Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.1

                                                                 EXECUTION COPY

                             eVENTURES GROUP, INC.

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (This "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of April 4, 2000, by and among eVENTURES GROUP, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and the persons and entities signatories hereto
(collectively, the "Stockholders"), as holders of shares of common stock, par
value $0.00002 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Stockholders have entered into that
certain Common Stock Subscription Agreement dated on or about April 4, 2000 (the
"Subscription Agreement"), pursuant to which the Stockholders acquired shares of
Common Stock (the "Shares") in the amounts set forth on Schedule I hereto; and

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Subscription Agreement, the parties
have agreed to enter into this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement and in the Subscription Agreement, the
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as
follows:

         1. REGISTRABLE SHARES. For purposes of this Agreement, "Registrable
Shares" shall mean, at any time, and with respect to any Stockholder or
Qualified Transferee (as defined in Section 9(g) below), any Restricted
Securities (as defined below) held by such Stockholder or Qualified Transferee,
and "Holder" shall mean any Stockholder or Qualified Transferee holding
Registrable Shares. As to any particular Registrable Shares, once issued, such
Registrable Shares shall cease to be Registrable Shares (1) when such
Registrable Shares have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended or any successor Federal statute (the "Act"), the Registration Statement
in connection therewith has been declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any successor agency thereto (the "SEC") and they have
been disposed of pursuant to and in the manner described in such effective
Registration Statement, (2) when such Registrable Shares are sold or distributed
pursuant to Rule 144 (as defined below), (3) when such Registrable Shares have
ceased to be outstanding, or (4) when such Registrable Shares have been
transferred to a person or entity other than a Qualified Transferee. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "Restricted Securities" shall mean, at any
time and with respect to any Stockholder or Qualified Transferee, the Shares and
any Common Stock received on or with respect to any of the Shares, including
Common Stock received by way of stock split or stock dividend or in connection
with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization, which are held by such Stockholder or Qualified Transferee and
which theretofor have not been sold to the public pursuant to a Registration
Statement or transferred pursuant to Rule 144. For purposes of this Agreement,
the term "Registration Statement" shall

<PAGE>   2

mean any registration statement of the Company which covers any of the
Registrable Shares, and all amendments and supplements to any such Registration
Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the
Prospectus (as defined below) contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all
material incorporated by reference therein. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any prospectus subject to completion, and any such
Prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect
to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Shares and, in
each case, by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus,
including post-effective amendments, and in each case including all material
incorporated by reference therein. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Rule 144" shall mean Rule 144 promulgated under the Act or any successor or
similar rule thereto, as may be enacted by the SEC from time to time.

          2.      FORM S-3 ELIGIBILITY. The Company hereby covenants and agrees
that is shall prepare and timely file all such filings in a timely manner and
otherwise as required by the Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated under the Act and the Exchange Act, from the date
hereof and throughout the term of this Agreement.

         3.       PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS.

                  (a) RIGHT TO PIGGYBACK. If the Company proposes to register
         any of its securities under the Act (other than pursuant to (i) a
         registration solely in connection with an employee benefit or stock
         ownership plan on Form S-8 or any comparable or successor form, (ii) a
         registration solely in connection with an acquisition consummated in a
         manner which would permit registration of such securities to the
         public on Form S-4 or any comparable or successor form or (iii) a
         "shelf" or similar registration for use solely in connection with
         future acquisitions), and the registration form to be used may be used
         for the registration of Registrable Shares (a "Piggyback
         Registration"), the Company will give prompt written notice to all
         Holders of Registrable Shares of its intention to effect such a
         registration (each a "Piggyback Notice"). Subject to Section 3(b)
         below, the Company will include in such registration all Registrable
         Shares that Holders of Registrable Shares request the Company to
         include in such registration by written notice given to the Company
         within twenty (20) days after the date of sending of the Piggyback
         Notice.

                  (b) PRIORITY ON PRIMARY REGISTRATIONS. If a Piggyback
         Registration relates to an underwritten public offering of equity
         securities by the Company and the managing underwriter or underwriters
         for such offering advise the Company in writing that in their opinion
         the number of securities requested to be included in such registration
         exceeds the number which can be sold in an orderly manner in such
         offering within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company
         will include in such registration (i) first, the securities proposed
         to be sold by the Company, (ii) second, the securities proposed to be
         sold by any other persons with registration rights senior to those of
         the Holders, (iii) third, the securities requested to be included in
         such registration, including (a) Registrable Shares and (b) other
         securities held by persons with registration rights equal to those of

<PAGE>   3

         the Holders, pro rata among the Holders of such Registrable Shares and
         such persons on the basis of the number of shares owned by each such
         Holder and each such person, provided that any unused share allocation
         of any such Holder or such person not fully participating shall be
         reallocated pro rata among the Holders of Registrable Shares and such
         persons on the basis of the number of shares being sold by each such
         Holder and each such person in such registration, and (iv) fourth,
         other securities requested to be included in such registration.

                  (c) PRIORITY ON SECONDARY REGISTRATIONS. If a Piggyback
         Registration relates to an underwritten public offering of equity
         securities held solely by other shareholders of the Company's
         securities and the managing underwriter or underwriters advise the
         Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities
         requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which
         can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range
         acceptable to the persons (as defined below) initially requesting such
         registration, the Company will include in such registration (i) first,
         the securities requested to be included therein by the persons
         requesting such registration, (ii) second, the securities proposed to
         be sold by any other persons with registration rights senior to those
         of the Holders, (iii) third, the Registrable Shares requested to be
         included in such registration, pro rata among the Holders of such
         Registrable Shares on the basis of the number of shares owned by each
         such Holder, provided that any unused share allocation of any such
         Holder not fully participating shall be reallocated pro rata among the
         Holders of Registrable Shares on the basis of the number of shares
         being sold by each such Holder in such registration, and (iv) fourth,
         other securities requested to be included in such registration.

                 (d) OUTSTANDING REGISTRATION RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS. The Company
          has provided to the Investors copies of all outstanding agreements
          under which it may be obligated to register securities of the Company
          (the "Outstanding Agreements") and/or has directed the Investors to
          copies of the Outstanding Agreements that have been publicly filed.
          As the Company understands the terms of the Outstanding Agreements,
          no person or entity has rights under the Outstanding Agreements that
          would be "senior" (as that term is used in Sections 3(c) and 3(d)) to
          those of the Holders hereunder other than the persons and entities
          listed on Schedule I to that certain Registration Rights Agreement,
          dated as of September 22, 1999, between the Company and such persons
          and entities (the "September 1999 Holders"). The Company has granted
          demand registration rights pursuant to such Registration Rights
          Agreement and also pursuant to that certain Registration Rights
          Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2000, between the Company and the
          persons and entities listed on Schedule I thereto. The September 1999
          Holders further must approve any participation by other persons or
          entities, including the Holders hereunder, in demand registrations
          undertaken at their request.

         4. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. Whenever the Holders of Registrable Shares
have requested that any Registrable Shares be registered pursuant to this
Agreement, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect
the registration and the sale of such Registrable Shares in accordance with the
intended method of distribution thereof and will as expeditiously as possible:

<PAGE>   4

               (i) prepare and file with the Commission a Registration
          Statement with respect to such Registrable Shares on any appropriate
          form under the Act, which form shall be selected by the Company and
          shall be available for the sale of Registrable Shares in accordance
          with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof and use
          its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration
          Statement to become effective, provided that before filing a
          Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements
          thereto, the Company will furnish to the counsel selected by the
          Holders of a majority of the Registrable Shares included in such
          Registration Statement copies of all such documents proposed to be
          filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel;

               (ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
          post-effective amendments to such Registration Statement and
          supplements to the Prospectus used in connection therewith (and to
          file the Prospectus, as so supplemented, under Rule 424 under the
          Act, if required) as may be necessary to keep such Registration
          Statement effective for a period of up to six (6) months, and comply
          with the provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all
          securities included in such Registration Statement during such period
          in accordance with the intended methods of distribution by the
          selling Holders thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or
          supplement to such Prospectus;

               (iii) furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Shares such
          number of copies of such Registration Statement, each amendment and
          supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), the
          Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each
          preliminary Prospectus) and such other documents as such selling
          Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition
          of the Registrable Shares owned by such selling Holder, the Company
          consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
          thereto by a seller of Registrable Shares and the underwriters, if
          any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable
          Shares covered by the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
          thereto;

               (iv) notify the selling Holders of Registrable Shares and the
          managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, promptly and (if
          requested by any such Stockholder) confirm such advice in writing,
          (A) when a Prospectus, including any Prospectus supplement or
          post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a
          Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same
          has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for
          amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related
          Prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance by the
          Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a
          Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that
          purpose, (D) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
          respect to the suspension of the qualification of any of the
          Registrable Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or
          threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (E) of the
          existence of any fact which results in a Registration Statement, a
          Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference
          containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to
          state a material fact

<PAGE>   5

          necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
          circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

               (v) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or
          qualify such Registrable Shares under such other securities or "blue
          sky" laws of such jurisdictions as any selling Holder reasonably
          requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be
          reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such selling Holder to
          consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable
          Shares owned by such selling Holder, provided that the Company will
          not be required (A) to qualify generally to do business in any
          jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but
          for this subparagraph, (B) to subject itself to taxation in any such
          jurisdiction, or (C) to consent to general service of process in any
          such jurisdiction;

               (vi) notify each selling Holder of such Registrable Shares, at
          any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be
          delivered under the Act, of the happening of any event referred to in
          clause (iv)(E) of this Section 4, and, at the request of any such
          seller, prepare a supplement to such Prospectus or a post-effective
          amendment to such Registration Statement and furnish to each seller
          of Registrable Shares a reasonable number of copies of such
          supplement or amendment so that, as thereafter delivered to the
          purchasers of such Registrable Shares, such Prospectus will not
          contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
          fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

               (vii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such
          Registrable Shares to be listed on each securities exchange on which
          similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and to be
          qualified for trading on each system on which similar securities
          issued by the Company are from time to time qualified;

               (viii) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such
          Registrable Shares not later than the effective date of such
          Registration Statement and thereafter maintain such transfer agent
          and registrar;

               (ix) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Shares and the
          managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation
          and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Shares to be
          sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, which certificates, if
          so required by any securities exchange upon which any Registrable
          Shares are listed, shall be penned, lithographed or engraved, or
          produced by any combination of such methods, on steel engraved
          borders, and in such denominations and registered in such names as
          each seller of Registrable Shares or the managing underwriters, if
          any, may request at least two Business Days prior to the sale of
          Registrable Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement;

               (x) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting
          agreements in customary form) and take all such other actions as the
          Holders of a majority of the Registrable Shares being sold or the
          underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or
          facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Shares, including
          using its best

<PAGE>   6

          efforts to cause its officers to participate in "road shows" and
          other information meetings organized by the managing underwriter and
          in such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement is
          entered into and whether or not the registration is an underwritten
          registration: (A) make such representations and warranties to each
          seller of Registrable Shares, and the underwriters, if any, in form,
          substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to
          underwriters in underwritten offerings; and (B) the Company shall
          deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably
          requested by each seller of Registrable Shares, and the managing
          underwriters, if any, to evidence the continued validity of the
          representations and warranties made pursuant hereto and to evidence
          compliance with any conditions contained in the underwriting
          agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company;

                (xi) in connection with an underwritten offering, use its
          commercially reasonable efforts to (A) obtain opinions of counsel to
          the Company and updates thereof, which counsel and opinions (in form,
          scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing
          underwriters, addressed to the underwriters, covering the matters
          customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings
          and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such
          underwriters; and (B) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates
          thereof from the Company's independent certified public accountants,
          addressed to the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form
          and covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold
          comfort" letters to underwriters in connection with underwritten
          offerings; make available for inspection during normal business hours
          by any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a
          registration statement, and any attorney or accountant retained by
          such underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent
          corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the
          Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information
          reasonably requested by such underwriter, attorney or accountant in
          connection with such registration statement; provided that such
          underwriters execute prior thereto an agreement with the Company that
          all such records, information or documents shall be kept confidential
          by such persons unless (1) disclosure of such records, information or
          documents is required by law or by a court or administrative order or
          (2) such records, information or documents are or become (but only
          when they become) generally available to the public other than as a
          result of disclosure in violation of this paragraph; and make
          available for inspection by any underwriter participating in any
          disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney,
          accountant or other agent retained by any such underwriter, all
          financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
          properties of the Company, and cause the Company's officers,
          directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all
          information reasonably requested by any such underwriter, attorney,
          accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

                (xii) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to
          comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
          and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably
          practicable but no later than fifteen (15) months after the effective
          date of the Registration Statement, an earnings statement covering a
          period of twelve (12)

<PAGE>   7

         months beginning after the effective date of the Registration
         Statement, in a manner which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a)
         of the Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

                (xiii) in the event of the issuance of any stop order
         suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any
         order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or
         suspending the qualification of any Registrable Shares included in
         such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction, the Company
         will use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to obtain the
         withdrawal of such order;

                (xiv) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Shares, not
          later than the effective date of the applicable registration
          statement;

                (xv) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Shares and each
         underwriter participating in the disposition of such Registrable
         Shares and their respective counsel in connection with any filings
         required to be made with the National Association of Securities
         Dealers, Inc.0; and

                (xvi) take all other steps reasonably necessary to effect the
         registration of the Registrable Shares contemplated hereby.

Notwithstanding anything set forth herein, the Company shall be entitled to
withdraw a Registration Statement in its sole and exclusive discretion at any
time prior to its becoming effective.

         5.       REGISTRATION EXPENSES.

                  (a) DEFINITION. The term "Registration Expenses" means any
         expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with
         this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration and
         filing fees, listing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with
         securities or "blue sky" laws, printing expenses, messenger and
         delivery expenses, internal expenses, the fees and expenses of counsel
         for the Company (but not the fees and expenses of counsel to the
         Holders of the Registrable Shares included in such registration) and
         all independent certified public accountants, underwriting fees and
         expenses (excluding discounts and commissions attributable to the
         Registrable Shares, which shall be paid by the selling Holders out of
         the proceeds of the offering) and the fees and expenses of any other
         persons (as defined below) retained by the Company. For purposes of
         this Agreement, the term "person" shall be construed as broadly as
         possible and shall include an individual or natural person, a
         partnership (including a limited liability partnership), a company, an
         association, a joint stock company, a limited liability company, a
         trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated entity and a governmental
         authority.

               (b) PAYMENT. The Company shall pay the Registration Expenses in
          connection with any and all Piggyback Registrations.

<PAGE>   8

6.       INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a) INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. The Company agrees to indemnify,
to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Shares, such
Holder's general and limited partners, officers and directors and each person
who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Act) against all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and expenses caused by (i) any untrue or alleged
untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement,
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information
furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein or
(ii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Act, the Exchange
Act, any state securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the
Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law. In connection with an
underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify such underwriters, their
officers and directors and each person who controls such underwriters (within
the meaning of the Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to
the indemnification of the Holders of Registrable Shares.

         (b) INDEMNIFICATION BY HOLDERS. In connection with any Registration
Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Shares is participating, each such
Holder will furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits
as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, will
indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and each person who controls
the Company (within the meaning of the Act) against any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus
or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any
omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the
extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any written
information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder; provided, that
the obligation to indemnify will be individual to each Holder and will be
limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of
Registrable Shares pursuant to such registration statement.

         (c) NOTICE; DEFENSE OF CLAIMS. Any person entitled to indemnification
hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any
claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification; provided, that the
failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying
party of any liability that it may have to the indemnified party hereunder
(except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by
reason of such failure) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party's reasonable
judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying
parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to
assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party will not
be subject

<PAGE>   9

to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its
consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). An
indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense
of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one
special and one local counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying
party with respect to such claim.

         (d) CONTRIBUTION. If the indemnification provided for in this Section
5 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an
indemnified party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such indemnified party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or
expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative
benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the
indemnified party on the other from the offering of the Registrable Shares or
(ii) if the allocation provided for by the foregoing clause (i) is not
permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the
relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the
indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or
omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof). The relative
fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified
party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The obligation to
contribute will be individual to each Holder of Registrable Shares and will be
limited to the amount by which the net amount of proceeds received by such
Holder from the sale of Registrable Shares exceeds the amount of losses,
liabilities, damages, and expenses which such Holder has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such statements or omissions.

         (e) SURVIVAL. The indemnification provided for under this Agreement
will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling
person of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of securities.

         (f) UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. To the extent that the provisions on
indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement
entered into in connection with an underwritten public offering are in conflict
with the provisions of this Section 6, and the Holder indemnifying or seeking
indemnification is a party thereto, the provisions contained in the
underwriting agreement shall control.

         (g) NON-EXCLUSIVITY. The obligations of the Company under this Section
6 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have to
any indemnified person under this Section 6 and shall be in addition to any
liability which such indemnified person may otherwise have to the Company. The
remedies provided in

<PAGE>   10

         this Section 6 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or
         remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at
         law or in equity.

         7.       PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS. No person may
participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such
person (i) agrees to sell such person's securities on the basis provided in any
underwriting arrangements approved by the person or persons entitled hereunder
to approve such arrangements, (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires,
powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided that no
Holder of Registrable Shares included in any underwritten registration shall be
required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the
underwriters other than representations and warranties regarding such Holder,
such Holder's title to its Registrable Shares and such Holder's intended method
of distribution, and (iii) if requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters or the Demanding Persons (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of September 22, 1999, among the Company and the persons
and entities set forth on Schedule 1 thereto), agrees not to sell Registrable
Shares or other securities held by such Holder in any transaction other than
pursuant to such underwriting for such period following the effective date of
the registration statement relating to such underwriting for such period as is
determined by either the Board of Directors or the Demanding Persons.

         8.       STOCKHOLDER LOCK-UP; AGREEMENT NOT TO SELL.

                  (a) LOCK-UP AND AGREEMENT NOT TO SELL. Prior to the first
         annual anniversary of the date hereof, no Holder of Registrable Shares
         may make any public sale of Registrable Shares (pursuant to a
         Registration Statement, Rule 144 or otherwise), subject to the
         following exceptions; provided, however, that (i) all officers,
         directors and holders of one percent (1%) or more of the diluted
         equity of the Company (other than (a) those individuals granted stock
         options by the Company pursuant to the 1999 Omnibus Securities Plan
         and (b) those individuals to be granted stock options by the Company
         as set forth on the Schedule of Exceptions to the Subscription
         Agreement) and all holders of registration rights under other
         agreements with the Company have entered into similar agreements and
         (ii) any discretionary waiver or termination of the restrictions of
         any such agreement (including this Agreement) with respect to 0.25% or
         more (in the aggregate) of the Company's equity securities by the
         Company, or the managing underwriter, shall apply to all persons
         subject to such agreements on a pro rata basis.

                  (b) EXCEPTIONS. Nothing herein or in the Subscription
         Agreement shall prevent a Holder:

                           (i) (A) that is a partnership or corporation from
                  making a distribution of Registrable Shares to the partners or
                  shareholders thereof that are otherwise in compliance with
                  applicable securities laws, so long as such permitted
                  distributees agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of
                  this Section 8; (B) that desires to sell any Registrable
                  Shares in a private transaction in compliance with applicable
                  securities laws from consummating such a sale so long as the
                  purchaser in any

<PAGE>   11

                  private sale agrees in writing to be bound by the restrictions
                  set forth in this Section 8; or (C) that is an individual,
                  from making a transfer of Registrable Shares by gift, will or
                  the laws of descent and distribution, subject to the
                  restrictions set forth in this Section 8; or

                  (ii) from including Registrable Shares in a Piggyback
         Registration under the terms and conditions set forth in Section 3
         above.

9.       MISCELLANEOUS.

         (a)      INFORMATION AND REPORTING.

                  (i) The Company shall, at all times during which it is
         neither subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d)
         of the Exchange Act, nor exempt from reporting pursuant to Rule
         12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act, upon the written request of any
         Stockholder, provide in writing to such Stockholder and to any
         prospective transferee of the Registrable Shares of such Stockholder
         the information concerning the Company described in Rule 144A(d)(4) or
         any successor rule under the Act ("Rule 144A Information"). The
         Company's obligations under this Section 9(a)(i) shall at all times be
         contingent upon receipt from the prospective transferee of Registrable
         Shares of a written agreement to take all reasonable precautions to
         safeguard the Rule 144A Information from disclosure to anyone other
         than persons who will assist such transferee in evaluating the
         purchase of any Registrable Shares.

                  (ii) The Company shall timely file such information,
         documents and reports as the Commission may require or prescribe under
         Section 13 of the Exchange Act. The Company shall timely file such
         information, documents and reports which a corporation, partnership or
         other entity subject to Section 13 or 15(d) (whichever is applicable)
         of the Exchange Act is required to file. The Company shall promptly
         upon request furnish any Holder of Registrable Shares (a) a written
         statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting
         requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, (b) a copy of
         the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and (c)
         such other reports and documents filed by the Company with the
         Commission as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of
         an exemption for the sale of Registrable Shares without registration
         under the Act. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the purposes
         of the requirements contained in this Section 9(a)(ii) are to enable
         any such Holder to comply with the current public information
         requirement contained in paragraph (c) of Rule 144, should such Holder
         ever wish to dispose of any of the securities of the Company acquired
         by it without registration under the Act in reliance upon Rule 144 (or
         any other similar exemptive provision), and to qualify the Company for
         the use of registration statements on Form S-3. In addition, the
         Company shall take such other measures and file such other
         information, documents and reports, as shall hereafter be

<PAGE>   12

         required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of Rule
         144 (or any similar exemptive provision hereafter in effect) and the
         use of Form S-3. The Company also covenants to use its commercially
         reasonable efforts, to the extent that it is reasonably within its
         power to do so, to qualify for the use of Form S-3.

         (b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company will not hereafter enter
into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or
violates the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Shares in this
Agreement, provided, however, that other purchasers of Shares from the Company
may become Holders and parties to this Agreement by executing and delivering to
the Company a signature page to this Agreement.

         (c) ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING REGISTRABLE SHARES. The Company will not
take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities
for the purpose of materially and adversely affecting the ability of the
Holders of Registrable Shares to include such Registrable Shares in a
registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement or materially and adversely
affecting the marketability of such Registrable Shares in any such registration
(including, without limitation, effecting a stock split or a combination of
shares); provided that this Section 9(c) shall not apply to actions or changes
with respect to the Company's business, balance sheet, earnings or revenue
where the effect of such actions or changes on marketability of the Registrable
Shares is not material.

         (d) NOTICES. All notices, requests, consents, and other communications
under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given
when delivered personally or by facsimile transmission or by overnight delivery
service or 72 hours after being mailed by first class certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid:

                  (i)  If to the Company, c/o Stuart Chasanoff, 1601 Elm Street,
          Suite 4000, Dallas, Texas 75201, or at such other address or addresses
          as may have been furnished in writing by the Company to the
          Stockholders with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice): White
          & Case LLP, 1155 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036,
          Attention: Kevin Keogh, Esq. (Fax: 212-354-8113).

                  (ii) If to a Stockholder, to it at its address as set forth
         in the Subscription Agreement, or at such other address or addresses
         as may have been furnished in writing by such Stockholder.

         (e) REMEDIES. Any person having rights under any provision of this
Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically to recover
damages caused by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and
to exercise all other rights granted by law. The parties hereto agree and
acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of
the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole discretion
apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting
any bond or other security) for specific performance and for

<PAGE>   13

other injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent violation of the
provisions of this Agreement.

         (f) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. Except as otherwise provided herein, no
amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this Agreement shall be
effective unless made in writing signed by the Company and the Holders of a
majority of the shares of Registrable Shares; provided that no amendment may be
made to Sections 8 that adversely affects the rights of the Holders or to this
Section 9(f) unless agreed upon by the Company and the Holders of all the
Registrable Shares, and that provided that no amendment that materially and
adversely affects the rights of any Holder shall be made without the consent of
such Holder.

         (g) ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The rights to cause the Company
to register Registrable Shares pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned (but
only with all related obligations) by a Stockholder to any transferee (a
"Qualified Transferee") that is an Affiliate (as defined below) or, if not an
Affiliate, acquires from a Stockholder either (i) 100,000 or more Registrable
Shares or (ii) if less than 100,000 Registrable Shares are owned by a
Stockholder at the time of a transfer, all of the Registrable Shares owned by
such Stockholder, in either case in connection with the permitted transfer of
Registrable Shares. Such assignment shall not affect the rights of Holders
hereunder which shall remain in full force in accordance with the terms hereof.
Any transferring Stockholder shall provide the Company with prior written
notice of such transfer(s)/assignment(s); provided, however, that the failure
to provide such notice shall not be deemed to preclude assignment hereunder. As
used herein, "Affiliate" shall mean (i) a person or entity that, directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by,
or is under common control with, a Stockholder or (ii) if a Stockholder is a
partnership, a partner, retired partner, or estate of a partner or retired
partner, of such partnership, so long as such any transfer or recertification
of Registrable Shares is in accordance with the transferee's interest in such
partnership and is without consideration.

         (h) SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.

         (i) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement of
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements relating to such subject matter.

         (j) HEADINGS. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience only
and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

         (k) GOVERNING LAW. The construction, validity and interpretation of
this Agreement will be governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware
without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule
(whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause
the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Delaware.

         (l) FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party to this Agreement hereby covenants
and agrees, without the necessity of any further consideration, to execute and
deliver any and all such further documents and take any and all such other
actions as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes
of this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (m) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile and in
one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but
all of which shall be one and the same document.

                           (Signature Page Follows)

<PAGE>   14

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties
hereto as of the date first written above.

                             COMPANY:
                             -------

                             eVENTURES GROUP, INC.

                             By: /s/ STUART CHASANOFF
                                 Name:   Stuart Chasanoff
                                 Title:  Vice President -- Business Development,
                                         General Counsel and Secretary

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

                 [SIGNATURE PAGE FOR EACH STOCKHOLDER FOLLOWS]

<PAGE>   15

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of
the date first written above.

                        LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION

                        By: /s/ ROBERT R. BENNETT
                            Name:  Robert R. Bennett
                            Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   16

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                      CHASE EQUITY ASSOCIATES, LP

                      By: Chase Capital Partners, its general partner

                      By: /s/ CHRIS BEHRENS
                          Name:   Chris Behrens
                          Title:  General Partner

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   17

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                             PAUL CAPITAL PARTNERS VI, L.P.

                             By: Paul Capital Management, L.L.C., its managing
                             partner

                             By: /s/ DAVID E. PARK
                                 Name:   David E. Park, III
                                 Title:  Managing Member

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   18

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                   PCP ASSOCIATES, L.P.

                                   By: Paul Capital Management, L.L.C.,
                                   its managing partner

                                   By: /s/ DAVID E. PARK
                                       Name:   David E. Park, III
                                       Title:  Managing Member

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   19

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                   BANCBOSTON CAPITAL INC.

                                   By: /s/ LEE J. TESCONI
                                       Name:   Lee J. Tesconi
                                       Title:  Managing Director

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   20

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                   J.F. SHEA CO., INC., as Nominee 2000-59

                                   By: /s/ EDMUND H. SHEA
                                       Name:   Edmund H. Shea, Jr.
                                       Title:  Vice President

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   21

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                              BLACKSTONE FAMILY INVESTMENT
                              PARTNERSHIP III L.P.

                              By: Blackstone Management Associates III LLC, its
                              General Partner

                              By: /s/ MARK GALLOGLY
                                  Name:   Mark Gallogly
                                  Title:  Member

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   22

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                  BLACKSTONE OFFSHORE CAPITAL
                                  PARTNERS III L.P.

                                  By: Blackstone Management Associates III LLC,
                                  its General Partner

                                  By: /s/ MARK GALLOGLY
                                      Name:   Mark Gallogly
                                      Title:  Member

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   23

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                 BLACKSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS III
                                 MERCHANT BANKING FUND L.P.

                                 By: Blackstone Management Associates III LLC,
                                 its General Partner

                                 By: /s/ MARK GALLOGLY
                                     Name:   Mark Gallogly
                                     Title:  Member

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   24

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                        THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.

                                        By: /s/ RICHARD A FRIEDMAN
                                            Name:   Richard Friedman
                                            Title:  Vice President

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   25

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                            BRAZOS eVENTURES ACQUISITION, LLC

                                            By: /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
                                                Name:   Randall S. Fojtasek
                                                Title:  President

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   26

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                MAVERICK FUND LDC

                                By: /s/ MICHELLE PERRIN
                                    Name:   Michelle Penn
                                    Title:  Controller. Maverick Capital, Ltd.
                                    Fund Advisor

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   27

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                 MAVERICK FUND USA, LTD.

                                 By: /s/ MICHELLE PERRIN
                                     Name:   Michelle Perrin
                                     Title:  Controller. Maverick Capital, Ltd.
                                     Fund Advisor

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   28

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                   MAVERICK FUND II, LTD.

                                   By: /s/ MICHELLE PERRIN
                                       Name:Michelle Perrin
                                       Title:Controller. Maverick Capital, Ltd.
                                       Fund Advisor

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   29

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                               EDGEWATER PRIVATE EQUITY FUND III, L.P.

                               By: Edgewater III Management, L.P., its General
                               Partner

                               By: Gordon Management, Inc., its General Partner

                               By: /s/ BRIAN THOMPSON
                                   Name:   Brian Thompson
                                   Title:  Vice President

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   30

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                            MOORE GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LTD.

                                            By: /s/ SAVVAS SAVVINDIS
                                                Name:   Savvas Savvindis
                                                Title:  Director of Operations

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   31

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                               REMINGTON INVESTMENT STRATEGIES,
                               L.P.

                               By: /s/ SAVVAS SAVVINDIS
                                   Name:   Savvas Savvindis
                                   Title:  Director of Operations

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   32

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                       MELLON VENTURES II, L.P.

                                       By: MVMA II, L.P., its G.P.

                                       By: MVMA, Inc., its G.P.

                                       By: /s/ J.S. RICHARDSON
                                           Name:   J.S. Richardson
                                           Title:  Managing Director

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   33

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as
of the date first written above.

                                 FIRST UNION MERCHANT BANKING 2000,
                                 LLC

                                 By: /s/ SCOTT PERPER
                                     Name:   Scott Perper
                                     Title:  Managing Partner

                 [REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE]

<PAGE>   34

                                                                     SCHEDULE 1

         STOCKHOLDER                            SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
         -----------                            ----------------------
Chase Equity Associates, LP                            217,391
Paul Capital Partners VI, L.P.                         185,935
PCP Associates, L.P.                                    31,456
BancBoston Capital Inc.                                173,913
J.F. Shea Co., Inc. as Nominee 2000-                   130,435
59
Blackstone Family Investment                            13,044
Partnership III L.P.
Blackstone Offshore Capital Partners                    31,379
III L.P.
Blackstone Capital Partners III                        172,968
Merchant Banking Fund L.P.
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.                           86,956
Brazos eVentures Acquisition, LLC                      217,391
Maverick Fund LDC                                      143,109
Maverick Fund USA Ltd.                                   61,805
Maverick Fund II, Ltd.                                   12,477
Edgewater Private Equity Fund III,                     173,914
L.P.
Moore Global Investments Ltd.                          104,348
Remington Investment Strategies,                        26,087
L.P.
Mellon Ventures II, L.P.                               217,391
First Union Merchant Banking 2000,                     326,087
LLC                                                    -------

TOTAL                                                2,326,086<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made as of April 4, 2000,
by and between, eVENTURES GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation, with its
principal office at 300 Crescent Court, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75201 (the
"COMPANY"), and JEFFREY A. MARCUS residing at 6801 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas,
Texas 75205 ("EXECUTIVE").

                                   WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, effective April 3, 2000 (the "COMMENCEMENT DATE"), the Company
desires to employ Executive as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and
Executive desires to accept such employment; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement as
to the terms of his employment by the Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
agree as follows:

     1.    Term of Employment. Except for earlier termination as provided in
Section 7 hereof, Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be for a
three (3) year term (the "EMPLOYMENT TERM") commencing on the Commencement Date
and ending on April 2, 2003 (the "EXPIRATION DATE").

     2.   Position.

          (a) Executive shall serve as the Chairman of the Board and Chief
     Executive Officer of the Company (the "CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER"), reporting
     directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "BOARD"). During the
     Employment Term, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
     nominate Executive to serve as Chairman of the Board and upon such
     nomination, Executive shall agree to so serve. If requested by the Board,
     Executive shall also serve on committees of the Board, subject to
     Executive's consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld),
     and/or as an executive, officer and director of subsidiaries of the Company
     without additional compensation and subject to any policy of the
     Compensation Committee of the Company's Board (the "COMPENSATION
     COMMITTEE") with regard to retention or turnover of the director's fees.

          (b) Executive shall have such duties and authority, consistent with
     his position, as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board.
     Executive shall be responsible for, and have control over, the operations
     of the Company, subject to supervision only by the Board and the applicable
     requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

          (c) During the Employment Term, Executive shall devote substantially
     all of his business time and efforts to the performance of his duties
     hereunder. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit
     Executive from (i) owning less than ten

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

     percent (10%) of the outstanding securities of any publicly traded entity,
     (ii) pursuing any business opportunity that is not in Competition, as such
     term is defined in Section 10(b) below, with the Company or its
     subsidiaries or any portfolio company in which the Company or its
     subsidiaries hold securities (other than entities in which the Company or
     its subsidiaries make a nominal investment) (provided the time devoted by
     Executive to such personal investment does not materially interfere with
     Executive's duties hereunder), (iii) continuing service as a consultant of
     Broadband NOW, in the same capacity and extent as Executive rendered such
     service immediately prior to the Commencement Date, or (iv) continuing
     service on any board of directors on which Executive serves as of the
     Commencement Date or service as a director of a company that is not in
     Competition with the Company or its subsidiaries or any portfolio company
     in which the Company or its subsidiaries hold securities (other than
     entities in which the Company or its subsidiaries make a nominal
     investment), provided, however, that Executive shall not hold more than
     five (5) board seats of for-profit businesses at any time exclusive of his
     membership on the Board or the board of directors of any subsidiary or
     affiliate of the Company (such activities described in clause (i), (ii),
     (iii) or (iv) immediately preceding being herein referred to as the
     "ALLOWED ACTIVITIES"). Executive shall be entitled to retain any
     consideration that he receives from service permitted by clauses (iii) and
     (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence on any board of directors of a
     corporation unrelated to the Company. For purposes of this Section 2(c) and
     Section 10(b) to the extent expressly applicable, a "nominal investment" of
     the Company or its subsidiaries will be determined in relation to the size
     of investments made from time to time by the Company or its subsidiaries in
     its portfolio companies (including, without limitation, investments made in
     exchange for cash, securities or services rendered).

     3.   Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay
Executive a Base Salary at the annual rate of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
($200,000). Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the usual payroll
practices of the Company. Executive's Base Salary may be reviewed annually by
the Board or the Compensation Committee and may be increased, but not decreased,
from time to time by the Board or the Compensation Committee. The Base Salary as
determined as aforesaid, from time to time for the applicable fiscal year shall
constitute "BASE SALARY" for purposes of this Agreement.

     4.   Incentive Compensation.

          (a) Bonus. For each fiscal year or portion thereof during the
     Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in an incentive
     bonus plan established by the Company on such terms and conditions, and
     subject to such standards, as shall be determined from time to time in the
     sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee. Such incentive
     bonus for any such fiscal year shall be payable in cash and shall not be
     greater than fifty percent (50%) of Executive's rate of Base Salary in
     effect for the fiscal year to which such incentive bonus relates. During
     the Employment Term, the Company shall maintain an incentive bonus plan
     providing a target bonus equal to not less than fifty percent (50%) of
     Executive's rate of Base Salary in effect for the fiscal year to which the
     bonus relates.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

          (b) Stock Options. The Company hereby grants to Executive stock
     options (the "STOCK OPTIONS") to purchase 3,910,000 shares of Common Stock
     of the Company. The Stock Options shall be granted pursuant to a stock
     option award agreement or agreements between Executive and the Company
     substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "B" (the "STOCK OPTION
     GRANTS"). The exercise price for such Stock Options shall be equal to
     $23.00 per share of Common Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of
     the Stock Option Grants, the Stock Options shall become exercisable on the
     dates indicated below as to that number of shares of Common Stock of the
     Company as set forth below opposite each such date.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               Date                            Number of Shares
                          -------------                        ----------------
                         <S>                                       <C>
                           July 2, 2000                             977,500
                          April 2, 2001                             977,500
                          April 2, 2002                             977,500
                          April 2, 2003                             977,500
</TABLE>

     The foregoing schedule to the contrary notwithstanding, the Stock Options
     shall become fully and immediately exercisable in the event the Employment
     Term terminates prior to the Expiration Date by reason of termination of
     the Executive's employment hereunder by Executive for Good Reason or by the
     Company without Cause (as such terms are hereinafter defined). The Stock
     Options shall in all events expire on the date ten years after the
     Commencement Date, if not terminated or canceled earlier. The Executive
     shall be permitted to transfer the Stock Options to the Executive's
     immediate family members and/or lineal descendents (or a trust or family
     limited partnership established solely for the benefit of any such
     immediate family member and/or lineal descendent). Notwithstanding anything
     in the Stock Option Grants to the contrary, to the extent any provisions
     contained therein are inconsistent with or differ from the explicit terms
     and conditions of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this
     Agreement shall control. To the extent this Agreement does not specifically
     address an issue or term set forth in the Stock Option Grants, then the
     provisions and terms of the Stock Option Grants shall apply.

          (c) Adjustments. As more fully specified in the Stock Option Grants,
     the number of shares covered by, and the option price per share of, the
     Stock Options will be subject to adjustment by the Company for any stock
     split, reclassification, combination or similar change in the Company's
     capital stock.

     5.   Employee Benefits and Vacation.

          (a) During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to
     participate in all pension, profit sharing, long-term incentive
     compensation, retirement, savings, welfare and other employee benefit plans
     and arrangements and fringe benefits and perquisites generally maintained
     by the Company from time to time for the benefit of senior executive
     officers of the Company of a comparable level, in each case in accordance
     with their respective terms as in effect from time to time (other than any
     special arrangement entered into by contract with an executive or that
     applies on a grandfathered basis).

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

     Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall pay all premiums for
     Executive and his dependent family members under health, hospitalization,
     disability, dental, life and other employee benefit plans that the Company
     may have in effect from time to time. Executive acknowledges that the
     Company does not currently provide a profit sharing plan, and has no
     current intention of providing profit sharing benefits to its employees.

          (b) During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to at
     least three (3) weeks paid vacation each year in accordance with the
     Company's policies in effect from time to time. Executive shall also be
     entitled to such periods of sick leave as is customarily provided by the
     Company to its senior executive employees.

          (c) If the Company shall provide employment-related benefits of the
     type described in this Section 5 to any other senior executive of the
     Company in an aggregate amount greater, or on more favorable terms and
     conditions, on an aggregate basis, than such benefits are provided to
     Executive, Executive shall be provided such benefits in a substantially
     comparable amount and/or under the substantially comparable terms and
     conditions, as applicable, on an aggregate basis.

     6.   Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Executive for the
reasonable travel, entertainment and other business expenses incurred by
Executive, subject to such pre-approval procedures as may be established from
time to time by the Board, in the performance of his duties hereunder, in
accordance with the Company's policies as in effect from time to time.

     7.   Termination.

          (a) The employment of Executive and the Employment Term shall
     terminate as provided in Section 1 hereof or, if earlier, upon the earliest
     to occur of any of the following events:

              (i)    the death of Executive;

              (ii)   the termination of Executive's employment by the Company
                     due to Executive's Disability (as defined in Exhibit "A")
                     pursuant to Section 7(b) hereof;

              (iii)  the termination of Executive's employment by Executive for
                     Good Reason (as defined in Exhibit "A") pursuant to Section
                     7(c) hereof,

              (iv)   the termination of Executive's employment by the Company
                     without Cause (as defined in Exhibit "A") pursuant to
                     Section 7(e) hereof;

              (v)    the termination of employment by Executive without Good
                     Reason upon thirty (30) days prior written notice pursuant
                     to Section 7(f) hereof; or

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

              (vi)   the termination of Executive's employment by the Company
                     for Cause pursuant to Section 7(d) hereof.

          (b) Disability. If Executive is unable to perform his material duties
     hereunder due to a physical or mental condition and the Company desires to
     terminate Executive's employment for Disability (as defined in Exhibit
     "A"), the Company shall deliver to Executive a written Notice of Disability
     Termination (herein so called), effective upon the date (the "DISABILITY
     TERMINATION DATE") which is the later of (i) the date such condition
     becomes a Disability or (ii) thirty (30) days following the delivery of the
     Notice of Disability Termination; provided that the Disability Termination
     Date shall be suspended, and the Employment Term shall not terminate, so
     long as Executive returns to the full performance of his duties by and
     following such date.

          (c) Termination for Good Reason. A Termination for Good Reason (herein
     so called) means a termination by Executive by written notice given within
     thirty (30) days after Executive knows of the occurrence of the Good Reason
     event, unless such circumstances are corrected prior to the date of
     termination specified in the Notice of Termination for Good Reason and the
     Company informs Executive of such correction prior to such date. In such
     event, the Employment Term shall not terminate. A Notice of Termination for
     Good Reason shall mean a notice that shall indicate the specific Good
     Reason event in Section (d) of Exhibit "A" relied upon and shall set forth
     in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis
     for Termination for Good Reason. The failure by Executive to set forth in
     the Notice of Termination for Good Reason any facts or circumstances which
     contribute to the showing of Good Reason shall not waive any right of
     Executive hereunder or preclude Executive from asserting such fact or
     circumstance in enforcing his rights hereunder. The Notice of Termination
     for Good Reason shall provide for a date of termination not less than
     thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days after the date such Notice of
     Termination for Good Reason is given.

          (d) Cause. Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by the
     Company for Cause following delivery to Executive of a Notice of
     Termination (as defined in this Section 7(d)) and a meeting of the Board at
     which Executive is given the opportunity to appear. A Notice of Termination
     for Cause (herein so called) shall mean a notice that shall indicate the
     specific termination provision in Section (a) of Exhibit "A" relied upon
     and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances which
     provide for a basis for Termination for Cause. The effective date of
     termination for a Termination for Cause shall be the date indicated in the
     Notice of Termination. Any purported Termination for Cause which is held by
     a court by a non-appealable final judgment not to have been based on the
     grounds set forth in this Agreement or not to have followed the procedures
     set forth in this Agreement shall be deemed a termination by the Company
     without Cause.

          (e) Termination without Cause. The Company may terminate its
     employment of Executive for reasons other than Cause at any time upon
     thirty (30) days prior written notice.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

          (f) Voluntary Resignation. Executive may terminate his employment with
     the Company at any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice.

     8. Consequences of Termination of Employment. Executive shall be entitled
to the following compensation from the Company (in lieu of all other sums owed
or payable to Executive) upon the termination of employment as described below:

          (a) Death, Disability, Voluntary Resignation without Good Reason or by
     the Company with Cause. If Executive's employment and the Employment Term
     are terminated (1) by reason of Executive's death or Disability, (2) by
     Executive without Good Reason or (3) by the Company for Cause, the
     employment period under this Agreement shall terminate without further
     obligations to Executive or Executive's legal representatives under this
     Agreement except for: (i) any Base Salary earned but unpaid, any accrued
     but unused vacation pay payable pursuant to the Company's policies and any
     unreimbursed business expenses payable pursuant to Section 6 (which
     amounts, in the case of the death of Executive, shall be promptly paid in a
     lump sum to Executive's estate), (ii) any other amounts or benefits earned,
     accrued and owing to Executive under the then applicable employee benefit
     plans, long term incentive plans or equity plans and programs of the
     Company, including, without limitation, any earned but unpaid incentive
     bonus for any prior completed fiscal year, and (iii) except in the case of
     a termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason,
     a pro-rata portion (based on the number of days Executive is employed by
     the Company during the fiscal year of such termination) of Executive's
     incentive bonus earned for the fiscal year in which termination occurs,
     which, in any case, shall be paid in accordance with the applicable plans,
     programs and agreements, and any unpaid reimbursable business expenses
     (such amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, the
     "ACCRUED AMOUNTS").

          (b) Termination by Executive for Good Reason or Termination by Company
     without Cause. If Executive's employment and the Employment Term are
     terminated (i) by Executive for Good Reason, or (ii) by the Company without
     Cause (and other than for Disability or as a result of expiration of the
     Employment Term), Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued
     Amounts and shall, subject to Sections 9(b), 9(c) and 10 hereof, be
     entitled to receive equal monthly payments of an amount equal to his
     monthly rate of Base Salary in effect at the time of such termination plus
     his incentive bonus paid for the most recently ended fiscal year (provided,
     however, if Executive was employed hereunder for only a portion of such
     prior fiscal year, such bonus shall be annualized for purposes of this
     calculation, and, if no bonus was paid for such prior fiscal year, the
     current fiscal year's bonus, at 100 percent of target, shall be deemed to
     be the incentive bonus paid for the most recently ended fiscal year for
     purposes of this calculation) divided by twelve (12) for a period equal to
     the greater of (x) twelve (12) months or (y) the remaining period of time
     from the date of such termination through the Expiration Date (the
     "Severance Payments"). Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence
     to the contrary, if Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
     without Cause (and other than for Disability or as a result of expiration
     of the Employment Term), or if Executive terminates his employment for Good
     Reason, the Severance Payments shall be paid to Executive in a lump-sum
     following such termination.

                                       6
<PAGE>   7
          (c) Termination Upon Expiration of Employment Term. If Executive's
     employment with the Company terminates on the Expiration Date by reason of
     expiration of the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to receive
     the Accrued Amounts and shall, subject to Sections 9(b), 9(c) and 10
     hereof, be entitled to receive equal monthly payments of an amount equal to
     his monthly rate of Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the
     Expiration Date plus his incentive bonus paid for the most recently ended
     fiscal year divided by twelve (12) for a period of twelve (12) months.

     9.   No Mitigation; No Set-Off.

          (a) In the event of any termination of employment under Section 8,
     Executive shall be under no obligation to seek other employment and there
     shall be no offset against any amounts due Executive under this Agreement
     on account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment
     that Executive may obtain. Any amounts due under Section 8 are in the
     nature of severance payments and are not in the nature of a penalty. Such
     amounts are inclusive, and in lieu of any amounts payable under any other
     salary continuation or cash severance arrangement of the Company and to the
     extent paid or provided under any other such arrangement shall be offset
     from the amount due hereunder.

          (b) (i) Executive agrees that, as a condition to receiving the
     payments and benefits provided under Section 8(b) or (c) hereunder he will
     execute, deliver and not revoke (within the time period permitted by
     applicable law) a release of all claims of any kind whatsoever against the
     Company, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and
     shareholders in the then standard form being used by the Company for senior
     executives (but without release of the right of indemnification hereunder
     or under the Company's By-laws or rights under benefit or equity plans that
     by their terms are intended to survive termination of his employment or
     claims that the Company fulfill its obligations under this Agreement).

               (ii) The Company agrees that, as a condition to Executive's
          agreements under Section 10 hereof, the Company will execute and
          deliver a release of all claims of any kind whatsoever against
          Executive (but without release of claims that Executive fulfill his
          obligations under this Agreement). The Company's release under this
          paragraph (b)(ii) of this Section 9 shall be executed and delivered
          simultaneously with the execution and delivery of Executive's release
          under paragraph (b)(i) of this Section 9. The releases referred to in
          this paragraph (b) of this Section 9 shall apply to all claims
          described in this paragraph existing from the beginning of time
          through the date of each party's execution of his or its release.

          (c) Upon any termination of employment, Executive hereby resigns
     as an officer and director of the Company, any subsidiary and any affiliate
     and as a fiduciary of any benefit plan of any of the foregoing. Executive
     shall promptly execute any further documentation thereof as requested by
     the Company and, if Executive is to receive any

                                       7
<PAGE>   8
          payments from the Company, execution of such further documentation
          shall be a condition thereof.

          10.  Confidential Information, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation of
     the Company.

               (a) (i) Executive acknowledges that as a result of his employment
          by the Company, Executive will obtain secret and confidential
          information as to the Company and its affiliates and create
          relationships with customers, suppliers and other persons dealing with
          the Company and its affiliates and the Company and its affiliates will
          suffer irreparable damage, which would be difficult to ascertain, if
          Executive should use such confidential information or take advantage
          of such relationships and that because of the nature of the
          information that will be known to or obtained by Executive and the
          relationships created it is necessary for the Company and its
          affiliates to be protected by the prohibition against Competition as
          set forth herein, as well as the confidentiality restrictions set
          forth herein.

                    (ii) Executive acknowledges (A) that the retention of
               nonclerical employees, employed by the Company and its affiliates
               in which the Company and its affiliates have invested training
               and depends on for the operation of their businesses, is
               important to the businesses of the Company and its affiliates,
               and (B) that Executive will obtain unique information as to such
               employees as an executive of the Company and will develop a
               unique relationship with such persons as a result of being an
               executive of the Company. Therefore, it is necessary for the
               Company and its affiliates to be protected from Executive's
               Solicitation (defined below) of such employees as set forth
               below.

                    (iii) Executive acknowledges that the provisions of this
               Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the
               businesses of the Company and its affiliates and that part of the
               compensation paid under this Agreement and the agreement to pay
               severance in certain instances is in consideration for the
               agreements in this Section 10.

               (b)  COMPETITION shall mean: participating, directly or
           indirectly, as an individual proprietor, partner, stockholder,
           officer, employee, director, joint venturer, investor, lender with
           equity participation, consultant or in any capacity whatsoever
           (within the United States of America, or in any country where the
           Company or its affiliates do business) in a Competing Business;
           provided, however, that such participation shall not include (i) the
           ownership of not more than ten percent (10%) of the total outstanding
           stock of a publicly held company; (ii) following a termination of
           Executive's employment hereunder, the ownership of not more than five
           percent (5%) of the total outstanding stock of a private company if
           Executive is neither a member of, or represented on, the board of
           directors of such private company and does not have an executive
           officer role in such private company; (iii) the Allowed Activities;
           or (iv) any activity engaged in with the prior written approval of
           the Board. As used herein, "Competing Business" means any business
           that the Company and/or its subsidiaries and/or any entity in which
           the Company and/or its subsidiaries holds securities (other

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

     than entities in which the Company or its subsidiaries make a "nominal
     investment" (determined as described in Section 2(c) hereof)) are engaged
     in (I) from time to time (while Executive is employed by the Company) or
     (II) at the time of termination (upon termination of Executive's
     employment) (consisting principally of the services described in the
     Company's Registration Statement on Form 10 under the Securities Exchange
     Act of 1934, as amended, and any amendments thereof). For purposes of the
     immediately preceding sentence, but solely following a termination of
     Executive's employment hereunder, the Company and its subsidiaries shall be
     deemed to have made a "nominal investment" in an entity if, at the time of
     such termination of employment, the Company and its subsidiaries own or
     control less than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding equity interests, on
     a fully diluted basis, of such entity. The Company shall furnish Executive
     with a list of all Competing Businesses on or promptly following
     termination of his employment hereunder.

          (c) SOLICITATION shall, subject to paragraph (g) of this Section 10
     mean: recruiting, soliciting or inducing, of any nonclerical employee or
     employees of the Company or its affiliates to terminate their employment
     with the Company or its affiliates or hiring or assisting another person or
     entity to hire any nonclerical employee of the Company or its affiliates or
     any person who within twelve (12) months before had been a nonclerical
     employee of the Company or its affiliates and were recruited or solicited
     for such employment or other retention while an employee of the Company;
     provided, however, that solicitation shall not include any of the foregoing
     activities engaged in with the prior written approval of the Board.

          (d) If any restriction set forth with regard to Competition or
     Solicitation is found by any court of competent jurisdiction, or in
     arbitration, to be unenforceable because it extends for too long a period
     of time or over too great a range of activities or in too broad a
     geographic area, it shall be interpreted to extend over the maximum period
     of time, range of activities or geographic area as to which it may be
     enforceable. In the event that the agreements in this Section 10 shall be
     determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by
     reason of their extending for too great a period of time or over too great
     a geographical area or by reason of their being too extensive in any other
     respect, they shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum period
     of time for which they may be enforceable and/or over the maximum
     geographical area as to which they may be enforceable and/or to the maximum
     extent in all other respects as to which they may be enforceable, all as
     determined by such court in such action.

          (e) During the Employment Term and for two (2) years following a
     termination of Executive's employment for any reason whatsoever, whether by
     the Company or by Executive and whether or not for Cause, Good Reason or
     non-extension of the Employment Term, Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
     capacity for the benefit of the Company and its affiliates all secret or
     confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company and its
     affiliates, and their respective businesses, including any confidential
     information as to customers of the Company and its affiliates, (i) obtained
     by Executive during his employment by the Company and its affiliates and
     (ii) not otherwise public knowledge or known within the applicable
     industry. Executive shall not, without

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

     prior written consent of the Company, unless compelled pursuant to the
     order of a court or other governmental or legal body having jurisdiction
     over such matter, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or
     data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In the
     event Executive is compelled by order of a court or other governmental or
     legal body to communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or
     data to anyone other than the foregoing, he shall promptly notify the
     Company of any such order and he shall cooperate fully with the Company in
     protecting such information (at the Company's expense) to the extent
     possible under applicable law. In the event Executive's cooperation with
     the Company's protection of such information is required in accordance with
     the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall pay or reimburse
     reasonable expenses, costs and fees incurred by Executive to provide such
     cooperation (against reasonable documentation therefor in accordance with
     Company policies).

          (f) Upon termination of his employment with the Company and its
     affiliates, or at any time as the Company may request, Executive will
     promptly deliver to the Company, as requested, all documents (whether
     prepared by the Company, an affiliate, Executive or a third party) relating
     to the Company, an affiliate or any of their businesses or property which
     he may possess or have under his direction or control other than documents
     provided to Executive in his capacity as a participant in any employee
     benefit plan, policy or program of the Company or any agreement by and
     between Executive and the Company with regard to Executive's employment or
     severance.

          (g) During the Employment Term and for two (2) years following a
     termination of Executive's employment for any reason whatsoever, whether by
     the Company or by Executive and whether or not for Cause, Good Reason or
     non-extension of the Employment Term, Executive will not engage in
     Solicitation; provided, however, that if Executive's employment and the
     Employment Term are terminated by Executive for Good Reason, or by the
     Company without Cause, or due to non-extension of the Employment Term and
     the Company fails to make a good faith offer for continued employment, then
     Solicitation shall not include any of the activities described in paragraph
     (c) of this Section 10 with respect to any employee of Marcus & Partners
     immediately prior to the Commencement Date who became an employee of the
     Company, including, without limitation, the following three individuals:
     Thomas P. McMillin, Daniel J. Wilson, and Chad E. Coben; provided further,
     however, that if Executive's employment and the Employment Term are
     terminated due to non-extension of the Employment Term and the Company has
     made a good faith offer for continued employment, then Solicitation shall
     not include any of the activities described in paragraph (c) of this
     Section 10 engaged in after nine (9) months following the date of such
     termination with respect to any employee of Marcus & Partners immediately
     prior to the Commencement Date who became an employee of the Company,
     including, without limitation, the following three individuals: Thomas P.
     McMillin, Daniel J. Wilson, and Chad E. Coben.

          (h) During the Employment Term and for the Restricted Period (as
     hereinafter defined) following a termination of Executive's employment,
     Executive will not enter into Competition with the Company. The Restricted
     Period shall be (i) for a termination

                                       10
<PAGE>   11
          for Cause, twelve (12) months from the date of such termination; (ii)
          for a termination as a result of the voluntary resignation of
          Executive without Good Reason, twelve (12) months from the date of
          termination; and (iii) for termination as a result of expiration or
          non-renewal of this Agreement, after the Company has made a good faith
          offer for continued employment, nine (9) months following the date of
          termination. For avoidance of doubt, there shall be no Restricted
          Period following termination of Executive's employment without Cause
          by the Company (and other than for Disability or as a result of
          expiration of the Employment Term) or for Good Reason by Executive or
          if the Employment Term expires and the Company fails to make a good
          faith offer for continued employment.

               (i) In the event of a breach or potential breach of this Section
          10, Executive acknowledges that the Company and its affiliates will be
          caused irreparable injury and that money damages may not be an
          adequate remedy and agree that the Company and its affiliates shall be
          entitled to injunctive relief (in addition to its other remedies at
          law) to have the provisions of this Section 10 enforced. It is hereby
          acknowledged that the provisions of this Section 10 are for the
          benefit of the Company and all of the affiliates of the Company and
          each such entity may enforce the provisions of this Section 10 and
          only the applicable entity can waive the rights hereunder with respect
          to its confidential information and employees.

               (j) Furthermore, in addition to and not in limitation of any
          other remedies provided herein or at law or in equity, in the event of
          breach of this Section 10 by Executive, while he is receiving amounts
          under Section 8(b) or (c) hereof, Executive shall not be entitled to
          receive any future amounts pursuant to Section 8(b) or (c) hereof
          after the earlier to occur of (i) ninety (90) days following the
          Company's notification of Executive of its good faith determination of
          such breach, specifying in reasonable detail the grounds for such
          determination, and (ii) a final determination by an arbitrator or
          court of competent jurisdiction of such breach, and, upon such final
          determination, which is not appealable, he shall reimburse the Company
          for any amounts previously paid to Executive pursuant to Section 8(b)
          or (c) hereof.

          11. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless
     Executive to the extent provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, the
     By-Laws of the Company and the Delaware General Corporation Law as amended
     and as applicable, for any action or inaction of Executive while serving as
     an officer and director of the Company or, at the Company's request, as an
     officer or director of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or as a
     fiduciary of any benefit plan. The Company shall cover Executive under
     directors and officers liability insurance both during and, while potential
     liability exists, after the Employment Term in the same amount and to the
     same extent as the Company covers its other officers and directors.

          12. Intellectual Property.

               (a) Executive shall disclose promptly to the Company copyrights,
          trade secrets, proprietary information, patents, unpatented
          inventions, trademarks, service marks, processes, techniques, methods,
          know-how, flow charts, diagrams, computer programs and/or databases,
          and any and all significant conceptions and ideas for

                                       11
<PAGE>   12
     inventions, improvements and valuable discoveries, whether patentable or
     not (all of the foregoing, collectively, "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY"), which
     are conceived, created, developed or made by Executive, solely or jointly
     with another, during the period of employment or within one (1) year
     thereafter, and which are substantially related to the business or
     activities of the Company or its subsidiaries which Executive conceived,
     created, developed or made as a result of his employment by the Company or
     any of its subsidiaries. Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign all
     of his right, title and interest throughout the world in any Intellectual
     Property to the Company or its nominee. Whenever requested to do so by the
     Company, Executive shall execute any and all applications, assignments or
     other instruments that the Company shall deem necessary to apply for and
     obtain registrations of copyrights or marks, or Letters Patent of the
     United States or any foreign country or to otherwise protect the Company's
     interest in Intellectual Property.

          (b) Executive agrees that he will not, during or after the Employment
     Term, disclose the specific terms of the Company's relationships or
     agreements with its significant vendors or customers or any other
     significant material trade secrets of the Company, whether in existence or
     proposed (other than any of the foregoing that becomes public knowledge
     other than through disclosure by Executive), to any person, firm,
     partnership, corporation or business for any reason or purpose whatsoever,
     except as is disclosed in the ordinary course of business, unless compelled
     by a court order upon advice of counsel.

     13. Legal and Other Fees and Expenses. In the event that a claim for
payment or benefits under this Agreement is disputed, the non-prevailing party
shall pay all reasonable attorney, accountant and other professional fees and
reasonable expenses incurred by the prevailing party associated with such claim.

     14. Certain Additional Payments. Executive shall be grossed up for any
excise tax payable under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), in accordance with Exhibit C attached hereto.

     15. Resolution of Disputes. The parties shall use their best efforts and
good will to settle all disputes by amicable negotiations. The Company and
Executive agree, for purposes of the resolution of any disputes under this
Agreement, that such disputes shall be settled by arbitration in Dallas, Texas,
or such other place agreed to by the parties, in accordance with the rules and
procedures of the American Arbitration Association, as follows:

          (a) Any such arbitration shall be heard before a panel consisting of
     one to three arbitrators, each of whom shall be impartial. All arbitrators
     shall be appointed in the first instance by agreement between the parties
     hereto. If the parties cannot agree upon a single arbitrator, each of the
     Company and the Executive shall be entitled to appoint one arbitrator.
     These two appointed arbitrators shall then appoint a third arbitrator by
     their mutual agreement.

          (b) An arbitration may be commenced by either party to this Agreement
     by the service of a written request for arbitration upon the other affected
     party. Such request

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

     for arbitration shall summarize the controversy or claim to be arbitrated.
     If the panel of arbitrators is not appointed within thirty (30) days
     following such service, either party may apply to any court within the
     State of Texas for an order appointing arbitrators qualified as set forth
     below. No request for arbitration shall be valid if it relates to a claim,
     dispute, disagreement or controversy that would have been time barred under
     the applicable statute of limitations had such claim, dispute, disagreement
     or controversy been submitted to the courts of the State of Texas.

          (c) The parties hereby expressly waive punitive damages, and under no
     circumstances shall an award contain any amount that in any way reflects
     punitive damages.

          (d) Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered
     in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

     16.  Miscellaneous.

          (a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
     in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without reference to
     principles of conflict of laws.

          (b) Entire Agreement/Amendments. This Agreement and the instruments
     contemplated herein, contain the entire understanding of the parties with
     respect to the employment of Executive by the Company from and after the
     Commencement Date and supersedes any prior agreements between the Company
     and Executive with respect thereto. There are no restrictions, agreements,
     promises, warranties, covenants or undertakings between the parties with
     respect to the subject matter herein other than those expressly set forth
     herein and therein. This Agreement may not be altered, modified, or amended
     except by written instrument signed by the parties hereto.

          (c) Construction and Severability. If any provision of this Agreement
     shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the
     validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
     herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired, and the parties
     undertake to implement all efforts which are necessary, desirable and
     sufficient to amend, supplement or substitute all and any such invalid,
     illegal or unenforceable provisions with enforceable and valid provisions
     which would produce as nearly as may be possible the result previously
     intended by the parties without renegotiation of any material terms and
     conditions stipulated herein.

          (d) No Waiver. Any failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence
     to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a
     waiver of such party's rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter
     to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this
     Agreement. Any such waiver must be in writing and signed by Executive or an
     authorized officer of the Company, as the case may be.

          (e) Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by Executive.
     This Agreement shall be assignable by the Company only to an entity which
     is owned, directly

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

     or indirectly, in whole or in part by the Company or by any successor to
     the Company or an acquirer of all or substantially all of the assets of the
     Company or all or substantially all of the assets of a group of
     subsidiaries and divisions of the Company, provided such entity or acquirer
     promptly assumes all of the obligations hereunder of the Company in a
     writing delivered to Executive and otherwise complies with the provisions
     hereof with regard to such assumption. Upon such assignment and assumption,
     all references to the Company herein shall be to such assignee.

          (f) Successors; Binding Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries. This
     Agreement shall inure to the beneficiaries and permitted assignees of the
     parties hereto. In the event of Executive's death while receiving amounts
     payable pursuant to Section 8(b) hereof, any remaining amounts shall be
     paid to Executive's estate.

          (g) Communications. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all
     other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and
     shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when faxed or delivered, or
     (ii) two (2) business days after being mailed by United States registered
     or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to
     the respective addresses set forth on the initial page of this Agreement,
     provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention
     of the General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, or to such other
     address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in
     accordance herewith. Notice of change of address shall be effective only
     upon receipt.

          (h) Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any and all
     amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state and local taxes as
     may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or
     regulation.

          (i) Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the parties
     hereunder, including without limitation Section 10 and Section 11 hereof,
     shall survive any termination of Executive's employment to the extent
     necessary to the agreed preservation of such rights and obligations.

          (j) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each
     of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures
     thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

          (k) Headings. The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement
     are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the
     meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

          (l) Executive's Representation. Executive represents and warrants to
     the Company that there is no legal impediment to him entering into this
     Agreement, and entering into this Agreement will not violate any agreement
     to which he is a party or any other legal restrictions, and he has provided
     to the Company true and complete copies of any agreements or covenants to
     which he is a party that could restrict or adversely affect his performance
     under this Agreement. Executive further represents and warrants that in

                                       14
<PAGE>   15

     performing his duties hereunder he will not wrongfully use or disclose any
     confidential information of any prior employer or other person or entity.

                                       15
<PAGE>   16

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.

                               COMPANY:
                               --------

                               eVENTURES GROUP, INC.,
                               a Delaware corporation

                               By:   /s/ Clark K. Hunt
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                               Name:     Clark K. Hunt
                                   --------------------------------------------
                               Title:    Chairman of Compensation Committee
                                    -------------------------------------------

                               EXECUTIVE:
                               ----------

                                     /s/ Jeffrey A. Marcus
                               ------------------------------------------------
                               JEFFREY A. MARCUS

                                       16
<PAGE>   17

                                   EXHIBIT "A"
                                     TO THE
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                              eVENTURES GROUP, INC.
                                       AND
                                JEFFREY A. MARCUS

                                   DEFINITIONS

          (a) Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "CAUSE" shall be
     limited to the following:

              (i)    Executive's willful misconduct with regard to the Company
                     or its affiliates or their business, assets or employees
                     (including, without limitation, Executive's fraud or
                     embezzlement), or Executive's willful misconduct other than
                     the foregoing, which in any case has a material adverse
                     impact on the Company or its affiliates, whether economic,
                     or reputationwise or otherwise, each as determined by the
                     Board, and which is not fully rectified or cured, if
                     susceptible to rectification or cure, within thirty (30)
                     days after written notice is given to Executive; provided,
                     however, that this clause (i) shall not include an action
                     or omission of Executive done or omitted to be done in his
                     good faith exercise of business judgment or in good faith
                     reliance on advice of legal counsel to the Company;

              (ii)   Executive's conviction of, or pleading nolo contendere to,
                     a felony or other crime involving fraud or dishonesty;

              (iii)  Executive's refusal or willful failure to follow the lawful
                     written direction of the Board which is not remedied within
                     ten (10) business days after receipt by Executive of a
                     written notice specifying the details thereto;

              (iv)   Executive's breach of Section 10 or Section 12 hereof,
                     which has a material adverse economic impact on the Company
                     or its affiliates, as determined by the Board; or

              (v)    the representations or warranties in Section 16(l) hereof
                     prove false, which has a material adverse economic impact
                     on the Company or its affiliates, as determined by the
                     Board.

     (b) Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "CHANGE IN
CONTROL" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

                                       1
<PAGE>   18
              (i)    any "person" as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
                     14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") (other
                     than (a) Permitted Assignees, (b) the Company, (c) any
                     trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any
                     employee benefit plan of the Company, or (d) any company
                     owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
                     Company in substantially the same proportions as their
                     ownership of Common Stock of the Company) is or becomes the
                     "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
                     Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
                     representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined
                     voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities.
                     Permitted Assignees shall mean the holders of the equity
                     securities (whether or not voting) of any shareholder of
                     the Company owning more than fifteen percent (15%) of the
                     Company on the date after the date of execution of this
                     Agreement, so long as the voting power and disposition
                     authority with respect to the securities of such holders is
                     held directly or indirectly by any two or three of the
                     following individuals: Barrett N. Wissman, Clark K. Hunt or
                     James R. Holland;

              (ii)   during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals
                     who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board,
                     and any new director (other than a director designated by a
                     person who has entered into an agreement with the Company
                     to effect a transaction described in clause (i), (iii), or
                     (iv) of this paragraph) whose election by the Board or
                     nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was
                     approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors
                     then still in office who either were directors at the
                     beginning of the two-year period or whose election or
                     nomination for election was previously so approved, cease
                     for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
                     Board;

              (iii)  a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
                     corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which
                     would result in the voting securities of the Company
                     outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
                     represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
                     converted into voting securities of the surviving entity)
                     more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power
                     of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
                     entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
                     consolidation; or

              (iv)   the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
                     liquidation of the Company or the sale or disposition by
                     the Company of assets where the proceeds thereof are not

                                       2
<PAGE>   19

                     retained by the Company, in a single transaction or a
                     series of related transactions, that result in a 66-2/3
                     percent or greater decline in the enterprise value of the
                     Company, valued based on the weighted average fair market
                     value of any outstanding class of stock of the Company plus
                     the book value of the outstanding indebtedness of the
                     Company.

     (c) Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, "DISABILITY" shall mean if
Executive is unable to perform his material duties pursuant to this Agreement,
as determined by the Board, because of mental or physical incapacity, including,
without limitation, alcoholism or drug abuse, which requires a leave of absence
in excess of ninety (90) consecutive days in any twelve (12) month period.

     (d) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "GOOD REASON" shall mean
the occurrence, without Executive's express written consent, in the case of (i),
(ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), of any of the following circumstances:

              (i)    (a) any demotion of Executive from his position as Chairman
                     and Chief Executive Officer, (b) any assignment of duties
                     to Executive materially and adversely inconsistent with
                     Executive's position as Chairman and Chief Executive
                     Officer, or (c) any material adverse change in the job
                     duties, reporting relationship, benefits, perquisites, or
                     office accommodations of the Executive (except, in any
                     case, in connection with the termination of Executive's
                     employment for Cause or due to Disability or as a result of
                     Executive's death, or temporarily as a result of
                     Executive's illness or other absence);

              (ii)   a failure by the Company to pay to Executive any amounts
                     due under this Agreement in accordance with the terms
                     hereof;

              (iii)  the failure to elect and maintain Executive as a member of
                     the Board and as Chairman of the Board at any time during
                     the Employment Term;

              (iv)   any other material breach by the Company of this Agreement;

              (v)    relocation of the Company's headquarters following the
                     Commencement Date;

              (vi)   a Change in Control; or

              (vii)  any claim, litigation, investigation or other legal action
                     by a governmental agency or other third party arising out
                     of the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries prior
                     to the Commencement Date which would reasonably be expected
                     to have

                                       3
<PAGE>   20

                    a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
                    operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries
                    or would reasonably be expected to result in a material
                    liability for any or all of the officers and directors of
                    the Company and its subsidiaries (whether or not indemnified
                    or insured); provided that to the extent this clause relates
                    to any filings made by the Company and its subsidiaries with
                    the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the
                    Commencement Date, this clause also applies to such filing
                    in the form in which it is ultimately declared effective.

                                       4
<PAGE>   21

                                   EXHIBIT "B"
                                     TO THE
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                              eVENTURES GROUP, INC.
                                       AND
                                JEFFREY A. MARCUS

                               STOCK OPTION GRANTS

                                       5
<PAGE>   22

                                   EXHIBIT "C"
                                     TO THE
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                              eVENTURES GROUP, INC.
                                       AND
                                JEFFREY A. MARCUS

                                GROSS-UP PAYMENT

As provided in Section 14 of the Employment Agreement of which this Exhibit C is
a part:

     (a) In the event that Executive shall become entitled to payments and/or
benefits provided by this Agreement or any other amounts in the "nature of
compensation" (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other
plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company, any person whose actions result
in a change of ownership or effective control covered by Section 280G(b)(2) of
the Code or any person affiliated with the Company or such person) as a result
of such change in ownership or effective control (collectively the "Company
Payments"), and such Company Payments will be subject to the tax (the "Excise
Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, the Company shall pay to Executive,
subject to required withholding, at the time specified in subsection (d) below
an additional amount (the "Gross-up Payment") such that the net amount retained
by Executive, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Company Payments and on
the Gross-Up Payment provided for under this paragraph (a) and any U.S. federal,
state, and local income or payroll tax upon the Gross-up Payment provided for by
this paragraph (a), but before deduction for any U.S. federal, state, and local
income or payroll tax on the Company Payments, shall be equal to the Company
Payments.

     (b) In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined by the
Company to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the
Gross-up Payment is made, Executive shall repay to the Company, at the time that
the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of
the prior Gross-up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus the portion of
the Gross-up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and U.S. federal, state and
local income tax imposed on the portion of the Gross-up Payment being repaid by
Executive), plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate provided
in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. In the event that the Excise Tax is later
determined by the Company or the Internal Revenue Service to exceed the amount
taken into account hereunder at the time the Gross-up Payment is made (including
by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined
at the time of the Gross-up Payment), the Company shall make an additional
Gross-up Payment in respect of such excess (plus any interest or penalties
payable with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess
is finally determined.

     (c) The Gross-up Payment or portion thereof provided for in subsection (c)
above shall be paid not later than the thirtieth (30th) day following delivery
by Executive to the Company of notice that an event that subjects Executive to
the Excise Tax has occurred; provided, however, that if the amount of such
Gross-up Payment or portion thereof cannot be

                                       6
<PAGE>   23

finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to Executive on
such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Company, of the minimum
amount of such payments and shall pay the remainder of such payments (together
with interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code)
promptly following such time as the amount thereof has been determined. In the
event that the amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently
determined to have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company
to Executive, payable on the fifth day after demand by the Company (together
with interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code).

     (d) In the event of any controversy with the Internal Revenue Service (or
other taxing authority) with regard to the Excise Tax, Executive shall permit
the Company to control issues related to the Excise Tax, but Executive shall
control any other issues. In the event of any conference with any taxing
authority as to the Excise Tax or associated income taxes, Executive shall
permit the representative of the Company to accompany Executive, and Executive
and Executive's representative shall cooperate with the Company and its
representative.

     (e) The Company and Executive shall promptly deliver to each other copies
of any written communications, and summaries of any verbal communications, with
any taxing authority regarding the Excise Tax covered by this Exhibit C.

                                       7

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00009-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00009-of-00352.parquet"}]]