Document:

Exhibit 10.3

Exhibit 10.3

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

This Exchange Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 10, 2010, is entered
into by and between Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the
“Company”), and each of Prism Partners I, L.P., Prism Partners III Leverage, L.P. and
Weintraub Capital Management, L.P., as attorney-in-fact for Prism Partners IV Leveraged Offshore
Fund (each a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”).

BACKGROUND

A. On February 18, 2004, the Company issued senior debentures due 2024 and convertible into
shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share (“Common Stock”), with an
initial aggregate original principal amount of $150 million and accruing interest at a rate of
2.625% per annum pursuant to that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2004, by and
between the Company and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (such debentures collectively, the “Old
Debentures”); such Old Debentures being in the form of beneficial interests in a global note
held by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

B. The Holders are the lawful and beneficial owner of $18,966,000 in aggregate principal
amount of the Old Debentures (“Original Principal Amount”).

C. The Company desires to exchange certain of the Old Debentures for newly-issued senior
debentures due 2014 and convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock in a form
substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “New Debentures”)
in accordance with the terms of Exchange Agreements to be entered into between the Company and the
holders of such Old Debentures in a form substantially similar to this Agreement.

D. The New Debentures shall have terms substantially similar to the terms of the Old
Debentures, subject to certain exceptions, including, without limitation, that such New Debentures
shall accrue interest at a rate of 10.125% per annum and the principal amount of such New
Debentures shall be an amount equal to the Original Principal Amount (the “Exchange
Amount”). Accrued interest on the Old Debentures through the day prior to the Closing Date (as
defined below) shall be paid in a one-time cash payment to each Holder. There shall be no minimum
number of holders of New Debentures.

E. Each of the Holders wishes to exchange its Old Debentures for New Debentures on the terms
and conditions described herein (the “Exchange”).

F. The Exchange is being made pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

 

 

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and undertakings set forth herein,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. The Exchange.

(a) Exchange of Old Debentures. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in Article 4 and Article 5 hereof, each Holder shall transfer and deliver its
Old Debentures (or cause to be delivered) to U.S. Bank National Association, as successor to
Wachovia Bank, National Association, as trustee for the Old Debentures, via electronic delivery in
exchange for New Debentures in the Exchange Amount in accordance with the terms hereof and the
applicable procedures of DTC. The Company shall furnish to the Holders the name of the Company’s
broker or other exchange agent who is a DTC participant and such broker or exchange agent’s account
number prior to the Closing Date in order to effect such delivery.

(b) Issuance of New Debentures. The Company shall cause U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee for the New Debentures, to credit each Holder’s DTC account(s) as set forth
in a direction substantially in the form of Schedule A hereto, or such other DTC account as
each such Holder may direct in writing at least four business days before the Closing Date, with
New Debentures in the Exchange Amount against transfer and delivery to the Company of the Holders’
Old Debentures in accordance with the terms of Article 1 hereof.

(c) Certain Acknowledgements of the Parties. Each of the Company and the Holders
hereby acknowledges that:

(i) the issuance of the New Debentures in the Exchange constitutes satisfaction in full of any
and all amounts (including, without limitation, principal, interest and any other fees or amounts,
subject to the payment by the Company of all accrued interest on the Old Debentures through the day
prior to the Closing Date) owed by the Company to the Holders under the Holders’ Old Debentures;
and

(ii) subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party in this
Agreement, the New Debentures are being issued without registration under the Securities Act in
reliance upon Section 3(a)(9) thereof.

2. Closing. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
“Closing”) shall occur at 10:00 a.m. (New York City local time), or at such other time as
the parties agree upon, on March 30, 2010 or, if the conditions to Closing set forth in Article
4 and Article 5 hereof (other than conditions that by their terms can only be satisfied
on the Closing Date) have not been satisfied or waived by such date, then on the second business
day after the last of such conditions to Closing has been satisfied or waived by the party entitled
to waive the same or on any such other date as to which the parties mutually agree in writing (the
“Closing Date”).

 

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3. Representations and Warranties.

(a) Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and
warrants to the Holders as follows: 

(i) Organization; Authority. The Company is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated
hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder.

(ii) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this
Agreement and, at the Closing, the New Debentures, does not and shall not (A) violate (1) any
provision of law, order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
or (2) the articles of incorporation or bylaws or the organizational documents of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, or (B) conflict with, result in the breach of or constitute (with due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material contractual obligations to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.

(iii) Authorization; Binding Obligation. This Agreement and, at the Closing Date, the
New Debentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, the indenture
relating to the New Debentures (the “New Indenture”) shall be duly and validly qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and,
assuming the due execution and delivery of this Agreement and the New Debentures by each Holder,
this Agreement and the New Debentures are legally valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability
may be limited or affected by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or
other laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally.

(iv) Governmental Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement and, at the Closing, the New Debentures, does not contravene any existing
filing with any governmental authority and does not and shall not require any registration or
filing with, the consent or approval of, notice to, or any other action with respect to, any
federal, state or other governmental authority or regulatory body, except for (A) such consents,
approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state
securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the issuance of the New Debentures, and (B) such
other filings as may be necessary or required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”).

(v) Representation by Counsel. The Company has been represented by counsel in
connection with the execution of this Agreement and the New Debentures and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.

(vi) No Brokers. The Company has not engaged any broker, finder or other entity that
is entitled to any commission or other fee in connection with the Exchange that does not meet all
requirements of Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.

 

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(vii) Issuance of the New Debenture Shares. The shares of the Company’s Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the New Debentures (“New Debenture Shares”) are duly authorized
and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the New Debentures, will be
duly and validly issued and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue
thereof and the New Debenture Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

(viii) No Default under Old Debentures. No Default or Event of Default has occurred
or is continuing under the terms of the Old Debentures.

(ix) No Litigation. There are no (A) actions, suits or proceedings pending or overtly
threatened against the Company or any of its properties before or by any court or arbitrator or any
governmental body, agency or official, or (B) judgments, injunctions, orders, or decrees binding
upon the Company or any of its properties.

(x) SEC Filings. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K most recently filed with
the SEC and all subsequent reports which have been filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, when filed, did not include any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(b) Representations and Warranties of the Holders. Each Holder hereby represents and
warrants to the Company as follows:

(i) Organization; Authority. Such Holder is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions
contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder.

(ii) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the such Holder of this
Agreement and the New Debentures does not and shall not (A) violate (1) any provision of law,
order, rule or regulation applicable to such Holder or any of its affiliates, or (2) the respective
certificates of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of such Holder or those of
any of its affiliates, or (B) conflict with, result in the breach of or constitute (with due notice
or lapse of time or both) a default under any material contractual obligations to which such Holder
or any of its affiliates is a party.

(iii) Authorization; Binding Obligation. This Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by such Holder and, assuming the due execution and delivery of this
Agreement by the Company, this Agreement is a legally valid and binding obligation of such Holder,
enforceable against such Holder in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be
limited or affected by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other laws
of general application relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally.

 

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(iv) Governmental Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by such
Holder of this Agreement does not and shall not require any registration or
filing with, the consent or approval of, notice to, or any other action with respect to, any
federal, state or other governmental authority or regulatory body, except for (A) such consents,
approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state
securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the issuance of the New Debentures, and (B) such
other filings as may be necessary or required by the SEC.

(v) Representation by Counsel. Such Holder has had the opportunity to be represented
by counsel in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.

(vi) Title and Ownership. Such Holder is the lawful and beneficial owner of its Old
Debentures with the requisite power and authority to assign, transfer and dispose of such Old
Debentures. Such Holder’s Old Debentures are owned by such Holder free and clear of any liens,
encumbrances, equities or claims and the transfer, assignment and delivery of such Old Debentures
in accordance with this Agreement will convey to the Company good title to such Old Debentures,
free and clear of liens, claims, equities and encumbrances.

(vii) Not an Affiliate or 5% Beneficial Owner. Such Holder, together with its
affiliates, is not at present, and have not been during the preceding three months, an “affiliate”
of the Company as that term is defined in paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act.

(viii) Not Registered; No Registration Obligations. Such Holder acknowledges that (A)
neither the New Debentures nor the New Debenture Shares have been, nor will be, registered under
the Securities Act, and that any sales by such Holder of the New Debentures or any New Debenture
Shares shall be conducted in accordance with an available exemption under the Securities Act, and
(B) the Company shall have no obligation whatsoever to register the New Debentures or New Debenture
Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, any other agreement to which such
Holder and the Company are a party or otherwise.

(ix) No Brokers. Such Holder has not engaged any broker, finder or other entity
acting under the authority of such Holder or any of its affiliates that is entitled to any
commission or other fee in connection with the Exchange.

(x) Holders’ Knowledge and Experience. Such Holder has the requisite knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters so that it is capable of evaluating the merits and
risks of the Exchange and acquiring the New Debentures and the New Debenture Shares and, in
connection therewith, such Holder acknowledges that (A) the Company makes no representation
regarding the value of the Old Debentures, the New Debentures or the New Debenture Shares, (B) the
rights and privileges of holders of shares of the Company’s Common Stock are substantially
different from the rights of holders of the Old Debentures (described in the indenture relating to
the Old Debentures), and (C) such Holder has independently, and without reliance upon the Company
or its representatives, made its own analysis and decision to enter into the Exchange and exchange
the Old Debentures for the New Debentures.

 

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(xi) Acting Independently. In entering into this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, such Holder acknowledges that such Holder has and is acting for itself and not
at the direction or instruction of the Company or its representatives, and such Holder has not held
and will not hold itself out as an agent of the Company in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby or in connection with any subsequent sale of the New Debentures or the New
Debenture Shares.

(xii) Accredited Investor. Such Holder is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule
501 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(xiii) No Advice Regarding Tax Treatment. Neither the Company nor its representatives
has made any representation to the Holders regarding the tax treatment of the Exchange on such
Holder, and such Holder has independently, and without reliance upon the Company or its
representatives, reached its own conclusions regarding such tax treatment.

4. Conditions to the Company’s Obligations. The obligations of the Company at the
Closing are subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions, provided that these
conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be waived by the Company at any time in
its sole discretion by providing each Holder with prior written notice thereof:

(a) Execution of the Agreement. Each Holder shall have executed this Agreement and
delivered the same to the Company.

(b) Transfer of the Old Debentures. Each Holder shall have duly and validly
transferred and delivered its Old Debentures to the Company or its order in accordance with the
terms of Article 1 hereof.

(c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Holders
in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as
though made at that time.

(d) No Prohibition. No litigation, statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by or in any
court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization
having authority over the matters contemplated hereby which prohibits the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(e) Necessary Filings. The Company shall have made all filings under all applicable
federal or state securities laws and rules of the New York Stock Exchange necessary to consummate
the issuance of the New Debentures (including all filings necessary to qualify the New Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act) pursuant to this Agreement in compliance with such laws and
requirements and shall have obtained all authorizations, approvals and acceptances necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and such authorizations, approvals and acceptances
shall be effective as of the Closing Date.

 

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5. Conditions to the Holders’ Obligations. The obligations of the Holders at the
Closing are subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions, provided that these
conditions are for the sole benefit of the Holders and may be waived by the Holders at any
time in their sole discretion by providing the Company with prior written notice thereof:

(a) Execution of the Agreement. The Company shall have executed this Agreement and
delivered the same to the Holders.

(b) Delivery of the New Debentures. The Company shall have caused the New Debentures
to be delivered to the Holders against delivery by the Holders of the Holders’ Old Debentures in
accordance with the terms of Article 1 hereof.

(c) Payments under the Old Debentures. The Holders shall have been paid in full for
all interest accruing on the Old Debentures through the day prior to the Closing Date.

(d) Escrow Agreement. The Company shall have executed that certain Escrow Agreement
to be entered into by and among the Company, as depositor, U.S. Bank National Association, as
trustee under the New Indenture, and U.S. Bank National Association, as escrow agent (the
“Escrow Agreement”), and the Escrow Account (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) shall be
fully funded with all payments due on the New Debentures through the maturity.

(e) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company
in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as
though made at that time.

(f) No Prohibition. No litigation, statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by or in any
court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization
having authority over the matters contemplated hereby which prohibits the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

6. Fees and Expenses. Each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers,
counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party
incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.

7. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be (a) transmitted by hand delivery, (b) mailed by first class,
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (c) transmitted by overnight courier, or (d)
transmitted by facsimile, and in each case,

if to the Company, to:

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

435 Devon Park Drive, Building 800

Wayne, PA 19087

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: (610) 975-4984

 

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

Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP

1701 Market Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Attention: Justin W. Chairman

Facsimile: 215.963.5001

if to the Holders, to:

Weintraub Capital Management L.P.

44 Montgomery Street, Suite 4100

San Francisco, 94104

Attention: Nancy DeSchane

Facsimile: 415.288.8960

Notices mailed or transmitted in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed to have been given
upon receipt by the addressee.

8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law
thereof. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and
federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any
dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or
discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or
proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that
such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit,
action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process
and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy
thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner
permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO
REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR
ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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9. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the New Debentures constitute the entire
agreement among the parties pertaining to the Exchange and supersedes the parties’ prior
agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, on such matters,
and this Agreement shall not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or
terminated except by instrument in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

10. Miscellaneous. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
closing of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall remain operative and in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any party hereto. This
Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of the signatories to this Agreement and
their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and
representatives. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of a signature page by facsimile or as an attachment to an electronic mail
message in PDF or similar format shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the
application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby. This Agreement shall be
solely for the benefit of the signatories to this Agreement, and no other person or entity shall be
a third-party beneficiary hereof. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power
or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial
exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive
of any rights or remedies provided by law.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its
behalf as of the date first written above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

 	 	 
	By:  	/s/ Brian J. Sisko	 	 
	 	Name: Brian J. Sisko	 	 
	 	Title:   Senior Vice President and General Counsel	 	 
	 
	PRISM PARTNERS I, L.P.

PRISM PARTNERS III LEVERAGED, L.P.

 	 	 
	By:  	Weintraub Capital Management, L.P.
 	 	 
	 	General Partner 	 	 
	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Jerald Weintraub	 	 
	 	  	Name:  Jerald Weintraub 	 	 
	 	  	Title:    President 	 	 
	 
	PRISM PARTNERS IV LEVERAGED OFFSHORE FUND

 	 	 
	By:  	Weintraub Capital Management, L.P.
 	 	 
	 	Attorney-in-fact 	 	 
	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Jerald Weintraub	 	 
	 	  	Name:  Jerald Weintraub 	 	 
	 	  	Title:    President 	 	 

[Weintraub Exchange Agreement]

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

DTC DIRECTION

Delivery of Old Debentures

Old Debentures will be delivered by DTC from the following account(s) of the Holder(s):

	 	 	 	 	 
	Par
	 	 	 	 
	Institution

	 	 

	 	 
	DTC
No.

	 	 

	 	 
	Credit
Account No.

	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 

Issuance of New Debentures

New Debentures will be delivered by DTC from the following account of the Trustee:

	 	 	 	 	 
	Par
	 	 	 	 
	Institution

	 	 

	 	 
	DTC
No.

	 	 

	 	 
	Credit
Account No.

	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 

To the following account(s) of the Holder(s):

	 	 	 	 	 
	Par
	 	 	 	 
	Institution

	 	 

	 	 
	DTC
No.

	 	 

	 	 
	Credit
Account No.

	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NEW DEBENTURE

[See attached]Exhibit 10.4

Exhibit 10.4

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

This Exchange Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 10, 2010, is entered
into by and between Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the
“Company”), and Zazove Associates LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(“Zazove”).

BACKGROUND

A. On February 18, 2004, the Company issued senior debentures due 2024 and convertible into
shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share (“Common Stock”), with an
initial aggregate original principal amount of $150 million and accruing interest at a rate of
2.625% per annum pursuant to that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2004, by and
between the Company and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (such debentures collectively, the “Old
Debentures”); such Old Debentures being in the form of beneficial interests in a global note
held by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

B. The entities for which DTC directions are provided pursuant to Section 1(b) hereof
(each a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”) are the lawful and beneficial
owners of $8,202,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old Debentures (“Original Principal
Amount”).

C. The Company desires to exchange certain of the Old Debentures for newly-issued senior
debentures due 2014 and convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock in a form
substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “New Debentures”)
in accordance with the terms of Exchange Agreements to be entered into between the Company and the
holders of such Old Debentures in a form substantially similar to this Agreement.

D. The New Debentures shall have terms substantially similar to the terms of the Old
Debentures, subject to certain exceptions, including, without limitation, that such New Debentures
shall accrue interest at a rate of 10.125% per annum and the principal amount of such New
Debentures shall be an amount equal to the Original Principal Amount (the “Exchange
Amount”). Accrued interest on the Old Debentures through the day prior to the Closing Date (as
defined below) shall be paid in a one-time cash payment to each Holder. There shall be no minimum
number of holders of New Debentures.

E. Zazove, on behalf of the Holders, and pursuant to its sole investment discretion and
dispositive power to assign, transfer and dispose of the Old Debentures held by the Holders, wishes
to exchange each of the Holders’ Old Debentures for New Debentures on the terms and conditions
described herein (the “Exchange”).

F. The Exchange is being made pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

 

 

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and undertakings set forth herein,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. The Exchange.

(a) Exchange of Old Debentures. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in Article 4 and Article 5 hereof, Zazove, on behalf of each Holder, shall
take such action as in necessary to (i) transfer and deliver the Old Debentures (or cause to be
delivered) to U.S. Bank National Association, as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association,
as trustee, the Old Debentures via electronic delivery in exchange for New Debentures in the
Exchange Amount in accordance with the terms hereof, and (ii) write-down each of the Holder’s
positions in the Old Debentures at DTC in accordance with the terms of the indenture relating to
the Old Debentures (the “Old Indenture”) and the applicable procedures of DTC. The Company
shall furnish to Zazove the name of the Company’s broker or other exchange agent who is a DTC
participant and such broker or exchange agent’s account number prior to the Closing Date in order
to effect such delivery.

(b) Issuance of New Debentures. The Company shall cause U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee for the New Debentures, to credit each Holder’s DTC account(s) as set forth
in a direction substantially in the form of Schedule A hereto, or such other DTC account as
Zazove may direct in writing at least four business days before the Closing Date, with New
Debentures in the Exchange Amount against transfer and delivery to the Company of the Holder’s Old
Debentures in accordance with the terms of Article 1 hereof.

(c) Certain Acknowledgements of the Parties. Each of the Company and Zazove hereby
acknowledges that:

(i) the issuance of the New Debentures in the Exchange constitutes satisfaction in full of
any and all amounts (including, without limitation, principal, interest and any other fees or
amounts, subject to the payment by the Company of all accrued interest on the Old Debentures
through the day prior to the Closing Date) owed by the Company to the Holders under the Holders’
Old Debentures; and

(ii) subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party in this
Agreement, the New Debentures are being issued without registration under the Securities Act in
reliance upon Section 3(a)(9) thereof.

2. Closing. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
“Closing”) shall occur at 10:00 a.m. (New York City local time), or at such other time as
the parties agree upon, on March 30, 2010 or, if the conditions to Closing set forth in Article
4 and Article 5 hereof (other than conditions that by their terms can only be satisfied
on the Closing Date) have not been satisfied or waived by such date, then on the second business
day after the last of such conditions to Closing has been satisfied or waived by the party entitled
to waive the same or on any such other date as to which the parties mutually agree in writing (the
“Closing Date”).

 

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3. Representations and Warranties.

(a) Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and
warrants to Zazove and the Holders as follows:

(i) Organization; Authority. The Company is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated
hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder.

(ii) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this
Agreement and, at the Closing, the New Debentures, does not and shall not (A) violate (1) any
provision of law, order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
or (2) the articles of incorporation or bylaws or the organizational documents of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, or (B) conflict with, result in the breach of or constitute (with due
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material contractual obligations to which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.

(iii) Authorization; Binding Obligation. This Agreement and, at the Closing Date,
the New Debentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, the indenture
relating to the New Debentures (the “New Indenture”) shall be duly and validly qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and,
assuming the due execution and delivery of this Agreement and the New Debentures by the Holders,
this Agreement and the New Debentures are legally valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as
enforceability may be limited or affected by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or other laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors’ rights
generally.

(iv) Governmental Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement and, at the Closing, the New Debentures, does not contravene any
existing filing with any governmental authority and does not and shall not require any
registration or filing with, the consent or approval of, notice to, or any other action with
respect to, any federal, state or other governmental authority or regulatory body, except for (A)
such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under
state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the issuance of the New Debentures, and (B)
such other filings as may be necessary or required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”).

(v) Representation by Counsel. The Company has been represented by counsel in
connection with the execution of this Agreement and the New Debentures and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

3

 

(vi) No Brokers. The Company has not engaged any broker, finder or other entity that
is entitled to any commission or other fee in connection with the Exchange that does not meet all
requirements of Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.

(vii) Issuance of the New Debenture Shares. The shares of the Company’s Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the New Debentures (“New Debenture Shares”) are duly
authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the New
Debentures, will be duly and validly issued and free from all taxes, liens and charges with
respect to the issue thereof and the New Debenture Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable.

(viii) No Default under Old Debentures. No Default or Event of Default has occurred
or is continuing under the terms of the Old Debentures.

(ix) No Litigation. There are no (A) actions, suits or proceedings pending or
overtly threatened against the Company or any of its properties before or by any court or
arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official, or (B) judgments, injunctions, orders, or
decrees binding upon the Company or any of its properties.

(x) SEC Filings. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K most recently filed with
the SEC and all subsequent reports which have been filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, when filed, did not include any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(b) Representations and Warranties of Zazove and the Holders. Zazove, in its capacity
as investment advisor for each Holder, hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

(i) Organization; Authority. Zazove is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated
hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder.

(ii) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
New Debentures does not and shall not to the best of Zazove’s knowledge (A) violate (1) any
provision of law, order, rule or regulation applicable to Zazove, the Holders or any of their
respective affiliates, or (2) the respective certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other
organizational documents of Zazove, the Holders or any of their respective affiliates, or (B)
conflict with, result in the breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a
default under any material contractual obligations to which Zazove, the Holders or any of their
respective affiliates is a party.

(iii) Authorization; Binding Obligation. This Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by Zazove and, assuming the due execution and delivery of this Agreement by
the Company, this Agreement is a legally valid and binding obligation, enforceable against Zazove
and each Holder in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited or affected by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or other laws of general application relating to or affecting creditors’ rights
generally.

 

4

 

(iv) Governmental Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by Zazove
of this Agreement does not and shall not require any registration or filing with, the consent or
approval of, notice to, or any other action with respect to, any federal, state or other
governmental authority or regulatory body, except for (A) such consents, approvals,
authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue
Sky laws in connection with the issuance of the New Debentures, and (B) such other filings as may
be necessary or required by the SEC.

(v) [Reserved.]

(vi) Title and Ownership. Zazove has sole investment discretion and dispositive
power to assign, transfer and dispose of the Old Debentures held by the Holders. Each Holder is
the lawful and beneficial owner of its Old Debentures. The Holders’ Old Debentures are owned by
the Holders free and clear of any liens, encumbrances, equities or claims and the transfer,
assignment and delivery of such Old Debentures in accordance with this Agreement will convey to
the Company good title to such Old Debentures, free and clear of liens, claims, equities and
encumbrances.

(vii) Not an Affiliate or 5% Beneficial Owner. Neither Zazove nor any of the
Holders, together with any of their affiliates, (A) is at present, or has been during the
preceding three months, an “affiliate” of the Company as that term is defined in paragraph (a)(1)
of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, (B) immediately after giving effect to the
Exchange and assuming issuance of the New Debenture Shares, will beneficially own 5% or more of
the outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock, and (C) immediately after giving effect to
the Exchange and assuming issuance of the New Debenture Shares, will hold in its accounts shares
of the Company’s Common Stock amounting to 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s
Common Stock.

(viii) Not Registered; No Registration Obligations. Zazove acknowledges that (A)
neither the New Debentures nor the New Debenture Shares have been, nor will be, registered under
the Securities Act, and that any sales by such Holders of the New Debentures or any New Debenture
Shares shall be conducted in accordance with an available exemption under the Securities Act, and
(B) the Company shall have no obligation whatsoever to register the New Debentures or New
Debenture Shares under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, any other agreement to which
the Holders and the Company are a party or otherwise.

(ix) No Brokers. Neither Zazove nor any Holder has engaged any broker, finder or
other entity acting under the authority of Zazove or any Holder or any of their affiliates that is
entitled to any commission or other fee in connection with the Exchange.

 

5

 

(x) Zazove’s Knowledge and Experience. Zazove has the requisite knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters so that it is capable of evaluating
the merits and risks of the Exchange and acquiring the New Debentures and the New Debenture
Shares and, in connection therewith, Zazove acknowledges that (A) the Company makes no
representation regarding the value of the Old Debentures, the New Debentures or the New Debenture
Shares, (B) the rights and privileges of holders of shares of the Company’s Common Stock are
substantially different from the rights of holders of the Old Debentures (described in the Old
Indenture), and (C) Zazove has independently, and without reliance upon the Company or its
representatives, made its own analysis and decision to enter into the Exchange and exchange the
Old Debentures for the New Debentures.

(xi) Acting Independently. In entering into this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, Zazove acknowledges that it is acting on behalf of the Holders pursuant to
its discretionary authority and not at the direction or instruction of the Company or its
representatives, and Zazove has not and will not hold itself out as an agent of the Company in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or in connection with any subsequent sale of
the New Debentures or the New Debenture Shares.

(xii) Accredited Investor. Zazove and each Holder is an “accredited investor” as
defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(xiii) No Advice Regarding Tax Treatment. Neither the Company nor its
representatives has made any representation to Zazove or any Holder regarding the tax treatment of
the Exchange on the Holders, and Zazove, on behalf of each Holder, has independently, and without
reliance upon the Company or its representatives, reached its own conclusions regarding such tax
treatment.

4. Conditions to the Company’s Obligations. The obligations of the Company at the
Closing are subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions, provided that these
conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be waived by the Company at any time in
its sole discretion by providing Zazove with prior written notice thereof:

(a) Execution of the Agreement. Zazove shall have executed this Agreement and
delivered the same to the Company.

(b) Transfer of the Old Debentures. Zazove, on behalf of each Holder, shall take such
action as is necessary to have duly and validly transferred and delivered the Old Debentures owned
by the Holders to the Company or its order in accordance with the terms of Article 1
hereof.

(c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Zazove in
this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as
though made at that time.

(d) No Prohibition. No litigation, statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by or in any
court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization
having authority over the matters contemplated hereby which prohibits the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

6

 

(e) Necessary Filings. The Company shall have made all filings under all applicable
federal or state securities laws and rules of the New York Stock Exchange necessary to consummate
the issuance of the New Debentures (including all filings necessary to qualify the New Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act) pursuant to this Agreement in compliance with such laws and
requirements and shall have obtained all authorizations, approvals and acceptances necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and such authorizations, approvals and acceptances
shall be effective as of the Closing Date.

5. Conditions to Zazove’s Obligations. The obligations of Zazove at the Closing are
subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are
for the sole benefit of each Holder and may be waived by Zazove on behalf of each Holder at any
time in its sole discretion by providing the Company with prior written notice thereof:

(a) Execution of the Agreement. The Company shall have executed this Agreement and
delivered the same to Zazove.

(b) Delivery of the New Debentures. The Company shall have caused the New Debentures
to be delivered to the Holders against delivery by Zazove of the Holders’ Old Debentures in
accordance with the terms of Article 1 hereof.

(c) Payments under the Old Debentures. The Holders shall have been paid in full for
all interest accruing on the Old Debentures through the day prior to the Closing Date.

(d) Escrow Agreement. The Company shall have executed that certain Escrow Agreement
to be entered into by and among the Company, as depositor, U.S. Bank National Association, as
trustee under the New Indenture, and U.S. Bank National Association, as escrow agent (the
“Escrow Agreement”), and the Escrow Account (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) shall be
fully funded with all payments due on the New Debentures through the maturity.

(e) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company
in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as
though made at that time.

(f) No Prohibition. No litigation, statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by or in any
court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization
having authority over the matters contemplated hereby which prohibits the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

6. Fees and Expenses. Each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers,
counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party
incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.

 

7

 

7. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be (a) transmitted by hand delivery, (b) mailed by first class,
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (c) transmitted by overnight courier, or (d)
transmitted by facsimile, and in each case,

if to the Company, to:

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

435 Devon Park Drive, Building 800

Wayne, PA 19087

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: (610) 975-4984

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

Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP

1701 Market Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Attention: Justin W. Chairman

Facsimile: 215.963.5001

if to Zazove or a Holder, to:

Zazove Associates LLC

1033 Skokie Blvd., Suite 310

Northbrook, IL 60062

Attention: Steven M. Kleiman

Facsimile: 847.239.7101

Notices mailed or transmitted in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed to have been given
upon receipt by the addressee.

8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law
thereof. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and
federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any
dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or
discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or
proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that
such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit,
action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process
and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy
thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner
permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO
REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR
ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

8

 

9. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the New Debentures constitute the entire
agreement among the parties pertaining to the Exchange and supersedes the parties’ prior
agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, on such matters,
and this Agreement shall not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or
terminated except by instrument in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

10. Miscellaneous. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
closing of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall remain operative and in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any party hereto. This Agreement
is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of the signatories to this Agreement and their
respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and representatives.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original and all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed
counterpart of a signature page by facsimile or as an attachment to an electronic mail message in
PDF or similar format shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart. In the
event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any
circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability
of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall
not be affected or impaired thereby. This Agreement shall be solely for the benefit of the
signatories to this Agreement, and no other person or entity shall be a third-party beneficiary
hereof. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this
Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies provided by law.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

9

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its
behalf as of the date first written above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

 	 	 
	By:  	/s/ Brian J. Sisko	 	 
	 	Name:  	Brian J. Sisko	 	 
	 	Title: 	Senior Vice President and General Counsel
	 
	ZAZOVE ASSOCIATES LLC

 	 	 
	By:  	/s/ Steven M. Kleiman	 	 
	 	Name:  	Steven M. Kleiman 	 	 
	 	Title:  	Chief Operating Officer 	 	 

[Zazove Exchange Agreement]

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

DTC DIRECTION

Century National Insurance Company

Old Debentures Principal Amount $1,000,000

Union Bank

DTC #2145

For Credit to Account # 240002130-04

Contact: Denise Wong 415-705-7326

Qwest Occupational Health Trust

Old Debentures Principal Amount $200,000

BNY Mellon

DTC #954

For Credit to Account USVF7011002

Contact: Andrew Rensko 412-236-0172

Qwest Pension Trust

Old Debentures Principal Amount $870,000

BNY Mellon

DTC #954

For Credit to Account USWF353002

Contact: Andrew Rensko 412-236-0172

Virginia Retirement System

Old Debentures Principal Amount $3,930,000

BNY Mellon

DTC #954

For Credit to Account VRSF46420002

Contact: Andrew Rensko 412-236-0172

The Washington University

Old Debentures Principal Amount $1,152,000

BNY Mellon

DTC #954

For Credit to Account WUSF1018002

Contact: Andrew Rensko 412-236-0172

Zazove Aggressive Growth Fund, L.P.

Old Debentures Principal Amount $1,050,000

Citgroup

DTC #418

For Credit to Account #522-9075R

Contact: Doreen Pappas 212-723-4270

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NEW DEBENTURE

[See attached]

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