Credit. On or before
        January 15, 2002, Company shall deliver cash collateral in the amount of
        103% of the face amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit to secure
        Company's reimbursement obligations with respect to those Letters of
        Credit.

                20. Representations and Warranties. To induce the Agent and
        Lenders to enter into this Fourth Amendment, Company warrants,
        represents and covenants to the Lenders that:

               (a) Organization and Qualification. Company is a corporation duly
        incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
        the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Company is duly qualified or is
        authorized to do business and is in good standing as a foreign
        corporation in all states and jurisdictions in which the failure of
        Company to be so qualified would have a material adverse effect on the
        financial condition, business or properties of the Company.

               (b) Corporate Power and Authority. Company is duly authorized and
        empowered to enter into, execute, deliver and perform this Fourth
        Amendment and each of the Credit Documents to which it is a party. The
        execution, delivery and performance of this Fourth Amendment and each of
        the other Credit Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary
        corporate action and do not and will not (i) require any consent or
        approval of the stockholders of Company; (ii) contravene Company's
        charter or by-laws; (iii) violate, or cause Company to be in default
        under, any provision of any law, rule, regulation, order, writ,
        judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award in effect having
        applicability to Company; (iv) result in a breach of or constitute a
        default under any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other
        material agreement, lease or instrument to which Company is a party or
        by which Company's properties may be bound or affected; or (v) result
        in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than liens
        permitted under Section 6.8 of the Credit Agreement) upon or with
        respect to any of the properties now owned or hereafter acquired by
        Company.

               (c) Legally Enforceable Agreement. This Fourth Amendment and each
        of the other Credit Documents when delivered under this Fourth Amendment
        will be, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Company, enforceable
        against Company in accordance with its respective terms, except as such
        enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
        reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
        creditors' rights generally.

<PAGE>   17
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 17

               (d) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the last
        financial statements provided by the Company to the Lenders, there has
        been no Material Adverse Change in the condition, financial or
        otherwise, of Company as shown on the consolidated balance sheet as of
        such date and no change in the aggregate value of equipment and real
        property owned by Company, except changes in the ordinary course of
        business, none of which individually or in the aggregate would
        constitute a Material Adverse Change.

               (e) Continuous Nature of Representations and Warranties. Each
        representation and warranty contained in the Credit Agreement and the
        other Credit Documents remains accurate, complete and not misleading in
        any material respect on the date of this Fourth Amendment, except for
        representations and warranties that explicitly relate to an earlier date
        and changes in the nature of Company's business or operations that would
        render the information in any exhibit attached thereto either
        inaccurate, incomplete or misleading, so long as the Lenders have
        consented to such changes or such changes are permitted by the Credit
        Agreement.

        21. Acknowledgement of Obligations. Company hereby (1) reaffirms and
ratifies all of the promises, agreements, covenants and obligations to Lenders
under or in respect of the Credit Agreement and other Credit Documents as
amended hereby and (2) acknowledges that it is unconditionally liable for the
punctual and full payment of all obligations, including, without limitation, all
charges, fees, expenses and costs (including, without limitation, costs of
collection and attorneys' fees and expenses) under the Credit Documents, as
amended hereby, and that it has no defenses, counterclaims or set offs with
respect to full, complete and timely payment and performance of all of the
Credit Obligations.

        22. Confirmation of Liens. Company acknowledges, confirms and agrees
that the Credit Documents, as amended hereby, are effective to grant to Agent
and Lenders duly perfected, valid and enforceable first priority security
interests and liens in the Credit Security described therein and that the
locations for such Credit Security specified in the Credit Documents have not
changed. Company further acknowledges and agrees that all obligations of Company
are and shall be secured by all such Credit Security.

        23. Miscellaneous. Except as set forth herein, the undersigned confirms
and agrees that the Credit Documents remain in full force and effect without
amendment or modification of any kind. The execution and delivery of this Fourth
Amendment by Lenders shall not, except as specifically stated herein, be
construed as a waiver by the Lenders of any Default or Event of Default under
the Credit Documents. This Fourth Amendment, together with the Credit Agreement
and other Credit Documents, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior dealings,
correspondence, conversations or communications between the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof. This Fourth Amendment and the transactions
hereunder shall be deemed to be consummated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of that
state. This Fourth Amendment and the agreements, instruments and

<PAGE>   18
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 18

documents entered into pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall be
"Credit Documents" under and as defined in the Credit Agreement.

<PAGE>   19
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 19

        Executed under seal on the date set forth above.

ATTEST:                                     NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.

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

<PAGE>   20
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 20

Accepted in Boston, Massachusetts as of March 30, 2001

FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Agent and Lender

By:  /s/ Michael F. O'Neill
    ----------------------------------
    Name: Michael F. O'Neill
    Title: Senior Vice President

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as Lender

By:  /s/ Michael R. Heredia
     --------------------------------
    Name: Michael R. Heredia
    Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>   21
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 21

Accepted as to Sections 16, 18 and 19 hereof in Boston, Massachusetts as of
March 30, 2001

KNOWLEDGE UNIVERSE CAPITAL CO. LLC,
 AS JUNIOR CREDITOR

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

<PAGE>   22
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 22

                                   SCHEDULE A
                                  (Litigation)

        Two former employees of the Company whose employment with the Company
was recently terminated have informed the Company of their belief that they are
entitled to consideration from the Company with respect to claims they have made
in connection with their employment. No formal legal actions have been filed to
date to the Company's knowledge.

        A software vendor has claimed that the Company owes it approximately
$245,000 for the purchase of software. An attorney for the software vendor has
contacted the Company seeking payment, however no formal legal action has been
filed to date to the Company's knowledge. The Company disputes the validity of
this claim and intends to vigorously defend itself in the event any legal action
is taken.

<PAGE>   23
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 23

                                    EXHIBIT A
                               (Limited Guaranty)

<PAGE>   24
Fleet National Bank
Bank of America
As of March 30, 2001
Page 24

                                    EXHIBIT B
                    (Standby Letter Of Credit/Guarantor L/C)<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                           LIMITED GUARANTY AGREEMENT

                      (Knowledge Universe Capital Co. LLC)

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                               - - - - - - - - - -

        WHEREAS, Nextera Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Company")
has entered into a Credit Agreement dated December 30, 1999 (the "Credit
Agreement") with Fleet National Bank, a national banking association, as agent
(the "Agent") for itself as a lender and the other lenders party thereto (the
"Lenders"), and other instruments, agreements and documents (as the same may be
amended, modified, changed, extended or renewed from time to time, the "Credit
Documents"), providing, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, for loans
and other credit accommodations to be made by the Agent and Lenders to the
Company;

        WHEREAS, the undersigned guarantor (the "Guarantor") is an affiliate of
Company and has entered into transactions with the Company, such that the
Agent's and Lenders' agreement to provide loans and other credit accommodations
to the Company will benefit the Guarantor;

        WHEREAS, as of even date herewith Company, Agent, and Lenders have
entered into that certain Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of March
30, 2001 ("Fourth Amendment");

        WHEREAS, as a condition to Agent's and Lenders' entering into the Fourth
Amendment, Agent and Lenders have required that the Guarantor guarantee the full
and prompt payment and performance of all obligations of the Company to Agent
and Lenders under the Credit Documents, subject to the limitations contained in
Section 3 hereof;

        NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of any and all
loans, advances, and extensions of credit now or hereafter made or extended by
Agent and Lenders to, for the account of or on behalf of the Company, Guarantor
hereby agrees as follows. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meanings given in the Credit Documents.

        1. Guaranty. Subject to Section 3 hereof, Guarantor hereby and
unconditionally and absolutely guarantees to Agent and Lender the full and
prompt payment and performance by the Company of all Loans, liabilities,
indebtedness and all other obligations which the Company now or hereafter may
have to Agent and Lenders under any and all Credit Documents, whether now
existing or hereafter arising, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured
including, without limitation, the full and prompt payment when due of all
principal, interest, charges, fees, costs and expenses and all other sums which
the Company may now or hereafter owe to Agent and Lenders arising under the
Credit Documents (including, without limitation, any interest which accrues
after the commencement of any case, proceeding or other action relating to the
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Company, whether or not allowed or
allowable as a claim in any such case, proceeding or other action) and hereby
agrees to indemnify Agent and Lenders against any expenses they may incur as a
result of the enforcement or attempted enforcement by, or on behalf

                                      -1-
<PAGE>   2
of, the Agent and Lenders of any of their rights and remedies under the Credit
Documents (collectively, the "Credit Obligations").

        2. Guaranty Unconditional. Subject to Section 3 hereof, this Guaranty is
a continuing, unconditional and absolute guaranty of payment and performance.
The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder are primary, with no recourse
necessary by Agent or Lenders against the Company or any collateral given to
secure the Credit Obligations guaranteed hereby prior to proceeding against the
Guarantor hereunder. If for any reason any installment or any other sum or
indebtedness now or hereafter owing by the Company to Agent or Lenders shall not
be paid when due, Guarantor will forthwith pay such sum to Agent and Lenders,
without regard to any counterclaim, set-off, deduction or defense of any kind
which the Company or Guarantor may have or assert, and without abatement,
suspension, deferment or reduction on account of any occurrence whatsoever. The
Guarantor hereby waives notice of and consent to all of the provisions of the
Credit Documents, to any amendments thereof, to any actions taken thereunder,
and to the execution by the Company of the above-referenced Credit Documents and
of any other agreements, documents and instruments now or hereafter executed by
the Company in connection therewith. The Guarantor further waives the following:
notice of incurring of indebtedness and obligations by the Company; acceptance
of this Guaranty by Agent and Lenders; presentment and demand for payment,
protest, notice of protest and notice of dishonor or non-payment of any
instrument evidencing the Credit Obligations; any right to require suit against
the Company or any other party before enforcing this Guaranty; any right to have
security applied before enforcing this Guaranty; all rights and claims of
subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity, contribution, and like claims and rights
as against the Company and each other guarantor to the extent such rights and
claims arise out of or in connection with the Credit Obligations; all defenses
which might constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor;
and all other notices and demands otherwise required by law which the Guarantor
may lawfully waive. Guarantor agrees that in the event this Guaranty is enforced
by suit or otherwise, Guarantor will reimburse Agent and Lenders upon demand for
all expenses incurred in connection therewith, including without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses.

        3. Limitations.

        (a) Monetary Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, (i) the liability of the Guarantor hereunder shall be limited
to the lesser of: (a) the Credit Obligations; or (b) the sum of (x) Two Million
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000), plus (y) all costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) incurred by the Agent
or Lenders in connection with the enforcement of their rights and remedies under
this Guaranty; and

        (b) Time Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, Guarantor shall not be required to make any payment of any amounts owed
by Guarantor hereunder, and no demand, draw, presentment or other request for
payment shall be made under or against the Irrevocable Letter of Credit issued
in the form of Exhibit B to the Fourth Amendment in the original face amount of
$2,500,000 ("Guarantor L/C"), until one or more of the following has occurred:

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
               (i) Agent has made demand upon Company (which demand shall be
made in accordance with Section 14 of the Credit Agreement, with a copy to
Guarantor) to pay or perform obligations under the Credit Agreement, upon or
following an Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and sixty
(60) days have elapsed; or

               (ii) there has occurred a financial covenant Default or Event of
Default, and sixty (60) days have elapsed since the earlier of the delivery or
scheduled delivery to Lenders or Agent of the Company's financial statements; or

               (iii) Company has failed to make any payment when due to Lenders
or Agent under the Credit Agreement or the Credit Documents (as defined in the
Credit Agreement), and thirty (30) days have elapsed; or

               (iv) a Bankruptcy Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement),
and sixty (60) days have elapsed; or

               (v) March 29, 2002.

        4. Subordination. Payment of all amounts now or hereafter owed to
Guarantor by Company in respect of this Guaranty are hereby subordinated in
right of payment to the indefeasible payment in full to Agent and Lenders of the
Credit Obligations and all such amounts and any collateral security therefor are
hereby assigned to Agent and Lenders as collateral security for the Credit
Obligations.

        5. Waiver. Guarantor's obligations hereunder shall not be released,
discharged, terminated or impaired in any manner whatsoever, irrespective of the
lack of any notice to or consent of the Guarantor, by any of the following: (a)
new agreements or obligations of the Company with or to Agent and Lenders; (b)
amendments, indulgences, extensions, modifications, renewals or waivers of
default as to any existing or future agreements or obligations of the Company or
third parties with or to Agent and Lenders, or extensions of credit by Agent and
Lenders to the Company; (c) adjustments, compromises or releases of any
obligations of the Company, Guarantor or other parties, including any other
guarantors, or exchanges, releases, dispositions or sales of any collateral
security of the Company, Guarantor or other parties, including any other
guarantors; (d) invalidity, irregularity, defect, or unenforceability, for any
reason, of any provision of any of the Credit Documents, or of any instrument or
writing, or of any security or other guaranty, or acts or omissions by Agent or
Lenders or the Company; (e) failure to perfect any lien securing the obligations
of the Company, Guarantor or other parties, including any other guarantors; (f)
interruptions in the business relations between Agent and Lenders and the
Company; (g) voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy (including a reorganization in
bankruptcy) of the Company or entry of an order for relief against or with
respect to the Company under Title 11 of the United States Code; (h)
composition, extension, moratoria or other forms of debtor relief granted to the
Company pursuant to law presently in force or hereafter enacted; (i) payment of
any or all obligations and indebtedness of the Company in the event such payment
is invalidated or avoided by a trustee, custodian or receiver of the Company;
(j) the insolvency, liquidation, or dissolution of the Company (whenever or
however arising); and (k) the reorganization, merger or consolidation of the

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
Company into or with another entity, corporate or otherwise, or the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all of the capital stock, business or assets
of the Company to any other person or party.

        In addition, Guarantor waives all rights and defenses that it may have
because the Credit Obligations are, or may become, secured by real property.
This means, among other things: (i) Agent and Lenders may collect from Guarantor
without first foreclosing on any real or personal property pledged by the
Company; (ii) if Agent and Lenders foreclose on any real property pledged by the
Company: (A) the amount of the Credit Obligations may be reduced by the price
for which that property is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if it is worth
more than the sale price and (B) Agent and Lenders may collect from Guarantor
even if Agent and Lenders, by foreclosing on the real property, has destroyed
any right Guarantor may have to collect from the Company. This is an
unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses that Guarantor
may have because the Credit Obligations are, or may become, secured by real
property.

        6. Rights Upon Default. For the purposes of this Guaranty and indemnity,
all sums owing to Agent and Lenders by the Company shall be deemed at Agent's
election to have become immediately due and payable if there shall occur an
Event of Default as defined in any of the Credit Documents and all applicable
cure periods shall have lapsed, and subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3, hereof, the Guarantor shall thereupon promptly pay Agent and Lenders
the entire amount of said indebtedness and obligations of the Company, and Agent
and Lenders shall be entitled to take any action deemed necessary or advisable
to enforce this Guaranty, including, without limitation, the enjoining of any
breach or threatened breach of this paragraph. In addition, subject to Section 3
hereof, and not in substitution of the foregoing, the Agent (in its discretion
or at the request of the Lenders) may from time to time draw upon that certain
Irrevocable Letter of Credit issued in the form of Exhibit B to the Fourth
Amendment.

        7. Account Stated. The books and records of Agent showing the account
between Agent and Lenders and Company shall be admissible in evidence in any
action or proceeding against or involving Guarantor as prima facie proof of the
items therein set forth, and the statements of Agent rendered to Company, to the
extent to which no written objection is made within thirty (30) days from the
date of sending thereof to Company, shall be deemed conclusively correct and
constitute an account stated between Agent and Lenders and Company and be
binding on Guarantor.

        8. Reinstatement. If after receipt of any payment of, or proceeds of
collateral applied to the payment of, any of the Credit Obligations, Agent or
any Lender is required to surrender or return such payment or proceeds to any
Person for any reason, then the Credit Obligations intended to be satisfied by
such payment or proceeds shall be reinstated and continue and this Guarantee
shall continue in full force and effect as if such payment or proceeds had not
been received by Agent and Lenders. Guarantor shall be liable to pay to Agent
and Lenders, and does indemnify and hold Agent and Lender harmless for the
amount of any payments or proceeds surrendered or returned. This Section 8 shall
remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may be taken by Agent
and Lenders in reliance upon such payment or proceeds. This Section 8 shall
survive the termination or revocation of this Guarantee.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
        9. Representations. Guarantor warrants and represents that (a) this
Guaranty has been duly executed and delivered and does not contravene any law or
any agreement to which Guarantor is a party or by which it is bound, (b) the
Guarantor: (i) is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of its organization; (ii) has all requisite
corporate or other power, and has all material, governmental, licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals necessary to own its assets and carry on
its business as now being or as proposed to be conducted, except to the extent
that the failure to have any such license, authorization, consent or approval
would not reasonably be expected (either individually or in the aggregate) to
materially affect the condition of the Guarantor; and (iii) is qualified to do
business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the
business conducted by it makes such a qualification necessary and where failure
so to quality would not reasonably be expected (either individually or in the
aggregate) to materially affect the condition of the Guarantor; and (c) after
giving effect to this Guaranty and the transactions contemplated by the Credit
Documents (and after taking into account all recoveries Agent and Lenders are
likely to realize from the Company on the Company's obligations to Agent and
Lender): (i) the aggregate value of all of the assets and properties of
Guarantor, at a fair valuation, will be greater than the total amount which
Guarantor is likely to be actually required to pay on claims, including
contingent claims; (ii) the aggregate present fair salable value of Guarantor's
assets will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay Guarantor's
probable liability on debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become
absolute and mature; (iii) Guarantor has (and has no reason to believe that it
will not have) sufficient capital for the conduct of his business affairs; and
(iv) Guarantor does not intend to incur, and does not believe that it has
incurred, debts beyond its ability to pay as they mature.

        10. Set off. Guarantor hereby grants to Agent and Lenders, a lien,
security interest and right of set off as security for all liabilities and
obligations to Agent and Lenders, whether now existing or hereafter arising,
upon and against all deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or
hereafter in the possession, custody, safe keeping or control of Agent and
Lenders or any entity under the control of Fleet Financial Group, Inc., or in
transit to any of them. Subject to Section 3 hereof, at any time, without demand
or notice, Agent and Lenders may set off the same or any part hereof and apply
the same to any liability or obligation of Company and any Guarantor even though
unmatured and regardless of the adequacy of any other collateral securing the
Credit Obligations. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE AGENT AND LENDERS TO EXERCISE
THEIR RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE
CREDIT OBLIGATIONS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SET OFF WITH RESPECT TO
SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY OR ANY GUARANTOR, ARE
HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.

        11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall take effect as a sealed
instrument and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to its conflict of laws
rules).

        12. Jurisdiction. Guarantor irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of any federal or state court sitting in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, over any suit, action or

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and agrees that such
courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any suit, action or proceeding
against Agent and Lenders. Guarantor irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
that it may do so under applicable law, any objection it may have or hereafter
have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought
in any such court and any claim that the same has been brought in an
inconvenient forum.

        13. Waiver of Counterclaims. Guarantor waives all rights to interpose
any claims, deductions, set-offs or counterclaims of any nature (other than
compulsory counterclaims) in any action or proceeding with respect to this
Agreement, the Credit Obligations, the Collateral or any matter arising
therefrom or relating hereto or thereto.

        14. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. GUARANTOR, AGENT, AND LENDERS MUTUALLY HEREBY
KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN
RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED HEREON, ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED TO BE EXECUTED
HEREWITH OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS (WHETHER
VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY. THIS WAIVER CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT FOR AGENT AND LENDERS TO ACCEPT THIS AGREEMENT. Guarantor hereby
certifies that neither Agent, nor any Lender nor any of their representatives,
agents or counsel has represented, expressly or otherwise, that Agent and
Lenders would not, in the event of any such suit, action or proceeding, seek to
enforce this waiver of right to trial by jury. Guarantor acknowledges that Agent
and Lenders have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other
things, this waiver. Guarantor acknowledges that it has read the provisions of
this Agreement and in particular, this Section 14; has consulted legal counsel;
understands the right it is granting in this Section 14 in particular; and makes
the above waiver knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally.

        15. Agent and Lender's Election. To the extent the Guarantor's liability
hereunder is rendered void, invalid, avoidable, unenforceable, or subordinated
to the claims of other creditors in whole or in part, on account of the amount
of such liability under any applicable state or federal laws dealing with the
recovery or avoidance of so-called "fraudulent conveyances" or otherwise
affecting the rights of creditors generally, then, notwithstanding any other
provision hereof to the contrary, the Agent and Lenders may at any time or from
time to time elect to limit the Guarantor's liability hereunder, such that the
amount of such liability will be limited and reduced to the highest amount that
is valid, non-avoidable, enforceable, and not subordinated to the claims of
other creditors.

        16. Miscellaneous. This Guaranty and all terms and conditions hereof
shall be binding upon Guarantor, its successors and assigns, and shall inure to
the benefit of and shall be fully enforceable by Agent and Lenders and their
successors and assigns. Wherever the context so requires herein, the singular
number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the singular.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has executed this instrument under seal as
of this 30 day of March, 2001.

                                       KNOWLEDGE UNIVERSE CAPITAL CO. LLC

/s/ Minerva A. Lewis                   By: /s/ Stanley E. Maron
-------------------------                  -------------------------------------
Witness                                    Name: Stanley E. Maron
                                           Title:   Secretary

                                       Address: Maron & Sandler
                                                Attn: Stan Maron
                                                844 Moraga Drive
                                                Los Angeles, CA  90049

                                      -7-

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